Endocannabinoid System - An Ultimate Guide
Do you love cannabis? If yes, then you may wonder how cannabis interacts with your body, what happens after consuming cannabis and how your body reacts to it. Well, it is your endocannabinoid system that is working behind the scenes. Don’t know what that is? Well, we’ll be discussing all about the endocannabinoid system today.
What Is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell signaling system. Its major components are enzymes, receptors and endocannabinoids. All of these components work together to regulate your body functions and maintain balance which we call the state of homeostasis. In addition to this, it's very true that the ECS system governs the way we experience the effects of cannabis.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of receptors. Cannabis on the other hand is made up of cannabinoids that stimulate these receptors. These cannabinoids are very much similar to the endocannabinoids that are made by our body in low amounts. However, unlike the latter, cannabinoids are chemicals that we feed to our body in different and often higher doses. As a result, whenever the receptors are stimulated by cannabinoids, the effects are prominent and vary according to the chemical profile or the amount of cannabis you consume.
Don’t worry if all this feels a little overwhelming. This is the reason why you are advised to always consume cannabis after consulting a doctor. You can visit a doctor near you or find reliable online clinics such as California Marijuana Doctor. They can help you understand the basics before finally approving you for an MMJ Card In California.
What Is the Endocannabinoid System Responsible for?
In every animal, bird, and reptile, the endocannabinoid system functions to maintain an inner balance. Still, various researchers are trying to understand the ECS. But so far, we have identified that it plays an important role in a few bodily processes such as:
All these functions contribute to homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the stability of your body’s internal environment. For instance, any minor or major inflammation will affect the balance of your body’s environment. In this case, the ECS will control the immune function by affecting the cytokine network, modulating immune response in different cell types and other mechanisms.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?
In order to understand the endocannabinoid system, you need to understand its three main components -
Let’s go through each component in detail.
1. Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are also known as endogenous cannabinoids. These molecules are produced by our body. And surprisingly, they are quite similar to cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The two most prevalent endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol.
Both endocannabinoids help to keep internal functions running smoothly and efficiently. And the important fact to note here is that your body produces them as needed and body requirements which makes it difficult for researchers to identify their level and production state.
What Is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell signaling system. Its major components are enzymes, receptors and endocannabinoids. All of these components work together to regulate your body functions and maintain balance which we call the state of homeostasis. In addition to this, it's very true that the ECS system governs the way we experience the effects of cannabis.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of receptors. Cannabis on the other hand is made up of cannabinoids that stimulate these receptors. These cannabinoids are very much similar to the endocannabinoids that are made by our body in low amounts. However, unlike the latter, cannabinoids are chemicals that we feed to our body in different and often higher doses. As a result, whenever the receptors are stimulated by cannabinoids, the effects are prominent and vary according to the chemical profile or the amount of cannabis you consume.
Don’t worry if all this feels a little overwhelming. This is the reason why you are advised to always consume cannabis after consulting a doctor. You can visit a doctor near you or find reliable online clinics such as California Marijuana Doctor. They can help you understand the basics before finally approving you for an MMJ Card In California.
What Is the Endocannabinoid System Responsible for?
In every animal, bird, and reptile, the endocannabinoid system functions to maintain an inner balance. Still, various researchers are trying to understand the ECS. But so far, we have identified that it plays an important role in a few bodily processes such as:
- Pain
- Stress
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Energy
- Perception
- Reproduction
- Memory
- Fertility
- Digestion
- Muscle formation
- Mood
- Motor control
- Bone remodeling and growth
- Liver function
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
All these functions contribute to homeostasis. Homeostasis refers to the stability of your body’s internal environment. For instance, any minor or major inflammation will affect the balance of your body’s environment. In this case, the ECS will control the immune function by affecting the cytokine network, modulating immune response in different cell types and other mechanisms.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?
In order to understand the endocannabinoid system, you need to understand its three main components -
- Endocannabinoids
- Receptors
- Enzymes
Let’s go through each component in detail.
1. Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are also known as endogenous cannabinoids. These molecules are produced by our body. And surprisingly, they are quite similar to cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The two most prevalent endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol.
Both endocannabinoids help to keep internal functions running smoothly and efficiently. And the important fact to note here is that your body produces them as needed and body requirements which makes it difficult for researchers to identify their level and production state.
2. Endocannabinoid Receptors
There are two major receptors in the ECS - the CB1 receptors and the CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system and regulate brain functions whereas CB2 receptors are mostly found in immune cells of the peripheral nervous system. CB1 receptors are responsible for motor and cognitive function whereas CB2 plays an important role in neuroprotection and neuroinflammation.
Endocannabinoids bind to either of the receptors and the result depends on the location and receptor which is being stimulated.
For instance, if you have used cannabis for relieving joint pain then endocannabinoids may target CB1 receptors in spinal nerves to relieve pain. On the other hand, CB2 receptors in the immune system give signals relating to inflammation.
There are two major receptors in the ECS - the CB1 receptors and the CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are mostly found in the central nervous system and regulate brain functions whereas CB2 receptors are mostly found in immune cells of the peripheral nervous system. CB1 receptors are responsible for motor and cognitive function whereas CB2 plays an important role in neuroprotection and neuroinflammation.
Endocannabinoids bind to either of the receptors and the result depends on the location and receptor which is being stimulated.
For instance, if you have used cannabis for relieving joint pain then endocannabinoids may target CB1 receptors in spinal nerves to relieve pain. On the other hand, CB2 receptors in the immune system give signals relating to inflammation.
3. Enzymes
Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids after the completion of their function. There are two different types of enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown.
Fatty acid amide hydrolase is responsible for the breakdown of AEA whereas monoacylglycerol acid lipase is responsible for the breakdown of 2-AG.
How Does THC React With the Endocannabinoid System?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid found in cannabis that makes you high. You may have a question about how the endocannabinoid system reacts to THC. The answer to this question is quite simple. When you consume cannabis, THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system and binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors.
This leads to multiple effects on the body and mind. One of them being the infamous high that everyone talks about. It can also result in a state of paranoia or overexcitement in some cases. So, if you are considering using THC dominant strains for your medical condition, apply for a medical marijuana card in California in order to get the right guidance and also access the best products.
Also Read: 6 Benefits Of Getting A Medical Marijuana Card In California
Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids after the completion of their function. There are two different types of enzymes that are responsible for the breakdown.
- Fatty acid amide hydrolase
- Monoacylglycerol
Fatty acid amide hydrolase is responsible for the breakdown of AEA whereas monoacylglycerol acid lipase is responsible for the breakdown of 2-AG.
How Does THC React With the Endocannabinoid System?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabinoid found in cannabis that makes you high. You may have a question about how the endocannabinoid system reacts to THC. The answer to this question is quite simple. When you consume cannabis, THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system and binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors.
This leads to multiple effects on the body and mind. One of them being the infamous high that everyone talks about. It can also result in a state of paranoia or overexcitement in some cases. So, if you are considering using THC dominant strains for your medical condition, apply for a medical marijuana card in California in order to get the right guidance and also access the best products.
Also Read: 6 Benefits Of Getting A Medical Marijuana Card In California
Bottom Line
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system is still fairly new and the research is ongoing. However, it is pretty clear that the ECS has a major role to play in unearthing the benefits of cannabis. All the medicinal benefits of cannabis were better understood by the medical sector with the discovery of the ECS. Now, though the research is still ongoing, it lets us get a better idea about how medical cannabis can be beneficial for patients who fail to find their solution in conventional medicine.
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system is still fairly new and the research is ongoing. However, it is pretty clear that the ECS has a major role to play in unearthing the benefits of cannabis. All the medicinal benefits of cannabis were better understood by the medical sector with the discovery of the ECS. Now, though the research is still ongoing, it lets us get a better idea about how medical cannabis can be beneficial for patients who fail to find their solution in conventional medicine.
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