The Endocannabinoid System 

Some of us consume cannabis for its mind-altering effects, while others seek symptom relief. But cannabis wouldn’t get us high or have some of its therapeutic benefits if our bodies didn’t already contain a biological system capable of interacting with its active chemical compounds, like THC.

Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) does just that. But it isn’t there just to allow us to enjoy the effects of our favorite strain - it serves a vital purpose for our health and well-being because it regulates key aspects of our biology.

The ECS is largely comprised of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes that are believed to help regulate a variety of functions in humans including sleep, mood, memory, appetite, reproduction, and pain sensation. Scientists still have plenty of questions about the human endocannabinoid system and how it functions.

To understand the human endocannabinoid system, it’s helpful to know a little about one of the most fundamental concepts in biology: homeostasis.

Homeostasis is the concept that most biological systems are actively regulated to maintain conditions within a narrow range. Our bodies don’t want temperature to be too hot or too cold, blood sugar levels too high or too low, and so on. Conditions need to be just right for our cells to maintain optimum performance. The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a vital molecular system for helping maintain homeostasis.