Endocannabinoid system

Endocannabinoid system

The Endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC, a well-known cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis.

Overview

The ECS is involved in regulating a variety of functions including sleep, mood, appetite, memory, reproduction, and pain sensation. It is active in your body even if you do not use cannabis.

Components

The endocannabinoid system is made up of three parts: endocannabinoids, receptors in the nervous system and around your body that endocannabinoids and cannabinoids bond with, and enzymes that help break down endocannabinoids and cannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids

Endocannabinoids, also called endogenous cannabinoids, are molecules made by your body. They're similar to cannabinoids, but they're produced by your body. Experts have identified two key endocannabinoids so far: anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG).

Receptors

Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. For example, endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells to signal that your body's experiencing inflammation, a common sign of autoimmune disorders.

Enzymes

Finally, enzymes are responsible for breaking down endocannabinoids once they've carried out their function. There are two main enzymes responsible for this: fatty acid amide hydrolase, which breaks down AEA, and monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG.

Function

The endocannabinoid system's main purpose is thought to be maintaining homeostasis by regulating the functions of the body. This system plays a role in many of the body's systems, but the full extent of its functions is still unknown.

Research and Clinical Significance

Research on the endocannabinoid system is ongoing, and it may have potential therapeutic roles in a variety of conditions, including pain, inflammation, mood disorders, skin conditions, and more.

See Also

• Cannabinoid receptor
• Cannabinoids
• Medical cannabis