The ECS; What is it and How Does it Work- Simplified

You have heard about the ECS, but do you really know what it is and how it works? Or, do you understand it, but don't know how to explain it to someone else? In this article, I have tried to simplify an incredibly complex topic into language that is understandable to people new to cannabis and/or biology.

Endocannabinoid System

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The human Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a regulatory system that is responsible for regulating almost every other system in our bodies. What is a regulatory system? Regulatory systems in our bodies are complex, biological systems that maintain balance (homeostasis) of all the subunits (parts) of that system. The regulatory system is designed to sense changes to the system or the environment in which it resides and to respond to those changes in ways that maintain the balance/homeostasis. The ECS is the MOST complex regulatory system in our bodies that control almost every other biological system (that’s right, this is so important, I said it twice).

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The science of cannabis, and the ECS, is still relatively new, so I will only discuss here what has been scientifically accepted, however, there are components and aspects of the ECS which are still being discovered and understood.

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For simplicity’s sake, the human ECS includes two main receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors), two main endocannabinoids (chemicals our bodies make very similar in molecular structure to THC and CBD and are called AEA and 2-AG), and two enzymes (FAAH and MAGL) that “shut off” the endocannabinoids when their work is done.

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The Human ECS is made up of:

??????????????2 Receptors- CB1 and CB2

??????????????2 Endocannabinoids- AEA and 2-AG

??????????????2 Enzymes- FAAH and MAGL

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Some scientists are now using a concept and term called “Endocannabinoidome” to suggest that there are more components to the functioning of the ECS. AEA and 2-AG (as well as THC and CBD) do not only activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors; they can activate other receptors which leads to the development of the term Endocannabinoidome to encapsulate the chemicals and systems outside of the ECS that affect the functioning of the ECS.

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So, how does the ECS work? When a system in the body is out of balance/homeostasis, the ECS sends signals to parts of the body which then perform functions to try and put the system, and the body back into homeostasis. For example, if you were to cut your arm, your body sends signals from the point of injury in your arm to your brain in the form of pain so that you are sure to pay attention to that injury and take action to protect it from the outside. Meanwhile, your body sends signals and chemicals to the site of injury to repair the damage from the inside. If that pain were to remain as intense as it was at the moment of injury, your body and mind would not be able to sustain that level of pain signaling indefinitely without going into shock. This is where the ECS sends a “cascade” of signals to parts of the body to 1) block the pain signals in the brain, and 2) start healing processes like reducing inflammation of the cells and tissue. These signals are initiated by the two endocannabinoids AEA and 2-AG. If these signals were to continue past the point of physical need, the body would then be out of balance in the opposite direction from injury. This is where the enzymes FAAH and MAGL are important- they stop the action of AEA and 2-AG (respectively) once they have completed the necessary signaling. It is all about keeping the body in balance/homeostasis.

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So, how does cannabis relate to this ECS? THC and CBD are from the cannabis plant and are therefore called phytocannabinoids- or cannabinoids from the plant (phyto), versus endocannabinoids which are from within our bodies (endo). THC is similar to AEA and has similar effects on the body. CBD is similar to 2-AG and has similar effects on the body. When our bodies are out of balance, and our internal endocannabinoids (AEA and 2-AG) can’t bring the body back into homeostasis by themselves, adding THC and/or CBD (in addition to other molecules which are too complex to discuss here) to the body is like reinforcements being sent in to assist the endocannabinoids. THC and AEA primarily activate the CB1 receptors which are mostly located in the brain and Central Nervous System, whereas CBD and 2-AG primarily act on the CB2 receptors which are primarily located in the Immune System and peripheral tissues throughout the body.

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Additionally, some people’s ECS don’t function properly, either due to genetics or some disease or disorder, so their ECS’s response to imbalance doesn’t work properly and they can therefore benefit from using cannabis to support the malfunctioning ECS and bring the body back into balance.

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The ECS is a very important and complex system that is essential for human survival. The topic could fill entire college courses, possibly even degree programs. This article is just an introduction to those new to the subject of cannabis medicine and how it works in the human body. With this foundation, further self-exploration will illuminate the amazing functionality of the Endocannabinoid System.