WHAT IS THE
ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?
You may go back to my dissertation paper to read the full
information on the Endocannabinoid System (EC System) but since as recently as
the 1990’s it is now a scientific fact that all humans have this physiological
system in their bodies and therefore are supposed to consume Cannabis in order
to stimulate this ‘new’ physiological system which got its name from the
Cannabis Plant. Sadly despite this
revelation in science the plant with all its healing qualities remains out of
reach of the average person by unfair laws, but we give thanks as consciousness
is changing and people are starting to stand up and demand their rights and we
can see this happening all over the world today.
So we already know that most of our tissues contain
both CB1 and CB2 receptors, and each receptor is associated with a specific
function which is to assist and protect the nervous system (CB1receptors) and to
assist and protect the immune system (CB2 receptors), by maintaining
homeostasis throughout the nervous and immune system as well as the endocrine
system.
When cannabinoid receptors are stimulated by the
consumption of cannabinoids, a number of physiologic processes start to take
place.
When cannabinoids bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors, they
proceed to modify the way the body functions, especially when there is a
threat to homeostasis at any level of the body.
The Endocrine system is part of the body’s main
control mechanism and controls our hormone system, and the main function of the
Endocrine system is also homeostasis and so these two systems work alongside
each other in defending the body from unnatural imbalance from external
environmental sources.
It is also interesting to note that the Endocrine
glands are directly aligned to the spiritual chakras, which is not a physical
system but rather a system made up of aspects of consciousness. Reiki healers
and other natural metaphysical healers’ would focus on the chakras when
carrying out their healing methods, and always with great success, which is
proof that the connection between mind and body healing are essential to
overall health and healing.
The position of each of the seven chakras directly
corresponds to the position of the particular endocrine gland which it affects.
The position of the EC system as being an important
regulatory system in the function of brain, endocrine and immune tissues, quite
literally makes the EC System a bridge between body and mind and by gaining an
understanding of the Endocannabinoid System, we are beginning to see a
physiological engine which can go a long way to explaining how our state of
consciousness can promote our health and healing.
Figure 1 Chakras and the Endocrine System
CHAKRA
ENDOCRINE GLAND
| CROWN
CHAKRA |
PINEAL
GLAND |
| THIRD EYE
CHAKRA |
PITUITARY
GLAND |
| THROAT
CHAKRA |
THYROID
GLAND |
| HEART
CHAKRA |
THYMUS
GLAND |
| SOLAR
PLEXUS CHAKRA |
PANCREAS |
| SACRAL
CHAKRA |
OVARIES |
| ROOT
CHAKRA |
ADRENAL
GLANDS AND GONADS IN MALES |
WHAT ARE ENDOCANNABINOIDS?
Endocannabinoids are the chemical substances which our
bodies naturally produce to stimulate the identified CB1 and CB2
cannabinoid receptors, and, just as we need to boost our nervous and immune
systems by consuming the required chemical components our body’s need, so too
must we boost our EC System by consuming cannabinoids which in the required
quantities, are unique to the Cannabis plant.
Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found
everywhere in the body, deep rooted within the cell membranes, and are now
believed to be more numerous than any other receptor system in the body.
Two endocannabinoids have been identified and although
science has already reported that they are investigating other endocannabinoids
at this time, these are the two that we know the most about:
1. ANANDAMIDE
Anandamide is
a chemical molecule produced by the body and shares most but not all of the
pharmacological properties of THC, and mimics the properties of THC in the
body.
Anandamide’s
actions at CB1 receptors are imitated by herbal and synthetic THC.
Anandamide
plays an important role in appetite control, pain and depression as well as
memory and fertility, and is also associated with feelings of euphoria in the
same way as THC is.
2. 2-ARACHIDONOYLGLYCEROL (2-AG)
2-AG is the
most common and widespread Endocannabinoid in the brain, working mostly with
CB1 receptors in the nervous system.
Neuro-protection,
cognitive flexibility performance and metabolic regulation are amongst the
properties of 2-AG.
