Today, CBD oil from the hemp variety of the cannabis plant is growing in popularity, thanks in part to a significant body of scientific research outlining its many health benefits.

But what exactly is it about CBD that makes it so special?

Compounds like CBD, CBG, and THC are unique molecules known as cannabinoids, and they offer many benefits to mind-body wellness.

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are compounds that are mainly found in the hemp plant's flowers and leaves. There are over 100 known cannabinoids. In nature, these compounds are part of the plant's defense system and help protect them from UV light and dryness.

The discovery of cannabinoids began in the 1980s and 1990s when scientists were researching how the cannabis plant interacts with the human body.

Does your Body Naturally Produce Cannabinoids?

Yes, naturally produced cannabinoids are known as 'endocannabinoids' (inner cannabinoids).

The two main endocannabinoids that are produced in the human body (and in other mammals) are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).

How Do Endocannabinoids Work?

Your endocannabinoids are part of the Endocannabinoid System. They interact with two types of receptors, which are located throughout the brain and body: 

• CB1, which mainly regulates the central nervous system   
• CB2, which mainly regulates immunity and inflammation among others

Endocannabinoids are known as neurotransmitters, and their job is to send and regulate signals along your body's signaling pathways. By doing this, they help keep many of your main systems and processes in a balanced state of health.

These include:

• Emotional responses
• Metabolism
• Inflammatory responses
• Sleep
• Immunity
• Pain control
• Digestion
• Appetite control
• Learning and memory

What Do Cannabinoids Do?

Just like with any compound, endocannabinoids may sometimes become depleted due to illness, environmental toxins, and certain lifestyle choices. When this happens, a condition known as 'Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency' (CED) may set in.

The depletion of endocannabinoids that's a hallmark of CED has been shown to cause imbalances that may lead to: 

• Memory and learning issues
• Increased stress and anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep issues
• Muscle and joint pain
• Lowered immune system responses
• Chronic inflammation, which is an underlying cause of many leading diseases 

This is where the cannabinoids found in hemp can step in. They actually mimic, enhance, and replenish your naturally occurring endocannabinoids in order to help reduce your risk of developing these health and wellness issues.

For example, while CBD doesn't interact directly CB2 receptors, it does work to help increase the levels of the endocannabinoid known as the "bliss molecule" (anandamide) in your body. THC, on the other hand, binds directly with CB1 just like your naturally occurring endocannabinoids. These actions may have many positive effects on your health.

What are the Benefits of Cannabinoids?

While cannabinoids don't cure any disease, they do help keep your body's naturally occurring health processes in an optimal state of balance.

What is the Impact of Cannabinoids on Brain Function?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), cannabinoids have shown success in clinical trials for treating a number of issues that occur due to altered brain functioning, including anxiety and epileptic seizures. They've also shown some success in helping patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) better manage their symptoms. In addition, the cannabinoid THC helped people with Tourette's Syndrome lower the severity of tics they experience in one small study.

For people with multiple sclerosis, a condition of the brain and central nervous system, cannabinoids improved spasticity (stiff muscles and movements) across several studies.

In addition, Project CBD highlights how cannabinoids have had positive effects when used to treat the symptoms of dementia, especially agitation, sleep issues, sexual dysfunction, and aggression.

What is the Impact of Cannabinoids on Body Function?

One of cannabinoids' biggest claims to fame is their ability to help relieve pain. The NIH points out that two separate multi-study reviews found that people with different types of chronic pain had, on average, a 30% reduction in their symptoms after using cannabinoids. This included neuropathic pain caused by damage or injury. The compounds work, in part, by helping reduce inflammation to ease pressure on muscles and joints.

Cannabinoids also have shown promise in treating symptoms of conditions that affect digestion, such as inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

Plus, cannabinoids helped ease sleep issues across multiple disorders, says the NIH. CBD in particular seems to show promise in helping improve sleep quality. This has numerous benefits to your health, including helping with proper immune responses and reducing your risk of developing chronic illnesses.

People with glaucoma, HIV and AIDS symptoms, and cancer-related nausea and vomiting have also benefited from cannabinoid therapy.

What to Look for When Buying Cannabinoids?

Full Spectrum CBD + THC

'Full spectrum' hemp contains the most cannabinoids of the three blends. That's why we recommend buying full spectrum CBD+THC products, like our delicious Island Sweet Breeze 'Mega' Gummies. Plus, when cannabinoids such as CBD and THC are combined together, they've been shown to help enhance each other's wellness benefits. 

You should also look for products containing full spectrum CBD oil with THC that's made from the hemp variety of the cannabis plant. This is because these hemp products must contain less than 0.3% THC by law. In these low doses, this psychoactive compound won't get you high, but you still may benefit from its wellness-balancing properties.

Finally, since Delta 9 THC is the most potent form of THC found in hemp, we also suggest choosing full spectrum CBD and Delta 9 THC products for sale that are third-party lab tested and verified.

At Eli Ruby, you can buy CBD & Delta 9 THC products online. All our products are 100% natural hemp plant-derived, third-party tested, and crafted with an abundance of cannabinoids to help give your health an added boost!