ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
Exploring The Endocannabinoid System
Unveiling Nature's Harmony
In 1964, Israeli researchers unearthed the therapeutic wonders of cannabinoids in cannabis, pinpointing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) as a key player. Fast forward to 1988, and the discovery of the human body’s endocannabinoid system marked a significant milestone.
Endocannabinoids, the body’s natural molecules, closely align with the immune and nervous systems. These molecules, mimicked by phytocannabinoids in cannabis, seamlessly fit into specialized receptors dispersed throughout the nervous and immune systems. Acting as a symphony conductor, cannabinoids enhance the body’s ability to maintain equilibrium and health, a concept known as homeostasis.
Understanding the Endocannabinoid System
Origins of Harmony:
Endocannabinoids, native to the human body, mirror cannabinoids found in cannabis, promoting overall well-being.
Receptor Revelations:
Specialized CB1 and CB2 receptors play a pivotal role in the endocannabinoid system. CB1 receptors are abundant in the brain and central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are predominantly found in peripheral organs and immune system-related tissues.
Beyond Opiates:
CB1 receptors outnumber those for opiates, contributing to the impossibility of cannabis overdoses. Their strategic placement excludes vital regions responsible for heart and respiratory functions.
Peripheral Harmony:
CB2 receptors thrive in peripheral organs, particularly those associated with the immune system, fostering a collaborative dance with cannabinoids for holistic health.
An Expert’s Perspective
Dr. Ethan Russo, a distinguished cannabinoid researcher, shares insights into the endocannabinoid system’s impact on human health:
“The analgesic and palliative effects of the cannabis and cannabinoid preparation have been amply reported over the past generation…. In essence, the effects result from a combination of receptor and non-receptor mediated mechanisms. THC and other cannabinoids exert many actions through cannabinoid receptors, G-protein coupled membrane receptors that are extremely densely represented in central, spinal, and peripheral nociceptive pathways.”
“Endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) even regulate integrative pain structures such as the periaqueductal gray matter. The endocannabinoid system also interacts in numerous ways with the endogenous opioid and vanillio systems that can modulate analgesia and with a myriad of other neurotransmitter systems such as the serotonergic, dopaminergic, glutameatergic, etc, pertinent to pain. The current author has suggested that a clinical endocannabinoid deficiency may underlie the pathogenesis of migraine, fibromyalgia, idiopathic bowel syndrome, and numerous other painful conditions that defy modern pathophysiological explanation or adequate treatment.”