What Is Endocannabinoid And What’s The Role Of The Endocannabinoid System?

Joe Powers
Sep 7, 2018 · 11 min read

Is there an easy way to understand the role of the endocannabinoid system for dummies and geniuses?

What is the role of the endocannabinoid system and is the endocannabinoid system even real?

The simple answer of what’s the role of the ECS (endocannabinoid system) is the ECS regulates (modulates) homeostasis. What is the role of the endocannabinoid system is a complex question and has a deceptively simplistic “appearing” answer.

  • The simplistic answer is, our endocannabinoid system regulates homeostasis.

Not only is the role of the endocannabinoid system to regulate homeostasis, it plays a role in nearly every system, cell, and organ in the human body. Understanding what is homeostasis is at the core of this article and we’ll discuss a few quick basic pieces of information to make understanding the role of the endocannabinoid system simple, easy, and fun to understand.

What is endocannabinoid and what are cannabinoids (phyto-plant or endo-body) in relation to the endocannabinoid system?

Endocannabinoids (endo meaning endogenous — occurring from within) are produced by the human body and operates as a microcosmic biological system (community). The two known endocannabinoids are called 2-AG (2-Arachidonoylglycerol) and AEA (N-arachidonoylethanolamine).

Phytocannabinoids (phyto meaning occurring in plants) occur in the hemp plant and a few other plants. Two well known phytocannabinoids are CBD (cannabiniol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). There are many dozen if not hundreds of other phytocannabinoids both known and unknown.

See also: Do You Have A Cannabinoid Deficiency?

Watch YouTube: Who Discovered The ECS (Endocannabinoid System)?

Who discovered the ECS (endocannabinoid system) and when?

Research shows, the endocannabinoid system was discovered by two Israeli scientists — Yechiel Gaoni and Raphael Mechoulam in 1964. Even though we have medical records and documentation dating back over 4,700 years, it wasn’t until recent times we discovered the THC molecule and the first two cannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2)

After discovering THC and cannabinoid receptor (CB1 & CB2), the next discovery led to an identifying an entire microcosmic community indicating something much bigger and complex than modern scientific methods are able to quickly explain.

There are currently two known cannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2.

Cannabinoid receptor 1 is most abundantly located in the brain and central nervous system. CB1 receptors are also found in the lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 are found in the immune system and in hematopoietic cells (stem cells giving rise to other blood cells). Hematopoiesis is a process occurring in the core of most bones, known as red bone marrow.

How do cannabinoid receptors work?

Research shows endocannabinoid receptors function like a lock and key. On the surface of our cells, are various receptors (locks). Each receptor has a unique “key” that can unlock it and send the signal. A cannabinoid molecule can only fit inside of a cannabinoid receptor. Once the cannabinoid molecule enters the receptor, it locks into place and begins utilizing the compound.

Where’s the endocannabinoid system located in the body?

According to Dr. David Allen, the ECS (endocannabinoid system) consists of cannabinoid receptors located on “nearly” every cell in the body. In his YouTube interview with UrbanRemo, Dr. Allen gives us his email address and phone number (email: cali215doc@gmail.com & phone: 510–421–6109) and says to contact him anytime with questions.

We contacted Dr. Allen and asked him to elaborate on him mentioning “every” cell might having cannabinoid receptors. Our emailed question led to a quick response from Dr. Allen, below is a quick snippet of a larger technical and ongoing conversation.

Question to Dr. Allen, “Does [every] cell in the human body have cannabinoid receptors?”

Dr. Allen’s response is quite detailed and a bit technical.

A brief summary of Dr. Allen’s response says, “All cells require the ability to burn either sugar or fats as substrate (a substance or layer underlying some process). All foodstuff eventually converts into one of two base substrate — sugar or fat — (proteins, carbohydrates, starches, etc). Each tissue has varying ability to burn substrate and each has different metabolisms. Muscle, nervous tissue and cartilage all burn different food stuff. I believe some control mechanism exists to determine what the tissue burns and the rate of the metabolism. I believe cannabinoid receptors control this mechanism.”

Learn More: Dr. David Allen Explains Every Cell Might Have Cannabinoid Receptors

Dr. Allen continues saying, “CB1 controls glucose metabolism and CB2 receptors control fatty metabolism. CB1 stimulation causes massive production of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) and oxygen free radicals. CB2 stimulation produces oxygen free radicals at a much slower rate — which is anti-inflammatory compared with glucose metabolism. Stem cells don’t tolerate high concentrations of oxygen free radicals which repress stem cell growth and differentiation. I can’t prove all cells have receptors and certainly, there’s a different number of receptors in the brain stem. All cells must eat and therefore if they burn food stuff they must have some control mechanism. I have been told if you don’t have hard evidence you can’t speak and I believe that is propaganda designed to repress epiphany. It’s no accident CB1 receptors are concentrated in the brain (burning sugar) and CB2 receptors are concentrated in tissues (burning ketones — fat).”