An interesting observation is that it has been noted
in numerous studies that the expression of endocannabinoids does not relate to
the distribution of cannabinoid receptors in the brain, suggesting that our
endocannabinoids could also be interacting with other receptors or be involved
with other cell processes. It is my personal belief that we all have
cannabinoid receptors throughout our bodies. All research evidence is pointing
to this reality.
Considering that the EC System is responsible for the
well- being of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems, perhaps in lay man’s
terms this indicates that both the EC system and Cannabis indeed have a most
profound effect on the human body.
THE
FUNCTIONS OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
1.
NEUROGENESIS
Neurogenesis is the creation of new
neurons in the brain (new brain cells). Contrary to popular belief,
research continues to show that Cannabis does not kill brain cells and in fact
a recent study published in The International Journal of
Neuropharmacology points to cannabinoids as a cause of neurogenesis in
the brain and it was shown that Cannabidiol (CBD) increases adult neurogenesis
while having no effect on learning.
“Most
‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis.
Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis” – Dr Xia Zhang (Canadian researcher)
The complexity of the interactions between various
cannabinoids, cell types, systems and individual organisms continues to
challenge scientists and scholars alike, pushing researchers to meditate upon
new ways to study health and how the body works. One possible ‘new’ way would
be to consider both the internal and external human in other words the physical
and spiritual being when reasoning about health solutions.
2.
HOMEOSTASIS/ADAPTION
TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES
Homeostasis is the number one factor in the
biology of all living things and is best described as the ability to maintain a
stable internal environment despite constant fluctuations in the external
environment and the ability to maintain homeostasis is necessary for survival
and medical disorders result from the failure of the body to maintain
homeostasis, also known as homeostatic imbalance.
Cannabinoids are responsible for promoting
homeostasis at every level of biological life, right from the sub-cellular, to
the organism, and perhaps even to the community and beyond.
3.
AUTOPHAGY
The
EC system controls the process of autophagy which is a process involving
cellular destruction of unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components.
The process of autophagy breaks down
damaged organelles, cell membranes and proteins, but does not damage or
alter healthy cells at all, unlike the majority of so called cancer
fighting drugs which kill off healthy cells as well as damaged cells.
The failure of autophagy is believed to be
the main reason for on-going cell damage and the aging process.
It seems obvious therefore
that we need to boost our EC systems in order to maintain our good health and
indeed our longevity and failure to do so will result in a number of medical
disorders.
The death of cancer cells, in
turn, promotes homeostasis and survival at the level of the entire organism.
4. ANALGESIA
AND ANTI-IMFLAMMATORY
Cannabinoids are also found at the intersection of the
body's various systems, allowing communication and coordination between
different cell types.
For example, at the site of an injury, cannanbinoids
can be found decreasing the release of activators and sensitizers from the
injured tissue, thus stabilizing the nerve cells to prevent excessive
firing, and calming nearby immune cells to prevent release of pro-inflammatory
substances.
5.
REGULATION
OF METABOLISM
Researchers have recently discovered that two of the six
known cannabinoids can actually increase the amount of energy and fat which the
body burns.
THCV and CBD are discussed in more detail under the
heading The Big Six in a later
chapter.
Although Cannabis is better known for inducing hunger in
those who consume it, scientists have found that Cannabis also has an appetite
suppressing effect.
It has been clinically proven that Cannabis boosts
metabolism, leading to lower levels of fat in the liver and reduced cholesterol
in the blood stream.
THCV was also found to increase sensitivity to insulin
while also protecting the cells that produce insulin, allowing them to work
more effectively, and this has certainly raised hopes that Cannabis can be
developed into treatments for obesity related diseases as well as diabetes.
There is a definite link between Cannabis use, glucose,
insulin and insulin resistance.
Scientists now know that Cannabis activates adiponectin, a protein involved in
regulating glucose and lipid (fat) metabolism, proving that there is a strong
relationship between cannabinoids and exterior metabolic processes and
therefore Cannabis.
6.
HORMONE ABSORPTION
Studies have already shown that cannabinoids have a
regulatory effect on the Endocrine System which controls hormone release as
well as homeostasis in our bodies, indicating that cannabinoids can control
the production and release of hormones.
The EC System is linked to the Endocrine system as it
has been proven to play an important role in the secretion of hormones related
to reproductive functions and response to stress, and therefore controls the
functions of the Endocrine system.
