What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The word "endocannabinoid" (short for endogenous cannabinoids) is a split between "endo," which means "from within," and "cannabinoid," natural compounds that occur within cannabis plants.

So, endocannabinoids are the compounds our bodies produce to act as chemical messengers throughout the ECS.

The two most well-known endocannabinoids are:

Anadadamide gets its name from the Sanskrit word "ananda," which roughly translates to "internal bliss." This endocannabinoid primarily binds to the CB1 receptors, the same receptors that THC (such as Delta-8 and Delta-9) bind to. When this endocannabinoid binds to these receptors, it can have a calming effect. 

On the other hand, 2-AG is the most prevalent endocannabinoid in the brain. Like anandamide, this endocannabinoid can interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors but with higher efficacy. 

Endocannabinoids can serve a wide array of functions. For instance, many thought that the "runner's high" experienced by people engaged in physical activity came from endorphins. 

However, contemporary research shows that the true source of this feeling is the release of endocannabinoids. Plus, some immune cells can produce endocannabinoids to bind onto CB2 receptors to regulate inflammation and other immune responses. There are endocannabinoids besides AEA and 2-AG, such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), though AEA and 2-AG are the most well-known. 

So what are these CB1 and CB2 receptors? That's what we're going to cover in the next section. 

Now that we've covered endocannabinoids, the chemical messengers of the ECS, it's time to move on to the second half of the ECS—cannabinoid receptors. There are two primary cannabinoid receptors found throughout the human body, and they're known as CB1 Receptors and CB2 receptors. 

At this point, you can probably piece together the reason why cannabis can interact with the ECS. The ECS is a network of chemical messengers that bind and interact with two different types of receptors (CB1 and CB2). The reason why cannabis can interact with the ECS is because its compounds, cannabinoids, can also bind to or modulate the activity of cannabinoid receptors. 

For instance, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can bind to CB1 receptors because it has some molecular resemblance to anandamide (AEA). Essentially, your cannabinoid receptors are like a lock that works with one key, but because THC is very similar to the "key" that your body uses, it also works on the same receptor. 

Conversely, CBD has a partial affinity for binding with CB2 receptors and an even lower affinity for CB1 receptors. Interestingly enough, CBD can interact with other types of receptors in the human body outside of the ECS. For example, researchers have found that CBD interacts with the serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor. 

When doing your own research on the endocannabinoid system and cannabis, you may come across the term "phytocannabinoid." 

“Phytocannabinoid” simply refers to a cannabinoid that is found in cannabis plants as opposed to an endocannabinoid, which, as stated above, is produced in the bodies of mammals and other non-plant organisms. 

Most people will just say “cannabinoid” instead of “phytocannabinoid,” but researchers use more specific terminology to distinguish between the two types of compounds.

The effects (or even "side effects") that cannabis compounds have on the ECS are multi-faceted and can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the unique makeup of someone's endocannabinoid system, the types of cannabinoids consumed, and method of consumption.

 

For instance, there are many anecdotes about people who have consumed a 5mg gummy and felt overwhelmed, while others experience moderate effects or barely feel it at all. 

Then, there can be a variation of effects based on the medium. For example, as an edible, the effects of THC will be more acute and longer lasting, whereas inhalation will result in milder effects with a shorter duration. 

The types of cannabinoids consumed will also determine the overall effect on the ECS. For instance, CBD is viewed by many as having "passive effects," meaning it's not what you feel with CBD, but rather, what you don't feel with CBD. 

Variations of THC will also determine how cannabis affects the ECS.  Let's say we used 1mg Delta-9 THC as our baseline since that is the most prevalent form of the cannabinoid. Compared to Delta-9, THC-P will have a binding affinity to cannabinoid receptors with up to 33 times more activity (i.e., more potency). At the same time, Delta-8, on a milligram-to-milligram basis, will have a weaker binding affinity than Delta-9. 

In short, the ECS plays a role in many functions, such as mood, memory, learning, appetite, and temperature. When you consume cannabis, you are consuming plant compounds that directly affect this system. So, as an enthusiast, you can expect to experience effects pertaining to these functions, but remember that everyone's experience is a bit different. 

That pretty much sums up the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a system comprising endocannabinoids such as anandamide and 2-AG that act as chemical messengers linking to CB1 and CB2 receptors. Cannabis delivers its effects because cannabinoids can also bind or interact with these receptors. How cannabis interacts with this system can vary based on someone's individual ECS, the cannabinoids they consume, and how a person consumes cannabinoids. 

Until next time, happy exploring and Mind Your Mind.