Cannabis and Its Effects on the Body

Course overview

The use of mind-altering substances by humans has occurred since prehistoric times. As a result of changes in social and legal perspectives, there has been a surge in cannabis legislation during the last few decades that has outpaced the research available on the use of cannabis and how it impacts the body. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex biological system comprised of chemical signals and cellular receptors present in our brain and throughout our body. It interacts with cannabis and its compounds and can result in a variety of psychological and physiological effects. If overused, cannabis can also result in many disorders, including the cannabis use disorder (CUD). The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the endocannabinoid system, the effects of cannabis on the human body, and various use disorders related to cannabis.