What you need to know about the Endocannabinoid system, your diet, and marijuana.

What is the Endocannabinoid system?

The Endocannabinoid system is an ancient communication system within the human body
linking all other systems and tissues together. It dates back nearly 600 million years and is
far older than Cannabis the plant for which its named after. Endocannabinoids are a type of
cannabinoid produced by humans, animals, plants, and fungus and go by many names. The human body has two primary endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, however also
includes other GCP, TPRV, and PPAR receptors. Endocannabinoids typically either activate
or block these receptors. Extensive research suggests the ECS impacts processes such as the
microbiome, appetite, pain, mood, memory, sleep, fertility, motor control, and bone
growth to name a few. There are over 46 endocannabinoids produced in the human body
with multiple correlated enzymes such as FAAH, CYP450, or NAPE-PLD. These enzymes
synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids, which alter the endocannabinoid system as a
whole and is often referred to as the "Endocannabinoid Tone." Endocannabinoids are

created in our cell membranes from the fatty acids composing them and can be affected 

by the types of fats consumed. As the membrane fatty acid composition changes via diet 

so to will the endocannabinoids produced by them.

Omega Acids - Primary Precursor of Endocannabinoids

Omega 3 consumption is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the western diet. With a ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 being ideally within the 1:1 to 3:1 range, but it is closer to 20:1 in western diets because of the high amount of Omega 6 heavy foods in the food supply. Omega imbalances have been shown to be associated with numerous health conditions including cell membrane function. The omega composition of the cell membrane alters the structure of cannabinoid receptors influencing how phytocannabinoids interact. Its been shown not all omegas are created equal when it comes to endocannabinoid production. Omega 3 DHA the Synaptamide precursor was shown in studies to produce 9-10x more endocannabinoids than other fatty acid precursors such as omega 6 ARA the Anandamide precursor.

Broadly speaking, your diet affects your endocannabinoid system.

Deficiencies of particularly omega fatty acids and enzymes (gut bacteria)

can have great impact your "Endocannabinoid tone."

Endocannabinoid deficiency 

Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) is the recent medical condition proposed by
Dr. Ethan Russo suggesting that endocannabinoid levels "Endocannabinoid Tone" in the
human body can develop into ailments such as migraines, fibromyalgia and irritable
bowel system. Research has suggested that changes in diet combined with supplementing
cannabinoids may support the body's healthy response to this type of ECS dysregulation.

Endocannabinoids vs phytocannabinoids 

Generally speaking Endocannabinoids are produced endogenously in animals and
Phytocannabinoids are produced by plants. However endocannabinoids are also known 

by the name acylethanolamides which are commonly found it foods like eggs, soy, all nuts 

and can be found in plants as well such as cacao, black pepper, rhododendron and 

coneflower. The term Phytocannabinoids typically is reserved for Cannabis derived 

cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. Currently there are over 113 known cannabinoids found in Cannabis with commercial access limited to the 6 most common THCa, THC, CBDa, CBD, CBG, and CBN.

The marijuana plant

Cannabis evolved to produce cannabinoids that mimic the ones produced endogenously
in animals. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two main types of
cannabinoids found in marijuana. These cannabinoids influence the ECS by receptor and/or
enzyme interaction and its their effects are also altered by the neighboring terpenes

produced in the plant. This has been deemed the "Entourage Effect"

Stay tuned as we dive deeper into these topics with Nutritionists, MD's, and PhDs in these fields.

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Why we focus on the Endocannabinoid System

Why Focus on the Endocannabinoid System? 

Eat this, not that. Do this workout, not that one. The world of fitness and nutrition is a revolving door of opinion mixed with fact with a new fad every year. Companies and individuals persist that their science is better than the others science, painting a narrative of expert level of understanding unmatched by others. Yet the instance of obesity, diabetes, and chronic health issues continues to rise every year in the United States.(1) 

The US continues to spend the most on healthcare of any country in the world yet has higher rates of chronic diseases and poorer health every year. So why is that? One might think of epidemiological reasons however The Institute of Medicine found that poorer health in the U.S. was not simply the result of economic, social, or racial and ethnic disadvantages—even well-off, nonsmoking, non-obese Americans appear in worse health than their counterparts abroad.(2)

So could it be we as americans are just that bad at making healthy choices? This could be a truth. A part of the population will of course be apathetic to their lifestyle choices however those that are trying to improve their health acquire their knowledge from authorities on the subject. The Medical community, Trainers, Nutritionists, and “Gurus” are  typically considered the authorities on understanding human physiology and health. Our authorities know more now then they ever have before yet chronic health issues continue to rise, as now 2 out of 3 people have at least one chronic health issue. (3)

Something seems to be missing, a study in recent years may gave a hint

“Survey Shows Low Acceptance of the Science of the ECS (Endocannabinoid System) at American Medical Schools - By David B. Allen, M.D “

This survey conducted by Dr. Allen in 2013 found not one of the medical schools surveyed had a department of endocannabinoid science or an ECS director. None of them taught the endocannabinoid science as an organized course. Only 21 of the 157 schools surveyed had the ECS mentioned in any course. 21/157 = 13.3% In the United States of America, only 13% of the medical schools surveyed teach the endocannabinoid science to our future doctors.”

All this lack of awareness, even mention in the medical textbooks that Cannabinoid receptors are the most common protein receptor in the brain and CNS. (4)

Now for the uninitiated this might not seem like a big deal however the ECS since its discovery in 1990 has quickly gained ground as one of if not the most important regulatory system in the human body, which is why we choose to focus on the Endocannabinoid System.  

To illustrate the significance of the ECS, these quotes from researchers are listed below.  

“The discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the single most important scientific medical discovery since the recognition of sterile surgical technique. As our knowledge expands, we are coming to realize that the ECS is a master control system of virtually all physiology.”

–      Dr.David Allen 

“The discovery of the endocannabinoid system has breathtaking implications for nearly every area of medicine, including reproductive biology.”

-       Dr.Mauro Maccarrone at the University of Teramo, Italy

"The endogenous cannabinoid system—named for the plant that led to its discovery—is one of the most important physiologic systems involved in establishing and maintaining human health. Endocannabinoids and their receptors are found throughout the body: in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. With its complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and virtually all of the body’s organs, the endocannabinoids are literally a bridge between body and mind. By understanding this system, we begin to see a mechanism that could connect brain activity and states of physical health and disease." - Editors Note, Cerebrum Nov 2013 - 

1.     https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/Pages/overweight-obesity-statistics.aspx

2.     http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2015/oct/us-health-care-from-a-global-perspective

3.   https://www.rand.org/pubs/tools/TL221.html

4.   Boron WF, Boulpaep EL, eds. (2009). Medical Physiology: A Cellular and Molecular Approach. Saunders p. 331

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