The debate on cannabis is not only developing, but it is taking root. Not only in policy or product aisles, but even in the way we interpret our own biology. 

Silently throbbing behind the scenes in the body of any human being is a complicated system of receptors, enzymes, and molecules that few of us heard of even a few months ago: the endocannabinoid system.

And, when you commonly ask yourself how or why CBD or cannabis products are claimed to help maintain balance or calm, it is in this system that the narrative starts. And in the minds of most there deepens curiosity.

The more we know about the interaction of our bodies with cannabinoids, the more we can make informed, safe, and purposeful decisions about the exploration.

A Quick History, and a Slower Discovery

The modern scientific career of cannabis began in 1964 when Dr. Raphael Mechoulam isolated the most important psychoactive constituent in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (abbreviated THC). The discovery of the first cannabinoid receptor in the brain took decades, in 1988. 

Not much later, the very own cannabis like molecules of our bodies were discovered: anandamide (named after the Sanskrit word of bliss) and 2-AG.

These were not merely chemical fancies. They became the initial fragments of a system that is currently known to be critical in controlling mood, appetite, immune reactions, etc. 

They named this complex network the endocannabinoid system (ECS) or literally the system of inner (endo)- cannabinoids that are built into our bodies and, actually, that run without our knowledge.

Funny how that happens.

The Endocannabinoid System: Your Inner Balancer

Most of us weren’t taught this in biology class, but the ECS exists in every vertebrate species, including humans, and seems designed to maintain one thing above all: homeostasis, or internal stability.

It works like a cell-to-cell whisper chain. When a system in the body drifts out of whack, say, your stress response hits overdrive or your gut feels out of rhythm, the ECS kicks in. Its job? To get things back into balance. 

It does this by synthesizing and releasing endocannabinoids that bind to specific receptors: CB1, found mostly in the brain and nerves, and CB2, more common in the immune system and organs.

These aren’t stored like hormones. They’re made on the spot and dissolve quickly. Like text messages that disappear after reading them.

Because it deals with mood, inflammation, digestion, sleep cycles, and even our sense of pleasure or motivation, the ECS functions like a backstage crew adjusting the lighting, sound levels, and cues for the body’s big performances.

Exogenous Cannabinoids: Coming from the Outside In

Hence where does cannabis fit?

More than 100 compounds or phytocannabinoids are found in the cannabis plant, and they are plant-based cannabinoids that react to our ECS in unexpected manners. The best-known of them are THC and CBD. 

THC binds with CB1 receptors with such strong power (this is why it has psychoactive properties), whereas the interaction of CBD (cannabidiol) is weaker and indirect. It does not inhibit activity, but only attenuates it.

Hemp-derived CBD extracts do not make people feel high and people seek them to help them maintain a calmer or more balanced daily rhythm. It is not intoxicating, and under the federal law (with the help of the 2018 Farm Bill), it is legal provided the content of the product does not exceed 0.3% of the dry weight of THC.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to clarify, CBD does not cure something. It’s not a treatment. It merely interacts with the ECS, and this could be the reason why so many people using it report of a subtle effect such as lessened relaxation or more steady focus.

The ECS is Not a Magic Switch

The embarrassing part here is as follows: the ECS is not a switch. It is rather a volume knob on the whole body. When it is too loud, some systems may overdrive. Silent too much, we might not necessarily be able to cope as well in the face of everyday stressors of life.

The symptoms of a weak or excessive ECS may be indirectly manifested in some individuals. Studies are underway to determine how endogenous cannabinoid concentrations change with age, or with external factors such as stress, injury, or chronic behaviors. 

It is also not unusual that the density of cannabinoid receptors may vary with time, particularly with high-use of THC or external cannabinoids.

Although there is one very clumsy fact about it:--we do not know it all yet. Similarly to most of the systems inside us ( consider: microbiome, hormones, circadian rhythms ), the ECS is yet to be discovered.

And that’s okay.

Why People Explore Hemp Extracts

Let’s be honest, some folks turn to full-spectrum CBD oils or cannabinoid-rich tinctures out of frustration. Maybe they’ve tried all the other things. Maybe they’re just curious after a friend mentioned it helped them feel more grounded.

Medical Mike’s, for example, makes a range of these hemp-based oils, with combinations like high-potency 6000mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil, a 1200mg blend of CBD with CBN (a compound associated with nighttime use), and 2000mg CBG + CBD formulas aimed at promoting daily balance. Each is lab-tested, derived from organic, U.S.-grown hemp, and formulated mindfully, but none are intended to replace professional care.

So why do people use them?

Here are a few common reasons:

• As part of a calming evening ritual
• To support recovery after physical exertion
• Alongside journaling or meditation
• Midday, in lieu of another coffee (we’ve been there)

Not because “it fixes everything,” but because it fits into something bigger: an approach to wellness that’s intuitive, plant-based, and self-aware.

Research Is Ongoing, And That Matters

Even with the buzz, conclusive large scale research is yet to keep up with cannabis culture. There are some indications that cannabinoid compounds can affect inflammation, sleep patterns, or mood indicators, but it takes time to transform such research into the guidelines that users can apply in everyday life. In addition, products are highly different in quality.

That is why lab reports are worth reading, you should know where you are reading, and you need to read slowly.

A single 2015 systematic review did reveal that cannabinoids were found to have moderate to low-quality evidence to support specific wellness domains though found to be associated with side effects in the short term and individual differences. The verdict? Promising, but incomplete.

Before You Begin: A Few Warm Warnings

If you're considering adding any hemp extract to your wellness lifestyle:

• Talk to your healthcare provider first, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, or on other medications.
• Avoid products that make big promises. No cannabinoid “treats” anything.
• Monitor how your body responds. Everyone’s ECS is slightly different.
• Store products in a cool, dark place like you would olive oil, not on a sunny windowsill.

Also, don’t fall for the myth of “more is better.” Start low. Be consistent. Listen to your body like it’s trying to tell you something, because it is.

A Thoughtful Return to the Root

Something just fascinating about the interaction of a plant, cannabis, with something so biologically old: our ECS, is inescapably fascinating. 

Curiosity is a good thing to be in regardless of whether you are taking full-spectrum hemp drops, this is your first time reading labels, or you are just trying to see whether CBD suits you or not.

The endocannabinoid system is not a trend and cannabis is non-trendy. It's you.

And when you are drinking herbal tea, or practicing breathwork, or even reading about ECS, you are striving to achieve the same end: to find means, both large and small, to get back to yourself in a more harmonious manner.

Maybe CBD is a help. Probably it is just a tiny part of the entire picture, a part that is plant-shaped.

That’s up to you to feel into.

And there you had better begin.

Disclaimer:

It should only be used as educational material and not aimed at diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing a disease. It is always advisable to consult an experienced medical practitioner when changing your wellness regimen.