It is common knowledge that the human body is a complicated and delicate piece of machinery. It takes hundreds of moving parts and processes to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. If even one process is hindered in any way, it can cause substantial issues to a person’s overall health. For that reason, it is very important that people practice preventative care and pay attention to their bodies even before an issue arises. Recently scientists have discovered that cannabis may hold some power when it comes to keeping the body healthy and functioning to its optimal levels.
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) maintains homeostasis within the body. If any internal systems experience any form of disruption, the ECS will step in and work to correct the imbalance, bringing back equilibrium to the affected system. Human bodies are complex and changes can happen at any time. Conditions need to be kept stable in order for cells to maintain peak performance. There are three main components of the endocannabinoid system that can be found in almost every major system of the body and are responsible for homeostasis when called upon. Those components include:
Endocannabinoids
Endocannabinoids are molecules that bind to receptors (explained below) in order to activate them. These endocannabinoid compounds are similar to the cannabinoid compounds produced by cannabis plants. Two of the most important endocannabinoids are anandamide and 2-AG. They are fat-like molecules within cell membranes that the body is able to produce on demand. Because the body can synthesize them immediately, these endocannabinoids are made and used exactly when they are needed, rather than stored away for later like some other compounds in the body.
The two most common types of endocannabinoids are anandamide, sometimes called the “bliss molecule” because of its ability to produce a calming or blissful feeling in humans, and arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) which is found in high levels within the central nervous system.
Receptors
Found on the surface of cells, cannabinoid receptors monitor conditions outside the cell and transmit any information about changes happening in the environment surrounding it. If a big enough change is reported, the ECS will receive the message communicated by the receptors and initiate the proper response to balance the system and maintain homeostasis. Endocannabinoids are able to bind to either of the two main receptors, but the result will depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to.
There are two major cannabinoid receptors, they are called CB1 and CB2. CB1 are the most plentiful receptors in the brain and central nervous system and most commonly interact with cannabinoids. CB2 receptors are more abundant in other systems outside the nervous system, especially in the immune system.
Enzymes
Metabolic enzymes are used to destroy endocannabinoids within the ECS systems once they have been used to reestablish homeostasis within the body. This helps ensure no overcorrection will be able to occur after the need for the endocannabinoid has ended.
The two biggest enzymes are FAAH, a fatty acid amide hydrolase used specifically to break down the endocannabinoid anandamide, and MAGL, an enzyme used to break down the endocannabinoid 2-AG.
Effects
While research has shown that the endocannabinoid system can affect nearly every system in the human body, some of the systems the ECS has a hand include appetite, metabolism, pain management, the immune system, mood, memory, sleep, reproduction, anxiety, and nerve function [1].
ECS Deficiency
Experts are researching the possibility of something called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency (CECD). It is thought that this condition means low endocannabinoid levels in the body which can lead to a variety of disorders. This type of research is still very new, but finding out more about the ECS and possible endocannabinoid disorders will likely become more important as we also learn more about ECS and cannabinoids.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is the degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed into a person’s bloodstream. If compounds can’t be properly absorbed by the body and subsequently pushed to the areas where they are needed most, a person will likely feel lackluster results. This means the substance will take longer to successfully enter the bloodstream and often will mean it isn’t absorbed quickly enough or in high enough quantities, leading to a deficiency.
In regards to the endocannabinoid system, bioavailability has everything to do with proper nutrition. Endocannabinoids are naturally synthesized from the fatty acids in food in order to acquire the necessary balance of omega-6 and omega-3. Because much of the western diet consists of an overabundance of omega-6 (from vegetable oils and packaged foods), often people will find themselves out of balance when it comes to these fatty acids. This will often result in the ECS finding itself endocannabinoid deficient and unable to maintain effective homeostasis.
Common Problems
Recent studies have concluded that ECS deficiency could lead to problems with migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and other treatment-resistant diseases. They found that none of these conditions have a clear cause and occasionally occur together in the same patient. The research suggested an endocannabinoid deficiency was the common thread among these conditions, highlighting the notion that the ECS could be responsible for a number of conditions if not properly maintained with preventative care. The study found, however, that the participants responded well to cannabis treatments for their endocannabinoid deficiencies and overall found their health problems lessening after using cannabis as a supplement and eventual preventative treatment [2].
