CBD is a cannabinoid that cannabis users love for its medicinal and recreational properties. Many people are searching for answers to the question, how does CBD affect the brain? According to research, people said that CBD reduced the intensity of the pain from their migraines by 55%. Medical professionals are studying the effects of CBD on the human brain to understand its true potential.

 

How does CBD affect the brain?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a natural compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD affects different functions of your body and brain. Cannabidiol can have a positive impact on your endocannabinoid system, central nervous system, immune system, and inflammatory responses.

Many people consume CBD to activate their brain cells and improve their brain function. Increasing the intake of CBD in your daily life can help you fight anxiety disorders, manage chronic pain, and reduce psychotic symptoms.

 

Cannabis consumers have claimed that the effects of CBD have aided them in combating medical conditions that include Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, and social anxiety disorder.

 

CBD and the endocannabinoid system

CBD acts on your endocannabinoid system and the central nervous system. The endocannabinoid system interacts with various brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex and the functional connectivity between different organs of your body.

The endocannabinoid system works by engaging with endocannabinoid receptors, serotonin receptors, and numerous other receptors in your brain. Cannabidiol can regulate brain function by stimulating your mood, controlling your appetite, and improving your cognitive capabilities.

 

CBD acts as a natural mood enhancer for people undergoing treatment for depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism spectrum disorders. People suffering from anxiety disorders, obesity, and psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia usually have a disruptive endocannabinoid system.

CBD appears to interact with neurotransmitters in your endocannabinoid system and your brain cells. The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 react with cannabinoids such as CBD and THC to improve your brain health.

THC binds better with CB1 receptors to provide psychoactive effects in its users. The CB1 receptors in your brain cells are also responsible for treating chronic pain, enhancing muscle coordination, and lifting your mood.

 

Unlike THC, CBD does not induce psychoactive effects in its users. CBD affects the CB1 receptors by inhibiting its ability to bind with THC, decreasing the psychoactive effects of THC, and making the high manageable in cannabis products that contain both of the cannabinoids.

 

The effects of CBD are drastically different on CB2 receptors. CBD can activate these cannabinoid receptors to strengthen your immune system and control your body’s inflammatory responses. The CB2 receptors can create inflammatory responses in your brain cells after sustaining injuries such as muscle sprains and joint aches.

 

Products that contain CBD can have a direct impact on your inflammatory responses and immune system. CBD can decrease the production of chemokines and cytokines, preventing pain signals from passing through your brain cells.

CBD and serotonin

You can perceive the effects of CBD on brain functions through serotonin receptors that are present in your body. Serotonin receptors are in charge of releasing hormones that regulate your mood. These receptors can also have an impact on your cognition and how you handle stress.

Anxiety induced by stress can be reduced using CBD. Medical researchers have found that CBD targets the serotonin 1A receptor. CBD appears to react with the serotonin 1A receptor used to treat anxiety, depression, and pain.

The lack of psychoactive effects from CBD also makes it easier for first-time cannabis users to enjoy the medicinal properties of the cannabinoid without causing nausea.

CBD and TRPV1 receptors

The scientific community has spent several years understanding how CBD affects the pain signaling pathways of the brain. In recent years, medical professionals have found that CBD derived from Cannabis Sativa is effective in reducing seizures in children with cases of treatment-resistant epilepsy.

Cannabis products containing CBD and THC have successfully treated pain and other symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis. Apart from the serotonin receptors, CBD affects the vanilloid subtype 1 receptor in the brain. The TRPV 1 receptor, in particular, has been proven to play an integral role in pain signaling pathways.

In a study conducted and published by the Journal of Pain Research, the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were harvested from adult rats. The DRG neurons were administered with varying doses of CBD.

Different sets of DRG neurons were treated with Capsaicin and CBD. Capsaicin is a stimulant that directly activates TRPV1 receptors in the brain. The stimulant is also responsible for the heat sensation that is associated with spicy foods.

The neuronal activation caused by the effects of cannabidiol was assessed using calcium imaging. Researchers observed that low doses of CBD stimulated calcium influx in DRG neurons. Higher doses of CBD demonstrated that DRG neurons increased the intracellular calcium concentrations. In both of these cases, CBD was found to be a TRPV1 agonist that reduced neuropathic pain.

