Since cannabidiol (CBD) became broadly popular in the early aughts, plenty of people have wondered how CBD works and if it lives up to the hype. That curiosity and skepticism are not unreasonable. After all, scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system just a few decades ago and are still learning new things about the human body’s unique network of receptors that interact with all cannabinoids, including CBD, THC, CBG, CBN and others. 

So how does CBD affect the endocannabinoid system? Here’s what we do know, and how it can help you decide what to look for in a CBD topical.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system is exactly what it sounds like—an internal network of special receptors, molecules and enzymes. The ECS responds to cannabinoids that either naturally occur in the body (called endocannabinoids) as well as in the cannabis and hemp plant species (phytocannabinoids). The endocannabinoid system wasn’t identified until the 1980s even though most vertebrate animals have one, including humans. This system operates whether you use cannabis or not, and is essential for humans to function. 

In part, that’s because the endocannabinoid system isn’t limited to specific organs or types of tissue like the skeletal or muscular systems. Instead, cannabinoid receptors are closely intertwined with the nervous system, appearing close to central and peripheral nerve endings throughout the body and regulating how other neurotransmitters work

The prevalence of the cannabinoid receptors near nerve endings may influence how the body deploys its immune response as well as nervous system responses like movement and motor control. It also means there are a lot of endocannabinoid receptors in the layers of our skin, as well as other, deeper areas of the body that can be accessed through the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. 

In simple terms, the ECS is the master regulator in the body. Activation of the ECS can help regulate the other systems to keep them in balance. 

Over 80 Years of CBD Science

Scientists have been aware of CBD for even longer than the physiological networks it interacts with. In 1940, scientists first identified CBD as a distinct component of the cannabis plant. By 1963, researchers had mapped the chemical structure of cannabidiol. However, the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970 by Congress severely curtailed further cannabis research, including studies on CBD. 

It wasn’t until the passage of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, better known as the 2018 Farm Bill, that a new federal definition of low-THC hemp as distinct from cannabis also made non-intoxicating CBD available nationwide. That legal shift, combined with growing grassroots advocacy for CBD as a treatment for epilepsy and other conditions, sparked interest in CBD research in the United States. 

The Bioavailability of CBD, Including Full-Spectrum, Broad Spectrum and CBD Isolate

One thing that research and anecdotal evidence both suggest is that CBD isn’t as bioavailable as other cannabinoids like THC, CBG and CBN. Bioavailability refers to the ability of a substance to reach its intended targets through systemic circulation, like when you take a turmeric supplement and it’s digested, or inhale allergy medication into the lungs. 

The bioavailability of CBD can impact dosage and the effects when CBD is taken orally or inhaled. For those who are pursuing localized effects through topical CBD salves and creams, absolute and relative bioavailability are less important than how CBD is absorbed and whether it’s accompanied by other medicinally beneficial compounds naturally found in cannabis and hemp.

Once it’s circulating in the body or absorbed through the skin, CBD interacts differently with cannabinoid receptors compared to the other cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant. These fragrant terpene compounds are found not only in cannabis but also in every other plant, from cooking herbs to fruits, trees, and flowers. 

Terpenes also affect the endocannabinoid system and contribute their own complementary effects to cannabinoids, including producing feelings of calm or reducing inflammation. That is why all of Entourus’ CBD salves have been meticulously formulated to promote deep penetration and greater absorption of our active ingredients, like our best-selling Synergy + Terpenes formula.

One thing that has been scientifically proven to boost bioavailability? Fats. All cannabinoids are fat-soluble, including CBD. That’s why CBD salves are often more effective than water-based lotions or creams that can’t absorb as deeply into the skin. But CBD also needs a little assistance after it’s absorbed to connect with the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. That’s where the entourage effect comes in.

What Is the Entourage Effect?

The entourage effect refers to the synergy between CBD and the other compounds naturally found in cannabis. Even if the levels of cannabinoids like THC and CBG are so low as to be legal and never produce a high, they can help CBD bind to both of the main cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2 at the molecular level. Think of the entourage effect like CBD’s charming, fashionable friends helping it get in the door at an exclusive club.

When choosing the best CBD cream for you, look for full-spectrum formulas rather than broad-spectrum or isolate CBD. Full-spectrum CBD won’t get you high, but it does contain trace amounts of THC (under the legal and perceptual limit of 0.3%) and other cannabinoids that can help CBD absorb more fully, entourage style. Broad-spectrum CBD contains no THC, but does still have terpenes that contribute to a formula’s effects. CBD isolate, on the other hand, has to go it alone on its journey through the skin and into the endocannabinoid system.

How CBD Affects the Endocannabinoid System

Once it has reached the endocannabinoid system, CBD acts like a switch that can temporarily activate or deactivate the CB1 and CB2 receptors. That’s one reason that CBD is thought to soften or reduce the psychoactive effects of THC when the two are consumed together — CBD acts in a different way than THC on the cannabinoid 1 receptor which can prevent over excitation, aka "being too high". In fact, the high-CBD cannabis strain that initially gained traction with epilepsy patients was once referred to as “Hippies’ Disappointment" for this very reason. 

More relevant for people who are only looking to consume CBD, however, is how cannabidiol affects the endocannabinoid system’s physiological neighbors. The proximity of CB1 and CB2 receptors to the body’s nerve endings may explain why CBD can influence nervous system responses like inflammation or sensations like pain. Additionally CBD can act on other pain receptors outside of the ECS, adding to the pain-relieving effects of this compound.  

That’s why CBD salves and other topicals can be just as effective as consuming CBD through inhalation or ingestion—the localized application concentrates the available CBD right where it’s needed, rather than sending cannabidiol throughout the body.

At Entourus, we developed our CBD salves to not only include full-spectrum CBD from non-GMO hemp, but also 50 terpenes vetted by scientists, including limonene and humulene. We also offer CBD salve for pain, CBD salve for sleep and CBD salve for muscles, as well as terpene salve for pain, terpene salve for sleep and terpene salve for self-care in concentrations of 20, 30 and 40 milligrams/milliliter so you can find the perfect dose for your needs. Curious about how to use CBD muscle cream? We have a blog on that too. 

Learn more about cannabis topicals on our FAQ.