The Cannabis Plant
Cannabis is a flowering annual herb in the Cannabaceae family that originated in Asia and has been used for centuries for a variety of needs, all the way from industrial to medicinal. There are three main species of plants within this family: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis. All three are treated as subspecies of a single species called C. sativa. Cannabis plants produce a powerful group of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids that can produce mental and physical effects when ingested. These cannabinoids are also responsible for deciding if a particular cannabis plant will be called hemp or marijuana. Hemp and marijunana are both cannabis products, they just use different names for the same plant genus dependent upon the cannabinoids present in each and a few physical differences between the two types of plants.
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. There are over 100 different cannabinoids within cannabis, but the most commonly extracted are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). While these two compounds are the most well known, there is ongoing research exploring the benefits of other cannabinoids including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabivarian (THCV), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabicyclol (CBL). While all cannabinoids have varied effects, it is CBD and THC that are most frequently used because they are found in the highest concentrations. These are also the cannabinoids that determine the difference between a hemp plant and a marijuana plant.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the identified cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. When these compounds are extracted from the cannabis plant, CBD is the most prominent cannabinoid in the extraction. It produces no psychoactive results and is used primarily for therapeutic purposes. CBD is currently undergoing a lot of scientific research for its abilities to provide its users with relaxing, pain relieving, and anti-anxiety benefits. Since CBD doesn’t have euphoric effects like THC, it is a safe option for those who don’t enjoy feeling intoxicated or who cannot because of legal or employment restrictions.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is another one of the cannabinoids extracted from the cannabis plant. THC is the primary cannabinoid that accounts for the psychoactive properties of marijuana. It attaches to cannabinoid receptors that are concentrated in areas of the brain, stimulating the cells in the brain to release dopamine, which creates the feeling of euphoria.
Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabis
The cannabinoids above each have their own individual strengths when it comes to treating certain health issues, however research has historically shown cannabis to have powerful anti-inflammation [3], antioxidant [4], and neuroprotective [5] therapeutic benefits. Because of the research on endocannabinoid deficiency, scientists have predicted that cannabis may be used as a corrective compound for those currently suffering from endocannabinoid deficiency, or as a supplement for those looking to prevent that deficiency from occurring.
Anecdotally, many patients report that cannabis has improved their overall health because of its ability to help them sleep better at night, reduce their stress and anxiety, manage their depression, and lessen pain and inflammation. Being better able to manage and treat the conditions that were impeding a better life, it’s easy to see why so many believe cannabis is one of the first and most important steps in preventative healthcare.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 2.5 million people in the United States suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, with another 17 million suffering worldwide. It is an extremely debilitating disease with 75% of those who suffer becoming disabled and 25% homebound [1]. Even more frustrating to many with the condition is the lack of information or treatment available to them. So little is known about this disease, yet so many suffer from it every year. This has led researchers to not only want to learn more, but find safe treatment solutions to help chronic fatigue syndrome patients. One option that has raised interest from within the community is the effect of cannabis on those being treated for chronic fatigue.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), often abbreviated as ME/CFS, although more recently the term systemic exertional intolerance disease (SEID) has been proposed to replace the other two other terms. Most doctors have found chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) difficult to diagnose. It’s a complicated disease with symptoms similar to a number of other common disorders. People who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome often find themselves frustrated as medical professionals struggle to properly diagnose them. Some of the symptoms of CFS include:
Extreme fatigue that does not lessen with rest
Sleep issues, including insomnia or sleep that doesn’t feel refreshing
Memory, focus, and concentration problems
Chronic dizziness that is especially amplified when moving from a prone position to sitting or standing
Sore throat
Headaches
Enlarged lymph nodes
Muscle or joint pain
Even after much research, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is still unknown. Researchers have many theories, including viral infections and psychological stress, however the data still does not support these analyses and the cause is unknown. Experts don’t even know if there is one cause of chronic fatigue or if it’s triggered by a combination of factors. Some potential triggers include:
Viral infections. Doctors have noticed that some people find themselves with chronic fatigue syndrome after recovering from a viral infection. Some of the most common diseases that lead to CFS are the Epstein-Barr virus and the human herpes virus 6, however no conclusive evidence has been found to link these.
