What is the ECS?
Balance—we search for it in every aspect of our lives: the food we eat, the schedules we make, and the emotions we feel.
But this internal balance doesn’t come easy.
Meditation, movement, and healthy habits can help breathe a bit more presence into our lives. But sometimes, when the daily balance is still absent, we have to look inward. Like, really inward.
I’m talking about the endocannabinoid system. It’s a vast network of receptors in our brains, organs, and cells that influences our everyday well-being. Curious? Read on for the facts.
What is the ECS?
Discovered only 30 years ago, the endocannabinoid system is now known as one of the largest networks of receptors in mammals. It’s made up of CB1 and CB2 receptors, located in the brain, central nervous system, peripheral organs, and even our immune cells.
The widespread distribution and number of these receptors affirm just how essential the ECS is to our overall health and well-being.
Cannabinoids are another piece of the ECS puzzle. Endocannabinoids, such as anandamide and 2-AG are naturally produced in our bodies and bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptor sites. Our ECS is also influenced by phytocannabinoids, which come from plants—most commonly hemp.
But how does the ECS bring balance?
Ethan Russo, neurologist and medical researcher, puts it this way: our ECS receptors hold the locks, and cannabinoids hold the keys to internal “homeostasis”—a balanced, all-encompassing wellness baseline. CB1 and CB2 receptors create a network of signals that regulate many physiological processes, such as how we experience stress, pain, digestion, immunity, and cognitive function—to name a few. Essentially, the ECS is crucial to how we (and our pets) experience everyday life.
In fact, the International Review of Neurobiology suggests that a dysregulated ECS may be the culprit for several debilitating conditions. Researchers are still pinpointing what exactly causes inadequate endocannabinoid activity, but hypotheses include a poor diet, lack of exercise, environmental disruptors, and genetic factors. Most likely, a combination of the few.
But conversely, evidence also suggests that boosting ECS function may lead to the prevention of these dysregulated conditions, and can be of wellness value as well.
How do we regulate our ECS?
This is where hemp comes in. When our endocannabinoids aren’t pulling the wellness weight, a hemp supplement can get our ECS back to the baseline. Studies have shown that cannabinoids, as found in hemp supplements, can do just that.
Different hemp cannabinoids target specific receptors for wellness needs, such as sleep, energy, focus, immune support, recovery, and whole-body well-being. Depending on your endocannabinoid system function, results from a hemp supplement may range from minimal and meaningful, to extreme and life-changing.
Regardless, your ECS will thank you for having some extra cannabinoids floating around.
Understanding your body and how the ECS works is a big step in achieving that internal balance you are looking for. The more in tune you are with how you really feel, the more you can say you’re doing well, and really mean it.
Now that’s balance.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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