It seems like people are turning to cannabis for just about everything these days, but how can one plant be so multi-purpose? It can perk you up, but can also promote sleep. It can stimulate appetite, but also help you stay trim. How is it that cannabis can work in so many different ways? The answer is your body’s endocannabinoid system.
Humans and most other animals have what’s known as an endocannabinoid system (ECS). If you don’t know much about it, that’s OK. Most people didn’t learn about the ECS in high school. In fact, researchers didn’t identify it until the 1990s.
Your ECS runs throughout your body, and scientists have found endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, glands, and immune cells. Some are found mostly in the central nervous system, while others are found in peripheral organs and tissue. Endocannabinoid receptors even exist in a monther’s breastmilk!
Three types of endocannabinoid receptors are known:
These receptors are shaped to hold at least two chemical compounds (neurotransmitters) that our bodies produce:
These compounds are our endocannabinoids… and they explain why cannabis can work in so many ways! Edoncannabinoid receptors can also be activated by cannabinoids, the compounds that cannabis plants make for their own well-being.
Our ECS helps manage and balance the fundamental processes of the mind and body. By binding to receptors, endocannabinoids trigger the release of chemicals that influence appetite, immune response, memory, mood, pain sensation, temperature regulation, and more.
When your body’s endocannabinoid supply is depleted, compounds from plants may work as substitutes to help control inflammation, support alertness, and accomplish other tasks.
The best endocannabinoid substitutes are cannabinoids, the compounds unique to cannabis. For example, the most studied cannabinoid is delta-9 THC, which may have psychoactive effects. Another cannabinoid that’s gaining popularity is CBD, which is not psychoactive.
Terpenes such as pinene and eucalyptol can also affect the endocannabinoid system. These plant compounds are present in cannabis and many common organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables. They can bind to cannabinoid receptors and affect their chemical output.
Not all cannabinoids are created equal, and different cannabis strains have different concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes. That’s part of the reason cannabis works in so many different ways. But with so many varieties to choose from and so many potential outcomes, it can be hard to know where to start. The good news is that predictability is possible.
dr. delights™ works to make cannabis a predictable aid for wellness. We isolate specific cannabinoids and terpenes for targeted outcomes and make them available in consistent doses. That way, you can get exactly where you want to be — every time.
We blend delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, CBD, and other plant extracts to help you perk up, snooze, ease pain, and achieve the wellness outcome that you’re looking for. So no matter where you are in your day, you can have the power of cannabis on your side. Check out our line of outcome-specific blends and find one that’s tailored to your lifestyle.