What is the Endocannabinoid System & How it Uses CBD
The Endocannabinoid system (ECS), an internal cell-signalling network that works to regulate a host of functions in the body, including metabolism, mood, sleep, immune response, and memory.
While we may be aware of our digestive and respiratory systems, the human endocannabinoid system is lesser known. Keep scrolling to learn more about how this system functions and what it does for the body.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?
The Endocannabinoid System is super complex and comprises three component parts: endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes. These work together to create homeostasis, or simply put, a state of balance within the body’s internal systems. The ECS interacts with numerous parts of the body, constantly making precise adjustments in order to maintain a consistent state of equilibrium.
Endocannabinoids bond with different cannabinoid receptors in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as in immune cells — the two primary receptors being CB1 and CB2. Then, special enzymes go to work, helping to break down any already-used or excess endocannabinoids, further assisting in maintaining homeostasis.
What is the Role of The Endocannabinoid System
Some of the key functions that The Endocannabinoid system helps to regulate include:
Appetite & Digestion
Mood & Stress
Memory
Immune function
Sleep patterns/sleep quality &Temperature
Pain sensation & Inflammation
Exercise-induced euphoria (pleasure/rewards)
What Are Cannabinoids?
The word “cannabinoid” refers to any of over 120 specific compounds found in hemp and marijuana (both subspecies of cannabis sativa). These compounds interact with the ECS to create certain effects within the body.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the most well-known cannabinoid and is found in the highest concentrations within the marijuana plant. In addition to creating a euphoric “high” feeling, it’s been found to assist in manage pain and increase appetite, among other effects.
CBD (cannabidiol), especially in the form of CBD oil, has become increasingly popular as a potent anti-inflammatory compound that may aid with conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia. Unlike THC, it doesn’t have intoxicating effects.
CBG (cannabigerol) is considered a “minor” cannabinoid, as it exists in lower concentrations within the cannabis plant compared to THC and CBD. It earned the nickname “the mother cannabinoid” when it was discovered that all other cannabinoids begin as CBG before developing into other unique compounds. It has shown promise for its ability to improve gut health. And, while it doesn’t create that “high” feeling associated with THC, CBG is actually believed to work as a neuroprotectant.
What are endocannabinoids?
The prefix “endo” is short for “endogenous,” which means originating from within the body — so endocannabinoids are cannabinoid-like substances which the body itself produces. These interact with the human Endocannabinoid System in a similar way to cannabinoids.
Anandamide (AEA) was the first endocannabinoid to be discovered. It was isolated from the pig brain in 1992 by William Devane and his colleagues. It has been called “the bliss molecule” due to its close connection to the body’s reward mechanisms. The name “anandamide” actually comes from a Sanskrit word meaning “internal bliss” (ananda).
Anandamide has been the most studied among the endocannabinoids about it’s involvement in the body’s reward system. In fact, several studies point to AEA exerting an overall modulatory effect on the body’s reward circuitry.
2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) was the second endocannabinoid to be identified. It was isolated from the canine gut by R. Mechoulam and associates in 1995. 2-AG works within the central nervous system and is involves several physiological functions, including pain sensation, neuroinflammation, cognition, and emotion.
Enzymes Within The Endocannabinoid System
When we think of enzymes, we think of digestion. You drink a milkshake and (if you’re not lactose intolerant) your body then produces the necessary enzymes to help you digest the dairy. The enzymes within the ECS work similarly to those digestive enzymes, but not exactly.
Endocannabinoid system enzymes have two main functions within the endocannabinoid system: limiting the production of endocannabinoids and breaking down endocannabinoids (and cannabinoids) once they’ve performed their function.
There are two main enzymes concerned with the ECS:
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) metabolises AEA and 2-AG.
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the primary enzyme responsible for breaking down 2-AG (though other enzymes are involved).
Why Is the Endocannabinoid System Important?
There’s still much to learn about the Endocannabinoid system, but we do know that it plays an important role in regulating many internal processes. Which cannabinoid bonds with which receptor determines the specific signal or “communication” being sent, and the body reacts accordingly. For example, if your body needs energy, your Endocannabinoid system will signal your stomach to growl, letting you know it’s time to eat. If you get too hot, your ECS will instruct your body to start sweating in order to cool you down.
While the body has all the necessary pieces to carry out these actions, sometimes our environment creates more imbalances than it can manage on its own. Fortunately, despite the changes in your environment, your endocannabinoid system always seeks to maintain internal balance. This is why supporting our ECS with cannabinoids can have such a strong impact.
