The Differences Between Phytocannabinoids and Endocannabinoids

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Cannabidiol, or CBD, is quickly becoming one of the most popular nutraceutical products in the United States and across the world. Distributors and customers must understand the science behind what they are selling or consuming, how it benefits them, and why it works. There are hundreds of peer-reviewed academic publications explaining how CBD works that are publicly accessible and an overwhelming amount of personal testimonies of how CBD has improved people’s lives.

In its most basic form, the Endocannabinoid System is a biological system present in living creatures that enables them to utilize both natural and manufactured endocannabinoids and break down and use them as phytocannabinoids. This indicates that the Endocannabinoid System is critical for the effectiveness of a broad range of chemical substances and plays a crucial part in living a better and happier life. The phytocannabinoids present in industrial hemp and cannabis plants are some of the most significant cannabinoids that your Endocannabinoid System uses. Not all cannabinoids are phytocannabinoids, but all phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids, and understanding the difference is crucial, so we’ll tackle it together next.

Cannabinoids 

Cannabinoids are a group of chemical substances that influence the Endocannabinoid System. This chemical family alters the release of neurotransmitters in the brain and nervous system. Endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids are both naturally occurring and manufactured cannabinoids. Chemical molecules found in the bodies of animals, including humans, that interact with the Endocannabinoid System in various ways are known as naturally occurring cannabinoids that are not phytocannabinoids.

What are endocannabinoids, and what do they do?

In 1973, human opiate receptors were discovered, but in 1988, research supported by the government led by Allyn Howlett and William Devane revealed receptor sites in the brains of mammals that responded to chemical components found in cannabis. These receptor sites were found in animal brains.

These receptors, appropriately referred to as cannabis receptors, were members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. Other members of this family include dopamine, serotonin, adrenaline, and opiate receptors (to name a few). Cannabinoid receptors were shown to be the most prevalent kind of neurotransmitter in the brain rather quickly after the discovery of this fact by medical researchers.

By mapping DNA sequences, cloning receptors, and genetically modifying animals, researchers determined that the delta-9 THC cannabinoid acted by directly activating cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This was accomplished. Cannabinoid receptor two, also known as CB2, was discovered in our immune system and peripheral nervous system at the same time. This receptor is responsible for mediating the effects of cannabinoids (cannabinoid receptor two or CB2).

Because our bodies have cannabinoid receptors, some researchers have concluded that we must create pharmacological molecules specifically designed to interact with these receptors. Would it make sense for us to have produced these receptors to interact with the cannabis plant?

They had the right idea. 1992 was the year that saw the discovery of the very first endogenous cannabinoid, also known as an endocannabinoid. Anandamide, which comes from the Sanskrit word ananda, which means happiness, was rapidly followed by the discovery of a few additional compounds, including 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). It was given the name anandamide, which comes from the Sanskrit word ananda, which means happiness.

What exactly are Phytocannabinoids, and what role do they play in the cannabis plant?

In contrast to the cannabinoids found naturally in most animals’ bodies and the toxic and poorly controlled synthetic cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids have been found to exist naturally in both the cannabis plant and the hemp plant. The concentration levels of these cannabinoids vary depending on various factors. For example, the hemp plant’s age may affect the potency of the phytocannabinoids found in the plant. On the other hand, the levels of phytocannabinoid in cannabis are known to be affected by a wide range of internal and external variables, such as the strain of the plant and age.

Phytocannabinoids are the chemical compounds responsible for the good benefits of CBD usage and the positive and negative consequences that might follow marijuana use. Phytocannabinoids are also the chemical components that are responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana. They may have a variety of impacts on the user based on factors such as the number of phytocannabinoids present and the strength of each phytocannabinoid.

The scientific and medical communities have identified several phytocannabinoids in cannabis and hemp plants. Many more phytocannabinoids are thought to be present, and their presence is now being investigated as part of a wide range of ongoing research projects. There are at least 110 different phytocannabinoids that can be isolated from cannabis and hemp, which can both be identified and extracted. Few of the more than 110 phytocannabinoids have been discovered, and the medical community well knows even fewer. The majority of the phytocannabinoids are either currently being examined or will, in the near future, be investigated further.

Endocannabinoids vs. Phytocannabinoids: What’s the Difference?

Endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters that interact with cannabinoid receptors in our endocannabinoid system, similar to cannabinoids.

Phytocannabinoids are biologically active chemical molecules that exhibit cannabimimetic qualities in any plant. They have features comparable to cannabinoids in terms of their interaction with the endocannabinoid system or structure.

Summary

Despite the lack of knowledge regarding the ECS, research demonstrates its importance for preserving physiological balance and function. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids that collaborate to control physiological processes, including temperature, sleep, and mood. Since it may comprise several therapeutic targets, researchers may use the ECS to help with various medical conditions.

You may be sure that you’re receiving one of the highest-quality and quickest-acting goods by ingesting a supplement containing high quantities of phytocannabinoids. The product’s overall potency is increased by the high content of phytocannabinoids in it. Compared to a product with low phytocannabinoid content, it will give you more tremendous advantages. Contrarily, consuming a product that contains a range of phytocannabinoids—a kind of substance—can offer benefits that you may not have anticipated. The “Entourage Effect,” as it is called, is thought by many to be produced by goods with various phytocannabinoids.

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