The Endocannabinoid System in You.

Published in

Randy’s Club

4 min readApr 9, 2016

To get a good understanding of how natural cannabinoids work it’s important to know that cannabinoids exist naturally in the human body as part of the Endocannabinoid System. They help cells communicate with each other and modulate the regulation of homeostasis in the body. They are an essential part of our bodies signaling system like the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine they help regulate all the vital processes in our body. Knowing how the endocannabinoid system works is essential for understanding how natural cannabinoids from plants can be beneficial for human health.

There’s a fundamental lack of proper controlled clinical trials involving natural herbal cannabis or extracts containing natural cannabinoids. What research we do have suggests that natural cannabinoids have many applications and may have better results than some conventional therapies and medication.

Endo — From Greek endon meaning ‘within.’
Cannabinoid — Named after the plant cannabis. The active ingredient.
Endocannabinoid — Cannabinoids produced naturally by the body.
Natural Cannabinoid — Plant Cannabinoids from Hemp or Cannabis.

Scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system while trying to understand the underlying cause for the intoxicating effects of marijuana. What they discovered is perhaps the most important physiological system for maintaining human health. Endocannabinoids and their corresponding receptors are expressed by cells throughout the body in every organ, and gland. They play a critical role in regulating the immune system and are present in both our bones and connective tissue.

Homeostasis is a stable, dynamic state of internal balance between productive and destructive processes in the body.

Homeostasis involves all the biochemical processes and every vital body system. It must be maintained despite changes in diet and environmental stressors. Our ability to maintain homeostasis diminishes as we age and we begin to see more age-related disorders.

Endocannabinoids are produced by cells in the body to modulate the regulation of homeostasis. Cannabinoid receptors are found at the crossroads where different cells communicate. They help the body maintain homeostasis and as a result helps restore and maintain good health.

Living things, including cats and dog and sea slugs, and everything in between, all have cannabinoids receptors. DNA analysis of many different species suggests that endocannabinoid receptors evolved 600 million years ago in what were then incredibly simple organisms. There’s still a whole lot to learn to before we understand the full complexity of the endocannabinoid system but from what scientists have discovered there are many different types of natural cannabinoids by endogenous and found in plants such as cannabis from which is named but also plants like echinacea. These cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors which are present throughout the body in cell membranes as well as within the cell in the mitochondria and even the nucleus itself.

So far scientists have identified and well characterized the behavior of two primary cannabinoid receptors. CB1 is expressed primarily in the brains, vital organs, and glands. CB2 is mostly expressed by cells in the immune system, intestines, and the peripheral nervous system. Most cells express both CB1 and CB2 receptors each of which can have a different action. One of the unique things about endocannabinoids is they are produced by cells in response to changes in their environment.

When you cut yourself, the immune system releases endocannabinoids which among other things help quite damaged nerve cells overloaded with painful stimuli thereby relieving pain. Natural cannabinoids from hemp and other plant sources have the same activity in the body as those produced naturally by the body.

The most well-known plant which produces natural cannabinoids is Cannabis sativa l. commonly known as hemp. If you want, learn more about the research on this subject. Listed below are links to information and scientific research involving natural cannabinoids.