What is the endocannabinoid system?
- What is the endocannabinoid system
- When was the endocannabinoid system discovered?
- How does the endocannabinoid system work?
- Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system
- What causes endocannabinoid deficiency?
- How to stimulate the endocannabinoid system?
- Conclusion
What is the endocannabinoid system?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex system of cell signalling. This system plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis (stability of the internal environment) of our body and is responsible for a variety of functions such as regulating hormone levels, body temperature, sleep, mood and many others.
The endocannabinoid system consists of a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands and immune cells.
The three main components of the endocannabinoid system are:
- Endocannabinoid receptors
- Endocannabinoids
- Enzymes
Endocannabinoid receptors
Endocannabinoid receptors are found in almost every cell of the human body. The main ones include:
- CB1 receptors - mainly present in the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain). They are involved in the regulation of digestive motility, gastric fluid secretion, neurotransmitter and hormone function, intestinal permeability, appetite and mood regulation
- CB2 receptors - found mainly in internal organs, peripheral nervous system (nerve cells located outside the brain and spinal cord) and immune cells
- Gamma receptors
- Vanilloid receptors
This is the part of the system that receives the message and "acts".
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are chemical messengers that interact with receptors. They carry messages from one part of the body to another and tell the endocannabinoid receptors what to do.
The endocannabinoids identified so far include:
- Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide; AEA)
- 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG)
- 2-arachidonyl glyceryl ether
- O-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine
- N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA)
There are other fatty acid derivatives that can block or activate endocannabinoid receptors.
Cannabinoids that originate from cannabis (phytocannabinoids) have the same function as endocannabinoids and are very similar to endocannabinoids at the molecular level.
Enzymes
Once the endocannabinoids have elicited the necessary response from the body, the enzymes come in. Their job is to break down the endocannabinoids that are no longer needed.
Two main enzymes are responsible for this:
- Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)
- monoacylglycerol hydrolase (MAGL)
When was the endocannabinoid system discovered?
The endocannabinoid system was first discovered in 1988 by a group of scientists funded by the United States government. They discovered that there is a unique type of receptor that responds to cannabis extract. It was the CB1 endocannabinoid receptor.
After this discovery, research on the endocannabinoid system exploded. A team from the pharmaceutical company Pfizer created a THC analogue that allowed scientists to map the location of these receptors. Endocannabinoid receptors were found to be more abundant in the brain than any other type of neurotransmitter, and a second type of endocannabinoid receptor, the CB2 receptor, was discovered.
In 1992, a team of scientists (Raphael Mechoulam, William Devan and Dr. Lumír Hanuš) discovered a naturally occurring chemical messenger that interacted with endocannabinoid receptors. They named it anandamaide (after the Sanskrit word for "bliss").
Three years later, Mechoulam and his team discovered a second endocannabinoid - 2-AG.
How does the endocannabinoid system work?
Endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids interact with receptors in the body. In simple terms, (endo)cannabinoids act as keys and receptors act as locks. Once the cannabinoid receptors are activated (i.e. once the key is tucked into the right lock), the process of regulating various physiological functions is triggered. When the ECS brings the body back into balance, the enzymes break down the excess cannabinoids. According to scientific studies published so far, the ECS appears to affect mood, memory, sleep, motor function, metabolism, the immune system, inflammation, pain perception, appetite, and more.
Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system
Cannabinoids interact with the ECS in different ways. For example, the psychoactive THC (delta-9-THC) binds with high affinity to the CB1 receptor, causing characteristic changes in perception and emotion.
CBD, on the other hand, does not produce psychoactive effects and probably has little or no affinity for CB1 and CB2 receptors, but it does modulate their activity in some way and thus has a number of therapeutic benefits. It may help with insomnia, stress and anxiety, sleep or inflammation. As a modulator of the CB1 receptor, CBD may also reduce some of the adverse physiological effects of THC. CBD also acts on other receptors, such as serotonin or vanilloid receptors.
Terpenes (the compounds responsible for the smell and taste of the plant) from cannabis also interact with the ECS and can enhance or complement the effects of cannabinoids.
A basic overview of how some cannabinoids act on CB1 and CB2 receptors is given in the table below.
|
Cannabinoid |
Binding to the ECS |
|
CBD (cannabidiol) |
probably does not bind directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors, but modulates their activity |
|
H4CBD |
binding to both CB1 and CB2 receptors |
|
HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) |
the active molecule (9R)-HHC is likely to bind strongly to the CB1 receptor and weakly to the CB2 receptor |
|
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) |
stimulates CB1 and CB2 receptors |
|
CBG |
interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors |
|
CBN |
Binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, but with much lower potency than, for example, THC (about 10% the potency of THC) |
|
THCV |
Binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors; at low doses blocks CB1 activity (antagonist), at higher doses activates it (agonist) |
Further research is needed to fully understand how cannabinoids, endocannabinoids and the entire endocannabinoid system work. Scientists have not yet been able to study and describe all mechanisms and effects.
