The Endocannabinoid System
WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?
The endocannabinoid system, ECS, is a complex biological system of communication between cells.
It is one of the most complex and important systems in our body, which helps regulate many vital functions.
Furthermore, its task is also to maintain homeostasis of the organism, that is, its delicate internal balance, which is jeopardized by external environmental conditions.
It is a system present in various animal species, from mammals to reptiles and invertebrates.
The endocannabinoid system is made up of three elements: endocannabinoids, receptors and enzymes .
Endocannabinoids are molecules that register changes in external conditions and activate receptors to transmit signals to cells, allowing them to trigger a response.
The first two molecules of the system known were Anandamide , AEA, and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, 2-Ag , which are already present in our body and are released on demand.
Once they have performed their function, endocannabinoids are destroyed.
The second element of the system is represented by the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are found in the membrane of different types of cells.
It has been demonstrated that CB1 are present above all in the nerve cells of the brain, neurons, of the Central Nervous System, CNS, and are distributed in particular in the cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, ganglia and cerebellum, responsible for movement, complex cognitive functions, learning, memory and emotions.
CB1 receptors are also present in cells of the lungs, muscles, reproductive organs, liver, and the cardiovascular system.
CB2s, on the other hand, are expressed mainly at the peripheral level and are present in bone cells, spleen, colon, pancreas and in the immune system.
Cannabinoid receptors are responsible for regulating the release of other messages: CB1, in fact, interfere with neurotransmitters, to protect the CNS from overstimulation, while CB2 regulate the activity of the immune system.
Finally, the endocannabinoid system is composed of enzymes, which have the task of degrading the molecules once they have performed their function.
In this way, an accumulation of endocannabinoids within the body is avoided.
Endocannabinoid receptors have been identified throughout the body, both in humans and other animals.
They have neuroprotective functions and regulate the release of neurotransmitters, avoiding overstimulation of the Nervous System: when a neuron is very active it releases endocannabinoids, which repress the impulse of excitation and inhibition on the neuron.
Another important role of the system concerns the processes of neurological development: endocannabinoids, in fact, influence synaptic plasticity, which allows the Nervous System to modify the connections between neurons and create new ones.
Endogenous cannabinoids are also immunomodulators, have an anti-inflammatory action and act on hunger stimulation, mood and lack of sleep.
Researchers have identified the importance of CBD on the ECS and also on bone cells, noting that cannabinoid receptors are instrumental in regulating bone density and therefore able to treat osteoporosis.
CB1 receptors are also present in sympathetic nerve endings: for this reason, their activation alleviates sympathetically mediated pain.
Based on the location of cannabinoid receptors, researchers have identified the main roles of the endocannabinoid system, which interacts with memory, cognition, movement, appetite, emotion, and pain.
Although its interaction with cannabinoids still needs to be explored further, the presence of the endocannabinoid system in lower-level organisms and the location of its receptors suggest its fundamental role.
In fact, thanks to its ability to regulate most of the physiological processes of an organism, the endocannabinoid system is considered one of the most important systems in our body, useful for maintaining homeostasis.
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