What Is The Endocannabinoid System?
First identified in the 1990s, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is composed of receptors found throughout the body that interact with naturally occurring cannabis-like substances called endocannabinoids. They also interact with cannabinoids, like THC. The first cannabinoid recognized was in the 1930s, long before scientists knew about the ECS. The relationship and synergy between cannabis and the body influenced the name of the system. Although recently discovered, the endocannabinoid system is nothing new to our bodies and has been around for a long time. It is not specific to the human body, and is also found in animals like mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles.
Cannabinoids work with the human body to help maintain homeostasis
Facts about the ECS:
- Everybody has one
- It serves an important role in regulating physical and psychological components in our body
- Cannabinoids, found in cannabis, mimic the effects of our body’s endocannabinoids
- THC can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors
- CBD does not interact with the ECS the same way THC does, and it is still unclear exactly what its role is
What Does It Do?
One of the main jobs of the ECS is to help maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is a relatively stable state of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between the different but interdependent elements or groups of elements of an organism (Merriam-Webster). To simplify, it is your body’s ability to maintain ideal functions and conditions regardless of what’s happening around you. Do you have a fever? High blood pressure? Did you just get injured? When your body senses something off balance, the ECS is activated to help stabilize it. 3 components make up the ECS:- Endocannabinoids are produced as needed
- Receptors, found throughout the body, bond with endocannabinoids and cannabinoids
- Enzymes work to break down endocannabinoids and cannabinoids
- Appetite
- Learning
- Memory
- Mood
- Motor Control
- Pain
- Pleasure
- Sleep
- Stress
- Temperature
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are produced by the body to maintain homeostasis. The word “endo,” short for endogenous, describes anything that is naturally created by the body. The word “cannabinoid” describes the chemical compounds naturally occurring in cannabis. 2 recognized endocannabinoids are:- Anandamide (AEA)
- 2-Arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG)
Receptors
Receptors bind to endocannabinoids to create change, and are found throughout the body, with a majority of them located in the central nervous system. There are currently 2 types of receptors that have been identified:- CB1 – These receptors are located in the brain and nerves of the spinal cord (central nervous system)
- CB2 – These receptors are located in the other major systems, including the immune system, peripheral nervous system, and digestive system
- Blood Vessels
- Bones
- Brain
- Heart
- Immune Cells
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Lungs
- Pancreas
- Skin
- Skeletal Muscle
- Endocannabinoids (made by the body)
- Plant cannabinoids (plant made)
- Synthetic cannabinoids (lab made)
Enzymes
Enzymes work to break down, or stop, the endocannabinoids and cannabinoids once the body has regained stabilization. 2 of the main enzymes that have been identified include:- Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), breaks down AEA
- Monoacylglycerol acid lipase (MAGL), breaks down 2-AG
Treatment
Cannabis helps trigger the ECS, and research is being conducted to gain more knowledge about how the plant can help our bodies and what it can specifically do. Many disorders, for example, fibromyalgia, have little treatment options as they affect many systems in the body. The relatively recent discovery of the ECS has intrigued researchers to study if these conditions are treatable with cannabis products. Cannabinoids are already being used by patients to treat:- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain
- Epilepsy
- Inflammation
- Psychological Disorders
- Withdrawal