ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS

Good Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids contain a large amount of the precursor materials for building endocannabinoids. Your body needs them in order to ramp up production of cannabinoids. You can find them in meat, poultry, walnuts, flax, and certain oils like sunflower oil.

Anandamide and 2-AG, the most prevalent endocannabinoids, are produced by omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to also be responsible for the creation of endocannabinoids, but their role is not yet fully understood. However, the typical Western diet has an excess of omega-6 acids – which can result in a downregulation of the production of endocannabinoids.³

The best way to ensure proper endocannabinoid production is to balance out your diet with an equal amount of omega-3 fatty acids to the recommended ratio of 4:1 (omega 6: omega 3)⁴. Good sources of omega-3 include grass-fed beef, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, wild salmon, omega-3 enriched eggs, and sardines.

HERBS

Cannabis is not the only plant shown to contain endocannabinoids. Some of the most popular health supplements available today provide support to the endocannabinoid system.5 Here’s a list of some below:

• TURMERIC
• BLACK PEPPER
• CONEFLOWER
• LIVERWORT
• ECHINACEA

Caryophyllene, a terpene found in cannabis that is shown to act on independently on CB2 receptors, is also abundant in rosemary and hops.

PROBIOTICS

Probiotics alter the functioning of cannabinoid receptors throughout the body.

Ever had an upset stomach and felt like everything in your body wasn’t working quite right? Probiotics seem to alter more than just the functioning of the gut, they may alter the entire endocannabinoid system and have wide ranging effects.

People who were given probiotics showed improvements in the activity of the cannabinoid receptors in their intestines. Along with the intestines, cannabinoid receptors in the brain also showed improved activity after people received probiotics. Mice showed changes in their brains after receiving probiotics as well. When mice had too much cannabinoid activity going on, probiotics brought the activity down to a normal level. When mice were not experiencing enough cannabinoid activity, probiotics increased cannabinoid activity.

FOODS HIGH IN PESTICIDES

To keep your endocannabinoid system in good health, eat organic foods as often as possible.⁷ Some studies have discovered that CB1 receptors can be inhibited by certain types of pesticides.⁸

ALCOHOL

Excessive alcohol consumption may lead to a reduction in CB1 receptor sensitivity and an alteration in the number of endocannabinoids present in the body.9 To improve endocannabinoid functioning, it is best to use alcohol in moderation or avoid it.

CHRONIC STRESS

If you want to let your endocannabinoid system flourish, you may want to squeeze a stress ball. Multiple studies indicate that high levels of stress reduce the number of cannabinoids found in the body.

Even though exercise has proven to stimulate the ECS, it only mostly works if you enjoy it. Studies on animal subjects have proven that stressful exercise can still negatively affect the ECS.10 The takeaway is that any activity which is likely to lower stress levels, such as meditation, creative practices, or even structured breathing have a high potential to increase levels of anandamide and stimulate the ECS. Further research into these areas needs to be done, but the evidence continues to suggest this to be the case.