Cannabinoid receptors are a crucial part of the endocannabinoid system, located throughout the body and they control a variety of physiological functions and processes like mood, sensations to pain, appetite, and memory. There are two subtypes of cannabinoid receptors and they are commonly known as the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
All cannabinoid receptors in the human body are activated by plant cannabinoids, of which CBD and THC are the major actors. Although cannabinoid receptions are present in both males and females, the mechanism of action differs from men to women. CB2 receptors are predominantly found within the cells of the immune system, but recent reports have confirmed the precense of CB2 receptors in the ovarian cortex, ovarian medulla, and ovarian follicles. The discovery also solidified previous speculations that THC and CBD exerts a strong impact on female reproductive processes. Chronic exposure to cannabinoids in females can delay sexual maturation, disrupt menstrual cycles and ovarian follicular maturation, and reduce serum concentrations of sex hormones.