Chances are, you're familiar with the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system, but what about the Endocannabinoid System? Today, we're diving into a must-have guide on understanding your body's Endocannabinoid System, its interaction with medical cannabis, and the intriguing connection it has to brain injuries.
Q:What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
According to Harvard Health Publishing, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a vital network in our bodies that is responsible for maintaining balance and regulating important processes. It’s made up of three components: endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), and enzymes.
- Endocannabinoids in your body are similar in structure to those found in cannabis. They usually interact with two cannabinoid receptors: CB1 located in the brain and CB2 found in immune tissues.
- Cannabinoid receptors play an important role in controlling functions like pain sensation, immune response, and inflammation.
- Enzymes in the ECS control how much endocannabinoids are made and broken down, which keeps their levels balanced.1
Overall, the ECS acts as your body’s regulatory system, making sure that your body’s functions are in balance, including pain control. According to The American Journal of Psychiatry, we’ve only recently discovered the endocannabinoid system, but have made huge strides in the last few decades to understand its role of balance for overall health and well-being.
The ECS, Cannabis, and Brain Health:
Recent research has found that cannabinoids can help protect the brain and promote healing. CBD, in particular, has shown to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, which can prevent damage to neurons from things like brain injuries and slow down conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.3
Cannabinoids also have the potential to help the brain grow new cells. This means cannabinoids could improve brain recovery and function after injury. However, more research is needed to fully understand how cannabinoids work in the brain and how they can be used as treatments for brain conditions.4
Conclusion:
As research continues to understand exactly how cannabinoids work in the brain and if they can really help with brain conditions, we’re eager to find out what this means for those affected by Brain Injuries. Learning about the ECS and how it interacts with cannabis is a big step forward in understanding our health better.
To learn more about Brain Injuries, visit The Brain Injury Association of Ohio!
References:
- Peter Grinspoon, M. (2021, August 11). The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569
- Haney, M. et al. (2022b, January 1). Cannabis use and the endocannabinoid system: A clinical perspective. American Journal of Psychiatry. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2021.21111138#:~:text=Endocannabinoid%20signaling%20also%20plays%20a,and%20reinforcing%20effects%20(10).
- Singh, K. et al. (2023). Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Neurological Disorders: A Comprehensive Review. Behavioral neurology, 2023, 8825358. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8825358
- Alline C. et al. The anxiolytic effect of cannabidiol on chronically stressed mice depends on hippocampal neurogenesis: involvement of the endocannabinoid system, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, Volume 16, Issue 6, July 2013, Pages 1407–1419, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145712001502