What is the ECS (Endocannabinoid System)?
Three Parts of The ECS
The ECS is a communication network throughtout the body.
It is made of three components. The receptors, the endocannabinoids, and enzymes.
Recptors are on the outside of the cells. There are two main types CB1 and CB2. Both are found throughout the body. CB1 receptors have a large concentration in the central nervous system and the brain. CB2 cells are mainly found in the immune system.
Receptors send a message when a cannabinoid binds to it to jumpstart the ECS.
Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids made by the body. These cannabinoids are made on demand. They are not stored in the body. The two main endocannabinoids are 2-AG (2-archidonoyl glyerol) and anandamide (AEA or arachidonoyl ethanolamide)
Enzymes break down the endocannabinoids after they serve their purpose. The life of an endocannabinoid can be seconds or minutes – not very long. These enzymes can not breakdown phytocannabinoids.
The fatty acid enzyme amide hydrolase breaks down AEA (anandamide). And monoacylglycerol acid lipase breaksdown 2-AG
Phtyocannabinoids are made in plants – like the hemp plant and the popular ones are CBD, THC, CBG, CBN. There are many more. These phytocannabinoids can bind to receptors also.
Why do dogs have an Endocannabinoid system?
The functions of the endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system contorls every bodily system i.e. the nervous system, the digestive system, the immune system, the reporductive system and more.
It helps to regulate
- sleep
- digestion
- body temperature
- mood
- motor control
- liver function
- nerve function
- immune system and inflammation
The ECS Works To Maintain Homeostasis
What is Homeostasis?
Homeostasis is balance.It’s not to fast and not to slow but just right. It’s not to hot and not cold but just right. Not to much of a hormone or to little but just the right amount.
It, homeostatsis, is promoting proper functioning of bodily systems by maintinaing optimal conditions.
The Role of CBD in the Endocannabonoid System
CBD does not bind to receptors like THC does. CBD does increase anandimide production. Ananamide is the bliss chemical – the feel good chemical.
CBD can change the shape of receptors. When the shape is changed other cannabinoids can not attach themselves to the receptor. CBD is an allosteric receptor modulator. This means that it can inhibit or enhance how a receptor tramsmits a signal.
CBD is a negative allosteric receptor modulator. in the CB1 receptor. It inhibits the attaching of THC to the receptor.
The GPR55 receptor is another recently discoveredone. The role of the GPR55 receptor is in bone health, cancer, diabetes. CBD is an antagonist. Which means it blocks signaling by the receptor.
Another example is the PPARS receptor. CBD acts a a agonist. This means it triggers the receptor . The PPARS receptor is multi-role receptor and effects cancer, pain, energy balance among other areas.
These are just a few of the actions of CBD in the ECS.
There are more studies going on and more is being found about the cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system.
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