Message of the day....
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Batugedara HM, et al. Host- and Helminth-Derived Endocannabinoids That Have Effects on Host Immunity Are Generated during Infection. Infect Immun., 2018.
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Pertwee, Roger. Cannabinoid pharmacology: the first 66 years. Br J Pharmacol., 2006.
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Devitt-Lee, Adrian. (2016). Mitochondria Mysteries: Homeostasis, renewal and the endocannabinoid system. Project CBD.
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Zou & Kumar. Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci., 2018
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Raypole, Crystal. (2019). A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System. Healthline.
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Russo, Ethan. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects. Br J Pharmacol., 2011
How the ECS Functions
How does the endocannabinoid system affect so many aspects of our experience? It does so by weaving various processes within our body together. The ECS is a complex network of endocannabinoids, enzymes that synthesize or break them down, and receptor sites. The three basic components of the ECS are:
Cannabinoid receptors:
There are two main kinds of receptors. Cannabinoid Type 1 (CB1) is found in the brain and spinal cord and other major organs (the heart, liver, uterus, testis, and gastrointestinal tract). CB1 is responsible for mediating pain response, mood, memory, and motor function depending on where they are located. THC docks to these receptor sites, which is the reason it has a psychoactive effect. [4] Cannabinoid Type 2 receptors (CB2) are mostly found in cells of the immune system. These receptors are also responsible for the inflammatory response throughout the body.
Endocannabinoids:
naturally we produce our body’s own cannabinoids (endo- means “within the body”). Endocannabinoids can bind to either CB1 or CB2 receptors. The end result depends on which endocannabinoid is at play and wherein the body the receptor it influences is located. [5]
Enzymes produce and break down endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are made on-demand in response to illness or injury.
Different types of cannabinoids
There are three sources of cannabinoids. Some are made by our own bodies, others come from plant sources (mainly cannabis), and the rest are artificially made.
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Endocannabinoidsare produced in the human body in response to injury or exercise or to regulate various functions.
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Phytocannabinoidsare those found in the cannabis plant. There are over 200 cannabinoids in cannabis, many of which have yet to be identified. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) are the most common. [6]
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Synthetic cannabinoidsare those produced by research laboratories or pharmaceutical companies (Marinol, Cesamet)
Why is the ECS helpful for so many conditions?
The endocannabinoid system is a crucial component that influences almost every aspect of how our body works. It is the widest spread receptor system we have that plays a vital role in alleviating misalignment and treating chronic conditions.
The Endocannabinoid System
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has revolutionized our concept of science and health. This system is pervasive throughout the body and regulates many important physiologic pathways. It isn’t just humans that have it. All animals, even worms have one as well. [1]
Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found in the brain, organs, glands, connective tissues, and immune cells. Even the mitochondria, the powerhouses of our very cells, are influenced by the endocannabinoid system. [3] In each part of our bodies, the ECS has different roles. But the end target is always to bring us back into balance. The ECS serves these primary functions:
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Sleep
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Eat
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Relax
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Protect
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Forget
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Homeostasis (the maintenance of balance).
CBD
What is CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid compound with a similar molecular structure to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but with very different and distinct pharmacological properties. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by Roger Adams and chemically identified in 1963 by Mechoulam and Shvo.
The Difference Between CBD & THC
While both CBD and THC act upon the ECS, CBD is a much more gentle and forgiving. CBD users are able to use liberal doses without side effects. While CBD can, in many ways, mimic the therapeutic effects of THC, it cannot replace the therapeutic role of THC.
