![]() In general, a given receptor will accept only particular classes of compounds and will be unaffected by other compounds, just as a specific key is needed to open a lock. The ECS is a biochemical control system of neuromodulator lipids (molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols and fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E and K and others) and specialized receptors configured to accept certain cannabinoids. The most talked-about and researched cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for its psychoactive properties (“high feeling”) and cannabidiol (CBD) for its healing properties.Ĭannabinoids can be administered by smoking, vaporizing, oral ingestion, transdermal patch, sublingual absorption, or rectal suppository.Īn Endogenous Cannabinoid System (ECS), commonly referred to as an “Endocannabinoid System,” is found in every animal and regulates a broad range of biological functions. Most are closely related or differ by only a single chemical part. Over 100 phytocannabinoids have been identified in the cannabis plant, many of which have documented medicinal value. When a cannabinoid causes a receptor to act in the same way as it would to a naturally occurring hormone or neurotransmitter, then it is labeled “agonist.” On the other hand, if the cannabinoid prevents the receptor from binding to the naturally occurring compound, thereby causing the resulting event (e.g., pain, appetite, alertness) to be altered or diminished, it is labeled “antagonist.” Research is mounting to better understand how specific cannabinoids can unlock (or lock in some cases) specific receptors. The chemical stability of cannabinoids in harvested plant material is affected by moisture, temperature, light and storage, but will degrade over time in any storage conditions. The amount of resin produced, and its cannabinoid content varies by plant gender, growing conditions and harvesting time. Phytocannabinoids and terpenes are manufactured in resin glands (trichomes) present on the flowers and main fan leaves of late-stage cannabis plants. In addition to endocannabinoids, scientists have now identified cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant (phytocannabinoids) that work to mimic or counteract the effects of some endocannabinoids. Today, it is thought that about 200+ related substances exist, which resemble the endocannabinoids and complement their function in what has been termed the “entourage effect.” Several endocannabinoids not only bind to cannabinoid receptors, but also to a possible CB3 receptor (the GPR55 receptor), to vanilloid receptors and further receptors. So far, these two endocannabinoids have been studied the most. A second endocannabinoid was discovered in 1995, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). This substance, known as Anandamide (AEA), comes from the Sanskrit word “Ananda” for bliss and amide, due to its chemical structure. In 1992, researchers detected an endogenous substance that binds to cannabinoid receptors for the first time. The human body possesses specific binding sites (“locks”) on the surface of many cell types, and our body produces several endocannabinoids (“keys”) that bind to these cannabinoid receptors (CB) to activate or “unlock” them. The “key and lock” metaphor is often used to describe this process. ![]() However, we have shown here that these regions share more commonalities than differences, and that there is significant scope for joint research and collaboration in the search for pathways to sustainable urban futures.Cannabinoids are a diverse set of chemical compounds that bind to special receptors in the human body which make up what is known as The Endocannabinoid System (ECS). ![]() Today, there is no doubt that these two major world regions stand at very different stages of development and ‘urbanisation’ – an expression which we use to refer to a condition (the share of total population in cities), a planning process and a social process (whereby societies become more urban). Given the nature and objectives of WP4, we have sought to compare trends and challenges in China and in Europe, and identify policy implications that will inform the second part of the WP (support mechanisms for decision-‐making: indicators, paradigm shifts and scenarios). This first deliverable for WP4: Infrastructure and services for sustainable urbanization: trends and policy support mechanisms, has allowed us to review the state of the art for the WP core themes, drawing on a combination of scholarly and policy literature. ![]()
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