What is Homeostasis?
Homeostasis /ˌhōmēəˈstāsəs/ (noun) the tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes
The human body is an amazingly complex machine, but many of its parts and processes exist simply to maintain homeostasis.1
Homeostasis refers to the ability of an organism to maintain a state of internal balance and physical wellbeing in spite of changes or outside factors. Successful homeostasis is vital to the survival of any living thing1 and involves a myriad of systems in our body, including the endocrine, nervous, and endocannabinoid systems.
Why It is Important To Our Overall Health
Our internal body temperature is a great example of homeostasis. When someone is healthy, their body maintains a temperature close to 98.6°F (37°C). Whether you’re lying in the summer sun or playing in the winter snow, your body temperature only changes by a degree or two. When you sweat in the summer or get shivery in the cold, that’s your body trying to maintain homeostasis.1
Without Balance, Health Issues Arrive
When our bodies are unable to maintain balance, health issues arise. These can range from shivering & sweating per the example above to more serious conditions and chronic disease.
The good news for our wellness: plants are here for you. Certain herbs called adaptogens can be useful in restoring and maintaining homeostasis due to their ability to stabilize physiological processes.
Hemp as an Adaptogen
While hemp is not “officially” classified as an adaptogen, it meets all the criteria requirements: nontoxic, stress-reducing, balancing.
Medicine hunter and ethnobotanist Chris Kilham, who has been studying and advocating for adaptogens since the 1970s, explains that “cannabinoids regulate the cannabinoid system, and the cannabinoid system is a master regulating system of systems. That implies all the balancing and harmonizing activities of an adaptogen.”2
So if your mind & body are feeling overwhelmed, consider using hemp solutions to bring you back into balance.
To learn more about hemp and how to get started on your way to better living through nature, visit our Hemp 101 page.
And as always, feel free to contact us with any questions – we’re here for you.
1 https://examples.yourdictionary.com/homeostasis-examples.html
2 http://www.medicinehunter.com/plant-power-cannabis-adaptogen
Additional reading: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-homeostasis/ & https://www.huffpost.com/entry/natural-herbs_b_1167592