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CBD and CBDa can be considered “flexible” because they are able to change and shift their physical shape to fit many different receptors. In chemistry, this is often referred to as “promiscuous,” but I prefer to call it flexible. We often think of these compounds as fixed structures when this is really not the case. They are largely portrayed as a solid structure and analogized as a “key” that fits a “lock.” This is rather misleading in the case of flexible compounds such as CBD. The authorities on the matter (organic chemists, pharmacists and healthcare providers, etc.) are pretty sure CBD and CBDa do not actually bind with cannabinoid receptors but they do seem to have great affinity to many other receptors involved in the greater endocannabinoid system. There are many amazing in-vitro (petri dish) studies that demonstrate this but exactly how it all works once they’re inside our bodies is still mysterious.
What does it all mean? Well, the fact of the matter is – it means we know CBD and CBDa have great potential to interact a myriad of both physical and psychological imbalances but we really don’t know exactly how they do it. Did you know that most medical schools still hardly teach anything about the endocannabinoid system as a whole (the one that is largely in charge of balancing sleep cycles, appetite, inflammation, mood, memory and many others)? Granted, it is hard to teach something that isn’t fully understood but there is a lot we do understand and there is a huge percentage of the population that consumes some form of cannabis so it seems reasonable to hope that policy changes, and soon.
Here at Circle Labs, we are extremely limited as to what we are allowed to say about using our products. We have to speak in generalities and do our best to share good resources. Fortunately, there are tons of amazing practitioners stepping in to help folks understand and navigate CBD and all the other cannabinoids that are showing up everywhere these days, from the dentist’s office to the gas station.
One great resource that we truly believe can’t be shared enough is www.leaf411.org, a not-for-profit group of well trained and very experienced cannabis nurses that provide an amazing, free, consultation service. They do not answer to, represent or promote Circle Labs or any other cannabis company. Give them a call today and see if they can answer some of your burning questions about CBDa and CBD in your life.
If you have a resource you know and love, please let us know so we can share it with others.
Thank you for being part of the Circle!