Discovering the Endocannabinoid System
Study of Cannabis led to the discovery of:
THC and over 100 other plant-cannabinoids
- THC in ‘64
The Endocannabinoid (ECB) System
- Cannabinoid receptors
- CB1 in ‘88
- Endogenous cannabinoids
- AEA in ‘92
Development of drugs that leverage different elements of the ECB system
A whole new field of medicine and science
Components of the eCB System
Cannabinoids (contain the message)
Endogenous (internal)
- Anandamide (AEA)
- 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)
Phyto (plant-derived)
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Synthetic (man-made)
- Cannabicyclohexanol (CCH)
Receptors (receive the message and signal a physiological response)
- Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1)
- Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2)
- Other non-cannabinoid receptors
- 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1A (serotonin receptor))
Transporters (FABPs) (transport the message)
- Fatty acid binding proteins
Enzymes (metabolize cannabinoids and may produce secondary messengers)
- Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)
- Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL)
- Diacylglycerol Lipase (DAGL)
Functions of the eCB System
Bio-Chemical homeostatic regulator for countless processes and systems
Uses transmitters and receptors to modulate:
- Immune system
- Central/Peripheral nervous system
- Seizure threshold
- Endocrine system
- Gastrointestinal tract
Regulates neurotransmitter activity
Neuromodulates:
- psychomotor functions,
- cognition,
- pain,
- sleep,
- memory,
- neuroplasticity,
- neuroprotection,
- emotional responses,
- motivation,
- overall homeostasis
Modulates individual cell function
- Highly dependent on receptor and cell types
- For example:
- Altered released of neuro-transmitters in neurons
- Altered release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in immune cells
- Apoptosis in cancerous cells.
eCB Medical Implications
Spinal taps on migraine sufferers reveal low anandamide levels (Sarchielli et al., 2007)
Anandamide involved in social rewards (Jaramillo TC. et al., 2014)
- Social impairment disorder implications
eCB System is altered in many neurodegenerative diseases
Disorder/disease could influence any component of the previously unidentified system
- Deficiencies/excess of cannabinoids, receptors, enzymes, or transporters would have a negative effect and create an imbalance in homeostasis
- New potentials for diagnosis and treatment
Cannabis is Relatively Safe as Medicine
No receptors exists in areas of brain responsible for heart-beat and breathing (Goldstein, 2016)
- There is no risk of fatal overdose
- The CDC has removed the category for Cannabis related deaths, because there are none
Not thoroughly benign
Slight health risks
- Cardiovascular
- Pulmonary
Dependency risks
Much safer than countless legal drugs deemed acceptable for daily use in America and around the world
More effective than medications for treating certain conditions
Especially those that are a result of an eCB system imbalance