The Magic of THC and CBD — The Full Spectrum Hemp Oil Difference
The hemp plant is one of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts. It’s been used for centuries to relieve physical and mental ailments, but it’s only recently that science has caught up with the knowledge of our ancestors. Full spectrum hemp oil is packed with valuable substances, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
These cannabinoids, along with a host of other bioactive hemp compounds, work together to produce the ‘entourage effect’ and provide powerful relief for a wide range of health conditions.
Although cannabinoids have unique therapeutic benefits, it’s the combination of all the compounds that make full spectrum hemp oil so powerful. These molecules interact with your body to produce various effects, from relief from inflammation and pain to reducing anxiety and stress. But how do these substances exert their effects? Continue reading to find out.
Hemp oil and the endocannabinoid system
Everyone has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) completely independent of cannabis use. It comprises three parts:
- Endocannabinoids, which are signaling molecules
- Receptors that receive the action of the endocannabinoids
- Enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids once they’ve fulfilled their purpose
You have endocannabinoid receptors throughout your body. There are CB1 receptors located primarily in nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord but also in the spleen, endocrine glands, and reproductive, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts. In contrast, CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune system.
The ECS is responsible for maintaining the body’s internal balance or homeostasis. It responds to changes in your environment and helps the body adapt accordingly. It continuously monitors and adjusts the functions of all your body’s systems to keep everything working in perfect harmony.
Research suggests that the ECS plays a crucial role in the following physiological processes:
- appetite
- bone remodeling and growth
- digestion
- immunity
- inflammation
- liver function
- memory
- metabolism
- mood
- motor control
- muscle formation
- pain
- reproductive system function
- skin and nerve function
- sleep
- stress
If an outside force such as injury, illness, or stress throws your ECS out of balance and you’re deficient in endocannabinoids, it can lead to negative health consequences. These include migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, lowered pain threshold, improper regulation of digestion, mood, and sleep, and a growing list of other conditions.
How full-spectrum CBD oil affects the ECS
Cannabinoids interact with your ECS to restore balance to your body and mind and produce the many hemp oil benefits. But if THC and CBD are both hemp compounds, how do they have such different effects on the body?
THC and CBD have the same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. However, the atoms are arranged differently, and this small difference leads to widely divergent effects.
THC binds tightly with CB1 receptors in the brain, producing the infamous intoxicating effects and euphoric high associated with cannabis use. THC mirrors the action of an endocannabinoid called anandamide, also known as the bliss molecule, because it produces feelings of happiness, peace, and euphoria. Besides producing these effects, THC has shown positive results in easing many different types of pain.
In comparison, CBD affects the ECS more discreetly. It doesn’t bind directly to the cannabinoid receptors and does not produce intoxication.
Although more research is needed to confirm precisely how CBD interacts with the ECS, it appears to inhibit the enzymes that break down endocannabinoids. As a result, CBD extends the lifespan of your natural endocannabinoids so they can carry out their regulatory functions for longer, helping your body heal itself and restoring balance.
Other cannabinoids in full spectrum hemp oil, such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabinol (CBN), interact with the ECS uniquely and have specific therapeutic benefits.
In addition, these compounds, along with terpenes, flavonoids, and other hemp phytochemicals, interact synergistically and work together to produce a more powerful effect than CBD alone. This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect.
For this reason, full-spectrum CBD oil is the most potent and nourishing form of CBD available. It’s the most effective way to harness the power of the endocannabinoid system, and by supplementing your body’s natural cannabinoids, you can restore balance and promote long-term health.
By choosing a high-quality full spectrum hemp oil such as Nesas Hemp, you can reap the benefits of its natural synergies and enjoy optimal health.
