The idea of ants “getting high” from edibles sparks curiosity about how different species react to substances that affect humans. While cannabis edibles produce psychoactive effects in people, these effects rely on specific biological mechanisms. Exploring ant biology clarifies whether such experiences are possible for them.
Understanding Edibles and Psychoactive Effects
Edibles are food products infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. When consumed, THC enters the bloodstream and interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system regulates various bodily functions, including mood, memory, appetite, and pain.
The psychoactive “high” in humans results from THC binding to cannabinoid receptors. Two main types exist: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are found predominantly in the brain and central nervous system, influencing neurotransmitter release and altering cognition, mood, and perception. CB2 receptors are more commonly located in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells, affecting inflammation and immune responses. THC’s binding to both allows it to exert a wide range of effects.
Ant Physiology and Nervous System
Ants, like other insects, possess a distinct physiology. Their digestive system includes a crop, often called a “social stomach,” where liquid food can be stored and later shared with other ants through a process called trophallaxis. The midgut is where the primary digestion and nutrient absorption occur for the individual ant.
An ant’s nervous system consists of a brain and a ventral nerve cord, which is a chain of ganglia extending along the length of their body. Neurons in insects transmit signals using neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, dopamine, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). While insects share some neurotransmitters with mammals, the specific types and configurations of their receptors can vary considerably.
Ants’ Biological Interaction with Cannabinoids
A primary difference between insects and mammals is the absence of a functional endocannabinoid system. Insects do not possess cannabinoid receptors like CB1 and CB2. This means psychoactive compounds like THC, which bind to these receptors in humans, cannot elicit a similar response in ants.
Research indicates insects produce little to no arachidonic acid or endocannabinoid ligands, such as anandamide. Without these ligands and corresponding receptors, the complex signaling pathways of the endocannabinoid system that mediate the “high” in humans are not present or functional in ants. This lack of cannabinoid receptors is unique in comparative neurobiology, as most other mammalian neuroreceptors have analogues in insects.
What Happens When Ants Encounter Edibles?
When ants encounter edibles, they will not experience a psychoactive “high” in the human sense. Lacking the cannabinoid receptors THC binds to, psychoactive compounds cannot interact with their nervous system to produce characteristic effects. Instead, ants primarily metabolize the edible’s nutritional components.
Edibles contain sugars and fats, which ants digest as food sources. Their digestive system breaks down these macronutrients for energy.
Any observed behavioral changes, such as increased activity, would likely be a response to the sugar content, similar to a “sugar rush,” rather than a psychoactive effect. While some studies suggest cannabinoids might have minor, non-receptor-mediated effects on insect behavior or physiology at very high concentrations, these are not comparable to the human “high” and are rarely observed in typical scenarios.