Endocannabinoid System
Basic Overview of eCS (Endocannabinoid System)
The Endocannabinoid System Runs Through Your Entire Body
Consisting of a series of receptors that run from your brain to your feet and everywhere in between. Research on the effect of the eCS on your body is still ongoing.
There are scientists and doctors worldwide studying various parts of the eCS and its interaction with cannabinoids and terpenes. Here are some of the key discoveries so far.
Receptors
There are 2 main receptors that cannabinoids bond to that are part of the eCS. These have been named CB1 and CB2
Endocannabinoids
The endocannabinoid system is something that every mammal has. This is due to our own internal cannabinoids known as Anandamide and 2-AG which are believed to play a role in the way our body regulates everything about our bodies from our circadian rhythm which controls our sleep cycle, our temperature regulation, and our inflammatory response just to name a few of the major ones.
Homeostasis
The eCS is said to be a main driving force in maintaining homeostasis throughout the body. Homeostasis can be defined as the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems. This is the condition of optimal functioning for the organism
Cannabinoids In Cannabis
Cannabinoids found in cannabis act on the eCS in a similar way to our own endocannabinoids by binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout our bodies. Different cannabinoids have different binding affinities to these receptors. This is why some cannabinoids are much more psychoactive than others. Additionally some cannabinoids bind with the CB1 receptor and not the CB2 receptor and visa versa which is why some cannabinoids are psychoactive while others, such as CBD are not.
Still Unsure?
This has been a very simplistic explanation of the eCS. If this has piqued your curiosity there are loads of very scientific articles out there that can provide you with much more information about your own internal endocannabinoid system.
Wikipedia is a good place to start
Harvard also has some good information about the eCS
There are loads of sources out there and they all agree that your eCS is very important in regulating a wide range of biological functions throughout your body.