What is the endocannabinoid system?

Welcome to the world of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network found in all vertebrates, including humans. This remarkable system and the natural cannabinoids produced by your body work tirelessly to maintain balance, a state known as homeostasis.

ECS: Your physical conductor

Think of the ECS as a conductor orchestrating your body's wellbeing. It is responsible for sending feedback to your cells to ensure that they function harmoniously and do not become overactive or sluggish. This essential system was discovered through studies on cannabis with THC published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature in 1988.

ECS in the receptors: CB1 and CB2

The ECS is controlled by two types of cell receptors, CB1 and CB2, which are distributed throughout the body. CB1 is mainly concentrated in the brain and spinal cord, while CB2 is mainly found in cells of the immune system. Your body produces natural cannabinoids, called anandamide and 2-AG, which bind to these receptors and activate their functions. This complex ECS regulates a variety of systems in your body, including pain, appetite and reproduction.

CB1: The messenger of the brain

Due to its high concentration in the brain and nervous system, CB1 plays an important role in the release and regulation of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin are chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons. When you experience pain, neurons release neurotransmitters via synapses from neuron to neuron to signal the brain that something is painful. The ECS intervenes to calm overactive neurons and return them to their baseline function. It also works in reverse, activating inactive neurons as needed.

ECS and its influence on health

The ECS affects brain function in relation to seizures when cells in the brain do not communicate and function normally. The FDA has approved Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures in pediatric patients, where CBD regulates signaling in the brain and reduces seizure frequency. The ECS also affects the endocrine system, regulating the release and uptake of hormones. The pituitary gland, which is directly connected to the brain, releases hormones throughout the body that signal everything from hunger to the fight-or-flight response.

The interaction of cannabis and CBD with the ECS

Cannabis and its cannabinoids have been used for centuries to interact with this complex system in our bodies. THC and CBD, found in cannabis, interact with ECS receptors to produce desired effects. THC binds strongly to CB1 receptors, leading to the psychoactive effects attributed to it. However, these effects do not last indefinitely, as our bodies have enzymes to break down cannabinoids. CBD also interacts with these receptors, but can block CB1 receptors to reduce the unwanted or psychoactive effects of THC.

Concluding thoughts

The endocannabinoid system is a complex and crucial part of our body that is vital to the maintenance of our cells and associated systems. Maintaining a state of homeostasis is essential for survival. Since ECS receptors are present throughout the body and their regulatory functions, it lends itself to