Hemp extract is the oily substance found in the aerial parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of the hemp plant. It comprises different cannabinoids, aromatic terpenes, and flavonoids. Among the cannabinoids, CBD is the most abundant, with some strains having more than 20% CBD content.
The different compounds in hemp extract work synergistically to produce great therapeutic effects in a phenomenon called the entourage effect. Read on to learn more about hemp extract and how it can affect your body.
This method uses pressurized CO2 to pull dozens of phytocannabinoids and terpenes from the hemp plant. The hemp extract is then combined with food-grade oils such as olive and coconut oil to make it digestible. As a result, the extract becomes versatile and can be administered in various ways. You can place it under the tongue, rub it on your skin, or add it to foods and drinks.
The use of hemp oil extract is said to have various effects. A quick look at the endocannabinoid system can help you understand how it works to deliver those effects.
The ECS is a homeostatic physiological system in the body whose function is to maintain homeostasis or normal body operation. It comprises three core components: receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes. They form part of the central nervous system that runs across the body.
The ECS not only responds to the cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) secreted inside your body but also interacts with cannabinoids from outside the body. Research shows that the ECS regulates several functions, including:
Anandamide is one of the major endocannabinoids in the endocannabinoid system. It’s said to bind to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and across the body to produce a sense of happiness and feelings of well-being. It’s no wonder it’s known as the “bliss molecule.”
But just like other neurotransmitters, anandamide can be broken down by enzymes. And when it’s at low levels, you’re likely to feel unhappy and unhealthy.
Hemp extract oil can help boost anandamide to optimal levels and maintain feelings of well-being. It’s said that CBD in hemp extract oil stops the action of the FAAH enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down anandamide.
Muscle tension can be caused by a wide range of factors, including physical activity, stress, or repetitive daily motion. When your muscles are tensed, it simply means that your body is out of balance, forcing the ECS system to work harder to bring it back to its homeostatic state.
The CBD in hemp extracts is said to inhibit the flow of neurotransmitters that cause muscle tension and spasms, resulting in a reduction in muscle spasms and tension. As a result, you are likely to feel calmer and more relaxed, especially if you’re using hemp oil extract regularly.
Unlike coffee, hemp extracts don’t give you a direct energy boost. Instead, they improve the quality of your sleep by reducing the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep. This means that you’ll wake up in the morning with a burst of energy.
That being said, fatigue may not necessarily be a result of a lack of energy. Low moods can also be a contributing factor. Therefore, a positive shift in mood could give you that energy boost you need to conquer the day.
The hormone responsible for stabilizing your mood is called serotonin. At suboptimal serotonin levels, you will often feel grumpy and less motivated. While hemp extract oil does not directly boost your serotonin levels, it can affect how your brain reacts to the available serotonin.
If your body system secretes sufficient serotonin, but your brain doesn’t process it efficiently, then consuming hemp extract oil may improve how your brain processes it. Hemp-derived cannabinoids also attach to the same cannabinoid receptors as serotonin. In so doing, they become a serotonin antagonist, boosting the serotonin levels in your brain.
Your brain needs a consistent flow of blood to stay healthy and functional. That’s because blood transports what’s needed for the brain to thrive. These include oxygen, amino acids, and vitamins. Cerebral blood circulation also gets rid of things that your brain doesn’t need, such as CO2 and toxins. Without a steady blood flow, the brain cells may disintegrate.
Some of the common symptoms of diminished cerebral blood flow include poor focus and concentration. Hemp extract oil can help speed up blood flow to key regions in the brain, including the hippocampus, making you focus and concentrate better.
It’s just over three and half years since hemp-derived products became legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. As hemp extracts become more widely available and extensively researched, consumers can only marvel at the properties of this unique plant.
The cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in hemp extract interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce loads of wellness effects. As a result, you may experience an energy boost, enhanced focus and concentration, feelings of relaxation and well-being, and more.
But, it is important to note that most of the research studies carried out so far have been on rodents. Currently, there are only a few conclusive human studies. And until approval by the FDA, hemp extracts remain unregulated.