Immune system issues. Often the immune system of those afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome are slightly impaired, but again there is no evidence to suggest that the impaired immune system caused the CFS.
Hormonal imbalances. Doctors have also noticed that those who suffer from chronic fatigue also struggle with abnormal blood levels of hormones. This is all anecdotal evidence without any data to back it up, but it is something being investigated.
Physical and emotional trauma. Some people have experienced chronic fatigue syndrome after experiencing an injury, surgery, or some sort of extreme emotional distress.
There still aren’t many known risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome, however it does seem to affect young to middle-aged adult women most often. It should be noted that since there is still very little known about this condition, that data could simply signify that that particular demographic is just the most common to actually report their symptoms to a doctor. Chronic fatigue syndrome can have a wide range of complications, with some people reporting a complete disruption to their everyday life. Common issues include lifestyle changes and restrictions, increased work absences, social isolation, and depression.
How Cannabis Can Help
Even though ME/CFS is recognized by the World Health Organization and the CDC as a real disease, there are still no FDA-approved treatments for it. This has led many who suffer to research their own treatment plans based on their individual symptoms. Cannabis has been something that many in that chronic fatigue community have found themselves reaching for. Some of the most common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome have been researched heavily in regards to how cannabis works to combat them.
Inflammation
Current research suggests that because cannabis could be used as an effective treatment for a number of inflammatory diseases [2]. It has also received attention for its ability to control inflammation in the brain as well. Patients suffering from ME/CFS have been found to have neuroinflammatory symptoms similar to those suffering from multiple sclerosis. A recent study found that several cannabinoids found within cannabis had the ability to calm the inflammatory response, leading to a reduction of symptoms [3].
Depression
Cannabis has also shown its potential to help with depression. Recent studies performed on mice have shown that CBD exhibited both anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in those animals [4]. Another study concluded that CBD had strong antidepressant effects when tested for its effectiveness on non-psychiatric and psychiatric disorders [5]. These results could prove beneficial for those suffering from depression associated with ME/CFS.
Insomnia
Research has shown that the success of CBD as a sleep aid may come directly from its success as an anti-anxiety treatment. Because it’s such a powerful remedy for stress and anxiety, CBD users often find themselves falling asleep more quickly than they are able to without the supplemental aid. It has also been shown to be helpful for those struggling to fall asleep because of pain or nervous system conditions as the cannabinoids help relieve the troublesome symptoms [6].
Pain
Chronic fatigue syndrome is thought to have similar properties to diseases that cause chronic neuropathic pain. This is a pain that comes from damaged nerves, which is different from the tissue pain most commonly experienced in issues like back or neck pain. Research has shown that CBD may be a treatment option for both types of pain, with many people swearing by CBD as a treatment for their neuropathic pain [7]. Neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult to treat, yet research studies have revealed that cannabis and CBD can be beneficial to those patients who have not responded well to pharmaceutical treatments [8].
How it Works
The process of how cannabis interacts with the human body is somewhat complicated, but the easiest way to understand it is to briefly describe one of the most important systems in the human body.
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system’s (ECS) main purpose is to maintain a constant state of homeostasis within the body. All of the body’s internal systems need to be in equilibrium in order to work effectively, so if even one becomes unstable the ECS must activate and rush to the location of the issue to quickly work to stabilize it.
There are three primary elements that make up the endocannabinoid system:
Endocannabinoids. Thechemical compounds the body naturally produces. These are structurally similar to cannabinoids, the chemical compounds found in cannabis.
Cannabinoidreceptors. Found on the surface of cells throughout the entire body, endocannabinoids and cannabinoids are both able to attach to receptors allowing them to communicate with a variety of systems inside the body. This communication is what enables the ECS to detect and correct instability and what allows cannabis the ability to interact with so many systems of the human body.
