The Endocannabinoid System

The nervous system, the respiratory system, and the skeletal system. These all sound familiar as networks in our body that keep us going but have you ever heard of the Endocannabinoid (ECS)system?

The Endocannabinoid system was discovered in 1988 from a research study on how THC affects the body. This system is responsible for overall balance in the body, from your brain function, memory, reproduction, growth, and more. Now, I was taught that our nervous system was the ruler of homeostasis or balance in the body. So learning this blew my mind.

The way it works is like a lock and key system. We have two locks CB1 and CB2. CB1 is in the brain and spinal cord it regulates appetite, memory, learning, and pain reduction. CB2 works in the immune system to reduce inflammation in the body. The keys are compounds that unlock different responses in the body.

Some of the same compounds found in Cannabis are naturally made in our bodies. One of these compounds is called Anandamide or the bliss molecule, it’s responsible for the high feeling you get after working out and other happy feelings. THC happens to do the same thing as Anandamide. It even binds into the same place in the body.

So where does Cannabis come into the equation? Well, if a person has a deficient ECS cannabis could help regulate the imbalance. It can cut off pain and inflammation receptors in the body for cancer patients and others who struggle with bodily and emotional pain. For recreational users, it can have the same effects.

Not everyone uses Cannabis so how does the ESC work without it and how does someone regulate it? Dr. Rachel Knox gives us 5 ways to regulate and balance our ESC.

• Eat real foods

• Supplement with medicinal herbs and spices

• Detox

• Cannabis (whole plant medicine along with yoga, exercise, deep breathing )

• Healthy relationships ( Smile and hugging more activates ECS bliss hormone)

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I tried not to nerd out too much on this post but if you found this interesting subscribe to get updates on my upcoming Endocannabinoid Course.