Managing Anxiety – The Endocannabinoid System Series Part 3

Stress is something that we are all familiar with. We deal with all sorts of situations on a daily basis and sometimes this can cause feelings of discomfort and unease. While stress can be a good thing, too much of it for a prolonged period of time could lead to chronic diseases or psychological disorders like anxiety and depression. Consistent high stress levels cause consistent high levels of the stress hormone known as cortisol. Excess cortisol has been known to cause anxiety, weight gain, chronic ailments, inflammation and more. It also desensitizes our system, so we can no longer adequately adapt. Because our bodies become so accustomed to feeling stress even the most minor inconveniences can leave us drained.

The persistent excess levels of cortisol also alter the way our stress system functions which could lead to major disruptions within our nervous system. As our body interprets stressful situations, our bodies react, and it may lead to negative effects like chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. If we wish to live harmonious lives, it is crucial to manage our stress and anxiety levels.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for creating harmony and balance within our bodies. It helps us adapt to our environment to make sure that external events do not affect us within and therefore affect us physiologically. The ECS helps us calm down by modulating our stress response and preventing excess excitatory activity within our nervous system. As more scientific studies emerge, we are being shown the ECS’s capability of helping maintain an adequate stress response. According to Dr. Mechoulam and Dr. Mercola’s book Road to Ananda, research is showing that the ECS interacts with GABA receptors and TRPV to manage anxiety responses. In our previous ECS series blogs, we discussed the mechanisms of the ECS, so if you need a refresher, head on over to our other blogs to get a better understanding before continuing with this blog!

One of our endocannabinoids that we naturally produce, anandamide, interacts with the ECS receptors and when this occurs, there are anxiolytic effects. One of our other endocannabinoids, 2-AG, has also demonstrated to play a role in anxiety. The book previously mentioned also mentions that preclinical studies show that animals with 2-AG deficiencies present anxiety and depression disorders, but when treated with cannabinoids like 2-AG, the disorders improved. Other studies working with PTSD patients demonstrate that there is a commonality within the patients: low endocannabinoid levels. This could be related to the body’s response to environmental stressors. When we are presented with stress, our bodies increase fatty acid amide hydrolase levels (FAAH). FAAH’s purpose is to degrade anandamide (the bliss molecule). It is sort of a vicious cycle. As we feel more stress, our body increases FAAH levels which lowers anandamide leading to more cortisol to be released, creating more feelings of stress, and so on.

There are ways to support anxiety and stress. The most common way is through pharmaceuticals like beta blockers or serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These are effective, yet they come alongside a plethora of negative side effects which is why many individuals have turned towards other solutions like diet changes, exercise, and natural remedies. As research on cannabinoids expands, more people are turning to cannabinoid therapy. In order to support our endocannabinoid levels and overall ECS, our bodies must supplement themselves with external cannabinoids. These can be found in some foods (although not rich enough) and hemp which is the most abundant in phytocannabinoids. If you refer to our previous ECS blogs, you’ll find a long list of cannabinoid rich foods. Of course, it is best to consume hemp and a cannabinoid rich diet. By taking a CBD oil tincture routinely or eating a few CBD gummies before a stress inducing situation like a work presentation or interview, we may help combat anxiety. Head on over to our website to learn more about our anxiety supporting products. There you can also find our many ECS related blogs.