What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system or endogenous cannabinoid system, has been characterized as the most important physiological system, involved in the creation and maintenance of human health. The prefix "endo-" is an abbreviation of the word endogenous, which means that it is produced naturally in the body. "Cannabinoid" means "from cannabis", so the word "endocannabinoid" refers to cannabis-like substances that our body naturally creates.

Scientists have been trying to understand how tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is one of the key ingredients in cannabis, affects the body. What they discovered in their endeavor was an extremely complex network of cannabinoid receptors, which exists in cells of both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

 

Our body produces natural cannabinoids, which then bind to receptors in the nervous system targeting specific functions and work together to restore healthy order. Once equilibrium is reached specific enzymes clear and dissolve any remaining endocannabinoids to maintain balance. That is, the endocannabinoid system has three distinct parts that work together: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Receptors can be found all over the body. They are found in abundance in the central nervous system (this includes the brain and nerves in the spine), but also in the peripheral nervous system (which includes nerves located in the extremities), as well as in the digestive system, and in specialized cells within the immune system.

 

These three parts work together to create homeostasis, which is a scientific way to explain a state of equilibrium and order, ie the body's ability to maintain its internal conditions stable, without being influenced by external factors (ex. temperature, pH).

At the same time, however, it ensures that all systems operate in perfect coordination with each other.

 

The endocannabinoid system was first discovered in the 1990s by L.A. Matsuda. Dr. Matsuda was the first to describe the structure and function of the cannabinoid receptor CB-1.

 

The discovery of the cannabinoid receptors CB-1(Cannabinoid receptor τύπου 1) and CB-2 (Cannabinoid receptor τύπου 2), led to a hunt for the cannabinoids that our body naturally produces and are called endocannabinoids and interact with these receptors. The first endocannabinoid discovered was called anandamide.

 

Where does the endocannabinoid system help us?

What we do know is that the endocannabinoid system helps to perfect most vital physiological functions. It affects practically everything, including:

 

• Sleep and its quality

• Appetite / mood / stress

• Digestion

•The pain

• Inflammation

• The memory

• Reproduction

 

Watch FundacionCanna's video on the endocannabinoid system and its function: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bog7WywZKps&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=%CE%98%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE%CE%9A%CE%AC%CE%BD%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%B2%CE%B7