This is your brain on CBD…

Ever wonder what CBD is doing to your brain? Or how it is able to accomplish such a wide array of benefits? Well, we are here to break it all down for you! Here’s what you’ll learn:

1. Psychoactive vs intoxicating
2. The Endocannabinoid System
   1. What it is and what it does
   2. THC vs CBD activation
   3. Brain homeostasis
3. The different ares and functions of the brain that CBD directly affects
4. What it all means for your mental health and overall wellbeing

Myth: CBD is “non-psychoactive”

One of the biggest mistakes people make when talking about CBD is describing it as “non-psychoactive”. The phytocannabinoid’s affect on anxiety, mood, focus, and neuron health prove that it is indeed changing the way your brain functions. While it is true that it will not cause the ‘high’ that THC does, to say that it doesn’t affect brain activity is a bit misleading. A more accurate way to describe CBD is non-intoxicating, rather than non-psychoactive.

Now that we’ve gotten those semantics out of the way, let’s talk about all the ways that CBD and your endocannabinoid system affect brain function!

A brief intro to the endocannabinoid system

The endocanabinoid system is the great regulator. Its primary function is to restore and maintain homeostasis (our bodies’ ideal state of balance). Dr. Dustin Sulak, D.O., beautifully describes the ECS and the function of cannabinoids, stating that:

“Cannabinoids promote homeostasis at every level of biological life, from the sub-cellular, to the organism, and perhaps to the community and beyond. […] Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks, but the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment”.

The system is comprised of:

1. A widespread network of receptors which are distributed throughout every part of our body but are most prevalent in the gut and nervous system.
2. Cannabinoids that act upon these receptor sites to influence cellular activity and coordinate complex physiological functions in the interest of homeostasis. Cannabinoids can be broken down into 2 subtypes:
   1. Endocannabinoids like AEA (anandamide, or the bliss molecule) and 2-AG. These cannabinoids are endogenous, meaning that they are produced by our own bodies.
   2. Phytocannabinoids like CBD and THC which are produced by plants. Supplementing with phytocannabinoids boosts ECS activity, which tones and conditions the system for higher functionality.

A balanced and well-functioning endocannabinoid system is the foundation for overall mind-body health and wellness. Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency has been associated with auto-immune diseases, heightened anxiety and depression, even migraines. 

CBD vs. THC

An important thing to note when it comes to phytocannabinoids acting upon the endocannabinoid system is that THC fits into CB1 receptors of the ECS like a lock and key. When THC binds to these CB1 receptors in the brain, you experience the high that cannabis is known for. Conversely, CBD does not directly bind with any of the receptors of the ECS. Rather, it increases the amount of endocannabinoids that are present in our body. Those endocannabinoids, like anandamide and 2-AG, act directly upon the receptors of the ECS to effectively balance and tone the system.

Another notable feature of CBD is that it can actually block THC from binding to those CB1 receptors in the brain. So, if you ever get caught off guard by an edible (we’ve all been there) reach for some CBD to mellow out the effects of THC!

CBD is also able to influence the activity at non-ECS targets throughout the body. Through its affect on the 5HT/serotonergic system, CBD is able to regulate how serotonin activity in a similar manner as SSRIs like Prozac which are commonly prescribed for anxiety and depression.

The endocannabinoid system & brain balance

The endocannabinoid system is an important brain modulatory network. It regulates brain homeostasis throughout our development by regulating key processes like programmed cell death, neurogenesis, brain plasticity, circuit repair and the creation of new synapses.

These ECS functions affect our ability to learn new skills and process new information, as well as our ability to remember the things that are helpful and forgetting the things that are not (think: PTSD).

All of these functions come together to not only keep general brain function balanced and healthy, but to keep us in harmonious homeostasis with our environment. Learning new things, being “open minded” and appropriately identifying threats and regulating fear-based responses are key functions to ensure that we are well-adjusted members of society.

How CBD affects brain function & neuron health

CBD powers up your endocannabinoid system, allowing it to perform its balancing, harmonizing functions more effectively.

The Hippocampus Hero

The hippocampus is one of the regions of the brain heavily associated with memory, emotion, and learning. It is also one of the two areas of the brain where neurogenesis, or the formation of new brain cells, occurs throughout life.

Stress can have a detrimental effect on the hippocampus region.That’s why it’s so difficult to focus, learn and remember (or recall) things when you’re stressed out. Chronic stress can lead to more chronic issues like brain fog and can even increase susceptibility to dimentia.

CBD has the ability to counteract, or repair, the damage that stress does on the hippocampus. It accomplishes this by spurring neurogenesis.

Neurogenesis is a super important component of healthy brain function. We need to be able to form new brain cells and make new neural connections to store new memories and learn new skills.

Serotonin Superstar

Serotonin is dubbed the “feel good” neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) because of its profound effect on mood and anxiety. But, serotonin also plays an important role in cognition. Low levels of serotonin can be linked to memory loss and Alzheimers. Healthy levels of serotonin contribute to faster learning and enhanced memory formation.

CBD provides a natural way to boost serotonin levels by increasing receptivity and efficiency at serotonergic receptor sites. In essence, CBD changes the feedback loop that regulates how much serotonin is released at the presynaptic site by regulating activity at the post-synaptic site.

That’s not the only way CBD affects serotonin, though. The gut, often referred to as our “second brain” is actually where most of the body’s serotonin is produced. It also happens to be where most of our ECS, as well as 70% of our immune system, is located. When the gut is inflamed or the microbiome is disturbed, serotonin production suffers. Cannabinoids like CBD can help to rebalance GI conditions and restore optimal serotonin production.

Free Radical Fighter and Neuron Protector

Despite their combative stance towards cannabis, the US government actually has a patent on cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants. They name CBD specifically as a promising intervention for inflammatory and ischemic disease.

Studies have shown that antioxidants may help to counteract the unstable molecules that comprise free radicals, counteracting negative effects of oxidative stress such as memory loss. Antioxidants also protect against inflammation. Keeping inflammation at bay is key for a healthy, high-functioning brain.

Chronic inflammation weakens your blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a mechanism designed keep harmful, inflammatory molecules in your bloodstream from entering the brain. A weak blood-brain barrier is an ineffective blood-brain barrier, leaving your brain susceptible to damage and inflammation.

While the antioxidant power of cannabinoids defend against damage-causing free-radicals, neuroprotectants work to minimize damage and prevent further injury to partially damaged nerve cells.

CBD can protect neurons from degeneration, which can help you defend against neurological diseases such as dimentia.

Better brain, better vibes

All of these brain-boosting benefits contribute to CBD’s ability to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Think about the correlation between stress, mood and your ability to focus and use your brain to its best ability. There is an inextricable connection between brain chemistry, gut health, mood and anxiety.

The endocannabinoid system’s ability to influence both of your brains – your central nervous system and your enteric nervous system (the gut) – is what makes it so effective at creating a happier, healthier headspace.

If you’re looking for products to help you enjoy the brain-boosting benefits of CBD, we recommend:

• The O.G. TONIC: CBD, ashwagandha, and black seed oil
• Zone Vaporizer: undiluted full spectrum CBD oil, limonene + pinene terpenes

The best way to make CBD work for your brain is to take it consistently. Especially when it coms to neurogenesis in the hippocampus, consistent use is key!