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The secret of endocannabinoids.

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My research continues into the science of bodily chemistry, hormones, and how those things combine to make a sustainable happiness.

The focus of this article is endocannabinoids. Quite a mouthful.

As much as I found oxytocin an interesting chemical, this one really piqued my interest.

Endocannabinoids play a role in different areas, and as far as sustainable happiness goes, this is the first I have seen that is capable of affecting us on a physical and psychological level.

It’s clearly important.

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So, what are they?

Endocannabinoids are a synthesized, on-demand neurotransmitter. Basically, the body only makes them when it needs them. That means they aren’t on a steady drip after the activities that produce them, like endorphins and oxytocin.

That’s already a major difference and it gets better.

Endocannabinoids are the neurotransmitter that tells the others of its kind to begin production.

The link between neurodivergence and the ECS (endocannabinoid system), one of the most complex systems in the entire body, is well documented by researchers.

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What else do they do?

On a hormonal level, they regulate mood, immune responses, memory function, and pain sensation.

++ This is why cannabis is used to ease pain in people going through chemotherapy, glaucoma, and MS (Multiple sclerosis).

Every one of these chemicals I have made articles about affects mood, that’s why I started learning about them.

This hormone, however, also plays an important role in appetite, energy balance, and metabolism. That means dysfunction of the ECS has widespread implications for your health.

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Some potential risks?

Obesity.

• Poor diet can cause overstimulation of the ECS, which can then lead to rapid weight gain, excessive appetite, or metabolic disorders.

++ Cannabis uses the same hunger boosting receptors in the brain as the endocannabinoids. This is why recreational use causes the “munchies”, and the reason it’s used to help appetite in individuals with certain eating disorders.

Next,

Mood disorders.

• Yup. Researchers have linked dysfunction in the ECS, which plays an important role in regulating your mood to depression, anxiety, and bi-polar disorder.

Next,

Chronic pain and inflammation.

• If your ECS isn’t operating nominally, then you are far more likely to suffer from conditions like arthritis or IBS. In terms of chronic pain, this hormone is also associated with sciatica and patellofemoral conditions, also known as “runner’s knee”, which occur when your knees hurt after being stretched for too long while sitting cross-legged.

You can see how important it is now, right?

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You must be wondering what can cause dysfunction of the ECS and these complications. Let’s get into it.

Genetics.

• Since you don’t get to choose your parents, you can’t do anything about variations and functional changes to the ECS being passed to you. Sorry.

++ You’ve had the friend that can eat whatever they want and never gain a pound? These genetic differences are why some people are more prone to metabolic conditions and no one’s metabolism is the same.

Diet.

• Mentioned above. Diets that include high amounts of fat and sugar can wreak havoc on your ECS.

Stress.

• Chronic stress imbalances the ECS and leads to changes in your appetite. A direct link to the act known as “emotional eating”. You call yourself an emotional eater? Know someone who does?

++ When stressed, depressed, or anxious, your body signals for food intake, as the act of eating (usually something salty, fatty, or sweet) releases dopamine and endorphins.

So a dysfunctional ECS creates an awful system of unnecessary calorie consumption linked to a reward system that produces fake and temporary happiness. Then the excess weight gain causes even more stress and anxiety, which impacts your sleep and your mood. This all leads back to more emotional eating.

Lifestyle.

• Lack of exercise or physical activity is a leading contributor to ECS dysregulation. This is a common theme for most of the important hormones involved with bodily chemistry. Though more directly linked to serotonin production, poor sleep habits also have a hand in your ECS getting messed up. You’re grumpy when you’re tired, right? Exactly.

So now we know about the consequences of an ECS that is out of whack, and what causes it.

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How do we work towards regulating our ECS?

Diet and Exercise.

• It was the last point in the previous section. Get up and move every day and get yourself on a sleep schedule. Exercise and eating the right foods are of vital importance if you want to build towards a strong sustainable happiness. Try adding more walnuts, salmon, and some flaxseed supplements as a start.

Manage your stress.

• Not going to go into detail here, because I’ve said it before, but exercise is the king of stress regulation.

Take it easy on the drinking.

• Not expecting that? Well, alcohol is high in sugar and a depressant. Excessive alcohol consumption is a double whammy and causes severe dysfunction of the ECS.

You have all the information now. If you have read my collection of posts about the major hormones/chemicals of the body, I hope I have convinced you to get up, get active, eat better, and regulate your sleep.

If you are interested in my other articles in this area of discussion and haven't read them yet, please follow these links.

Oxytocin — Endorphins — Seratonin