The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) regulates the body by counterbalancing other biological systems. It’s an influential component to maintaining homeostasis in our body. If we can better predict and understand the role of various cannabinoids and enzymes in the ECS, we can in turn more reliably understand their effects on biological disorders and their accompanying symptoms.

If receptors are like switches that control different systems and functions, then enzymes are like different tools in the tool belt to construct, break apart, and modify molecules. All of the molecules in cannabis we enjoy like cannabinoids and terpenes are created by enzymes and this is also going on inside our own bodies too where enzymes play a key role in the endocannabinoid system! Read on to learn more about the amazing, but often underappreciated living machines that control nature’s chemical diversity.

Humankind is neurodiverse, which means that across all of humanity there are many different ways that the brain can function. And since humanity’s early evolutionary days, certain brains have gravitated towards cannabis. Stoners are a stigmatized group of different brains and we process the world around us in unique, beautiful, but sometimes challenging ways.

NAP Co-founder Dr. Riley Kirk, PhD is the host of the Bioactive Podcast, a bi-weekly podcast which disseminates the chemistry and pharmacology of natural products covering current news and research surrounding cannabis, psychedelics, toxins, pharmaceuticals & other bioactive substances. We will be airing special NAPTIME episodes where Dr. Miyabe Shields joins as a special guest to discuss the ongoings of the non-profit and current research updates!

The Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP) is a fiscally sponsore nonprofit organization focused on studying the real world applications of cannabis and other natural products from the lens of patient and consumer priorities.