What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that are found in cannabis, and often unique to the plant.
Cannabinoids are similar to endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids). These are produced by the human body and used to promote homeostasis, which regulates internal health and immune system functions. Endocannabinoids work by signaling to other cells and can produce similar, modest euphoric feelings naturally, like a runner’s high.
How do cannabinoids work?
The source of marijuana’s distinct effects was a perplexing question until rather recently. It wasn’t until the 1980s that research into cannabis found cannabinoids bind to receptors found throughout the brain and body.
To date, two different classes of receptors have been identified:
- CB-1, commonly found in brain cells and the central nervous system.
- CB-2, usually found in the body and immune system.
Similar to the behavior of other chemical compounds, cannabinoids interact with receptors like a key and lock would. Cannabinoids, being the key, bind with receptors that contain metabolic enzymes that break down the cannabinoids, thus unlocking the effects like organic endocannabinoids would.