Further research indicated that the desensitization caused by CBD in TRPV 1 receptors was reversed in the presence of forskolin. The adenylyl cyclase – cAMP pathway is activated by forskolin, implying that CBD may inhibit intracellular pain pathways associated with cAMP and DRG cells. Future studies have been proposed to strengthen the evidence behind CBD and pain signaling pathways in the brain.

CBD can boost the levels of anandamide

Anandamide is a compound that has a chemical structure similar to that of CBD and THC. Referred to as the “Bliss Molecule,” anandamide is produced naturally inside the human body. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid that is released whenever you do something to lighten your mood.

The creation of anandamide provides euphoria to people upon its release. CBD is a cannabinoid produced by consuming cannabis. CBD works with your cells in a way that is identical to how anandamide interacts within your body.

CBD creates a strong bond between fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Cannabinoid modulation through the consumption of CBD has been proven to boost the production of anandamide.

People suffering from psychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, find relief in using CBD. The use of CBD for treating mental conditions increases the amount of Bliss molecules in your body. CBD consumers can naturally enhance their body’s ability to produce anandamide, improving their mood significantly over time.

CBD can be used to regulate the levels of anandamide in your system to bring about a healthy state of homeostasis. When your body is in homeostasis, the production of hormones and proteins can ease your mood and balance your emotions.

CBD on people with autism spectrum disorder

Acute CBD administration was carried out on 17 patients with autism spectrum disorder and 17 healthy volunteers. Both groups of patients were provided with 600 mg of CBD. The glutamate, glutamine (Glx), inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid, and macromolecules (GABA +) levels in the basal ganglia and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex were measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

 

The patients and volunteers treated with CBD showed increased Glx levels in the basal ganglia and decreased Glx levels in the prefrontal cortex. However, the GABA+ levels of the healthy people seemed to have increased while the GABA+ levels decreased in autism spectrum disorder patients.

CBD on brain regions processing attentional salience

There is considerable evidence supporting the hypothesis that the psychotic symptoms of mental conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are related to the salience network. Abnormal salience attribution in the prefrontal cortex, the striatum, and the hippocampus can give rise to several psychotic symptoms.

 

Occasional consumers of cannabis were taken into consideration for a medical study on the effects of cannabinoids on the salience network. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used on people who consumed delta 9 THC and CBD orally.

The study investigated the effects of cannabinoids on the connectivity between seed clusters and the rest of the brain during a salience processing task. Researchers observed that the fronto-striatal connectivity decreased while performing the task due to delta 9 THC. However, the use of CBD enhanced the functional connectivity between the dorsal striatum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus regions of the brain.

 

CBD can improve your mood

CBD can increase the production of certain hormones that are vital to heighten your mood and stay productive throughout the day. Serotonin and dopamine, in particular, are hormones that are needed to help you balance your mood.

Dopamine is a hormone that is released whenever you participate in high-energy activities. Jogging, exercising, and playing sports can be exhilarating, and the excitement you feel as a result is due to the release of dopamine.

The rush of excitement that you get from performing physical activities helps you produce an amino acid called tryptophan. An increased amount of tryptophan can lead to elevated levels of serotonin in the brain.

Applying CBD to your body can be compared to giving your brain a massage. The cannabinoid can cause the serotonin and dopamine levels to stay high. Both of these hormones can make you feel calm and relaxed.

When serotonin and dopamine levels are depleted in your brain, you feel depressed and anxious. The constant use of CBD reduces blood flow to the parts of the brain that are associated with anxiety.

According to a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, CBD can reduce levels of anxiety in people with social anxiety disorder. Patients with social anxiety disorder were administered a dose of 400 mg of CBD. The cannabinoid was consumed orally throughout the study. The results suggested that CBD can affect the activities of the limbic and paralimbic areas of the brain. Since CBD reduces blood flow to these regions of the brain, people with anxiety disorder displayed reduced levels of anxiety after being treated with CBD.

People with anxiety produce cortisol, a hormone that can negatively affect the functions of your brain. CBD can help your brain reduce its swelling and destress. Regular users of CBD have proven to have lower levels of cortisol in their brains, helping them remain calm during stressful situations.

CBD can improve the quality of your sleep

Good quality sleep is essential for a healthy brain and body. CBD can reset the sleep patterns of people and provide longer durations of sound sleep. Many people with sleep disturbances use CBD to get long hours of sleep per night.

Low doses of CBD can induce wakefulness in people. A small amount of CBD supplied through cannabis edibles and tinctures can drastically reduce feelings of sleepiness during the day. High doses of CBD provided a couple of hours before bedtime can improve the quality of your sleep and assure a good night’s rest.

