Endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system is a signaling network of endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and metabolic enzymes. It helps regulate neural activity and bodily functions such as appetite, pain, and immune responses.

Anandamide: Anandamide is an endogenous cannabinoid that activates cannabinoid receptors and is rapidly degraded in the body. It is one of the system’s principal lipid messengers.
Retrograde signaling: Retrograde signaling is communication in which a postsynaptic cell sends a signal back to a presynaptic cell. Endocannabinoids often use this direction to adjust neurotransmitter release.
Cannabis: Cannabis is a plant genus whose species produce cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Plant cannabinoids interact with receptors and enzymes in this endogenous signaling network.
Short-term memory: Short-term memory is the temporary retention of information over seconds to minutes. CB1 activation in memory circuits can disrupt the formation of short-term memories.
Allosteric modulator: An allosteric modulator binds a receptor site distinct from the site used by its natural ligand and changes receptor responses. Modulating CB1 indirectly may preserve useful signaling while reducing unwanted effects.
2-Arachidonoylglycerol: 2-Arachidonoylglycerol is an endogenous cannabinoid that activates CB1 and CB2 receptors. It is the other major endocannabinoid and often reaches higher tissue concentrations than anandamide.
Lipid signaling: Lipid signaling is cell communication mediated by bioactive fats and their derivatives. Endocannabinoids are lipid messengers rather than conventional stored neurotransmitters.
Tetrahydrocannabinol: Tetrahydrocannabinol is the principal intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis and a partial agonist at CB1 and CB2 receptors. Its effects arise largely from activating cannabinoid receptors that normally respond to endogenous signals.
Pain modulation: Pain modulation is the nervous system’s adjustment of how painful signals are transmitted and perceived. Endocannabinoids can reduce pain signaling in peripheral and central pathways.
Endocannabinoid transport: Endocannabinoid transport describes the proposed cellular movement of endocannabinoids across membranes. How these lipids enter cells remains less settled than the enzymes that synthesize and degrade them.

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