The role of the endogenous cannabinoid system (known as either the endocannabinoid system or ECS), is so vital in establishing and maintaining human health that one would have thought that its discovery more than three decades ago (1992) would have been major global news. Unfortunately, that was not the case – so if you have only just found out you have an ECS, don’t worry. You’re not alone! Far from it.

Of course, the news that scientists have discovered a new physiologic system was probably not announced because of the almost global ban on cannabis back in 1992, as well as the ongoing War on Drugs, in which cannabis was playing to leading star. Nevertheless, the discovery of the ECS changed everything and continues to do so because it is the main reason that cannabis reform is taking place on a grand scale. After having been demonised for decades, most people know that cannabis is not the nasty little bastard we’ve been led to believe. And the existence of the ECS proves beyond any doubt that cannabis is medicine.

The endocannabinoid system, which is present in all mammals, is not only the largest physiologic system in our bodies, but it is also in charge of all the other systems. It is responsible for establishing and maintaining our health and well-being and, as such, is a regulatory system that can go out of balance. It is made up with receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes. At present, scientists have found two receptors (CB1 and CB2), which act like docking stations, but they are expecting to find more. Endocannabinoids are chemicals that our bodies make naturally, while enzymes both make and break down our endocannabinoids. It is a ‘critically important system, as important as the endocrine system (our hormone system), the endorphin system (which makes our ‘feel-good chemicals’), and all the other major body systems we rely on to function normally. In fact, the endocannabinoid system may end up being the most important system for maintaining health and wellness and avoiding major disease.

Scientists named this new system the endocannabinoid system after the plant that led to its discovery – cannabis – because the plant interacts with the system and because our bodies naturally create substances very similar to those in the cannabis plant. ‘Endo’ is short for ‘endogenous,’ which means something that is made naturally in our bodies, and cannabinoids are substances such as THC and CBD that are found in cannabis. So ‘endocannabinoid’ simple means or describes a system that naturally produces cannabis-like chemicals in our bodies, and this system does this without using cannabis. However, when cannabis is introduced into the body – especially in non-smoking forms such as tinctures and extracts – healing and relief occurs.

Understanding Homeostasis – The Role Of our ECS

Homeostasis simply refers to the body’s overall balance of health –  body and mind. It is the job of the ECS to keep your internal environment stable and in an optimal state of health, despite your external experiences, and, as such, is responsible for overseeing many different tasks simultaneously. It works continuously to ensure (for example) that your body temperature is correct, your blood pressure is not too high, your heart is beating at the correct tempo, and so forth. So when your body needs something (e.g. food), your ECS makes you feel hungry or reminds you to eat by making your stomach growl. The multifaceted role of the system can be summed up by grouping the tasks as  ‘Eat, Sleep, Relax, Protect, Forget’ and, as such, plays a significant role in almost every aspect of our health and well-being.

Although research remains in its infancy and much more work is needed to determine exactly how the ECS works, as well as its many implications in health, scientists have shown that the ECS plays an important role in: appetite and digestion; metabolism; chronic pain; inflammation and other immune system responses; sleep; motor control; learning and memory; mood; skin and nerve function; stress; liver function; bone remodelling and growth; and muscle formation. All of these functions contribute to what is called ‘homeostasis,’ which refers to the stability or balance of a person’s internal environment – our overall wellbeing. When a person experiences pain or fever, for example, the homeostasis becomes unbalanced, and so the ECS starts a process that enables the body to regain its well-being. Today, scientists believe that maintaining homeostasis is the primary role of the ECS.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids (such as CBD) interact with the body’s ECS by binding to the receptors discussed previously. However, THC, unlike other cannabinoids (including CBD), is able to bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, meaning that THC (note CBD) is the principle healer. However, and as the ‘entourage effect’ demonstrates, all of the plant’s substances have healing qualities. It is this ability that gives cannabis its incredible ability to treat so many different health conditions and diseases. It is NOT that cannabis is a ‘miracle cure,’ but that it partners with the ECS – the system that is bigger and IN CONTROL of ALL our other body systems, and which works to maintain our health . They really did choose to demonise the wrong plant, didn’t they!