Enzymes. These are proteins that work to break down the cannabinoids and endocannabinoids after they’ve attached themselves to the receptors and after successful homeostasis has been achieved. Enzymes are there to make sure the cannabinoids do not create an overcorrection.
Since cannabinoids from cannabis plants are very similar to the naturally produced compounds in the body, it’s possible for cannabinoid compounds to attach to the receptors just as endocannabinoids do. CBD, for instance, has the ability to bind to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and once attached acts as a blocker, binding to receptors and dampening their signals.
Conclusion
While many have found help with their chronic fatigue syndrome through the use of cannabis products like THC or CBD, it is still important that all patients discuss their options with their own doctor. Dealing with ME/CFS may become a lifelong commitment, so finding a safe and effective treatment is important. For many that treatment will come in the form of cannabis, which has shown itself to be life-changing for many suffering from chronic fatigue.
Using cannabis for health management is nothing new; many different civilizations have been taking advantage of its benefits for centuries. However it hasn’t been until recently that humans have started investigating the “how and why” behind its powerful properties in order to get a better understanding of the way it interacts with the body and is able to provide relief for certain systems while boosting the efficiency of others. One of the major systems being investigated is the immune system, one that plays a part in so many other systems of the human body and is so important to a person’s general health.
What is the Immune System
Every day humans are exposed to a variety of infectious diseases, bacteria, and viruses just by going about a normal day of activities. These diseases and antigens are considered attackers and are trying to infiltrate the body and run wild within the systems, causing debilitating illness and interrupting our daily lives. Our immune system is the first line of defense against these attacks and without it, humans would, to put it bluntly, struggle to survive.
The immune system is made up of a number of cells, tissues, and organs that all work together in a complex system meant to keep us healthy. Some of the most important parts of the immune system are the white blood cells, otherwise known as leukocytes. These blood cells are the front line defenders, seeking out and destroying any destructive invaders that happen to find their way into our bodies. Leukocytes are made up of two types of white blood cells:
Lymphocytes are also known as B cells or T cells and are responsible for destroying any malicious antigens that enter the body. These cells also help the body remember previous attackers in order to more quickly wipe them out and and bring all systems back to normal.
Phagocytes work to absorb and then neutralize any foreign intruders after they have been destroyed by the lymphocytes.
The immune system also plays an important part in detecting cells within the body that may be malfunctioning. Malfunctioning cells may be caused by dangerous issues like cancer, so once these cells have been identified, the immune system uses a process called apoptosis to kill the malfunctioning cells, which in turn stops the growth of tumors or other unhealthy growths.
With the complexity of the immune system and its overall importance to human health and longevity, it’s important that scientists understand all the ways it affects the other systems in the body and how they affect it. Within the last few decades, researchers have discovered a system that plays an important role in combination with the immune system called the endocannabinoid system.
The Endocannabinoid System
In the early 1990s researchers running studies on THC discovered part of the human body which they later named the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. Researchers have been studying the ECS for decades, however it is still a relatively new system and there is much that remains unknown. However, using genetic and pharmacological methods, researchers have concluded that the ECS is a vital part of human biology and essential to health and over well-being as a powerful regulator of various systems within the body, including the immune system.
How it Works
In simple terms, the endocannabinoid system maintains homeostasis within the body. If one or more systems experience any disruption, the ECS will step in and work to correct the imbalance and bring back equilibrium. Human bodies are complex with changes happening all the time. Conditions need to be kept stable in order for cells to maintain optimal performance, and that is the job of the endocannabinoid system.
There are three main components on the ECS that can be found in almost every major system of the body and are responsible for homeostasis when called upon after a disruptive element is introduced to the environment.
Endocannabinoids are small molecules that bind to receptors and active them. These molecules are also very similar to the cannabinoid compounds produced by cannabis plants. These compounds are made up of fat-like molecules within cell membranes and the body is able to produce them on demand. Because the body can synthesize them immediately, these endocannabinoids are made and used exactly when they are needed, rather than stored away for later like other molecules in the body.
