Posted here are three great lectures on cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System in the human body. The first lecture, by Dr. Robert Melamede is my favorite. Melamede frequently references Ilya Prigogine’s work and provides an understanding of the Endocannabinoid system based on a “far from equilibrium” perspective. For the more physics and math inclined readers, this is a wonderful connection.

Dr. Robert Melamede – Endocannabinoid System

 
The Endocannabinoid System in Health and Disease – Dr. Ethan Russo

Quick summary:

• Endocannabinoid System composed of three components: 1) endocannabinoids, 2) CB₁, CB₂ and TRPV₁ receptors, and 3) regulatory enzymes
• CB₁ is the most abundant G-protein-coupled receptor in the brain
• Cannabinoids modulate how fast things move through the gut!
• CB₁ is the “psychoactive receptor” and CB₂ is the immunomodulatory receptor
• CBs 10-fold more potent than morphine in WDR neurons mediating pain
• All humans have a baseline Endocannabinoid System, influenced by genetics or some life event; in some people the system becomes deficient – disease and other issues arise in the body
• Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED)
• THC notoriously increases appetite, why aren’t users more often obese? THC alters the microfloral balance in gut, prevents weight gain
• Cannabis very effective in Fibromyalgia
• Migraine info at 41 min
• Migraine related to CED

Cannabis and Cannabinoids – Dr. Jeffrey Hergenrather

Quick summary:

• Compared to the flower: oils, edibles and other extracts lose many of the cannabinoids and terpenes
• Cannabis is an adaptogen – can give you whatever your body needs to regain its homeostasis
• CBDs with THC works optimally, together it gives a greater than additive effect, i.e. better than consuming each individually; plant flower and all it contains is overall better than the extracts
• At 1 hour and 2 min in the lecture, entire list of cancers which exhibit cannabinoid sensitivity and in many cases the tumor goes away with cannabinoid treatment