The ECS and Gut-Brain Signaling
Updated: Sep 30
Most of us have heard the term “gut health”. But what does it truly mean to have a healthy gut?
Love your Gut
The gastrointestinal tract contains extensive immune tissue and interacts closely with the immune system.
Gut function involves digestion, microbial ecology, epithelial biology, immune signaling, and metabolic processes.
Your gut is also where your body gets rid of metabolic waste and toxins. However, if you have an unhealthy gut, your body will struggle to rid itself of those toxins. If this occurs, it can cause many issues, including chronic fatigue, chronic illnesses, and inflammation throughout the body.
Gut Health and Anxiety
The gut-brain connection is no joke; it can link anxiety to gut problems and vice versa. Have you ever had a "gut-wrenching" experience? Do certain situations make you "feel nauseous"? Have you ever felt "butterflies" in your stomach? We use these expressions for a reason.Our gastrointestinal tract is highly sensitive to emotion. Anger, anxiety, sadness, elation — all of these feelings (and others) can trigger symptoms in the gut. And it also goes the other way – people with serious digestive issues are more prone to developing depression and anxiety, according toJay Pasricha, MD, Director of Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology.
https://www.parkview.com/community/dashboard/the-importance-of-gut-health
What factors affect the health of our gut?
While several factors can contribute to poor gut health, some of the most common can include:
Stress: This increases intestinal permeability (leaky gut), tipping the scales toward an imbalance of more bad than good bacteria in the gut.
Poor nutrition: Most people eat processed food and sugar, which can harm the beneficial bacteria in your gut and contribute to or cause inflammation throughout the body.
Long-term use of antibiotics and antacids: They all decrease vitamins within the gut, which is essential in cell production, brain function, and energy. They also kill the good bacteria that live in your gut. It’s important to note that there is a time and a place for these medications, but it’s best to consult with your physician before using them.
The Healthy Gut and ECS Connection
Historical sources document cannabis use in digestive-health contexts.
Endocannabinoids in the Gut
Nicholas V. DiPatrizio* Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchVolume 1.1, 2016
Evidence suggests that dysregulation of the ECS might play a role in intestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as obesity. For example, single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes for constituents of the ECS—including fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the degradative enzyme for the endocannabinoid, anandamide, and cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) — are associated with increased colonic transport and irritable bowel syndrome.
ECS and Gut–Brain Signaling
ECS signaling mechanisms in the gut have been proposed to participate in the control of food intake and energy balance via indirect actions with the vagus nerve which bidirectionally transmits nerve signals between the gut and brain.
Endocannabinoids and the Gut Microbiome
The ECS is studied as part of gastrointestinal and gut-brain signaling.
How to Improve Your Gut Health
Restore your gut health by taking steps to rebuilding your gut’s microbiome and lining:
Eat fiber-rich and probiotic packed foods to support the good bacteria.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber. Fermented foods such as yogurt reintroduce lactobacilli, a gut-benefitting bacteria, which helps tip the balance to fewer enterobacterium, a type of bacteria linked with inflammation.Get exercise.
Studies show that getting regular exercise positively impacts the gut bacteria diversity outside of diet and function in relation to overall wellness.Limit your alcohol intake.Drinking too much can have a negative impact on your gut microbiome. It’s also associated with intestinal inflammation.
Research examines bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal system and the brain.
These plant-derived ingredients appear across nutrition and gastrointestinal research.
Beta-caryophyllene and Gut Health
Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a natural and safe food-derived compound that works with the body to enhance ECS education. Beta-Caryophyllene, or BCP, is found in medicinal and food plants such as hemp, black pepper, clove oil, hops, oregano, rosemary, and cinnamon. It has been proven to have powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti- inflammatory properties. Research strongly suggests a role for the ECS in Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).
Cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are expressed in normal human colon tissue. Beta-Caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors and acts as a full agonist (a drug or medication that is highly efficient in binding to and activating receptors). BCP has affected intestinal inflammatory signaling and barrier-related measures in experimental studies. Blair Medical Group has developed a liposomal version ofBCP (BCPlus Liposomal Blend)that is readily absorbed by the body. The oral form of Liposomal BCP delivers enhanced absorption and distribution to all parts of the body including the immune system, brain, liver, fat tissue, and the gastrointestinal tract. The liposomal form does this by imitating a natural cell membrane that can be easily absorbed by the body. TheBCPlus Immunity Blendcapsules contain ginger and tumeric, and have an enteric coating that helps protect your GI system. Read theblog postfor more information on this powerful blend!
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