Cannabinoid receptors are found on the surface of cells and monitor conditions outside the cell, transmitting any information about changes happening in the environment. If a big enough change is reported, the ECS will receive the message communicated by the receptors and initiate the proper response to balance the system and maintain homeostasis. Endocannabinoids are able to bind to either of the two main receptors, but the result will depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to.
Metabolic enzymes are used to destroy endocannabinoids within the ECS systems once they have been used to reestablish homeostasis within the body. This helps ensure no overcorrection will be able to occur after the need for the endocannabinoid has ended.
Cannabis and the Immune System
The cannabis plant produces chemical compounds called cannabinoids. These compounds trigger chemical reactions inside the human body by attaching themselves to receptors in the brain and other systems via the endocannabinoid system, resulting in a variety of effects felt by the user. Cannabis is best known for producing the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), however cannabis also produces more than one hundred other cannabinoids, albeit in much smaller quantities. Cannabinoids have therapeutic properties either when taken individually or combined together.
Much of the research on cannabinoids and the immune system has been focused on THC and CBD, however researchers are actively looking into some of the other cannabinoids as well. Studies have shown that THC, for example, is able to bind to a specific receptor in the ECS, activating it and its anti-inflammatory effect. This research would suggest that THC can act as an immunosuppressant, which would be a promising result for autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s and multiple sclerosis [1].
Even CBD has been shown to work effectively as an immunosuppressant, actively reducing cytokine production and inhibiting T cell function [2]. However, this is all conclusive evidence from only early research. Scientists have continued to look into the benefits of cannabis for autoimmune diseases and some anecdotal evidence even suggests cannabinoids can be adaptive to the immune system, rather than just providing only one response. However, there have been more specific studies on some of the most debilitating immune disorders, so let’s take a closer look at those now.
HIV
Many HIV patients currently use cannabis to help treat their anxiety, appetite, and pain, however recent research also suggests it may be beneficial in its ability to upregulate the immune system, providing the potential to improve the outcome for HIV patients. One study concluded that SIV (the simian version of HIV) infected monkeys who were given THC over 28 days saw what appeared to be a protective effect, lengthening their lives and reducing the overall viral load [3].
A later study took the test a bit further, giving the monkeys THC treatment for seventeen months instead of just one month. The results showed an increase in T cells and an overall reduction in viral load. They also found that the monkeys had reduced intestinal damage that is commonly caused by the virus [4].
With these positive results, researchers were able to replicate the test in humans. In the latest study, 95 HIV patients who were chronic cannabis users had their white blood cell counts compared to those who were not chronic cannabis users. The results showed that both types of infection-fighting blood cells were higher in those patients who used cannabis [5].
Cancer
Cancer affects most of us at some point in our lives. Whether we face it ourselves or in someone we love, there is no escaping our contact with it. Currently, the only way to treat destructive cancer cells is by using treatments like chemotherapy which destroy not only the bad cancer cells, but also the healthy cells in the same area. This obviously has many terrible side effects. Recent research on the cannabis plant, however, suggests that it may have some antitumor properties, possibly opening it up as an option for treating certain types of cancer. One study investigated the cancer-killing effects of cannabinoids, however no concrete conclusion has been reached. Much of this has to do with the limitations of the research and the way mice react to treatment versus how a human might. However in this study with mice, it was shown that cannabinoids helped reduce brain tumors without suppressing the immune system in a noticeable way [6].
Conclusion
Just as the immune system is large and complex, so is the research looking for ways cannabis can help and interact with that system. Studies are almost constantly in process, but it will take time for their results to be combined and reviewed in a way that leads to strong evidence about the potential of cannabinoids for treating immune disorders. If you are suffering from an immune disorder, talk to your doctor before adding any cannabinoids to your treatment plan. They have the potential to help, but your doctor will always know best when it comes to your medical needs.
Cannabis has long been useful for many different conditions that revolve around pain and chronic discomfort in humans. One of the most debilitating of those is fibromyalgia. In this article we’ll discuss what fibromyalgia is and how cannabis products can help those who suffer from it.
