Endocannabinoid system: what it is and how it works

The Enecta products:

they are not medicines;
they are obtained from hemp varieties registered in the Common European Register and in compliance with the other requirements provided by law 242/2016;
they have been duly notified in the European Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP).

Our blog articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended to qualify our products as medicines or to attribute therapeutic properties to them.

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What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system is a complex body system that serves to maintain homeostasis, that is, the body's balance. The endocannabinoid system is involved in a series of important physiological processes, such as sleep, mood, or appetite.

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What is the endocannabinoid system for?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) contributes to the body's homeostasis, which is the ability of an organism to self-regulate and maintain balance. It helps regulate a wide variety of both physiological and cognitive processes, such as appetite, pain sensation, pleasure, mood, and sleep.

Exactly like the nervous system, the immune system, and the endocrine system, with which it prefers to interact as a modulator, the endocannabinoid system is one of the biological systems present in the human body.

Imagine the endocannabinoid system as a machine composed of three elements:

1) i cannabinoids, which can be both endogeni (endocannabinoids), which exogenous (fitocannabinoids), naturally present in various plants, but especially in the Cannabis.

They are molecules that transmit signals and information to the other cells present in the human body, of “messengers" that act in our body.

Cannabinoids can be of two types:

the endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids: come from inside our body, They are small signaling molecules that activate receptors and are derived from a polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid. Such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide.
Those coming from outside instead (the esocannabinoids) and that are located in cannabis sativa plant o light cannabis.

Two of the best-known endocannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the cannabidiol (CBD).

2) i cannabinoid receptors, the necessary element for this transmission. Cannabinoid receptors, distributed in various systems and in the cell membrane of our body, are divided into two fundamental types:

CB1 receptors
CB2 receptors

Simply put, we could say that CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system and brain, while CB2 receptors are generally present in the immune system.

3) the enzymes, the proteins that technically allow the communication between cannabinoids and endocannabinoid receptors.

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How does CBD act on the endocannabinoid system?

The Cannabidiol (CBD) contained in CBD products acts on our body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which works to maintain homeostasis in our organism.

Like all phytocannabinoids, that is, cannabinoids naturally produced by hemp plants, CBD also interacts with the Cb1 and Cb2 cannabinoid receptors present in the system.

CBD, which we remind you is free of psychotropic effects, acts indirectly on the receptors of the endocannabinoid system. It does not act on a particular pathology but is a "regulating" substance of our endocannabinoid system. CBD can modulate mechanisms already existing in our body.

In essence, when an imbalance or disruption occurs in the endocannabinoid system, the modulation provided by cannabidiol (CBD), which acts, for example, on the immune system or indirectly on an inflammatory process, tends to restore the original balance.

The cannabidiol (CBD) involves an indirect modulation of an alteration of the human endocannabinoid system caused by pathologies or traumas.

is an active ingredient that is safe also from the point of view of the side effects.

How do endocannabinoids work?

Endogenous cannabinoids are organic compounds that are generated within the body and act within the central and peripheral nervous system. They are a class of lipid messengers capable of interacting with cannabinoid receptors that make up the endocannabinoid system.

For the moment there are five known endocannabinoids to the scientific community: anandamide (AEA), arachidonoylglycerol, noladin, virodhamine, N-arachidonoyldopamine.

Those present in the Cannabis plant and concentrated in its sticky resin, such as cannabidiol, are instead the phytocannabinoid.

For the moment, scientific research has managed to identify about 113 different phytocannabinoids present in cannabis.

Science has studied and continues to study the three most abundant phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and the cannabinol (CBN).

Besides the three main cannabinoids, cannabigerol (CBG) attracts research attention: a non-psychoactive cannabinoid discovered in 1964. Cannabigerol (CBG) is composed of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). This active compound, during the maturation of the plant, can be transformed by the action of certain enzymes into the other cannabinoids already mentioned.

Finally, there are synthetic cannabinoids, created in the laboratory to be used therapeutically as components of various medications. Synthetic cannabinoids mimic the characteristics of endocannabinoids, interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the body's endocannabinoid system.

Which receptors do endocannabinoids bind to?

The receptors that have been identified as capable of binding with endocannabinoids are divided into CB1 receptors, which are mainly concentrated in the central nervous system area, and CB2 receptors, mainly concentrated in the peripheral nervous system.

