Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabis has had a renaissance in our culture over the pasta few decades. It’s clear that cannabis has an effect on the body, but how is it possible that this natural plant can have such a wide-reaching effect on a myriad of conditions?

The answer to this question lies in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the body. This system is a central piece of the puzzle that unlocks human health. Understanding what this system is, what it does, and how it interacts with cannabis is crucial for gaining a strong comprehension of how this plant can both alleviate and prevent symptoms.

What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system of the body is its most integral system for maintaining health through homeostasis. Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body, including in the brain, immune cells, connective tissues, glands, and organs.

Cannabinoid receptors are located throughout the entire central nervous system. The human endocannabinoid system was a major discovery in the late 80’s and lead to an explosion of research into cannabinoid receptors and how they work in the body. Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how the endocannabinoid system works, but they do know it plays an important role in regulating the following:

• Sleep
• Reproduction and fertility
• Appetite
• Mood
• Memory
• Immune function
• The reproductive system
• Pain perception
• Stress response
• Body’s ability to maintain homeostasis

Many people are surprised to learn the endocannabinoid system in their bodies is always at work, even if they never consume cannabis. Endogenous cannabinoids in the body help this system maintain homeostasis.

Understanding how the endocannabinoid system works is important for those who are considering using cannabis in any form. It’s important for cannabis users to understand how the endocannabinoid system works and how cannabinoids affect it.

How does the ECS work?

Before you can understand how the human endocannabinoid system works, it is important to know the three components that make up the system. They are as follows.

• Endocannabinoids
• Receptors
• Enzymes

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are similar to cannabinoids, but they are made by the human body. They are produced by the body as needed. Two endocannabinoids have been discovered so far.

• Anandamide (AEA)
• 2-Arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG)

Cannabinoid Receptors

The human body is full of cannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoids bind with the receptors, initiating action by the ECS. There are two main types of endocannabinoid receptors, which are CB1 receptor and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor are responsible for all cannabinoid interactions in the body, and are the basis for the entire endogenous cannabinoid system. Both the CB1 and CB2 regulate different parts of the system, depending on the cannabinoid receptor type.

Endocannabinoids can bind with either type of receptor, and the one they bind with will determine the effect. The effect is also determined by the area of the body where the binding of the receptor takes place.

Enzymes and the Central Nervous System

Enzymes are an integral part of the endocannabinoid system. Once the endocannabinoids have carried out their function, enzymes break them down, so they can be disposed of by the body.

Two main enzymes are a part of the ECS. Hydrolase is a fatty acid that breaks down AEA, and lipase, which is a monoacylglycerol acid, breaks down 2-AG. The ECS is a complicated system, and scientists have yet to discover all its functions and exactly how it works in the human body.

Cannabis and endocannabinoid receptors

Two main cannabinoids bind with the cannabinoid receptors in the body. The first is THC. Most have heard about THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) because it is the cannabinoid on the cannabis plant that makes you high.

THC is the most powerful cannabinoid in cannabis because it can bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors. Because it is so powerful and can bind with both types of receptors, THC can create multiple effects in the body.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is the other cannabinoid found in cannabis. CBD does not make a person high. Although scientists are still researching to find out how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system of the body, they do know it does not bind to the receptors in the same way as THC.

Instead, it is thought to work on preventing the body from breaking down endocannabinoids. There is also some evidence to suggest CBD may even bind to a different receptor that has not yet been discovered.

Now that you have a better understanding of how the endocannabinoid system in the body works, it is important to learn what cannabis does and how it has helped some people with medical conditions.

How does cannabis help with health conditions?

Although there are countless prescription and over-the-counter medications available to help people cope with a myriad of symptoms, many of these cause unwanted side effects that make taking them difficult. When individuals cannot take their medications because of the side effects, their health often suffers.

While certainly not meant as medical advice, there are natural alternatives, like cannabis, which some people use to assist in their recovery. While much research is needed, cannabis is often used by individuals to address the following conditions.

Memory and Learning

As people grow older, it is assumed losing one’s memory is a part of the aging process, but it does not have to happen that way. In a recent study conducted on mice, it was discovered that the THC in cannabis may be used to protect against mental degradation.

Through this study, scientists discovered there were clear changes in the hippocampus part of the brain after the mice were exposed to THC for twenty-eight days. They discovered the genes responsible for longevity were activated, while the genes for cognitive decline were turned down.

Appetite Regulation

Many studies have been conducted regarding the correlation between cannabis and appetite regulation. These studies have often been carried out to help counteract the decreases in appetite that are often experienced in chemo patients.

It has been confirmed that endocannabinoids react with the CB1 receptors. Medical scientists are now working to discover how cannabis may help cancer patients eat normally and avoid losing weight due to a lessened appetite.

Core Temperature Regulation

Studies have indicated that cannabis consumption could help regulate body temperature since some compounds in cannabis may act as homeostatic agents.

Cannabinoids also interact with the vanilloid receptor family, which relate to the perception of heat and pain.

Immune System

Cannabis may affect the body’s immune function and how the immune system works. The cannabinoids in cannabis have an immunomodulatory effect, which means they can interrupt communications between immune cells. This communication between immune cells is crucial in our day to day health fighting off viruses and foreign diseases.

Cannabis may affect the immune response, depending on how it is delivered and the type. Studies have shown the immune system is changed while interacting with the cannabinoids via the body’s cannabinoid receptors.

Sleep

When insomnia strikes, a lack of sleep can negatively affect the entire body, preventing it from functioning normally. Many studies are being conducted on the effects of cannabis users and the sleep cycle.

Users of cannabis may end up sleeping longer and more deeply. Deeper sleep means waking with more energy and an improved mood, which is important for people of all ages. Minor cannabinoids like CBN are gaining traction and may have potential medical use for issues like insomnia.

Female Reproduction

Female infertility is more common than many people realize, with about 10% of the population facing difficulties in becoming pregnant.

As further research is carried out, scientists are learning more and more about how CBD can help females experience conception and healthy pregnancies.

Digestion

There is therapeutic potential for cannabinoids in helping digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and other treatment resistant syndromes dealing with the digestion. Current research supports the fact that the central nervous system is a large contributor to how the body’s digestion system maintains regular function. Cannabinoid pharmacology can help regulate the central nervous system, therefore there may be therapeutic benefits to medical cannabis for those dealing with digestive issues.

The endocannabinoid system plays a large role in digestion and introducing exogenous cannabinoids to the body has shown great promise in the past few decades for those dealing with issues like irritable bowel syndrome.

Conclusion

As research continues on the ECS, it will be interesting to see how medical cannabis treatments continue to evolve and become a stronger part of traditional medicinal practices.

It is clear that the ECS is integral for the health of the body. Without it, homeostasis is less likely to be maintained. Because the body is full of endocannabinoid receptors, it seems cannabis is a natural fit for helping improve body function, protecting against diseases, and even treating certain conditions.

With further research, it is hoped medical scientists will have a clearer understanding of how cannabis can be used as a stand-alone or complementary treatment in mainstream medicine. Cannabis can help with a variety of conditions in the body and is showing greater promise with each new study. Time will tell how cannabis will continue to intertwine itself into our health and wellness world.

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Disclaimer – Information is provided for educational purposes. It does not, and is not intended to,    constitute legal advice or reliable statements of the status of any laws. We attempt to be accurate and up to date but the legality of cannabinoids is evolving. The author is not a lawyer or a legal expert. You should check with your local authorities before buying or using any products.

References

Endocannabinoid System

Introduction To The Endocannabinoid System

Endocannabinoid System

Frequently Asked Questions