Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency [also known as CECD] has been studied in scholarly journals as well as by alternative medical practitioners. Let’s start at the beginning, however, and move forward.
What Is Your Endocannabinoid System?
Your endocannabinoid system or ECS was discovered by a professor of medical chemistry at Hebrew University named Dr. Raphael Mechoulam.
This system is made up of a group of compounds known as cannabinoids which include their receptors and are found in vital organs and glands. Cannabinoids and the ECS is what helps keep your entire body in homeostasis or balance.
The important receptors are known as CB1 and CB2 and they affect everything within you from your central nervous system to your immune cells.
There are two main endocannabinoids created by your body and they are anandamide or AEA and arachidonylglycerol or 2-AG. Why are they important? Because they are neurotransmitters that activate your cannabinoid receptors.
When your ECS is out of balance...
… you may feel tired, achy and forgetful. In fact, researchers have found a direct clinical correlation between an ECS deficiency and medical conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, muscles spasms and even irritable bowel syndrome.
There is even research suggesting that an ECS deficiency could be behind inflammation flare-ups, metabolism slow-downs and increased insulin sensitivity.
Dr. Ethan Russo found that clinical endocannabinoid deficiency may be responsible for chronic pain, mood imbalances and an immune system that can’t keep up with your demands.
The Biggest Neurotransmitter in Your Body?
Yes, your ECS really carries that distinction because it helps regulate important signaling functions in your body. And when your signaling fails to function at proper levels, an endocannabinoid deficiency can result. But what causes that to happen?
There are four distinct ways your ECS signaling can be thrown off:
Too many enzymes that interrupt endocannabinoids
Insufficient synthesized endocannabinoids
Not enough signaling happening between your endocannabinoids and their receptors, or
Too few receptors
More CECD Symptoms
The symptoms of an ECS that’s flailing for strength are numerous but here are some of the most common symptoms:
Struggle with insomnia to the point of taking medication
Anxiety
Anger management issues
Depression
Conditions associated with heightened inflammation throughout your body like arthritis
Bone loss
Have chronic pain
Dementia-like symptoms
Family history of cancer
This list isn’t exhaustive but certainly touches on many of the conditions you or a loved one may have experienced in their lives. And boosting your ECS may help diminish the symptoms and discomfort.
Natural Ways to Improve Your ECS and Help Deflect CECD
There are some easy to implement natural ways to boost your endocannabinoids and get your ECS back to where you want it to be.
Dark Green Leafy Veggies
Dark green leafy vegetables are at the heart of a healthy diet and are the mainstays of many Asian and Mediterranean lifestyles. Kale, spinach, and chard are just three of the most common in this category.
But there’s also the greens … mustard and collard … as well as cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cabbage. Green leaves from plants like dandelion and watercress are also great sources to build up the amount of endocannabinoids in your body.
Cannabinoid-Rich Herbs and Spices
There are a number of herbs and spices that are rich in cannabinoids. They include …
Black pepper
Oregano
Basil
Rosemary
Sage
If you already enjoy a diet rich in these elements, you may be able to keep any endocannabinoid deficiency at bay. If not, try adding one of them to your next plate and see what you think.
Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency is repairable and can be done using some common natural ingredients. Throw some sautéed spinach in a pan with a dash of black pepper and add some rosemary to your baked chicken and you’ll be well on your way to a stronger and more vibrant ECS.
Reference links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24977967
https://cbdoilreview.org/cbd-cannabidiol/cbd-deficiency/
http://www.impactcannabis.org/endocannabinoid-deficiency/
https://cassingram.com/cannabionoid-deficiency-self-test/
William S. Preston, Esquire❗
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