Endocannabinoid System explained

Cannabinoid there are at least 113 different cannabinoids. Cannabinoids in cannabis plants accounts for up to 40% of the plant’s extract. Will focus on three of them :

THC - is the phytocannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol the most notable cannabinoid.

CBD - is the phytocannabinoid known as cannabidiol (CBD) . .

CBN - comes from stale cannabis and the breakdown of THC molecules, could be the most sedative of all cannabinoids. more

The body endocannabinoid system (ECS) not only helps us to benefits from CBD products but regulates vital aspects of our biology and is critical for overall health. The endocannabinoid system is critical for helping to maintain homeostasis, helping cells perform at their best.

There are three critical components found in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) :

➜ Endocannabinoids (eCBs)

Neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine are chemical messengers of the nervous system. Also called endogenous cannabinoids, actually are molecules made by your body. They’re similar to cannabinoids, but they’re produced by your body. Experts have identified two key endocannabinoids so far:

anandamide (AEA) – (involved with appetite, memory, and pregnancy etc) wiki
2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG) – (linked to our emotional states, protection from seizures, and maintaining cardiovascular health. That contented feeling you experience after orgasm)

Just like the phytocannabinoids in cannabis, these neurotransmitters are built from lipids (fats or oils).These help keep internal functions running smoothly. Your body produces them as needed, making it difficult to know what typical levels are for each.

➜ Cannabinoid Receptors (CB receptors)

Sit on cell surfaces, waiting for specific neurotransmitters to bind to them. There are two essential cannabinoid receptors :

CB1 are essential for a healthy functioning brain and are one of the most common receptors in the entire nervous Depending on what region of the brain they are located in, they can be moderators of your :
- memory
- mood
- motor function
- perception of pain

These brain receptors are also responsible for the psychoactive properties when THC binds to them. Also have roles in :

pregnancy
hormone production
cardiovascular health
digestion
CB2 are most often found on the cells of our immune They help moderate inflammation and our immune response to pathogens. Have roles to defeat :
- arthritis
- asthma
- allergies
- autoimmune disorders
- digestive issues (like inflammatory bowel disease)

Both receptors can travel throughout the whole body. Most cannabinoids can bind to both types of receptors — CB1 & CB2. This is true for both the endocannabinoids (AEA & 2-AG) and for phytocannabinoids (CBD + THC).

CBD has very little binding affinity with the receptors, and yet scientists have observed that its administration leads to increased endocannabinoid anandamide levels. Known as the “bliss molecule” anandamide plays a role in the neural generation of pleasure and motivation. It also performs other important functions like regulating feeding behaviors and assisting with embryo implantation during the early stages of pregnancy. Scientists realized that CBD inhibits the FAAH enzyme responsible for breaking down anandamide in the body. Less FAAH means more anandamide stays in the body for longer. This is backed up by research including a small pilot study on subjects with social anxiety that showed CBD could reduce feelings of discomfort and cognitive impairment during a simulated public speaking test.

➜ Enzymes: Building & Recycling eCBs (Metabolic enzymes)

So far we’ve discussed the messengers and the message-receivers, but who makes the messenger? Endocannabinoids are lipid-based neurotransmitters — which means they are synthesized from fats. Your body has a number of different enzymes that work together to transform fatty substances into anandamide and 2-AG. When your body gets the signal to produce eCBs, these enzymes are put to work.

Then when sending the message, cannabinoids are fat-soluble, but your body is mostly composed of water. In order for cannabinoids to travel through your body and reach their targets, they need to be escorted by endocannabinoid transport proteins.

Every “on” switch needs a corresponding “off” switch. Once anandamide and 2-AG have delivered their messages, the body needs a way to prevent them from continuing to stimulate the ECS indefinitely. eCBs are rapidly moved by transport proteins to storage sites and/or delivered to enzymes that degrade eCBs.

