Cannabidiol (CBD), an aromatic hydrocarbon – C21H30O2, is one of over 100 identified active phytocannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Hemp-derived CBD is unlike the psychoactive phytocannabinoid, Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), that is found in marijuana. CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is made up of a collection of cell receptors and corresponding molecules. You can think of cell receptors like little locks on the surface of your cells. The keys to these locks are called endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are the chemical messengers that tell your body when to get processes moving and when to stop. Each time an endocannabinoid binds to a cell, it relays a message, giving your cell specific direction. The ECS helps to maintain optimal balance in the body – known as homeostasis. It also helps regulate sleep, appetite, digestion, hunger, mood, motor control, immune function, reproduction and fertility, pleasure and reward, pain, memory and temperature regulation. When the ECS is disrupted, any one of these things can fall out of balance. When the body does not produce enough endocannabinoids or cannot regulate them properly, you are more susceptible to illnesses that affect one or several of the functions mentioned above, but there’s good news. You can supplement with plant-derived cannabinoids!