Question to Dr. Allen, “What would it take to prove every cell has cannabinoid receptors?”

Dr. Allen responds, “Great question. As far as I’m aware, exact numbers of receptors are not known for different tissue. I’m sure an autoimmune test where radioactive labeled cannabinoids are attached to active receptors could reveal more information. If you have any other info on variations of receptor numbers — in various tissue — I’m interested in learning.” (Please contact us or Dr. Allen directly if you have any more information to add to our conversation).

What is the role of the endocannabinoid system and what does it do?

Research shows the endocannabinoid system symbolically shows the relationship between the microcosmic individual groupings of systems in organisms. This microcosmic endocannabinoid system and community behaves as a natural bridge to mind-and-body healing. Essentially, the role of the endocannabinoid system is to regulate homeostasis (balance) — among the various parts within the human body’s “microcosmic” community.

The endocannabinoid system is a microscopic balancing act at the quantum level involving a vibrant community consisting of hundreds and thousands of different pieces of the human body puzzle. Homeostasis is what the endocannabinoid system is doing and doing constantly and is very delicately balancing cells, organs, tissues, receptors, and much more.

Homeostatic balance between body’s parts is a necessary process in the ongoing maintenance of the phenomenon of a healthy functioning life, mind, body, consciousness, and the natural healing process.

What does the endocannabinoid system do?

Recent research indicates the role of the endocannabinoid system is to supervise, control, and assist several layers of consciousness and controls several functions including eating, pain, memory and more.

The role of the endocannabinoid system is to modulate (control) various levels of consciousness including:

  • Emotional states.
  • Perceptions of pain.
  • Attention span.
  • REM sleep and awake cycles.
  • Dream activity.
  • Sensory perceptions.
  • Nightmare reduction in PTSD.

See Also: CBD For PTSD & Other Desirable States Of Consciousness

The role of the endocannabinoid system involves a variety of physiological (normal function of living organisms and their parts) processes. Dr. David Allen says the endocannabinoid system is a chemical communication mechanism (not electrical) with a primary function of modulating homeostasis (balance).

Further research reports, the endocannabinoid system is involved in an increasing number of physiological functions. Its job is primarily to modulate activity of a wide range of conditions. Conditions the endocannabinoid system helps regulate include mood disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, pain, injury, cancer, glaucoma, obesity, osteoporosis, and much more.

In essence, the primary function of the endocannabinoid system is to control, regulate, and modulate homeostasis.

It’s a communication system using chemical mechanisms and has a primary outcome of keeping homeostasis maintained and balanced. Homeostasis keeps the body at stable levels and changes to respond to the external environment’s demands. Phytocannabinoids [plant based cannabinoids] — such as CBD (cannabidiol) — are shown to help the body maintain homeostasis and balance in the entire whole by using various type of industrial hemp extracted CBD products.

Homeostasis in the endocannabinoid system not only balances the individuals body-mind, it also extends beyond our individual self. When the individual has a well balanced and robust endocannabinoid system, the larger whole of society also begins to come more into homeostatic balance. Once the individual body comes into homeostatic balance, its relationship with the body’s external world also comes into more balance.

What is homeostasis and why is the role of the endocannabinoid system to regulate homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain itself and function properly in relation to its environment. Homeostasis means stability and equilibrium between two or more different parts of a larger “microcosmic” whole community of systems. Specific shifts in the human body dynamics is how homeostasis continues to balance the body towards and maintain a state of stable physiological processes. Stable processes are a result of effective communications between all levels of your mind-body system and automatic level “homeostatic” controls of the endocannabinoid system.

The primary job and role of the endocannabinoid system is to regulate, balance, and/or modulate homeostasis.

One method of understanding homeostasis it to think about the endocannabinoid system as a “thermostat” that keeps your home at the proper desirable level. The endocannabinoid system behaves like a thermostat and when the room rises above or falls beyond your desired set point, a mechanism (the endocannabinoid system) is alerted.

When the endocannabinoid system receives the signal that something is “off” its center balance, it responds by giving the body system what it needs to bring itself back to center balance. The endocannabinoid system is a control mechanism that controls nearly every cell and system in the human body.

