"The endocannabinoid system is one of the oldest biological systems on earth. In the human body and all vertebrates, it acts as a kind of SOS or information SUPERSYSTEM and is essentially an umbrella protection against anything that can happen to us."

Humans have used cannabis for thousands of years, and we knew that it stimulated appetite, reduced nausea, calmed epileptic seizures, stopped asthma attacks, and improved mood; Galen used it to treat diseases, and Chinese surgeons used it as an anesthetic and painkiller. We knew what it did, but we didn't know why or how.
In the 1960s, Israeli researcher Raphael Mechoulam and his team first identified and synthesized the THC molecule. But it was many years before scientists discovered the receptors to which cannabis molecules bind. It was not until 1992 that Mechoulam discovered a neurotransmitter similar to THC that the body produces itself. This endocannabinoid (internal cannabinoid) bound to the same receptor as THC from cannabis. He called it anandamide. Shortly after, he discovered another endocannabinoid (2-AG or 2-Arachidonoylglycerol). When they investigated the metabolic pathways of THC, they came across a previously unknown signaling system in the body, which played an important role in many biological processes. This molecular system regulates our feelings of pain, stress, hunger, sleep, circadian rhythm, blood pressure, body temperature, bone density, fertility, bowel strength, mood, metabolism, memory, etc.

The endocannabinoid system is named after cannabis, although its development began long before the plant itself. This ancient internal signaling system and receptors are present in all animals except insects. Therefore, we can conclude that its existence is very important and essential in animal and human physiology.

Endocannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors (e.g. CB1 and CB2), which are distributed throughout the body. CB1 receptors are said to be highly concentrated in the brain, and to a lesser extent in the peripheral nervous system, testicles, lungs, glands. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are predominantly located on immune cells and can be found in almost all parts of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, liver, heart, kidneys, bones, blood vessels, etc.

Endocannabinoids bind like a key to a receptor-lock and trigger the desired function of the cell and its communication with other cells. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) allows us to maintain balance or homeostasis in the body, ensuring that our responses to external and internal changes are “correct”. For example, if the body temperature is too high, the ECS triggers sweating; when the temperature is back in a safe range, the ECS turns off the sweating function. Or when we cut ourselves, the ECS detects the problem and triggers the inflammatory process, which helps to heal and prevent the entry of foreign bodies into the body. When the job is done, the ECS turns off the switch for the inflammatory process again.

These processes are essential. If our ECS is not functioning properly, the body cannot cope with all the changes and disease can occur. The body produces cannabinoids as long as we are young and healthy, but if chronic diseases, old age or psychological stress occur, the level of endocannabinoids decreases significantly.

What reduces the function of the endocannabinoid system? Lifestyle and toxic environment. Especially pesticides, heavy metals, polluted air, preservatives and food additives, sugars, nutrient-poor foods, plastics, smoking, too much alcohol, drugs, medications, stress, lack of sleep, unbalanced intestinal flora, perfumes, toxic cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, antiperspirants, washing powders, cleaning agents, cell phone radiation, lack of exercise, etc.

We can avoid some toxins, but there's not much we can do about the fact that we live in this century. Since our own cannabinoid system is constantly overloaded, it's wise to use cannabinoids from cannabis to help restore balance to the processes.