Amazing CBD Effects On Brain: What Does CBD Do To Your Brain
CBD is quickly becoming the go-to solution for anyone looking to enhance their mental and physical wellbeing. But what exactly is CBD and how does it work in the brain? Read on to find out more about this amazing natural remedy.
Brief Overview of CBD and ECS
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis plants that are part of the cannabis sativa family.
Together with its over 100 other compounds, CBD has become well known for its purported ability to help with pain relief and inflammation, reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, enhance cognitive clarity, boost focus and mental energy, increase metabolism and so much more1.
Unlike THC – the other widely-known cannabis compound – CBD does not have psychoactive or mind-altering effects after consuming it.
This means that taking CBD will not make you “high” or impair your motor skills in any way. Instead, it is reported to produce a number of beneficial effects on both the mind and body.
What is the Endocannabinoid System? 
To understand how CBD works, it is important to gain an understanding of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex cell communication network present in all vertebrates that includes two main cannabinoid receptors – CB1 and CB2- which interact with cannabinoids like CBD to produce several effects on the body.
The ECS is known to play a significant role in maintaining homeostasis or balance in many of the body’s systems. It is believed to be involved in a wide range of bodily functions, including pain management, mood regulation, memory formation, immune response and even the sleep-wake cycle.
What Does CBD Do to The Brain?
CBD interacts with the ECS by binding to receptors located throughout our bodies. By activating CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD can influence several bodily processes such as inflammation, pain management and mood regulation. It also influences signaling molecules such as serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in mood and appetite control.
Roles in Homeostasis & Overall Brain Health
The ECS has an important role in maintaining homeostasis or balance in the body, helping to regulate several physiological functions and processes. When CBD binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors, it helps enhance their activity, increasing the body’s own production of endocannabinoids like anandamide.
This, in turn, is believed to regulate several bodily functions including sleep, pain management, and mood regulation.
CBD Effects On Brain
CBD Activates the Endocannabinoid System
By activating the ECS, CBD helps boost endocannabinoid signaling throughout our bodies, helping to regulate several important processes. When consumed, CBD can bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors located in the human brain, enhancing their activity and influencing various bodily functions such as inflammation, chronic pain management, appetite control, mood regulation and the sleep-wake cycle.
How Does CBD Affect Your Brain?
The effects of CBD on the brain are still being investigated by researchers. However, preliminary studies suggest that CBD can have a variety of positive impacts on our cognition, memory and behavior.
For instance, it is believed to improve focus and attention span as well as reduce stress and anxiety levels. It can also help improve our ability to do difficult tasks by influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA.
Effects of CBD Use on Neurotransmitters and Neurogenesis
CBD is also known to interact with receptors located on neurons, allowing it to influence the release of certain neurotransmitters like glutamate, acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain.
This, in turn, helps improve our cognition and memory formation as well as promote neurogenesis – or the growth of new neurons – in the hippocampus area of our brains.
Neuroprotective Effects of CBD on Brain Cells
Research suggests that CBD can help protect our brain cells from damage caused by certain neurotoxins like cocaine and opiates by interacting with CB1 receptors located throughout our nervous system.
In fact, animal studies show that CBD can activate anti-inflammatory pathways in the brain, helping to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress which would ordinarily lead to damage or death of brain cells.
Research On CBD’s Effect on Epilepsy & Psychotic Symptoms
More recently, studies have begun to investigate the potential anti-seizure effects of CBD more closely after it was observed to significantly reduce seizure frequency in children with drug-resistant epilepsy who did not respond to traditional treatments.
Additionally, preliminary studies suggest that CBD may be effective for alleviating psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia when taken at appropriate doses.
Reduction of Anxiety, Stress and Depression Symptoms
Research also suggests that CBD can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression by interacting with our serotonin receptors. By stimulating the activity of these receptors in the brain, it helps trigger a reaction which increases the neurotransmitter’s availability to our cells, thus reducing feelings of anxiousness or sadness.
Improved Sleeping Patterns
Anecdotal Evidence and early clinical trials show that CBD can help improve your sleep quality by regulating certain hormones like melatonin and cortisol.
By increasing the availability of these hormones in our bodies, it helps balance out their production cycles, making it easier for us to get good quality sleep for longer periods of time without disruption.