CBD protects neurons

The medicinal properties of CBD can help you fight neurodegenerative diseases. CBD can protect the neurons in your brain from degenerating. Most CBD users have claimed that their brains feel younger due to the use of the cannabinoid.

Products that contain CBD can be used to treat a variety of neurodegenerative diseases and dementia. People suffering from dementia have impaired judgment, memory loss, and anxiety, among other symptoms.

 

Symptoms of dementia

• Anxiety and paranoia
• Clouded judgment
• Poor memory
• Hallucinations
• Impaired muscle coordination and motor skills

 

CBD is recommended by medical professionals and scientists as a natural remedy for many forms of dementia. Cannabis products, such as CBD oil, CBD vapes, and CBD edibles, can help you manage the symptoms of dementia.

 

The different forms of dementia include –

1. Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. A major symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is inflammation in the brain. Any inflammation in the various regions of the brain can cause the symptoms to worsen in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

 

CBD can reduce the inflammation in the brain and reduce the degeneration of brain cells. The use of CBD may have the ability to improve the plasticity of the hippocampal region. The cognitive functions of the brain that include forming new memories are regulated by the hippocampal region of the brain.

2. Parkinson’s disease dementia

Parkinson’s disease dementia is a particular form of dementia that affects middle-aged people and elderly people. As per The Parkinson’s Foundation, it is estimated that a million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease. Nearly 2% of those people affected with Parkinson’s disease are above the age of 65.

 

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia

• Irritability
• Inability to concentrate
• Muffled speech
• Delusions
• Disturbed sleep
• Drowsiness during the day

A low level of dopamine in people with Parkinson’s disease dementia is attributed to muscle tremors, strains, and improper movement. CBD can increase the production of dopamine in your brain and help in balancing the muscle movements of your body.

The cannabinoid also has neuroprotective properties that can reduce inflammation in the brain. The decreased inflammation from CBD use can help you better manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia.

3. Lewy Bodies dementia

Lewy Bodies is a form of dementia that occurs when alpha-synuclein protein accumulates in the brain. An excess amount of these proteins in your brain can lead to abnormal judgment, sleep patterns, and mood. People with irregular sleep cycles can use CBD to sleep deeply at night.

The medical benefits of CBD help its users manage their anxiety and improve their sleep patterns. People with Lewy Bodies dementia who consume CBD are provided with better sleep.

CBD products are preferred over prescription medications to improve people’s quality of sleep. Longer durations of sound sleep can enhance your memory and help you keep a positive state of mind throughout the day.

4. Huntington’s Disease dementia

Huntington’s Disease is a genetic medical condition that leads to the degeneration of brain cells. People affected with Huntington’s Disease may undergo the loss of mental abilities that can induce dementia.

Early symptoms of Huntington’s Disease include lack of concentration and unstable movement. Medical research has indicated that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to soothe different areas of the brain. People with Huntington’s Disease may take high doses of CBD to help them manage their symptoms of dementia.

 

CBD can prevent oxidative damage to the brain

The energy generated by your cells can create several free radicals in the process. These free radicals are considered waste products by your body. Accumulation of free radicals in the body can cause damage to the DNA within your cells. Free radicals are also generated by absorbing environmental toxins, such as smoke and smog, into the body.

Your body has to produce antioxidants to deal with the free radicals without causing harm to the DNA. If your body doesn’t produce the right amount of antioxidants, your cells can start losing DNA at a faster rate. The loss of DNA due to free radicals can result in the development of psychotic behavior and conditions in people.

CBD is a chemical that is widely used for its antioxidant properties. The cannabinoid works efficiently on the CB2 receptors in your brain to produce antioxidants that can remove unwanted free radicals from your system.

The strong antioxidant properties of CBD are comparable to Vitamin C and Vitamin E. The antioxidants that are released after consuming CBD can guard your brain cells and maintain the functions of your brain.

CBD can help you handle tremors

There are various factors that can cause tremors in your body. Anxiety, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and withdrawal symptoms can lead to tremors. An unregulated endocannabinoid system may cause these uncontrollable muscle movements.

Tremors can lead to involuntary motion of your limbs, face, and other parts of your body. Medical conditions that destroy cells in your brain can cause tremors. Stressful situations may also cause tremors in your body.

