Endocannabinoids in our body interact with specific parts of our cells called endocannabinoid receptors. These receptors are found on different types of cells in our body and can cause different reactions when activated. Scientists have studied two of these receptors of importance for the effects of endocannabinoids.

• Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) Receptors: They are primarily found in the central nervous system, especially in neurons or nerve cells in the brain. THC and anandamide also bind with these receptors.

• Cannabinoid 2 (CB2) Receptors: Found in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells. They are like tiny keyholes unlocked by molecules called 2-AG. The CB2 receptors can help reduce inflammation and other immune responses.

Endocannabinoids are natural chemicals our bodies make, similar to those found in cannabis plants. Our body produces endocannabinoids when required rather than in advance. The nervous system uses these chemicals to communicate with different body parts.

Your body can produce these chemicals because they come from fats – everyone has an active ECS system. Dr. Larian outlines the role of an endocannabinoid in regulating nervous impulses: “When these nerves feel that the previous nerve is firing too hard… the extra input sends an endocannabinoid. This extra chemical… …goes backward and tells the nerve, ‘Calm down. You’re working too hard. Go back to your baseline and restart.’”

Scientists have extensively researched two significant types of endocannabinoids: 

• The messenger or "bliss" molecule: Arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide or AEA)
• 2-AG: 2-arachidonoyl glycerol enhances the function of CB1 receptors and is the primary natural molecule that can bind to CB2 receptors.

Enzymes are natural substances our bodies produce to create and break down certain chemicals. For example, when a cell needs to send a message, endocannabinoids are made by breaking down fats with the help of enzymes. After the endocannabinoids do their job, they are removed from the cells by a particular protein and broken down further by other enzymes. Regarding endocannabinoids, two types of enzymes help break them down so they don't stay in our body for too long: 

• Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH): findings suggest that FAAH has a natural ability to break down anandamide and 2-AG.
• Monoacylglycerol acid lipase (MAG-L): Once the 2-AG molecule has completed its function, it is taken back into the cells and broken down by an enzyme called MAGL. The body uses the broken-down product to produce other compounds.

Understanding how these enzymes work could help create new treatments for diseases like addiction.