What is the Endocannabinoid System?

Over the last few decades the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has emerged as potentially one of the most important physiologic systems in the human body. The ECS was first discovered in the 1980s, 40 years after THC was first isolated from Cannabis resin and 20 years after the synthesizing of THC. It was named the endocannabinoid system due to the Cannabis plant’s role in its discovery. Endocannabinoids (endogenous cannabinoids) are cannabinoids naturally produced by humans and other species. They are made on demand in cell membranes to act as neurotransmitters and activate endocannabinoid receptors. Unlike many other neurotransmitters, endocannabinoids are involved in many different neurodegenerative diseases. It is also important to note that Cannabis is the only plant which contains phytocannabinoids that are similar to the endocannabinoids in humans. The ECS exists in all animals except for insects, and regulates and controls many of our most critical bodily functions such as memory, hunger, pain, sleeping, and emotional processing. While the ECS has different tasks in each tissue of the body, homeostasis is the primary goal regardless. Despite the importance of the ECS and due to prohibition of Cannabis existing in most countries, there is limited knowledge of these systems and the long term effects that THC will have on our bodies. That is why the ECS is currently at the center of drug development and international research. 

The ECS consists of a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors that are densely packed throughout our brains and bodies. These endocannabinoid receptors are stimulated by cannabinoids such as the main psychoactive compound in Cannabis - THC. As it stands now, 38 states including Washington D.C now have medical marijuana programs - allowing the widespread consumption of THC. Users that consume THC will experience a ‘high’ due its psychoactive properties as well as other side effects such as the ‘munchies’ or ‘cottonmouth’. There are two officially recognized types of endocannabinoid receptors - CB1 and CB2. CB1, which is larger than CB2, is found mainly in the neurons of the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nervous system. CB1 receptors can also be found abundantly at the Basal Ganglia (controls movement), Nucleus Accumbens (reward/pleasure center of the brain), central gray area (pain suppression) , and the solitary tract in the brainstem (controls nausea and vomiting). CB1 Receptors found at these locations can help explain the role in which cannabinoids play in appetite, memory, movement, as well as control of nausea. This also means the psychoactive ‘high’ from cannabis is likely caused from THC stimulating CB1 receptors in the nucleus accumbens to stimulate the release of dopamine and ‘munchies’ are the receptors being stimulated in the hypothalamus. Due to the abundance of CB1 receptors throughout the nervous system, Cannabis can have significant effects on neurological function. While these receptors are present in parts of the brainstem, they are nearly absent from the lower brainstem. The lower brainstem controls vital organ functions such as breathing and heart rate, so this is a significant reason as to why THC is not a lethal substance.

Despite the lack of federally funded research, Cannabis has been considered very helpful in treating neurological conditions such as PTSD, schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, ADHD, alzheimers, Huntington's disease, Tourette syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, anorexia, and multiple sclerosis. It has also been used for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its potential use in treating cancer and chemotherapy induced nausea. CBD, one of the main non-psychoactive compounds in cannabis can help treat seizures, reduce anxiety and paranoia, and can counteract the "high" caused by THC. The vast medical and therapeutic potential of these compounds show a bright future for Cannabis. But, there is still limited research and not enough high quality clinical trials conducted to arrive at definitive conclusions. This further demonstrates the need for more randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Many researchers still believe in the potential for endocannabinoids to play a role in cancer regulation processes, although research has been concluded that there is insufficient evidence to show that cannabinoids are an effective treatment for cancers. There is, however, more than sufficient evidence to conclude that oral cannabinoids are effective antiemetics in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Cannabis also interacts with a large number of cannabinoid receptors found in the gastrointestinal tract, which is likely why it has been used for thousands of years across history for various different gastrointestinal disorders. Cannabis is undoubtedly still a very divisive issue in today's society, and while cannabis can work wonders on many different neurological or painful conditions there is clearly still a need for further conclusive research to be done to assess long term health risks for future generations.