OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES, RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON THE HUMAN BODY LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a network of CB1 and CB2 cell receptors and the molecules that act on them. CB1 receptors are found mostly in tissues of the brain and the central nervous system (CNS).

CB2 receptors are found in the immune system, gastrointestinal tract, retina, and peripheral nervous system.

CB1 is expressed in the tissues of both the central nervous system (CNS) and the periphery, with a predominant expression on presynaptic nerves.

CB2, sometimes referred to as the “peripheral cannabinoid receptor”, is mainly expressed on immune cells but can also be found on other peripheral tissues such as the retina and in the CNS(Croxford and Yamamura 2005; Mackie 2006).

Endocannabinoids act on CB1 and CB2 receptors to regulate core body functions, including metabolism, appetite, sleep, mood, pain, immune function, and muscle movement.

An irregularity of the ECS can result in pain, digestive issues, seizures, mental health concerns, and problems with mobility and balance. Endocannabinoids in the body are degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).

Cannabidiol (CBD), another component of medical marijuana, inhibits FAAH, allowing more naturally occurring endocannabinoids to remain active in the body.

Imbalances of the endocannabinoid system are associated with many diseases, explaining why medical marijuana has a beneficial effect on a variety of medical conditions.

Current research on the endocannabinoid system is seeking new treatments for autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as non-addictive ways to relieve pain.

The delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana resembles the endocannabinoid molecules, anandamide and 2-Ag, manufactured by the human body.

THC binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors to replace or augment naturally occurring endocannabinoid.

Balancing Your ECS Balancing Your ECS

CBD has been all the buzz.

The use of CBD products like tinctures, full-spectrum CBD oil, CBD gummies, and CBD soluble water as supplements has skyrocketed. And for good reason. CBD”s purported therapeutic benefits are more than enough to warrant attention.

Though studies are still ongoing, early signs from research indicate it might help with:

Memory – Mental health – Reward circuits – Digestion – Appetite – Immune system – Cardiovascular system – Skin, and much more.

So, how is it really that one compound might hold such a broad range of benefits?

What is the underlying mechanism that might just make all these benefits possible?

To know the answer to that, you first need to know about your Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

The Endocannabinoid System and Balancing Your ECS Unbeknownst to many CBD consumers, taking CBD supplements affects the equilibrium of their endocannabinoid system.

People worldwide are now taking or heavily considering taking CBD because its purported benefits might help them manage some conditions.

However, these benefits in themselves are simply the outcome of improving your bodies’ internal balance.

And that is precisely what the Endocannabinoid system actually does.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a neurotransmitter system that consists of a series of receptors found throughout the mammalian body. These receptors are in some of the most important structures inside your body, from the brain to all peripheral organs.

These particular receptors interact with endogenous cannabinoids/endocannabinoids.

The resulting interaction controls a vast array of physiological functions, including pain, appetite, mood, immune system, memory, and much more.

The Composition of the ECS

Balancing Your ECS – How to Go About It the endocannabinoid system covers the brain to the most important organs

Three different components make up the endocannabinoids systems: Cannabinoid Receptors

There are two kinds of cannabinoid receptors: the CB1 receptors and the CB2 receptors.

Located on cell surfaces, what characterizes cannabinoid receptors is their interactions with their namesake, the cannabinoid compounds.

Said interactions result in the therapeutic benefits people say they experience when taking CBD, which is just one of many cannabinoids.

Since the ECS strives to achieve homeostasis in the body, the therapeutic effects are simply its way to achieve that end.

Usually, the body would use the endocannabinoids it produces on its own to do so.

Yet, by taking CBD products, you can help trigger said effects.

CB1 receptors are in high-density within the brain and the nervous system.

Therefore, they do influence brain functions, such as memory and appetite.

THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid that causes the marijuana high, binds to CB1 receptors hence the ‘high’ you experience with it.

On the other hand, CB2 receptors are most prevalent in the body organs, muscle tissues, immune system, and bones.

They influence the body’s pain managing response, particularly, the anti-inflammatory response.

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced by our own bodies.

They interact with and activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors, with each cannabinoid causing different body changes.

Despite their origins, they are remarkably similar in structure to Phyto cannabinoids, the cannabinoids found in plants like industrial hemp or cannabis.

CBD itself is one Phyto cannabinoid found on those plants.

Enzymes ECS enzymes’ primary function is to break down and recycle endocannabinoids, thereby frequently making sure your body achieves homeostasis.

The Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme breaks down anandamide, arguably the most important endocannabinoid.

The other major enzyme, the Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzyme, breaks down the 2-AG once they have finished their work.

What Are the Endocannabinoids?

As mentioned above, endogenous cannabinoids, better known as endocannabinoids, are cannabinoids produced by the body.

The two main endocannabinoids include 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA).

