Cannabis Pharmacology

Cannabis Pharmacology: The Science Behind the Plant

At THC Locker, we believe our customers deserve more than marketing jargon. You deserve a clear, intelligent, and science-based understanding of what cannabis actually does in the human body. That’s why we’ve created this definitive resource — a deep dive into the pharmacology of cannabis, from cannabinoids to receptors, from terpenes to bioavailability.

1. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS): Your Body’s Internal Cannabis Network

Every human — in fact, nearly every vertebrate animal — has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). This vast regulatory network modulates mood, memory, pain, appetite, sleep, immune response, and more. It consists of:

CB1 Receptors: Primarily in the brain and central nervous system. Responsible for the psychoactive effects of THC.
CB2 Receptors: Mostly in immune cells, regulating inflammation and immunity.
Endocannabinoids: Anandamide and 2-AG, your body’s natural cannabis-like molecules.
Enzymes: FAAH and MAGL break down endocannabinoids after use.

Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant — phytocannabinoids — interact with this system, mimicking or modulating these internal molecules.

2. THC: More Than a High

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. It acts as a partial agonist at CB1 receptors, meaning it activates them but not fully. This partial stimulation is what produces the signature “high,” along with effects on:

Short-term memory and cognition
Pain perception
Appetite stimulation (via hypothalamic activation)
Nausea suppression (anti-emetic effects)

But THC also has anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and even anti-tumor properties in some preclinical studies. These effects are dose-dependent and can vary significantly depending on the delivery method, strain profile, and user physiology.

3. CBD: The Non-Psychoactive Modulator

Cannabidiol (CBD) doesn’t bind strongly to CB1 or CB2, but it modulates the ECS indirectly — and it does much more:

Inhibits FAAH, increasing natural anandamide levels.
Allosteric modulation of CB1 receptors, softening the impact of THC.
Agonist at 5-HT1A receptors, lending anti-anxiety and antidepressant potential.
TRPV1 activation, related to pain and inflammation pathways.

CBD has broad pharmacological actions, many of which are still being mapped. It’s being studied for epilepsy, anxiety, schizophrenia, and inflammation, among other conditions.

4. Minor Cannabinoids: The Next Frontier

Beyond THC and CBD, cannabis produces over 120 identified cannabinoids, many in trace amounts. These include:

CBG (Cannabigerol): The “mother cannabinoid,” with antibacterial and neurogenic properties.
CBN (Cannabinol): Mildly psychoactive and potentially sedating.
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): May suppress appetite and support metabolic health.
CBC (Cannabichromene): Linked to anti-inflammatory and mood-elevating effects.

At THC Locker, we test for and showcase these minor cannabinoids because they may be key to strain-specific effects and future therapeutic innovations.

5. Terpenes: The Entourage Architects

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants. They don’t just shape aroma and flavor — they also modulate how cannabinoids affect your body.

Common cannabis terpenes include:

Myrcene: Sedating, muscle-relaxant, may enhance THC’s effects.
Limonene: Uplifting, stress-reducing, may improve absorption.
Caryophyllene: Binds to CB2 receptors — a rare trait for a terpene — with anti-inflammatory properties.
Linalool: Calming, possibly anticonvulsant.
Pinene: Bronchodilator and memory enhancer.

This synergistic interaction — cannabinoids working in concert with terpenes — is known as the entourage effect. It explains why different strains can have dramatically different effects, even at the same THC percentage.

6. Delivery Methods & Bioavailability

Your experience isn’t just about what you take — it’s about how you take it. Each delivery method offers unique pharmacokinetics:

Inhalation (smoking/vaping):
- Onset: 1–5 minutes
- Peak: ~30 minutes
- Duration: 2–4 hours
- Bioavailability: 10–35%
Oral (edibles/oils):
- Onset: 30–90 minutes
- Peak: 2–4 hours
- Duration: 6–8 hours
- Bioavailability: ~4–12%
- THC is metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC, a more potent and longer-lasting compound.
Sublingual (tinctures):
- Onset: 15–45 minutes
- Peak: ~1 hour
- Duration: 4–6 hours
- Higher bioavailability than oral ingestion.

Different modes suit different goals: fast relief, sustained effects, discretion, or metabolic control.

7. The Role of Genetics and Tolerance

Your individual response to cannabis is shaped by genetic factors, including:

CYP450 enzyme activity (especially CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, which metabolize THC)
Polymorphisms in FAAH or CB1 receptor genes
Neurotransmitter balance and baseline ECS tone

This is why one person’s calming indica is another’s anxiety trigger. It’s also why tolerance builds over time, with CB1 receptors becoming less sensitive or even downregulated with chronic THC exposure.

8. Cannabis, Legality & Research Frontiers

Cannabis remains Schedule I under U.S. federal law, significantly limiting clinical research. However, recent advances include:

FDA approval of Epidiolex (CBD) for epilepsy
Ongoing clinical trials exploring cannabinoids for chronic pain, PTSD, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer adjunct therapy.

As barriers fall and research accelerates, we’re likely to uncover entire new classes of cannabinoids, delivery technologies, and personalized cannabis medicine based on your genetic and metabolic profile.

The THC Locker Standard

We’re not just here to sell you flower — we’re here to elevate the conversation. That’s why all THC Locker products are:

Lab tested for cannabinoids, terpenes, and contaminants
Profiled with transparency so you understand what you’re getting
Curated for diversity, offering strains rich in rare cannabinoids and terpenes

We believe that education is empowerment — and that an informed consumer is a revolution in motion.

Explore our collection. Ask deeper questions. Demand better answers. At THC Locker, we don’t just know cannabis — we study it.