break it all down.
Search for the ECS online and you’re instantly blinded by
graphics and defi nitions only a scientist could understand.
So, we asked our go-to scientist Dr Richard Cunningham to
First of all, let’s go back to basics to the
good old cannabinoid.
A cannabinoid is a class of chemical compounds that bind to
the cannabinoid receptors found within the human body.
They are all hydrophobic/lipid soluble molecules. This means
they don’t mix well with water.
A receptor is a protein molecule that receives chemical
messages from outside of a cell and there are two main
cannabinoid receptors found within the body. These are CB1
and CB2. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the central nervous
system and also in organs like the liver, lungs and kidneys, while
CB2 receptors are more associated with tissues of the immune
system. When a cannabinoid binds to a cannabinoid receptor,
it acts as an agonist, which means it activates the receptor to
produce a biological tissue response. Whereas cannabinoid
antagonists block a cannabinoid receptor from being activated
by an endocannabinoid.
Naturally occurring cannabinoids within the body are known
as endocannabinoids, from plants phytocannabinoids such as
that from the cannabis plant, and lastly synthetic cannabinoids
which are manufactured artifi cially.
The grouping of the cannabinoid receptors, receptor
proteins and endocannabinoids make up what is called the
endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is involved in the regulation of a large range of
physiological functions in the body including mood, memory,
fertility, pain-sensation and appetite.
As such administration of phytocannabinoids and synthetic
cannabinoids which are not naturally found in the body can
infl uence physiological functions mentioned earlier, such as
mood, pain-sensation and appetite. And this happens through
interactions with the cannabinoid receptors of the body.
Different cannabinoids will have different physiological
responses through how and which receptors they bind to, such
as the appetite stimulating effect of THC, and the pain-relieving
effects of CBD.
PRESYNAPTIC
PRESYNAPTIC
(SENDING NEURON)
(SENDING NEURON)
CANNABINOID
RECEPTORS
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
CANNABINOIDS
CB1 = The brain and nervous system, as
well as the lungs, liver and kidneys
CB2 = Gastrointestinal system, tonsils
and spleen
Endoc
Syste a m nnabinoi
d
RECEPTORS
LIPID
PRECURSORS
POSTSYNAPTIC
POSTSYNAPTIC
(RECEIVING
NEURON) NEURON)
(RECEIVING
About the scientist:
Dr Richard Cunningham has a PhD in medicinal chemistry from Queen’s University Belfast where he also worked as post-doctoral researcher for a number of years
before working in the US at the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Alabama. Among his areas of expertise are organic synthesis, nucleosides, nucleotides, cellular biology,
vitamins, aminoglycosides, drug delivery, phosphorous chemistry and chemical analysis. He is now the director of quality at Capvar Media in the UK.
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