Why Humans have Cannabinoid Receptors

Cannabinoid receptors are present in almost every part of the human body.  They are the main part of a newly discovered system in the body the Endocannabinoid system.  This system is responsible for a variety of functions within the body including mood, fertility, memory, feelings, pain, appetite and more.  But what are these receptors and why are they there?  If you know anything about cannabis you've definitely have heard of cannabinoids.  Maybe you've also wondered how this magical herb makes such an impact on so many people.  Whether you're recreational, medicinal, or use it for creative artistic purposes, there is something for everybody.  Cannabis contains many natural chemicals and many are unique only to this magical unicorn of a plant.  Cannabinoids in particular have an amazing ability to interact with the our bodies at the cellular level.  But scientists don't understand clearly why we have then in our bodies and that cannabis plants have them exogenous in their buds (flowers).  Interestingly, we do know that the body produces its own cannabinoids know as endogenous cannabinoids.  2-AG and anandamide are 2 examples of this.  Ananadamide acts like the brain's THC and helps keep it in a happy state at times.  It has very similar effects in the body to THC, only it is much shorter lived than THC.  Anandamide does a lot more than keep you happy.  It's found in the region of the brain responsible for motivation, memory, exercise, and even fertility.  Remember what it felt like when you won something or achieved something?  How happy you were?  That's anandamide working in the brain.  

The Cannabinoids in cannabis such as THC or CBD, are known as phyto cannabinoids, meaning they are produced as a result of light.  They are present in tissues, the immune system, and the brain.  The main known function of the endocannabinoid system is to communicate between the body and the brain to make sure that they are responding properly to the signaling messages in the body.  Thus, playing a critical role in appetite, sleep, pain, memory, growth, cognition, and mood.  It is also important to note that everyone has different cannabinoid receptors in their brain which is why there can be a pretty big difference in how a particular strain hits a particular individual.  This is important because strain preference in cannabis is very unique to each individual, some people like strong indicas, some people crave milder indicas and some don't smoke indica at all and stick to only sativa to help them through their day.