The Science Behind CB1 & CB2 Receptors

The benefits of CBD are well known. You know CBD provides pain relief throughout your body without the usual “high” associated with THC. It can also reduce stress and depression. It can even assist in curbing alcohol and nicotine addiction. But what makes CBD actually work? As with all things, there’s a science to it!

Here at San Benito, we’re committed to providing quality, researched information to go along with our amazing products. Knowing how your body interacts with CBD is the first step in making educated decisions when purchasing and using CBD products.

Discovered in 1988, the first cannabinoid receptors were found in the brain of a rat. Scientists set out to learn more about these receptors and, in 1992, discovered a complex endocannabinoid system in humans.

Here’s where it gets a bit technical. Every human possesses an advanced physiological system, known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system comprises three main parts, including cannabinoid receptors known as CB1 and CB2.

Each receptor is abundant in their respective areas of the body: CB1 is primarily found in the brain and central nervous system and CB2 is common in immune cells. These cannabinoid receptors are critical in creating homeostasis in your body’s cells. That means your body is already creating cannabinoids in your body that closely resemble naturally-occurring cannabinoids in hemp (phytocannabinoids).

Introducing CBD to your body can help enhance CB1 and CB2 activity while boosting levels of endocannabinoids. But what does this actually mean? Even though you might be familiar with the benefits of CBD as a whole, we’re going to break it down even further.

CBD combined with CB1 receptors activate benefits such as lower anxiety, lower blood pressure, relief from depression, and reduced fear and paranoia. When CBD is introduced to areas with CB1 receptors, you’ll notice these symptoms lessen with short-term and long-term use.

CB2 receptors are found in immune system cells and periphery areas of the body, such as bones. These receptors are responsible for relieving joint pain, chronic gastrointestinal irritation, and inflammation throughout your body. CB2 receptors are such a diverse system, they also assist in reducing withdrawal symptoms.

Ingesting CBD is the most beneficial way to activate these receptors. Whether you prefer taking softgels as part of your daily routine or adding CBD oil to your morning coffee, you’ll feel the benefits throughout your entire body. By naturally enhancing the work done by CB1 and CB2, you will note a positive change in your mood and physical wellbeing. It’s thanks to the ECS that CBD is such a beneficial compound.

Despite 30 years of research and scientific inquiry, the ECS is absent from clinical schooling. With the legalization of more and more hemp-based products, there is hope that this scientific evidence will be widely taught. As hemp cultivation has increased, it is inevitable that the interaction of CBD and ECS will be at the forefront of hemp education.