The Endocannabinoid System | A Self Care Revolution?

Endocannabinoid System – A Scientific Overview

In all of my 25 years in the Health and Wellness business I have never seen a phenomenon like the workings of the Endocannabinoid System and the impact on this wellness bodily system that medical cannabis and CBD/Phytocannabinoid have. Especially as it relates to Stress/Mood, Sleep and temporary Pain (related to overexertion). When you think of all the complications that goes along with the conventional interventions used for these issues the impact of Medical Cannabis, CBD and Phytocannabinoid is miraculous. 

But with any major movement that is going to be this big there are always ambiguity and confusion. In fact, with the introduction of any new market/industry with this much potential the only thing certain is ambiguity and confusion. 

Luckily, with this ambiguity we can find the solace of opportunity: an opportunity to educate, an opportunity to solve many people’s problems. We can see this to be true by analyzing the market trends relevant to the Hemp and industry. At Twinlab our goal is first to understand the opportunity ourselves, find experts and then educate both retailers and consumers. We feel the most important way to make this Phenomena have the impact on our Health Care System we think it can be, is to lead with Science and Education.  In the Spirit of educating, retailers, consumers and the masses alike, I have written this brief, scientific overview centered on the Endocannabinoid System, and the impact Cannabinoids both Phyto and Endo (plant and body) of which I hope you might find helpful in your quest to understand how this Endocannabinoid System works and how you can supplement it. 

Thank you in advance for taking a look at this. Please give me your feedback and thoughts on how we can make sure this "Self Care Revolution," or in other words, "Health Care through Plants and the Endocannabinoid System" comes to be as impactful as we think it can be.

— OnWard and UpWard, Anthony Zolezzi, CEO, TwinLab

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a network of receptors located in the brain and throughout the nervous system; it is the body’s way of maintaining and regulating the homeostasis of crucial body functions. The system of CB1 and CB2 receptors functions primarily to interact with and breakdown endocannabinoids to regulate integral body functions like appetite, digestion, reproduction, motor learning, memory, pain modulation, stress and sleep. Since the ECS interacts with virtually every body system (on a cellular level) through the use of countless receptors, it’s important to note what we do know of how the Phytocannabinoids in plants help maintain a health Endocannabinoid System.

 There are several different cannabinoids, not just CBD, that the ECS can interact with/produce. While the ECS creates its own endocannabinoids (‘Endo,’ meaning within the body) to support the regulation of these body systems, a supplementary addition of external cannabinoids can be largely beneficial in supporting the ECS. 

Hemp Education

There are several different sources of external cannabinoids. However, the hemp plant is widely considered to be the best source of natural external cannabinoids. While hemp is often associated with marijuana because of its ties to the same family of plant, they are not one and the same. The difference between hemp and marijuana lies in its appearance, function, cultivation and application. Hemp produces over 500 different phytocompounds, of which roughly 100 are considered to be phytocannabinoids (‘Phyto,’ meaning originating from plant). The two best-known phytocannabinoids are Cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp, and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from marijuana. 

Historically, hemp has been used for centuries. In the past, the hemp plant has been used for industrial purposes like the production of fabrics, biofuels, rope, and paper. Uses of hemp oil can be dated back to 8,000 BCE in ancient China. However, recent innovations have allowed for the discovery of cannabinoids and their importance to the Endocannabinoid System. Today, full-spectrum hemp-derived phytocannabinoids are on the forefront of research. As hemp-derived phytocannabinoids continue to gain recognition, the increased awareness is resulting in an increase of research pointing to the integral role that cannabinoids play, interacting with our Endocannabinoid System and helping to regulate crucial body systems. 

Current research indicates that phytocannabinoids interact with our body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors to aid with the regulation of crucial body systems. When phytocannabinoids are ingested at a relevant doses , the internal breakdown of endocannabinoids is decelerated, which consequently allows for the extended use of these endocannabinoids that regulate important body functions and assists in the maintenance of homestasis. 

Like all plants, hemp carries a variety of phytocompounds. Terpenes and flavonoids are two beneficial phytocompounds that are found in any plant. Terpenes are aromatic molecules that function primarily as a plant’s defense mechanism – a way for the plant to warn potential predators using smell. Every plant has a different terpene profile. In fact, the hemp plant carries over 140 different kinds of terpenes. Research suggests that these terpenes may have a beneficial effect on stress, difficulty falling asleep and relief of temporary inflammation from overexertion, and have served as the basis of aromatherapy.  

Similarly, flavonoids are phytocompounds that have beneficial properties. Since the health benefits of flavonoids can be experienced in many plants, it is no surprise that herbs have been used since the beginning of traditional medicine. Research surrounding flavonoids suggests that the flavonoids that are found in hemp contain anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other health benefits. 

Ultimately, since phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids can all be found within the hemp plant working in different ways to provide similar health benefits, a synergistic or magnifying effect can be experienced. This magnifying effect is known as the ‘Entourage Effect.’ In other words, the Entourage Effect refers to the full-bodied experience that occurs when the beneficial phytocompounds work synergistically to magnify the range of intended effects or efficacy – as opposed to just one or two of these beneficial compounds working in isolation. 

Isolation is a key word here and in the next few articles we will talk about the CBD isolate versus full spectrum hemp. Just note for now all research shows “Full Spectrum” to be significantly more impactful for anxiety, sleep and pain - more in the next letter —Tally Ho