What is Fibromyalgia
Simply put, fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in every part of the body, causing sleep problems, fatigue, and a lot of distress from a disrupted life. Usually those who suffer from fibromyalgia find themselves more sensitive to pain than people who don’t have the condition. Researchers have not yet discovered a cause for fibromyalgia, but it is a manageable condition usually treated by medication and lifestyle changes.
Signs and Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, but some of the most common include:
Pain and stiffness
Fatigue
Depression
Anxiety
Difficulty sleeping
Memory, thinking, and concentration issues
Headaches and migraines
Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Pain in the face
Pain in the jaw, including temporomandibular joint syndrome
Digestive problems often accompanied by pain, bloating, constipation, or IBS
Risk Factors
The most common risk factors are:
Age. While fibromyalgia can affect people of any age, it is most often seen in middle aged or older adults.
Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. A person suffering from either of these conditions is more likely to develop fibromyalgia as they age.
Women. So far research suggests that women are affected by fibromyalgia twice as often as men.
Stress or trauma. Incidents that cause stress or PTSD have been found to go hand-in-hand with fibromyalgia issues.
Repetitive injuries. This includes repetitive stress on the joints.
Illness. Even a viral infection can lead to issues with fibromyalgia.
Family history. Fibromyalgia is hereditary and can often be seen within a family group.
Obesity. Being overweight can often open up the body for fibromyalgia.
Who Does it Affect
Worldwide, about 3-6% of the population suffer from this disease, the majority of which are women [1]. The average age range of those diagnosed with the condition is 35-45 years old, but many of them showed symptoms earlier [2]. With some many people suffering from a condition that causes issues such as chronic pain, depression, and anxiety many of them are looking for new treatment options — perhaps something more natural that can assist them with their healing. That’s where cannabis often finds its way into the treatment plan. Before discussing how cannabis can help, we need to first understand how the chemical compounds found within cannabis interact with the human body.
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) functions for the main purpose of maintaining a constant state of homeostasis in the body. This is important because all of the body’s internal systems need to be in equilibrium to work effectively. If even one instability is registered, the ECS activates and rushes to the location of the issue to quickly work to stabilize the condition.
There are three primary elements that make up the endocannabinoid system:
Endocannabinoids. Thechemical compounds the body naturally produces. These are structurally similar to cannabinoids, the chemical compounds found in cannabis.
Cannabinoidreceptors. Found on the surface of cells throughout the entire body, endocannabinoids and cannabinoids are both able to attach to receptors allowing them to communicate with a variety of systems inside the body. This communication is what enables the ECS to detect and correct instability and what allows cannabis the ability to interact with so many systems of the human body.
Enzymes. These are proteins that work to break down the cannabinoids and endocannabinoids after they’ve attached themselves to the receptors and after successful homeostasis has been achieved. Enzymes are there to make sure the cannabinoids do not create an overcorrection.
Since cannabinoids from cannabis plants are very similar to the naturally produced compounds in the body, it’s possible for cannabinoid compounds to attach to the receptors just as endocannabinoids do. CBD, for instance, has the ability to bind to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and once attached acts as a blocker, binding to receptors and dampening their signals.
The Study
A recent study [3] found that cannabis can be used effectively to treat issues associated with fibromyalgia, like chronic and widespread pain. This study is important because often chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia are treated with opioids, prescription medication that is now commonly known to lead to addiction and misuse. In the United States there is an epidemic of opioid addiction, so scientists are doing their best to find safe and effective alternatives that can help those who need relief, without risking more dangerous side effects.
Participants
This particular study included over one hundred patients suffering from fibromyalgia, interviewing 66 of them over the six months of treatment. The average age of the participants was 52 years old and more than 90% of them were women, since women make up the large majority of fibromyalgia sufferers.
The study focused primarily on those who were already taking medication and had an otherwise stable treatment plan, yet had not found the relief they needed. Most of the participants were already taking two or three other medications when they started the study, with most medications falling into categories like sedatives like opioids, anticonvulsants, nerve blockers, and antidepressants. Almost half (47%) of the participants who were taking painkillers actually found that they got enough relief from the cannabis treatment that they were able to reduce or stop using their painkillers altogether.
