Cannabis Education: What are Cannabinoid Receptors?
Our team here at Consume is dedicated to illuminating the various aspects of cannabis consumption. In our most recent blog, we shared details about our effortless online ordering and expedited shopping experience. Next, let’s get into some more educational content.
We all have a system within our bodies that allows us to experience cannabinoids. Understanding the process of how this works (and why this information is important) will aid in your journey with plant medicine and overall wellness.
In this blog, we’re covering the important basics of cannabinoid receptors.
The Basics of the Endocannabinoid System
You may be familiar with the Central Nervous System, or the Endocrine System, but have you heard of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)? The ECS is a system that is linked to managing and regulating vital bodily functions like eating, sleeping, memory, processing emotions, and fertility, just to name a few.
The ECS is an intricate cell-signaling system that works with some core components: endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. This system tells your body how to function at a given time. (Because the ECS is present for many bodily functions, we’re constantly using it!)
Discovering Cannabinoid Receptors
Cannabinoid receptors are one of the key components within the ECS. They operate as hypersensitive detectors throughout the body and brain.
Consider cannabinoid receptors as the bouncer to an event that is the ECS. When endocannabinoids attach to the receptors, they send a signal to the ECS, prompting it to initiate a response, which makes them the guest list attendant for the event, so to speak.
Once that response is initiated, it obstructs the release of neurotransmitters and exerts a particular effect on the body. As a result, the endocannabinoids undergo degradation through metabolic enzymes, in a process referred to as hydrolysis.
There are two primary types of cannabinoid receptors found in the body.
CB1 Receptors are primarily found in the brain and central nervous system.
CB2 Receptors are mainly found in the immune system and peripheral organs.
CB1 Receptors
CB1 receptors exist within the neurons, and communicate to the brain and central nervous system when a need is desiring to be met through a given system. It alerts that particular system when it’s time to take action to fulfill said need.
Examples of this:
Experiencing hunger
Feeling anxiety or fear
Body temperature rising
CB2 Receptors
CB2 receptors rule over the immune tissues, playing a large role in supporting the immune system to function at its ideal state. Furthermore, it has been proven that the CB2 Receptors are incredibly important in regulating pain and inflammation in the intestines and GI tract.
The Healing Potential of Cannabinoids
Without question, the human body is incredibly complex. Our Endocannabinoid System is a gift that not only assists in our daily function, but also enables us to experience the healing powers of cannabinoids.
One of the reasons we are able to experience the healing anti-inflammatory agents from cannabinoids, for example, is due to the fact that we have cannabinoid receptors (both CB1 and CB2).
Check Out the Consume Menu
Our locations in Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio offer a diverse range of cannabis products that can help support and exercise your cannabinoid receptors.
Check out our Store Locator to browse our products at a dispensary near you. Come to Consume!
We would love to hear from you. Connect with us on our social media channels to get in touch and stay up-to-date on all things Consume Cannabis! – (Twitter & Instagram)
*Be sure to consult your physician before making any changes to your health or fitness regimen. Products sold by Consume Cannabis are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.