CBD May Enhance Focus, Attention and Cognitive Clarity
CBD is also believed to enhance focus, attention span and cognitive clarity by modulating our brain activity in the prefrontal cortex. This area is responsible for providing us with concentration, focus and decision-making capabilities when performing tasks or thinking about complex problems.
Therefore, by enhancing its functioning through regular doses of CBD, we can benefit from improved mental clarity and focus when performing difficult tasks.
Long-Term Brain Effects & Brain Fog
Potential Benefits in Terms of Cognitive Function and Psychological Well-Being Though it is still unclear what long-term effects the use of CBD may have on our brains, preliminary evidence suggests that it could potentially offer some benefits in terms of cognitive function and psychological well-being.
For instance, regular doses of CBD may help improve our memory formation and retention processes by modulating the activity of certain neurotransmitters like glutamate and acetylcholine in the brain.
Is CBD Dangerous or Beneficial in the Long-Run?
While there have been very rare reports that suggest it can lead to negative side effects such as fatigue and liver damage at higher doses, CBD is generally very safe and well tolerated by people2. Especially when combined with a balanced diet and lifestyle choices such as avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol excessively.
Therefore, more research needs to be conducted in order to understand its long-term effects on our bodies and brains.
CBD Effects on Memory Formation & Retention
CBD is also believed to offer some potential benefits when it comes to memory formation and retention. By modulating the activity of certain neurotransmitters, it can help enhance our attention spans, focus and short-term recall capabilities.
Animal studies show that regular doses of CBD may also help reduce age-related decline in cognitive performance and neurodegenerative diseases3, which may have implications for improving both long and short-term memory functions in humans with time as well.
Types of CBD Products Available
CBD Isolates
CBD isolate, or THC-Free CBD products are considered one of the purest forms of CBD available on the market since they typically contain no trace amounts of THC or any other cannabinoids besides cannabidiol itself. They are generally made by taking CBD extract from cannabis plants and diluting it with other substances such as hemp seed oil or an MCT oil like coconut oil or lemon oil to achieve a desired potency or form.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD products contain a variety of additional cannabinoids and terpenes which are believed to produce an “entourage effect” when consumed. This entourage effect is thought to amplify the effects of CBD, helping it bind to more CB1 and CB2 receptors in our bodies and providing us with a wide range of potential benefits.
In addition to the range of cannabinoids and terpenes, full-spectrum CBD products also contain other beneficial compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and fatty acids.
These compounds work synergistically with the cannabinoids to produce an even more robust "entourage effect" which can promote superior health benefits.
Not only can these additional compounds help enhance the potential therapeutic effects of CBD but they are also believed to provide powerful antioxidant protection against free radicals, protecting your natural brain function and much more.
Plus, research is showing that full spectrum CBD has a higher bioavailability which means that more of it gets absorbed into our bodies when we take it compared to isolates or broad-spectrum extracts.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Although there is no set definition of Broad spectrum CBD. Generally these are the products in which THC content is removed completely, but the other beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes and flavanoids remain, such as traces of CBN, CBC, CBG, THCA, CBDA. The result a limited 'entourage effect' vs Full Spectrum CBD.
CBD Oils & Topicals
In terms of methods for using CBD, oils and topicals are two popular forms available on the market today.
CBD oils usually come in the form of tinctures which can be taken sublingually – or under the tongue- by using a dropper.
This method allows CBD to be absorbed more quickly and efficiently into the bloodstream, making it an ideal choice for those who want to feel its effects faster.
CBD Topicals, on the other hand, refer to products like creams, lotions and gels which are applied directly onto the skin to help target specific areas of pain or discomfort such as sore muscles or stiff joints.
Both of these methods can be a great way to enjoy the potential benefits of CBD without experiencing any feelings of “high” or impairments related to drug use.
Different Flavors & Potencies
When it comes to consuming CBD tinctures and oils, there are a variety of different flavors and potencies available today.
You can choose from options like Mint Flavored CBD or Lemon Flavor CBD as well as higher potencies for those who need stronger doses in order to feel its effects.
CBD Consumption & Dosing
There are several different ways to get your daily dose of CBD depending on what works best for you. The most popular methods include oils and topicals as discussed above.
