The human body is a fascinating thing. It’s able to break down, build up, digest, and connect things in and out of our bodies all of the time, whether we notice it or not. One of these fascinating parts of the human body is the endocannabinoid system.
"Endo" stands for endogenous, and in context to biology it usually refers to something internal or originates from within the body. Cannabinoids are the group of chemicals and compounds that activate this system.
The endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining many of our normal bodily functions. Everything from helping to maintain healthy bone density to naturally preventing diabetes. The endocannabinoid system is actually possibly the single-most important system within our entire bodies. It is also responsible for maintaining homeostasis. Basically, if our endocannabinoid system is out-of-whack, the whole body could be at risk as it is responsible for many of our normal day to day functions. Endocannabinoids can also influence neuronal activity by exerting neuroprotective effects and regulating response, according to U.S. National Library of Medicine.
According to Leaf Science, the endocannabinoid system is also involved with regulating these functions of the human body as well: - Appetite - Metabolism - Pain - Sleep - Mood - Movement - Temperature - Memory and learning - Immune function - Inflammation - Neural development - Neuroprotection - Cardiovascular function - Digestion - Reproduction
The endocannabinoid system would be considered unhealthy or at risk in individuals who suffer from PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, alzheimer's, arthritis, Parkinson's Disease and more. Generally any illness that affects normal brain, digestive, or muscle function can benefit from added endocannabinoids.
One way to keep the endocannabinoid system fully functioning and healthy, is through the consumption or topical application of cannabis. Endocannabinoids can actually directly respond to these illnesses, through the usage of cannabis.
“When you consume marijuana, large amounts of cannabinoids enter the body and stick around. This means that the endocannabinoid system is activated more strongly and for longer than it would usually be,” also according to Leaf Science. “The endocannabinoid system has two receptors: CB1 and CB2. Each receptor responds to different cannabinoids, but some cannabinoids can interact with both.The distribution of CB1 and CB2 receptors within the body and brain explains why cannabinoids have certain effects”.
Studies have shown that when cannabis is used in medicine or for illness and disease it can have outstanding effects. One of the most popular topics and related recent studies are addressing if the use of cannabis to increase cannabinoids is an effective treatment for cancer patients. According to Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry Volume 74 (Published March 2017) ; The endocannabinoid system may place a dual role on the regulation of tumor generation and progressions. Administration of THC and other cannabinoids exert anti-cancer actions in animal models of cancer THC and other cannabinoid receptor-ligands induce cancer cell death and inhibit tumor angiogenesis.
Cannabinoids enhance the anti-cancer activity of other antineoplastic agents in animal models of cancer. Cannabinoids are currently being tested as anti-cancer agents in phase one and two clinical studies.
For thousands of years cannabis has been used as a medicine, due to recent advancements in science and technology we have found out exactly why and how cannabis is actually quite helpful to the human body. Although we now know cannabis can directly reach and target the endocannabinoid system, there is of course always more research to be done.
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