Overall, between one third and one half of the patients experienced excellent results in regards to improved sleep, lessened anxiety, and improved depression and pain levels. The study also indicated that cannabis was more effective in those patients who were overweight or obese.
Tinctures
For the study, scientists decided to use two types of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis flowers, one had more THC than CBD and the other had more CBD than THC. They used olive oil to make a tincture and patients were dosed using a dropper. They took two doses a day, the CBD heavy oil in the morning and the higher THC oil at night. CBD does not cause intoxication or psychoactive properties, so using the oil with more CBD during the day was optimal to ensure patients were able to go about their day as usual. While THC is known to cause an intoxicated feeling and can be disruptive to day-to-day tasks and activities, it is also potent in helping individuals sleep and is known to be more effective than CBD for managing pain, so that was the reason to use it at night.
By giving participants two types of tinctures to use, they were able to see what worked best and what had the best balance of effectiveness to usefulness depending on their individual lifestyles. Researchers didn’t set a specific dosing regime, as there just isn’t enough research at this time to provide evidence of any benefit to doing so. Overall, most scientists agree at this point it isn’t realistic to expect one ideal dose to exist since cannabis itself treats such a wide variety of conditions and symptoms.
For this study, researchers recommended a certain dosage for participants, but advised them to adjust that depending on their own needs and reaction to the recommended dosage.
Treatment
As mentioned earlier, more than a third of the participants experienced significant improvements in both their chronic sleep and fibromyalgia symptoms. Half of the participants reported at least moderate benefits in the treatment of their anxiety and depression because of the added cannabis to their treatment plan.
This occurrence is actually very common with the addition of cannabis to a treatment plan. Often cannabinoids work like they are treating an underlying problem instead of just covering up the symptoms. Researchers believe this may have something to do with something called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome, a theory that states that certain diseases present themselves the endocannabinoid system is too weak to regulate the variety of systems it controls. Researchers believe that by taking plant cannabinoids to supplement the ECS, they can work to treat and correct the root cause of the problem [4].
Conclusion
While there is still much research that needs to be done and more studies performed on the benefits of specific cannabinoids for diseases like fibromyalgia, the evidence so far is promising and could help provide millions of people with an effective treatment option that does not include prescription painkillers and dangerous opioids, something most people are wary of. Cannabis and its cannabinoids have the ability to provide comparable relief without the risk of addiction or withdrawal.
The human body is a complex system filled with delicate balances that include large populations of bacteria, fungi, and even viruses. This is called the microbiome and it is responsible for maintaining a healthy system, especially a healthy digestive system. Maintaining healthy microbiota in the gut is essential to overall health and well-being. Recent studies have suggested CBD has the potential to be helpful in keeping the healthy balance in check, but what does that really mean? We first need to discuss how CBD interacts with the human body.
The Endocannabinoid System
The ECS is responsible for maintaining a constant state of homeostasis in the body. This is an important function because all of our internal systems need to be in equilibrium to work effectively. When any sort of instability is registered, the ECS kicks in and rushes to the location of the issue to stabilize the condition.
There are three primary elements that make up the endocannabinoid system:
Endocannabinoids. Thechemical compounds the body naturally produces. These are structurally similar to endocannabinoids, the chemical compounds found in cannabis.
Cannabinoidreceptors. Found on the surface of cells throughout the body, endocannabinoids and cannabinoids are both able to attach to receptors allowing them to communicate with a variety of systems inside the body. This communication is what enables the ECS to detect and correct instability.
Enzymes. Proteins that work to break down the cannabinoids and endocannabinoids after they’ve attached themselves to the receptors and after homeostasis has been achieved. Enzymes are there to make sure the cannabinoids do not create an overcorrection once the risk has been effectively corrected.
Since cannabinoids from cannabis plants are similar to naturally produced compounds in the body, it’s possible for CBD to attach to the receptors just as endocannabinoids do. CBD has the ability to bind to both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, and once attached acts as a blocker, binding to receptors and dampening their signals.
