Presentation Type
Poster
Department
Dietetics
Location
Walker Conference Center B
Description
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system that was identified in 1988, the ECS is the largest receptor system and regulator of homeostasis. Endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids, are naturally occurring, lipid-based neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the body that send signals between nerve cells. The ECS system regulates and controls many of our most critical bodily functions such as learning, memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, inflammatory immune responses, and appetite. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most known phytocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids are plant byproducts that closely mimic cannabinoids and have adverse effects on the body. Endogenous cannabinoids better known as endocannabinoids are lipids that engage cannabinoid receptors. An important feature of these endocannabinoids is that their precursors are present in lipid membranes. Upon demand, endocannabinoids are liberated in one or two rapid enzymatic steps and released into the extracellular space. This contrasts with classical neurotransmitters that are synthesized ahead of time and stored in synaptic vesicles. Vesicles are essential for propagating nerve impulses between neurons and are constantly recreated by the cell. The ECS has been recently recognized as an important modulatory system in the function of brain, endocrine, and immune tissues. It appears to play a very important regulatory role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions and response to stress. The endocannabinoid system regulates not only the central and peripheral mechanisms of food intake, but also lipids synthesis and turnover in the liver and adipose tissue as well as glucose metabolism in muscle cells. This system also controls energy homeostasis and influences many things such as function of food intake, centers of the central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract activity, therefore there is an increased need for further research.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
University Students' Understanding of the Endocannabinoid System and its Relevance to Nutrition
Walker Conference Center B
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system that was identified in 1988, the ECS is the largest receptor system and regulator of homeostasis. Endogenous cannabinoids, or endocannabinoids, are naturally occurring, lipid-based neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the body that send signals between nerve cells. The ECS system regulates and controls many of our most critical bodily functions such as learning, memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, inflammatory immune responses, and appetite. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most known phytocannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids are plant byproducts that closely mimic cannabinoids and have adverse effects on the body. Endogenous cannabinoids better known as endocannabinoids are lipids that engage cannabinoid receptors. An important feature of these endocannabinoids is that their precursors are present in lipid membranes. Upon demand, endocannabinoids are liberated in one or two rapid enzymatic steps and released into the extracellular space. This contrasts with classical neurotransmitters that are synthesized ahead of time and stored in synaptic vesicles. Vesicles are essential for propagating nerve impulses between neurons and are constantly recreated by the cell. The ECS has been recently recognized as an important modulatory system in the function of brain, endocrine, and immune tissues. It appears to play a very important regulatory role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions and response to stress. The endocannabinoid system regulates not only the central and peripheral mechanisms of food intake, but also lipids synthesis and turnover in the liver and adipose tissue as well as glucose metabolism in muscle cells. This system also controls energy homeostasis and influences many things such as function of food intake, centers of the central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract activity, therefore there is an increased need for further research.
Comments
This poster was presented as part of the Dietetics Research course taught by Dr. Detri Brech.