Seven functions of the fascinating endocannabinoid system in our body
Discover the seven ways cannabis can modulate various types of systems in our body
If you stop and think, the human body is a marvel of nature and evolution. Now imagine there was a system that ran through the microscopic constellation that makes up our physical form - and you could modulate it using cannabis. If that strikes you as strange, take a minute to get familiar with your body's endocannabinoid system.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
First discovered by scientists in the 1990s, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is responsible for regulating all sorts of bodily functions. There are two main ECS receptors, known as CB1 and CB2. They can modulate all sorts of systems in the body, and one way they can be affected is through the use of cannabis-derived compounds called cannabinoids.
Let's take a look at seven of the major bodily functions and systems in which the endocannabinoid system plays a key role.
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1. Memory and learning
Cannabis is well known for the effect it can have on short-term memory, but it's more complex than it seems. The cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activates CB1, which is found throughout the brain, including in the hippocampus, responsible for memory. Additionally, the CB1 receptor is responsible for what is known as extinction learning, the process that allows new information to replace old memories - including traumatic ones. This is one reason why cannabis can be an effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
2. Appetite regulation
Studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors play an essential role in regulating food intake and metabolism. And while everyone knows the stereotype of the marijuana smoker who indulges in snacks during a serious case of the munchies, there is also strong evidence that the ECS can help control obesity and eating disorders. Furthermore, research has found that cannabis users had significantly lower BMI and obesity rates compared to non-cannabis users.
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3. Thermoregulation
Behind the scenes, without us ever knowing, our bodies maintain a core temperature despite varying external temperatures and environmental factors. The ECS also plays a role in thermoregulation and can raise the core temperature of the human body to fight infections. Thermoregulation can also protect against strokes, as well as viral and bacterial infections.
4. Female reproductive system
The ECS plays an important and complex role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions. Some scientific evidence has shown that cannabis has the potential to reduce female fertility by disrupting the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, potentially delaying ovulation or preventing it altogether. At the same time, the involvement of the ECS in female reproduction suggests that modulating the endocannabinoid system is essential for reproductive success.
5. Immune system
The ECS is generally considered a “guardian” of the immune system, mainly through its ability to suppress this system. This is one reason why cannabis can be effective in treating autoimmune diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. This effect is also a reason why some cannabis products are being studied as potential treatments to prevent the immune system's overreaction of the “cytokine storm,” including in patients with COVID-19.
6. Sleep
Cannabis is a popular treatment for insomnia, and research has shown that the activation of CB1 receptors can induce sleep. At the same time, cannabis use can actually reduce REM sleep - the stage of sleep during which dreams occur.
7. Pain perception
Chronic pain is the most common reason why patients receive a prescription for medicinal cannabis. This is because the ECS is one of the main systems responsible for pain regulation. ECS receptors are found in various parts of the peripheral and central nervous system and in almost every part of the pain pathway in the body.