Startling Facts About The Endocannabinoid System
When we say that our CBD Articles are educational, we aren’t kidding. The information that we share with you about the endocannabinoid system is not even taught to medical students preparing to become doctors.
The revelation about the endocannabinoid network and its components was brought to us by scientists almost thirty years ago, in 1991. By studying the behaviour of the psychoactive THC cannabis compound, radio-labelling and tracking a synthetic cannabinoid to its receptor site, and isolating an endogenous compound, this unique system related to animal/human health and wellness was elucidated in a relatively short period. Thirty years later, this receptor system that relates to a prohibited plant is still not common knowledge among medical professionals.
Perhaps that fact is startling enough, and we could stop and pack it up here. But the reality of the situation is that the endocannabinoid system has a host of powerful and vital functions within the human network. The endocannabinoid definition is simple. “Endocannabinoid” refers to any endogenous component of our human physiology that relates directly to the cannabinoid compounds found in the hemp/cannabis plants.
The Role Of The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system utilises chemical signallers and cannabinoid receptors to maintain balance and homeostasis in nearly every system and tissue in the body. That’s a proper role. The full activity of the endocannabinoid compounds and cannabinoid receptors is collectively termed as the “endocannabinoid tone.” This tone can fall out of balance, indicating a state known as “endocannabinoid system deficiency.”
To understand the full gravity of the endocannabinoid system’s reach, you simply need to read the following research article title:
Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Reconsidered: Current Research Supports the Theory in Migraine, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel, and Other Treatment-Resistant Syndromes
Meanwhile, another study indicates that the endocannabinoid tone “is implicated in the hormonal regulation of food intake, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, immune, behavioral, antiproliferative and mammalian reproduction functions.” These details barely scratch the surface of the endocannabinoid domain, as each of the elements mentioned above is integral to overall human health.
Clinical endocannabinoid system deficiency is a multi-faceted issue that requires gentle stimulation versus full-on synthetic manipulation of cannabinoid receptors. Research suggests that weak partial agonists to the primary cannabinoid receptors would likely be the best for endocannabinoid therapy in most situations. Both the THC and CBD cannabinoids are weak partial agonists for the two major cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CBD additionally boosts circulating levels of the endocannabinoid AEA, which is also a partial agonist to both of these receptors. More research is warranted to discover the role of these compounds in the management clinical endocannabinoid system deficiency.
The Human Endocannabinoid System… Or The Animal Endocannabinoid System?
Many people are sceptical about the relationship between cannabis compounds and human health. However, this endocannabinoid system is so expansive that it is found in all vertebrates and many invertebrates. The fact that this network is seen in invertebrates indicates that these endocannabinoid components were so useful and valuable for the functioning of life, that they were retained through evolution. It is curious to consider the fact that the cannabis plant somehow relates to this ancient life-supporting system.
Not only do animals have this vital network, complete with endocannabinoid receptors and endogenous cannabinoids, but they have higher concentrations of endocannabinoid receptors than we do. This universal system is a thread between many species, connecting our potential for human health, functioning, and even our conscious experience of life. The nervous system, which dictates our experience of living in many ways, is closely related to the endocannabinoid network, as both the 2-AG and AEA endocannabinoids perform vital roles in maintaining neuronal health. In terms of neuro-modification, the endocannabinoid network has the most receptors that influence neurological health.
Disease Treatment And The Endocannabinoid System
Earlier in the article, we mentioned the many human systems influenced by the endocannabinoid network, including behavioural components, the immune system, hormonal elements, and metabolism. Each of these far-reaching aspects of the human body is capable of maintaining health or dis-regulating the body. A healthily functioning endocannabinoid system is responsible for striking a balance between the breaking down and bolstering of the body so that we can operate optimally.
In this way, the regulatory endocannabinoid system helps to establish health, wellness, and so much more. If the body stays in a state of endocannabinoid deficiency, it could increase the likelihood of troublesome symptoms over time. Proper care for this network has the potential to restore radiance and balance. Caring for the endocannabinoid system goes way beyond natural supplementation. You can also attenuate the activity of this system with exercise and dietary nutrients. In fact, the health benefits of omega fatty acids are closely linked to the attributes of a balanced endocannabinoid network. This correlation occurs because omega fatty acids act as the precursors to our circulating endocannabinoid signaling compounds.
Due to regulations and prohibition, we do not yet understand the full scope of the endocannabinoid system. Still, the knowledge we do have is incredibly supportive of the cannabis movement and human health care as a whole. To learn more about the world of CBD and hemp nutrition, head over to our CBD Articles section for more details. When you’re ready, check out our premier shop and pick up the premium cannabidiol supplements our customers are raving about. We wish you the best on your holistic journey to health and happiness.