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How does cannabis affect the body?

From euphoric, happy moods to unwanted side effects: being “high” is used to describe the effects of cannabis. Lightness and calm or heaviness and anxiety. The various effects of the plant are at least as diverse as its strains. But how does cannabis actually affect our body, and how is this effect used medically?

Cannabinoids – the foundation of cannabis effects

The active ingredients found in cannabis flowers fall under the umbrella of cannabinoids. Around 100 different cannabinoids have been identified in various plants, each with a unique distribution. The most well-known are THC and CBD. The human body has what’s known as the endocannabinoid system, to which cannabinoids bind and which influences many life functions. Simply put, the plant’s compounds attach to cannabinoid receptors located in the human nervous system.

There are two types of receptors: Type 1 is mainly found in the central nervous system and is being studied primarily for its effects on nerve damage and diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. Type 2, on the other hand, is found in the immune, digestive, or reproductive systems. This receptor type can also be found in bones, skin, lungs, hormonal glands, and eyes.

How do we perceive the drug?

The receptors mentioned above are responsible for movement, memory, perception of time and senses, mood, concentration, coordination, and appetite. This list highlights and explains the effects that humans experience when consuming cannabis. The bound THC and CBD, as well as other cannabinoids, alter our perception, reduce pain sensitivity, and trigger euphoria, empathy, and sensitivity. Many users perceive their social surroundings more intensely or describe new patterns of thought and ideas. However, like any medication, cannabis use can also bring unwanted side effects. These include fatigue, dizziness, slurred speech, or dry mouth. Psychological effects such as restlessness, anxiety, hallucinations, or panic may also occur. These acute negative side effects generally subside within a few hours, or at most after three days.

As with other drugs, the exact effects depend not only on the strain but also on dosage, tolerance, and setting. Typically, the effects of smoking a joint last one to four hours – while ingesting cannabis orally can result in effects lasting four to ten hours. In pharmaceutical products and medical use, these fluctuations and negative effects are usually milder, as the active ingredients are precisely defined and measured.

Dependence and tolerance to cannabis

In general, cannabis does not cause physical dependence, unlike other chemical drugs. However, it is evident that prolonged cannabis use leads to tolerance of the active compounds. Its effects on the psyche, psychomotor functions, and cardiovascular system diminish. As a result, a psychological dependence on the plant may develop – symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, or insomnia may occur.

People with a predisposition to mental health disorders are more likely to develop what's known as “cannabis psychosis.” In medical therapy, however, such effects are very rare. Overall, the negative effects of cannabis use are not life-threatening. There have been no known fatalities in medical use so far.

A unique compound?

Our own bodies also produce so-called endocannabinoids, which bind to the same receptors as the cannabis compounds. These have similar effects but are composed differently from the plant and play a significant role in the development of the human body. For example, the compound can be found in breast milk.