One of the ingredients we use in MindGain is Maca root. Maca root, a type of ginseng found in the mountains of Peru, boasts a number of restorative qualities.
The ginseng family is known for increasing energy and improving circulation, and is commonly used by people with fatigue problems.
The endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system is located in the central nervous system (CNS), the immune system, and limbic system.
Does the word endocannabinoid remind you of something? If it reminds you of cannabis, that’s because this system was discovered while the effects of marijuana on the body were being studied!
This system impacts many functions including cognition, mood balance, memory, anti-inflammation, and pain reduction.
Endocannabinoids act as a chemical messengers within the body. These messengers play a role in heart rate, sleep, appetite, mood, and fear.
Getting slightly more specific, the endocannabinoid system contains two receptors, CB1 and CB2.
CB1 receptors are prominent in certain regions of the brain associated with certain behaviours. You’ll find an abundance of CB1 receptors in the hypothalamus and the amygdala.
Why does that matter?
Well, the hypothalamus is involved in metabolism and appetite, and the amygdala is involved in memory, fear, and emotional responses. See the connection there?
CB2 receptors are actually found in the peripheral nervous system as well as the immune system. These guys are involved in inflammation, and are the main reason why the endocannabinoid system carries its anti-inflammatory function.
So what does this have to do with Maca root?
Getting to the main point of all of this science talk, Maca contains chemical compounds called macamides. Macamides are interesting little structures as they are functionally quite similar to endocannabinoids, meaning that they carry very similar neuroprotective qualities.
What makes Maca so special, however, is its inhibitory effects on a fatty acid within the body called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
I know I’m using a lot of big words here, but stay with me for a minute.
Let’s assume by now we have established that endocannabinoids are quite beneficial for cognitive function. But what if these therapeutic compounds had an inhibitor? An antagonist of sorts?
They do, and they’re called FAAH’s.
FAAH ‘s need to be properly modulated within the body. Too much of them can lead to brain damage, and too little can have the same effect.
This is why you won’t see FAAH inhibitors on the market, as it's hard to create a pharmaceutical that won’t inhibit this fatty acid too much to the point where its effects become toxic.
So, in search of a natural method to bring about proper balance of FAAH, researchers discovered somewhat of a breakthrough with macamides.
Macamides demonstrated a PARTIAL inhibition of FAAH, protecting from adverse effects of its complete and total inhibition. When FAAH is inhibited, to an extent, it can have anti-inflammatory effects while also increasing therapeutic effects of the endocannabinoid system.
Maca and MindGain
We include Maca root in our MindGain nootropic because of its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.
On top of that, compounds in Maca are similar to beneficial cannabinoids and can enhance the effects of the endocannabinoid system, which is related to cognition, mood balance, and memory!
Might be time to replace your morning cup of coffee with a refreshing dose of MindGain.
By Shannon Potts
Improve Cognitive Function with MindGain
MindGain is a nootropic supplement that supports the specific neuro-molecular pathways related to cognitive function - Neurotransmitter production, and Mitochondrial health.
By also including maca root powder, MindGain’s patent pending formula combines the essential ingredients brains need to improve performance in complex tasks while lowering stress levels.
Feed your starving brain. Order MindGain today and experience enhanced mental cognition while supporting optimal brain health.
Sources:
Cherry, Kendra (2019) Very Well Health, Identifying a Neurotransmitter, retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-neurotransmitter-2795394
Leaf Science (2017) The Endocannabinoid System, A Beginners Guide, retrieved from https://www.leafscience.com/2017/03/17/the-endocannabinoid-system-a-beginners-guide/
Hajdu Z, Nicolussi S, Rau M, Lorántfy L, Forgo P, Hohmann J, Csupor D, Gertsch J. Identification of endocannabinoid system-modulating N-alkylamides from Heliopsis helianthoides var. scabra and Lepidium meyenii.J Nat Prod. 2014 Jul 25;77(7):1663-9.
Alasmari M, Bӧhlke M, Kelley C, Maher T, Pino-Figueroa A. Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) by Macamides. Mol Neurobiol. 2019 Mar;56(3):1770-1781. doi: 10.1007/s12035-018-1115-8.