THC, CBD, and Endocannabinoid Receptors
While CBD and THC are both phytocannabinoids (cannabinoids derived from cannabis plants), they interact with the Endocannabinoid system differently.
What does THC Do to the Endocannabinoid System?
CB1 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system (the brain and the spinal cord), while CB2 receptors are found mostly in immune cells, but also in the peripheral nervous system (the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord). THC binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, but it has a greater affinity for CB1 receptors, which is why it can produce a psychoactive effect. In addition to creating that “high” feeling, this phytocannabinoid can create a wide range of other effects — from reduced pain and increased appetite stimulation to anxiety and paranoia.
THC shares many properties with The Endocannabinoid anandamide, affecting the body similarly when ingested. Many people who use THC do so to ease pain and enhance their mood — the same effects attributed to the “bliss molecule.”
How CBD Works With the Endocannabinoid System?
The cannabinoid CBD has a greater attraction to our CB2 receptors. These receptors are located in our immune cells and peripheral nervous system. However, they’re not present in the brain, so CBD doesn’t cause psychoactive effects. Many believe CBD works by inhibiting the breakdown of endocannabinoids, enhancing their effects on the body (more on that in a minute). Research and anecdotal evidence indicates CBD oil can help reduce inflammation, anxiety, and depression. It has also been shown to improve sleep and reduce pain. It doesn’t create the intoxicated feeling associated with THC, and generally doesn’t result in any negative side effects.
Do THC and CBD Bind to the Same Receptors?
THC binds with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, but has a higher affinity (attraction) to CB1 receptors in the brain.
CBD on the other hand, has a low affinity for these endocannabinoid receptors, which means it isn’t the receptors’ first choice. If there are other cannabinoids or endocannabinoids present, the ECS receptors will interact with those instead of CBD.
However, CBD does have an interesting effect on the whole process. Typically, the enzymes within the ECS will halt the production of endocannabinoids and even start to break down excess or “used” cannabinoids to limit the number present at one time. However, CBD works to prohibit this function, allowing for a greater number of cannabinoids and, subsequently, more receptors to be activated.
It has been found that consuming multiple cannabinoids together (verses on their own) in the form of full spectrum formulations tends to increase the beneficial effects of each compound. This is known as “the entourage effect.” CBD’s special ability to increase the number of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids available to ECS receptors may help to explain this phenomenon.
Why should you care about your Endocannabinoid System ?
Earlier we mentioned that the endocannabinoid system can affect metabolism, mood, sleep, immune response, and memory (among other functions). That’s not half of it. The Endocannabinoid system also plays a role in neuroprotection and neurogenesis (developing new nervous tissue), regulating motor activity, modulation of inflammatory responses, and more. Some of the therapeutic applications that have been proposed would target the ECS with the purpose of helping neurodegeneration, mental illness, and pain.
There have already been preliminary and anecdotal scientific evidence of cannabis providing relief from symptoms of a variety of neurodegenerative disorders — including Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as multiple sclerosis. The findings imply that improper regulation or reduced function of the ECS may be causing some of the symptoms of these diseases.
What Happens When the Endocannabinoid System Fails?
When the endocannabinoid system isn’t functioning properly, your body won’t be able to react as well to changes in the environment resulting in physical and emotional discomfort. As mentioned in the section above, scientists are currently studying several conditions that appear to be related to dysfunction within the ECS. The term “clinical endocannabinoid deficiency” (or CECD, for short) describes conditions whose related disordered physiological processes may result from the non-optimum function of the ECS.
One foundational study’s conclusion stated, “Subsequent research has confirmed that underlying endocannabinoid deficiencies indeed play a role in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and a growing list of other medical conditions. Clinical experience is bearing this out.”
Relief from the symptoms of conditions such as these above (which share the CECD designation) relies on the proper function of multiple systems. As a result, these disorders are typically resistant to most forms of treatment— making it all the more important for one to maintain proper function of one’s ECS.
Support Your Endocannabinoid System with Premium Full Spectrum CBD Oil
We discussed how CBD and THC interact with the ECS, but these are just two cannabinoids — out of more than 120. Other cannabinoids play different roles, such as enhancing our natural production of anandamide. And since THC binds so well to CB1, it acts as a pathway, helping other cannabinoids across the blood-brain barrier. Without it present during ingestion, no cannabinoids can access the brain.
This is why full spectrum CBD oil is so effective at supporting the ECS. It’s a whole plant extract: while CBD is the primary cannabinoid present, it also contains a variety of terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids including trace levels of THC. This maximises the impact of CBD on your Endocannabinoid system, helping to supplement any deficit in your body’s endocannabinoid production, and ultimately providing more complete and well-rounded benefits.
