What Are Phytocannabinoids? What Are Endocannabinoids? The Science Behind Cannabis

Cannabis is full of fascinating compounds called cannabinoids. But here’s something surprising: our bodies make cannabinoids too. The ones that come from plants are called phytocannabinoids, while the ones our bodies make are called endocannabinoids. Both groups connect with a powerful network inside us known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is the bridge between cannabis and human biology, and understanding it helps explain why cannabis has such strong effects on health and mood.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

The ECS is one of the body’s main gatekeepers for balance, also called homeostasis. Homeostasis means keeping things stable, like a thermostat that prevents a room from getting too hot or too cold. The ECS works the same way inside us, helping regulate sleep, mood, appetite, pain, memory, and immune response.

By stepping in at just the right time, the ECS acts like a gatekeeper. It decides when to let signals pass and when to hold them back, making sure the body stays steady and in control. The ECS shows us that our bodies already have a system designed to work with cannabinoids.

A Discovery in St. Louis: The CB1 Receptor

That system was first revealed in the early 1990s, when researchers at Saint Louis University discovered the CB1 receptor. Found mainly in the brain and central nervous system, CB1 was the first proof that humans have a natural system designed to interact with cannabinoids. This breakthrough opened the door to mapping the entire ECS and showed why studying cannabinoids matters not only for cannabis research but also for human health.

Endocannabinoids: The Body’s Own Cannabinoids

With the ECS identified, the next step was understanding how the body fuels it. That’s where endocannabinoids come in. These are cannabinoids made naturally by the body whenever balance needs to be restored. Two of the most important are anandamide, known as the “bliss molecule,” and 2-AG.

Anandamide is often compared to THC because both connect strongly with CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system. This is why THC can mimic some of the effects of anandamide, like shifts in mood or perception. 2-AG, on the other hand, is more like a partner for the entire ECS. Instead of focusing mainly on CB1, it activates both CB1 and CB2 receptors, helping balance not only the brain and nervous system but also the immune system.

When your body needs help, these chemicals are created on demand, travel to ECS receptors, and guide the system back into balance. In other words, they are the body’s built-in way of activating the ECS.

Runner’s High and Endocannabinoids

One of the clearest examples of endocannabinoids at work is the runner’s high. For many years, people believed this rush of calm and euphoria after a workout came from endorphins. Now scientists know it is mostly the work of endocannabinoids like anandamide, which travel into the brain and activate ECS receptors. Unlike endorphins, these molecules can cross into the brain easily, creating that wave of calm and joy athletes often describe.

This discovery showed us that the ECS is not just about cannabis. It is part of everyday life, even when we are exercising.

Phytocannabinoids: The Plant Connection

If endocannabinoids are the body’s own key to the ECS, phytocannabinoids are nature’s matching set. These are cannabinoids made by cannabis plants. More than a hundred exist, but the two most well-known are THC and CBD.

THC connects strongly with CB1 receptors in the brain, which is why it produces the high that cannabis is famous for. CBD works more gently. It does not lock into receptors in the same way as THC, but can slow the breakdown of the body’s endocannabinoids, helping them last longer and work more effectively.

Because phytocannabinoids resemble what our bodies already make, they can interact with the ECS in meaningful ways. This is why cannabis has such a wide range of effects, from the heady high of THC to the calming support of CBD. When you visit a dispensary in Florissant like Feel State, you are choosing carefully tested products that work alongside your body’s natural cannabinoids.

Fun Fact: Scientists recently discovered that a plant called Trema micrantha also makes CBD, even though it isn’t related to cannabis. This shows that nature holds many surprises when it comes to cannabinoids.

Comparing Endocannabinoids and Phytocannabinoids

Here are three key differences between the two:

• Origin: Endocannabinoids are made by the body. Phytocannabinoids come from plants.
  
• Timing: Endocannabinoids appear only when balance needs restoring. Phytocannabinoids enter the body when cannabis is used.
  
• Interaction: Both connect with ECS receptors, but they do it in slightly different ways and create different effects.
  

This comparison shows that while they come from different sources, they both speak the same language, the language of the ECS.

Why This Matters

The ECS is the gatekeeper of balance in the body. Endocannabinoids are its natural keys, and phytocannabinoids from cannabis are plant-based partners that can influence the same system. Together, they show how deeply connected humans are to cannabinoids.

This explains why cannabis can create experiences as different as the natural joy of a runner’s high, the uplifting effects of THC gummies, or the calming support of CBD.

Explore Cannabis with Confidence

At Feel State Florissant Dispensary, we believe learning is just as important as shopping. Our team is here to answer questions and guide you toward products that connect with your ECS in the right way. From THC gummies to premium cannabis flower in Florissant, we are proud to be one of the best dispensaries in St. Louis.

Check out our online menu or stop by in person to explore cannabis with confidence.

Disclaimer: The information presented here is meant for educational purposes only. Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of specific medical products.