From The Hemptonicx | Mother’s Best Blogosphere

By Mike Pereira |Writer|Hemp Farmer

The Endocannabinoid System. You’ve Got One, What is it?

The first cannabinoid receptor was identified, in a rat brain, in 1988. They were concentrated in the brain areas that control mental and physiological process (ie. Cognition, memory, motor skills) and interacted exclusively with receptors found in THC(tetrahydrocannabinol), a cannabis compound. Then, in 1993, they found another cannabinoid receptor. This one was located in the immune system and peripheral body tissue. It had the identical reaction to THC as the first one.

Two years later, researchers found that the 2 receptors, called the CB-1 and CB-2 were discovered to be in thousands of species  other than rats. This includes humans. Additional research and technological progress indicated that the human body was designed to interact with cannabinoids. This was termed the Endocannabinoid System or ECS. This was a significant breakthrough, but the health implications were yet to be determined.

In the years since the discovery of the ECS, science has taught us more about how this works. The body’s receptors are called Endocannabinoids, the receptors in CBD and THC are called Phytocannabinoids. They interact synergistically to impact the health of the body. The research suggests that when CBD bonds with the body’s CB-1 or CB-2 receptors it improves the function of those receptors. This helps with overall health function as it helps to maintain homeostasis or body balance.

The first CBD related drug has proven to greatly reduce seizures in forms of epilepsy. Seizures are reduced by slowing down nerve activity. CBD has shown efficacy in treating inflammation  by suppressing inflammatory response and affecting pain perception. Additionally CBD has shown to be effective in lowering coritsol levels. This allows CBD to be useful in treating anxiety, stress,  and depression.

These are just a few examples of the potential of CBD as a treatment option for many conditions. Now that we know that we have an Endocanniboid System, and that it benefits the body, research is ongoing to determine the numerous benefits to mankind. We just have to get used to the idea that the human body was apparently designed for interaction with cannabis, a specifically mind blowing thought.