What is Cannabinoids
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC, a well-known cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis. Experts are still trying to understand the ECS fully. But so far, we know it plays a role in regulating a range of functions and processes, including:
- sleep
- mood
- appetite
- memory
- reproduction and fertility
The ECS exists and is active in your body even if you don’t use cannabis.
How does it work?
The ECS involves three core components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. Endocannabinoids, also called endogenous cannabinoids, are molecules made by your body. They’re similar to cannabinoids, but your body produces them.
Experts have identified two key endocannabinoids so far:
- anandamide (AEA)
- 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG)
These help keep internal functions running smoothly. Your body produces them as needed, making it difficult to know the typical levels for each.
Endocannabinoid receptors
These receptors are found throughout the body. Endocannabinoids bind to them to signal that the ECS needs to take action.
There are two primary endocannabinoid receptors:
- CB1 receptors, which are primarily found in the central nervous system
- CB2 receptors, which are mainly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells
Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. For example,
endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells to signal that your body’s experiencing inflammation, a common sign of autoimmune disorders.
Enzymes
Enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they’ve carried out their function.
There are two primary enzymes responsible for this:
- fatty acid amide hydrolase, which breaks down AEA
- monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG
What are its functions?
The ECS is complicated, and experts have yet to determine exactly how it works or all of its potential functions.
Research Trusted Source has linked the ECS to the following processes:
- appetite and digestion
- metabolism
- chronic pain
- inflammation and other immune system responses
- mood
- learning and memory
- motor control
- sleep
- cardiovascular system function
- muscle formation
- bone remodeling and growth
- liver function
- reproductive system function
- stress
- skin and nerve function
These functions all contribute to homeostasis, which refers to the stability of your internal environment. For example, if an outside force, such as pain from an injury or a fever, throws off your body’s homeostasis, your ECS kicks in to help it return to its ideal operation.
How does THC interact with the ECS?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the main cannabinoids found in cannabis. It’s the compound that gets you “high.”
Once in your body, THC interacts with your ECS by binding to receptors, just like endocannabinoids. It’s partly powerful because it can bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors.
This allows it to have various effects on your body and mind, some more desirable than others. For example, THC may help to reduce pain and stimulate your appetite. But it can also cause paranoia and anxiety in some cases.
Experts are currently looking into ways to produce synthetic THC cannabinoids that interact with the ECS in only beneficial ways.
How does CBD interact with the ECS?
The other primary cannabinoid found in cannabis is cannabidiol (CBD). Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t make you “high” and typically doesn’t cause any adverse effects.
Experts are unsure how CBD interacts with the ECS. But they do know that it doesn’t bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors the way THC does.
Instead, many believe it works by preventing endocannabinoids from being broken down, allowing them to affect the body significantly. Others believe that CBD binds to a receptor that has yet to be discovered.
While the details of how it works are still under debate, research suggests that CBD can help with pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with multiple conditions.
What about endocannabinoid deficiency?
Some experts believe in a theory known as clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD). This theory suggests that low endocannabinoid levels in your body or ECS dysfunction can contribute to the development of certain conditions.
A 2016 article, Trusted Source, reviewing over ten years of research on the subject, suggests the theory could explain why some people develop migraine, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome.
None of these conditions has a clear underlying cause. They’re also often resistant to treatment and sometimes occur alongside each other. If CECD does play any role in these conditions, targeting the ECS or endocannabinoid production could be the missing key to treatment, but more research is needed.
The bottom line
The ECS plays a significant role in keeping your internal processes stable. But there’s still a lot we don’t know about it. As experts better understand the ECS, it could eventually hold the key to treating several conditions.
Disclaimer: This article is originally published on https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-cannabis#components
