The endocannabinoid system is made up of receptors, metabolic enzymes, and endocannabinoids. It is responsible for homeostasis, which involves regulating the body so that you remain healthy and live comfortably. It controls many different physiological functions, such as eating, sleeping, and even social habits, and it also deals with health issues, e.g. pain, inflammation, body temperature, and skin diseases. The ECS helps the body’s neurons to navigate the neurotransmitters to the right receiver by either decreasing or increasing the level of endocannabinoids it creates so that imbalances are corrected. It is a very complex job and a big one, and there is still a lot that scientists do not know.
Nevertheless, research has shown that when your ECS is malfunctioning, it is because: (a) the system is unable to make enough endocannabinoids; (b) the receptors are off balance; or (c) the ECS is unable to place the endocannabinoids correctly. Each one of these disturbances in ECS function “can contribute to a whole host of seemingly unconnected issues, because the overall flow and balance of our nervous system has been disturbed and boom, it’s a chaotic free-for-all” (1). The result, of course, is disease.
Two eminent scientists at the National Institution of Health, recently reported that the ECS plays a vital role “in essentially all human disease”(2). Professor Mechoulam admits, “This is a very strong statement, but it seems to be correct,” and then explains, “Today, we know that the endocannabinoid system – the receptors, the endocannabinoids, the enzymes that form and break down the endocannabinoids – are involved in many physiological reactions, and therefore in many disease states” (3).
The endocannabinoid system is therefore responsible for maintaining equilibrium or balance on every level in your body and brain, including bone health and the health of the female reproductive system – so proper overall homeostasis (health and wellbeing). Like other systems in the body, the ECS goes unnoticed all the time it is functioning as it should, so most of the time the ECS achieves its objectives without any applause or recognition. However, while many people are still unaware they have an endocannabinoid system, they know when something is wrong because when the ECS malfunctions they get sick.
Research shows that the ECS is out of balance in almost every single pathological condition known to man (4), and that when we introduce phytocannabinoids through CBD products into our bodies we stimulate and support our endocannabinoid system. In doing so, we can experience relief and/or healing (5). As such, there is every possibility that modulating ECS activity could have therapeutic potential and value in almost every disease that affects humankind. By modulating the endocannabinoid system and enhancing endocannabinoid tone, CBD and THC can slow – or in some cases stop – disease progression. That is simply amazing.
Another important physiological process that the ECS is involved in is the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. This gland controls functions such as hunger, thirst, body temperature, sleep, and emotional feelings such as mood and stress, which all significantly influence our lives – our day-to-day experiences.
Our ECS assures this is working properly by maintaining the body’s homeostasis through regulating many different types of physiological functions that impact our daily function and experiences, e.g. blood pressure, anxiety levels, mood, and so forth. But these functions and others connected to our ECS can be influenced by introducing external cannabinoids, such as CBD, thus enhancing the function of our ECS, which optimises our health and wellbeing (6).
Cannabinoid Receptors
At present (2020), scientists have discovered two receptors:
- CB1 receptors are located in the brain, especially in the Hypothalamus, Hippocampus and Amygdala areas, immune system, and to a lesser extent in the tissues.
- CB2 receptors are located in the peripheral organs, immune system, and can be found most commonly in the tonsils, immune cells, spleen, and thymus.
Scientists are currently looking for a third receptor and expecting, or at least hoping, to find even more. This is because cannabinoid receptors, which are located throughout the body, act as a sort of lock, and the cannabinoids found in cannabis plants are the key. THC, for example, is the key to CB1 locks, and cannabinol (CBN) opens CB2 locks. Cannabidiol (CBD), the second largest compound found in the cannabis plant and the highest in hemp, does not directly fit either lock (but still significantly impact cannabinoid receptors, which it causes to activate through different pathways). This is one reason why scientists question whether there could be other receptors that have yet to be discovered.
Cannabinoid receptors, which have been described as docking stations (7), are located on the surface of cells and neurons all over the brain and body. The CB1 receptor is actually a protein that the THC in plant material locks onto, and which allows it to communicate and interact with our brain and ECS through ‘messages’ that are neurotransmitters and hormones. CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain and central nervous system.
They are particularly present in brain areas that deal with physical balance, mood, emotional memory, physical drives (such as sex and food), pain, pleasure, and fear. Anandamide, which are bodies make naturally, and THC from plant material dock or bind on or bind to CB1 receptors really well – like a key fitting into a lock – and when binding to CB1 receptors, help to relieve pain, increase appetite, decrease anxiety, enhance mood, reduce stress, and activate brain pleasure centres. CB1 receptor activation also impacts many other brain functions, including memory, learning, and balance, while also helping to protect brain cells from inflammation and toxins.