Tests involving the production and release of oxytocin
have given scientists hope to pursue studies of the role of cannabinoids in
hormone release in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, as well as
symptoms of autism.
HOW DO CANNABINOIDS
WORK DIFFERENTLY TO OTHER NEUROTRANSMITTERS?
Brain cells are
called neurons and they communicate with each other and with all the other
cells in the body by sending chemical messages along the nervous system. These
messages coordinate and regulate all which we think, feel and do in life.
The chemicals which
are released from neurons (brain cells) are called neurotransmitters. They travel across a small “gap” between
cells known as a synapse.
Please see Figure 2
below, the space between the two purple neurons is the synapse.
They then attach
themselves to specific receptors found on a nearby neuron and this
automatically stimulates the receiving neuron into action, setting about a
chain of events which allows the messages to be passed along.
When a neuron or
cell is under attack, the cell in front of it is activated and is known as the
pre-synaptic neuron, and the neuron behind the stressed cell is known as the
post-synaptic neuron.
The EC system
communicates its messages in a unique way because it essentially works in
reverse, where other neurotransmitters are released and attach themselves to
receptors on the post synaptic neuron forward to the pre-synaptic neuron.
When a neuron is activated, the
chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) of the EC System, cannabinoids, are
produced on demand from the fat cells already present in the neuron.
Cannabinoids are
then released from that cell and travel in reverse to the pre-synaptic neuron
and attach to the cannabinoid receptors of that cell.
The importance of this is that cannabinoids can actually act on
pre-synaptic cells and therefore they can actually control what happens next
when these cells are activated. Indeed a superior and brilliant defense system.
So cannabinoids work like a “dimmer switch” for pre-synaptic
neurons by limiting the amount of various different neurotransmitters that gets
released and this affects how messages and hormones are sent and received and
processed by the cell.
The sole purpose of this function is to protect the cells from
homeostatic imbalances which, is essential to sustaining life and optimum
health as well as adjusting to environmental changes which are constantly
changing and sadly not positively.
Cannabinoids are
now deemed to be among the most common and the most important of all
neurotransmitters which proves they are found throughout the body.
Figure 2: The
Endocannabinoid (EC) System and THC
All evidence indicates that cannabinoids can act as
both stimulants and inhibitors of the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This is
particularly evident in the research we have already seen on how cannabinoids
affect appetite control, metabolic regulation as well as auto immune functions,
its seems clear that whatever stress the body is under from external sources, where
there are cannabinoids present they will rectify the situation and avoid a
medical disorder.
THE BIG SIX - THE SIX MOST RESEARCHED CANNABINOIDS
There are over 460 known chemical constituents of the
Cannabis plant and over 80 of these are cannabinoids, with new ones being
discovered almost daily; so much more research is required to secure an over
standing of the full mechanisms of the EC system and all of the cannabinoids
present in the Cannabis plant, and how they work together to produce this life
saving natural medicine.
The following list represents a summary of the six
most well researched cannabinoids to date:
1. THC – Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol -
psychoactive
THC is the
most well-known of all the cannabinoids and is the most psychoactive component
of the Cannabis plant.
THC is the
most active ingredient of Cannabis, and more than any other cannabinoid is
associated with the majority of the pharmacologic effects of Cannabis, in order
words, without THC most of the other cannabinoids would not occur or function
in its absence.
THC imitates
the actions of Anandamide (a cannabinoid produced naturally by the body) by
binding with cannabinoid receptors and activating neurons, which can cause
intricate effects on the mind and body.
It is critical
to have an overstanding of the effects of psychedelic substances and in this
respect we must strive to gain the responsibility to respect our dosage as only
tiny amounts of cannabinoids is required to sustain optimum health.
THC
has the ability to alter behavior, mood perception and consciousness and often
promotes the meditation of sharing, humor and creativity, and feelings of
euphoria.
There
are many case studies and reports of people claiming to be able to enhance
their natural abilities after consuming Cannabis including artists, students
and athletes alike. In the same way many people will say that Cannabis induces
psychosis and other mental conditions but as ii stated earlier the truth is on
a spiritual level when you consume Cannabis this plant reveals YOU to you and
it is easy to understand how some people can view this as psychosis.
