Cannabis and Hemp Education: The Basics of the Endocannabinoid System

Our dedicated team here at botaniCo is proud to be working to help businesses in the cannabis and hemp industries make natural connections that lead to organic advancements. We realize that making headway in these industries can seem like a daunting task, especially for new companies. But don't worry, we're here to help!

In our previous blogs, we covered important topics such as the particulars of our membership, why you should use data analytics in your cannabis business operations, the environmental benefits of hemp, and what type of insurance you should consider for your business. We believe in the power of proper education and transparency throughout, and therefore our esteemed partners/suppliers follow this philosophy as well.

Taking the time to understand how canna-compounds such as THC and CBD work with the body is fundamental in working to remove the stigma of the cannabis plant.  In this blog, we'll cover some crucial basics about the Endocannabinoid System as it relates to the fascinating world of cannabis and hemp science. 

What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

First, let's talk about the current definition of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) as we know it. According to ScienceDirect: "The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of lipids comprising the endogenous ligands, their cannabinoid receptors, and the enzymes catalyzing the formation and degradation of endocannabinoids."  

Amazingly, it's a fact that all animals have the ECS within them; it is present in both vertebrates such as mammals, fish, and reptiles, as well as in invertebrates. Incredible wellness potential is contained within this system - keep reading as we touch on some of the main components of the ECS that have been studied so far. 

What are the Main Components of the Endocannabinoid System?

Now that we've covered the basic definition of the endocannabinoid system, let's move on to the particulars of its main components. Below are some details about endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes: 

• Endocannabinoids - defined as the endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, responsible for the regulation of bodily processes. 
• Cannabinoid Receptors - 7-transmembrane receptors (CB1 and CB2) that are responsible for mediating central/peripheral actions of canna-compounds.
• Enzymes - substances within the body that assist in facilitating chemical reactions, binding to molecules and altering them in specific beneficial ways.

These main components of the ECS are instrumental in working to achieve and maintain bodily homeostasis, and with more research being conducted to bolster this existing knowledge, more people everywhere are starting to realize just how effective cannabis-based wellness can be. 

How do Major Cannabinoids such as THC & CBD Figure into the ECS Equation?

Furthermore, you might be asking, "How do canna-compounds such as THC & CBD figure into the endocannabinoid system equation?" Great question. Here's what we know so far about how these major cannabinoids interact with our bodies' endocannabinoid systems: 

• THC - the potential psychotropic and therapeutic effects of the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) cannabinoid can be attributed to the fact that it has been shown to bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the body, therefore causing an enhanced impact. 
• CBD - while more research certainly needs to be conducted to find out exactly how CBD (cannabidiol) interacts with our ECS, scientists currently believe that rather than binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors (as is the case with THC) - the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol is actually thought to be caused the prevention of endocannabinoids from being broken down. 

Perhaps the most exciting part about the endocannabinoid system is that with each year we're finding out more incredible aspects behind the science of what makes the cannabis plant so great. We hope that 2022 will bring more illumination into the exponentially growing world of legal cannabis and hemp. 

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Our enduring devotion to the cannabis industry community at large enables us to provide our members with an array of cost-saving solutions on products and services, as well as helpful resources like the latest in cannabis and hemp education, analytics, advocacy and much more.Current & Future Cannabis + Hemp Business Owners — Connect with Us & Become a botaniCo Member, Today! — https://www.botanicogroup.com/contact-us