Endocannabinoids- Definition, Types, and Functions

What Are Endocannabinoids?

If we break up the word ‘endocannabinoids’, we get endo and cannabinoids. Endo points out to our internal body and cannabinoids are the endogenous molecules, comparatively similar to cannabidiol molecules found in cannabis and CBD infused edibles, oils, etc. produced in our own body. Yes, you read that right, our body has the capacity to produce its own cannabinoids which tend to bind to the cannabinoid receptors of our ECS.

Types of Endocannabinoids

The human body produces two prime types of endocannabinoids, anandamide, and 2-AG. Similar to fat-like molecules and found within cell membranes, endocannabinoids can be synthesized as per our body’s demands, unlike other biological molecules which are produced in more amounts and stored for later use. Anandamide, often referred as the human version of THC target the CB1 receptors while 2-AG bind to CB2 receptors. 

1. Anandamide (AEA)

Coined creatively as ‘The bliss molecule’ or ‘The Human THC’, Anandamide is one of the two compounds produced by the ECS of our body. Because it is produced by our own body, they are termed as endocannabinoids, just like cannabinoids found in cannabis are termed as phytocannabinoids.

There have been several studies published that featured the perks of AEA for our mental and physical health. This endocannabinoid is found to have a huge role in managing depressive behavior, pain, post-exercise fatigue, appetite, memory functioning, etc.

The interesting part though is that utilization of this compound can have a genetic link and if you have those lucky genes in you, your ECS might maintain higher levels of AEA in your body. However, there is a great probability of you not making it to the gene distribution ceremony.

This hard luck of not producing enough AEA can have adverse effects on your body. As per the suggestive studies of a neurologist Dr. Ethan Russo, endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD), such as the low production of AEA might cause severe health problems such as IBS, migraine, fibromyalgia, etc.

Phytocannabinoids are often seen replacing the endocannabinoids in such cases where the functions relate to that of endocannabinoids by binding to the receptors, in this case, CB1.

2. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)

Just like AEA, 2-Arachidonoylglycerol is         a cannabinoid produced by our body internally. One of the two important endocannabinoids, 2-AG is more of a lipid molecule working its own way in the neurotransmitting network of the ECS. This endocannabinoid binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the ECS which dominantly affects the CNS and immune system respectively.

According to the studies, 2-AG is the predominant agonist of CB2 receptor and has an active participation in regulating body functions such as sleep, appetite, pain perception, mood, immune functions, metabolism, reproduction, bone health, etc.

Instances of weaker binding of 2-AG to CB receptors can potentially compromise the body functions. Phytocannabinoids such as 2-AG are observed to replace the binding of 2-AG to receptors while CBD does the work of stimulating the work of 2-AG without binding to the receptors.

Ignoring this endocannabinoid can lead our body to deteriorate with health conditions such as fibromyalgia, PTSD, MS, autism, etc. It is crucial to boost the functions of 2-AG with the use of appropriate diet, probiotics, enough sleep, and external consumption of phytocannabinoids.

All Natural Way is a producer of CBD oil products derived from the best quality of European certified hemp. We make sure that the CBD oil we put up for sale is authentically produced by the licensed pharmacists and is third-party lab tested for contaminants, irregular cannabinoid ratio, etc.