The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in keeping our bodies balanced—but it doesn’t stay the same as we age. Read on to learn more about aging and the ECS, including tips and tricks for how cannabis can offer support.
We pretty much never stop talking about the endocannabinoid system (ECS) at helloMD, but for those of you who are new here, the ECS is like the body’s internal balancing act. It assists with things like mood regulation, memory, sleep, how we respond to pain and more. It does this with the help of naturally occurring chemicals called endocannabinoids, which act like messengers to help different parts of the body communicate and stay in sync.
But just like the rest of the body, the ECS changes as we get older. In recent years, scientists have started to better understand how this system shifts with age—and what that might mean for our health. Read on to learn more.
The Natural Progression of Age
Just like creaky knees, greying hair or laugh lines, the ECS also shows signs of aging. As we take more trips around the sun, our bodies start to make less of the endocannabinoids that keep the ECS humming along. In addition to making less of these important chemicals, we also break them down faster, which means it can be harder for our bodies to stay in balance. This deficit may affect things like memory, mood and sleep.
Aging and the ECS
Cannabis compounds like THC and CBD are structurally similar to the endocannabinoids our bodies make. This means they can interact with the same receptors in our bodies—especially when our own stores are running low. (This is why it makes perfect sense that people turn to cannabis to help manage pain, improve sleep or ease anxiety.) Research is still catching up, but early studies and real-life anecdotes suggest that cannabis may help support the ECS when it’s not working quite like it used to.
Nutrition, Lifestyle and ECS Health
While cannabis has the potential to offer targeted support, other lifestyle choices may also help to keep your ECS resilient as you age. Research has shown that activities like regular exercise, quality sleep and a balanced diet may help promote healthy endocannabinoid levels. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids—like walnuts, flaxseeds and fatty fish—support the production of endocannabinoids. Even small habits like practicing mindfulness or reducing stress can play a role, since chronic stress has been linked to ECS dysregulation. In short, supporting your ECS isn’t just about what you add in, like cannabis, but also about how you live day to day.
Trying Cannabis to Support Aging and the ECS
If you’re interested in trying cannabis to support aging and the ECS, there are some things to consider.
- You probably knew we were going to say this: Start low and go slow. The way cannabis affects one person can be very different from how it affects someone else, and it can take some trial and error.
- Pick the right format. Oils, capsules and edibles offer more consistent dosing than smoking or vaping.
- Check in with a health care provider. This is especially important if you’re taking other medications, as cannabis can interact with certain drugs.
- Keep track of how you feel. A simple journal or ongoing note in a notes app can help you find the product and dosage that work best for you.
Cannabis isn’t a cure-all, but it can be a helpful tool. Getting older may be inevitable, but feeling good along the way? That’s something worth aiming for.
