The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell-signaling system that plays a role in regulating a range of physiological processes and maintaining homeostasis in the body.
It’s named after the plant Cannabis sativa, from which cannabinoids were first discovered.
Let’s learn about the endocannabinoid system.
What Is The Endocannabinoid System?
What’s The History Of The Endocannabinoid System?
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is relatively new. In the early 90’s a chemist isolated the first endocannabinoid in the human brain.
Since that time, researchers have been learning more about this system and the role it plays in bodily functions.
Endocannabinoids are similar to the cannabinoids present in the cannabis sativa plant. Messengers in this system are called cannabinoids.
The human body naturally produces endocannabinoids. The term “endo” refers to “within,” as in within the body.
What Does The ECS Do?
As mentioned, the ECS is an active and complex cell signaling network.
It involves a combination of endocannabinoids, enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors that help regulate several functions in the human body.
The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including mood, appetite, sleep, immune function, and pain sensation.
It helps maintain balance, or homeostasis, in the body by fine-tuning these processes.
When there is an imbalance or a disruption in homeostasis, the ECS is activated to bring the body back to a state of equilibrium.
Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), can interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, leading to various effects on the body and mind.
Researchers are still exploring the full extent of the ECS’s role in health and disease, and the therapeutic potential of targeting the ECS for various medical conditions is an active area of research.
Essentially it can be thought of as a group of messengers and binding sites located throughout the body. It also controls your sleep cycle and helps you manage stress.
What Could Cannabinoids Help To Treat?
- Pain in adults.
- Abnormal muscle tightness associated with multiple sclerosis.
- Nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
- Sleep disturbances.
What Are The Major Functions Of The Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system in the brain primarily influences neuronal synaptic communication, and affects biological functions such as eating, anxiety, learning and memory, reproduction, metabolism, growth and development.
It does this via several actions throughout the nervous system.
What Are The Components Of The ECS?
Endocannabinoids: Naturally occurring compounds within the body that are similar to cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Two primary endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
Receptors: Cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body and are embedded in cell membranes. The two main types of receptors are CB1 receptors, which are primarily located in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), and CB2 receptors, which are mainly found in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.
Enzymes: These are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they have fulfilled their function. The two main enzymes involved are fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down anandamide, and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), which breaks down 2-AG.
What Else Might The ECS Help Regulate?
- Appetite and digestion.
- Sleep.
- Pain sensation.
- Inflammation and other immune responses.
- Mood.
- Metabolism.
- Learning and memory.
- Reproduction system function.
Final Thoughts
Research suggests that the ECS plays a vital part in maintaining balance and proper function in the body.
While the body can produce endocannabinoids, there are also many cannabinoids present in the C. Sativa plant which are of medical interest.
It may contain many therapeutic targets, which researchers may be able to use to help treat various health conditions.
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Sources and other reading:
What Is The Future Of Mental Health?
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