Homeostasis: The Word That Changes Everything

_This post is part of the "Far From Equilibrium" series by Justin Hartfield, originally published on The Forward Look._

Homeostasis: The Word That Changes Everything

You think you know how your body works. You think it’s a machine, a collection of parts that can be fixed and tweaked. You’ve been told your whole life that health is about “balance.” Eat a balanced diet. Work-life balance. Balanced hormones.

Bullshit.

Balance is a myth. It’s a comfortable lie we tell ourselves to feel in control. The universe isn’t balanced. It’s a chaotic, swirling vortex of energy and information, constantly expanding, constantly evolving. And you, my friend, are right in the middle of it. Your body isn’t a static machine; it’s a dynamic, self-organizing system, surfing the edge of chaos.

The word you’re looking for isn’t balance. It’s homeostasis. And understanding it will change everything you thought you knew about health.

The Problem: Chasing a Ghost

We’re all chasing a ghost. We’re obsessed with this idea of a perfect, static state of being. We want to find that one diet, that one workout, that one pill that will finally bring us into “balance” and solve all our problems. We treat our bodies like a game of whack-a-mole, constantly trying to suppress symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.

Got a headache? Pop a pill. Feeling anxious? Numb it out. High blood pressure? There’s a prescription for that. We’re a society of symptom-chasers, and it’s making us sicker, weaker, and more disconnected from our own biology.

We’ve been taught to fear the fluctuations. We see any deviation from the “norm” as a problem to be fixed. But what if those fluctuations are the very things that keep us alive? What if the constant push and pull, the dance between order and chaos, is the source of our resilience?

“The stability of a far-from-equilibrium system is its ability to adapt. It’s not about being static; it’s about being dynamic.” - Dr. Bob Melamede

This idea of embracing fluctuations and uncertainty eventually led me to reconsider many of my long-held beliefs, including those about substances like marijuana. I remember a moment when I was with a group of people who used it casually—not the stereotypes I had been conditioned to expect, but thoughtful, accomplished individuals. Trying it myself, I realized that the experience didn’t alter my core self or reality in any dramatic way. Instead, it highlighted how resilient and stable our sense of consciousness truly is amidst temporary shifts. This personal insight reinforced the notion that change and variation don’t necessarily threaten our balance—they can be part of a dynamic process that shapes who we are. So what does this all mean for you, in your real, messy, everyday life? It means you have a choice.

The Application: Are You an FLP or a BLP?

So what does this all mean for you, in your real, messy, everyday life? It means you have a choice.

You can be a Backward-Looking Person (BLP), clinging to the past, resisting change, and trying to force your body into a rigid, artificial state of “balance.” You can keep chasing symptoms, popping pills, and wondering why you never feel truly well.

Or, you can be a Forward-Looking Person (FLP). You can embrace the chaos, lean into the fluctuations, and learn to work with your body’s innate intelligence. You can see challenges not as threats, but as opportunities to adapt and grow stronger.

For me, that meant embracing cannabis as a tool to support my ECS. It meant changing my diet, my mindset, and my relationship with stress. It meant accepting that I am not a machine, but a living, evolving system. It was a damn hard process, and it’s one I’m still in. Vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s the price of admission for a life lived forward.

Supporting your ECS isn’t just about cannabis, though. It’s about a holistic approach to life. It’s about giving your body the resources it needs to self-organize and adapt.

The Takeaway: How to Feed Your ECS

You want practical advice? Here it is. No bullshit, no magic pills. Just simple, powerful ways to support your body’s master regulatory system.

1. Eat Real Food: Your body builds its endocannabinoids from fatty acids. Ditch the processed crap and eat a diet rich in healthy fats from sources like avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds. Omega-3s are particularly crucial, so get your fill of fatty fish or a quality supplement.
2. Move Your Body: Exercise is a fantastic way to boost your anandamide levels. Find a form of movement you actually enjoy and do it regularly. It doesn’t have to be a grueling workout; a brisk walk, a yoga class, or a dance party in your living room all count.
3. Manage Your Stress: Chronic stress is the enemy of homeostasis. Find healthy ways to manage it, whether it’s meditation, deep breathing, spending time in nature, or connecting with people you love. And for God’s sake, get enough sleep.
4. Consider Cannabinoids: If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to explore the world of cannabinoids. Whether it’s CBD, THC, or other compounds from the cannabis plant, they can be powerful tools to supplement your ECS and help restore a dynamic state of well-being. Do your research, start low, and go slow.

This isn’t about achieving a perfect, static state. It’s about building a more resilient, adaptive system. It’s about giving your body the tools it needs to surf the waves of life, instead of getting crushed by them.

Closing

Stop chasing the ghost of balance. It’s a dead end. Your body is not a machine to be fixed; it’s a garden to be cultivated. It’s a self-organizing miracle, and the Endocannabinoid System is the master gardener.

Embrace the chaos. Learn the language of your body. Give it what it needs to thrive in a far-from-equilibrium world.

References

1. Melamede, R. (2005). Cannabis and tobacco smoke are not equally carcinogenic. Harm Reduction Journal, 2(1), 21.
2. The work and lectures of Dr. Robert Melamede on far-from-equilibrium thermodynamics and the endocannabinoid system.