🌿 Welcome to the Endocannabinoidome: Your Brain, Body, and Beyond

Photographer Markus Reugels uses high-speed photography to capture these images of falling droplets. (Image credit: Markus Reugels, LiquidArt)

Now that we’ve talked about some of the main cannabinoids (like THC and CBD), how they work together, and the key receptors that help them do their job — it’s time to go a little deeper.

Today, we’re stepping into something called the endocannabinoidome. That’s a big word, but it simply means the entire network of receptors, signaling molecules, and enzymes that interact with cannabinoids — both those made by our bodies and those found in plants.

Think of the endocannabinoidome as a communication system that helps balance how we feel, think, eat, sleep, and respond to stress.

🧠 The Receptors: Your Body’s “Signal Receivers”

When cannabinoids enter the body, they look for special spots to “dock” — kind of like a key fitting into a lock. These docking spots are called receptors.

The main ones you’ve probably heard of from prior blog posts are:

• CB1 receptors – mostly found in the brain and nervous system. These help control mood, memory, pain, and coordination.

• CB2 receptors – mostly found in the immune system and gut. These help manage inflammation and immune responses.

But the endocannabinoidome doesn’t stop there! Researchers have found that many other receptors also respond to cannabinoids, including:

• TRPV (pronounced “trip-vee-one”) (6 channels-V1, V2, V3, V4, M8, A1)– helps with pain and temperature regulation.

• GPR55 – may affect blood pressure, bone growth, and anxiety. Also GPR18, GPR119, GPR3/6/12 will play a role.

• PPARs (~4)– found inside cells and help with energy balance and metabolism.

These extra receptors are what make the endocannabinoidome so fascinating — and complex. It’s not just about THC and CBD; it’s about how all these parts talk to each other to keep the body in balance.

💬 Neurotransmitters: The Brain’s Messengers

To understand how the endocannabinoidome works, we also need to meet the neurotransmitters — the brain’s chemical messengers.

Some important ones that interact with this system include:

• Dopamine – linked to motivation and reward.

• Serotonin – helps control mood and sleep.

• GABA – helps calm the nervous system.

• Glutamate – helps with learning and memory.

• Norepinephrine – helps regulate attention, focus, and the body’s “fight-or-flight” response.

• Acetylcholine – plays a big role in learning, memory, and muscle control.

  
  

When cannabinoids interact with their receptors, they can change how these neurotransmitters are released — sometimes slowing things down, other times helping the brain find balance.

🧩 What’s Next

The endocannabinoidome is huge, and we’re just scratching the surface! In the coming weeks, we’ll break down:

• How these receptors work together to maintain balance (homeostasis).

• What happens when this system is out of balance.

• How plant-based cannabinoids might help support the system.

Understanding this network gives us a clearer picture of why cannabinoids affect people differently and how they might be used safely and effectively in wellness or therapy.

Stay tuned — we’re just getting started on this fascinating journey through your body’s natural cannabinoid network!