Lifestyle Tips for Gut and Endocannabinoid Balance

How can we support our gut-brain connection via our endocannabinoid system (ECS)?

1. Get Cultured

Cultured foods are packed with prebiotics and probiotics. They aid digestion and nutrient absorption and are more powerful than any commercial supplement (many of which are low quality).

Probiotics help support a balanced ecology in our microbiome, decreasing pathogens and inflammation. Lactobacillus Acidophilus, in particular, modulates the ECS in the gut. 

Eat cultured foods daily, like:

• sauerkraut
• kefir
• kimchi
• natto
• tempeh
• miso
• kvass, etc.,

or at the very least take a quality broad-spectrum probiotic supplement, like Seed or Megasporebiotic, daily.

2. Fat as essential fuel

Essential fatty acids are the building blocks of endocannabinoids.

Consuming healthy fats daily is needed to efficiently utilize cannabinoids and support the ECS as well as our brain, hormones, and every body cell.

Examples include:

• A quality omega-3 fish oil
• wild fatty fish like sardines and anchovies
• raw nuts and seeds
• avocado
• Organic Flaxseed Oil, Organic Hemp Seed Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Sacha Inchi Oil and Australian Macadamia Oil - Melrose
• grass-fed ghee
• coconut oil

3. Cannabinoid & terpene-rich foods and herbs

Cruciferous veggies (like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage) contain indole-3-carbinol which turns into DIM in the gut. These support CB2 receptors (think gut and hormone balance, detoxification, anti-inflammatory). 

Jazz up your cooking with:

• dark chocolate (organic and fair trade of course)
• black truffle

Make teas with these herbs:

• black pepper
• clove
• cinnamon
• oregano
• basil
• lavender
• rosemary.

4. Mastering the nervous system & managing stress

Supplementing with quality broad or full spectrum CBD oil – to regulate your busy mind, destress and unwind.

Self-care practices like unplugging from your phone for an hour or more to take a bath, read, write, be in nature, make love, create and breathe, should be a part of your daily routine.

The gut is an integral part of our nervous system, and stress increases gut permeability, inflammation, motility, and even changes our gut microbiota. Commit to the tools and allies that work for you. Slowing down and connecting to your own daily self-care is a must! and not just a buzzword. 

5. Other herbal allies

Incredible allies for soothing our gut, reducing inflammation and pathogens, supporting a healthy ecosystem for smooth digestion and eliminating toxins include:

• Dandelion root tea
• burdock
• ginger
• turmeric
• peppermint
• and digestive bitters before or after meals.

So we love your guts, and we hope you’ll show love to them too.

Choose gut-nourishing prebiotic and probiotic rich foods, boost your omega-3s, and weave in whole plant herbal allies to support your gut, body, and mind.