The Endocannabinoid System

The Endocannabinoid system is amazing!

The world of medicine was forever changed for the better thanks to Dr. Raphael Mechoulam.

He is the organic chemist responsible for the discovery of the endocannabinoid system.

 The ECS (Endocannabinoid system) , named after the plant the led to its discovery, is arguably the most important physiological system.

it is involved in establishing and maintaining human health.

Everyone is born with an ECS.

 

What Is The Endocannabinoid System?

Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body; in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands and immune cells.

In each tissue, the endocannabinoid system performs different tasks, but the goal is always the same: Homeostasis.

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment.

Essentially your ECS is in charge of keeping your body healthy.  

It allows the immune system to function properly and ward off illnesses.

It also distributes an even amount of hormones your body needs and controls different areas of our brains.

Without our endocannabinoid system we would have no immune system.

no distribution of hormones and ultimately, this would lead to our bodies shutting down.

This is exactly why it is the most important system in your bodies.

What is the purpose of the ECS ?

Endocannabinoids are found in every organ of the body.

The ECS  is often referred to as the bridge between body and mind.

The Endocannabinoid system has recently been recognized as an important modulatory system .

in the function of the brain, it regulates the secretion of hormones as well as stress.

Consuming Cannabis can help your ECS perform better.

For example, someone who suffers from depression is not receiving enough of the hormone, Dopamine, which can affect your emotions.

This also affects our sensations of pleasure and pain.

When said person with depression consumes Cannabis, the THC attaches itself to our cannabinoid receptors.

allowing these receptors to become stimulated and operate as they normally should, releasing the proper hormones as the body needs.

You will hear a lot of positive feedback from people who smoke Cannabis and suffer from depression.

Cannabinoid Receptors

There are many receptors in the ECS but the two main receptors are known as CB1 and CB2 receptors.

 CB1 receptors are found in the brain and nervous system as well as organs and tissues.

This receptor is one of the most important receptors for the endocannabinoid binding molecules.

meaning it allows our bodies to process the THC and CBD.

The CB1 receptors bind with the THC causing happiness, hunger and sleepiness.

 CB2 receptors that also bind with the THC are located throughout the immune system and related organs.

Both of these receptors play an important role in our bodies and how we process cannabis.

CB1 receptors process the THC to allow relief from insomnia, loss of appetite, depression or anxiety.

 CB2 receptors allow the THC to provide relief from physical ailments such as Crohn’s Disease, Ulcers.

When a person smokes Cannabis the THC attaches to the receptors allowing us to feel medicated.

Without a natural ECS already in our body, we would not experience the euphoria of smoking cannabis.

Did we miss something about the endocannabinoid system?  Please feel free to let us know in the comments.