The endocannabinoid system (ECS) was discovered in 1992 by Lumir Hanus, a Czech scientist working in Israel to study the effects of cannabis on the brain. He identified a neurotransmitter he called anandamide, a molecule with a similar structure to the cannabinoids he was studying in the cannabis sativa plant. 

His breakthrough began our understanding of a natural and complex part of our bodies that has been named the endocannabinoid system after the cannabis plant, and which is integral to the internal biology of each and every mammal on the planet.

We don’t yet know everything about how the ECS works. But a growing body of scientific studies has revealed that endogenous cannabinoids, tiny lipid (fat) molecules, help control how our bodies communicate internally, mirroring the role cannabinoids, another set of naturally occurring compounds, function in the Cannabis sativa plant.

The cannabinoid-like compounds we produce play a key role in regulating a wide range of biological functions, from our mood and sleep to our motor control and memory. A range of medicinal cannabis treatments has demonstrated beneficial health effects for people.

But to understand how cannabis interacts with our body, we first need to delve into the workings of the ECS and explore the complex biological interactions it facilitates within us.

Your cell signalling network

The endocannabinoid system is made up of three key parts - receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes.

Receptors: These are located on the surface of our cells all over the body, from our brain to each of our major organs. Cannabinoid receptors are the most common type of receptor found in the brain and act as a type of neurotransmitter. They are particularly abundant in areas that have been identified as influencing key brain functions, such as cognition, memory and emotional regulation.

Two types of cannabinoid receptors have been discovered so far - CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptors are mainly found on nerve cells in our brain and spinal cord, but have also been identified in white blood cells, the spleen, endocrine gland and other secondary organs and tissues.

CB2 receptors can be found on white blood cells, in the spleen, tonsils and thymus gland. CB2 is known as a “peripheral” receptor because they mainly exist in our immune tissues and is thought to play a key role in regulating inflammation.

Endocannabinoids: These are natural molecules that exist in our bodies. They are present in fat molecules in the membranes of our cells. But they are only unlocked or released when our receptors are activated. Cannabinoids can also be drawn on by the body in a similar way, but because they come from plants, they become present in the body when we ingest cannabis, which is metabolised by the body. 

The release of endocannabinoids has been found to share some of the effects of the principal psychoactive component in cannabis, THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. But while THC can get you high, the version produced in the body, anandamide, doesn’t have the same heady effect but does have a calming effect on the body, perfect for deploying in times of stress. 

Enzymes: These also occur naturally in the body and play a crucial role in synthesising and degrading endocannabinoids. They effectively help us produce and then reduce the presence of these models based on the needs of the body. 

A body in balance

The point of all this complex biochemistry going on inside of us is to help achieve Homeostasis or a state of balance. We are constantly undergoing biological change and our bodies are impacted by stress, injury, disease, and lack of sustenance and sleep.

Our bodies have evolved an ingenious system to monitor our condition in real-time, sort of like how our car dashboard lets us keep tabs on the temperature of the motor, the fuel level and oil pressure.

For us, the endocannabinoid system is monitoring key vitals such as blood pressure, hormone and oxygen levels. If it finds something is out of balance, it can signal our cells to produce endocannabinoids to try and sort the problem out. The endocannabinoids are deployed at a localised level for a specific biological purpose. Once they have done their work, the enzymes break them down again so they don’t interfere with other biological functions.

Balance is (hopefully) restored and the endocannabinoid system goes back to fulfilling its monitoring function. 

Why mess with it?

So if the endocannabinoid system is such an important part of our biology and finely tuned to keeping things in order, why would we look to supplement it or interfere with it in any way?

Well, the efficiency of the endocannabinoid system varies from person to person. Some people suffer from a medical condition called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CEDC) which means that insufficient endocannabinoids are produced to keep the body in balance. 

Scientists suggest this deficiency could be at least partly to blame for conditions like anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.

A number of genetic and environmental factors could be behind CEDC. A major disease like cancer could throw the ECS system out of whack, or someone suffering from burnout or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may struggle to produce enough endocannabinoids.

Experts say you may be able to “upregulate” your endocannabinoid system by having a healthy diet, exercising and reducing stress in your life. But a large evidence base also suggests that supplements made from phytocannabinoids, which are found in plants in the form of THC and Cannabidiol (CBD), can also serve to boost the ECS, aiding the body’s efforts to repair itself.

In the next article, we will look at the impact these phytocannabinoids have on the body and the efforts underway around the world to bring medical treatments to market to help people suffering from a variety of ailments.

Sources:

New Zealand’s medical cannabis scheme.
Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System
The CB2 receptor and its role as a regulator of inflammation