What Do Cannabinoids Do in the Body? Phyto, Endo and Synthetic, Explained

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that act on the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network that helps regulate a wide range of physiological functions and processes, from mood and appetite to pain and memory.

The system is made up of receptors, endocannabinoids (cannabinoids your body makes on its own) and enzymes that build and break down those compounds.

By binding to cannabinoid receptors, mainly CB1 and CB2, cannabinoids can influence a whole range of body functions. Some are endogenous (made by the body), like anandamide; others are exogenous, coming from plants like cannabis.

That interaction with the endocannabinoid system can have therapeutic or recreational effects, depending on the type of cannabinoid and how it's consumed.

What are the side effects of cannabis on the body?

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are chemicals that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body and brain, producing effects similar to those of the Cannabis sativa L. plant.

They can be grouped into different types based on their origin and structure, and each one plays a specific role in the body's endocannabinoid system.

Phytocannabinoids

What they are and where they show up in cannabis

Phytocannabinoids are a class of 21-carbon compounds found almost exclusively in the Cannabis sativa L. plant. Over 100 have been identified so far (older counts put the figure at around 70), including their acidic and neutral forms, analogs and other breakdown products. The plant makes them in their non-psychoactive acidic forms, like Δ9-THCA, CBDA, CBGA and CBCA.

How they get activated

As buds dry and cure, the acidic phytocannabinoids partly decarboxylate, turning into their active neutral forms like Δ9-THC, CBD, CBG and CBC. Heat speeds this up a lot: smoking or cooking cannabis converts essentially all the acidic phytocannabinoids into their neutral forms.

How to decarboxylate

To decarb small amounts of plant material, you can use an oven at 120 °C (248 °F) for at least 20 minutes. Cooking cannabis in butter or oil also kicks off the process, as long as you give it enough time. Keep in mind that neutral Δ9-THC is the main driver of cannabis's psychoactive effects, while its acidic form, Δ9-THCA, won't get you high.

Endocannabinoids

How the body makes and uses them

Endocannabinoids are endogenous ligands, molecules made by animals and humans that bind to cannabinoid receptors. They're part of the endocannabinoid system, which regulates a wide variety of physiological processes, like modulating neurotransmitters and regulating pain perception and cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and liver function.

The main endocannabinoids

The two main endocannabinoids are anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). They work like natural keys for the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, switching them on. CB1 is found mostly in the central nervous system and is tied to psychoactive effects, while CB2 shows up mainly in the immune system and has immunomodulating effects.

Synthetic cannabinoids

How they're made and their medical uses

Synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made substances that can be similar to, or completely different from, phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids. One example is dronabinol (synthetic Δ9-THC), the active ingredient in MARINOL®, used for nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss. Another is nabilone, the active ingredient in CESAMET®, used to control nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.

Synthetic cannabinoids in "legal highs"

In recent years, some synthetic cannabinoids like JWH-018 and JWH-073 have shown up as ingredients in so-called "legal highs" marketed to mimic the effects of cannabis, best known as "Spice" or "K2".

They've proven more potent than phytocannabinoids and more likely to cause anxiety and panic, and they were originally designed for scientific research. They've never gone through the clinical trials needed to show they're safe for people to use.

Bottom line on the types

Cannabinoids, whether phytocannabinoids, endocannabinoids or synthetics, interact with the body's endocannabinoid system in different ways, producing a range of physiological and therapeutic effects.

Understanding these interactions and categories is key to getting the potential benefits while keeping the risks down.

How cannabinoids affect the body

Δ9-THC and its synthetic cousins throw off the body's natural endocannabinoid balance, setting off a series of significant responses.

Effects on thinking and mood

On the cognitive side, research has documented that cannabinoid use reduces motor coordination, time perception and associative learning. It also affects perception, including hearing, because there are receptors in the cerebellum, which changes how it works.

On the psychological side, the research is mixed: some studies suggest heavy long-term use could raise the risk of psychotic episodes and anxiety, while others point the other way.

Immune and anticancer effects

Recent lab and animal research suggests that Δ9-THC and CBD may have anticancer properties. In those models, these compounds can promote programmed death (apoptosis) of cancer cells, block the growth of blood vessels that feed tumors and reduce cell migration, possibly by ramping up the production of reactive oxygen species. None of this has been shown to work as a cancer treatment in people.

Effects in conditions like AIDS

Some preliminary research, including animal studies, has hinted that cannabinoids might help the body keep HIV viral load in check and extend survival, but this is far from established.

Effects on the heart and gut

On the cardiovascular side, cannabinoid use can cause a racing heart (tachycardia) and higher blood pressure and, at high doses, low blood pressure, a slow heart rate and widening of the coronary arteries. Cannabinoids also slow down stomach movement and may help protect the lining of the gut.

Effects on hormones and breathing

In the endocrine system, cannabinoids may reduce the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline, affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and hormones tied to the reproductive system.

On the respiratory side, smoking cannabis has shown a short-term bronchodilating effect (it opens the airways), but chronic use can lead to breathing problems like acute and chronic bronchitis, plus structural changes in the bronchial lining and the immune cells of the lungs (alveolar macrophages).

Conclusion

Cannabinoids, especially Δ9-THC and its derivatives, have a wide range of effects on the human body, from changes in thinking and mood to effects on the immune, cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine and respiratory systems. Understanding them is crucial for weighing both the risks and the potential benefits of using cannabis.