I have been learning a lot more about the science of cannabis this year, which has been one of the silver linings to this whole quarantine thing! Anyway, I have come across a really interesting concept that I wanted to share with all of you: endocannabinoid tone.

By focusing on endocannabinoid health, we can step toward optimal health and wellness

You might be asking: what is endocannabinoid tone, and why is it important? So, let’s get into it.

Endocannabinoid Tone

Endocannabinoid tone is correlated to the levels of endocannabinoids present in the body at any given time. All people, even people who have never consumed cannabis, have naturally-created endocannabinoid molecules running throughout their endocannabinoid system, the system responsible for homeostasis in the body.

The endocannabinoids that are natural to the human body (and also animal bodies) are called anandamide (AEA) and 2-AG. Both are created in our cells, on-demand, and interact with cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) located in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Through activation of cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and the greater ECS system regulate the body’s messaging systems. The ECS is like the internet of the body, and controls processes that “level-set” various messaging systems, including dopamine and serotonin release. Our body’s ability to heal itself and take care of itself is contingent on balanced endocannabinoid health.

Endocannabinoid tone encompasses a person’s baseline level of endocannabinoids (AEA and 2-AG) in the body, their rate of synthesis and breakdown, and the relative density and state of cannabinoid receptors. As such, “endocannabinoid tone” refers to how well the components of the ECS are working together to maintain balance in the body.

So… why is endocannabinoid tone so important? To put it simply, the ongoing cannabis research is showing us that a well-functioning endocannabinoid system, achieved through balanced endocannabinoid tone, is vital for overall wellness.

When one’s endocannabinoid health is out of whack, their body is not functioning at full capacity

Impacts of Endocannabinoid Imbalance

When there is an imbalance in endocannabinoid tone, this manifests as chronic symptoms or disease. In fact, there is a whole classification of diseases known as “Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency Syndromes” which, as the name would suggest, manifest in the body when there aren’t enough endocannabinoids running through the endocannabinoid system.

Several books have been published on this topic, including Vitamin Weed by Dr. Michele Ross (a favorite among my cannabis library). The whole premise of this book is that human disease can be correlated to endocannabinoid disruption. Think about what this assertion means for the future of healthcare…

For more on the endocannabinoid system and a discussion of endocannabinoid deficiency, see my post, “What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?”

There are many factors that can contribute to endocannabinoid imbalance, including chronic stress, overconsumption of alcohol, disease, and poor nutrition habits over one’s lifetime (the standard sugar-heavy American diet is NOT beneficial for endocannabinoid health, it turns out).

But, don’t fret, because there are also many ways to rebalance the endocannabinoids in your body! Continue reading for strategies that can support this balancing act.

Ways to Naturally Supplement Endocannabinoid Tone

Did you know? There are many natural methods for supplementing endocannabinoid tone, including (but not limited to): routine movement, intentional breathing, omega-3 rich diet, and reducing intake of alcohol. Balancing endocannabinoid tone can also be achieved through the consumption of cannabis.

There’s a reason exercise feels so good… endocannabinoids!

Movement

Movement increases levels of both endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-AG. This contributes to both a balanced endocannabinoid tone as well as a noticeable mood boost (akin to the “runner’s high”).

Think back to a time where you felt really good after exercise. Perhaps this was a recent experience or in the past, at a time when you felt more confident in your body and your athletic capabilities. Picture what you felt like in that moment. Perhaps you felt elevated and naturally invigorated. Perhaps you had a little sweat on your skin. Remember what that really felt like.

Now, why did you feel so good in that moment? Well, it turns out that exercise creates many beneficial physiological responses, including a release of endocannabinoid molecules. When we feel good after exercise, it’s because our bodies are rewarding us for engaging in a human-thriving behavior. The ECS loves supporting human-thriving behaviors!

The excited and invigorated feeling we can accomplish through exercise, commonly referred to as “the runner’s high”, has been correlated to a natural release of the endocannabinoid “anandamide”. Anandamide is naturally created in the body in specific situations, including exercise and movement, and has even been called the body’s natural “bliss molecule”. Therefore, through movement, we are able to balance our endocannabinoid tone and naturally up-level our health and wellbeing.

Intentional Breathing

Ok, this concept is pretty cool. Basically, through intentional breathing, you can naturally increase the amount of endocannabinoids in your body, contributing to a more balanced endocannabinoid tone.

