The Endocannabinoid System Basics

The Endocannabinoid System
The ECS is a sophisticated network in a human body that contain neuromodulators (called endogenous cannabinoids), their receptors (CB1 & CB2), and the signaling pathways that help maintain balance in the human body. The ECS, which is he largest receptor system in the human body, is found in the brain, organs, connective tissue, bones, adipose tissue, and nervous and immune systems. Because of so many different cells and tissue types in a human body that contain cannabinoid receptors, there is a large diversity of cannabis’ effects. It regulates internal processes such as movement, mood, memory, appetite and pain. The ECS also plays a role in managing a variety of symptoms or underlying disease, showing us clearly, a well-functioning endocannabinoid system is essential to our health and well-being.

Patients experience the effects of cannabis because its compounds bind to and activate tiny molecular receptors encoded by our genes. These cannabinoid-capturing receptors, known as cannabinoid receptors, are proteins that are expressed on the surface of cells. Receptors may be thought of as locks, to which a corresponding chemical (natural or synthetic) will conform like a key, if it has the proper structure to conform to it. Cannabis is the lock and key botanic identical for the human endocannabinoid system.