Endocannabinoid System - Overview

1. ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM OVERVIEW OVERVIEW What is the endocannabinoid system? The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a neuromodulatory system that is found throughout the human body. The ECS plays a role in numerous biological processes such as brain development, learning and memory, and maintenance of homeostasis. The system is composed of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes that are responsible for endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation. Cannabinoid receptors Endocannabinoids signal via two types of G-protein coupled receptors – cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1 receptor) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2 receptor). These receptors are widely distributed throughout the body. Additional functions of the ECS: Location CNS Role in neurogenesis and neuroprotection, sleep patterns and the sensations of olfaction and hearing. Function Cardiovascular system Cardiovascular injury and inflammation promotion via CB1 receptors, and attenuation via CB2 receptors Gastrointestinal tract Gut motility and food intake regulation, intestinal inflammation reduction and intestinal barrier permeability enhancement Liver Cannabinoid receptor expression increases under pathophysiological conditions. Promotion of steatosis, fibrogenesis, hepatic apoptosis and hepatocyte proliferation via CB1 and inhibition via CB2 Immune cells Modulation of immune cell functional activities, predominantly via CB2 receptors Muscle Regulation of energy metabolism in skeletal muscle and formation of new muscle fibres Bone Regulation of bone elongation and remodelling Reproductive system Regulation of multiple stages of pregnancy. Involvement in male fertility via preservation of sperm function Skin Regulation of skin cell proliferation, differentiation, cell survival, immune responses and cutaneous inflammation suppression Any deficiencies in the ECS may result in abnormal or suboptimal function. It has been proposed that endocannabinoid deficiency may be implicated in conditions such as migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Where does cannabis fit in? The cannabis plant contains more than 750 chemicals, of which approximately 104 are phytocannabinoids. Its principal phytocannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The THC:CBD ratio varies between different plant strains. THC acts as a partial agonist at CB1 and CB2 receptors, exhibiting a higher binding affinity at the former. CBD has little binding affinity for these receptors but is capable of modulating them in the presence of THC. CBD can also reduce the efficacy and potency of anandamide by behaving as a non-competitive negative allosteric modulator at the CB1 receptor. Cannabinoids Cannabinoids are a class of chemicals that act on these cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoids are derived from three sources: Endocannabinoids, or endogenous cannabinoids, are neurotransmitters produced in the body Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced by plants such as the cannabis plant Synthetic cannabinoids are synthesised to be structurally analogous to endocannabinoids or phytocannabinoids and act by similar biological mechanisms. What are the functions of the ECS? Binding of endocannabinoids to cannabinoid receptors, and subsequent receptor stimulation, causes subsequent downstream signalling, resulting in a variety of biological processes to occur. Principal functions of the ECS includes brain development, regulation of nausea, appetite and pain, seizure susceptibility inhibition, mood elevation, anxiolytic effects and facilitation of learning and memory processing, including the avoidance of aversive situation learning. Source: https://myaccessclinics.co.uk/