Receptor activation also occurs when CBD oils or other cannabinoid products are ingested or taken into the body in other ways (such as inhaled or topically applied). CBD is one of hundreds of substances or compounds found in the resinous flowers of hemp or cannabis plants. Unlike THC, CBD does not have a psychoactive element, which means there are absolutely NO effects of this nature when taking CBD products – including those with trace element of THC (i.e. less than 1%). CBD is therefore a safe, non-addictive substance that naturally activates the body’s ECS when digested or taken in other forms.
CB1 and CB2 receptors belong to the G-Proteins Coupled Receptor superfamily and, as such, regulate ion channels that help with muscle movement, cell regeneration, and the efficient transportation of nutrients. These functions are critical to the nervous system because ion channels help moderate the amount of electricity being sent through synapses so that the brain doesn’t get overloaded and begin firing off too many signals. CB2 receptors are present in the immune system, reproductive organs, gut, hippocampus (area of the brain that deals with memory and learning), and endocrine system and, unlike CB1, is evenly distributed throughout the body.
CB2 is primarily found in the immune cells and several different neurons. They also increase their number during certain conditions, such as inflammation, which helps to ensure the inflamed area does not spread, and they are also very active in other conditions believed to be linked to poor ECS functioning, such as psoriasis and eczema.
Endocannabinoids are natural chemicals resembling the cannabinoids in cannabis plants that are made naturally in our bodies. In other words, they are our body’s version of cannabinoids, and they work at maintaining the flow of hormones, immune cells, and neurotransmitters (brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin) through ECS signalling. Science reports that there are more cannabinoid receptors in the brain than any other receptor and they are present in huge numbers throughout the body (8).
In addition to their presence in the brain, cannabinoid receptors can be found in all of the major organs, the nervous system, immune cells, gut, glands, connective tissues, and bone marrow, where they carry out different functions. However, “keeping the balance (homeostasis) is their overall mission, no matter where they act or how they do it. That’s their duty: maintaining balance, keeping the peace and being the mastermind of a smoothly operating brain and body under the stresses of life. If they had a slogan, it would be ‘Keep Calm and Carry On.'” So, when an imbalance is detected within our bodies, our ECS synthesize endocannabinoids in our internal environment that are the same as those found in the cannabis plant.
Two of the most well-known endocannabinoids are anandamide and arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Their activity is very significant because of the huge role they play in pain signalling. Anandamide, which derives from a word meaning ‘Eternal Bliss’ and often termed ‘the Bliss Molecule,’ was named to portray its role in creating balance and happiness in your nervous system.
Like the hormones testosterone and oestrogen, these two endocannabinoids are broken down by enzymes once their job is finished, but an important factor is that endocannabinoids, unlike other neurotransmitters, are made on demand (as long as the ECS is functioning correctly). In other words, they are not formed and then wait in the wings for when they are needed, which is the usual behaviour of neurotransmitters. Instead, endocannabinoids are made as required and once their task is completed they are broken down.
Metabolic enzymes are proteins that break down structures that are no longer necessary, like anandamide and other endocannabinoids. They are also responsible for producing new cells and maintaining cells until they are ready to be replace, efficiently moving nutrients to where the body needs then, and detoxifying the body. Malfunctions in this area are linked to a number of different health conditions and diseases, including hypertension, obesity, and diabetes.
One of the reasons people take cannabis medication is because the cannabinoids elevates the level of anandamide and other endocannabinoids already present in the brain, thus enhancing and supporting the work of the endocannabinoid system. When the ECS is malfunctioning, adding phytocannabinoids into your body through full spectrum products (so including the hundreds of terpenes and minor cannabinoids), can help restore balance and bring symptom relief without any major side effects.
In other words, cannabis products can help the endocannabinoid system bring your body back into balance – and this has nothing to do with whether or not you smoke cannabis. “Even if you have never heard of CBD oil or never smoked cannabis in your life, your body still depends on its very own endocannabinoids to function normally and stay healthy, happy and balanced” (9).
References
- Sulak, Dustin (2015). Online article: ‘Introduction to the Endocannabinoid System.’Â
- Mechoulam, Professor (2018). Online interview: ‘Raphael Mechoulam and the history of cannabis research.’
- Sulak (2015).
- Mechoulam (2018).
- Mechoulam (2018).
- Mechoulam (2018).
- Mechoulam (2018).
- Sulak (2015).
- Mechoulam (2018).
