You may think, if ECS is in our bodies, why do scientists define it with a name that comes from cannabis? It’s not like our bodies were specifically designed around one plant. It’s because the first molecules that were investigated and led to the discovery of the ECS came from the cannabis sativa plant. With more discoveries, the name just stuck.

In the last decades, the science around ECS has started to unravel the mystery of this system to help us understand the interactions between phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and other molecular substances. There’s still a lot to learn however. Scientists are finding new receptors (e.g. GPR55, TRPV, etc.), new endocannabinoid ligands, and new phytocannabinoids. The emergence of synthetic cannabinoids (incl. cannabinergic compounds such as aminoalkylindoles) highlights just how many potential molecules may feed into the highly complex system. One thing is clear though, understanding the system gives us a great opportunity to treat disorders and increase overall wellbeing.