The eCS (endocannabinoid system) is unlike other body systems; it isn’t made up of specific organs. The eCS is present in the cells of all the organs of every other body system. The three parts of the eCS are found on nearly all the cells of the body. The separate eCS parts are so small can only be seen with a powerful microscope. The 3 parts are: 1) endocannabinoids (ANA, 2-AG, PEA, OEA and others); 2) FAAH, MAGL, enzymes that break down endocannabinoids; 3) the cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2 and CD3).

Using signals, the parts of the eCS work together regulating the body’s balance or ‘homeostasis;. The properly functioning eCS insures all the jobs your body must perform are being done. Among its many important functions, the eCS maintains balance of the body’s immune response. The skin is your largest sensory organ and protects you from external environmental hazards while keeping your insides safely contained. In order to accomplish this function, the skin has its own eCS and immune systems. The eCS and immune system function to reduce chronic inflammation and resulting tissue damage leading to less age-related discomfort. However, stresses of life and aging wear down the eCS, causing loss of effectiveness versus the robust eCS Tone of our youth. When the eCS doesn’t have a strong or robust tone, it is less able to maintain balance, leading to inefficient homeostasis. Inefficient homeostasis can result in development of conditions such as overactive immune response and chronic systemic inflammation.  When eCS tone is low, Inflammation cannot be maintained in a balanced immune response.  Chronic inflammation can cause damage to the body over the lifespan. Chronic inflammation leads to tissue damage and pain. Low eCS tone over the lifespan yields age-related discomfort in people and all mammals. Supplementation with cannabinoids such as PEA restores a strong eCS tone. A strong or robust eCS tone restores the eCS’s ability to maintain homeostasis. Over the lifespan, reduced chronic inflammation means reduced age-related discomfort

Introducing the Scope and Importance of the eCS

Below are four links to help explain this. Please be aware that you will be leaving the PMI website if you select any of these links. You are, of course, welcome to return at any time.

1. Signaling at the Synapse– This explains how the signaling works at the lowest level of a cell.
2. Inflammation & Tissue Injury– This explains how the immune system is signaled to attack invading bacteria, viruses, abrasions and cuts to tissues, etc. It is the job of the immune system to send its ‘warrior’ cells to the place of ‘threat’. This process is called the inflammatory response. It should last only as long as the threat exists. The eCS will signal the immune system to stop its attack when appropriate. Many times the resulting debris from the immune response can be the cause of continued low grade inflammation. When the eCS is not fully functioning, the inflammatory response may last longer than necessary. This may result in chronic inflammation leading to chronic tissue damage and therefore chronic pain. 
3. Stimulating the eCS– This presentation shows how how different parts of the brain and body include the eCS and how it functions in different parts of the organism.
4. The eCS in the Skin– The skin is our main defense against the outside world that is filled with constant dangers to our wellbeing. Because of its major importance to our survival, the skin has its own eCS as well as its own immune system. The skin is a complex organism and needs regular maintenance for proper functioning.

What is Homeostasis?

Again, the eCS regulates homeostasis, the process keeping all biochemical reactions in balance. This extensive body/brain wide eCS requires robust performance or tone to maintain efficient homeostasis. When homeostasis is disrupted, negative health conditions result. Chronic inflammation, a far from homeostasis condition, occurs when eCS functioning or eCS tone is not robust. Low eCS tone is responsible for chronic conditions such as arthritic pain and other age related discomforts. A robust ‘eCS tone’ is required for lifespan animal and human wellness.

The endoCannabinoid System (eCS) is a relatively recent biological discovery with proven implications for lifespan wellness. Early evolutionarily emergence and preservation of the eCS in all mammals indicates its biological importance. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are natural neurotransmitters regulating virtually all biological signaling in the mammalian body.  eCBs signal receptors to increase or decrease activity in order to maintain homeostasis or balance. The eCS is the master regulator of homeostasis that keeps virtually all systems such as body temperature in balance. eCBs signal the immune system to fight problems and when to restore the resting state. The eCS signals the immune system to fight infection and to stop when it’s gone. Natural made within the body ‘endo’ Cannabinoids (like PEA), through the eCS, regulate physiological processes.  These processes include biochemical reactions controlling temperature, mood, appetite and the immune system. They also influence fertility, pregnancy, immune system activity (inflammation), appetite, pain-sensation, mood, memory, etc. But it must be regularly maintained.

Again, the eCS regulates homeostasis, the process keeping all biochemical reactions in balance. For example, chronic inflammation occurs when eCS functioning – or eCS tone – is not robust.  A robust ‘eCS tone’ is required for lifespan animal and human wellness.

About Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical central to protecting both plants and animals, although through different routes. Some cannabinoids are found in virtually all plants. These are known as phyto cannabinoids (from plants). Some cannabinoids are special to specific plants such as the two most familiar cannabinoids found in cannabis: Cannabidiol (CBD) and TetraHydroCannabinol (THC). 

Different Cannabinoids are natural to mammals.  These are known as endoCannabinoids (or inside) the animal, such as PEA. All cannabinoids are able to interact with special mammal receptors known as  CB1, CB2 and CB3. Cannabinoids may or may not connect directly with these receptors. Rather they seem to influence these receptors through interactions involving various cannabinoids and other chemicals including terpenes (also from plants) through a process known as the entourage effect. This enables combinations of cannabinoids to perform better than individual cannabinoids by themselves.

eCB Receptors CB1, CB2 and CB3

Cannabinoid receptors are expressed in all mammals – humans and companion animals. Named after plant cannabinoids, the eCS includes specialized cannabinoid receptors (CB1 CB2 & CB3) throughout the body. endoCannabinoids (eCBs) are signaling neurotransmitters produced on demand from available chemicals naturally found in all cell membranes and tissues. eCBs are immediately broken back down by special enzymes present within cells. Both cCB receptors are located throughout all areas of the brain and body. CB1 is predominant in the brain and central nervous system. CB2 is predominant in the immune system and most everywhere else throughout the peripheral body. CB3 is distributed throughout the body but predominantly in the brain. Neurologist Ethan Russo, MD recognized that  ‘homeostasis’ – continuous balancing of all biochemical reactions – is essential to wellness.

When thee eCS is not maintained properly a condition known as Clinical EndoCannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) can occur. While still medical and scientific under investigation, conditions linked to CECD include, fibromyalgia, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome.  Regular maintenance with the proper supplements can address this condition even before it occurs.

Because cannabinoid receptors are located on virtually all cells, Cannabinoids influence many seemingly unrelated disorders.  

Natural endo-cannabinoids Anandamide (ANA) & 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) were discovered through CBD evaluation. CBD/THC effect the homeostasis process as the body’s own ANA & 2-AG eCB analogs. ANA & 2-AG activate the same CB1/CB2 receptors that CBD and THC do. PalmitoylEthanolAmide (PEA) is a natural endocannabinoid profoundly influencing the eCS through the CB2 receptor. PEA, not Cannabis-derived, has exceptional wellness properties, is a generally recognized as safe nutraceutical.   

Special enzymes instantaneously produce short lived endoCannabinoids (ANA, 2AG and PEA), eCBs, their enzymes and receptors, working robustly together, are necessary to maintain robust ‘eCS Tone’.

eCS Tone

When eCBs, their enzymes and receptors (eCS) perform robustly they exhibit a robust ‘eCS Tone’. 

eCS Tone indicates how effectively homeostasis is maintained. When homeostasis is disrupted for long periods, it is an opportunity for illnesses to develop.  Ethan Russo, MD found stresses of living and aging lower eCS efficiency or Tone. He identified Clinical EndoCannabinoid Deficiency (CECD) as a cause of migraines, fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Disease. He also discovered that cannabinoid supplementation can return the eCS to normal strength. In fact, Cannabinoid supplementation is recommended to maintain a robust eCS Tone throughout the lifespan. A little daily cannabinoid supplementation, such as including PEA goes a long way toward lifespan wellness.

Terpenes/Terpenoids

Terpenes protect all plants from natural enemies like viruses, bacteria, bugs, etc. Cannabis includes hundreds of other chemical compounds from terpenes to essential essential oils. Dr Russo reported “terpenes (and cannabinoids) can increase blood flow, cortical activity, and kill respiratory pathogens. ”Cannabinoid-terpenoid interactions…produce synergy controlling pain, inflammation, depression, anxiety, addiction, epilepsy, cancer, etc.” Consider the range of a key property of some plant terpenes. Typical are Mercene (antibiotic), Linalool (anti-cancer), b-Caryophyllene (anti-inflammatory), Pinene (analgesic), lemalool (anti-siezure), etc.

Entourage Effect

Studies show ANA, 2AG and PEA have clinical potency in the eCS. Greater effects occurred in a “full spectrum” whole plant extract containing terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids. Cannabinoids work synergistically with various cannabinoid and terpenoid compounds to produce an ‘entourage effect’. 

The entourage effect enhances eCS effectiveness while promoting lifespan wellness.

There are other signaling systems in all mammals that influence pain related to inflammation, including pain and itch, bruises cuts and allergies. eQUELLE Topicals is a patent-pending, pharmacist formulated skin maintenance formula that can produce down-regulation of far-from homeostasis pain and discomforts in the short term and address age-related discomforts over the lifespan due to chronic systemic inflammation.