The human body is truly a miraculous feat. It comes packed with an endless amount of features. Each of these features carry their own set of unique traits, and implications for the rest of the body. One of the most interesting of these are our receptors! And there are so many to choose from!
The receptors in our body can be broken down into four general categories. These are in reference to the types of stimulus that incite a reaction from the receptors. There are chemoreceptors, Thermoreceptors, Mechanoreceptors, and Photoreceptors. Read on below to learn more about these, and why GPCRs are some of the most popular in this area!
Types Of Receptors
As stated, there are a few different kinds of receptors that the body harbors. Each have their own unique set of traits that are quite interesting to explore! For example, as the name implies, Thermoreceptors react to fluctuations of temperature.
Mechanoreceptors, on the other hand, react to environmental changes, i.e., motion. Photoreceptors are incited when light impacts sight. Last but not least, there’s chemoreceptors. These refer to when chemicals are introduced to the body. With that said, let’s take a look at what Riley says is the most intriguing receptor in cannabis.
Riley’s Favorite Receptor
Of all of the receptors relative to cannabis, Riley places on one in particular. These are called GPCRs. Why are they so high on her list? The answer is simple, really. As Riley puts it, it’s “because they make so much sense!”
A GPCR is a “7TM receptor”. The TM refers to its classification as a transmembrane receptor. That means that it’s a “protein that spans the plasma membrane of a cell. The extracellular domain of the protein [has] the ability to bind to a ligand.” So how does this apply to cannabis?
How GCPRs Work
Remember that 7 before the transmembrane classification? This is by no means a coincidence. After the ligand binds, the GPCR travels through the membrane a total of seven times. This “is an odd number, so that the ligand binds to the outside of the cell, but then causes a change on the inside of the cell.”
This process leads to the kind of activation we’re looking for. “That change is going to cause the GDP associated with the G protein to leave. GTP is going to come along, and then a cascade of second messengers will take it from there.” Confused yet? It’s okay! That’s what AV8 and Riley are here for! To guide you through your cannabis journey, with the goal being to keep you as informed as possible!
Hemp & Arbor Vita 8
GPCRs are one of countless aspects of cannabis. Hemp in particular is one of the most versatile products of the revered plant. Do you have any further questions? Are you a farmer, processor, etc., interested in breaking into the industry, but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place!
Arbor Vita 8 is your seed to sale hemp partner. Our network of partners can help you with just about any aspect of the space. Reach out to us today to get the conversation started!
Clip Transcript
Riley Dee:
Okay. I’m biased, I’ll admit it. GPCRs are my favorite kind of receptor, because they make so much sense. And I’m going to explain why. So another word to describe a GPCR is a seven trans membrane receptor, or seven TM receptor. And if you look at the lock in this picture, that is where the ligand’s going to bind. But then the receptor goes through the membrane seven times. That is not a random number. It is an odd number, so that the ligand binds to the outside of the cell, but then causes a change on the inside of the cell.
So if we’re looking at CB1 receptor and our ligand is THC, it’ll bind, unlock that lock, and then the receptor will literally change confirmations, meaning it’s activated. That change is going to cause the GDP associated with the G protein to leave. GTP is going to come along, and then a cascade of second messengers will take it from there. It’s absolutely incredible.
