מה הם קולטני הקנאבינואידים

כל יצור בעל חוליות חולקים במשותף את המערכת האנדו-קנאבינואידית כחלק חשוב מהחיים והסתגלות לשינויים אבולוציוניים. החוקרים מאמינים שהמערכת התפתחה ביצורים פרימטיביים לפני יותר מ-600 מיליון שנה. 

בעוד שזה נראה שאנחנו יודעים הרבה על הקנאבינואידים, 20 אלף המאמרים שנעשו עד כה, אינם יותר מחשיפת אור על הנשוא. ישנם פערים רבים בהבנתנו, ובמורכבות האינטרקציות בין הקנאבינואידים, סוגי התא. באופן כללי האורגניזם המערכתי והאינדיבדואלי מאתגר את החוקרים לחשוב על בריאות ופסיכולוגיה בצורה חדשה. מה ידוע עד כה? 

הקולטנים נמצאים בכל הגוף, טבועים בקרום התא, וכנראה שהם הקולטנים בגדולים ביותר מכל שאר מערכות הקולטנים. 

Cannabinoid receptors are present throughout the body, embedded in cell membranes, and are believed to be more numerous than any other receptor system. When cannabinoid receptors are stimulated, a variety of physiologic processes ensue. Researchers have identified two cannabinoid receptors: CB1, predominantly present in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs; and CB2, predominantly found in the immune system and its associated structures. Many tissues contain both CB1 and CB2 receptors, each linked to a different action. Researchers speculate there may be a third cannabinoid receptor waiting to be discovered.

Endocannabinoids are the substances our bodies naturally make to stimulate these receptors. The two most well understood of these molecules are called anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). They are synthesized on-demand from cell membrane arachidonic acid derivatives, have a local effect and short half-life before being degraded by the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL).

Phytocannabinoids are plant substances that stimulate cannabinoid receptors. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the most psychoactive and certainly the most famous of these substances, but other cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) are gaining the interest of researchers due to a variety of healing properties. Most phytocannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis sativa, but other medical herbs, such as echinacea purpura, have been found to contain non-psychoactive cannabinoids as well.

Interestingly, the cannabis plant also uses THC and other cannabinoids to promote its own health and prevent disease. Cannabinoids have antioxidant properties that protect the leaves and flowering structures from ultraviolet radiation - cannabinoids neutralize the harmful free radicals generated by UV rays, protecting the cells. In humans, free radicals cause aging, cancer, and impaired healing. Antioxidants found in plants have long been promoted as natural supplements to prevent free radical harm.

Laboratories can also produce cannabinoids. Synthetic THC, marketed as dronabinol (Marinol), and nabilone (Cesamet), a THC analog, are both FDA approved drugs for the treatment of severe nausea and wasting syndrome. Some clinicians have found them helpful in the off-label treatment of chronic pain, migraine, and other serious conditions. Many other synthetic cannabinoids are used in animal research, and some have potency up to 600 times that of THC.