The endocannabinoid system is like a thermostat and doesn’t want its temperature too high or low.

The endocannabinoid system keeps the various body systems operating in a delicate, balanced, and narrow range of normal, healthy, and optimal levels. Various body systems the endocannabinoid system helps balance includes; body temperature, blood sugar, levels of consciousness, dream activity, and much more.

See also: What does the endocannabinoid system regulate? (coming soon)

When does the body release endocannabinoids?

Research concludes the ECS releases endocannabinoids “on demand.” On demand release of endocannabinoids means the body will create it — in the exact quantity — at the proper moment the body needs it. Endocannabinoids are created in the moment and are released into the body after stimulation of the physiology (normal function) or pathology (science of cause and effect of disease).

Can your doctor measure your endocannabinoid levels and verify your not cannabinoid deficient?

All 157 American medical schools were recently investigated by Dr. David Allen. Dr. Allen’s discovery — in 2013 — revealed the majority of medical schools are not teaching new students about the endocannabinoid system or the role of the endocannabinoid system in healthy function.

How to measure your endocannabinoids and what’s are healthy endocannabinoids levels?

Modern tests are able to test saliva for traces of endocannabinoids and in the early days, doctors inserted microdialysis needles — directly into a conscious brain and measured for a continuous flow of concentrated endocannabinoids.

Best method for restoring and maintaining healthy endocannabinoid levels?

Best method of restoring and maintaining a healthy and robust endocannabinoid system starts with an awareness of the endocannabinoid system.

Ben Franklin wisdom tells us an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure. This statement indicated an awareness of the undesirable before it becomes unmanageable. After becoming aware of an undesirable situation, the next step is to choose courage and do the right thing. Once you have the knowledge and awareness of CED (clinical endocannabinoid deficiency), you can start taking practical action towards solving underlying issues.

What conditions pop up from having a cannabinoid deficiency?

Three verifiable conditions of CED (clinical endocannabinoid deficiency) — science firmly establishes are migraines, fibromyalgia, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). (source)

See also: What Is CED (Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency)?

Disorders associated with endocannabinoid deficiency — as per Dr. Ethan Russo — include: (source)

  • Neonatal failure to thrive
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Causalgia; severe burning pain
  • Brachial plexopathy
  • Phantom limb pain
  • Infantile Colic
  • Glaucoma
  • Dysmenorrhea; painful menstruation
  • Hyperemesis gravidarum; severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss
  • Unexplained fetal wastage; multiple miscarriages
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Bipolarity
  • And possibly many others.

What to do when you think your condition could involve an endocannabinoid deficiency?

Once becoming aware of a potential cannabinoid deficiency, the proper course it to raise your levels of cannabinoids via taking a phytocannabinoid supplement and doing activities to naturally increase your endocannabinoid levels.

See Also: How To Naturally Raise Endocannabinoid Levels In The Human Body

Where’s the best CBD oil available on the market?

There are a handful brands that are arguably the best CBD oil you can purchase online right now.

Our recommendation for the best CBD oil are available at: Cannabidiol Life, Hemp Traders, Zion Medicinals, and CBD Pure. Our recommended list of CBD companies have safe product verification via third party lab COA (certificate of analysis) testing for cannabinoid profile, terpene profile, residual solvent, microbial contaminants, and more.

Learn More: What Does A CBD Oil COA (Certificate Of Analysis) Look Like & What Does It Mean?

Companies with a verified COA’s (Certificate Of Analysis) include:

Different types of consumable hemp CBD products include:

  • CBD Oil
  • CBD Vape Oil
  • CBD Drip
  • CBG Oil
  • CBG Isolates
  • CBD Edibles
  • CBD Gummies
  • CBD Water
  • CBD Pills
  • CBD Capsules
  • Hemp Oil Gel Caps
  • CBD Dabs
  • CBD Isolates
  • CBD Crystals
  • CBD Wax
  • CBD Skin Care
  • Anti-Aging CBD Facial Serum
  • CBD Body Butter
  • CBD Soothe Balm
  • CBD Tattoo Care & Healing
  • CBD For Pets
  • CBD For Cats
  • CBD For Small Dogs
  • CBD For Medium-Size Dogs
  • CBD For Big Dogs

If you have any questions or comments on the research we’re discovering, please contact us directly or leave a reply in the comments below.


Originally published at 1776hemp.us on September 7, 2018.

Joe Powers

Written by

I write content for cannabis/hemp websites, video scripts, ads, whitepapers, blogs, social, newsletters, SEO, and much more.

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