Cannabis has been a part of the human experience for as long as history can tell. Used as food, medicine, building material, and a variety of other uses, cannabis has supported every culture around the world for centuries. Perceived as a threat to the operations of barons like John D. Rockefeller, a systematic propaganda campaign to demonized cannabis to the world. Still, we are sure that every reader has heard of at least one seemingly far-fetched story about a very sick person being miraculously cured by consuming cannabis products. Cannabinoids, such as CBD, a phytocannabinoid (made form plants), is more recently breaking through the years of intentional suppression mainly because of its incredible results in some individuals dealing with a dire health crisis. Despite recent acceptance, in much of the world cannabis remains very illegal. But what if we told you that each one of you around the world has a variety of cannabinoids in your bodies right now?
Cannabinoids are chemical substances, regardless of structure or origin, that join the cannabinoid receptors of the body and brain, including some that occur naturally within the body without consumption of cannabis, called endocannabinoids. In fact, like all animals and insects, our bodies have and entire endocannabinoid system comprised of cannabinoid receptors and these naturally occurring endocannabinoids. This commonly unknown system is integral to maintaining homeostasis facilitating checks and balancing throughout the body and brain. Every function in your body uses the endocannabinoid system as a switchboard to direct, correct, and manage their operations. The cannabinoid receptors are found all through the body and are activated or de-activated by the various endocannabinoids formed by ligands and enzymes on demand within the body. This system seems to have even more of an influence on the body than the brain itself. It appears that the cannabis plant may have evolved to produce cannabinoids to self-servingly exploit this system and appeal to the human race and ensure that we continue its propagation and use through history. The most famous cannabinoid, THC mimics the endocannabinoid anandamide also known as the “bliss molecule.” People report experiencing a more relaxed state, increased appetite, reduction of insomnia, trauma reduction and other positive effects following consumption of THC. In some individuals these THC and CBD in combination has been shown to be even more effective than some pharmaceutical interventions offered for the same ailments.