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Dr. Ross > Health > Conditions > What is Endocannabinoid Deficiency?

What is Endocannabinoid Deficiency?

By: Michele Ross, PhD · Published On: August 21, 2020 · Last Updated: October 5, 2021

Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) was coined by Dr. Ethan Russo in 2004 to characterize symptoms found when there is not enough endocannabinoid system signaling. Most of the disease states related to CECD are marked by chronic pain, dysfunctional immune systems, fatigue, and mood imbalances. This is not surprising as the endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates most of these physiological processes.

Infused Health co-founder Dr. Michele Ross explains more in her new book Vitamin Weed: A 4-Step Plan to Prevent and Reverse Endocannabinoid Deficiency.

Types of neurotransmitter deficiencies

The ECS is the largest neurotransmitter system in the body. There are more endocannabinoids in your body than dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine, glutamate or GABA. Your body can have too much or too little signaling of any of these neurotransmitter systems, leading to disease.

Parkinson’s disease is caused by a deficiency in dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for movement and motivation. Depression is suggested to be a deficiency in serotonin and is treated with antidepressants that raise serotonin levels. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a deficiency in acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that modulates memory, decision making and wakefulness. It makes sense then that there are diseases caused by a deficiency in endocannabinoids, part of the largest neurotransmitter system.

Types of endocannabinoids

Your body makes two main endocannabinoids called anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG). These neurotransmitters are released, activate cannabinoid receptors, and are broken down mainly by enzymes including fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), respectively.

How to get endocannabinoid deficiency

There are several ways in which your body can have a deficiency in ECS signaling. First, there might not be enough endocannabinoids synthesized. Second, there might not be enough cannabinoid receptors. Third, there may be too much of the enzymes that break down endocannabinoids. Finally, there may be enough endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors, but there is not enough signaling happening.

How to rebalance the endocannabinoid system

There are several ways to remedy a deficiency in ECS signaling. You could eat more substances that boost levels of endocannabinoids in your own body and brain. You can get rid of lifestyle factors like medications and foods that decrease endocannabinoid signaling. You can cut down on stress, which will stop the release of hormones that disrupt function of the endocannabinoid system.

You can also consume phytocannabinoids, which are cannabinoids that come from plants. The most abundant source of phytocannabinoids is cannabis, with over 130 types of cannabinoids discovered. Other sources of phytocannabinoids include commonplace foods such as flaxseed, black pepper, and echinacea.

It is likely that the Western lifestyle of unhealthy diet, infrequent exercise, poor sleep, and lack of stress management contributes to endocannabinoid deficiency. Many diseases suggested to be caused by endocannabinoid deficiency are in fact much more frequent in countries that have adopted the Western lifestyle.

Infused Health believes all humans have the right to restore balance to their endocannabinoid system using the phytocannabinoids of their choice, and fully supports cannabis legalization.

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By: Michele Ross, PhD · In: Cannabis, Conditions · Tagged: anandamide, brain, ECS, endocannabinoids, neurotransmitter, vitamin weed

plant medicine expert neuroscientist Dr. Michele Ross

About Michele Ross, PhD

Dr. Michele Ross is a neuroscientist helping women heal chronic pain with CBD, cannabis, kratom, and mushrooms. She is the author of Kratom is Medicine, Vitamin Weed and CBD Oil For Health.

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Happy International Women's Day to all the women c Happy International Women's Day to all the women crushing it despite getting less pay, less startup funding, less everything when it comes to business. Let's do more than recognize women.
In 2023, it's time to:
*Buy from women-owned businesses
*Give women a seat at the table, preferably the board
*End all male speaking panels
*Invest in women startups, including those focused on serving women
*Include more women in clinical trials
*End toxic work cultures
*Support paid maternity leave policies
*Fill the wage gap between men and women
*Donate to nonprofits serving women
*Let women take time off of work for painful periods without stigma or penalty
*Work harder to specifically include and apply all of these principles to women from marginalized groups such as black women, disabled women, LGBTQ women, and females identifying as nonbinary, genderfluid, or genderqueer.
And so. much. more.
#internationalwomensday #womensday2023 #internationalwomensday2023 #womenfounders
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No one is giving $2 w🌱🌱d gummies to children No one is giving $2 w🌱🌱d gummies to children trick or treating on Halloween. Those reports you hear on the news simply aren’t true! ⁣
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However, if you are attending a Halloween party for adults, ask if the candies, goodies, or drinks are special or infused! Edibles are more common at parties as an alternative to alcohol, especially in states where the plant has been legalized for both recreational & medical use.⁣
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If you’re not used to consuming, try a small piece or half a piece, drink plenty of water, and make sure you have a safe place to sit if needed. And always call a rideshare aka Uber or Lyft home!⁣
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Happy Halloween! 🎃💀👻⁣
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Happy National Mushr00m Day! 🍄 ⁣ Which is you Happy National Mushr00m Day! 🍄
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Which is your favorite Medicinal Mushr00m?⁣⁣
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It's more important than ever to take mushr00m supplements. Here's a little about how my favorite four mushr00ms work:⁣⁣
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Lion’s Mane Mushr00ms: great for improving focus and memory. Lion's mane promotes neurogenesis, or birth of new brain cells.⁣⁣
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Cordyceps Mushr00ms: great for fighting fatigue and increasing length of your workouts. It's especially helpful for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients.⁣⁣
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Turkey Tail Mushr00ms: great for supporting your immune system. Clinical trials have looked at its role in fighting cancer.⁣⁣
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9/20 is National Magic Mushr00m Day. Why have a da 9/20 is National Magic Mushr00m Day. Why have a day to celebrate them?
Well in the United States & many parts of the world, they are still illegal, similar to another misunderstood therapeutic green plant we celebrate on 4/20. 
I've worked hard over the years in Denver & many other states to help decriminalize shr00ms and help people access information on how to use them for medical, spiritual, and stress relief purposes. I suggest following @decriminalizenature & @doubleblindmag for deeper info.
How are you celebrating today? ❤️ 🍄 ❤️
#fungilover #mushroomlover #psychedelictherapy #explorenature #natureistherapy
I’m not the only one, right? 😜 👩🏻‍🔬 💚
As a neuroscientist, I put out the first book on the potential causes of endocannabinoid deficiency and how to balance your ECS with or without plant medicine. 
From stress to medications to diet to your genes, there are so many ways your ECS go go haywire. The fact that so many people respond to plant medicine is likely because so many of us have severe imbalances.
Want to learn more, including what many of these terms mean? Check out my books (including Vitamin Weed) & courses via the link in my bio. 
#sciencelover #cannabiseducation #cannabisscience #lovelanguage #lovelanguages

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