The Things They Didn’t Tell You About Your ECS

The cannabis industry is still young, as is the reality of legalization. Fortunately, this means more states are introducing legislation to bring forth cannabis reform. Some states are finally able to light up their joints freely. Unfortunately, federal prohibition has left many scientists without the resources to fully research the cannabis plant and its complexities. That says a lot considering that people have been studying the cannabis plant for the better half of the 20th century.

The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in our day-to-day lives, even if its functions aren’t entirely well-known. It’s a massive physiological system in our bodies that influences regular bodily functions that we need to live. There’s tons of information but it’s not necessarily being brought into mainstream knowledge. People in medical school are hardly even learning about this. At least, for right now. 

It remains a complex manner to understand with plenty of room for more research to be done. And while you might think you know a thing or two about endocannabinoid systems, leafie recently found a few facts that you might not be aware of. 

Medical Schools Are Hardly Teaching Students About ECS

Cannabis is still federally illegal which means that the resources to teach, explore, research, and understand the plant are still limited. That means that not even medical professionals can accurately comprehend the medicinal benefits of cannabis and how it reacts within the endocannabinoid system.

36 states have approved of programs relating to medical cannabis — a step towards reform. Still, there’s a limited amount of schools in the United States that actually offer students a comprehensive understanding of the endocannabinoid system. According to a 2017 study, only 13% of medical schools in America provided proper training for their students to enter the field with training relating to the endocannabinoid system.

Considering that the ECS is an integral receptor in our body that dictates practically every aspect of our health, federal legalization is an absolute necessity in order for medical professionals to properly prescribe cannabis to patients who need it the most. 

There Are Still Plenty Of Studies On ECS

The education system at large might not be providing their students with the resources to understand the endocannabinoid system but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any out there. While Biden might say that he would prefer more research to be done before federally legalizing cannabis, there actually is plenty of information already available. There are upwards of 41,0000 studies done into the endocannabinoid system, as well as how it interacts with cannabis. The interesting part about this is that there are more studies done on the ECS and cannabis than there are available on any pharmaceutical drug or physiological system in the body. 

Many of the studies started in the 1990s when the ECS was discovered but there’s been tons of research on cannabis since the 1930s.

Endocannabinoid Receptors Found In Mitochondrial Cell

One of the most interesting discoveries of the ECS is how common it is in our bodies. Not only in the sense of how it interacts with THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids but how essential it is to practically every aspect of living organisms. A recent study revealed that endocannabinoid receptors are found in the mitochondrial cells wall structure. Ultimately, it means that the ECS is necessary to support your body in every aspect.

It’s Not Just Cannabis That Support The ECS

You can assume the endocannabinoid system was named after its connection to the cannabis plant and how the two work together. However, the ECS also reacts to other plants that support it. Specific terpenes and phytocannabinoids get the endocannabinoid receptors going such as turmeric, black pepper, saffron and clove.

An Understanding Of The ECS Might Lead To Solution For “Incurable” Diseases

The benefits of cannabis in the medicinal field have proven to be successful for an assortment of ailments, specifically terminal illnesses. However, the more we grow to understand the endocannabinoid system, the better we can comprehend how to effectively combat “incurable” diseases. 

As mentioned, there are upwards of 41,000 studies on ECS and researchers have found the possibility that endocannabinoid deficiencies can lead to conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines and IBS. Medical cannabis can play a significant role in combating these types of symptoms.