One thought leader in this area of study is Wim Hof. Hof, also called “The Iceman” for his advocacy around the importance of cold water exposure, explores the physiological benefits to breathing exercises. He speaks and writes about the fact that through breath, we can increase levels of natural endocannabinoids. As Hof puts it, he uses breathing to “get high on his own supply”. Check out this video where he explains how breathing and endocannabinoid health are interrelated here.

Salmon - one of my favorite ways to improve my endocannabinoid tone!

Omega-3 Rich Diet

Due to the average North American diet, it is particularly common for North Americans to have an unhealthy balance of fatty acids in their diet, with too many omega-6 fats and not enough omega-3 fats. Over a long period of time, this diet imbalance can lead to an inflammatory effect. To combat this, individuals can focus on getting more healthy omega-3 heavy fats into their diet. Increasing omega-3 fat intake can increase endocannabinoid levels and combat inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are contained in many delicious food sources, including hemp seeds, hemp milk, fish (including fish oil), and chia seeds.

Reducing the Booze

Since continued alcohol abuse can degrade endocannabinoid receptors in the body, a reduction (or elimination) of booze can support a healthy endocannabinoid tone. It is estimated that cannabinoid receptor levels will return to natural levels after approximately 1 month of abstinence from alcohol.

I will add a personal anecdote here. When I learned that abstinence from alcohol contributes to a healthier endocannabinoid tone and therefore a healthier and more capable body, it all clicked for me… because I realized I had experienced this myself! In 2017, I experienced a health transformation when I started to replace my nightly alcohol habit with alcohol-free cannabis mocktails. The results were incredible and I lost 70 excess pounds that year. More importantly, I had gone from my lowest point, mental health-wise, to a happy and productive woman once again. While I was happy with the results, I was also baffled as to what had suddenly enabled me to regain control over my weight. I mean, I knew alcohol contained empty and excess calories, but I didn’t think I was drinking 70 pounds worth of excess calories! But now that I understand endocannabinoid health better, I believe that by dropping the booze at that time, I was finally giving my body the ability to repair its endocannabinoid health. And, once endocannabinoid health was restored, my body was able to shed the excess weight with greater ease. I also felt WAY better day-to-day and my cycles of anxiety and depression had been greatly diminished. I share this story to illustrate the value of improving endocannabinoid tone through alcohol detox.

Through cannabis, we are able to supplement our body’s own production of cannabinoid molecules for improved endocannabinoid health.

Cannabis Consumption

Consuming cannabis is also a way to balance your endocannabinoid tone. And, I might argue, this approach is one of the most fun to explore - so don’t overlook this option!

The cannabis plant contains molecules called phytocannabinoids, which are plant-derived particles that mimic the endocannabinoids that are naturally created in our bodies. Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids, while they may differ in molecular composition, provide similar results in the body. Essentially, THC (the phytocannabinoid in cannabis that contributes to psychoactive activity) is the mimetic form of anandamide and CBD is the mimetic form of 2-AG.

Disease is correlated with endocannabinoid tone imbalance. And cannabis can balance endocannabinoid tone. This is the key concept behind cannabis as medicine.

CBD, in particular, is an excellent medicine that can be used to tonify endocannabinoid health.

CBD balances the body and provides users a natural option for supplementing endocannabinoid tone. CBD affects the ECS by increasing the body’s own endocannabinoid molecules, anandamide and 2-AG. CBD also supplements endocannabinoid tone by inhibiting catabolizing enzymes, increasing the amount of naturally occurring endocannabinoids at the cellular level. CBD can also prevent over-stimulation of CB1 and CB2 receptors, which could be caused by taking too much THC or drinking an excess of alcohol.

CBD assists the endocannabinoid system in its ability to create an endocannabinoid tone that is just right for your body. As such, adding CBD to your daily regimen is a viable and simple strategy when it comes to tonifying your unique endocannabinoid system.

I hope this post has helped you to better understand endocannabinoid tone and why it is so important for your overall wellness, health, and happiness. Best of luck as you step toward improved endocannabinoid health! If you would like a guide through your journey of stabilizing your endocannabinoid tone, I would love the opportunity to support you - check out my cannabis coaching services here.

Endocannabinoid Tone: What it Means and Why It's Important