Many of the over 100 cannabinoids in the hemp plant have positive effects on our bodies. For example, some can have a relaxing, stress-relieving and calming effect. The fact that these special reactions occur is largely due to the so-called endocannabinoid system.
It is part of our nervous system and consists of many receptors distributed throughout the body. The body's own cannabinoids can dock onto these receptors and thus interact. In this way, the system supports various functions of the human body.
But cannabinoids supplied from outside also interact with the receptors. To understand this interesting process, let's take a closer look at the endocannabinoid system.
Story
The endocannabinoid system (ECS for short) is a rather “recent” discovery. It was only in the early 1990s that American researchers from the National Institute of Mental Health discovered this complex part of our body. What is exciting is the fact that the hemp plant provided the impetus for the discovery. At this point, we already knew about the cannabinoids in the hemp plant and that they can trigger various effects. The researchers concluded that there must also be cannabinoids and the appropriate receptors in our bodies. They then discovered the system consisting of these two components, which extend throughout the entire body, called the endocannabinoid system. The prefix “Endo” means “the body’s own” or “coming from one’s own organism”.
A lot is now known about the functions and mode of operation of the branched system. Nevertheless, new findings continue to emerge that contribute to a better understanding of cannabinoids and their effects.
Structure of the ECS
Basically, the ECS consists of three components:
- Receptors
- Cannabinoids
- Enzymes
A distinction is made between two types of receptors - the so-called cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1 for short) and cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2). The former are mainly found on nerve cells, while CB2 receptors are located in the immune system, the reproductive system, the digestive tract and on various organs.
When the appropriate cannabinoids dock onto these receptors, they react and pass on a message or command to the cells. You can imagine this docking like a key that fits into the right lock. In this case, the cannabinoids are also referred to as agonists because they form the counterpart to the receptors.
The receptors respond to two types of cannabinoids. On the one hand, they interact with the body's own, i.e. endogenous, cannabinoids. On the other hand, they also bind to active ingredients that were supplied from outside. These are exogenous cannabinoids, such as those from the hemp plant.
A final component of the ECS is enzymes. They get lost in most explanations of the complex system because the focus is on the interaction between cannabinoids and receptors. But the enzymes also play an important role, as they basically ensure the “recycling” of cannabinoids that have already fulfilled their task in the system. Because as soon as they have passed on an instruction to the cell, they are broken down.
Tasks of the ECS
The main task of the complex system is to regulate various body functions. For example, it influences our mood, our sleep and the perception of pain and inflammation. Other areas where the ECS plays a role through adaptations include the following:
- digestion
- appetite
- immune system
- Memory processing
- coordination
- fertility
- Hormone balance
- eye pressure
- Cardiac function
- balance
By regulating everything here, the system contributes to the internal balance of our body. For example, when we experience stressful phases, the endocannabinoid system helps us to maintain a healthy balance.
If you consider its diverse tasks, the next step inevitably raises the question of the consequences if the system no longer functions smoothly. In fact, since its discovery, research has continued to investigate exactly what role the ECS plays in the development of various diseases. The well-known cannabis researcher Ethan Russo, for example, assumes that a low level of cannabinoids in the body could be the cause of numerous diseases.
How do the body's own cannabinoids react with the ECS?
We now know the basic process between cannabinoids and the receptor system. Still, you probably find it difficult to imagine anything more specific. Therefore, we want to take another deeper look at the impact the interaction of certain receptors and cannabinoids has.
In order to draw conclusions about the exact effects in our body, it is best to look at what type of receptors the active ingredients interact with. Depending on whether these are on nerve cells or other parts of the body, a different effect occurs. As briefly mentioned above, CB1 receptors are largely located in the nervous system. Cannabinoids that bind to these types of receptors thus help with processes such as pain regulation and memory. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are found on many organs such as the skin and lungs. They can also be found in organs that are part of the immune system, such as the tonsils and spleen. This means that cannabinoids acting here have, among other things, an influence on the immune system and inflammatory processes.
How do phytocannabinoids react with the ECS?
The cannabinoids of the hemp plant – called phytocannabinoids – also bind to the ECS. But to what extent can such externally administered active ingredients really stimulate it? First of all, you should know that these compounds can never replace our body's own cannabinoids. However, they can certainly be used to provide support.
Interestingly, CBD , one of the most well-known ingredients, hardly binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. But it has another helpful effect. This is because CBD inhibits a special enzyme that is responsible for breaking down anandamide. This is the most important endocannabinoid of the ECS. Because CBD prevents degradation, the anandamide works longer or remains present in the body longer. In this way, it indirectly contributes to supporting the ECS.
In contrast to CBD, THC binds to both receptors in the system - but more strongly to the CB1 receptors. Since these are particularly often located on nerve cells, this also explains the psychoactive effect of the “high” cannabinoid. In addition, THC also has a positive influence on the processing of chronic pain and various clinical pictures through its binding to the CB1 receptors. Therefore, it plays a role not only for recreational consumption, but also in the medical field.
Other cannabinoids that dock to the ECS receptors are cannabinol (CBN) and cannabichromene (CBC). CBN interacts with both types of receptors. As a result, it is said to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. At CBC, researchers found that this active ingredient binds primarily to certain CB2 receptors located on the immune system. Corresponding areas of application, such as combating tumor cells, have therefore been investigated for some time.
Conclusion
The ECS performs a variety of tasks and does more than most of us probably realize. There will certainly be some new insights into this exciting part of our body in the next few years. Based on current knowledge, there is definitely potential for the use of cannabinoids.