CBD products can be used to decrease the frequency of muscle spasms and convulsions. The cannabinoid extracted from cannabis can affect the cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system and prevent tremors from occurring in the body.

 

Medical research was conducted on mice to study how CBD affected tremors. It was found that CBD reduced tremors in mice without causing side effects that were life-threatening. The administration of CBD in mice did not cause any muscle impairment during research. The study also suggested that CBD interacted with the 5-HT1A receptor and the TRPV1 receptor to prevent tremors.

Pharmaceutical drugs that are advised for the treatment of tremors can involve various side effects that are detrimental to your health. CBD is a naturally derived chemical that can be used to treat tremors without being affected by negative effects on your body and your brain.

 

CBD prevents excitotoxicity in brain cells

Excitotoxicity is the excessive stimulation of brain cells that can cause damage to your brain and its functions. It can lead to traumatic brain injury and stroke. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, can also cause excitotoxicity.

Age-related neurodegenerative diseases and brain disorders can give rise to excitotoxicity. It is also prevalent in people suffering from epilepsy. CBD is recommended for epilepsy patients due to its ability to protect brain cells and prevent seizures. The regular use of CBD has been suggested to help epilepsy patients heal their brains from neurodegeneration and neuronal injuries.

Type of CBD products

You can choose from three different types of CBD products to help you improve the functions of your brain.

 

Full-spectrum CBD products

Full-spectrum CBD products contain extracts from the whole cannabis plant. These cannabinoid extracts include CBD, CBG, CBN, THC, and terpenes. The combined effects of these cannabinoids are much more potent than using any particular cannabis extract.

 

Broad-spectrum CBD products

Broad-spectrum CBD products contain cannabis extracts that do not produce a psychoactive effect on its users. These products do not contain THC and are legal across most states in the U.S. You can use broad-spectrum CBD products without having to worry about its intoxicating effects. Broad-spectrum CBD products will also let you pass a drug test.

 

CBD isolate

CBD isolate is a product that contains pure cannabidiol. You can enjoy the medical benefits of CBD in high concentrations using CBD isolates. CBD isolates are odorless compared to full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products.

Top CBD products on American Vapor & CBD

CBD has a ton of health benefits that can keep you hooked for days. Take a look at the best-selling CBD products on American Vapor & CBD to get your cannabis cravings delivered to your doorstep.

1. Koi Vape – Vanilla Caramel Custard

 

The Vanilla Caramel Custard vape juice from Koi tastes delightful in your mouth. The e-liquid is infused with naturally derived CBD from hemp. These ingredients do not contain any psychoactive substances. The premium vape juice from Koi is available in 1000 mg bottles.

2. Keylife CBD Berry Vape Juice

Keylife CBD Berry is a delicious vape juice that can help you enjoy the benefits of the cannabinoid with every puff. The e-juice has a potent 30 ml of CBD in each bottle. Fill your vape devices with the Keylife CBD Berry vape juice to destress.

 

The CBD vape juice is made from organic cannabis, vegetable glycerin, and propylene glycol. It is available in 1500 mg bottles.

 

3. Creating Better Nights CBD + CBN Elderberry Gummies

Creating Better Nights offers insatiable gummies for you to snack on. These cannabis edibles contain CBD and CBN to give you sound sleep every night. Each gummy has 5 mg of CBD and 5 mg of CBN. These edible treats are infused with Melatonin to improve the quality of your sleep.

4. Blue Moon Vape – Flan

Blue Moon Vape Flan is a dessert served in a bottle. The CBD vape juice has flavors of Madagascar Vanilla beans and a touch of Caramel to revitalize your taste buds. The e-liquid from Blue Moon Vape is free of THC and contains over 400 Phytonutrients and 60 cannabinoids, including CBD.

The e-juice from Blue Moon Vape is made from vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, CBD, and natural flavors. Each bottle contains 250 mg of vape juice.

5. Koi CBD Gummies – Cherry Limeade

 

Koi CBD Gummies can be consumed at any time to calm your mind. These tasty edibles are infused with the flavors of cherry and lemonade to provide undisturbed sleep to cannabis lovers. Koi CBD Gummies are certified vegan products.

 

Each jar of Koi CBD Gummies has 20 gummies and a total of 200 mg of CBD in them. The edibles from Koi are lab tested for purity and assure people of the highest quality of CBD.

 

Make your choice of cannabis products on Artisan Vapor & CBD and get your orders shipped to you anywhere in the U.S. and around the world.