Did you know?
THE ECS IS INVOLVED IN THE REGULATION OF A LARGE RANGE OF PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS IN
THE BODY INCLUDING MOOD, MEMORY, FERTILITY, PAIN-SENSATION AND APPETITE.
First of all, what is a cannabinoid?
A cannabinoid is a class of chemical compounds that bind
to the cannabinoid receptors found within the human
body. They are all hydrophobic/lipid soluble molecules.
This means they don’t mix well with water.
A receptor is a protein molecule that receives chemical
messages from outside of a cell and there are two main
cannabinoid receptors found within the body. These are
CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors are found mainly in the central nervous
system and also in organs like the liver, lungs and kidneys,
while CB2 receptors are more associated with tissues of
the immune system.
When a cannabinoid binds to a cannabinoid receptor, it
acts as an agonist, which means it activates the receptor
to produce a biological tissue response.
Whereas
cannabinoid antagonists block a cannabinoid receptor
from being activated by an endocannabinoid.
Naturally occurring cannabinoids within the body are known
as endocannabinoids, from plants phytocannabinoids
such as that from the cannabis plant, and lastly synthetic
cannabinoids which are manufactured artificially.
The grouping of the cannabinoid receptors, receptor
proteins and endocannabinoids make up what is called
the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is involved in the regulation of a large range
of physiological functions in the body including mood,
memory, fertility, pain-sensation and appetite.
As such administration of phytocannabinoids and
synthetic cannabinoids which are not naturally found in
the body can influence physiological functions mentioned
earlier, such as mood, pain-sensation and appetite. And
this happens through interactions with the cannabinoid
receptors of the body.
Different cannabinoids will have different physiological
responses through how and which receptors they bind to,
such as the appetite stimulating effect of THC, and the
pain-relieving effects of CBD.
CB1 = The brain and nervous system, as well as the
lungs, liver and kidneys
CB2 = Gastrointestinal system, tonsils and spleen
DO YOU HAVE A SCIENCE QUESTION FOR DR
RICHARD? EMAIL YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE
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About the scientist:
Dr Richard Cunningham has a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast where he also worked as post-doctoral researcher
for a number of years before working in the US at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Alabama. Among his areas of expertise are organic
synthesis, nucleosides, nucleotides, cellular biology, vitamins, aminoglycosides, drug delivery, phosphorous chemistry and chemical
analysis. He is now the director of quality at Liquid Sciences LLC in the UK.
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