It is advised that if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or take other medication regularly, then consulting with a doctor first before taking CBD is highly advised to determine the optimum dosage and delivery method that suits you specifically.
Major Benefits Vs Potential Risks of Using CBD: Pros & Cons Evaluated Through Research & Studies on the Effects of Cannabis on Brain Function
Potential Benefits of CBD
Research and studies indicate that CBD could potentially offer a number of positive benefits to our overall brain health. These include potential reductions in anxiety, stress and depression symptoms, improved sleep quality, increased attention span and enhanced cognitive clarity.
Additionally, research also suggests that it may reduce age-related cognitive decline, and help protect against degenerative diseases.
Risks & Side Effects of Cannabidiol
As with any other natural substance or medication, there are certain potential risks associated with taking CBD regularly. Our bodies all react differently to different compounds. So if you do decide to take CBD then monitoring your body for different effects or changes is advised for safety purposes.
Some reported side effects include fatigue, nausea and changes in appetite as well as in certain cases temporary liver damage when taken in extremely high doses.
Is it CBD Safe to Use?
CBD has earned itself quite a reputation in recent years because of its numerous benefits people have reportedly experienced. One of the biggest reasons for this rapid rise to fame, with no end in sight, is its safety profile and the lack of long-term side effects.
While many other harsher treatments and compounds which are rather normalized, bring with themselves unbearable, and often severe side effects and serious risk of addiction.
It's no surprise why more and more people are turning to this powerful cannabinoid for help since it carries little risk and has shown such promising potential.
What’s the point of treating stress with something that comes with a side effect list longer than your grocery bill? And ends up giving you even more stress.
Final Thoughts
Cannabidiol has quickly become one of the most popular compounds among those looking to enjoy its purported effects on our bodies, minds and overall well-being.
By activating our body's endocannabinoid system, it helps regulate various physiological processes and can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression as well as improve sleep quality and cognitive clarity in the long run if taken regularly at appropriate doses.
However, more research needs to be conducted in order to understand its long-term effects on our brains as well as determine what doses are safe when taken over a prolonged period of time.
Ultimately, it is best to consult a medical professional or cannabis expert first before taking CBD for optimal safety and wellbeing.
FAQ
What happens in the brain when you take CBD?
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a cell communication network located throughout our bodies, by activating CB1 and CB2 receptors. This can result in increased endocannabinoid signaling, which can then affect physiological processes such as inflammation, pain management, mood regulation, and appetite control.
What does CBD do to the brain?
CBD is thought to have a range of advantageous effects on our brains through its modulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA. These impacts may include enhanced concentration, alertness and cognitive clarity, as well as decreased levels of stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.
What is the effect of CBD on dopamine?
CBD has the ability to interact with receptors on neurons, which then influences the release of neurotransmitters such as glutamate, acetylcholine and dopamine. This effect has been associated with enhanced cognitive abilities, improved memory formation and retention, as well as improved decision-making abilities.
Does CBD oil relieve brain fog?
Research indicates that taking CBD regularly may help to reduce mental confusion by influencing the activity of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA in the brain.
Can CBD heal the brain?
Taking CBD at the right doses may help to improve our concentration and focus, strengthen our memory formation and recollection, and reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
At this point, there is not enough scientific evidence to state that CBD can cure any illnesses affecting our brains.
How does CBD interact with the brain exactly?
CBD interacts with the brain by targeting the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for regulating a variety of physiological and cognitive processes, including appetite, pain, mood, and memory. CBD binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS, which helps to regulate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. This can lead to a variety of effects, including improved mood, reduced stress levels, and enhanced cognitive function.
Can CBD help with memory?
Initial indications point to the possibility that CBD taken on a regular basis may be beneficial in aiding memory formation and recall by influencing neurotransmitters such as glutamate and acetylcholine in the brain. Animal studies have also suggested that it may even be able to reduce age-related decline in cognitive performance when taken for extended durations, but further research is required.
How does CBD affect your focus?
It is thought that CBD may have an effect on memory formation and retention, including attention span, focus, and short-term recall. By taking the right dose regularly, it could potentially help sharpen our mental clarity and focus when tackling difficult tasks.
