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RE: Introducing my PhD project on cannabinoids.
Hi and welcome! I love this topic and have a question. You said:
"This finding led scientists to believe that if we have such receptors it is most likely because our body produces substances that are similar to cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids)."
what triggers humans produce endocannanbinoids?
Is that speculation or fact?
What other functions does the endocannabinoid system have, other than giving humans ability to receive cannabinoids, if any?
Hi!
It is a fact that the human body produces endocannabinoids. The 2 most studied are called anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol although there are others.
Many things can trigger the production of endocannabinoids which is, by the way, "on demand". The endocannabinoid system is mostly thought of as having a protective role, so stress signals can increase the levels of endocannabinoids.
The endocannabinoid system regulates all other systems in the body, from nervous system, to digestive, reproductive, immune ... I don't think there is a system in our bodies that does not involve regulation by endocannabinoids.
Wow, very interesting. Can we say that smoking marijuana helps regulate systems in your body?
I know it is very tempting to think so, but the answer is not a simple yes or no.
It can help in some cases and harm in others. Like any other drug, and I'm talking about medicinal drugs here, it should only be taken when the benefits out weights the potential harmful effects.
There are many scientific studies that show potential benefits of taking cannabinoids, but so many others showing the opposite.
I would like to point out a very well known drug among those that study this subject, rimonabant. It interfered with the activation of one of the receptors and was used to decreased appetite and help with weight loss. It was thought to be safe, and it was very effective. Some time after its commercial release it was noticed that many people using this drug ended up committing suicide. It was later figured out that the reason this drug was so good at decreasing appetite was that it blocked the "feeling of pleasure" in the brain. So sure, people stopped eating, but became seriously depressed to the point of ending their lives.
Nothing outweighs death.
Thank you for your response :)