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Endocannabinoids are chemicals called neurotransmitters that are released by the Axons of brain cells. Dendrites have Cannabinoid receptors, called CB-1 Receptors, that receive the Endocannabinoids. Endocannibinoids are essentially Cannabis produced by the body, as opposed to the Cannabis inhaled from smoking marijuana.
A combined study conducted by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism, MIT, Stanford University, University of California in Sand Diego and The Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, in Portugal made some interesting discoveries about Endocannabinoids:
- An increase in Endocannabinoids decreases activity in the Orbito Frontal Cortex (OFC), a brain region known to participate in goal-directed behavior and habit formation. Decreased levels of activity in the OFC are critical to the pursuit of goals and habit formation. When the OFC is overactive, the pursuit of goals and habit formation are virtually impossible. So, Endocannabinoids act to calm down the OFC, which then enables you to stick to goals and form new habits.
- Endocannabinoid production increases whenever you sweat. Any form of exercise, therefore, especially aerobic exercise, boosts Endocannabinoid production. So, exercise helps keep you focused on your goals and enables you to forge new habits.
- Increased Endocannabinoid production also increases Neurogenesis (production of new brain cells), bone density and improves motor skills.
