Human Endocannabinoid System
In 1988, the first cannabinoid receptor was discovered in the brain of a rat. Researchers found that these receptors reacted specifically to THC, and were found primarily found in regions of the brain responsible for mental and physiological processes such as memory, high cognition, emotion, and motor coordination.
In 1993, the second cannabinoid receptor was found as part of the immune and central nervous systems. It was then that researchers started to realize that they may have been onto something, but these receptors were only found in rodents, so what’s the big deal right?
Two years later, in 1995 researchers discovered that these receptors, now officially referred to as the CB1 receptor and CB2 receptor, were found not only in rats, but within thousands of other species, including humans.
Thanks to advancements in technology and tons of clinical trials, researchers were able to uncover an entirely unknown signaling system between the CB1 and CB2 receptors in our bodies and receptors found in cannabis compounds, which they called “endocannabinoids.”
Due to the role of endocannabinoids in this system, the system was officially named the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
The human endocannabinoid system (ECS) has two components. First is the endocannabinoid receptors found on the surface of cells throughout the body. Second is the endocannabinoids themselves that interact with those receptors.
For example, a well-known endocannabinoid is called anandamide. Anandamide is responsible for the production and uptake of serotonin. Serotonin is often referred to as the “bliss molecule” because levels of serotonin in the body are directly associated with mood. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for “runner’s high.”
The endocannabinoid system is vast and far-reaching. It regulates a wide array of bodily functions, from appetite regulation to sleep patterns, moods, metabolism, immune response, the lifespan of cells and much more.
There have been numerous studies about CBD's impact on the ECS. This is still a relatively new and emerging area of study. This is another reason to choose your products carefully, you can feel good about choosing my premium grade, THC softgels, tinctures, and topicals.
