It's a Rogue World feat. "What is the Endocannabinoid System?" 3.31.25

Greetings, Paq. This week let's talk a bit about the mysterious (but real!) endocannabinoid system. We'll also chat about a lovely summertime fragrance, how to make the best ranch dressing at home, and a gripping book by Adam Johnson.

On Canna: What's The Endocannabinoid System?

You probably did not learn about the endocannabinoid system in biology but we promise it does exist. What is it you may be asking? The ECS is a biological system in the body whose main function it to help regulate and balance key bodily functions such as learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating. Let's get technical for a second so we can connect how the ECS relates to cannabis.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an extensive network of chemical signals and cellular receptors densely distributed throughout the brain and body. Among these, the CB1 receptors (AKA the brain’s "cannabinoid" receptors) are among the most numerous receptor types. They regulate the levels and activity of most neurotransmitters. This regulation occurs through immediate feedback, adjusting the activity of various systems as needed, whether for hunger, temperature, or alertness.

Endocannabinoids are molecules which activate these receptors; they share structural similarities with compounds found in the cannabis plant. Anandamide, the first identified endocannabinoid, was named after the Sanskrit word ananda, which means bliss. Essentially, all of us have naturally occurring cannabis-like molecules circulating in our brains. The cannabis plant, used by humans for roughly 5,000 years, exerts its effects by interacting with this ancient cellular system.

Photo by Maison Margiela

Current Fashion Obsession: Maison Margiela Replica: Never Ending Summer Perfume

We wear Replica: By the Fireplace all fall/winter (smells like chestnuts and vanilla) and are now switching to Never Ending Summer for the foreseeable future. It's a citrus-forward scent that smells very of the moment.

Photo by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash

What We're Cooking:  The Best Ranch Dressing

You know what makes everything taste better? RANCH DRESSING! Here's our favorite way to make it at home:

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup real mayonnaise
• 1/2 tbsp buttermilk (feel free to infuse this using our recipe)
• 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1/8 cup fresh dill chopped very fine
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• kosher salt to taste
• black pepper to taste

HOW TO:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in an airtight jar so you can use all week long

Our Current Read: The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson

Never have we ever had our minds blown open more spectacularly than by this 2013 Pulitzer Prize winner. The Orphan Master's Son is a wild ride through the secretive and brutal world of North Korea. Adam Johnson tells the story of Pak Jun Do, a boy raised in an orphanage run by his strict father and haunted by the memory of his mother, a singer taken away to Pyongyang. From a young age, he learns how power works—who eats, who suffers, and who survives.

As he rises through the ranks of the regime, Jun Do goes from obedient worker to professional kidnapper, constantly adapting to the bizarre and dangerous demands of his leaders. But when he falls for Sun Moon, a beloved actress sheltered from her country’s suffering, he takes the ultimate risk—going up against Kim Jong Il himself.

This novel is part thriller, part love story, and part deep dive into a world most of us will never see. It’s intense, heartbreaking, and at times darkly funny, offering a rare, unforgettable glimpse inside a dictatorship. Johnson is an extremely powerful storyteller. Do not miss this one!

Thanks for spending your time with us this week - we'll be back next week with more of the things that inspire and nourish or bodies and minds.