The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of the body’s largest neurotransmitter networks but was only discovered in the 1980’s – two decades after THC. The ECS is always working to achieve balance, or homeostasis, which means maintaining a stable internal environment despite changes in the external environment. Prolonged chronic stress, and acute traumatic stress, can disrupt the ECS resulting in dysregulation of the physiology. Genetic mutations can be triggered like switches expressing as symptoms of impaired immune, metabolic, nervous, endocrine and/or musculoskeletal. Systemic inflammation ramps up and the body alerts the individual, typically through pain, anxiety, fatigue and mood disorders.
Ok so now the good news! Enter cannabis. A species of plant with numerous hybrids containing varying concentrations of phytocannabinoids mirroring endocannabinoids created naturally by the human body. Moreover, unique terpene profiles complement the restorative properties of the plant by interfacing with the endocannabinoid system's CB1 and CB2 receptor sites (located throughout the body, especially the brain, spleen and liver). As the ECS is replenished and reverts to more normal operation, many symptoms of degenerative dis-ease begin to improve, if not resolve.
Because the ECS underpins most of our body’s systems – like the immune, gastrointestinal, central and peripheral nervous, reproductive, digestive, and more – it remains a crucial opportunity for many researchers to uncover more answers about the medicinal benefits of cannabis, but woefully understudied. As cannabis moves towards the mainstream, more research to understand receptors and our ECS are sure to come.
THC and CBD are two of over 85 different natural occurring cannabinoid strains found in the cannabis plant and when these compounds all work together it is called the “entourage effect”, also know as the “full spectrum effect”. There is exponential power in the full spectrum of the plant, where as isolating just CBD has no “entourage effect”. The only way to get the “entourage effect” is to preserve the terpenes and all the delicate cannabinoids by the method of Hemp Paste™.