As mentioned before, your endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates many functions in our bodies, including pain perception, mood regulation, and immune response. Certain compounds found in cannabis can bind to cannabinoid receptors, altering function of the ECS.
There have been several studies showing that cannabinoids are effective in reducing cancer-related symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Additionally, there is some evidence suggesting that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the main active components of cannabis, may be helpful for treating certain types of cancers.
However, due to the possible risk of serious side effects, such as cardiovascular problems, it’s important to discuss marijuana use with your doctor.
Fortunately, medical professionals are increasingly aware of the potential benefits of CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids. Because they aren’t psychoactive, they don’t produce the same kind of reactions in people, which may make them more appropriate for treatment than THC.
History of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system
There have been many reports about the medicinal properties of cannabis dating back centuries. Discussions about using marijuana for health benefits seem to come up every few months, however, it was not until recently that the medical community took notice.
In 1992, two scientists identified several active compounds in cannabis called cannabinoids. Since then, there has been an explosion of research exploring the possible uses of these cannabinoid substances.
The endocannabinoid system regulates various functions, such as sleep-wake cycles, appetite, pain sensation, and immune response. By understanding how cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system, we can determine some potential uses of cannabis.
Many studies show that CBD may help reduce inflammation and promote relaxation. Because inflammation is linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, this effect could be important in preventing or treating those conditions.
With respect to pain, most studies indicate that cannabidiol (CBD) can be effective in reducing symptoms of pain, while other studies report no effects. It is also worth mentioning that some people find that CBD helps relieve their pain without producing any kind of psychedelic effects.
Given all of this, I believe it is reasonable to say that consuming cannabis for recreational purposes or for medicine should be legalized.
How the endocannabinoid system affects your health
More than just an interesting biochemical pathway, our natural endocannabinoids play important roles in regulating many different systems in your body.
These include:
* Circulatory
* Nervous
* Immune
* Reproductive
* Muscle-control related to movement
When you are healthy, your body has enough control over these systems. But when things go wrong, the endocannabinoid system can be dysregulated.
This happens because there is too much activity or not enough activity of cannabinoids, which are the chemicals that activate this system.
Some diseases and conditions have been linked to inflammation, stressors, or abnormalities in hormone levels — all of which affect the functioning of the endocannabinoid system.
That’s why it is important to understand how cannabis may influence the endocannabinoid system.
Understanding the effects of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system
As mentioned before, your body has an internal messaging system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system regulates many functions, such as sleep-wake cycles, appetite, mood, pain perception, and immune function.
There are two types of receptors in the ECS – cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid type 2 (CB2). CB1 is found all over our bodies and helps regulate emotions, anxiety, eating habits, and sleeping patterns. On the other hand, CB2 is more localized to specific areas, such as skin, muscles, bones, and digestive tract.
Cannabis interacts with both types of receptor throughout different stages of life. However, this interaction is not completely understood.
As you age, levels of endocannabinoids drop and it may be difficult to find the appropriate balance. When endocannabinoid levels are low, it can contribute to symptoms of depression, loss of motivation, irritability, and sleep issues. Reversing these symptoms requires boosting or enhancing the activity of endocannabinoids!
That’s why it’s so important to understand how cannabis affects the endocannabinoid system. Read on for several ways that cannabis can influence the way your body uses endorphins and serotonin.
Does cannabis affect all parts of the endocannabinoid system?
Whilst there have been some studies that suggest CBD may help with pain in certain conditions, this is not universally effective or possible to achieve. There are also some reports of people experiencing unpleasant side effects such as dizziness, tiredness or anxiety while using CBD for pain.
Cannabidiol does NOT work directly on the CBDRs (cannabinoid receptors) in your body so it cannot replace the action of cannabinoids on your endocannabinoid system. Also, like most drugs, CBD can have unwanted side-effects.
It is important to note that the way individuals respond to medication differs from person to person. Therefore, although one person might find they feel more relaxed after taking CBD, this could be due to either no effect or an increase in sleep caused by drowsiness.
There is currently insufficient high quality evidence to determine if CBD has any benefits beyond placebo for pain in children.
Does cannabis make you high?
As mentioned before, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important part of your body’s physiology that regulates many functions, including sleep-wake cycles, appetite, pain perception, immune function, and more.
When we use marijuana, or cannabinoid substances such as CBD, those drugs interact with the ECS.
Some researchers believe that differences in how people respond to cannabinoids are due to individual variations in the way their endocannabinoids work. Some have even referred to this as “cannabis individuality”.
There are several ways that cannabis can influence the activity of the endocannabinoid system, some helpful and others not.
This article will discuss these effects, what studies find about them, and strategies for minimizing any harmful impacts while maximizing the benefits.
Does cannabis make you more or less likely to get a disease?
Recent studies are showing that marijuana may actually have protective effects against some diseases, including cancer. This is due to an important component of marijuana called cannabidiol (CBD).
Researchers are finding that CBD can bind to receptors in your body like those for alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, only not as strongly. This means it will reduce how much of these other substances your body creates, or stimulates.
For this reason, many people are looking at CBD as a way to use marijuana without getting too high. Because there isn’t quite as much THC present, users don’t feel as heavily influenced by the cannabinoids in weed.
Does cannabis help with anxiety or depression?
For many, marijuana has been a tool to treat symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. It is quite popular to use it for this purpose at this time. However to know if it does actually work, you must understand how the endocannibinoid system works.
The endocannabinoide system was discovered in 1990, when researchers found what we now refer to as cannabinoids. These are some of the most well-known compounds in cannabis. There are two main types: phytocannabinoids and endogenous cannabinoid receptors.
Phytocembrins are non-cannabinoid substances that act like THC by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors. They are not fully researched yet, but some studies show that they may have anti-anxiety effects similar to CBD.
You can find these binders in hemp products such as oils, supplements, and foods.
Endogenous cannabinoid receptors exist within our bodies and play an integral part in regulating various functions, including mood. When there are enough endogenous cannabinoids present, it helps regulate emotions and sleep; however, when they are lacking, it can contribute to mental health conditions, suchas anxiety and depression.
Are there any health benefits of cannabis?
More and more studies are proving that cannabinoids play an important role in protecting your heart, immune system, and nervous system. They may even help restore some functions to organs such as the brain damaged by disease or trauma.
Many of these beneficial effects arise because of changes in chemicals called endo-cannibinoids. These include endogenous (or naturally occurring) cannabinoid compounds like THC and CBD as well as other substances such as arachidonic acid.
Endogenous cannabinoids regulate many aspects of our physiology, including pain perception, sleep regulation, appetite, and inflammation. When they work properly, it is like having their own special drug cocktail with you at all times!
When things go wrong, altering this balance can have devastating consequences. A chronic imbalance is linked to a wide range of diseases and symptoms, from depression and anxiety to cancer and cardiovascular problems.
Fortunately, we now know how to reset or rebalance the EC system through nutritional means and exercise. Many of us already use supplements for this, but adding cannabis can be even better!
This article will talk about the potential benefits of cannabis in relation to the endocannabinoid system and what experts think about its effectiveness when used for medical purposes.
