ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS), named after the plant that led to its discovery, is perhaps the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health.

Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks, but the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment.

Key Pieces of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

Homeostasis is the concept that most biological systems are actively regulated to maintain conditions within a narrow range. Our body doesn’t want its temperature to be too hot or too cold, blood sugar levels too high or too low, and so on. Conditions need to be just right for our cells to maintain optimum performance, and exquisite mechanisms have evolved to draw them back to that zone if they move out.

The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a vital molecular system for helping maintain homeostasis. Because of its crucial role in homeostasis, the ECS is widespread throughout the animal kingdom. Its key pieces evolved a long time ago, and the ECS can be found in all vertebrate species.

The three key components of the ECS are:

Cannabinoid receptors found on the surface of cells
Endocannabinoids, small molecules that activate cannabinoid receptors
Metabolic enzymes that break down endocannabinoids after they are used

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of compounds and receptors in the body that works to maintain homeostasis (internal balance). It consists of three main components: endocannabinoids (the body's own cannabinoid-like molecules), cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), and enzymes that break them down. The ECS plays a critical role in regulating functions like appetite, mood, memory, stress, sleep, and the immune system. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

How it Works

Endocannabinoids: The body creates its own cannabinoid molecules, such as anandamide and 2-AG, to activate the system. These endocannabinoids are produced on demand. [4, 6, 7, 8, 9]
Receptors: These molecules bind to cannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout the brain (CB1 receptors) and the rest of the body, particularly in the immune system (CB2 receptors). [4, 5, 6]
Enzymes: Enzymes break down endocannabinoids once they have been used, making sure the system doesn't become overactivated. [3, 4]
Key-lock model: The system works like a key-lock model, where endocannabinoids act as the keys and the receptors are the locks. When a key fits a lock, it triggers a response in the body. [4, 10, 11, 12, 13]
Retrograde signaling: Unlike most other brain chemicals, endocannabinoids can travel backward across the synapse to control the release of neurotransmitters from the sending neuron. [14]

What it Regulates

The ECS is involved in maintaining balance across many bodily functions, including: [5]

Appetite and metabolism: It influences hunger and energy expenditure. [2, 5, 15, 16, 17]
Mood and memory: It plays a role in regulating mood, learning, and memory. [1, 3, 6]
Sleep: The ECS is involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. [1, 5]
Pain and inflammation: It helps manage pain perception and inflammation throughout the body. [3, 5, 18]
Stress response: It helps balance the body's response to stress, often by counteracting cortisol. [1, 7, 18]
Immune function: It modulates immune cells and inflammatory responses. [1, 5, 18]