After several years of research, scientists studying the consequences of cannabis made many important discoveries. Not only did they identify the active ingredient in cannabis, but they also discovered where and the way it works within the brain—via a replacement system, they called the endocannabinoid (EC) system.
The Endocannabinoid system—named after the plant cannabis, its active ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—is a singular communications system within the brain and body that affects many essential functions, including how an individual feels, moves, and reacts. In addition to plant cannabis, there are two classes of cannabinoids—the synthetic cannabinoids and therefore the endogenous cannabinoids (ECB).
In recent years, the endocannabinoid system has attracted considerable attention as a possible therapeutic target in numerous physiological conditions.
The natural chemicals produced by the body that interact within the Endocannabinoid system are called cannabinoids, and like THC, they interact with receptors to manage these essential body functions. As you'll get to understand the scientific literature regarding the therapeutic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids, you will be sure at the end that cannabis features a profound influence on the physical body. This plant and its sort of therapeutic compounds seem to affect every aspect of our bodies and minds.
The endocannabinoid system, with its complex actions in our system, can be a bridge between body and mind. By understanding this technique, we start to ascertain a mechanism that explains how states of consciousness can promote health or disease.
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids, also called endogenous cannabinoids are the molecules made by your body. They’re almost like cannabinoids, but the only difference is that your body produces them. These help keep internal functions running smoothly. Our body produces them as required, making it difficult to understand what typical levels are for every.
What are cannabinoid receptors and how they function?
Receptors are found throughout your body. Endocannabinoids bind to them to signal that the ECS must take action.
The biological effects of cannabinoids are mainly mediated by two members of the G-protein-coupled receptor family, cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1R) and a couple of (CB2R). Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor.
CB1R is prominently expressed within the central systema nervosum (CNS) and has drawn great attention because it participates during a sort of brain function modulations, including executive, emotional, reward, and memory processing via direct interactions with the endocannabinoid system and indirect effects on the glutamatergic, GABAergic and dopaminergic systems. Unlike CB1R, CB2R was considered as a “peripheral” cannabinoid receptor. However, this idea has been challenged recently by the identification of functional CB2Rs throughout the central systema nervosum (CNS).
Based on these characteristics, CB2Rs are considered to be a crucial substrate for neuroprotection, and targeting CB2Rs will likely offer a unique therapeutic strategy for treating neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. The consequences that result depend upon where the receptor is found and which endocannabinoid it links to.
How does THC affect the Endocannabinoid System?
Endocannabinoids also are found at the intersection of the body’s various systems, allowing communication and coordination between different cell types. At the location of an injury, for instance, cannabinoids are often found decreasing the discharge of activators and sensitizers from the injured tissue, stabilizing the neuron to stop excessive firing, and calming nearby immune cells to stop the discharge of pro-inflammatory substances.
Once in your body, THC interacts together with your ECS by binding to the receptor. It becomes powerful partly because it can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. This allows it to possess a variety of effects on your body and mind, some more desirable than others. For instance, THC may help to scale back pain and stimulate your appetite. But it also can cause paranoia and anxiety in some cases.
Experts are currently looking into ways to supply synthetic THC cannabinoids that interact with the ECS as merely beneficial ways.
How does CBD affect the Endocannabinoid System?
Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause you to “high” and typically doesn’t cause any adverse effects. Experts aren’t entirely sure how CBD interacts with the ECS. But they are sure to say that it doesn’t bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors like THC does.
Most people are aware of the health benefits of CBD — All its effects on stress-response, inflammation & immunity, pain, mood, and more, which is already covered in previous blogs.
Many believe it works by preventing endocannabinoids from being weakened. This enables them to possess more of an impact on your body. Others believe that CBD binds to a receptor not sure to say anything that has not been discovered yet. While the small print of how it works is still under progress, researchers suggest that CBD can help with pain, nausea, and other symptoms related to multiple conditions.
Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System
Can a person enhance his/her cannabinoid system by taking supplemental cannabis? Can cannabis help us prevent disease and promote health by stimulating an ancient system that’s hard-wired into all of us? The answer is yes. As we continue to sort through the emerging science of cannabis and cannabinoids, one thing remains clear: a functional cannabinoid system is essential for health. Patient testimonials and scientific inquiry both indicate that herbal cannabis has superior medical qualities to synthetic cannabinoids.
Research has shown that small doses of cannabinoids from cannabis can signal the body to form more endocannabinoids and build more cannabinoid receptors. This is often why many first-time cannabis users don’t feel an impact, but by their second or third time using the herb, they need to build more cannabinoid receptors and can respond. More receptors increase a person’s sensitivity to cannabinoids; we believe that small, regular doses of cannabis might act as a tonic to our most central physiologic healing system.
People want safe, natural, and cheap treatments that stimulate our bodies’ ability to self-heal and help our population improve their quality of life. Medical cannabis is one such solution.
Check the video below for more information.
Making the most of cannabis
While our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid deficiency or the shortage of endocannabinoids is relatively common. Researchers and medical professionals have found that endocannabinoid deficiency can lead to a host of disorders particularly those related to the nervous system, immune system, and inflammation. Conditions and diseases that can be treated with cannabis include:
· Pain: By interacting with pain modulating receptors, cannabinoids can alleviate physical pain and discomfort related to exercise, work, or injuries.
· Depression and PTSD: The calming effects of THC and CBD can significantly reduce anxiety and stress levels which often trigger depressive and PTSD-related episodes.
· Insomnia: Cannabis has relaxing and soothing properties that promote sleep. Additionally, by reducing stress and anxiety levels, cannabis helps to achieve more restful sleep.
· Neurodegenerative Diseases: Research has found that cannabinoids found in cannabis can stimulate brain function, thus reducing the early onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
· Autism: CBD and THC can help with symptoms of autism like aggressive behavior, impulsivity, and self-harm.
· Cancer: Cannabinoids found in hemp alleviate the pain that comes with a cancer diagnosis and treatments like chemotherapy.
· Diabetes: Cannabis reduces inflammation in the pancreas which can combat the symptoms of diabetes and may even prevent it.
· Epilepsy: Cannabis has long been known to be extremely useful in reducing the frequency of seizures in epileptic patients. In 2018, the FDA approved the first CBD-based medication to treat epileptic seizures.
Why we are discussing it?
Like an intricate genealogy, the ECS family keeps growing as scientists learn more about each individual’s numerous relationships. Because it’s involved numerous aspects of human health, research on the endocannabinoid system has exploded since its discovery 30 years ago. It’s incredible that even with all that research, we’re barely beginning to grasp the true potential of this technique.
The primary goal of this is to debate and evaluate the present progress in cannabis and cannabinoid research to extend our understanding of cannabinoid action and therefore the underlying biological mechanisms and promote the event of cannabinoid-based pharmacotherapies.
Most cannabinoids can bind to both sorts of receptors — CB1 & CB2. This is often true for both the endocannabinoids — anandamide & 2-AG — and phytocannabinoids like THC. However, the phytocannabinoid CBD doesn’t instantly trigger either receptor but it improves the receptors' ability to bind to cannabinoids.
CBD plays an important role within the endocannabinoid system: influencing other sorts of receptors, while also enhancing your natural levels of endocannabinoids by occupying certain enzymes.
The ECS plays a big role in keeping our internal processes stable but there are still tons we don’t realize. As experts develop a far better understanding of the ECS, it could eventually hold the key to treating several conditions.
Conclusion
We hope you understand the clear relation between the plants produced cannabinoids and how our body responds to that. All conditions have different causes, different physiologic states, and vastly different symptoms. Some users are old, some are young, and some are undergoing conventional therapy, while others are on a decidedly alternative path. Yet despite their differences, most people would agree on one point: cannabis helps their condition. Comment down your queries below and join us if you wish to become a part of our hemp revolution.