FEATURE
ASK THE SCIENTIST
What is the endocannabinoid system?
By Richard Cunningham, PhD
Search for the ECS online and you’re instantly
blinded by graphics and definitions only a
scientist could understand. So, we asked our
go-to scientist Dr Richard Cunningham to break
it all down.
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.
Generally, they are 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.
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IMMUNE SYSTEM TISSUES
CB2 RECEPTORS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CB1 RECEPTORS