Digging It…

January 23, 2025 by Angel Wings Wellness

YES! You Have An Endocannabinoid System!

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a recently discovered network within the human body. Scientists studying THC first identified the ECS in the 1990s. The system is named for cannabinoids. The prefix endo- means “within” or “inside.”

Think of it like your body’s air traffic controller. The ECS makes sure that important messages are delivered from the brain to cells and back again – with no traffic jams or detours.

The ECS includes neurotransmitters (chemical signals) and cannabinoid receptors in the brain and all over the body. Those receptors regulate immunity, sleep, mood, learning and memory, appetite and digestion, metabolism, bone and muscle formation, skin and nerve function and motor control. As you can imagine, the ECS plays a significant role in overall health.

How does the ECS work? Your body is always looking for balance, or homeostasis. The ECS helps with that goal, by increasing or decreasing the activity of different systems in the body as needed. The ECS exists (and is active) in your body even if you don’t consume cannabinoids – but those compounds stimulate your body’s receptors. That’s how they influence things like pain, inflammation, sleep, etc.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE ECS?

The ECS is made up of two types of cannabinoid receptors, internal neurotransmitters (endocannabinoids) and cannabinoid receptor proteins expressed throughout the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The ECS actively regulates functions involved in physiological and cognitive processes. It also contributes to homeostasis by modulating the immune, cardiovascular and reproductive systems.

The endocannabinoids of the ECS are AEA (the predominant player, also known as anandamide and N-arachidonoylethanolamine) and 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol), and the enzymes that break those endocannabinoids down are FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase) and MAG lipase (monoacylglycerol lipase).

The two types of cannabinoid receptors vary in both location and function:

CB1 Receptors: Found in the brain and central nervous system. These receptors manage the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and glutamate. When THC binds to CB1 receptors, it induces the high associated with cannabis by interrupting the release of neurotransmitters.

CB2 Receptors: Found in the peripheral nervous system, these receptors are most abundant in the immune system. They help regulate inflammation, cell survival and proliferation. Think of them as a switch that turns these intracellular processes off and on as needed. Binding to CB2 receptors does not cause any intoxication.

AngelWingsShop.com

Drop by Friday Saturday 11-4 and grab some free samples or get a free wellness consultation and find out how CBD can improve the quality of your life! Or call for an appointment….978-985-4592

YES! You Have An Endocannabinoid System!

Drop by Friday Saturday 11-4 and grab some free samples or get a free wellness consultation and find out how CBD can improve the quality of your life! Or call for an appointment….978-985-4592

We attended a recent O’Maley Shamrocks Ice Hockey game recently to keep an eye on a couple of our favorite eighth grade players. It happened to be the game at which the 8th graders were recognized …there are 14 of them I believe so the impact for the future of the high school teams is significant. The team performed very well and although the lighting stinks, here’s a bit of a photo dump. Both teams started in white jerseys so the Gloucester team put on red or black jerseys in order to play. This made it difficult for me to try to make sure I got most of the players hightlighted, so I apologize for anyone overlooked in the following selection.

They aren’t even on the shelves yet. Gotta ask to see them if you go downtown today or tomorrow. They’re in the back room!

I wasn’t going to release these til spring but if you’re reading this you’re among the insiders that will know to ask for first dibs! Just keep that between us, k?

Come join us for lunch this special weekend only for Gloucester So Salty and win Margarita Raffle Basket!

Receive your free raffle ticket when you arrive this Saturday & Sunday from 12:00pm – 5:00pm  

Gloucester So Salty Margarita Raffle Basket: Bottle Tequila Arette Blanco 

32 oz Home-made Sour-mix 

Limes and of course SALT!

Machaca

Tacos & Tequila

14 Rogers St

Gloucester, MA

$49.20 for two Italian subs sounds crazy right?

In an age where every corporate company is shrinking portions, you gotta respect New Deal staying true to its traditions and not shrinking its portions in the face of the huge increase in the ingredients used.

They know they make elite subs and they know their portions are huge and they’re not afraid to charge for excellence.

Do I think New Deal is the best metro Boston Italian Deli? I’d say my favorites in the Boston area go-

1)Durum

2)New Deal

3)Bob’s

4)J Pace

(These are Metro Boston, not Cape Ann)

I saw my first Gloucester’s So Salty ice sculpture in front of Oak to Ember on Rogers St! Join the fun tomorrow Saturday Jan 25 and Sunday Jan 26. Activities, special deals and family fun in the downtown area. Don’t miss out.

Hoopla…

Those interested in publishing their book and other writing projects are invited to a brief introduction to Business of Writing.

As most authors know, writing your book or essay is just the beginning of the road to publication and promotion/marketing. Cape Ann’s Business of Writing members have been meeting monthly for several years for the purpose of staying informed about all aspects of publishing and book marketing and promotion. The group discusses everything from creating a book proposal to planning your book launch, to the formatting and cover design of your indie book. This group is made up of both indie and traditionally published authors. All of those with books or essays well in progress are welcome to attend or become involved.

BOW usually meets monthly via Zoom. We plan to hold a few of these 2025 meetings at the Rockport Public Library on Mondays: March 10, June 9, and Dec. 8.  On Monday, Jan. 7, we invite those interested to learn a bit about what we do. We’d like to hear about you, too. Tell us about your writing projects and your interests. 

Rae Padilla Francoeur, the BOW founder, is a journalist and author who’s managed a variety of newspapers and magazines, and served as Creative Services Director at PEM and Editorial Manager at the MFA. She also started Literary Cape Ann and works with a committed team to present free, exciting literary events on Cape Ann.

Co-sponsored by Literary Cape Ann.

For more information contact Osha Rose at orose@rockportlibrary.org

David Caiati and Lenny Manzo. Members of the Business of Writing group at Literary Cape Ann’s annual Holiday Book Fair at Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant in Rockport. On display are some of their books.

Beginning this weekend we’ll be open on both Saturday and Sunday from 8-11 am (or sell out!) at 1 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport.

– The Team at Salty’s 🥯🥯🥯

Sun and snow around town following this week’s snowfall.

January 23, 2025 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

Calling all tweens and teens—it’s your time to shine! Join the Sawyer Free Library at the Cape Ann YMCA on Wednesday, January 29, from 4:00 to 5:30 pm for an afternoon of snacks, mini-games, and friendly competition. We’ll test your skills and smarts, and you could walk away with prizes—so be sure to bring your A-game and a friend! No registration is required, and all materials will be provided. This event is open to anyone in grades 6–12 (ages 11–19). For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500. Don’t let the winter blues slow you down—come get active, have fun, and win big!

Minute to Win It: Sawyer Free Library Edition at Cape Ann YMCA on Wed, Jan. 1/29

Link to purchase here

We have these available at 44 Main St while the last (they’ve been selling fast) so my suggestion is to buy it here to make sure you have your gifts for your loved ones!