2-AG seems to control appetite and the immune system. On the other hand, anandamide regulates mood.

When your body experiences imbalances, the ECS initiates a response to restore physiological balance, thereby achieving homeostasis.

What Is Homeostasis and Why It Is Important

The primary function of ECS is to achieve homeostasis.

So, what is homeostasis?

In simple terms, homeostasis means balance. Regarding health matters, homeostasis refers to achieving balance in our internal environment.

Body organs and, by extension, the human body, functions optimally in specific conditions.

Body homeostasis ensures every part of our body is within the right working range and, therefore, functions correctly.

The strife for homeostasis is evident in bodily functions such as temperature regulation, where you sweat to cool down or shiver to warm up.

The ECS plays a massive role in achieving balance in our internal systems, despite the tremendous external environment changes.

What Might Cause ECS Imbalance?

Many environmental factors and situations put stress on our bodies.

Often times, said stress it so much it overwhelms our systems and throws our internal balance into disarray.

Now more than ever, we are particularly exposed to said factors and situations.

By adequately identifying what might negatively affect us, we have the chance to avoid them or, at least, better control the outcome it has on our internal balance. Here are some of the things you should better control if you are looking to balancing your ECS.

Poor Diet

Research establishes that endocannabinoids produced in the periphery organs control our appetite.

Unfortunately, consuming a diet consisting of high sugar and fat levels can harm the endocannabinoid system, causing an imbalance.

Such diets increase the endocannabinoids produced in the intestines and circulating in the blood.

Consequently, the individual is at risk of developing hyperphagia. Hyperphagia is an abnormal desire for food, causing one to consume larger meals much more frequently.

Thus, making them very likely to become obese. Once someone has a lot of fat mass due to an unhealthy diet, the increased fat cells start to produce more endocannabinoids.

This, in turn, will further their desire to continue to eat a lot frequently. The production of endocannabinoids by fat cells is among the reasons why losing weight is difficult.

Emotional Stress

Research indicates that the ECS system plays a vital role in regulating the stress response. Everyday short-term stress is helpful, and in many ways, it is critical to our survival. When exposed to stress, your body will respond by reducing the anandamide levels.

Thus, causing you to feel stressed, anxious, or agitated. At the same time, stress causes an increase in the production of 2-AG, which reduces pain reception. 2-AG also enhances your cognitive functions, including memory, to help you get out of danger.

However, exposure to chronic stress causes desensitization of CB1 receptors. The high levels of 2-AG overstimulate the CB1 receptors.

(Abstract

The CB1 cannabinoid receptor is a G protein coupled receptor that is widely expressed throughout the brain. The endogenous ligands for the CB1 receptor (endocannabinoids) are N-arachidonylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol; together the endocannabinoids and CB1R subserve activity dependent, retrograde inhibition of neurotransmitter release in the brain. Deficiency of CB1 receptor signaling is associated with anhedonia, anxiety, and persistence of negative memories. CB1 receptor-endocannabinoid signaling is activated by stress and functions to buffer or dampen the behavioral and endocrine effects of acute stress. Its role in regulation of neuronal responses is more complex. Chronic variable stress exposure reduces endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor signaling and it is hypothesized that the resultant deficiency in endocannabinoid signaling contributes to the negative consequences of chronic stress. On the other hand, repeated exposure to the same stress can sensitize CB1 receptor signaling, resulting in dampening of the stress response. Data are reviewed that support the hypothesis that CB1 receptor signaling is stress responsive and that maintaining robust endocannabinoid/CB1 receptor signaling provides resilience against the development of stress-related pathologies.)

The body compensates this by desensitizing or reducing the number of CB1 receptors. Consequently, this creates an imbalance in the ECS system. Disease Research linking ECS imbalance to arthritis, depression, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and other diseases is underway. That said, there are indications that certain conditions might have more than a casual relationship with ECS imbalance.

This theory might explain why some patients might better manage their ailments by taking CBD products to rebalance the ECS.

In other instances, the ECS imbalance seems to cause the disease.

Drugs Studies indicate some pharmaceutical and recreational drugs, including alcohol, stimulate an increase in endocannabinoids’ production.

Thus, it might overstimulate cannabinoid receptors, especially CB1 receptors. Consequently, the body downregulates receptors as a compensation mechanism, thereby creating an imbalance in the system.

Your Genetics

There are cases where individuals have inherent ECS unbalances built into their genetic makeup.

Unfortunately, these are something they cannot get rid of completely.

For instance, a 2015 discovery reported in the New York Times indicates that approximately 20% of Americans have a mutation that degrades the anandamide.

Such individuals have an inherent imbalance that compromises their response to stress while increasing their risk of suffering from obesity.

The Best Methods for Balancing Your ECS

Balancing Your ECS – How to Go About physical exercise is one of the most fun ways of balancing your ECS