High school health class taught us to keep our body systems in shape by eating well and exercising regularly. However, one of the more recently discovered systems is still new to many people. The Endocannabinoid System or ECS is a complex signaling system between cells in your body that works hard to regulate everyday functions. It wasn’t discovered until the early 1990s when researchers were exploring cannabinoids like CBD and THC.

The ECS is responsible for keeping your body in homeostasis. The Journal Of Young Investigators studied how it regulates a diverse range of functions, including:

• Sleep

• Mood

• Appetite

• Memory

So if the endocannabinoid system is so important, you may be wondering how you can improve it? Here are just a few ways to keep your body’s ECS functioning well, which in turn helps your overall health and balance.

What is the ECS and why should I keep it healthy?

The endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short, is a network of nerves that work with your body’s essential functions to regulate and maintain homeostasis. As mentioned above, those functions can range anywhere from sleep to mood to appetite. There are two primary receptors in your brain that interact with cannabinoids like CBD: the CB1 and CB2 receptors. If you’d like to learn more about the ECS components and how it all works together, we took a deep dive into the Endocannabinoid System and CBD Oil.

In this article, we’ll focus on why and how to support your ECS and keep it healthy. The endocannabinoid system, through its CB1 and CB2 receptors, aid in essential body functions, contributing to an overall sense of wellbeing. More specifically, one article from the National Library of Medicines writes that it regulates the secretion of stress hormones, aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, and regulates digestion and food intake. Some even believe that an unbalanced ECS can contribute to a clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD). A 2016 article that reviewed ten years of research on the subject suggested that the CECD theory could explain why some people develop a migraine, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Keeping your endocannabinoid system in check is essential for feeling your best, as it controls so many functions that affect your everyday life.

How To Boost Your Endocannabinoid System

So how can you keep it healthy? There are several “hacks” you can take advantage of at a macro level that will significantly affect your body at a micro-level. Not only are these suggestions great for your endocannabinoid system, but they may help improve the function of other methods, such as cardiovascular, digestive, and more!

Exercise

Regular exercise boosts your ECS by reducing stress. High level of stress leads to higher cortisol levels, which can then inhibit the endocannabinoid receptors in your body, making the uptake of cannabinoids much harder. Some even theorize that the “runner’s high” you experience during exercise may be due in part to the body’s added cannabinoid uptake. Activity supports other body systems as well, such as your cardiovascular system. Many of your body’s systems work together, so one happy system usually means another is working as it should too!

Exercise also helps you sleep better, aiding in your body’s natural cannabinoid production. Sleep.org writes that exercising in the morning is just as useful for sleep as exercising at night. Whenever you can fit in a half-hour to an hour in, get some time to exercise to experience a more restful night’s sleep.

Eat a Diet Rich in Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are excellent for brain health because of the lipids they contain. The brain requires healthy fats for essential neuron functions. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats can help increase cannabinoid production in the brain, according to Healer. Populum includes hemp and MCT oils in their Full Spectrum CBD tincture. These kinds of healthy fats help with the absorption of CBD.

Other foods rich in healthy fats are fishes like salmon, nuts and seeds, and egg yolks. Look for monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats when choosing healthy fat foods. These types of fats are known as “good fats” because they are suitable for your heart, your cholesterol, and your overall health. Healthy fats are great for brain health.

Regularly Supplement Cannabidiol

Hemp supplements, such as Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, are a great way to supplement cannabinoids naturally. While your body naturally makes cannabinoids (which are called endocannabinoids), adding high quality plant-derived cannabinoids (called phytocannabinoids) can help assure optimal functioning & balance. You don’t just have to get cannabinoids through CBD tinctures. You can also easily take capsules, which can be more convenient if you're on the road, or you can absorb cannabinoids topically through CBD skincare products.

CBD has quickly become a popular choice for those seeking a natural supplement to improve their wellbeing. And that's for a good reason. Your body naturally produces cannabinoids, meaning supplementing with CBD is already familiar to the brain. Supporting your endocannabinoid system is critical for your overall health and wellness. Consider these ways to support ECS and other body systems and take note of how you feel. We trust you’ll be feeling a lot happier and healthier!