All about that ECS
- highstherbs
- Oct 10, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 13, 2023
TLDR; The ECS (endocannabinoid system) plays a vital role in most animals to promote well being and homeostasis. There have been some vital discoveries in the understanding of the ECS, but more research is being done to know how to best work in tune with it since it has only been discovered for a few decades.
Intro about the ECS
Ever wonder why cannabinoids have a myriad of effects on us? It all ties back to a vital system in our body only discovered a couple decades ago, our ECS or endocannabinoid system. This system is fundamental in a wide scope of organisms from mammals to invertebrates to primitive hydra, the ECS plays a foundational role in the overall wellbeing of an organism.
ECS Basics:
The goal of your ECS is to promote homeostasis or balance in your body. It is composed three main parts:
ECS receptors: these receptors, distributed all throughout the body, carefully regulate signals throughout your ECS. The two receptors that are currently discussed are CB1 and CB2 receptors. There is more research to be done to see if there are more receptors in the system.
Endocannabinoids: cannabinoids that your body makes like anandamide and 2-AG. Fun fact, these endocannabinoids can even be found in breast milk.
Metabolic Enzymes: regulate the intricate biochemistry of reactions within the cell
1963: Isolating of THC Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni successfully isolated THC and later CBD
1988: ECS discovered by Mechoulan and his team
1988: The First ECS Receptor - CB1 scientists at the St. Louis University Medical School found that there were CB1 receptors in rat brains activated by THC. Later, it was found that CB1 receptors are found in all mammals brains (yes, humans too!)
1992: First Endocannabinoid aka Bliss molecule Raphael Mechoulam, William Devane and Lumir Hanus discovered anandamide. Cells naturally create this molecule during stressful times to promote a sense of calm, wellbeing and bliss. Anandamide interacts with CB1 receptors to regulate mood, pain and appetite.
1993: The Second ECS Receptor - CB2 CB2 was cloned by scientists from Cambridge. CB2 receptors are prevalent in the nervous system, immune cells, metabolic tissue, and in many internal organs.
1998: The Entourage Effect The first published occurrence of the phenomenon was in a paper in the European Journal of Pharmacology published by S. Ben-Shabat and colleagues. The term Entourage Effect is used to describe the fact that cannabinoids and terpenes and flavonoids have greater effects together than when isolated.
2004: ECS Deficiency Dr. Ethan Russo was the first to coin the term "clinical endocannabinoid deficiency." This concept is still controversial today and more research is to come to see if endocannabinoid deficiencies could be contributing to conditions such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and migraines.
Where we are today
Today, more research is being done to figure out the best ways to utilize cannabis and all its potential benefits. From treating a variety of ailments and diseases to improving mental health, there is a lot of potential for the ways cannabis could aid in people’s lives. At the end of the day everyone is different, so we at High Street Herbs want to make sure we find the correct products that work for you and your ECS. Visit in store for a custom recommendation to fit your needs.
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