Have you ever wondered how your body naturally maintains balance or what keeps you feeling relaxed after a long day? The answer lies in your endocannabinoid system.
This endocannabinoid system 101 guide will cover its basic terms, benefits, side effects, and supplements. So, read on, and learn how to support your endocannabinoid system for optimal health.
What Is The Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a group of lipid proteins found in the brain and throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. The system interacts with cannabinoid receptors to help regulate various physiological processes.
What Does The Endocannabinoid System Do?
The ECS is a bit of a jack of all trades in the body. It helps to regulate a wide range of functions, including appetite, digestion, energy balance, sleep, stress response, mood, memory, and reproduction. The ECS also helps to protect the body against inflammation and pain.
How does the endocannabinoid system work? The ECS has three components: receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes. You can find the receptors throughout the body and activate them using endocannabinoids. The body typically produces these endocannabinoids naturally, and the enzymes break them down.
What Are Endocannabinoids?
By now, you should be wondering, what are these mysterious endocannabinoids? They are lipid-based neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors. There are two main endocannabinoids: anandamide and 2-AG.
These two were considered twins for a long time, seeing as they were indistinguishable. However, recent studies have shown that minor behavioral functions divide them.
The Benefits Of A Healthy Endocannabinoid System
A healthy ECS can help to protect against inflammation and pain, regulate appetite and digestion, promote good sleep, reduce stress levels, improve mood, and support healthy reproductive function. Additionally, a healthy ECS may help protect against some forms of cancer.
What Happens When The Endocannabinoid System Is Overactive?
An overactive endocannabinoid system can lead to several health problems, such as:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Anxiety
- Depression
So, if you suspect an overactive ECS, then it’s best to get to a doctor as soon as possible.
Endocannabinoid System Supplements
If you are looking to support a healthy endocannabinoid system, some supplements can help. Some of the most popular endocannabinoid system supplements include:
- CBD oil
- Hemp oil
- Black seed oil
- Fish oil
- Coconut oil
Endocannabinoid System And CBD
CBD oil derives from the marijuana plant and is a popular endocannabinoid system activator. If the name doesn’t say it all, then CBD oil contains high levels of CBD, a cannabinoid that supports a healthy ECS. There are multiple forms of CBD oil, including tinctures, edibles, and capsules.
ECS Deficiency
It is also possible to have a deficiency in the endocannabinoid system. For example, suppose you are experiencing several health problems and believe that your ECS may be to blame. Then, like the overactive endocannabinoid system side effects, you may experience anxiety, hyperalgesia, and depression.
If you experience this, consider supplementing with CBD oil or another endocannabinoid system supplement.
Conclusion
Now that you have read through this endocannabinoid system 101 guide, you can start working towards keeping your ECS healthy. After all, who wouldn’t want to gain all the benefits that the ECS has to offer?
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