The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

…..is a central regulatory system that affects a wide range of biological processes. It consists of a group of molecules known as cannabinoids and the cannabinoid receptors that they bind to. These receptors are found in various parts of the body, but are most prominent in the brain and immune system. Although the endocannabinoid system affects a wide variety of biological processes experts believe that its overall function is to regulate homeostasis. Homeostasis is a key element in the biology of all living things and is best described as the ability to maintain stable internal conditions that are necessary for survival. Disease is simply a result of some aspect of failure in achieving homeostasis, making the endocannabinoid system a unique target for medical applications. The modulating activity of the endocannabinoid system holds therapeutic promise in a wide range of conditions from mood and anxiety disorders, movement disorders such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury, to cancer, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension, glaucoma, obesity/metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis, to name just a few. Where do endocannabinoids come from? This question has another simple answer: diet. Your body creates endocannabinoids with the help of fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are especially important for this. Research in animal models has found a connection between diets low in omega-3s and mood changes caused by poor endocannabinoid regulation. Fortunately, hemp seeds are a quality source of omgea-3s in a form is easier for your body to put to use. If your body cannot produce enough endocannabinoids, you might be in for some trouble. This is where phytocannabinoids (plant based cannabinoids) step up to the plate. ENTOURAGE / ECS In order to have a proper understanding about Cannabis’ relationship with the human body, one has to have knowledge about our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS produces its own cannabinoids. The job of the ECS is to keep the body’s other systems in balance. Where these internal cannabinoids are deficient, disease can take hold and this is where the plant based cannabinoids come into play. Cannabis buds are covered in a sticky dusting of crystal resin which contains hundreds of therapeutic compounds known as cannabinoids and terpenoids that work in unison influencing each other’s mechanisms to produce the entourage effect. Single cannabinoid therapies do not have this capability. The diverse chemical availability in whole plant medicines is remarkable in its own right and research is continuing…