I used to have an overactive sense and perception of danger and my brain had a proclivity to store fearful memories (I’ve been waiting to use Jordan Peterson’s favourite word in my writing!). I treated my fears as parts of my life to run away from, so when my “attentional bias” became hardwired for danger and threats, my quality of life went to shit.

I’m not a qualified scientist (but ultimately every human is one) and what I write about is purely informed by my perspective and being curious about the effect of cannabis on my body and mind, and then looking to the scientific literature to see what is already understood.  

It’s cool to see the research showing the effect of the endocannabinoid system on the brain, especially the limbic system, the part that governs our survival behaviours, including the fight or flight response and reproduction.

Studies are showing that the endocannabinoid system is playing a role in fear extinction learning (defined as a decline in conditioned fear responses), specifically the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA). 

AEA was only discovered in 1992 and named after the Sanskrit word ‘ananda’ meaning joy and bliss. And for anyone who loves running, the runner’s high isn’t from a burst of endorphins, it’s AEA.

People who are considered to have clinical endocannabinoid deficiency produce lower levels of AEA and other endocannabinoids. 

So if our body isn’t producing enough AEA, we are more prone to experiencing anxiety, we have lower pain thresholds, digestive issues, reproductive issues etc. 

THC and AEA have a really similar chemical structure and a similar effect on the body and mind. Both THC and AEA interact with the CB1 receptor, found in high densities in the limbic system, especially the hippocampus (responsible for learning and memory) and the amygdala (the area where we process fear and also pleasure).

But I don’t think the science is explaining the full picture yet! Because for me, cannabis hasn’t helped me eliminate fear. Yes for sure, it’s helped soften the memories that inform the fear based behaviours. But it’s my relationship to fear that has changed with the help of cannabis. I don’t run away from it as much as I used to, and I now believe fear is guidance to show you what needs to be confronted which is unique for everyone. And it’s in this process of confronting our fears, where we begin to really live...with joy.

This statement below comes from: Human Fear Conditioning and Extinction in Neuroimaging: A Systematic Review.

“Pre-treatment with AEA enhancing drugs could promote extinction learning during psychotherapeutic interventions.”

…there is a solution already in existence that has been used by humanity for thousands of years, but it’s the story that we’ve been telling about it.