The endocannabinoid system: your body's own balance system
What many people don't know: Your body produces cannabinoids itself - completely without hemp. These so-called endo-cannabinoids (i.e. endogenous) are part of a biological regulatory system that is active throughout your body: the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is like a silent director in the background - responsible for the fine-tuning of processes such as:
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Pain perception
- Inflammatory reactions
- Hormone production
- Mood
- Memory
- Stress reactions
And this runs via two main receptors:
- CB1 receptors - especially in the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord)
- CB2 receptors - in the immune system and peripheral tissues (e.g. skin, intestines, joints)
If your body produces too few of its own cannabinoids (e.g. due to chronic stress, illness, lack of sleep, hormonal imbalances), the whole system gets out of sync. This is where CBD (cannabidiol) can help - a plant substance from hemp that gently activates and supports your ECS without having a psychoactive effect (i.e. without intoxication).
CBD acts as a "pusher" of your body's own balance:
Not too much, not too little - but just enough to get your self-regulation working again.
Dosage forms: How you can integrate CBD into your everyday life
CBD is versatile - and that's what makes it so exciting. You can choose the right form depending on your goal and preference:
CBD oil (classic sublingual)
- Drops under the tongue - takes effect in approx. 15-30 minutes
- Ideal for sleep, nervousness, chronic pain
- Advantage: exact dosage, long experience, many studies
CBD for inhalation (e.g. vaporizer, pen or spray)
- Ultra-fast onset of action (after 1-3 minutes)
- Ideal for panic attacks, acute pain, exam stress
- Advantage: direct access to the nervous system, very effective - but not for the lungs in the case of previous damage
CBD chewing gum
- Practical for on the go
- Effect via the oral mucosa (slower but lasting)
- Ideal for irritability, cravings, PMS, restless everyday life
- Advantage: discreet, no dripping necessary
CBD gummies (fruit gummies)
-Pleasant taste - especially for beginners
- Ideal for children, older people, sensitive types
- Advantage: gentle, longer-lasting effect - makes it popular for sleep problems, for example
Amazing applications for everyday life
The list of applications is huge - over 100 researched and documented areas of use. Here is a selection of particularly exciting, little-known or everyday applications:
CBD for weight loss
- CBD can convert white (unhealthy) fat into brown (active) fat
- Brown fat burns energy - CBD is therefore also being investigated in obesity research
CBD for mental overload
- For concentration problems (e.g. ADHD), constant stress or sensory overload
- CBD stabilizes the neurotransmitter balance - without sedating
- Ideal form: Chewing gum before meetings or CBD inhalation
CBD for disturbed sleep rhythms
- Not just a sleep aid, but also a deep sleep promoter
- Particularly helpful for people who lie awake at night brooding
CBD for hormone-induced irritability
- E.g. PMS, menopause or postpartum low moods
- CBD influences the endocrine system - particularly well researched in interaction with oestrogen and cortisol
CBD for skin problems such as acne or neurodermatitis
- Effective internally AND externally
- Anti-inflammatory, sebum-regulating, cell-protecting
- Particularly effective in combination with skincare or CBD gummies
CBD for irritable bowel syndrome or abdominal cramps
- Has an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal wall
- Particularly helpful in stressful phases (the gut is a mirror of our psyche!)
CBD for autoimmune reactions
- Studies show that CBD can "downregulate" the immune system when it is overactive - e.g. in rheumatism, Hashimoto's, MS
- Important: Accompanying medical therapy, not replacing it
CBD for regeneration after sport
- Relieves sore muscles, promotes sleep & recovery
- In combination with magnesium & omega 3: a real regeneration upgrade!
CBD doesn't work against your body - it works with it
CBD is not a miracle cure, but it is a miracle helper when your body itself is out of sync. Thanks to the endocannabinoid system, your body is virtually "pre-programmed" to react to cannabidiol - gently, balancing, intelligently.
Whether you use it to better regulate stress, lose weight, relieve pain or improve the appearance of your skin - CBD adapts to what your body needs.
And the best thing is:
You don't need huge quantities. Quality beats quantity. A good CBD oil, a few chewing gums in everyday life, targeted inhalation when needed - and your system can regulate itself again.