The dose required for activity varies depending on the body weight, metabolism and other factors like stress levels of the person etc. But as a rough guide we estimate the following:

Mild conditions – 40-60 mg total macamides daily
Moderate conditions – 60-80 mg total macamides daily
Severe conditions – 80-100+ mg total macamides daily

Check the total macamide levels on the back of your pack of maca to ensure you are giving your brain enough to provide an adequate adaptogenic response.

Endocannabinoids like anandamide are regulatory molecules that act like a switch in your body to reduce the negative impacts of stress and to balance natural endocrine function. A primary function of the endocannabinoid signalling system is to maintain or recover homeostasis following psychological and physiological threats. Endocannabinoids are predominantly made and exist between neurons in the brain and provide feedback for the messages crossing the synapse carried by neurotransmitters like serotonin. In essence anandamide is the yin to the yang of serotonin and they both work together to maintain health and happiness in the nervous system, when one is in balance it helps to balance the other and vice versa.

Anandamide is a regulator of endocrine function including the messaging to the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis of the body, which controls our natural stress response. By slowing the breakdown of anandamide and increasing circulating levels the body builds a natural long-term strength and resilience to stress. These features of endocannabinoid signaling make it a tantalizing therapeutic target for treatment of stress-related disorders. The downstream benefits of this mode of action means maca has the ability to regulate countless processes in the body including hormone production, pain sensation, metabolism, neurotransmitter production (serotonin), energy production, adrenal function and much more. Its mode of action is unique, it is not a stimulant, it can be used for long-term sustainable treatment and it is well tolerated by most people.

Firstly, their modes of action differ slightly with maca having more of an effect solely on anandamide levels and less direct action on CB1 or CB2 receptors. This mode of increasing the concentration of human endocannabinoids, rather than administering exogenous plant cannabinoids, offers many therapeutic advantages and can reduce cannabinoid-like adverse events. Therefore, FAAH inhibitors like the macamides found in maca have the potential to provide a more natural way to return balance to the body. Their onset of action is mild and slow, however they act more accumulatively and sustainably for long-term consistent health benefits without losing sensitivity.

Like maca, not all cannabis is equal and there are some plant cannabinoids that also display similar properties. Cannabidiol (CBD) for example has been shown to be more selective for preventing anandamide re-uptake than interacting directly with the CB1 receptors. This mode of action works well in complement with maca and macamides. Reduced re-uptake of anandamide by CBD and reduced breakdown of anandamide by maca provide a powerful synergistic effect to bring about HPA regulation more rapidly than either plant independently. So combining them in treatment makes perfect sense. To see more about the benefits of maca review our article.