Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System

Background. The medicinal properties of cannabis have been known for a very long period of time. Some of the earliest writings about cannabis came from China over 5000 years ago!

The medical use of cannabis was widespread throughout much of the world by the 19th century. It was an integral part of early American medicine primarily as a pain reliever. Cannabis would have likely remained a staple for treating a large variety of conditions were it not for the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, which was politically motivated (and likely pushed the treatment of pain into the realm of synthetic pharmaceuticals).
https://drugpolicy.org/blog/how-did-marijuana-become-illegal-first-place

The medicinal properties of cannabis are derived from its ability to activate our Endocannabinoid System. Odds are that you, along with many healthcare professionals, have never even heard of this powerful system.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This highly active and complex cell signaling system was discovered in the early 1990s. It functions to regulate and balance key bodily functions, including pain, inflammation, metabolism/energy, mood, memory and learning, immune response, blood pressure, motor control, appetite, sleep, cardiovascular system function, bone remodeling and growth, liver function, reproductive system function, stress, skin and nerve function, embryonic development and much, much more.

All of these functions are working towards achieving homeostasis (the state of steady internal, physical, and chemical conditions maintained by living systems. This is the condition of optimal functioning for the organism). When the ECS is activated all of our physiologic systems are enhanced and we are healthier.

The ECS is made up of 3 parts…

1. Endocannabinoids.
   These are naturally occurring neurotransmitters. They are structurally similar to the cannabinoids present in cannabis. The two main Endocannabinoids synthesized by our body are Anandamide (Sanskrit for “Bliss”) and 2-AG. The molecular structure of Anandamide is very similar to THC and 2-AG is very similar to CBD!
   

2. Endocannabinoid Receptors.
   Receptors are widespread internally AND on the surface of the skin. CB1 receptors are mostly found in the brain while CB2 receptors are mostly found in the peripheral nervous system and immune system cells. These receptors also exist on our skin, allowing topical cannabis to rapidly reduce pain with being absorbed internally. The cannabinoids contained in cannabis bind to these receptors and activate the Endocannabinoid System.
3. Enzymes.
   These enzymes are responsible for breaking down Endocannabinoids once they have carried out their function.

****The Endocannabinoid System is the “maestro for the symphony that is every physiological system in the human body. And its role is to keep us in balance, to keep us healthy. So, a perfectly functioning and in tune endocannabinoid system keeps us in perfect health”. https://www.projectcbd.org/medicine/endocannabinology-dr-rachel-knox

However, the Endocannabinoid System has a weak link. We synthesize 2 main Endocannabinoids and our body does not always produce enough of them to maintain activation of the ECS!

A great MANY conditions are considered to be caused by a Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Syndrome (CEDS). This often makes the condition resistant to synthetic medications since NONE of them can activate the ECS. https://boorasmd.com/education/articles/clinical-endocannabinoid-deficiency/

*All of us have the amazing capacity to heal ourselves IF the Endocannabinoid System is functioning as it should.*

Pause and think about the beauty of this statement for a minute! All of us (and indeed, all mammals) were born with an Endocannabinoid System that produces chemicals that structurally look like cannabis. The cannabis plant is able to activate this elaborate system to improve our health. Our body see’s the phytocannabinoids from cannabis as identical to its own endocannabinoids.

The Endocannabinoid System is “standard equipment for mammals”, so to speak, and cannabis helps to unlock extremely powerful systems of self-repair, healing, and prevention when we are unable to synthesize enough Endocannabinoids.

References:

“Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Reconsidered: Current Research Supports the Theory in Migraine, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel, and Other Treatment-Resistant Syndromes.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576607/

“A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System”
https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system#deficiencyn b5

“Getting High on the Endocannabinoid System” (EDITOR: I’m not crazy about the title, but it really is a good article)

Editors note: The endogenous cannabinoid system—named for the plant that led to its discovery—is one of the most important physiologic systems involved in establishing and maintaining human health. Due to its complex actions within our immune system, nervous system, and virtually all of the body’s organs, the endocannabinoids are literally a bridge between Mind and Body. By understanding this system, we begin to see a mechanism that could connect brain activity, health and disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997295/

“What to know about endocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system.”
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/endocannabinoid#function

Written by Charlie Booras, MD on August 13, 2021

Updated July 7, 2022