The endocannabinoid system is a central regulatory system that affects a
wide range of biological processes. It consists of a group of molecules
known as cannabinoids as well as the cannabinoid receptors that they
bind to.
Although marijuana is a source of over 60 cannabinoids (including THC and CBD),
the human body produces a number of cannabinoids as well. These
endogenous cannabinoids include anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol
(2-AG) and are present in all human beings.
Decades of scientific research on the endocannabinoid system has resulted in the discovery of two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found in various parts of the body, but are most prominent in the brain and immune system.
Cannabinoid receptors act as binding sites for endogenous cannabinoids as well as cannabinoids found in marijuana. When cannabinoids bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors, they act to change the way the body functions.
While cannabinoid receptors are primarily expressed in the brain and immune system, researchers have identified cannabinoid receptors in a variety of other places as well, including the peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Cannabinoid receptors continue to be identified in unique parts of the body as research on the endocannabinoid system progresses.
Interestingly, the endocannabinoid system is not unique to the human species. Rather, research has shown
that this system is common to all humans and vertebrate animals – and
even some invertebrate animals – suggesting its significance in the
process of evolution. Experts believe that natural selection has
conserved the endocannabinoid system in living organisms for 500 million
years.
Although the endocannabinoid system affects a wide variety of biological processes (such as appetite and sleep), experts believe that its overall function is to regulate homeostasis.
Homeostasis is a key element in the biology of all living things and is best described as the ability to maintain stable internal conditions that are necessary for survival. Disease is simply a result of some aspect of failure in achieving homeostasis, making the endocannabinoid system a unique target for medical applications.
A primary example of the endocannabinoid system’s role in homeostasis comes from research
that has identified an overexpression of cannabinoid receptors in the
tumor cells of various cancer diseases, including lung cancer, liver
cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Research has also shown that tumor growth can be inhibited and even reversed when cannabinoids such as THC are administered.
Experts believe that the overexpression of cannabinoid receptors is an indicator of the endocannabinoid system’s role as a biological defence system, providing strong support for the use of medical marijuana.
Interestingly, research suggests that this defence system is not only useful in treating cancer, but may also be beneficial in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions. Current evidence points to the endocannabinoid system as being a potential therapeutic target for the following list of disorders:
AIDS/HIV
Alzheimer’s Disease
Arthritis
Cancer
Chronic Pain
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
Multiple Sclerosis
Sleep disorders
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
"Eicosanoid" (eicosa-, Greek for "twenty"; see icosahedron) is the collective term for oxygenated derivatives of three different 20-carbon fatty acids:The endocannabinoid system is a group of neuromodulatory lipids and their receptors that are involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory; it mediates the psychoactive effects of cannabis and, broadly speaking, includes:
The endogenous arachidonate-based lipids, anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG); these are known as "endocannabinoids" and are physiological ligands for the cannabinoid receptors.
"Eicosanoid" (eicosa-, Greek for "twenty"; see icosahedron) is the collective term for oxygenated derivatives of three different 20-carbon fatty acids:Endocannabinoids are all eicosanoids
What are Eicosanoids?
In biochemistry, eicosanoids (preferred IUPAC name icosanoids) are signaling molecules made by oxidation of 20-carbon fatty acids. They exert complex control over many bodily systems, mainly in inflammation or immunity, and as messengers in the central nervous system. The networks of controls that depend upon eicosanoids are among the most complex in the human body.Eicosanoids are derived from either omega-3 (ω-3) or omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids. The ω-6 eicosanoids are generally pro-inflammatory; ω-3s are much less so. The amounts and balance of these fats in a person's diet will affect the body's eicosanoid-controlled functions, with effects on cardiovascular disease, triglycerides, blood pressure, and arthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs act by downregulating eicosanoid synthesis.
There are multiple subfamilies of eicosanoids, including the prostaglandin e.g prostacyclins, the thromboxanes, lipoxins and the leukotrienes.
Although marijuana is a source of over 60 cannabinoids (including THC and CBD),
the human body produces a number of cannabinoids as well. These
endogenous cannabinoids include anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol
(2-AG) and are present in all human beings.Decades of scientific research on the endocannabinoid system has resulted in the discovery of two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. These receptors are found in various parts of the body, but are most prominent in the brain and immune system.
Cannabinoid receptors act as binding sites for endogenous cannabinoids as well as cannabinoids found in marijuana. When cannabinoids bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors, they act to change the way the body functions.
While cannabinoid receptors are primarily expressed in the brain and immune system, researchers have identified cannabinoid receptors in a variety of other places as well, including the peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Cannabinoid receptors continue to be identified in unique parts of the body as research on the endocannabinoid system progresses.
What Does It Do?
Interestingly, the endocannabinoid system is not unique to the human species. Rather, research has shown
that this system is common to all humans and vertebrate animals – and
even some invertebrate animals – suggesting its significance in the
process of evolution. Experts believe that natural selection has
conserved the endocannabinoid system in living organisms for 500 million
years. Although the endocannabinoid system affects a wide variety of biological processes (such as appetite and sleep), experts believe that its overall function is to regulate homeostasis.
Homeostasis is a key element in the biology of all living things and is best described as the ability to maintain stable internal conditions that are necessary for survival. Disease is simply a result of some aspect of failure in achieving homeostasis, making the endocannabinoid system a unique target for medical applications.
Medical Applications
A primary example of the endocannabinoid system’s role in homeostasis comes from research
that has identified an overexpression of cannabinoid receptors in the
tumor cells of various cancer diseases, including lung cancer, liver
cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. Research has also shown that tumor growth can be inhibited and even reversed when cannabinoids such as THC are administered.Experts believe that the overexpression of cannabinoid receptors is an indicator of the endocannabinoid system’s role as a biological defence system, providing strong support for the use of medical marijuana.
Interestingly, research suggests that this defence system is not only useful in treating cancer, but may also be beneficial in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions. Current evidence points to the endocannabinoid system as being a potential therapeutic target for the following list of disorders:
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an ω-3 fatty acid with 5 double bonds;
- Arachidonic acid (AA), an ω-6 fatty acid, with 4 double bonds;
- Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), an ω-6, with 3 double bonds.
Eicosanoid biosynthesis begins when a cell is activated by mechanical trauma, cytokines, growth factors or other stimuli.
From Wikipedia and Truth on Pot
Images @ Eminpee Fotography
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