The Endocannabinoid System: Your Body’s Regulator

If you've ever taken a biology class, you've probably heard of homeostasis. From the Greek words for "same" (homo) and "steady" (stasis), the term refers to any process that living things use to actively maintain fairly stable conditions necessary for survival, according to Scientific American. As it applies to the human body, it means that everything in our body needs to be just right—not too hot, not too cold—in order to keep us stable. 

We maintain homeostasis by using negative feedback mechanisms. This means that our body's systems monitor themselves carefully, so that when something is out of balance, they can correct course. This is where the endocannabinoid system comes in.

What's the endocannabinoid system?

You know all about the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant (aka phyto-cannabinoids), but the body also produces its own versions of the same compounds. They're called endocannabinoids.

The endocannabinoid system is a series of cell receptors found throughout the human body. The body creates molecules that interact with these receptors to regulate functions like memory, sleep, and hunger.

Our body's cannabinoid receptors exist on the surface of cells and “listen” to what's going on in the body. They allow for us to maintain homeostasis by monitoring what is going on in our bodies. Scientists have identified two primary cannabinoid receptors, called the CB1 and CB2 receptors. Although both types of receptors can be found all throughout the body, CB1 receptors are more highly concentrated in the brain and central nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors can be found more abundantly in the immune system, organs, and tissues.

Endocannabinoids are created whenever we need them, usually in response to some change in the body. They can bind directly with the cannabinoid receptors—you can think of them as slotting into one another like a jigsaw puzzle or a lock and key. Cannabis contains cannabinoids that closely resemble these molecules and can interact with receptors to create a wide range of health effects.

Wait—my body has a system just for cannabis?

In the 1960s, cannabinoids were discovered (and named) in the context of the cannabis plant. Nearly thirty years later, when scientists discovered that very similar compounds help the body achieve homeostasis, the term “endocannabinoid” was coined. Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids create the same effects in the body, but neither came before the other (probably).

And at Sugar House, we definitely believe that the body and the plant go together like puzzle pieces. 🧩 💚