What are “Cannabinoids”?

Cannabinoids are compounds that interact with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system, or ECS. It has been recently discovered that all vertebrates have an ECS. It’s a network of receptors that respond to the presence of cannabinoids. These receptors include CB1, CB2, adenosine, serotonin, and vanilloid. This system of receptors is responsible for keeping our minds and bodies in balance. The ECS regulates bodily functions like pain perception, appetite, mood, memory, immune response, and sleep. As of today, there have been more then 100 cannabinoid molecules that have been discovered and isolated.

Our body produces its own cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids). In infancy, our bodies source endocannabinoids from our mothers’ milk, to assist our underdeveloped ECS. Like all other bodily systems, our ECS grows less and less efficient as we age, and as the amount of endocannabinoids our bodies synthesize decreases, our bodies slowly go out of balance.

We become more prone to more health issues as we become more cannabinoid-deficient. Reintroducing cannabinoids into our body in the form of phyto-cannabinoids (or plant-based cannabinoids) like THC or CBD could help our bodies regain its natural balance and general well being.