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What are Endocannabinoids? Understanding the Endocannabinoid System & CBD

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CBD is helping to legalize medicinal marijuana. It’s getting a lot of attention and introducing a suite of goods for relaxation, inflammation reduction, and more. CBD and THC are cannabis’ draws. Our bodies have endocannabinoids. Cannabis contains nearly 100 cannabinoids. These cannabinoids resemble human endocannabinoids. Because of the plant, this anatomical system was discovered.

Endocannabinoids do what? Several may not know that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates many vital biological functions. The nervous system governs conscious and unconscious bodily processes. The endocrine system releases hormones. ECS combines the two. This page explains the endocannabinoid system, CBD, and how cannabis affects the body.

What Does ECS Stand For?

In cannabis and biology, ECS stands for the Endocannabinoid System. The endocannabinoid system isn’t as well-known as the neurological or immunological systems. It’s linked to them all and controls several life-sustaining functions.

What Is The Endocannabinoid System?

The Endocannabinoid system regulates homeostasis. The mind-body connection is a common theme in homeopathy and plant medicine. The ECS is the link. The ECS links our brain, neurological system, and other systems. The endocannabinoid system affects blood sugar, immunological function, muscle, fat, hormones, pain, reward, and metabolic activities. Our body has CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors control biological processes like dials.

The endocannabinoid system regulates the following biological functions:

  • appetite and digestion
  • bone remodeling and growth
  • cardiovascular system function
  • chronic pain
  • inflammation and other immune system responses
  • learning and memory
  • liver function
  • metabolism
  • mood
  • motor control
  • muscle formation
  • reproductive system function
  • sleep
  • stress
  • skin and nerve function

Cannabinoids and endocannabinoids affect these biological activities. Cannabinoids promote appetite, causing the munchies. Cannabinoids interact with the ECS to promote pleasure, relaxation, and reduced inflammation.

Are Endocannabinoids Neurotransmitters?

Endocannabinoids are neurolipids. Fat-based compounds have body receptors but aren’t neurotransmitters. As lipid-based neurotransmitters, they work differently. Aqueous fluid around neurons is hostile to lipid messengers. Endocannabinoids are postsynaptic, whereas neurotransmitters are presynaptic.

Presynaptic cells produce neurotransmitters that go to postsynaptic cells across the synapse. They influence cell activity by controlling neurotransmitter release. Synaptic cells release endocannabinoids. In the synapse, they meet CB1 receptors. This limits the release of other neurotransmitters, acting as a traffic policeman.

Where Are Cannabinoid Receptors Located?

Cannabinoid receptors exist in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. CB1 and CB2 receptors detect cannabinoids. The neocortex, hippocampus, basal ganglia, amygdala, striatum, cerebellum, and hypothalamus have CB1 receptors. White blood cells, tonsils, and spleen have CB2 receptors.

How Do Cannabinoid Receptors Work?

Cannabinoids connect to cannabinoid receptors to provide euphoria, relieve tension and inflammation, and trigger appetite. Nerve endings are common. Neurotransmitters “communicate” with other nerve cells via synapses. Nerve cells and other cells have cannabinoid receptors.

Cannabinoid receptors regulate neurotransmitter synthesis and release. They work like dimmer switches to modulate neurotransmitter release. Activated cells produce endocannabinoids like anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), which connect to cannabinoid receptors.

Why Do We Have Cannabinoid Receptors?

Cannabinoid receptors regulate homeostasis. Homeostasis is a biological balance thatĀ regulates body temperature, energy, and brain function. CB1 cannabinoid receptors regulate how much a cell releases and absorbs a neurotransmitter. CB2 cannabinoid receptors enhance our immune system.

Cannabinoid receptors regulate several physiological activities andĀ help control heat, appetite, and illness response. When you’re too hot, your body cools you down. When you’re full, your body tells you. Small endocannabinoid interactions induce these reactions.

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Is It Possible To Not Have Cannabinoid Receptors?

You can survive without cannabinoid receptors, but someone without cannabinoid receptors is unlikely. Cannabis reduces CB1 receptors. Heavy long-term cannabis usage may harm memory, cognition, and decrease the hippocampus. Cannabis may cause memory loss and neurological disorders. This is why marijuana tolerance develops. Less CB1 receptors mean you need more cannabis.

When you quit smoking cannabis, many of these neurological effects and receptor decreases reverse. Tolerance breaks are typically recommended. By stopping cannabis use, your body will reverse certain neurological consequences. Your CB1 receptors will refill spontaneously.

How Does Weed Affect Homeostasis?

The Endocannabinoid system regulates homeostasis. Weed can switch on and off certain processes by engaging endocannabinoid receptors. Weed increases cell communication and reduces inflammation, improving homeostasis.

Cannabis abuse may affect homeostasis. While you can’t overdose on cannabis, using too much might produce anxiety or a faster heart rate, harming your body’s natural condition. Decreased CB1 receptors may affect bodily function. Cannabis may assist homeostasis but avoid excess.

How Does CBD Interact With The Body?

CBD engages cannabinoid receptors. CBD helps cells decrease inflammation, discomfort, blood pressure andĀ helps sleep-deprived persons.

What Receptors Does CBD Affect?

CBD affects CB1 and CB2 receptors and may bind to additional receptors.

CBD appreciates:

  • Serotonin Receptors thatĀ aid with anxiety and depression by regulating serotonin release.
  • Vanilloid Receptors thatĀ control pain, inflammation, and body temperature.
  • Gpr55 ā€” Orphan ReceptorsĀ regulateĀ blood pressure and bone density.
  • Ppars – Nuclear Receptors govern energy balance, lipid absorption, insulin sensitivity, and other metabolic activities.

CBD research is still increasing.

When Was The Endocannabinoid System Discovered?

Endocannabinoid sounds like weed. Cannabis research revealed the ECS. Saint Louis University School of Medicine researchers Allyn Howlett and William Devane identified ECS CB1 receptors in 1988. In 1992 found CB2 receptors. Further study has discovered the ECS’s numerous components. CB1 receptors launched a field of research that continues today. How cannabis affects our endocannabinoid system reveals new medicinal advantages.

What Plants Produce Cannabinoids?

Cannabis helped discover the endocannabinoid system, but it’s not the only cannabinoid-containing plant. Cannabinoids protect plants from UV light, dryness, and pests.

Many cannabinoids we like also help the plant survive. Cannabinoids aren’t exclusive to cannabis.

These plants contain cannabinoids too:Ā 

  • Black Pepper
  • Black Truffles
  • Broccoli
  • Cacao
  • Carrots
  • Clove
  • Echinacea
  • Electric Daisy
  • Ginseng
  • Japanese Liverwort
  • Kava
  • Sunflowers
  • Tea

All of these plants contain chemicals that may affect your endocannabinoid system. Cannabis has 100 cannabinoids.

The Takeaway

Medical marijuana comprises hundreds of chemicals that interact with a biological system. Cannabis helped discover the ECS and has changed how we feel and see our bodies. Cannabis’ ability to alter homeostatic systems helps treat some ailments and disorders.

Cannabinoids aren’t exclusive to cannabis, but they reveal how plants may affect human bodies. Apply online with My Marijuana CardsĀ for a medical marijuana card to activate your endocannabinoid system.

My Marijuana Cards can help you navigate through understanding what you need. Contact via emailĀ hereĀ or via phone atĀ 1(877)783-1805.

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