How Do Cannabinoid Receptors in the Body Work?

Did you know you can thank your endocannabinoid system for helping you sleep, eat, and stay happy?

Your endocannabinoid system (ECS) is made up of a bunch of cell receptors that monitor many important processes in your body. Endocannabinoids help regulate sleep, pain, the function of your immune system, mood, memory, and other vital aspects of being human. When the ECS is out of whack, you are more susceptible to disease and other disorders.

Cannabinoid receptors in the body are the key to the success of your ECS, and your body's ability to achieve homeostasis. They are spread throughout your body in many different places and have different functions, but work in basically the same way. Read on to find out how these receptors play into the day-to-day operation of your ECS.

How Do Cannabinoid Receptors in the Body Work?

1. Cannabinoid receptors make up an information relay team

Cannabinoid receptors do exactly what their name says: they respond to certain things in the body. These things are called agonists. An agonist essentially gives the receptor a message and the receptor responds by initiating a task or a series of tasks that assist with a larger function.

There are two main types of receptors in the body. The Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CR1) is highly concentrated in the body's nervous system. Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CR2) is found in other areas and is associated with your immune system, digestive tract, and peripheral nervous system.

Endocannabinoids are the messengers that go between receptors. These guys have to be in top shape in order for your ECS to work well. These molecules have a variety of sources besides your body, including foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids. The two most common endocannabinoids are called 2-Ag and anandamide.

2. CRs have enzyme helpers

Enzymes are important for all processes in the human body, but they play a huge role when it comes to the operation of your ECS. Enzymes can monitor the endocannabinoids present in your body. They can take care of any endocannabinoid excess and control how many endocannabinoids are operating at a given time.

Non-psychoactive CBD is an enzyme that does both of these things at the same time. It makes sure that the amount of endocannabinoids in your system is maximized. Non-psychoactive CBD is one of the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant.

3. CRs depend upon healthy and abundant endocannabinoids

This is an essential part of understanding how cannabinoid receptors in the body work. CRs don't act on their own. They require healthy, active endocannabinoids in order to receive and relay messages that monitor your body's mood, memory, and essential biological processes.

Endocannabinoids themselves function best when paired with compounds like non-psychoactive CBD. Even though CBD does not bind directly to the cannabinoid receptors in the body, it enables higher function of your ECS by working directly with endocannabinoid operation.

Cannabinoid Receptors in the Body

Cannabinoid receptors are responsible for many crucial functions in your body. The operation of your ECS depends upon their ability to respond to agonists, but also upon how many healthy endocannabinoids are binding to cannabinoid receptors in the body.

At ECS Awareness, we are all about helping people learn about their bodies and enhance their health naturally. Learning about the ECS can change your life; research shows that it already is. Get started on understanding more about the ECS and the steps you can take for maximizing your ECS potential today.