Scientists are advancing every day in the formulation of modern medicine. However, there are still so many disorders and diseases in the body that cannot be traced. Some diseases cannot be traced down to any specific disorder or problems in the body. This is very alarming as these disorders like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome make it hard to find a cure for pain relief. There are no procedures or methods in place to determine if you have these diseases or not. Most of them have similar symptoms and traits like increased pain. Though these disorders remain a mystery, there is a theory that is being put in place to explain this. This theory states that the cause of most of these disorders is likely to be endocannabinoid deficiency (ED).
The theory is a work that is in research by DR. Ethan Russo. The underlying questions that this article will address are quite simple. Could endocannabinoid deficiency be the cause of these diseases? If it is, Is there a possible treatment or way around this deficiency?
What Is Endocannabinoid Deficiency (ED)?
To provide a good analysis of what endocannabinoid deficiency is, we need to get a grasp of what the endocannabinoid system (ES) is.
Endocannabinoid System Explained
All humans and mammals generally have an endocannabinoid system. It handles the balance and internal homeostasis in the body. The ES serves as a regulator in our body, it regulates sleep, mood, pain, immune response, memory, hunger, and so on. It does a great function of running the body well.
The Endocannabinoid System consists of three major parts. They are;
Endocannabinoid Receptors
These receptors are throughout your body. Endocannabinoids bind to them to signal that the ECS needs to take action.
There are two main endocannabinoid receptors:
- CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system
- CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system. especially immune cells
Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is. Also, which endocannabinoid it binds to.
For example, endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve. They do this to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells. They signal that your body’s experiencing inflammation. this is a common sign of autoimmune disorders.
Endocannabinoid
Endocannabinoids, also called endogenous cannabinoids, are molecules made by your body. They’re like cannabinoids, but they’re produced by your body.
Experts Have Identified Two Key Endocannabinoids So Far:
- anandamide (AEA)
- 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG)
These help keep internal functions running. Your body produces them as needed, making it difficult to know what typical levels are for each.
Enzymes
The function of enzymes is to break down the endocannabinoid. this is once they carry out their main functions. There are two main enzymes responsible for this:
- fatty acid amide hydrolase, which breaks down AEA
- monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which typically breaks down 2-AG
What Brings About Endocannabinoid Deficiency?
Dr. Russo states in his hypothesis that all humans have an underlying endocannabinoid tone. This means we all have a general level of endocannabinoids and receptors present in our system. a general level of efficiency for endocannabinoid production and metabolism.
The theory behind ED is that some people might have deficiencies when it comes to endocannabinoid tone. This could lead to less activation of the endocannabinoid system. This might relate to genetic differences in some. it might be an acquired deficiency resulting from injury or disease. ED might manifest in many ways. They include;
- low or high levels of endocannabinoid
- low or high levels of metabolites
- too many or not enough endocannabinoid receptors or even desensitization of those receptors.
This was initially proposed by Russo in 2001. This hypothesis was originally supported by the fact that cannabis seems to help with many difficult-to-treat conditions. cannabinoids are some of the active chemicals in cannabis. they stimulate the endocannabinoid system in the same way endocannabinoids do.
How To Upgrade Endocannabinoid Tone?
Unfortunately, there’s no magic-pill solution here. But there are methods to improve your ECS “tone,”. This is the term used to describe the functioning of this little-understood system. Dr. Russo had some advice on the matter. it’s all about taking good care of yourself to help ensure that the ECS doesn’t get out of balance. Here are some tips gleaned from his wisdom:
1. Clear Your Gut;
There is increasing evidence that the gut microbiome is a major regulator of the ECS. these include the levels of bacteria within it. People should avoid unnecessary antibiotics. they damage the natural microbiome balance in the gut. Also, try pro-and prebiotics to get that biome in shape.
2. Eat Good Food;
Pro-inflammatory foods are bad for the ECS. food like fried foods with trans-fats, or too many calories, in general, is bad for the ECS. It’s also important to cultivate consciousness about what you’re eating. how you eat might not be best what’s best for your body now.
3. Regular Exercise;
Sedentary behavior is harmful to the ECS, and exercise is essential to improving tone. But, many fighters of chronic illness will experience an increase in symptoms if they push it. A low-impact aerobics program is best for many.
4. Watch Family Health;
ECS dysfunction isn’t genetic like eye color. But there are genetic tendencies. you should be extra careful if others in your family are fighters of chronic illness. Also, be mindful of the unhealthy habits you may share.
5. Get Enough Rest;
The ECS loves balance. But a body that’s stressed out and unrested is great at throwing all kinds of systems out of whack. So, get those eight hours and get real about managing stress.
Conclusion
If you believe you have ED, it’s best to talk to a doctor who specializes in cannabinoid medicine. Testing for ED is pretty rare, but you can ask your doctor about it to see if they can offer you this test. Your doctor may be able to help you take this test or recommend a specialist who can. More commonly, your doctor will work with you to find the best option based on your conditions and symptoms. Either way, it’s helpful to have some expert advice.
