receptors, such as the liver. CB2 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 body2. CB 1 and CB 2 receptors are the most abundant receptor type in your body. They are 10x more concentrated than opioid receptors in the brain. CB 1 and CB 2 receptors begin developing in the fetus at 14 weeks gestation.
Endocannabinoids bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors to achieve homeostasis. They are made from the essential fatty acids, omega 3’s and omega 6’s, from the food you consume. Endocannabinoids are made on demand to achieve homeostasis and are then broken down and deactivated by enzymes. They are messengers that are neurotransmitters. They tell the endocannabinoid receptors what to do.
There are many endocannabinoids. The two main endocannabinoids that do most of the work in the endocannabinoid system are Anandamide (AEA) and Archachidonoyl glycerol (2AG)3.
Anandamide produces relaxation and bliss. It controls memory, movement control, motivation, and higher thought processes. It plays a vital role in pain, appetite, and fertility. Anandamide controls cancer growth throughout your body and increases neurogenesis, the formation of new nerve cells. It is most abundant in the body when you are resting and sleeping. 2AG regulates appetite and the immune system, pain management, mood stability, metabolism, bone health, reproductive health, and sleep quality. 2 AG is more abundant than Anandamide in the body and is increased during waking hours.
The endocannabinoid system is so large and vital that almost every organ on the body expresses endocannabinoid receptors. The system is a vital bridge between the body and brain, and endocannabinoids like Anandamide are the messengers that keep the system running. Anandamide and 2 AG bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Imagine a CB1 or CB2 receptor acting like a docking station. The endocannabinoids act as mini computers. Once the endocannabinoids dock, they turn into neurotransmitters once inside the cell.
When homeostasis needs to occur, endocannabinoids are released from postsynaptic neurons and travel backward across synapses, and attach and activate a CB1 or CB2 receptors on presynaptic axons. The same action takes place between immune cells. This is what is known as a retrograde messenger system. The endocannabinoids are essentially retrograde synaptic messengers. Once homeostasis is achieved, the endocannabinoids are metabolized by enzymes and are no longer active4. Your body can heal itself, as long as it has a healthy endocannabinoid system.
Cannabis affects a human’s pain, memory, and cognition through retrograde messengers. The endocannabinoid systems’ design matches phytocannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant. Examples of phytocannabinoids, are THC and CBD. THC and CBD are the most studied phytocannabinoids of the cannabis plant. Around 144 different phytocannabinoids have been isolated from the cannabis plant. THC can bind to the CB 1 receptor to achieve homeostasis. CBD cannot bind to the CB 1 or CB 2 receptor. CBD prevents Anandamide from breaking down by blocking the enzyme FAAH. As a result, your body will have more Anandamide available to create more homeostasis.
38 39