Despite existing since humankind came to be, it wasn’t until the 1990s that scientists really became aware of the endocannabinoid system. Although the exact workings of it are still being researched, existing studies appear to confirm that the endocannabinoid system affects a variety of functions, including:
- Cognitive processes
- Mood
- Memory
- Pain
- Fertility
- Appetite
- Physiological processes
Given the seemingly widespread effects of the endocannabinoid system, it’s not surprising that there has been an increasing interest in how it works and, crucially, how it can be enhanced.
What does the endocannabinoid system do?
Many experts believe that the endocannabinoid system enables our bodies to remain in balance, despite changing environmental factors. Through a process known as homeostasis, the body carries out a range of physiological processes, designed to keep our cells, hormones, and bodies balanced.
Key elements of the endocannabinoid system include:
- Cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors)
- Endocannabinoids (eCBs)
- Enzymes that synthesize and break down eCBs
Endocannabinoids are produced in different areas of the body and act as messengers for the entire endocannabinoid system, while cannabinoid receptors sit on cell walls waiting for these messages to be delivered. Depending on the location of the cannabinoid receptor and what cell it is sitting on, activation facilitates different types of responses, such as impacting our mood, pain levels, or appetite.
Of course, there are different types of cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoids present throughout the system. CB1 receptors predominantly affect the brain, for example, while CB2 receptors are more closely linked to the immune system.
By understanding how the endocannabinoid system works, we can selectively trigger certain types of receptors with specific cannabinoids. Essentially, this means you can enhance your endocannabinoid system to produce certain effects.
If you experience high levels of anxiety, for example, you may want to trigger cannabinoid receptors in the brain with a mix of endocannabinoids, such as Anandamide and 2-ArachidonoylGlycerol (2-AG). To do this, you simply choose a strain or product which is cultivated to trigger these reactions within the endocannabinoid system.
Once the endocannabinoid has triggered the receptor and delivered its message, enzymes deactivate it. This means that endocannabinoids won’t keep triggering the receptor indefinitely, which is why the effects of consuming THC or CBD are time-limited.
How does CBD work?
CBD is a phytocannabinoid, which means that it comes from a plant, rather than being produced in the body. CBD can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, but it doesn’t actually trigger them. Instead, it changes the receptors’ abilities, particularly in relation to how it binds to cannabinoids. In addition to this, CBD increases the number of endocannabinoids in your body and has an impact on other receptors too.
How important is the endocannabinoid system?
Scientists are only beginning to discover just how important the endocannabinoid system is to our health and wellbeing. As it has such far-reaching effects on the body, it is critically important. As the endocannabinoid system is, at least partly, responsible for restoring balance within our bodies, it follows that it could have a major impact on almost every function our bodies carry out.
Although our bodies produce endocannabinoids naturally, it is believed external factors can have an impact on how many are produced and how they are used. When you are under stress, for example, this may suppress the production of endocannabinoids, which may be why you experience increased anxiety during the time. By using the cleanest cannabis and CBD products, you can stimulate the endocannabinoid system and activate CB receptors.
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As scientists continue to uncover new revelations about the endocannabinoid system, we are already seeing the impact that endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids can have.
Many people find that cannabis and CBD have positive benefits, such as pain relief, mood enhancement, and insomnia relief. In addition to this, people have reported subsequent symptom relief relating to a whole range of conditions, including asthma, epilepsy, and arthritis.
With so many potential benefits associated with the stimulation of the endocannabinoid system, it’s not surprising that the use of cannabis and related products is becoming more mainstream. If you want to find out more, get in touch with our team today. Simply call Inyo at (702) 707-8888 and we’ll be happy to provide all the help you need.
