The ECS or the Endocannabinoid System is an elaborate cell-signaling network spread throughout the body. One of the ECS’ major components is endocannabinoids or endogenous cannabinoids. They are chemical messengers that are produced naturally within the body. These endocannabinoids work together with cannabinoid receptors and metabolic enzymes, help regulate the body’s overall health and many of its vital functions, including appetite &digestion, Body & Energy balance, Pain, Metabolism, Stress, Central Nervous System, Inflammation, Sleep and Immunity, Mood etc.

What happens when the body does not produce enough of such Endocannabinoids ?

If the body does not produce endocannabinoids in Clinical sufficient amounts, it will lead to Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED). CED can have a severe impact on the body’s health because when it happens, it imbalances the ECS. As a result, it damages

important bodily functions, especially immunity, digestion, mood, and sleep. A crucial thing to note is that most of the endocannabinoids in the body are in the brain cells and the nervous system. Due of this, the ECS has a huge and direct impact on functions like learning, and the brains signaling. Hence, due to CED, it becomes hard for the brain to function optimally, respond to external situations properly, and adapt to life experiences. Therefore, the patients suffering from CED show higher incidences of anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.

In the paper by Dr. Ethan B. Russo, he mentions that the ECS dysfunction caused by low endocannabinoid levels in the body can further trigger the development of conditions like migraine pain, fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other serious bowel disorders. This is because the ECS plays a vital role in regulating pain and inflammation in the body. Hence, CED largely decreases the body’s sensitivity and tolerance to pain and its immunity towards inflammatory responses. Therefore, even the smallest of symptoms get exaggerated and cause severe disorders in the system.

Currently, the exact cause of CED is unknown, but medical experts suggest that genetic reasons could be the culprit, or it may start in the womb due to maternal obesity. It might also happen as a symptom of an intercurrent disease or injury alongside another condition. The severe impacts on health that came as a consequence of CED have medical experts and Ayurveda doctors worldwide conducting elaborate studies and research on the condition. They aimed to find an effective way of helping patients restore their endocannabinoids to a healthy level, alleviating their health conditions, and improving their overall quality of life. For the treatment of CED, Cannabis turned out to be an important Ayurvedic herb as it has an immense therapeutic property and a direct influence on the body’s ECS that helps people manage CED.