Understanding How Cannabinoids Interact With Your Body

If you’re a cannabis user, you rely on the cannabinoid receptors in your body to get the full effect of your products. Without them, the cannabinoids in your body would have little to no effect. As more and more people turn to legal cannabis products to address their health concerns and an increasing number of states pass recreational cannabis laws, understanding these receptors becomes more important. An informed cannabis user is better able to manage the use of their products to achieve the results they desire.

Active Cannabis Compounds

Before they get to your receptors, cannabinoids are found in all varieties of the cannabis plant in various concentrations. While the two best known currently are THC and CBD, there are well over 100 of these active compounds, each with a distinct chemical make-up that reacts with your body in different ways. These cannabinoids are joined by aromatic compounds called terpenes, which provide some of the distinctive cannabis odor as well as strain-specific effects. In addition, your body creates similar active compounds, called endocannabinoids, that bond to the same receptors as cannabinoids.

The Endocannabinoid System

Cannabinoids in the body bond to either CB1 or CB2 receptors, the only currently known receptor subtypes. These receptors are found throughout the body and play an important regulatory role in your body’s systemic functions. While these two receptor subtypes share some similarities, they are different enough that some cannabinoids will only bond with CB1 receptors, some with CB2 receptors, and some bond with both cannabinoids receptors at varying degrees.

• CB1 - CB1 receptors play an important part in regulating mood and brain activity among other functions.
• CB2 - CB2 receptors are known to play a role in regulating the peripheral nervous system and the perception of pain.

Cannabinoids in the Body

As cannabinoids bond to receptors, those receptors release neurotransmitters that communicate with your body’s other systems. When these chemical compounds reach their respective receptor sites, they cause changes to that system, whether it be a chemical release of certain hormones or an electrical signal (or inhibition of an electrical signal) through your nervous system. Depending on the cannabinoids, this can result in easing of pain, a calmer demeanor, or a number of other physiological changes.

As these cannabinoids break down, they leave behind metabolites. Some of these metabolites have effects on cannabinoids receptors in their own right, such as CBN, one of the metabolites of THC. As these compounds break down, some are stored in the body’s fat deposits, while others are filtered out by the kidneys. Likewise, when fat storing these cannabinoids break down, they are also removed by the kidneys and passed to the bladder for excretion.

Improving Cannabinoid Elimination

There are several reasons why some people choose to support their body’s natural process for removing cannabinoid metabolites from their system. While cannabis is considered legal under some jurisdiction or in some forms, employers, educational systems, courts, and competitive organizations may still screen for its use. Some people prefer to detox for their own health reasons or to help them remove cannabinoids or metabolites that are having an undesired effect. Whatever the reason, you can improve your body’s cannabis elimination naturally.

Green Gone Detox is a pharmacist created and approved formula of 5 key ingredients that helps your body detox in less time. Use our handy detox calculator to determine whether a 2-Day, 5-Day, or 10-Day kit is the right choice for your level of cannabis usage. We even include test strips to help you gauge whether or not you’re likely to be successful in passing a standard drug screening. Order your detox kit from Green Gone Detox today.