What is the Endocannabinoid System?

Many of us, during our lives, suffer from various chronic conditions. Our inadequate understanding of neurological disorders is what makes us prone to many health issues and conditions. That is why learning about the endocannabinoid system is important and can be tremendously advantageous for us.  Unfortunately, very few of us know about the endocannabinoid system unless we work with medical cannabis or researcher.

It might be surprising for you that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is included in one of the important psychological systems of our body. ECS establishes and maintains human health. It is a set of neuromodulatory lipids and receptors, widely distributed in various mammalian tissues.  It regulates many nervous system, cardiovascular, and immune system functions inside the cell.

According to a recent study, ECS (both in synthetic or natural form) contains potential anticancer components. For example, CB1 and CB2 are important receptors, playing a critical role in ECS.   These receptors are present in your fatty tissues and brain and significantly affect psychological functions. 

Most importantly, the modulating activities of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) entail therapeutic benefits that can treat a wide range of pathological conditions and disparate diseases. This may include depressive disorders, spinal cord injuries, mayo cardinal infarction, hypertension, and glaucoma. 

Role of the ECS in Cognitive and Emotional Development 

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), cannabis has a critical role in producing emotional and cognitive effects. When a patient is treated with cannabinoid drugs, it drives his/her endogenous system in the brain. This system acts as a modulator in various emotional and cognitive processes. 

The drugs directly stimulate the cannabinoid receptors and affect emotional processes (depression and anxiety) and cognition (memory and learning).  A recent study has proven the endocannabinoid system (ECS) as a key modulator that affects motivation. It is considered a vital target to develop specific compounds to treat psychiatric disorders. 

What are Cannabinoids receptors, and what activates them? 

Purpose of CBD

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is your balancing system that works through neurotransmitters CB1 and CB2 to activate the cannabinoid receptors. They interfere with adenosine (a compound for the biochemical process) to perform tasks like energy transfer. Specifically, CBD regulates and affects various bodily functions such as gastrointestinal, immune, or nervous system. Not only this, CBD may suppress arousal and promote sleep.

How does it Work in the Body? 

When a chemical compound is consumed, it binds to our brain and body’s receptor sites and produces different effects, depending on the CBD  profile in that strain.  Plus, it modulates homeostasis regulation, which is an important process to keep various bodily systems balanced.  

Sources

https://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4#it-may-decrease-anxiety-in-low-doses-8
http://blog.getnugg.com/what-are-cannabinoids/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5561441/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/endocannabinoid-system
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2241751/


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