The Endocannabinoid System is one of the most critical biological systems in the body. It helps with sleep, inflammation, pain, mood, memory, and other body functions. And yet, a majority of people have never heard of it.
Most individuals know about the cardiovascular system, reproductive system, nervous system, the reproductive system. However, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which underpins all body systems, continues to go unnoticed.
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How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?
The key to understanding the endocannabinoid system is homeostasis. The Endocannabinoid system works by regulating various physiological systems. Since ECS plays a significant role in homeostasis, it is common among the animal kingdom.
The ECS is composed of three main components:
· The cannabinoid receptors, which are located on the surface of cells.
· The endocannabinoids. These are small molecules that are active in the cannabinoid receptors.
· The metabolic enzymes. These are catalysts that break down endocannabinoids after being used by cannabinoid receptors.
Cannabinoids Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors are found on the surface of cells, and they work by detecting the changes in the outside environment. These receptors transmit information about changing environmental conditions to the cell to initiate the required cellular response.
The two primary cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2. While they are not the only cannabinoid receptors, they were the first to be discovered and the most extensively researched.
CB1 receptors are the most prevalent kind of receptor in the brain. These are the receptors that interact with THC to produce an intoxicating effect. CB2 receptors are more in areas other than the neurological system, for instance, the immune system. Nonetheless, both receptors are present throughout the body.
Endocannabinoids
Like the cannabinoid THC found in plants, endocannabinoids attach to and activate cannabinoid receptors. However, endocannabinoids are naturally created by cells within the human body, unlike the THC found in plants.
Metabolic Enzymes
The third component of the endocannabinoid system comprises metabolic enzymes that rapidly destroy endocannabinoids once they have been used. These enzymes guarantee that endocannabinoids are utilized appropriately and not for an extended period.
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