The Ultimate Guide to the Endocannabinoid System – The Pass
Hot take: picking cannabis products shouldn’t be all about THC levels. That’s right, we said it!
While many consumers and professionals alike seem to pigeonhole cannabinoids and other plant compounds as “the most important,” it’s really all about how they work together. A high THC percentage isn’t the only determining factor of how a product will make you feel— terpene profiles and cannabinoid ratios matter, too.
Our main goal at The Pass is to ensure you can make the most informed purchase decisions at our Berkshire dispensary. So, we’re here today to talk about how the entourage effect and your endocannabinoid system are the true vehicles of your cannabis consumption experience!
We spoke to our expert staff, and here’s everything you need to know about the endocannabinoid system, its function, and its interaction with cannabis.
What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?
The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a complex cell-signaling system that was discovered in the early 1990s while researching THC. While recently discovered, we know that the ECS regulates and controls many of our critical bodily functions, such as:
- Energy balance
- Appetite stimulation
- Memory and learning
- Emotional processing
- Temperature control
- Immune response
The ECS comprises a network of components that are densely packed throughout our brains and bodies, including receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes. There are two kinds of cannabinoid receptors in the brain: CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors control the levels and activity of most of the other neurotransmitters by getting immediate feedback and using that to regulate functions in the body such as temperature, mood, or alertness. The second cannabinoid receptor type, the CB2 receptor, exists mostly in our immune tissues and plays a critical role in our immune functioning.
To stimulate these receptors, our bodies produce endocannabinoids, which are structurally similar to molecules in the cannabis plant. The two primary endocannabinoids that exist naturally in the body are anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). There are also enzymes in the ECS system, which are designed to break down endocannabinoids after they’ve fulfilled their purpose. The two main enzymes responsible for this are fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down AEA, and monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG.
How Does the ECS Function?
Think of your ECS as a “control panel” or “alarm system” for your body’s various functions. It can set off alarms when you’re in pain, tell your stomach to grumble when you’re hungry, or notify your body that it’s time to start sweating and cool down if you’re overheated.
It can also help maintain homeostasis, or a state of equilibrium, by regulating various physiological processes such as mood, sleep, appetite, and pain. Furthermore, endocannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors, initiating a series of cellular responses that help regulate bodily functions.
Remember, your ECS functions by itself with endocannabinoids, or the cannabinoids naturally made inside your body already. The interaction between cannabinoids from the cannabis plant (known more officially as phytocannabinoids) is where things really get interesting!
Interaction of Cannabis and Cannabinoids with the ECS
Phytocannabinoids are cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. The most well known of these compounds is THC, but other common cannabinoids include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabichromene (CBC). Some of these cannabinoids have become known for particular properties — for example, CBN has been dubbed the “sleep cannabinoid” while CBG is often referred to as “the giggly cannabinoid” as it is known to be a mood booster.
Once in your body, THC mimics endocannabinoids and binds primarily to CB1 receptors, producing psychoactive effects. This is why THC is thought to relieve pain, among other potential therapeutic benefits. The specific terpenes and full scope of cannabinoids present in a cannabis product will determine that interaction’s effects on your body and mind — for example, one strain may make you feel sleepy and relaxed while another triggers your appetite and gives you the munchies. That’s those cannabinoids working and interacting with your ECS system!
What about CBD? While CBD doesn’t have psychoactive effects that make you “high,” experts aren’t completely sure how CBD interacts with the ECS. However, they do know that it doesn’t bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors in the same way that THC does. While studies are still being done on exactly how it works, research does suggest that CBD can help with pain, nausea, and stress relief.
The Entourage Effect
When we talk about the “entourage effect,” we are talking about the theory that the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis can work together in harmony to vary the plant’s psychoactive strength and therapeutic benefits. A simple example of the entourage effect in action: taking THC and CBD together can be more effective than taking either by itself. High doses of THC may be too intense for some consumers, but when paired with CBD, it can become much more tolerable.
Consider the entourage effect when choosing full-spectrum vs broad-spectrum products next time you’re shopping at the dispensary! While broad-spectrum extracts are ideal for individuals seeking the entourage effect without THC, full-spectrum products take advantage of the entourage effect to provide more comprehensive benefits. They contain THC plus all the other minor cannabinoids and terpenes naturally produced by the cannabis plant — i.e., the full spectrum of compounds.
If you’re looking for a more full-bodied experience, our budtenders recommend The Pass Blueberry, Lemon, and Peach Hash Rosin Gummies. Not many companies in the cannabis market provide strain-specific products like this one. Made with full-spectrum hash rosin and all-natural flavors and colorings, customers can get a consistent experience and know the full breakdown of cannabinoids in each of the strains available.
Recreational Implications of ECS and Cannabis Interaction
With this knowledge, you can now be on the lookout for very specific combinations of CBD, THC, terpenes, and more so you can tailor your cannabis experiences however you like. Want some gummies so you can relax before bedtime? Now you know to look out for certain terpenes and cannabinoids (such as CBN). Need a drink to quiet your mind when you’re stressed? Now, you can ask the budtender for more exact recommendations on an infused beverage with both THC and CBD.
These potential medical applications leave room for people of all experience levels to get the most out of their cannabis. Whether you’re using your products as a gym bag essential, morning staple, or bedtime routine, considering the plant as a whole instead of only its THC levels will enrich your experience.
Best cannabis products in the Berkshires
At the end of the day, understanding how the ECS works can enrich your cannabis shopping experience. Remember not to put THC levels or terpene profiles into a silo; they should all be considered together because of the ECS and the entourage effect!
Visit our recreational dispensary in the Berkshires to learn more about products that interact with the ECS from our budtenders and get personalized recommendations based on your needs and preferences! In the meantime, check out more of our blog posts to learn and stay up to date with the latest in cannabis science!
*Please keep in mind that we are not medical professionals and cannabis experiences vary by individual. Always consult your doctor. This information was gathered from reputable research and we are not making any claims regarding cannabis and the body.