While cannabis has garnered significant attention for its unique ability to interact with the human Endocannabinoid System, maintaining the health and balance of this vital system can be achieved or supported in ways that are not simply consuming cannabis. A holistic approach that encompasses diet, lifestyle, and therapeutic practices can produce the best results.
Over the past few decades, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) has gone from being a relatively unknown network in the human body to one of the most fascinating subjects in modern health science. Now we know the ECS is key to regulating physiological processes connected to mood, pain, inflammation, and appetite. Supporting this system is just as important as taking care of the immune or cardiovascular systems. While cannabinoids found in cannabis are widely known for their interaction with the ECS, they are not the only way to maximize its health. There are several other effective ways to influence the ECS—and many of them are woven into our daily lives.
Clinicians know that cannabis isn’t suited for everyone. Its effects can vary, and some individuals may experience limited benefits or encounter side effects that are uncomfortable or intolerable. However, this doesn't mean we, as professionals, should overlook the importance of educating ourselves and our patients about the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and prioritize ways to support its health. Improving ECS function can enhance overall well-being and serve as a foundation for various therapeutic approaches.
Interestingly, alternative methods that bolster ECS health might also amplify the effectiveness of cannabis-based treatments. This means individuals may achieve better results with lower doses, reducing the risk of side effects. Pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements, exercise, sleep, mind-body practices, and osteopathic manipulation are interventions that can affect, and might enhance, our patients’ ECS—read on to learn more about several of these potential factors.
Pharmaceuticals and the Endocannabinoid System
Certain pharmaceuticals are known to upregulate the ECS, and might improve its functionality. For example, analgesics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants have all been shown to impact ECS activity and may provide additive or synergistic effects. Over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can inhibit the enzymes (FAAH, MAGL) responsible for breakdown of our naturally occurring endocannabinoids including AEA and 2-AG. Therefore, NSAIDs might naturally raise the levels of our naturally occurring cannabinoids. Similarly, acetaminophen and, in some cases, opioids, interact with the ECS to help with pain management.
It’s worth noting, however, that several pharmaceuticals can negatively influence the physiology of the ECS. The chronic use of some pharmaceuticals, such as glucocorticoids or opiates, may negatively affect the ECS by causing desensitization and down regulation of ECS receptors.
The Role of Diet and Supplements
Certain nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts), are essential for the production of endocannabinoids. An omega-3 deficiency can significantly disrupt ECS function, impairing its ability to regulate processes like inflammation and neurological health.
Nutritional supplements like omega-3 DHA and EPA appear in the literature to be beneficial for overall health and are also key to producing compounds that enhance ECS signaling. However, more is not always better: for instance, consuming too much linoleic acid (commonly found in vegetable oils) can elevate the production of certain endocannabinoids in ways that can lead to obesity and metabolic imbalances.
Movement and the Endocannabinoid System
Exercise doesn’t just strengthen your muscles—it has a profound impact on the ECS. Physical activity boosts levels of Anandamide, one of the body’s primary endocannabinoids, which is often referred to as the “bliss molecule.” This is now recognized as the basis of the “runner’s high”.
Even moderate activity like walking, swimming, or yoga is enough to stimulate ECS signaling, promoting better mood regulation and reduced inflammation. This effect is cumulative with exercise over time being more beneficial.
The Power of Sleep
A good night’s rest is another key ingredient for a healthy ECS. Chronic sleep deprivation can hinder ECS signaling, disrupting the body’s natural homeostasis. On the flip side, prioritizing regular, high-quality sleep can help regulate endocannabinoid levels. This supports better stress management, energy balance, and immune health.
Helping our patients practice effective sleep hygiene—like keeping a consistent bedtime, limiting screen use before bed, and creating a dark, quiet, comfortable sleep environment—can create the conditions to support ECS health.
Mind-Body Practices and the Endocannabinoid System
Practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can specifically influence the ECS. These activities promote relaxation and emotional balance by boosting endocannabinoid production in the brain. Studies suggest that regularly engaging in these calming practices might enhance the ECS’s ability to regulate mood and anxiety.
Mind-body techniques work especially well as a holistic approach to overall wellness, combining physical movement, controlled breathing, and mental focus to reduce stress and improve mind-body connectivity.
Osteopathic Manipulation
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is another potential way to enhance the ECS. Research shows that OMT can increase the levels of certain endocannabinoids, such as Anandamide (AEA), in the bloodstream. This effect may contribute to the therapeutic benefits observed in osteopathic treatment, such as pain relief, reduced inflammation, and improved mood.
For example, patients with chronic back pain often experience an increase in endocannabinoid levels after receiving osteopathic manipulation. These findings highlight how physical manipulation therapies like OMT are more than just structural—they interact deeply with the body’s biochemical systems, including the ECS.
A Holistic Approach to Endocannabinoid System Health
The ECS is a versatile system that responds to more than cannabinoids from cannabis. By taking a holistic approach that incorporates an awareness of the use of pharmaceuticals, smart dietary choices, regular exercise, sleep hygiene, calming mind-body practices, and innovative therapies like osteopathic manipulation, clinicians can guide their patients toward a healthy ECS.
References:
- McPartland, John M., Geoffrey W. Guy, and Vincenzo Di Marzo. "Care and feeding of the endocannabinoid system: a systematic review of potential clinical interventions that upregulate the endocannabinoid system." PloS one3 (2014): e89566.
- Tantimonaco, Mirko, et al. "Physical activity and the endocannabinoid system: an overview." Cellular and molecular life sciences71 (2014): 2681-2698.
- Russo, Ethan B. "Beyond cannabis: Plants and the endocannabinoid system." Trends in pharmacological sciences7 (2016): 594-605.
- McPartland, John M., et al. "Cannabimimetic effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment." Journal of Osteopathic Medicine6 (2005): 283-291.