What causes endocannabinoid deficiency?
Neuroscientist and medical researcher Ethan Russo came up with the theory in 2016 that certain health problems could be caused by a lack of endocannabinoids or a dysfunction of the endocannabinoid system. Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CED), as this condition is called, could explain the underlying cause of many idiopathic health problems.
Idiopathic refers to health problems or symptoms that have no identifiable cause. These may include, for example, certain types of migraine headaches, fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. The conventional medical system usually refers to these conditions as 'psychosomatic'. This, of course, makes it very difficult to treat them.
The malfunctioning of the ECS may be related to other difficulties such as:
- pain
- Inflammation
- metabolic disorders
- central nervous system disorders
- cardiovascular disease
- autoimmune diseases
- gastrointestinal disorders and others
How to stimulate the endocannabinoid system?
The good news is that you can support the endocannabinoid system and endocannabinoid production. In addition to the inclusion of phytocannabinoids (such as CBD products), there are other ways to improve the functioning of the ECS, such as by eating certain foods, exercising or making lifestyle changes.
Essential fatty acids
You can stimulate the production of endocannabinoids by consuming sufficient fatty acids. The body is able to synthesize most fats from food, with the exception of the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, which are essential for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is considered to be 2:1 or 3:1.
And where do you find these essential fatty acids? Include eggs, fish and poultry, leafy greens, walnuts, almonds, seeds (flax, chia, sunflower and hemp) and vegetable oils (soybean, canola, hemp) in your diet.
Chocolate
Dark chocolate and cocoa contain a number of minerals as well as antioxidants, such as flavonoids, which help reduce oxidative stress. But in addition, it also contains the endocannabinoid anandamide and two other compounds (N-oleylethanolamine and N-linoleylethanolamine) that inhibit its breakdown. Anandamide is referred to as the 'bliss molecule' and activates endocannabinoid receptors and may thus have beneficial effects on hunger, sleep, pain, mood or memory.
Herbs and spices
The endocannabinoid system can also be supported by certain herbs or spices. For example, lemon balm, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, hops, black pepper and other types of herbs contain the terpene beta-caryophyllene - a substance that helps stimulate CB2 receptors connected to our peripheral nervous system.
One of the most popular medicinal herbs, echinacea also stimulates the ECS. People often use it to shorten the duration of a cold or to reduce anxiety and relieve fatigue.This plant contains alkylamides, which have the potential to dampen inflammation by binding to the CB2 receptor. Scientists have also found that alkylamides enhance the effect of endocannabinoids.
Another compound beneficial to the ECS is curcumin, a compound found in turmeric. It is an antioxidant that may have a beneficial effect on digestion and, by binding to the CB1 receptor and increasing endocannabinoid levels in the brain, could also be useful in combating depression.
More tips to support ECS
The endocannabinoid system can also be stimulated by various activities and a healthy lifestyle. Recommended activities include:
- Exercise (medium and high intensity)
- Osteopathy (a therapy that assumes that most problems are related to posture; the goal is to restore the skeletal and muscular systems)
- Yoga and breathing exercises
- Social interaction in a natural and non-stressful environment
Conclusion
The endocannabinoid system is a complex system of cell signaling. It helps regulate physiological functions, including hormone levels, body temperature, sleep and mood. When the body gets out of balance for some reason (stress, pain, inflammation), endocannabinoids are mobilized and endocannabinoid receptors are activated. Subsequently, regulatory mechanisms are triggered that help the body maintain (or re-establish) homeostasis. As well as endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids from the cannabis plant also affect the ECS.
According to previous research, it seems that endocannabinoid deficiency or dysfunction of the ECS leads to health problems and may be an explanation for some diseases without an identifiable cause.
Legal and over-the-counter cannabinoid products such as CBD/CBN/CBG oils and drops, capsules or vapes can help you supplement your (endo)cannabinoids, but you can also stimulate the ECS with exercise, certain herbs or vegetable fats.
Photo: Shutterstock
"All information provided on this website, as well as the information provided through this website, is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained herein is intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis and such information is not to be considered medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not promote, endorse or advocate the legal or illegal use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or the commission of any other illegal activity. Please see our Disclaimer for further information."