At Kynd, we consider your whole body when developing our CBD formulations. That includes the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) – a fancy network of receptors and neurotransmitters that keep every bodily process in balance.
If you’re new to cannabis, you might be wondering what the ECS is and why you haven’t heard about it before. Well, it’s not just in humans, but in every animal on Earth. Yes, even the Sea Squirt has an endocannabinoid system!
This system isn’t just spread all over the planet; it’s also found throughout your body. It’s in your skin cells, major organs, physiological systems, bones, joints, brain, and even mitochondrial cell walls. It’s woven into the very fabric of our being.
These numerous receptors (we know about two types, CB1 and CB2, and a mysterious third, CB3) are activated by neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids. These endocannabinoids are produced and released when your body needs to regain balance. It could be something as simple as stopping your finger from wiggling or shutting down pain signals. It’s like a superhero system restoring harmony when things go haywire.
But what are endocannabinoids?
We’ve identified two so far: Anandamide and 2-AG.
Anandamide, named after the Sanskrit word for ‘Bliss,’ gives you an idea of the feeling it brings. And 2-AG, present in even higher levels than Anandamide in a healthy body, is thought to be responsible for the sensation of an orgasm. So, these endocannabinoids make us feel great!
In an ideal world, we’d have optimal levels of endocannabinoids flowing through our bodies whenever we need them. Our ECS would be strong, with receptors scattered throughout our body (creating something called healthy Endocannabinoid tone). It would fix any trouble in a jiffy. Unfortunately, modern lifestyles often mess with our body’s health.
We lack restorative sleep, have poor diets, don’t exercise enough, spend too much time staring at screens, consume chemicals that strain our bodies, deal with chronic stress, and the list goes on. As a result, our endocannabinoids become depleted, sometimes ceasing production altogether. This leaves us with a malfunctioning ECS and a body struggling to maintain equilibrium.
This imbalance can lead to a whole host of health problems. Dr. Ethan Russo, a leading cannabinoid researcher, even theorises that an Endocannabinoid deficiency could be the root cause of treatment-resistant conditions like migraines, fibromyalgia, and IBS. Low levels of endocannabinoids have also been linked to depression, anxiety, and autism.
Eventually, a deep understanding of the ECS could revolutionise healthcare. But for now, we’re still trying to get it on the medical school syllabus!
Cannabinoids explained
You might be wondering what cannabis has to do with the ECS. Well, the name alone suggests a strong connection – and there is one!
Just like our internally produced endocannabinoids, cannabinoids from plants (called phytocannabinoids) can activate endocannabinoid receptors and support the ECS. That’s where Kynd products come in.
Cannabis is a plant abundant in cannabinoids – it has over 140 of them! The most well-known are CBD and THC, but many others have been identified as working with the ECS and offering incredible therapeutic potential.
THC, like Anandamide and 2-AG, directly activates our ECS receptors. That’s why cannabis is a valuable medicine for conditions possibly caused by an endocannabinoid deficiency or dysfunction. On the other hand, CBD doesn’t activate the ECS; it supports the system by inhibiting the enzymes that break down our endocannabinoids. This leads to higher levels of endocannabinoids circulating in the body, restoring balance.
By incorporating your favourite Kynd CBD product into your daily routine, you can support your ECS and keep things running smoothly.
