†Basics you need to know about Hemp/CBD Oil
In a few short years, marijuana has gone from an illicit drug to a powerful treatment in the natural medicine world.
The interest in cannabis products and their possible medicinal uses stems from the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is within the central nervous system (CNS).
It turns out that our body’s ECS is VERY important in the regulation of cognitive function, immune response, sleep, and stress. And marijuana works by stimulating these receptors.
Our cannabinoid receptors are present throughout the brain and neurological system—and our body produces its own endocannabinoids to stimulate those receptors.
Marijuana produces cannabinoids similar to endocannabinoids, called phytocannabinoids. The two main phytocannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Endocannabinoids activate the same receptors as phytocannabinoids in cannabis. The two known groups of cannabinoid receptors are called CB1 and CB2. These receptors act like switches to turn off and on, and to regulate the signals of the immune system, neurological system, and metabolic system.
CB1 receptors are found widely throughout the CNS and peripheral nerves, where they process and modify sensory information such as pain. This may be why substances such as marijuana—which stimulate CB1 receptors—affect pain sensations and cognitive function.
CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are mainly found on immune cells, where they balance the immune system by regulating the release of immune messengers called cytokines.
There are a number of ways in which cannabinoids can affect the body, including:
- Anti-cancer effects
- Protection of the neurological system
- Immunosuppression
- Anti-inflammation
- Anti-allergic activity
- Sedation
- Wood boosting
In the neurological system, cannabinoids interact with all the major neurotransmitters including gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, histamine, prostaglandins (messengers of the neuroendocrine system), and opiates.
Different neurotransmitters act to manifest certain effects. For example, enhancing serotonin has a positive effect on nausea. While calming muscle spasms may have to do with the effects of cannabinoids on dopamine, GABA, and glutamate. And lessening of saliva (dry mouth) is an effect caused by the activity of THC on acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter.
REVEALED: A powerful weapon against disease
As I mentioned earlier, I researched treating Parkinson’s with cannabis. And in my search I was pleasantly surprised to see growing research backing medical marijuana as a NATURAL therapy for some of the most challenging conditions.
Here’s what I found…
Autoimmune disorders
CBD seems to inhibit the cytokines Interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-12, TNF alpha, and IFN gamma, all of which are involved in the process of inflammation. Likewise, it boosts the production of Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10, which are anti-inflammatory.
In animal studies, this has meant the control of processes leading to autoimmune diseases. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an example. In mice given a form of MS, removing the CB1 receptors had a profound effect on neuro-inflammation, and the mice fared much worse when the immune system was attacked.
On the other hand, giving THC to these mice reduced the level of inflammatory cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluid and in the blood. Other studies showed that boosting CB1 activity improved movement symptoms such as tremor, spasticity, and ataxia. This has been shown in humans as well.
In addition, lowering CB2 activity in the CNS led to a severe worsening of the disease through a variety of mechanisms. Although a fairly large human study of MS failed to show the positive effect of THC on altering the course of the disease, studies that looked specifically at the problems of pain and spasticity in MS have been positive.
Cancer
Many possible uses of cannabinoids in cancer patients are suggested. For one thing, THC has a counter-effect on leptin, the hormone which decreases our hunger. Therefore, cannabinoids may play a role in boosting appetite in cancer patients. A synthetic cannabinoid called Anandamide has been approved for use in increasing weight in HIV and cancer patients. Cannabinoids have also been shown to decrease pain in cancer and to improve nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.
In addition, some work suggests that cannabinoids can promote apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells, but it remains to be seen whether this is an effect that actually happens in the body, or is just something seen in vitro (in lab studies).
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by fatigue, muscle pain, and sleep disorder, is another condition helped by cannabis. In one retrospective study, regular uses of cannabis with fibromyalgia were more likely than non-users to have increased relaxation, better sleep, less pain, and better mood. And synthetic THC helps to improve the sleep of fibromyalgia sufferers.
Arthritis
In animal models, cannabinoids have been shown to reduce joint damage that results from inflammatory arthritis. They do this by reducing the numbers of inflammatory cytokines, and by reducing the breakdown of cartilage in the joints.
In rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, the damage to cartilage is largely carried out by enzymes called metalloproteinases (MMPs), and in experimental models cannabinoids reduced the activity and release of MMPs into the synovial fluid of the joints. Other studies were performed using something that stimulated CB2 receptors with similar effects.
Although no human studies have been performed to show that cannabinoids lessen the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis, there are studies that show that they lessen the pain of it. One study of rheumatoid arthritis using a combination of THC and CBD, called Nabiximol, showed an improvement in both morning pain and ability to sleep.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Many animal studies have been done showing the positive effects of cannabinoids on colitis. Most show less inflammation, or in the case of trials using cannabinoid receptor blockers, increased inflammation. Ulcerative colitis is associated with increased amounts of endocannabinoids. The lining cells of the colon are filled with CB1 and CB2 receptors, suggesting a role for endocannabinoids (and phytocannabinoids) in healing gut issues.
In a placebo-controlled study of Crohn’s Disease, cannabis led to remission in 50 percent of the patients. When the cannabis was discontinued, relapses were noticed within 2 weeks.
In another patient study, cannabis improved the pain associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and people with Ulcerative Colitis experienced less diarrhea. In another study of Crohn’s Disease, only 13 percent of patients who used cannabis required surgery whereas over 25 percent of the non-cannabis group did. What’s more, both Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease patients were shown to gain weight, improve appetite, and increase ability to function in daily life when using cannabis.
Blood pressure
Endocannabinoids can be made by circulating platelets and immune cells, as well as the lining cells of blood vessels. These endocannabinoids then stimulate the CB1 receptors to get the vasodilation effect (widening of the peripheral vessels to lower blood pressure) and increase circulation, particularly to the brain and coronary arteries.