Hello! I am the Endocannabinoid System. Think of me as the team manager who makes sure critical bodily functions run smoothly. I am made of chemical messengers called endocannabinoids, cellular receptors that communicate with endocannabinoids, and enzymes that break down endocannabinoids after they’ve delivered their messages.

My role on the team is to make sure everything is in balance. I regulate many body and brain functions, such as helping with memory, coping with stress, pain and anxiety, and keeping hunger, body temperature, motor coordination and alertness in balance. Without me, the rest of the team would struggle to do things like remember things, cheer themselves up after setbacks, feel better when they are hurt, and ensure that they have everything they need to play at the best of their ability.

Introducing marijuana to your body can throw me off my game. When I am introduced to Tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC), a chemical found in marijuana, I become overwhelmed and unbalanced. I am no longer able to help manage the team. This results in difficulties storing and retrieving memories, problems managing stress, and issues with coordination. The team falls apart when I am not at the top of my game!

Underage marijuana use is not only illegal, but it negatively impacts your developing brain and gets in the way of you performing to the best of your ability. Give yourself the best chance of achieving success by saying “YES” to a healthy lifestyle and “NO” to underage marijuana use. Take a look at my video to learn even more! And don’t forget to test your knowledge with this quick quiz!