You may not think about it in your day-to-day life, but the body is a miraculous, marvelous thing. Through thousands of years of evolution, our bodies have developed systems designed to work alongside the plants and herbs around us.
Over time, our ancient ancestors discovered a variety of different plants that helped us ward off pain, feel calm, heighten alertness and much more. These evolutionary advantages would eventually give rise to the endocannabinoid system. Every time you inhale or consume CBD flower, a complex and fascinating reaction happens inside the body. Here’s what’s going on, step-by-step.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (or ECS) is a network of enzymes, receptors and neurotransmitters in the body that regulate different physiological processes like mood, sleep, alertness and more. When you inhale or consume CBD flower, these processes light up like a switchboard to help your body make use of the various components.
Smoking or Vaping CBD Flower
When you inhale CBD flower by smoking or vaping, the cannabinoids (like CBD) are delivered to your lungs. In your lungs, tiny air sacs called alveoli pick up the cannabinoids and they head promptly to the bloodstream. This makes inhalation one of the fastest ways to experience the effects of CBD.
The same process happens with edibles, except in order to reach the bloodstream, they need to be digested first, so it takes a bit longer than direct inhalation. Likewise, topical application needs to go through the body’s natural skin barrier before the components are broken down and pass through the bloodstream.
Greetings from the Endocannabinoid System
To better understand what’s actually going on in the body, it’s important to understand a bit about the endocannabinoid system. There are three main parts: endocannabinoids, which are naturally occurring cannabinoids in the body, receptors, and enzymes.
Within these three groups, there are two types of receptors: CB1 receptors which are mainly found in the brain and central nervous system, and CB2 receptors which are found in other organs, mostly immune cells. THC binds directly to these receptors, however CBD does not. It can, however, influence certain receptors, including the ones that release serotonin and other feel-good chemicals.
The “Bliss” Molecule
One of the mechanisms of CBD is that it stops certain enzymes from breaking down, so that they remain longer in your system. One of those enzymes is a naturally-occuring endocannabinoid called “anandamide”, also known as the “bliss molecule”. CBD works like a shield, stopping the body from breaking down anandamide so quickly, so it stays active in your body for a longer period of time. This results in effects like improved mood or pain relief or reduction.
Happy Little Neurotransmitters
CBD also adjusts the release and reuptake of different neurotransmitters like the previously-mentioned serotonin, as well as dopamine. These neurotransmitters regulate emotional well-being, mood and the body’s stress response. It also boosts neurotransmitters like GABA, which helps reduce anxiety and promote greater relaxation.
Targeting Inflammation and Pain
CBD flower also activates specific receptors that are related to pain and inflammation, helping to reduce the body’s responses to pain perception. It works with immune cells to calm down the production of cytokines, certain proteins that signal cells to become inflamed. For this reason, CBD flower is often recommended as a therapeutic option to help soothe inflammation and pain from arthritis or other autoimmune conditions.
What Else is Happening in the Background?
As it continues to interact with the endocannabinoid system ,CBD also helps promote balance between all the different states of the body, including immune response, sleep, mood and appetite. It’s also a naturally-occurring antioxidant that can help fight oxidative stress which in turn leads to cell damage and aging.
Metabolism and Excretion: End of the Road
After CBD has been circulating in the bloodstream for a while, it eventually gets metabolized in the liver by specific enzymes. The resulting metabolites then get passed through the kidneys or feces.
As for how quickly CBD is removed from the body, the half-life (the time it takes for the concentration of CBD to be halved) depends on several facts including:
- The dosage of CBD flower
- How it’s consumed (smoking versus edibles versus topical application, for example)
- Your individual metabolism
Generally speaking, it takes around 18-32 hours for CBD to leave the body once it’s inhaled.
Lots of Benefits, One Easy Click
As you can see, CBD flower delivers a wide variety of benefits that helps your body to regulate mood, sleep, and relax better. It also acts as a protective barrier against oxidative stress, and much more. Can one simple flower really do so much? The answer is a resounding yes!
At Plain Jane, we’re about educating and helping individuals discover the unique benefits of this incredible plant in all of its forms. Not sure which CBD flower is right for you? Be sure to check out our flower sampler! Know exactly what you’re looking for? We stock a variety of premium-grade CBD hemp flower in our online store, all backed by thorough Certificates of Analysis, so you can feel confident about the quality you’re getting.
We also invite you to read through our product reviews and ratings. If you’re a beginner to the world of CBD flower, we invite you to reach out to us for suggestions on the best strains to try. If you’re looking to expand your horizons a bit more, we’re all too happy to recommend new and unique hemp buds you won’t find anywhere else!
Now that you’ve had a thorough science lesson, it’s time to use what you’ve learned. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have or get started with some of our most popular products including CBD gummies, hemp pre-rolls, topicals and more. We even carry CBD products for pets! Visit us at PlainJane.com to learn more.
