This is a right as a consumer of healthcare and a right to your own choices in how your choose to treat yourself or your dependents.
The endocannabinoid system acts like a giant computer to maintain optimal health at all times. The main function of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain homeostasis. Homeostasis is a just right state of balance in the body. One example of homeostasis is when you hear your stomach growl because you are hungry. That is actually your endocannabinoid system telling you to eat so that you maintain stable blood sugar. Another example of homeostasis is the constant “surveillance” or looking for potential infections or imbalances in your body by your immune system. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for providing neuroprotection and guiding your immune system1.
Everyone has a unique and very different endocannabinoid system, even identical twins. Your endocannabinoid system can change over time with age, hormonal changes, illness, cancer, and trauma.
There are several moving parts to the endocannabinoid system. The main parts of the endocannabinoid system are the nervous and immune systems, CB1 and CB2 receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes that breakdown the endocannabinoids. Let’s take a closer look at these moving parts.
CB1 receptors are located primarily the brain and central nervous system. CB2 receptors are located primarily on immune organs such as the thymus and spleen and in the lymph system. The skin, reproductive organs, and immune cells have CB2 receptors. There are areas in your body that have a mix of CB1 and CB2 receptors, such as the liver. CB 2 receptors are located mostly in the immune tissues of the body and may play a role in controlling the immune system through controlling inflammation throughout the body.2 CB 1 and CB 2 receptors are the most abundant receptor type in your body. They are 10 x more concentrated than opioid receptors in the brain. CB 1 and CB 2 receptors begin developing in the fetus at 14 weeks gestation.
knowledge