​

Scientists isolated cannabidiol for the first time in the 1940s. However, it was not until the mid-1960s that research into the psychotropic effects of the plant led to the isolation of THC by Dr. Raphael Mechoulam and his colleagues. The discovery of CBD and THC aroused an interest in the scientific community and their discoveries illuminated the unique properties of these compounds and how they were used by the human body. Ultimately, this led to the discovery of what is known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

​

What is the ECS?

The ECS refers to a set of cellular receptors in the human body and a specific set of molecules that are capable of binding to those receptors. These molecules and receptors work in a similar way to a circuit and battery. There are two primary receivers on this route, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors reside mainly in the central nervous system, as well as throughout the body at lower concentrations. You can find CB2 receptors in immune cells and in the precursors of blood cells, as well as in other body tissues.

The chemical compounds that bind to these receptors and activate the pathways are called agonists, while those that bind and prevent the pathway from being activated are called antagonists. THC is considered an agonist, since it can bind directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors to "activate" those pathways. It has been shown that activation of these pathways influences various systems associated with anxiety, pain, appetite, fear, stress, mood, inflammation, memory and more.

 

Endocannabinoides: the Molecula Bliss

Cannabinoids are not produced naturally by the body, so the presence of receptors that were specifically activated by these compounds caused scientists to question whether the body produced its own chemicals similar to cannabinoids. The additional excavation revealed a set of endogenous molecules that are manufactured by the body and activate this pathway, called endocannabinoids. There are two primary endocannabinoids: anandamide, also known as the bliss molecule (from the Sanskrit word ananda meaning bliss), and 2-Ag (2-arachidonoyl glycerol).

Anandamide and 2-Ag both work similarly to THC; they join the CB1 and CB2 receptors and activate the pathways to which those receptors are connected. In addition to acting as agonists for ECS, anandamide and 2-Ag are also antagonists to a separate receptor, known as the vanilloid receptor, which is responsible for the regulation of pain. Studies show that 2-Ag has significant neuroprotective effects on the brain by reducing harmful reactions in brain tissue.

In addition, the researchers discovered two enzymes responsible for metabolizing (processing / altering) endocannabinoid compounds, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL). The CB1 and CB2 receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes interact in different ways to produce a series of chain reactions throughout the ECS. The target receptors, the tissues in which they are found and the type of molecules that activate the receptors determine the specific effects.

 

The role of the CBD in the ECS

Unlike THC, cannabidiol does not actually bind to any of the CB receptors. However, many studies have shown that CBD has a significant effect on the functioning of the ECS. Many scientists believe that CBD exerts its influence by interacting with FAAH to prevent the enzyme from breaking down the anandamide present in the body. By inhibiting FAAH, the amount of circulating anandamide increases. This means that the positive effects that anandamide has along the ECS pathways also increase.

In addition, CBD is a powerful antioxidant, is able to increase the production of 2-Ag (an ECS agonist) and interacts with other receptors in the body beyond the ECS to produce a wide range of beneficial medicinal effects. Studies also suggest that CBD has the potential to modulate the psychoactive properties of THC in certain proportions. Especially important is that current research shows that CBD can potentially increase anti-inflammatory effects, reduce anxiety levels and catalyze the destruction of certain cancer cells.

 

Medical Implications of the CBD

The more researchers deepen the understanding of the ECS, the clearer it becomes that it plays a role in almost all bodily systems: from the regulation of the nervous system, to influencing reproduction and supporting the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, recent research has focused on the anticonvulsant properties of cannabinoids in the regulation of seizure disorders, anxiolytic effects in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the improvement of brain function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It seems that science only discovered the tip of the iceberg. Consequently, the true potential of CBD is still unknown.

PFor more information, you can read this interview about CBD and ECS with Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an expert in cannabinoid-based medicine. Also, if you have more questions about ECS or CBD, do not hesitate to contact us. We will present your questions in a future publication!

​

In conclusion, this is a brief general description of the operation of a very complex system designed to provide a basic understanding. There are many resources that can provide a detailed explanation of the more complicated functioning of the endocannabinoid system. To help you get started, we list some of the resources used for this article below. If you want to try CBD, we offer a large number of CBD oil products

​

​