How Does Cannabis Work in Our Bodies?

By: Matthew Morrow

People around the world have been using cannabis for thousands of years due to its highly desired effects.

According to the United Nations World Drug Report, somewhere around 200 million people use cannabis worldwide today.

Cannabis remains the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States (US), with estimates showing around 10% of Americans report use.

This number is likely to rise given the recent increase in legal access to recreational cannabis in the US.

For those who have used cannabis or know someone who has, haven’t you ever wondered why this plant makes you happy, hungry, sleepy, etc.?

Much like other recreational substances we consume, a better understanding of what is going on inside of us can be fascinating and can even help optimize our experiences using that substance.

Here, we explore the inner workings of our bodies after consuming or inhaling cannabis.

How does cannabis work in our bodies?

To be completely transparent, not everything about cannabis and how it works in our bodies are fully understood by scientists yet. But here is what we do know.

Much like the food we eat contains small micronutrients like vitamins and specific proteins, cannabis contains small molecules that enter our bloodstream after consumption.

THC and CBD, although the most prominent and important for producing desired effects are just two examples of the types of molecules contained in cannabis products (there are over 100 identified versions of these so-called cannabinoid molecules).

When we smoke, our lungs absorb these molecules fairly quickly through a gas exchange, so that rapid transfer to our blood occurs.

With edibles, our stomach and small intestine break down the food and slowly transfer these molecules to the local bloodstreams over longer periods.

Once they enter our blood, they travel and are dispersed to various specific receptors, which all mammals already have located throughout our bodies.

These receptors become activated and produce the effects that we associate with cannabis.

All of this is accomplished through what we call the body’s endocannabinoid system.

What is the endocannabinoid system?

All mammals contain a network of cannabinoid receptors in their body which receive associated chemical compounds called cannabinoids. This is the essence of the endocannabinoid system.

The three types of cannabinoids to know about are:

Endocannabinoids: The natural cannabinoids that our body produces on its own
Phytocannabinoids: The molecules like THC and CBD that are extracted from cannabis plants
Synthetic Cannabinoids: Artificial compounds made in labs that mimic phytocannabinoids

So where exactly do these molecules go when they hit our bloodstream?

The location of all the cannabinoid receptors isn’t fully understood, but we know their general distribution in the body.

For example, THC is synergistic with the cannabinoid receptors located in the cells of our central nervous system (i.e. brain, spinal tracts) as well as our peripheral nervous system (i.e. nerves throughout the body), which is why we see the psychoactive effects of feeling mental euphoria as well as a “body high.”

The activity of THC in the brain’s neural networks likely relates to its effects on increasing appetite (i.e. releasing more hunger hormones) and reducing nausea (i.e. suppressing the brain’s nausea reflex).

Less understood is the pathway for pain relief, but some scientists have theorized that it relates to interactions with the same pathways that opioids are activated through.

CBD, on the other hand, is an antagonist to the cannabinoid receptors mentioned above as well as similar receptors located in our immune cells throughout the body.

This explains why CBD is commonly used for reducing joint and body inflammation, it partially blocks the immune (or inflammatory) response in those local areas.

If you have heard about serotonin, you may be aware that it is a molecule that has strong anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects (and is the target for drugs that treat these conditions.)

Well CBD is partially synergistic with one type of serotonin receptor, which explains why these products are reported to have anxiety soothing effects.

What are the health benefits of cannabis?

There are many potential health benefits associated with using cannabis and may vary depending on the cannabinoid composition of the strain used.

Although the evidence available for cannabis research is not robust, there is an increasing number of studies that have found promising results.

It is helpful to break these down based on the dominant cannabinoid. Although many cannabis strains contain some combination of these compounds, we will look at the health benefits of CBD and THC on their own as well as the known benefits of cannabis overall.

Possible Health Benefits of CBD

Insomnia Relief
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Pain and Inflammation Relief
Muscle and Nerve Spasm Relief
Seizure Reduction (in certain cases of epilepsy

Possible Health Benefits of THC

Appetite Stimulation
Nausea Reduction
Chronic Pain Relief (excludes pain after surgery or a broken bone)
Mood Improvement
Other Health Benefits of Cannabis Overall
Reduction of Tremors in Parkinson’s Disease
PTSD symptom improvement
Reduction of Pain Related to Multiple Sclerosis, HIV, Crohn’s Disease

What are the possible dangers of using cannabis?

When using any substance, it is helpful to consider the possible harms and side effects.

Unfortunately, the adverse effects of cannabis can be hard to predict because of widely variable dosing options and unknown individual factors.

In Pharmacology, there is a trusted saying that that it is always a good idea to “start low and go slow.” This applies to cannabis as well.

Most negative side effects result from using a dose higher than your body can handle, so taking things slowly at first is a must.

When thinking about the possible dangers of cannabis there are a few to consider:

Anxiety, paranoia, or hallucinations
Decreased lung function over time (with inhaled forms)
Decrease judgment, perception, and coordination leading to injury
Dependence

To sum it up

In light of the increasing legalization of cannabis use, more quality research on the topic is likely to surface in the coming years.

This would lead to increased knowledge about how cannabinoids interact within our bodies and about the benefits and harms of using cannabis products.

Until then, it is always best to check with a medical professional if you have concerns about using cannabis and to start with low doses when trying cannabis products for the first time.

Disclaimer: It is always best to check in with your medical provider before initiating the use of cannabis products. The information on this page does not represent medical advice.

Matthew Morrow is a writer who focuses on health and wellness.