What does “Endocannabinoid” mean?
A cannabinoid produced by the human body itself, acting on the same receptors that plant cannabinoids act on.
Endocannabinoid in plain English
A cannabinoid produced by the human body itself, acting on the same receptors that plant cannabinoids act on.
The two best described are anandamide and 2-AG. Unlike most signalling molecules they are made on demand rather than stored, and they travel backwards across a synapse — the receiving cell releases them to reduce activity in the sending cell.
Their existence is why cannabis affects humans at all: the plant compounds are acting on a system the body already runs for its own purposes.
Frequently asked questions
What does endocannabinoid mean?
A cannabinoid produced by the human body itself, acting on the same receptors that plant cannabinoids act on.
Sources and further reading
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