By MBF and 400 River.

At this point in the state’s legalization of cannabis, most consumers have a dispensary (or three) within miles of their home. Our access to the plant has been simplified, but HOW does cannabis actually work in our bodies? It’s a complicated process and, honestly, one that is still being studied and finally being taken seriously by the research community. Well, we definitely don’t have all the answers, but let’s shed a little light on why we get high. 

Basically, from the start of history, people have been using cannabis as a cornerstone of their civilization. First and foremost, the cannabis plant was used widely among different cultures as a durable fiber. Hemp, the soft fiber part of the cannabis stems, was found in remnants of clothes, paper, and rope in Asia dating way back, like to 5000 BC and before. We are just starting to get back to using industrial hemp for plastics, hempcrete, and other uses after eschewing the plant for years. Importantly, the cannabis plant was also used for ceremonial purposes and as a pain relief agent. Anyone down for a cannabis steam bath? That is how the ancient Scythians partook. Mystical Sufi traditions used cannabis to assist in their meditation and contemplation, a great tool for spiritual exploration. It is really wild to think about how widespread the use of cannabis was. Anywhere the plant grew naturally, from Africa to India, from central Russia to Asia and beyond, people were reaping the full extent of benefits from the cannabis plant. 

Looks like cannabis users in antiquity were on to something. The substances found in cannabis actually work in synergy with our body. While it’s not something we learned about back in high school biology, our body does indeed have a system of cannabinoid receptors. The human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex pathway of neurons, neural pathways and cells that may be crucial in regulating some of our most basic bodily functions. We are talking about how our body deals with pain, our motor functions, and even reproduction.  

We don’t just have a cannabinoid system; we have an ENDOcannabinoid system. This system doesn’t just help us out when we light up a joint – it can be surprising to find out that our bodies make our own cannabinoids. Endogenous cannabinoids are lipid molecules that the body produces naturally and interact with our body’s ECS. The first endogenous cannabinoid ever discovered is called Anandamide, which derives its name from the Sanskrit word “ananda,” meaning joy or bliss. This bliss molecule was only found in 1992 and works in the body very similarly to substances found in cannabis flower. In short, our bodies have a system to use cannabinoids, and we actually make those cannabinoids “in-house” – no need for a dispensary. 

Crazily enough, when we consume EXOgenous cannabinoids, coming, for example, from a joint, those external cannabinoids also interact with our ECS. Maybe it will eventually be discovered that exogenous cannabinoids react slightly differently than endogenous cannabinoids, but at this moment, research shows they act incredibly similarly to those we make ourselves. They bind to the body’s cannabinoid receptors just like endogenous cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoids definitely act upon our ECS, but there’s no credible scientific research that proves they are safe. When ingesting cannabis, you can definitely start to feel the effects of cannabinoids on the body, whether it’s feelings of deep relaxation, pain relief, a little loss of concentration or even some anxiety. The quantity ingested has a deep impact on how our body and mind feel. 

There is a ton of impartial research coming out now, but for far too long cannabis research has been clouded by the fact that it’s a harmful “drug,” not a longstanding part of the human experience. What scientists DO generally agree on now is that the endocannabinoid system has three main components: endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and various enzymes. Endogenous cannabinoids occur naturally in the body and are lipid-based neurotransmitters. These chemical messengers send signals between cells and are produced by the body on an “as-needed” basis. Cannabinoid receptors are found on the outside of cells and basically capture and use cannabinoids. While research is still ongoing, scientists have definitively found two types of receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are mainly found in the central nervous system. They may also impact how cannabis affects our behavior. CB2 receptors are found in the peripheral nervous system and in our immune system. CB2 receptors are found in our tonsils, if we still have them, and our muscles, liver, and fat tissue. Researchers aren’t sure of why, but cannabinoids seem to bind more effectively to CB1 receptors. 

There’s a lot to take in about the endocannabinoid system, and scientists are still finding out new information as we start to take this bodily system seriously. Let’s wind down with a well-known “fact” about cannabis and how it works with the human body. It is pretty frequently brought up that one cannot overdose on cannabis. In short, this is true. There are no known deaths reported specifically from a cannabis overdose. If you’ve ever overindulged in cannabis, you may know that consuming too much may lead to some unpleasant sensations. Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome has been in the news a lot now. This syndrome generally impacts long-term, heavy smokers and presents itself in the form of nausea, vomiting, and pain. The only way to stop the effects is to stop smoking cannabis. So, while cannabis is generally recognized as a safe substance to consume, it is always recommended to consume responsibly, know your source, and start slowly. 

Thanks for sticking around to the end. This is a complicated topic, and it’s a topic that is still being researched, so I hope to have compiled as much accurate yet easily digestible information as possible in a short space!