Endocannabinoidit

Endocannabinoidit is a nonstandard term that appears as a variant spelling of endocannabinoid or, in some contexts, of the endocannabinoid system. In its more widely accepted form, the endocannabinoid system is a endogenous signaling network that uses lipid-based messengers to regulate a broad range of physiological processes. The key components include endocannabinoids such as anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG); the receptors they activate, notably CB1 and CB2; and the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of these signaling molecules.

Endocannabinoids are produced on demand in post-synaptic neurons and often act as retrograde messengers, traveling back across the synapse to bind presynaptic CB1 receptors and modulate neurotransmitter release. CB1 receptors are abundant in the central nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors are primarily found in immune cells and peripheral tissues, with roles in inflammation and immune regulation. Some endocannabinoids also interact with other molecular targets, such as TRPV1, contributing to a broader signaling network.

Biosynthesis and breakdown involve several enzymes. NAPE-PLD and DAGL contribute to the production of AEA and 2-AG, respectively, while FAAH and MAGL primarily degrade these endocannabinoids, shaping signaling duration and intensity. The endocannabinoid system influences pain sensation, appetite and energy balance, mood and memory, neuroprotection, and immune responses. It is also modulated by exogenous cannabinoids from cannabis, including THC and CBD, which interact with CB1, CB2, and other targets.

The term endocannabinoidit is nonstandard and is most often encountered as a misspelling. The established concept remains the endocannabinoid system and its components and roles.