Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptors

What You Should Know about CB1 and CB2 Receptors

Not all species have the ability to change the levels of endocannabinoid systems. It plays a vital role in the health and well-being of their bodies as they adapt to the environmental changes.

According to scientists who are studying the history of the endocannabinoid system and their receptors, it’s been traced back to over 600 million years ago and their primordial life forms continues to be intriguing.

In spite of the extensive research over the last several decades and the new discoveries along the way, there is still relatively little known regarding how it functions and the nature of the system.

Approximately twenty thousand papers have been published to date on the subject, most of these illustrate the huge gaps standing in our way of understanding of how complex the cannabinoid receptors are regarding the systems that are involved and the various organisms. Regardless, scientists have reviewed the various interactions regarding the major players in an entirely new way.

Cannabinoid receptors reporting to the endocannabinoid system are considered to be quite numerous within the body. As they are activated or stimulated, they often trigger a variety of processes that are physiological within the body.

Scientists report that there are two specific cannabinoid receptors that are located within the body. CB1 is the one that is found in the nervous system and various other organs such as the glands and the gonads.

CB2 is found within the immune system and in the various glands that are associated with this system within the body. Many of the areas in the body possess both CB1 and CB2 to fully function properly.

Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptors

While there are two cannabinoid receptors in a zone, there may be another with receptors for other functions. Clearly, more research is needed to fully identify any and all receptors.

CB1 or Cannabinoid Receptor number 1, is a G-protein receptor. It’s very prolific in the brain and has a high-resolution of the receptors that are produced via cutting edge of the stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy or STORM technology.

If the CB1 receptors are in high amounts in the brain, they’re also going to be in other areas that have other functions. The liver, for example, begins the process chemically of lipogenesis. Here, the compounds convert into fatty acids. It’s vital to the energy consumption of the body.

According to other studies, these receptors are playing a vital role in the development both pre and postnatally.

Scattered throughout the body, CB2 or Cannabinoid receptor number 2, is also found. It performs a variety of functions that are vital to life. It’s typically found in T cells within the immune system. It also plays a critical role in the immune function of the B cells and the macrophages. They all work together and have a crucial role in keratinocytes found in the top layer of the skin and defend the body from such things as contaminants, bacteria, and fungi.

The CB2 receptors also have a vital role in how our bodies handle pain. This is called antinociception. They are in the brain, and although the role isn’t yet entirely clear, it’s certain that they play a vital role in helping our immune system and our pain receptors function better defending our bodies from harsh environments.

Endocannabinoids are chemicals that are produced in the body and stimulate the cannabinoid receptors. Anandamide and two arachidonoyl glycerol are two of the endocannabinoids which have been studied, and scientists are beginning to see how they function.

Phytocannabinoids are a plant-like substance that triggers reactions to the cannabinoid receptors. The more famous of these is the Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or the THC. There had been considerable interest in these studies of late and how the CBD and the CBN have many curative benefits to the human body. As more research is done, more results are pouring in, and the hope is that they will be able to integrate the studies into more successful and beneficial findings in the medical world.