Acupuncture and the Endocannabinoid System
What is the endocannabinoid system?
The endocannabinoid system, ECS, is a complex nerve signaling biological system that is found in almost every class of animal except insects. This system is just as important as the cardiovascular or the lymphatic system, however, it is not widely spoken about and mentioned sparingly in medical textbooks.
The endocannabinoid system regulates such diverse functions as memory, digestion, motor function, immune response, inflammation, appetites, pain, blood pressure, bone growth, and the protection of neural tissues, among others.[1] This is accomplished by endogenous cannabinoids that the body produces naturally that bind to receptors. The ECS can be stimulated by exercise, meditation, acupuncture, and of course with cannabis.
What are cannabinoids?
Humans and all other animals except insects produce endocannabinoids naturally. Anandamide & 2-AG are the two most researched endogenous cannabinoids but there has been a total of five that have been documented to date, but they are less commonly researched. Anandamide is commonly referred to as the ‘brains cannabis’ and is released during times of relaxation, meditation, acupuncture, human connection, and exercise. Endogenous cannabinoids can pass through the blood brain barrier unlike endorphins causing the “runners high” that is associated with exercise.
These endogenous cannabinoids will bind to g-protein couple receptors, an integral membrane protein known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors will convert extracellular signals into intracellular responses. Many pharmaceutical companies will target this class of receptors as there are over 800 known types of G-protein coupled receptors. CB1 & CB2 receptors are found throughout the body and endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids will partially bind to these receptors for a biological response. These receptors can also be activated by other senses with smell being the most powerful.
THC and CBD are the most known exogenous cannabinoids and are associated with the cannabis plant. There are many more left to be utilized and further studied in the commercial cannabis industry. There are many different other cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis bud that enhance the entourage effect and provide a different health benefit.
What are terpenes?
Terpenes are found in the cannabis plant while providing the different aromas and can affect how a person feels when they consume different strains of cannabis. Limonene will have the scent of lemons and other citrusy fruits while having an uplifting effect. Myrcene is a terpene that has an aroma that is described as musky and found in hops, lemongrass, and thyme. This terpene will have a sedating effect and is the most found terpene in traditional flowers found on the market today.
What is the entourage effect?
The entourage effect takes into consideration the amount of cannabinoid and terpenes found within each strain of cannabis and how they will interact with the endocannabinoid system. Each strain will have a different amount of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds that will interact with each person’s ECS differently. Keeping an accurate log of this information will show how each cannabinoid or terpene works with your specific ECS and for your cannabis goals. Dr. Goldstein writes in her book Cannabis Revealed that THC, CBD, myrcene, & beta-caryophyllene when used together should provide pain relief.[2] There are many other known synergistic effects, but they will all be specific to individual endocannabinoid systems.
The endocannabinoid system and the nervous system
The endocannabinoid system will work closely with the nervous system as the endogenous cannabinoids will function in both the pre and post synapses in retrograde signaling. This means that anandamide can travel back and forth across these synapses. There are CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout the body in the immune system, liver, and bone marrow with CB1 being located more in the central nervous system and CB2 in the peripheral. CB1 receptors are in areas of the brain that controls and respond to the perception of pain. This is a large reason why pain management can be achieved with cannabis. “Indeed, the CB1R and the endocannabinoid system are largely involved in various aspects of central neural activities and disorders, including appetite, learning and memory, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, neurodegeneration, epilepsy, and addiction”.[3] The connections between the endocannabinoid system and the nervous system needs to be more heavily studied for its connection to diseases that affect both systems.
How does acupuncture affect the endocannabinoid system?
Acupuncture and cannabis both stimulate the endocannabinoid system. As Acupuncturists, we see people get off the table and they are relaxed, calm, and in a healing state. This is indicating that this was a successful and restful treatment for the patient and is commonly referred to as ‘the acu-high’. Anybody who has experienced acupuncture will remember this sensation as it stimulates the endocannabinoid system and releases endogenous cannabinoids into the vasculature system, then binds with receptors. The exact mechanism of action for acupuncture and the endocannabinoid system has yet to be fully understood, however, “It appears that the cannabinoid pathway mediates the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture, via the CB1 and CB2 receptors, respectively”.[4]
About the Author
Dr. Amanda Thompson is a licensed acupuncturist & certified in medical cannabis to utilize both ancient medicines and use them to heal the health concerns of today. She is the founder of Partners In Cannabis, LLC, a cannabis consulting firm that will take all the guesswork out of cannabis. Whether you want to use cannabis for medical or recreational uses, PIC will meet you where you are on your cannabis journey and answer all the confusing questions that surround this ever growing industry. Partners In Cannabis will provide a customized cannabis profile and a cannabis logbook to track your cannabis journey based on your previous medical diagnosis and your goals with cannabis.
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References
[1] Backes M, Weil A, McCue JD. Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana. New York, NY: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers; 2017.
[2] Goldstein B. Cannabis Revealed: How the World's Most Misunderstood Plant Is Healing Everything from Chronic Pain to Epilepsy. 1st ed. Columbia, SC: Bonni Goldstein; 2016.
[3] Zou S, Kumar U. Cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system: Signaling and function in the central nervous system. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/3/833/htm. Published March 13, 2018. Accessed January 20, 2022.
[4] MacDonald IJ, Chen Y-H. The endocannabinoid system contributes to electroacupuncture analgesia. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.594219/full. Published February 18, 2021. Accessed January 23, 2022.
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