Introduction to Cannabis Health & the Cannabinoid System

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years for its therapeutic properties, but only recently have scientists begun to understand why it works so powerfully with the human body. At the center of this discovery is the endocannabinoid system (ECS) — a complex network of receptors, molecules, and enzymes found throughout the brain and body.

The ECS helps regulate vital functions like sleep, mood, pain, appetite, immunity, inflammation, and more. Our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids—compounds similar to those found in cannabis—that help maintain internal balance, or homeostasis.

Phytocannabinoids, like CBD and THC, are the plant-based counterparts found in cannabis. They interact with the ECS in unique ways, offering a wide range of potential benefits from pain relief and reduced anxiety to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

In short, the cannabis plant works with our body—not against it. Understanding the ECS is the key to unlocking cannabis's full healing potential.