The ECS



This is Dylan. Just like you and me, he has essential systems in his body that keep him healthy and functioning. These systems include...

The Muscular System

Digestive System

Skeletal System

Nervous System 

Circulatory System.

What if I told you there was another system.

A system whose job it was to make sure all of those systems are always in balance.

This system exists and is in each and every one of us.

Let me introduce you to...

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) 

 

The ECS is this amazing system that no one ever told you about. 
It was discovered by Western medicine only about 50 years ago.

The Endocannabinoid System is actually over 500 million years old.

Every function in our bodies requires a specific level to perform at maximum efficiency. When this balance is achieved, it’s called homeostasis.

The endocannabinoid system is involved in numerous bodily functions.

Endocannabinoids (ECBs) are the messenger molecules that are critically involved in this internal regulatory response.

Pain, stress, appetite, energy metabolism, cardiovascular function, reward and motivation, reproduction, and sleep are just a few of the functions that endocannabinoids can target by activating cannabinoid receptors.

The ECS is linked to the following processes:

Mood

Stress

Metabolism

Chronic Pain

Inflammation 

Immune System Responses

Appetite and Digestion 

Learning and Memory 

Motor Control

Sleep

Cardiovascular System Function

Muscle Formation

Bone Remodeling and Growth

Liver Function

Reproductive System Function

Skin and Nerve Function

When these processes are in balance, our internal environment is balanced. That is the definition of homeostasis. It is believed that maintaining homeostasis is the primary role of the ECS.

There are 3 basic parts of the ECS:

1. Endocannabinoids (ECBs)

ECBs are defined as: endogenous lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors. That's a mouthful.

Simply stated endocannabinoids are neurotransmitters made inside us, by us.

They are the crucial messenger molecules that balance our internal environment.

They help keep our functions running smoothly. 

Stress, pain, mindset, appetite, energy, metabolism, cardiovascular function, reward and motivation, reproduction, and sleep are just a few of the functions that endocannabinoids can affect.

 

 

The two main endocannabinoids are:

Anandamide, also known as the bliss molecule.

 

2-arachidonoylglyerol, also known as 2-AG.

Endocannabinoids need receptors to bind to. 

There are two main endocannabinoid receptors.

CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system.
CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells.

Your endocannabinoids bind to them in order to signal that the ECS needs to take action.

Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to.

For example, endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells to signal that your body’s experiencing inflammation.

CB1 is located mainly in the central nervous system.

CB2 is mainly located in immune cells, the gastrointestinal tract, and the peripheral nervous system.

 

CB1 and CB2 receptors are found throughout your body.

 

So hows does the ECS work? The ECS responds when something is out of balance in your body, for example when you experience: 

Anxiety or Stress 

Inflammation or Injury

Weakened Immune System

When any of these changes occur, the ECS jumps into action.

 

Anandamide is created, which then binds with the CB1 receptor. 

2-AG is created, which then binds with the CB2 receptor.

 Our endocannabinoids turn on some receptors, but turn off others. It's a carefully synchronized balancing act. 

 

The only problem is that ECBs are really fragile compounds.

They are not stored anywhere in the body.

They are broken down very quickly by enzymes. 

 These are the two enzymes that break down our ECBs.

 

This is the enzyme FAAH (Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase). FAAH breaks down anandamide. 

This is the enzyme MAGL (monoacylglycerol acid lipase). MAGL breaks down 2-AG. 

All good things must come to an end. But here's the good news — there's a natural way to keep endocannabinoids in your system longer and stop them from being broken down so quickly.

It's a phytocannabinoid called cannabidiol but most people know it as...

CBD is a phytocannabinoid, a cannabinoid made by a plant. The incredible part is that it's almost identical to your endocannabinoids. But CBD doesn't fit into your ECB receptors.

 

Instead, CBD works by naturally keeping your own ECBs in your ECS. The longer anandamide and 2-AG are in your system the more benefits you may get from them. Additionally, CBD slows the enzymes FAAH and MAGL from breaking down your endocannabinoids so quickly. 

You can see why CBD has an important part to play in our ECS wellness.

Other ways to optimize your ECS:

Meditation.

Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids.

Yoga.

Exercise.

 

If you have questions or want to learn more about our CBD products for different mindsets, be sure to contact us today!