Figure 2. A schematic representation of the endocannabinoid system.

Endocannabinoids such as anadamide and 2-AG, synthesized locally by neighboring cells, can bind to cell surface cannabinoid receptors including CB1 and CB2, initiating intracellular signaling cascades (I). The availability of endocannabinoids is regulated at the level fo synthesis and degradation. Endocannabinoids can diffuse throught the cell membrane (II) or can be transported inside the cell by putative transporter proteins (III), where they are hydrolyzed (IV). FAAH is the primary enzyme that degrades anandamide, while MGL hydrolyzes 2-AG.