The healing
properties of THC include anti-cancer, anti-nausea, pain killer, appetite and
metabolic regulation, anti-spasm, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant,
antimicrobial, neuro-protection
(assists the brain from degenerating over time), anti-oxidant and so many more.
2. CBD – Cannabidiol – Non
psychoactive
CBD is a major
constituent of medical Cannabis and does not possess psychoactive
properties.
The presence
of CBD can reduce some of the psychoactive effects of THC. So in other words a
strain which is high in CBD will naturally be lower in THC so there will be
less if any of a ‘high’.
CBD continues
to show potential to relieve convulsion,
inflammation, cough, congestion,
nausea and most importantly the ability to reduce and in many reported cases of
different types of cancers, to actually eliminate cancer cell growth.
CBD has also
been shown to have anti- anxiety and
anti-psychotic properties and is proving to bring great relief to people suffering with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s,
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and
frequent anxiety attacks and seizures. This is ironic since the opposition
keep on insisting that Cannabis causes schizophrenia, and remember one of the
functions of the Endocannabinoid System is neurogenesis, generating new brain
cells. Many people suffering with schizophrenia admit that using CBD rich
Cannabis oil provides relief with overwhelming benefits.
Other healing
abilities of CBD which have been researched include neuro protection, regulation of blood pressure and pain killing
properties amongst others.
It has also
been revealed that CBD has an effect on the genes which affect cholesterol
metabolism and also has an appetite suppressing effect.
CBD also
promotes uninterrupted sleep patterns which is essential to overall health and
well -being. Insomnia is usually a big problem for people suffering with
schizophrenia and indeed all the other conditions involving degeneration of
brain cells.
There is not
much you can do to increase CBD levels other than to choose strains with a
known high CBD content. CBD is naturally
found in higher amounts in low THC varieties such as Cannabis ruderalis and
some hemp species. So in other words people suffering from schizophrenia would
need to source a ‘lower THC quality’ herb to prepare a high CBD medication.
3. CBN – Cannabinol – Slightly psychoactive
CBN is only
somewhat psychoactive at approximately ten per cent of the activity of THC.
CBN is a
breakdown product of THC which takes place when THC is exposed to light or
heat.
CBN levels in
buds can be influenced by harvest, drying and curing processes and by waiting a
little bit longer to harvest, until the trichomes are amber in colour, often
results in higher levels of CBN. Higher exposure to air during the drying and
curing stage and a longer curing phase also results in higher levels of CBN.
CBN in the presence of THC presents anti-anxiety properties, but does
not in the absence of THC.
This is where
we start to realise the intricacies of this plant and its components and in my
experience treating a number of conditions, you will often hear me saying that
all indications are that truthfully cannabinoids do not work effectively when
isolated especially from THC.
CBN has sedative properties and has shown very promising anti-spasm
properties, which is helping many children and adults who suffer from seizures.
CBN also promotes uninterrupted sleep patterns.
CBN cannot exist without the presence of THC, and again
this is the main reason why synthetic cannnabinoids are not as successful as
herbal Cannabis. CBN is the primary
product of THC degradation, and there is usually very little CBN in the fresh
plant. CBN content increases as THC
degrades in storage, and with exposure to light and air. This is known as the curing process after
harvest and is critical to the potency and purity therefore quality of the
medication you are making.
4. CBG – Cannabigerols – Non psychoactive
CBG has shown
significant ability to counteract and terminate tumour formation.
CBG has also
been shown to provide relief for intraocular pressure which has proven to be
helpful in the treatment for glaucoma.
CBG has been
identified as a primary cannabinoid because of the ability of the Cannabis
plant to produce Cannabigerolic Acid (CBGA) which is exactly what makes the
Cannabis plant so unique.
So chemically
speaking CBG is the forerunner to the three major branches of
cannabinoids: Tetra-Hydrocannabinolic
acid (THCA), Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and Cannabichromenic acid (CBCA).
Cannabis has
natural enzymes called synthases (a chemical enzyme which is the catalyst in a
synthetic process), which breaks the
CBGA down to produce the various cannanbinoids.
