This is how MMJ interacts with your body
- Seniors MMJ Network
- Mar 27, 2016
- 5 min read
How does Medical Marijuana work and why does it effect such a wide range of conditions? Discovered in the mid-1990's, by Dr Raphael Mechoulam, the Endogenous Cannabinoid System is where the internal reactions with Cannabis start. You might recognize that name, it was the same Israeli researcher, Dr. Mechoulam, who discovered and first synthesized THC in the 1960's. For decades, Israel has been one of the most progressive nations for Cannabis research. The discovery and characterization of the ECS has led to the development of an entirely new class of drugs for a variety of conditions.
The Endogenous Cannabinoid System, which is commonly referred to as the Endocannabinoid System or ECS, consists of receptors in the human brain as well as the central and peripheral nervous systems, cardiovascular system, reproductive system and gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Many animals also posses Endocannabinoid Systems. The ECS affects a wide range of biological processes and experts believe that the overall function is to regulate internal homeostasis. Homeostasis can best be described as the bodies capability to maintain stable internal conditions essential for survival. Disease is an imbalance in achieving homeostasis, which has made the ECS an attractive target for large pharmaceutical companies for its unique role in developing new medical applications.
Studies conducted have found that the ECS is involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain, mood, muscle control, memory and more. These symptoms align with the anecdotal success that Cannabis has had for many Medical Marijuana patients. To better understand the ECS, we must first get a grasp on Endocannabinoids and Phytocannabinoids.
Endocannabinoids are cannabinoids produced naturally within our bodies that interact with our CB1 and CB2 receptors. Phytocannabinoids are plant cannabinoids that interact with the same CB1 and CB2 receptors. If you're connecting the dots with that information, you would understand that our bodies have natural receptors to interact with Cannabis, this is the ECS. Although phytocannabinoids are known to occur in several plant species, roughly 85 unique cannabinoids have been identified in Cannabis, namely THC and CBD.
COMPONENTS
Before we dive into the CB1 and CB2 receptors, we will briefly discuss the known endocannabinoids.
Many runners or people who are familiar with running, have heard of the term "runners high", which has been described as a feeling of euphoria, along with a reduced sense of anxiety and a lessened ability to feel pain following prolonged exercise. For decades, this was hypothesized to be caused by exercise-induced endorphin (an opioid) release but a recent study in Germany demonstrated that the cannabinoid, anandamide, is partly responsible for the "runners high", at least in mice.
Anandamide (Arachidonoylethanolamine or AEA)
Anandamide was discovered in 1992 by a team of researchers led by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, while studying the CB1 and CB2 receptors. It is a messenger molecule and plays a role in many functions, including appetite, memory, pain, depression and fertility. Anandamide acts internally as a neurotransmitter and it's pharmacology resembles that of THC.
The molecule itself is rather fragile and has a very short half-life, which is why anandamide does not produce a continuous high, like THC. It has a long hydrocarbon tail which makes it fat-soluble, allowing it to easily cross the blood-brain barrier (hematoencephalic barrier) Anandamide is produced enzymatically in the areas of the brain that are important to memory, thought process and control of movement.
Anandamide binds to the CB1 (central) receptor and to a lesser extent, the CB2 (peripheral) receptor, where it acts as a partial agonist.
2-AG (2-Arachidonoylglycerol)
First described in 1994-1995, 2-AG binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors with similar infinity, acting as a full agonist at both. It is present in relatively high levels in the central nervous system, with cannabinoid neuromodulatory effects. This endocannabinoid has been found in higher concentrations in the brain compared to Anandamide which has created some debate over whether 2-AG rather than Anandamide is mainly responsible for endocannabinoid signaling in living organisms. 2-AG has also been found in maternal bovine and human milk.
The body does not keep reserves of Anandamide or 2-AG stored. Instead, they are synthesized and released only when and where necessary in response to physiological or pathological stimuli. After synthesis, the endocannabinoids are released from the cell, activate their target cell (neurotransmission) and are then rapidly taken away from the extracellular space by a selective cellular reuptake mechanism followed by its destruction via intracellular enzymatic hydrolysis. To rephrase that, they are created on demand, serve their purpose, leave and then rapidly disappear.
By far, the best studied endogenous cannabinoids are Anandamide and 2-AG. There are a handful of additional endocannabinoids that have been identified and characterized for biological activity. These include Virodhamine (OAE), Noladin (2-Arachidonyl glyceryl ether) and NADA (N-Arachidonoyl dopamine). Thus far, little conclusive data has been achieved relating to the mechanisms of their biosynthesis.
To date, only two cannabinoid receptors have been classified and cloned, both are members of the G-protein coupled receptor family(GPCR). These natural receptors for cannabinoids are denoted by the abbreviation CB and are numbered in the order of their discovery, cannabinoid receptor 1(CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2).
CB1 Receptor
The CB1 receptor is activated by the endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-AG, as well as by various phytocannabinoids from the Cannabis plant, like THC. Pharmacuetical companies have targeted the CB1 receptor in synthetic cannabinoid medicines such as Marinol and Sativex. The CB1 receptor is primarily found in brain and central nervous system tissue. They have also been found in a number of peripheral tissues including fat, liver, pancreas, skeletal muscle and bone.
CB2 Receptor
Similar to the CB1 receptor, the CB2 receptor is acted upon by endogenous cannabinoids, Anandamide and 2-AG as well as plant cannabinoids from Cannabis. Unlike the CB1 receptor, CB2 receptors are primarily found in immune system cells, the gastrointestinal system, peripheral nervous system and to a lesser extent, in the brain.
So there you have an overview of the internal system, present in all of us, that is naturally able to unlock the benefits of Medical Marijuana. At the end of this article, we've included links to a variety of fascinating research papers. We encourage you to look at some of the science. As bonus info, below are a few of the common Cannabinoids present in your MMJ.
Cannabis Cannabinoids
To date, there are about 85 known cannabinoids in Cannabis, although the final number is suspected to be much higher. When consuming cannabis, users will get a variety of these cannabinoids acting together, something that is referred to as the entourage effect. Cannabinoids such as THC, have been studied in their isolated forms and the resulting treatment programs have been less successful compared to patients using whole plant medicine. Of the 85 known cannabinoids, only a handful have been given considerable study.
Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psycoactive cannabinoid and is the building block from which other cannabinoids like THC and CBD are created. CBG has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure, making it ideal for glaucoma patients. CBG typically appears in very small amounts.
9-Delta Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most widely studied cannabinoid. It is best known for its psychoactive effects, which creates the feeling of being "high". In recent decades THC has been shown to have a number of medical applications as well, including pain relief and the ability to increase appetite.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most common cannabinoid and has received a great deal of research attention over the past few years. CBD is non-psycoactive and has been shown that it can improve mood and alleviate pain, particularly inflammation. Perhaps it is best known for it's ability to control epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
Cannabinol (CBN) is the degradation of THC when cannabis is exposed to air, known as the process of oxidation. CBN has been shown to cause drowsiness and induce sleep, which is a benefit to those with sleep disorders.
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