The two most-studied enzymes in the ECS are :

FAAH (which degrades anandamide)
MAGL (which breaks down 2-AG)

FAAH is especially interesting: A genetic variation in 20% of adults impairs their FAAH enzyme — and the result is that these people have increased levels of anandamide and are generally less anxious. Because CBD inhibits these enzymes it tends to increase the body’s levels of feel-good anandamide and 2-AG.

One important thing we’ve learned about this process: increasing your dietary intake of omega-3s and other essential fatty acids may help your body boost its production of eCBs, because these fatty acids are specific building blocks for eCBs.

The cannabinoids and terpenes (τερπένια) in the cannabis plant interact with our bodies in synergy. For instance, the terpene Myrcene is able to reduce the blood-brain barrier (read more), allowing cannabinoids to pass through with ease; terpenes limonene and linalool work together to combat acne.

Terpenes are the fragrant oils found in many types of plants and produce a unique taste and smell. The strong aromas produced by the cannabis flower are one of the plant’s most recognizable or trademark characteristics. Terpenes are found in various quantities and combinations among all varieties of :

fruits
veggies
trees
flowers
herbs
plants

Although there are hundreds of different terpenes, found in the seemingly endless varieties of cannabis, these five are the most prevalent :

Myrcene
Pinene (accounts for over half of its aromatic properties)
Limonene
Linalool
Caryophyllene

Terpenes, or isoprenoids, provide cannabis with its unique bouquet. The molecules are quite small and consist of repeating units of a compound called isoprene. Although less well-known than the major cannabinoids, terpenes are instrumental to the physiological and psychoactive effects of cannabis. The relationship between terpenes and cannabinoids, known as the “entourage effect,” ultimately differentiates one strain of cannabis from another.

Terpenes play a vital role in the plant kingdom; they deter insect predation, protect plants from environmental stresses, and act as building blocks for more complex molecules, such as cannabinoids. Many terpenes act synergistically with other varieties of terpenes, and some either catalyze or inhibit formation of different compounds within a plant. Understanding how terpenes function allows scientists to manipulate cannabinoids to desired ratios.

see the terpenes chart here.

find more information at :

https://www.sclabs.com/terpenes/

https://www.steephill.com/science/terpenes

https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-cannabis-what-are-strains

sources :

https://www.foriawellness.com/blogs/learn/your-endocannabinoid-system-cbd https://www.enecta.com/blogs/news/cannabinoid-receptors-what-they-are-and-how-they-work https://www.enecta.com/blogs/news/cannabinoids-an-overview https://medium.com/@mary_c_biles/anandamide-the-bodys-own-antidepressant-and-how-to-boost-it-naturally-895cdafcf7fe https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21307846 https://cbdoilreview.org/cbd-cannabidiol/cbd-endocannabinoid-system https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms7395 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0374-6 https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system

The CBD types :

isolated (aka crystal) - doesnt contain any other cannabinoids, flavonoids. The purest form of naturally occurring CBD, containing it up to 99,9%, is made from carefully filtered hemp plant extract that is obtained with supercritical CO2 extraction method.
full spectrum - including flavonoids, terpenes and other cannabinoids like CBN, CBDV, THCV, CBG, CBC, THCA, CBDA (enecta)

src - https://hempika.com/cbd-isolate-vs-full-spectrum-cbd/

https://www.enecta.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-full-spectrum-cbd-extract

The history :

1894 - Cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis and it was the first plant-derived cannabinoid discovered. 1930 - researchers were able to discover the structure of cannabidiol. 1940 - Cannabidiol (CBD) was discovered. 1943 - the structure of CBD was discovered. Science was changed in 1964 when THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) was discovered and isolated. 1988 - led to the discovery of cannabinoid receptors in an animal’s brain. 1990 - gave us the first cloned cannabinoid receptor.

see complete map - Cannabis through the ages

In 1990’s researchers finally discovered two of the body’s major endocannabinoids, which lead to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system