In The Endocannabinoid System – What Is It & It’s Importance course, we will explore the functions of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the essential role it plays in the effects of medicinal cannabis products on patients.

By completing this course, you will understand what the ECS is, its influence on wellness & disease and how to modulate the ECS with medicinal cannabis for improved patient outcomes.

This knowledge will empower you to enhance patient outcomes through informed medicinal cannabis practices relating to prescribing medicinal cannabis products.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this activity pharmacists should be able to:

1. Recognise the role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in maintaining physiological homeostasis across different biological systems.

2. Describe the structure and function of the endocannabinoid system, defining key components such as cannabinoid receptors, endogenous cannabinoids and related enzymes.

3. Differentiate between the various endocannabinoids, describing their multimodal mechanisms of action and influence in health.

4. Explain the implications of a dysfunctional ECS in relation to chronic disease.

5. Summarise current scientific evidence regarding the ECS and its relevance to therapeutic targets in pharmacy care.