25 Aug Naturecan Attends The Cannavist’s ‘CBD Live’

Posted in Trends, by Alex Coughlan

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The Cannavist hosted ‘CBD Live’ online on 11th August 2021. Naturecan’s Head of Nutrition, Moyra Cosgrove, joined a panel of experts to talk about CBD and what lies beyond – an exciting topic in the rapidly growing UK Cannabinoid sector. Some of the main points discussed at the event were how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, the emergence of other lesser known cannabinoids, and the growing interest in CBG in particular.

Table of Contents

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a natural function within the human body that supports wellbeing by regulating a range of cognitive and physiological processes, including mood, sleep and pain. It plays a vital role in maintaining balance throughout the body (or “homeostasis”), and comprises a network of endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptors and enzymes. Let’s take a closer look at its components:

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are molecules produced by the body that work by binding to endocannabinoid receptors in order to tell the ECS to take action (for example, to relieve pain or inflammation). The two main endocannabinoids are anandamide (AEA), which affects the brain’s reward system, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which helps to regulate the circulatory system.

Receptors

There are two main types of endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located primarily in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune system and peripheral organs. Despite the abundance of these receptors in the body, we are only just beginning to understand how they regulate other systems involved in homeostasis.

Enzymes

Enzymes break down endocannabinoids once they have carried out their function. The two main enzymes involved in this process are fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down AEA, and monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which breaks down 2-AG.

HOW DOES CBD INTERACT WITH THE ECS?

The Cannabis sativa plant consists of about 140 cannabinoids, which interact with the body via the endocannabinoid system. They do this by binding to endocannabinoid receptors and triggering them to regulate other bodily systems, including inflammatory pathways, appetite and neurotransmitter function.

While experts are still not completely sure how CBD in particular interacts with the ECS, it is believed that CBD’s action is mainly indirect and that it binds weakly to CB1 and CB2 receptors.

For example, CBD prevents the enzyme FAAH from breaking down endocannabinoids like anandamide, thereby increasing endocannabinoid concentrations and enabling them to have more of an effect on the body.

CBD and other cannabinoids

In the last few years, CBD has emerged from relative obscurity to become a global health and wellbeing phenomenon. Indeed, its rise in popularity has been so rapid that the science is only now catching up in order to verify its safety and therapeutic properties. But while CBD remains centre stage in the cannabinoid sector, there are more recently discovered cannabinoids which are receiving growing commercial attention for their potential benefits.

Naturecan already offers one of these newly discovered cannabinoids, in addition to a high quality range of broad-spectrum CBD products with non-detectable THC. This cannabinoid is CBG, or cannabigerol. So far, studies on CBG have been exclusively in animals, so we need human studies to confirm these findings; however, these studies showed that CBG can have a very positive effect on inflammatory conditions, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Customer interest in CBG

Naturecan’s customers tend to be well-read on the potential benefits of cannabinoids, and they have shown a small but increasing interest in CBG oil.

Naturecan’s Founder and Director of Product Innovation, Paul Finnegan, has been working with our oil extraction partner for approximately 2 years on bringing CBG to the market, in the face of many challenges.

As strong believers in the entourage effect, it is important for the team at Naturecan to be able to provide a range of quantified and non-intoxicating cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG and CBC that will deliver the benefits of the entourage effect to our customers.

Takeaway

The future is bright for the cannabinoid sector. Thanks to continued regulation, product innovation and mounting safety studies, consumers will be able to buy CBD and CBG products with increasing confidence while enjoying access to a growing range of potential health benefits.

Why Naturecan?

Naturecan offers an exclusive range of the highest quality broad-spectrum, non-detectable THC CBD and CBG oils that are independently tested from raw material to finished product, so you can be assured of their safety and purity. Find out more here.

Alex Coughlan

Alex lives in London and has experience in writing for international organisations in the healthcare and environmental sectors. He holds a BA Combined Hons in English and Spanish from the University of Exeter. Apart from writing, his main interests include music, art, health, and environmental conservation.

Naturecan Attends The Cannavist’s ‘CBD Live’

25 Aug Naturecan Attends The Cannavist’s ‘CBD Live’