
What is the Endocannabinoid system?
This is one question you definitely would have asked yourself if you were researching online
about medications or other CBD products. Let us break it down for you in easier words, so you
know exactly what you are getting into.
The endocannabinoid system, otherwise known as ECS is a system of cell receptors and the
subsequent molecules they affect. Receptors are like the antenna on your cells that does a
particular function, like sensing heat and sending a message to your brain about it, or sending a
feeling of pain to your brain if something pricks it. All of this is basically a chemical process.
The endocannabinoid system has cell receptors that have their subjects and tasks. They are not
heated, or pain sensors are what we mean. You may even call it the human body’s own THC.
What is its function?
These receptors are present all over the body, with a vast array of functions. A certain type of
receptors is more concentrated in the central nervous system, while the other one dominates
immunity cells. Let us move on and tell you the functions of endocannabinoids since many of
your day-to-day tasks would not even be possible had ECS not taken charge. Endocannabinoids
are directly responsible for your sleep, for starters. Imagine getting into bed every night and not
knowing what to do after that!
The second set of your daily tasks, eating patterns, the hunger pangs if you do not eat on time,
and the digestion process, all fall under the belt of endocannabinoids. Including these, your
mood is also a factor that is the responsibility of ECS. You may have learned about the nervous
system in your schools. It involves motor neurons that make sure any impulses sent by the
receptors reach its target organ. Control over these is provided by endocannabinoids too. Apart
from that, common feelings like pain, pleasure, gratification, and that swelling feeling of
happiness are all also courtesy endocannabinoids. Lastly, in a bid to be the complete allrounder,
ECS also takes responsibility for one’s immune system, body temperature regulation,
as well as reproduction and fertility.
Still confused?
In case you are still having trouble accepting how this thing you just learned about controls
more than half of your body, let us be a bit clearer. Endocannabinoids are the chemical
messengers that let your brain and body know when to start or stop the processes we
mentioned above. You could also consider them a part of the homeostasis team, which keeps
everything in the body under check. A disruption in ECS could make any of these vital processes
fall out of balance. The first of many symptoms generally include irritable bowel syndrome.
According to ECS, the disease you can end up with if not properly stocked up in your body is
called Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency. The theory behind this simple too. If your body does
not produce enough endocannabinoids at a certain time, you are susceptible to a lot of
variations of diseases depending on the area of your body experiencing a shortage of
Endocannabinoids.