The Cannabis
plant has three synthases which have been identified (THC –synthase, CBD
synthase, CBC –synthase) and are so named after the cannabinoid which they
create.
CBG is found
in higher concentrations in hemp than in varieties of Cannabis usually
cultivated for a high THC content. So again, if you are looking to make a
medicine which is high CBD and CBG you need to source a low THC quality herb.
5. THCV – Tetrahydrocannabivarin
- Psychoactive
THCV has shown massive potential to treat diabetes
and is being investigated as an anti-obesity drug because of its ability to
regulate metabolism and suppress appetite.
THCV is almost
identical in chemical structure to THC, but slightly different in that unlike
THC, CBD and CBC, THCV does not start out as a cannabigerolic acid (CBGA).
Instead of
combining with olivetolic acid to create CBGA, the geranyl phosphate joins
forces with divarinolic acid, which has
two less carbon molecules.
The result is
Cannabigerovarin acid (CBGVA). Once
CBGVA is created, the process continues exactly the same as it does for
THC. CBGVA is broken down to
tetrahydrocannabivarin carboxylic acid (THCVA) by the THCV synthase. At that point, THCVA can be decarboxylated
with heat or UV light to create THCV.
The effect of
THCV on the CB1 and CB2 receptors is different to the effects of THC.
THCV is in
reality an antagonist (inhibitor) of the CB1 and CB2 receptors, so in other
words instead of stimulating these receptors THCV actually blocks them from
being activated which is what makes THCV so important in the study of obesity
and appetite control and metabolic regulation which it is showing signs of
being able to control, as an appetite suppressant.
THCV has shown
to reduce and even completely block panic attacks and this feature has THCV also showing great potential to be
able to lower the seizure and convulsion threshold for people suffering from seizures
and spasms.
Some of the
best loved sativa strains are known to be high in THCV for example Durban
poison and many of the ‘Haze’ and ‘Cheese’ strains as well as their hybrids.
6. CBC – Cannabichromenes – non psychoactive
6.1 NEUROGENESIS
The Endocannabinoid
Research Group stated that their results suggest that CBC can help the
growth and survival of NPSCs.
Neural
Progenitor Stem Cell (NPSCs), are the stem cells of the brain and are vital to
brain functioning. NPSCs are the
precursors to the three types of brain cells, being neurons, oligondendrocytes
and astrocytes, and because they are able to create any of these cells, they
are now being investigated to help regenerate brain cells. One can only
begin to imagine how valuable this therapy would be in the treatment of
Epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis and other
neurological disorders.
Astrocytes are
the most prevalent cells in the brain and their role is to support and protect
the neurons. At the site of injury, astrocytes repair a damaged area and
replace any area that cannot be repaired.
The scientists
at The
Endocannabinoid Research Group have found that CBC is related to higher
concentrations of NPSCs. CBC also seems
to inhibit the creation of proteins that cause the NPSCs to convert to other
brain cells and this suggests that CBC
may interact with this process and also take on the characteristics of being
able to decide what brain cells are being developed and when they are being
developed at cellular level. Brilliant natural technology!
CBC’s ability
to promote neurogenesis is a fairly recent finding but previous studies
suggest that THC and CBD can do the same, which again illustrates my reasoning
that isolated or synthetic cannabinoids simply do not work as well as when
working with the whole marijuana plant and in particular THC.
6.2 ANTI -TUMORAL PROPERTIES
CBC has shown
to have anti-proliferative effects, which means it inhibits the growth of
cancerous tumours. This has been found
to be as a result of its interaction with Anandamide (our natural
Endocannabinoid) which has been found to aid the fight against human breast
cancer. CBC inhibits the uptake of
Anandamide, which allows it to stay in the blood stream longer.
6.3 OTHER BENEFITS
CBC has
analgesic, anti-inflammatory and very promising anti-biotic properties.
In addition
CBC is also now believed to stimulate bone growth, which is a profound
discovery in researching osteoporosis. There is a lot of research being
conducted on the treatment of osteoporosis with Cannabis and coconut oil
because of their role in hormone and vitamin absorption.