The relationship between the ECS and the microbiome is symbiotic and mutually beneficial, however if an imbalance does exist it becomes an issue known as dysbiosis and can cause physical and mental harm.
The Microbiome
The microbiome is an important part of human health. It has the ability to affect every part of the brain and body, from mood to metabolism. The microbiome of the gut specifically extends from the esophagus to the intestines and beyond. This one large region of the human body is responsible for a lot of diseases humans have endured. It has often been found that disturbances to the gastrointestinal system have a higher possibility of being associated with obesity, cancer, and other disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. That is why maintaining a healthy microbiome is essential.
Generally microbiome health goes hand-in-hand with diet, including the ingestion of probiotics and other healthy bugs that are meant to help promote a healthy gut. These healthy “bugs” help break down food and provide the body with the needed nutrients. It’s a mutually advantageous situation, with the microbiome providing them fuel and a place to live, and them helping our system extract as much nutrition as possible from everything we consume as it passes through our digestive system.
A recent study on the power of the microbiome has shown that the makeup of this super system depends on more than just diet and the bacteria in our gut has more power than just the ability to break down the food we eat. This study examines how the bacteria also help regulate the epithelial barrier on the microbiome. This barrier is a critical and protective layer that lines the gastrointestinal tract. The research shows that bacteria use the endocannabinoid system and the CB1 receptors to interact with the entire digestive system and plays a huge role in maintaining the overall health of the entire body, as well as an important role in protecting against disease. The fine lining of the epithelial is controlled very carefully to help it manage the body by preventing damage or quickly repairing any damage that happens to occur. The bacteria in our guts help contribute to the health of that lining, therefore adding to its ability to keep us healthy [1].
How Cannabis Helps
Research has concluded that the endocannabinoid system is directly linked to gut microbiota, showing that by altering the microbiota of the gut, it’s possible to change conditions like obesity through the use of prebiotics being introduced to the ECS [2]. Based on that knowledge, scientists began researching the effects of cannabis products on the gut microbiome and found that by adding a daily dose of THC to mice living on a high-fat diet, they were able to improve the gut microbiome of these mice to more closely resemble that of a healthy and balanced diet [3].
Currently there aren’t many studies exploring the benefits of cannabis on the human gut microbiome, however a 2017 study examined the effects of cannabis among 19 lifetime users and 20 non-users. The research showed the cannabis users had bacteria populations that would normally be associated with a high calorie diet, however they had lower BMI overall [4].
Another study looked closely at the microbiomes of HIV-positive participants and found that those who used cannabis showed a decrease in two bacteria commonly linked to obesity [5]. Scientists also examined the effect of THC on mice and concluded that it increased the levels of a beneficial bacteria genus that is most typically associated with fermented foods and dietary supplements. Like other experiments, this was conducted on mice, however the results are positive and could lead to further human research [6].
This research is still very new and scientists are working to make sense of the implications, but the current evidence suggests that the bacteria in the gut directly interacts with the endocannabinoid system, giving it the opportunity to influence both the activity and the makeup of the microbiome while it transmits messages to the body and the brain. Further research implies that it’s possible for microbiome health to be modified and improved by the addition of plant cannabinoids, including both THC and CBD [7].
Conclusion
All of the research on the benefits of cannabis in the gut microbiome is in its initial stages and scientists are still uncertain about which specific healthy bugs are controlled by the ECS. With more than 1000 species of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, it will take some time to determine which specific species are affected. There is still a lot to be learned about the interaction of the ECS and the microbiome, and even more specifically, how cannabis products like CBD can add to the equation.
Currently research is just trying to determine where the interaction even begins. There are theories that the interaction begins in certain regions of the gut, while others suggest it is a process that happens throughout the entire system. They are also mostly unaware of what specific cannabinoids may affect the endocannabinoid system and the microbiome.
There are many unanswered questions when it comes to how cannabis can affect the microbiome of the gut, but the possibilities are exciting and have the potential to change the way people manage their health forever. Cannabis is a new industry and we’re just experiencing the beginning days of it. Society is going to have to be patient while researchers around the world really dig into the possibilities of this amazing plant.
