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Q.1
What is one of the main functions of the endocannabinoid system?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) works continuously to monitor important levels and functions in your body. When something is operating outside the right range, your body activates the ECS to help correct the balance and maintain a stable equilibrium (known as homeostasis).
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) works continuously to monitor important levels and functions in your body. When something is operating outside the right range, your body activates the ECS to help correct the balance and maintain a stable equilibrium (known as homeostasis).
Q.2
If your endocannabinoid system isn’t working properly, what will be the most likely consequence?
When the endocannabinoid system (ECS) isn't working properly, the body cannot maintain a stable equilibrium (homeostasis), which is likely to cause health problems.
When the endocannabinoid system (ECS) isn't working properly, the body cannot maintain a stable equilibrium (homeostasis), which is likely to cause health problems.
Q.3
Are cannabinoids all that the body needs to have a well functioning endocannabinoid system?
Cannabinoids need to interact with cannabinoid receptors in order to pass messages between neurons. Together, they work to maintain homeostasis.
Cannabinoids need to interact with cannabinoid receptors in order to pass messages between neurons. Together, they work to maintain homeostasis.
Q.4
What are two common cannabinoid receptors?
CB1 receptors are primarily located on neurons which are the key signalling cells of the brain and nervous system.
CB2 receptors are found throughout the body, in the peripheral nervous system (nerves in your extremities), the digestive system, and specialised cells in the immune system.
CB1 receptors are primarily located on neurons which are the key signalling cells of the brain and nervous system.
CB2 receptors are found throughout the body, in the peripheral nervous system (nerves in your extremities), the digestive system, and specialised cells in the immune system.
Q.5
Can phytocannabinoids (ie cannabinoids naturally occurring in plants) interact with the human endocannabinoid system?
The cannabis plant is comprised of hundreds of compounds including many different phytocannabinoids. These work uniquely with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) either individually or in combination.
More and more studies are being done to evaluate the neurological benefits and side effects of phytocannabinoids which affect the ECS.
The cannabis plant is comprised of hundreds of compounds including many different phytocannabinoids. These work uniquely with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) either individually or in combination.
More and more studies are being done to evaluate the neurological benefits and side effects of phytocannabinoids which affect the ECS.
Q.6
Which part of the cannabis plant produces cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are stored within the cannabis plant’s trichomes. They look like tiny mushroom-like crystals on the leaves and buds of the plant. They are shiny, sticky, and have beautiful aromas.
Trichomes produce cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that make each strain of cannabis unique.
Cannabinoids are stored within the cannabis plant’s trichomes. They look like tiny mushroom-like crystals on the leaves and buds of the plant. They are shiny, sticky, and have beautiful aromas.
Trichomes produce cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that make each strain of cannabis unique.
Q.7
Do all cannabinoids from the cannabis plant make you ‘high’?
When many people think of cannabis, they think of the cannabinoid THC that has strong psychoactive effects, meaning it makes a person ‘high’.
There are many cannabinoids however that are non-psychoactive, so they don’t negatively impact your mind or mental process. One such cannabinoid is CBD. Unlike recreational marijuana, medicinal cannabis does not contain the properties that cause the effect of getting ‘high’ or ‘stoned’.
When many people think of cannabis, they think of the cannabinoid THC that has strong psychoactive effects, meaning it makes a person ‘high’.
There are many cannabinoids however that are non-psychoactive, so they don’t negatively impact your mind or mental process. One such cannabinoid is CBD. Unlike recreational marijuana, medicinal cannabis does not contain the properties that cause the effect of getting ‘high’ or ‘stoned’.
Q.8
Do all cannabinoids from the cannabis plant have the same therapeutic effect on the body?
Different cannabinoids have different therapeutic effects on the body.
In addition, the combination of cannabinoids with other plant chemicals (such as terpenes and flavonoids) can also alter the therapeutic effects.
Different cannabinoids have different therapeutic effects on the body.
In addition, the combination of cannabinoids with other plant chemicals (such as terpenes and flavonoids) can also alter the therapeutic effects.
Q.9
Do endocannabinoids (i.e. cannabinoids produced by the body) prevent seizures?
When the neuronal firing rate is increased (which can cause seizures), the post synaptic nerve releases endocannabinoids. When the endocannabinoid interacts with a cannabinoid receptor on the presynaptic nerve, the reaction triggers the closure of the calcium channel which slows down the release of neurotransmitters.
When the neuronal firing rate is increased (which can cause seizures), the post synaptic nerve releases endocannabinoids. When the endocannabinoid interacts with a cannabinoid receptor on the presynaptic nerve, the reaction triggers the closure of the calcium channel which slows down the release of neurotransmitters.
Q.10
Does research suggest that the endocannabinoid system of people living with epilepsy may be out of balance?
One hypothesis is that phytocannabinoids (such as CBD) from the cannabis plant may reduce seizure likelihood, frequency or severity, by correcting the endocannabinoid system.
Recent research is finding that medications derived from the cannabis plant can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of seizures, especially in children who have certain epilepsy disorders.
One hypothesis is that phytocannabinoids (such as CBD) from the cannabis plant may reduce seizure likelihood, frequency or severity, by correcting the endocannabinoid system.
Recent research is finding that medications derived from the cannabis plant can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of seizures, especially in children who have certain epilepsy disorders.
If you would like to learn more, please take a look at the C4E home page for our animations on the endocannabinoid system and cannabis, download our Cannabis and Epilepsy Factsheets, and/or review some more detailed information about medicinal cannabis at the top of this page. If you would like to find out more information on research findings in the area of medicinal cannabis please visit the C4E Medicinal Cannabis Research page.
If you would like to further increase your awareness, please take a look at our animations on cannabis, download our Cannabis and Epilepsy Factsheets, and/or review some more detailed information about medicinal cannabis at the top of this page. If you would like to find out more information on research findings in the area of medicinal cannabis please visit the C4E Medicinal Cannabis Research page.
If you would like to find out more information on research findings in the area of medicinal cannabis please visit the C4E Medicinal Cannabis Research page.
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