Have you ever given a thought – What causes you to feel sleepy? Why do you experience mood fluctuations – happy at one time or totally depressed at another? What regulates your appetite? Why do you sometimes feel ‘high’ even when you aren’t on marijuana?
It is because your body’s Endocannabinoid system functions that’s a way.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The Endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an integral physiologic system in the human body that modulates different bodily functions and is known to maintain optimum functioning of the endocrine, immune tissues, and the brain.
It is also likely to play an integral role in regulating the release of hormones pertaining to stress response and reproductive functions.
According to NCBI, the endocannabinoid system consists of endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), endocannabinoid receptors, and the enzymes that aid in optimal breakdown and synthesis of the endocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids and the receptors are present throughout the human body: in the organs, brain, glands, immune cells, and connective tissues.
Performing integral functions, endocannabinoids bridge the mind and the body, connecting brain activities with different states of health and wellbeing.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?
The endocannabinoid system has three components: endocannabinoids, enzymes, and receptors. With these components, the system controls different bodily and mental functions.
- Endocannabinoids
Also known as endogenous cannabinoids, these are key molecules that our body secretes naturally. They have earned its name from “cannabinoids” – a component of marijuana or hemp – because the effects are quite similar.
There are two types of endocannabinoids produced in the human body naturally – anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG). These two components aid in the smooth functioning of the body’s internal functions.
The role of enzymes is to break down the endocannabinoids once their purpose is fulfilled.
The two primary enzymes in the ECS are monoacylglycerol acid lipase (breaks down 2-AG) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (breaks down AEA).
Endocannabinoid Receptors
Receptors occur naturally throughout the body, and endocannabinoids bind these receptors together to signal the endocannabinoid system to function.
The two main types of endocannabinoid receptors found in the body are CB1 – found mostly in the central nervous system, and CB2 – found commonly in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.
The endocannabinoids may bind with any of these two receptors to signal the ECS to take an action. For instance, they might bind to the CB1 receptor in the spinal cord to reduce relief or target CB2 receptors in the immune cells to signal that the body is undergoing inflammation.
ECS Functions
While studies are still in their nascent stage to understand the system, but research suggests that the ECS can help control a wide range of psychological and physiological functions, including:
- Mood
- Sleep
- Memory
- Appetite and digestion
- Fertility and reproduction
- Metabolism
- Inflammation or other immune system disorders
- Chronic relief
- Formation of muscles
- Stress
- Motor control
- Memory and learning
- Bone growth and remodeling
- The Functioning of the cardiovascular system
- Liver functions
Nerve and skin functions
All these functions aid in homeostasis – achieving stability of the body’s internal environment – both physical and mental.
In fact, the endocannabinoid system is an association of 6 broad dimensions of the human body and mind. These include your physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and social aspects of life.
How THC and CBD Interact with the Endocannabinoid System?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are two main cannabinoids found in cannabis. However, unlike CBD, THC gets you “high” and binds both CB1 and CB2 receptors a way that cannabidiol does not.
THC has a wide range of positive effects on the mind and body, such as it helps boost your appetite and reduce relief. But in some cases, it can also cause anxiety and paranoia since it has a tendency to make you feel high.
On the other hand, researchers believe that CBD helps prevent breaking down of the endocannabinoids, facilitating enhanced bodily and psychological functions.
It can help alleviate the conditions of nausea, relief, and others associated with different health conditions.
An article was published in 2016, based on several types of research conducted to study the effects of endocannabinoid deficiency.
It suggests that lack of naturally-existing endocannabinoids in the body might be the reason why people experiences physical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, or other treatment-resistant conditions.
It may also cause major psychological effects such as stress, anxiety, fear, etc.
Any deficiency in the body’s endocannabinoids can be fulfilled with high-quality CBD products available in our shop that can help reduce the impacts of clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD).
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