CB1

CB1 receptors are mainly found in neurons, confirming their important role in modulating neurotransmission at specific synapses. The CB1 receptor is directly involved in pleasure circuits, including appetite. The main role of this receptor in the brain is to regulate the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. The beneficial effects of stimulating CB1 receptors can be achieved by using CBD-based products.

CB2

As for the CB2 receptors, it can be said that the main difference lies in their location within the human body. They are mostly found at the peripheral level, particularly in the spleen, tonsils, and immune system cells. CBD binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors and acts where an imbalance occurs, including in the immune system, helping to restore the initial balance. This is why the indirect action of CBD on the immune system can lead to a "boost in defenses" or, on the contrary, to a partial suppression in cases such as autoimmune diseases: alterations of the immune system that trigger abnormal immune responses to the detriment of the body.

Today's studies hypothesize a possible role of CB2 receptors for support neuropathic pain. In fact, it seems that the stimulation of these receptors induces the release of endogenous opioids such as β-endorphins from keratinocytes, with global "analgesic" effect.

The first studies on the endocannabinoid system

The pioneer of cannabis research, Professor Raphael Mechoulam, stated that without studying cannabis sativa, science would never have discovered the endocannabinoid system.

In 1964, while working at the Weizmann Institute in Israel, Mechoulam was the first—together with colleagues Yechiel Gaoni and Habib Edery—to isolate and analyze delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC: one of the most well-known active ingredients of cannabis to the public. The researchers observed the positive effects of the molecule on pain, mood, nausea, epilepsy, and muscle spasms, but they could not explain the mechanism behind it.

Then, in 1973 at Johns Hopkins University, a research team discovered that there are receptors in the brain capable of interacting with opioids, such as morphine, which was able to relieve pain. And it was after 15 years that they understood that there were receptors in the brain capable of binding also to cannabinoids produced by cannabis, the cannabinoid receptors. Since 1990, science has officially recognized the endocannabinoid system and began studying it.

Why study the endocannabinoid system?

The identification of cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous lipid ligands has initiated a line of research aimed at exploring the endocannabinoid system and its regulatory functions both in the body of a healthy individual and in the case of a person affected by a pathology.

In the last decade, the endocannabinoid system has been involved in an increasing number of searches on its physiological functions, both in the central and peripheral nervous system and in peripheral organs.

Even more importantly, the modulation of the endocannabinoid system's activity has proven promising in addressing a wide range of diseases and pathological conditions. From mood disorders to diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, hypertension, or psoriasis.

Endocannabinoid System and Metabolism

The topic of the correlation between cannabis and metabolism is not a recent matter. Starting from the phenomenon of "the munchies," there has always been a certain interest in understanding what the effects and developments of research in this area could be.

The study of the endocannabinoid system is useful for understanding the growing phenomenon of metabolic diseases and theobesity. These are often issues related to an unhealthy lifestyle and diet that over time lead to diseases.

Keeping the endocannabinoid system active and balanced therefore means taking care of yourself in a comprehensive way.

Can CBD activate the endocannabinoid system?

As a phytocannabinoid, CBD contributes to the normal function of the endocannabinoid system. It acts on the system using the same mechanisms that endocannabinoids would use. It therefore functions as a kind of rebalancer and, thanks to its interaction with the Cb1 and Cb2 receptors, it releases its benefits. Le beneficial properties of CBD are diverse and largely supported by both scientific research and the testimonials from those who take it.

Let's look at some:

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties: can be useful in case of pain and chronic pain. CBD binds to receptors present in the brain and stimulates responses in different areas of the body, promoting beneficial mechanisms.

Anxiolytic properties: has been shown that CBD can excellently support the body in cases of anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders. Several studies have focused on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which may also be linked to a deficiency of anandamide in the human endocannabinoid system.

Neuroprotective properties: it seems that cannabidiol may have a potential action in reducing oxidative stress that can affect brain cells.
Calming and relaxing properties that promote falling asleep and sleep quality.

Antiemetic properties: CBD oils can easily reduce this disorder, helping to effectively improve rejection symptoms. CBD oils are easily digestible, contain no chemical components, and do not release the unpleasant flavors of regular antiemetic drugs, which are rich in antacids and bismuth.

Anticonvulsant properties: CBD would be very effective in supporting the body in therapies to treat certain forms of childhood epilepsy, including Dravet Syndrome.

Energizing and antioxidant properties: known for its naturally relaxing effects, CBD can play a role in an detoxifying action. is also an excellent antioxidant, according to a 2008 study, even better than vitamins C and E. This also makes it interesting from a cosmetic point of view.