Tag: enzymes

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Understanding Your Endocannabinoid System

Until the late 1980s, no one even knew what the Endocannabinoid system was. Raphael Mechoulam was the first to study and find many things we now know about cannabis. He discovered the endocannabinoid system with a pig brain, while studying THC. He found that mammals and humans have an entire system in our body, and the function is to balance our body. We have two different receptors working within our body, CB1 and CB2 on this ECS. (To Date 6/2021)

CB1 and CB2

These receptors are found throughout the entire body: brain, lungs, digestive system, organs, tissue, glands and immune cells. CB1 cells are the most studied. These are throughout the brain and spinal system, then scattered through your body in different systems and organs. CB2 receptors are mostly in the immune system, and fights inflammation through out your body.

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD attach to these receptors. The goal is to bring your body to balance – Homeostasis. CBD can not attach to CB1 receptor without the presence of THC. Our bodies produce their own Endocannabinoids.

Endocannabinoids

Anandamide and 2-AG are endocannabinoids, which means they are within our body. Both of these cannabinoids were discovered in the 90s by Raphael Mechoulam. Anandamide also known as the bliss or joy molecule. It is a mood enhancer that works on your ECS similar how THC works on your ECS. Anandamide can be broken down easily and doesn’t last in your body for very long.

A little later in the 90’s Raphael Mechoulam found another endocannabinoid in our body. 2-AG (2-ArachidonoylGlycerol) is highly present in our central nervous system.

Enzymes

According to the dictionary, enzymes are “substances produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.” We have one for each of our endocannabinoids; FAAH breaks down the bliss molecule, anandamide and MAGL breaks down 2-ag after they are used.

We need a lot more research on our Endocannabinoid system and all of its functions. However, we are progressing at a decent speed in other countries. Eventually, America will be able to freely study cannabis as a whole and learn more about what it does on our ECS.

Check out other blogs on our ECS – Feeding Your ECS and Endocannabinoid system and Cannabinoids

Stay Blissful,

Chelsea

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The Endocannabinoid System – What is it?

The Endocannabinoid system (ECS) was discovered when scientists were studying the effects of cannabis on our body. Let’s break down the word to better understand what it means. Cannabinoid comes from the word cannabis and endo is short for endogenous, which means produced inside your body naturally. Exogenous cannabinoids are external compounds that enter your body like CBD and THC. The ECS controls your body’s mood, psychology, appetite, motor defects, and cognitive impairment. Below you will find an explanation of the 3 components of the ECS; endocannabinoids, enzymes, and receptors.

Receptors

Receptors connect with your entire body, CB1 and CB2 are just two of the major receptors that have been studied. Most of the CB1 receptors are in your brain, including central nervous system through the body’s spine. THC attaches to the CB1 receptors. CB2 is found mostly outside the brain like immune system and digestive system.

Endocannabinoids

The two major endocannabinoid molecules are anandamide and 2-AG. These are produced naturally in the body and activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Anandamide is often referred to as the “bliss molecule”. According to Leafly, “Our bodies create anandamide on-demand, to be used when needed to maintain homeostasis. Anandamide does this by helping to regulate inflammation and neuron signaling. As it is created, it binds primarily with our cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 just as a cannabinoids such as THC would upon ingestion. Anandamide’s molecular fragility lends itself to be broken down quite easily. It doesn’t stick around in the body for long.”

2-AG is mostly found in the central nervous system. Theses cannabinoids produced naturally in our body work with the immune system, pain, and appetite.

Enzymes

The enzymes break down the cannabinoids after they are used. The main enzymes are FAAH and MAGL.

There is only one goal of the ECS, which is homeostasis. The ECS is like a key and lock system. Uniquely, when the cannabinoids link with the endocannabinoids they lock together and become balanced. As time progresses, we will learn more about the ECS as well as cannabinoids.

Furthermore, bringing your body back to homeostasis is the goal, but it can be a trial and error experience to get it right for you. As you start your journey with cannabinoids, keep in mind everyone’s body is different and will experience effects differently with different brands. If you have questions about CBD or cannabis please reach out to us Emeraldcannabliss@gmail.com.