The relatively new idea of an endocannabinoidome (eCBome) is used to describe the larger environment that interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This includes all knowns aspects of the ECS (i.e., endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid receptor sites, their metabolizing enzymes, and endocannabinoid tone). This interaction is not a one-way street but a complex cross-talk-based mechanism between the ECS and eCBome.
For instance, when a patient uses a tincture containing THC, both CB1, and CB2 are activated in a dose-dependent fashion, which in turn will induce specific effects that we have come to expect, such as changes in cognition (via CB1) or anti-inflammatory effects (via CB2). However, many additional modifications are set in motion beyond the initial impact of CB1 and CB2 signaling. These include complex crosstalk between the classical components of the ECS (in this case, CB1 and CB2 signaling) and eCBome-related neurotransmitters, hormones, and other communication signals, influencing different physiological and mental-emotional experiences (see table below).
One clinical usefulness of engaging the eCBome becomes apparent when we consider that chronic stressors such as aging can significantly contribute to losing our capacity for healthy and balanced endocannabinoid signaling.
By engaging known mediators, we can harness the complex therapeutic crosstalk potential between the ECS and the eCBome. The more we learn about these general and specific effects, the more we can make new and practical choices supporting optimal endocannabinoid signaling. A practice that allows us to:
- Induce precision effects.
- Establish predictability of effects.
- Prevent or lower any adverse effect potential.
- Reduce the amounts of cannabis-based products to achieve the same or better and longer-lasting results.
CannaKeys is tracking the emerging scientific trends of groups of modulators that activate the crosstalk between the eCBome and the ECS, such as cannabis constituents (e.g., THC, CBD, beta-caryophyllene), food (e.g., keto-diet), nutraceuticals (e.g., turmeric), mind-body approaches (e.g., mindfulness, exercise, acupuncture), the microbiome (e.g., probiotics), the lipidome (e.g., omega-3, C15), and certain psychotropics (e.g., Ayahuasca).
Within the CK platform, you have access to a growing list of eCBome mediators that have the potential significantly improve patient outcomes.
CannaKeys Endocannabinoidome Mediators
- Ayahuasca (3)
- Capsaicin (CAPS) (3)
- Mind-Body Medicine (3)
- Exercise (2)
- Echinacea (1)
- Microbiome (1)
- Omega-3 (1)
- Acupuncture (TCM)
- Omega-6
- Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0)
- Phycocyanin
- Turmeric
The number in parenthesis denotes the number of clinical trials associated with each one.
Mind-Body Medicine and the eCBome
Endocannabinodome-based mind-body associations include over twenty neurotransmitters, hormones, or other signaling proteins and their associated mental-emotional counterparts partially or significantly modulated by the ECS (see table below). In CK, you can dynamically filter for each of them wherever applicable in any CK conditions. Then, you can search to learn more.
| Neurotransmitters, Hormones, and other Communication Signals | Mental-emotional association | Reference |
| Acetylcholine | e.g., memory, wakefulness | E. Murillo-Rodríguez et al., 2018 |
| Cortisol | e.g., stress response | Kathmann et al., 2006 |
| Cytokines | anti-inflammatory | L. Jean-Gilles et al., 2010 |
| Cytokines | pro-inflammatory | F. Zádor et al., 2021 |
| Dopamine | e.g., motivation, reward | A. Terzian et al., 2011 |
| Endogenous opioids | e.g., analgesia | M. Kathmann et al., 2006 |
| Epinephrine | e.g., fight, flight, or freeze | N. Niederhoffer et al., 2001 |
| Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) | e.g., calming | S. Lee et al., 2010 |
| Ghrelin | e.g., hunger | L. Senin et al., 2013 |
| Glucagon | e.g., hungry, angry | K. Patel et al., 2014 |
| Glutamate | e.g., excitement, excitotoxicity | A. Köfalvi et al., 2020 |
| Insulin | e.g., energy, hungry | A. Laguerre et al., 2021 |
| Leptin | e.g., satiated | B. Bosier et al., 2013 |
| Norepinephrine | e.g., stress, attention | R. Wyrofsky et al., 2019 |
| Oxytocin | e.g., trust, intimacy, bonding | D. Wei et al., 2015 |
| Serotonin | e.g., happiness, well-being | I. Ibarra-Lecue et al., 2021 |
| Testosterone | e.g., confidence, aggression | J. Lim et al., 2023 |
| Vasopressin | e.g., social recognition, aggressions | V. Luce et al., 2014 |
| eCBome-related mineral responsive to modulating components of the ECS | Mental-emotional association | Reference |
| Calcium (Ca2+) | e.g., schizophrenia, ASD, bipolar | T. Boszek et al., 2021 |
| Sodium (Na+) | e.g., ASD | C. Milligan et al., 2022 |
| Potassium (K) | e.g., schizophrenia, ASD, bipolar | Yu-Fung Lin 2021 |
Relevant Takeaway
One of the more exciting aspects of working with the eCBome is that, except for cannabis-based products, government policies, and control support all other pathways or mechanisms that allow us to harness the eCBome in the clinical setting. They are easy to obtain almost everywhere without a prescription, easy to learn about, and can be used to meet specific needs or preferences regarding establishing one’s optimal healthcare regimen.
