Did you ever wonder why cannabis makes you feel high? Or why a well-timed edible gives you “the munchies,” or helps you sleep, or soothes your aches and pains, or any of the countless other benefits our favorite plant can offer?

The answer is complicated… but not as complicated as you might think. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD affect your body in specific ways because your body comes ready-made to receive them via a biological network that scientists call the endocannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is a complex collection of receptors and transmitters that work to keep the body “homeostasis,” or balance. Understanding cannabis impacts this system – how it can help or impair that state of balance, and which cannabinoids will produce which effects – can empower you to make more intentional, informed decisions about the plant products you consume.

How the Endocannabinoid System Works

Your endocannabinoid system is operating all the time, not just when you’re under the influence of cannabis. In fact, even people who’ve never consumed THC have an endocannabinoid system!

The endocannabinoid system regulates many of your body’s functions – including sleep, appetite, pain, inflammation, and stress – by helping to modulate the signals flying around your body’s internal comms system. Remember, your ECS’s goal is to maintain balance, keeping you floating comfortably in what some researchers call “The Goldilocks Zone:” not too hot or cold, not too hungry or full, not too sleepy or wired, etc.

For example, if you’re sore after a workout, transmitters within your ECS might interact with your pain receptors to say, “We hear you, our muscles need a break – stop with the pain signals, please!” Other messages the ECS might deliver are: “Time for bed,” or, “We are not in danger, please calm down,” or, “We should eat a snack.”

The goal with all this intra-you communication is to keep your body’s systems in a state of relative harmony. But we all know that nobody’s body exists in this regulated sweet spot all the time. So what happens when the ECS falters, and the balance is thrown off?

(Spoiler alert: this is where cannabis comes in.)

Two Types of Cannabinoids

When most of us hear the word “cannabinoid,” we think of the famous plant-produced ones like CBD or THC. But in fact, a “cannabinoid” refers to any molecule that interacts directly with the receptors of your endocannabinoid system. Your body makes plenty of (non-intoxicating) cannabinoids on its own – these are technically called “endocannabinoids.”

THC, CBD, CBG, and other plant-derived cannabinoids are technically classified as “phytocannabinoids.” Plenty of people consume these purely for fun, but they can also give your endocannabinoid system a helping hand when balance, or homeostasis, is proving hard to maintain.

For example, maybe your ECS isn’t properly signaling bedtime, which means you’re not getting enough sleep. Phytocannabinoids like the ones in Wana Optimals Sleep Gummies can help make you drowsy. On a more serious note, let’s say you’re receiving a medical treatment, like chemotherapy, that makes you more nauseated than your ECS is equipped to handle alone. The phytocannabinoid THC can come to the rescue, interrupting those queasy-making internal signals and even helping to stimulate appetite.

It’s also worth noting that different phytocannabinoids can work together synergistically, often more effectively than they can work alone – a phenomenon known as “the entourage effect.” This is why products containing multiple cannabinoids, like Wana’s 1:1:1 CBG/CBD/THC Gummies or THCV-infused Quick Lift Gummies often have different effects than those with just THC or CBD alone. In fact, the Wana team often recommends that those nervous about trying THC begin with a ratio product like these, because non-intoxicating cannabinoids can help prevent some of THC’s less desirable side effects, like anxiety.

Hacking Your Endocannabinoid System

Ok, “hack” is a strong word. But now that you understand how the ECS works, you may find it easier to choose plant products that will deliver the precise effects you’re looking for.

If you’re shopping for Wana Gummies, a lot of the work is already done for you. You can filter by desired effect on our All Products Page, and we’ll show you the Gummies Wana has already calibrated – using rare cannabinoids, terpenes, and other functional ingredients – to deliver those effects. You can also check out Wana’s hemp marketplace at shopwanderous.com to learn which products can actually ship to your door.

But even if you want to venture outside of Wana World, you can still seek out the best products for an ECS assist by brushing up on which rare and minor cannabinoids tend to produce which specific wellness effects. Our sister site, Wanderous, has recently published a helpful guide to some of the most common rare and minor cannabinoids.

By understanding more about the way your body works, and how different cannabinoids might impact it, you’ll always be able to cut through the noise and find the formulation that’s right for you. After all, the power was inside you all along!