Let’s Start With The Basics 

Our bodies have their own endocannabinoid system. Endo refers to the Greek word “within” and cannabinoid refers to the molecules found in the plant, Cannabis. When discussing the endocannabinoid system, we are referring to the human body’s own system, while phytocannabinoids refers to the cannabinoid molecules found in cannabis. 

When studying how cannabis compounds acted within the human system in the early 1990’s, scientists discovered that the human body already had its own cannabis receptor sites, endocannabinoid molecules and enzymes, which is now known as the Endocannabinoid System. These sites reside on the surface of our cells and engage with our endocannabinoid molecules. They named this system— just like we have a circulatory and immune system—  after cannabis, affirming a similarity between the human cannabinoid system and the phytocannabinoids expressed in cannabis.

What Are The Receptor Sites?

We have two types: 

CB1 (found mostly in the brain and nervous system) and CB2 (found in the immune system, gastrointestinal tract and skin). 

These receptor sites are responsible for different actions and regulations in the body. As a whole, with or without phytocannabinoid use, our body's own endocannabinoid system is constantly working and responsible for the regulation and control of some of our most critical bodily functions. It is acting as our body’s homeostasis thermometer, monitoring the function of aspects such as immune function, gastrointestinal health, liver function, sleep, memory, mood and skin health. 

Our Skin, The Largest Organ

The health and strength of our skin’s endocannabinoid system is at the heart of our skin’s balance. Endocannabinoid receptors are found in abundance in our skin, producing endocannabinoid molecules based on the health and needs of our skin, or what Phytecs refers to as the “skin's cannabinoid tone.” Again, our endocannabinoid system is about regulation; when something is off and imbalanced within our skin, the ECS produces molecules to correct as best it can. 

Whether from genetic predispositions or external environmental causes, our skin shows us many unsavory symptoms from rosacea, acne, psoriasis and perioral dermatitis to dryness, blemishes, sunburning, scarring and accelerated aging. These “problems” are often signs that our inherent endocannabinoid system needs assistance. We use a host of products to try and correct these moments— moisturizers, facewash, serums, masks. While these are all wonderful and important for skin health, when our own endocannabinoid system is depleted, no amount of skincare actives will correct a deficient endocannabinoid system within our skin like phytocannabinoids. Whether it is using a product like the Flower & Oil Hemp Booster alone or adding it to a skincare product, phytocannabinoids will aid in the strengthening and recovery of our own endocannabinoid system.

Like we consume oranges for vitamin c, sometimes we need to supplement vitamin c  to boost that process; it isn’t always enough. And though this isn’t a case of oranges and vitamin c, we can similarly rely on phytocannabinoids to help the process within our own body when sometimes, it’s just not enough.