Have you ever wondered why cannabis has such a profound effect on our body and mind? You may have heard about or tried CBD and THC products in the past, but have you ever wondered, how do they work?
All humans, as well as most vertebrates and invertebrates, have a network of receptor sites connected through a web of pathways called the endocannabinoid system. Over many, many years, the endocannabinoid system has evolved to help our bodies maintain homeostasis, or a natural state of balance.
What is the endocannabinoid system (ECS)?
The ECS is a complex web of transmitters that runs alongside our body’s central and peripheral nervous systems and is located throughout major organs, especially in the brain. This system contains enzymes, cannabinoid receptor sites, and endogenous cannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by our bodies) that work together to keep us balanced. The ECS is how our bodies interact with cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants, playing an essential role in cannabis wellness by helping to regulate mood, pain, and immune responses. While cannabis has spurred recent research into the ECS, other natural sources of cannabinoids also affect it, including chocolate, carrots, kava, green tea, cloves, black pepper, and coffee. Maybe that’s why coffee and cannabis are a match made in heaven! At Asheville Dispensary’s Plant Bars, we infuse hot chocolates, coffees, teas, and kava with THC or CBD shots to give your ECS a natural boost.
How the endocannabinoid system works
The ECS helps to regulate and balance many systems in the body. Its main objective is to maintain homeostasis during changes due to both internal and external factors. It plays a role in many physical processes including cognition, reproduction, thermoregulation, immune function, pain sensation, metabolism, and mood regulation. It also has an important role in many neural functions, including controlling movement and motor function, emotion, memory and learning, pain modulation, and addictive behaviors.
Endocannabinoids
Endo (endogenous) means originating in the body, and Cannabinoids are the antagonists in the ECS, the part that makes us feel good. Endocannabinoids are lipid (fat) based neurotransmitters which reside on cell walls in the ECS. They are chemical messengers that send signals between nerve cells. Imagine a bee alerting the hive of an intruder coming to steal their honey. That message the bee is projecting are like the endocannabinoids. We produce 2 endocannabinoids that have been studied: Anandamide (AEA) and 2-archidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). Ananda, in Sanskrit means “bliss”, so can you imagine how it makes you feel? AEA and 2-AG are produced on demand, whenever we need them. How cool that, our bodies can self medicate in this way! Endocannabinoids are present in many organs and tissues in the body. They activate when they bind to cannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout the body.
Phytocannabinoids
Plant-derived cannabinoids, called phytocannabinoids, are very similar in structure and effect to the endocannabinoids our body produces. When you hear the term cannabinoids, people are usually referring to phytocannabinoids. They are natural, lipid-based chemicals that bind to our cannabinoid receptors, which can help support relaxation, mood improvement, and stress relief. CBD and THC are the two most well-known cannabinoids, but there are also some amazingly medicinal lesser-known ones like CBG, THCa, THCv, HHC, CBN, THCp, D8, and CBC. Each of these cannabinoids may provide unique health benefits. For instance, CBD is often used for pain management, anxiety reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects, while THC may offer benefits like pain relief and enhanced mood.
At Asheville Dispensary, you can find these cannabinoids in various forms, including edibles, tinctures, drinks, THCA flowers and vapes, to support your health and wellness journey. Discover our cannabinoid offerings here to explore the health benefits of cannabis and feel better now!
Cannabinoid Receptors
You might be wondering, how do cannabinoids interact with your body? We intake cannabinoids through receptor sites in the body called CB1 and CB2 receptors. These control the amount and activity of the cannabinoids our body is producing and intaking. This is how they help our body maintain homeostasis, or our baseline for health and well being. Cannabinoids, like THC, bind to those receptors, which are present on the walls of your cells in the endocannabinoid system. Think of the receptor sites as perfect little shapes, like a hexagon. Now imagine THC is also a hexagon, and it slides perfectly into the hexagonal CB1 hole in the cell wall. Imagine CBD is a circle that fits perfectly into the CB2 circular hole. CB1 receptors are mostly located in the central nervous system, and both anandamide and THC bind well with them. They outnumber most of the other types of receptors in the brain. CB2 receptors are mostly located on the immune cells, but are also present in the peripheral nervous system and all over the body, and CBD binds well to those receptors.
Enzymes
Our body produces enzymes that help both generate and break down cannabinoids, maintaining balance within the ECS. When our body finishes utilizing cannabinoids, special enzymes in the ECS break them down so that they can be recycled and used again. These enzymes are fatty acids called Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down anandimide, and monoacylglycerol lipases called and Monoacylglycerol (MAG-L), which breaks down 2-AG. Without these enzymes, we could be deficient in cannabinoids, or an excessive amount of cannabinoids could accrue and start to cause serious health problems and imbalances in the body. CBD can actually block the FAAH enzymes, boosting levels of anandamide for more of those feel good happy chemicals.
Conclusion
The endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in keeping our bodies balanced and resilient. By understanding how it works and how cannabinoids from plants like cannabis interact with it, we can uncover new ways to support our wellness journey. Whether you’re curious about trying cannabinoids or are already familiar with their nourishing benefits, Asheville Dispensary has a wide variety of options to help you explore cannabis wellness and nurture your ECS naturally.
