The Endocannabinoid System

It was in the late 1980s when some curious researchers discovered the first cannabinoid receptor in the brain of a rat. They found that the receptor was very sensitive to THC and was primarily related to mental and physiological processes like high cognition, memory, emotions, and motor coordination.

 

Skip two years after this discovery, researchers found yet another cannabinoid receptor.

 

This one was related to central nervous and immune systems.

 

However, the real breakthrough was in 1995, when it was discovered that these receptors (officially referred to as CB1 and CB2) were found in many species of the Earth, including us.

 

After many clinical trials and reverse engineering, researchers finally discovered a signalling system that travels between CB1 and CB2 receptors aka the endocannabinoid system.

 

Endocannabinoids, referring to the receptors found in our bodies and in cannabis.

 

This led to a deep and thorough research into how ECS (the endocannabinoid system) works and how it affects our body and mind. What they discovered was astonishing. They realised that this system was a vital process for maintaining homeostasis, which in simple words, is the optimal balance between interdependent elements found in the human body.

 

Let’s tone it down a notch or two. So, in other words:

 

The endocannabinoid system, found in humans, keeps our homeostasis in check. This is the main reason why CBD works so well against many ailments. These ailments, according to research, are caused by irregularities found in the homeostasis.

 

For example, when you’re stressed, your brain automatically releases cortisol, a hormone that allows us to focus and deal with the stressful situation immediately. Although cortisol is helpful in stressed environments, too much of it can lead to serious health problems, sometimes fatality.

 

This is where endocannabinoids come into play. Multiple studies have proven the effectiveness of CBD (aka cannabinoids) on maintaining homeostasis and eliminating common ailments like pain, stress, anxiety, muscle tension, sleeplessness and many more.

 

We know that all of this might have become a little confusing for you… so, let’s make it really simple. So, basically here’s what happened: scientist discovered that cannabinoids are essential for overall health and wellness of us humans like it’s essential for us to eat a proper, healthy diet and ample of water intake for general well-being. This is because, our bodies, depend solely on some systems that interact with cannabinoids and allow our mind and body, to work optimally.

 

One of those systems is none other than the endocannabinoid system.