Hemp is gaining popularity on a daily basis. This controversial plant, which many still associate with illegal substances, carries a veritable treasure trove of substances that have a soothing effect on a variety of problems. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the field of medicinal uses. Numerous clinical studies and scientific papers reported positive results in therapies involving cannabis resin. The best-known ingredient of cannabis resin is the CBD cannabinoid that proved effective in the field of various auto-immune disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It also recorded positive effects with Crohn's disease, insomnia, diabetes, depression, and several others. CBD oil is also effective in the field of skin problems, calming autoimmune reactions on the skin and reducing sebum secretion from the sebaceous glands.
What is CBD oil?
CBD or cannabidiol is a compound found in hemp leaves and flowers whose production and use is completely legal in Slovenia. CBD has many beneficial effects on the human organism and does not cause intoxication - it has no psychoactive effects on a person. CBD is a cannabinoid molecule very similar to the molecule that can be found in the human body, responsible for communication between cells.
Cannabinoids are messengers
Cannabinoid molecules, named endocannabinoids, form in the human body as well as all other vertebrates and owe their name to chemical structure similarities they share with cannabinoids in hemp. The endocannabinoids in our bodies function as intercellular lipid messengers that are released from one cell membrane, activating the receptors on the membrane of another cell. Their signals are retrograde because they move, or more accurately, exchange materials and communicate opposite to the usual direction of the intercellular signals. This behavior is what makes them an active substance, lowering the secretion of insulin in the bloodstream, reducing pain and temperature and calming the immune system.
Why is CBD beneficial to our health?
Our body is capable of producing the message-transmitting cannabinoids on its own, however, when our body is sick, tired or under severe stress, the production stops and we no longer produce our own cannabinoids. In such cases, we can assist with an input of phytocannabinoids. These can be found in hemp, with CBD being the most researched one. Hemp cannabinoids bind to the same receptors as cannabinoids produced in our own bodies. This makes the body recognize and accept them as its own. Cannabinoid receptors are also found in skin cells, which enables CBD to function effectively and locally through the skin as well.
Sources:
1. Zuardi AW, et al. Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2006;39(4):421–429. doi: 10.1590/S0100-879X2006000400001. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]
2. Demuth DG, Molleman A. Cannabinoid signaling. Life Sci. 2006;78(6):549–563. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2005.05.055. [PubMed] [Cross Ref]
3. Abood ME, Sorensen RG, Stella N, eds. endoCANNABINOIDS. New York, New York, USA: Springer Science+Business Media New York; 2013.
