summary of key studies & research:

Cannabinoids 101: What Makes Cannabis Medicine?

“We live in ironic times: a plant that’s been labelled criminal and dangerous is providing unrivaled relief for a variety of symptoms and conditions. Cannabis strains bring a colorful variety of medicinal effects, but when confronted with the question of how consuming marijuana could possibly be good for you, not everyone knows how to respond.”

https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/%20cannabinoids-101-what-makes-cannabis-medicine

HEALTH.HARVARD - The Endocannabinoid System - Essential and Mysterious

This article breaks down the endocannabinoid system into two parts, the CB1 receptors and the CB2 receptors, and explains the functions of these two receptors. This article also explains how our bodies create cannabinoids on its own and how similar they are to the cannabinoids found in the Marijuana plant. It goes even further by stating the research on the endocannabinoid system was INITIALLY focused on the attempts to understand AND DEMONIZE an “illegal drug,” i.e, cannabis. 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569

HONAHLEE - Endocannabinoid System Explained

This article breaks down the ECS even further, explaining exactly the roles of CB1 and CB2 receptors as well as the difference between Cannabinoids and Phytocannabinoids as well as how they interact with our systems and the potential risks and benefits!

https://honahlee.com.au/articles/endocannabinoid-system-explained/

SHREDCBD - The Endocannabinoid System for Dummies

This article delves into the seven BASIC facts we should all know about the Endocannabinoid system, but are not taught. Keep in mind, some of this information is toned down a bit, cannabinoids are found in cannabis yes, but they also NATURALLY occur in the body. What this article is actually referring to when they refer to cannabinoids in the actual Cannabis Plant are more accurately referred to as PHYTOCANNABINOIDS because they are PLANTBASED cannabinoids and not made by our body’s, I hope that makes sense.

https://shredcbd.com/blogs/shredcbd/the-endocannabinoid-system-for-dummies#:~:text=The%20endocannabinoid%20system%20is%20a%20network%20of%20cell%20receptors%20that,with%20pain%20and%20inflammation%20regulation.

HIGHTIMES - Study Finds THC Detected in Blood or Breath Does NOT Indicate Impairment

This article explains how the THC that can be detected in your blood or on your breath does not indicate actual impairment. It does not even provide reliable evidence of how recently a test subject had USED cannabis. It goes on further to say,”“Our results indicate that unimpaired individuals could mistakenly be identified as cannabis-intoxicated when THC limits are imposed by the law.”

https://hightimes.com/study/study-finds-thc-detected-in-blood-or-breath-does-not-indicate-impairment/

CANNIGMA-How Cannabis Is Metabolized by Your Body

This article breaks down the metabolism of THC in the body, both when smoked and ingested. The reason this information is so important is to help understand how Big Pharma demonizes a plant that works much like the medications they offer to their patients and the purpose behind it. Big pharma has essentially told us,”Natural medicine bad, our drugs good.” But if you understand how this plant really works with our bodies it becomes a LOT less scary and a lot tougher to demonize. This article goes on to explain how when we are drug tested, we are actually tested for the NON PSYCHOACTIVE component. 

“THC-COOH is what drug tests look for to detect the presence of cannabis in urine, and this inactive metabolite can be stored for over 30 days.”

Which means, in theory, they were never concerned about impairment but the overall USE in general. 

https://cannigma.com/physiology/how-cannabis-is-metabolized-by-your-body/

PUBMED - Cannabinoids: Well-Suited Candidates for the Treatment of Perinatal Brain Injury

“Numerous experimental studies have proven that the modulation of the endocannabinoid system either by enhancement of the endogenous cannabinoid signaling or by administration of exogenous cannabinergic ligands has beneficial effects during the acute and recovery phases after perinatal brain injury. These studies covered different modes of neonatal brain injury including NHIE, perinatal asphyxia and neonatal stroke, and revealed the high potential of the endocannabinoid system as a novel therapeutic target for the prevention of permanent brain damage in newborns. The characterization of CBD, a non-psycoactive cannabinoid, as a safe and effective protective drug in non-rodent models of NHIE further encouraged the use of CBD as an adjuvant therapy for the acute treatment of the affected newborns.“

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4061885/

PUBMED - Medicinal Cannabis: History, Pharmacology, And Implications for the Acute Care Setting

“Regardless of personal views and perceptions, to deny or disregard the implications of use of this substance on patient health and the infrastructure of the health care system is irresponsible; clinicians must be aware of these implications and informed about how this therapy may influence practice in a variety of health care settings, including acute care.“

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312634/