Hey there Steemarians, what I've got for you today is a very brief summary of the Endocannabinoid System. I posted this on my site awhile back and it'll be useful for when we start talking about specific cannabinoids and the effects they give.
The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System – or Endogenous Cannabinoid System – (ECS) is a group of endogenous* cannabinoid receptors located in the mammalian brain and throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, consisting of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors.
*Endogenous-internal cause or origin
What Does all that Mean?
The ECS is a way our body regulates itself, it has a hand in many functions throughout the body including, but not limited to; immune system response, nutrient transportation and storage, pain relief, muscle control, and even cell reproduction.
When discussing the scale of the Endocannabinoid system it is important to know these receptors can be found all over your body in varying densities. The human brain has more cannabinoid receptors than any other G-Potein receptor. Combine its widespread coverage and its plethora of job details and this group of receptors becomes one of our bodies largest regulatory systems. This regulatory system is the largest contributor to maintaining homeostasis.
How Does it Work?
The ECS has two well known receptors CB1 and CB2. These receptors are proteins that bind with chemicals in turn sending signals throughout the body. These signals are how the body regulates itself, the endocannabinoids trigger the receptors and the body gets to work. But the endocannabinoids are not the only thing that can trigger the receptors. That’s right, you’ve guessed it, the cannabinoids from cannabis also bind to these proteins. The ECS is the reason why cannabis has so many medical benefits, why it promotes homeostasis, and of course why it gets you high.
For example, you take a puff off the joint you’ve got in your hand and within a few moments you can already begin to feel the effects. The psychoactive properties are hard at work, but what is the body doing? As THC rushes through your veins the CB1 proteins bind with the THC and the body receives its signals. The ECS being triggered by the THC specifically targets areas in the brain which control pain management, memory, appetite and more. Thanks to this lovely group of receptors you are now high.
The Endogenous Cannabinoids
The Endocannabinoid System was first discovered because researchers found these unknown receptors which were especially sensitive to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This led scientists on a hunt to find the specific chemical compounds we produce endogenously* because if the body makes receptors it must be to react to its own chemicals. This led to an explosion of research in the 1990s and the finding of the first two endocannabinoids; Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)
Research into the endocannabinoids helps us understand how the cannabis derived cannabinoids effect us. For example Anandamide has been shown to increase the pleasure gained from eating sugar in mice while we know that THC is also responsible for increased pleasure reward from food. Runner's High is believed to be caused by the ECS as well.
CB1 and CB2 receptors along with the cannabinoids (both endogenous and cannabis derived) are responsible for so many functions throughout the body it is hard to name them all. The amount research papers you could find regarding this topic on google scholar or other databases is astounding. Over the next few years it will be interesting to see what findings there are surrounding this ECS.
-The Educated Stoner