Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.
In this
article, part two of our series of three articles, we will look at what your
“Endocannabinoid System” or ECS, means to you.
Cannabinoid
receptors on cells in your body were discovered in the 1990’s, ironically,
after medicine declared we had already discovered all the systems in the body.
Once receptors were found on cells, it was discovered that the body made
compounds called endogenous cannabinoids that attach to and influence these
receptor sites.
The ECS was
found to orchestrate communication between body systems such as your
respiratory, digestive, immune and cardiovascular systems. The ECS does this
via receptors found on every organ, including your skin, brain and gut.
Your body
produces cannabinoids similar in structure to those found in hemp. Your body
feeds off them. If you do not produce
enough to feed every single receptor, illness will ensue.
There are two
primary ECS receptors: CB1 and CB2. While CB1 is thought to primarily be
located in the brain and CB2 primarily associated with the immune system, both
types are found throughout the body. The skin has the highest density of any
organ. This means topical application of hemp products is efficacious and
effective if needed.
There are two
primary endocannabinoids made by the body. One is Anandamide, which targets the
CB1 receptors; and the other is 2- arachidonoylglycerol, or 2-AG, which targets
CB2 receptors.
It was
discovered over 100 years ago that not all substances in the bloodstream can
reach the brain or spinal cord. There is something called the blood-brain
barrier (BBB) that only allows certain chemicals to reach the neurological
system, and prevents others from entering. CBD naturally can cross the BBB, and
indicates there are receptors on the brain which helps maintain optimal health.
Endocannabinoids
work indirectly through the same receptors as powerful opioid drugs to control
pain. CB2 receptors stimulate opioid receptors in nerve pathways.
The ECS is a
key player in inflammation. We’ve all heard that curcumin, fish oil and various
other natural herbs are good at reducing inflammation. But none compare to what
cannabinoids can do, especially when the full spectrum is used.
As you can see,
the ECS is vitally important to your health. Your own body makes these
compounds, but when it doesn’t keep up with your needs, illness is the outcome.
Stay tuned for
the next article in which we will look at specific health conditions where full
spectrum hemp can be used to support vital body functions.