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 THC exhibited both anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in those animals [4]. Another study concluded that THC 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 THC 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, THC 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 THC may be a treatment option for both types of pain, with many people swearing by THC 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 THC 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. THC, 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 THC, 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 (THC), 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 THC, 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 THC 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. THC, 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 THC and the other had more THC than THC. They used olive oil to make a tincture and patients were dosed using a dropper. They took two doses a day, the THC heavy oil in the morning and the higher THC oil at night. THC does not cause intoxication or psychoactive properties, so using the oil with more THC 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 THC 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 THC 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 THC 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 THC to attach to the receptors just as endocannabinoids do. THC 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 THC [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 THC 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.
People often wonder how powerful THC really is, or what its true potential is. A recent study sought to find out more about exactly that, and more specifically, how potent THC is when it comes to interacting with the human brain. What they found was eye-opening and provided many researchers with optimistic results for the future of both THC and brain research.
The researchers found that just a single dose of THC was powerful enough to temporarily increase blood flow to certain parts of the brain. What does that mean exactly? Scientists are still working out all the specific details and working through the potential, but in short it could mean important advancements for people suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and other mental issues, whether they are chronic or temporary.
The Study
This particular study was reported in the Journal of Psychopharmacology after researchers in London discovered amazing results from a controlled experiment. In this study, 15 healthy people were given either 600mg of oral THC or a placebo on a number of different occasions. After administering the doses of THC, scientists used magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, scans to monitor how the drug was interacting with the body and what effects it had on the blood oxygen levels in the brain.
They found that just a single dose of THC instantly and significantly increased blood flow to the brain, especially to the hippocampus structure. The hippocampus plays a huge role in the way humans feel emotions, how they learn, and the overall stability and function of their memory. Researchers also found that blood flow was increased to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for processing social behavior and overall decision making.
What This Means
In order to understand the potential of THC for the brain, it’s important to understand what THC is and how it interacts with the human body.
THC Basics
Cannabidiol (THC) is a cannabinoid molecule produced by the cannabis plant that can be naturally consumed in marijuana or cannabis products. It is often removed from the plant through a process of extraction and made into a variety of THC products like oil, edibles, or salves.
One area that researchers are especially curious about is THC’s potential to help neurological conditions. With research compounding and new studies being regularly conducted, scientists are finding more intriguing benefits of THC and learning more about the way it interacts with the brain. Understanding how THC and other cannabinoids function in the brain is complicated because the brain itself is incredibly involved and contains a wide variety of receptors handling a multitude of interactions every single second.
Besides increasing the blood flow to the brain, research also suggests that THC can help treat the following conditions:
Now that THC has been explained, it’s time to discuss the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for the way THC interacts with the body. The ECS manages 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 ETS kicks in and rushes to the location of the issue to stabilize it.
There are three primary pieces 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 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 make sure the cannabinoids do not create an overcorrection once the risk has been effectively corrected.
Inside the brain are highly specialized cells called neurons which connect to other neurons through structures called synapses. These neurons release chemicals known as neurotransmitters which are able to communicate with each other. Each neuron has its own receptor and these receptors respond to chemicals produced by the brain (like dopamine and serotonin) as well as chemicals produced outside the body, like cannabinoids.
Since cannabinoids from cannabis plants are similar to naturally produced compounds in the body, it’s possible for THC to attach to the receptors just as endocannabinoids do. THC 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.
Who This Can Help
The study suggests that people suffering from a wide range of mental issues can potentially benefit from adding THC to the daily routines, but it appears to be especially effective to those suffering from the follow conditions:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
This is a condition that occurs after a person has experienced a hazardous event. It’s normal for someone to feel fear whenever they find themselves in a dangerous situation; that feeling of fear is what triggers a human’s natural fight-or-flight response, or their immediate decision in the face of danger to run away or stay and fight. This reaction is deeply embedded in humans and has been an important part of survival for thousands of years. What triggers the diagnosis of PTSD is what occurs after a traumatic event takes place.
After the event, almost everyone will experience some sort of emotional response, yet most will naturally recover from those feelings over time. The people who are unable to rebound from those devastating feelings, however, may find themselves experiencing long-term emotional problems and ultimately find themselves diagnosed with PTSD. Those who suffer from PTSD can find themselves feeling stressed or frightened over the course of a normal day, when there is no actual danger presenting itself. They are sometimes easily triggered by things that are seemingly unrelated to the previous trauma, or very closely related. This can obviously have debilitating results on a person’s ability to lead a comfortable life.
Anxiety
We all experience stress or anxiety at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a demanding job, a bustling family, or the burdens of modern life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Often, anxiety is temporary and based around some sort of short-term situation. Once the situation is resolved, the feeling will dissipate and life can get back to normal. However, when a person feels a sense of constant dread and uncertainty, they are experiencing something called chronic anxiety and it is considered a serious mental disorder.
Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States that 40 million adults suffer from every year [8]. Common symptoms of anxiety are excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry. These feelings cause mental anguish and lead to issues such as insomnia, depression, and social isolation. They can also cause physical changes in the body, including headaches, a pounding heart, difficulty breathing, upset stomach, increased blood pressure, extreme fatigue, and muscle aches. Managing this feeling is not only important to a person’s mental health, but also to their physical.
Conclusion
The results of this study are very promising to not only those suffering from temporary and chronic mental conditions, but also to scientists and researchers across the globe. The more they explore the possibilities of THC, the closer they get to finding effective solutions for any number of common ailments people suffer from. This particular study gives researchers hope for more progress in the area of Alzheimer’s prevention and care, as well as other conditions like schizophrenia and the often debilitating PTSD. The world can expect to see more studies such as this one and with each new study, learn more about the power of THC and the many benefits it can bring to our lives.
As the summer of 2020 approaches, the United States is seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases in most states across the country. Scientists are doing all they can to keep up with the dangerous increases, which includes groups of researchers beginning their investigation into the benefits of cannabis, especially in regards to treating one of the most dangerous aspects of COVID-19: severe lung inflammation. Previous research on the cannabis plant has shown it to have a variety of therapeutic properties that could make it beneficial in the fight against infections, including those caused by the novel coronavirus.
The Studies
Researchers have been studying the medical benefits of cannabis for decades, but after the first few months of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic that quickly followed, they have been focusing their attention on ways the plant could prove itself useful in preventing and treating the disease.
One such study took a look at the potential use of cannabis to reduce susceptibility to COVID-19. The research ultimately determined that some cannabis did actually reduce the amount of a certain protein that is required for SARS-CoV2 to enter into host cells [1]. Like most other data on THC and medicinal cannabis, research is still in its very beginning stages on this particular use, but scientists are hopeful that this means cannabis can be used in a mouthwash or throat gargle as a way to keep the virus from entering the airways of potential victims, thus helping prevent the spread and lethality of COVID-19.
Yet another study suggests cannabis might be useful as an antiviral medication. This study notes, however, that cannabis is a long way from being used as a pharmaceutical option for viral illnesses. The researchers go further by stating that with a strong history of beneficial results and an intriguing list of compounds that have a high likelihood of working, there really is no other option but to continue researching cannabis to see in what other ways it can be useful. Especially right now as COVID-19 rips through communities and families [2].
On that same note, researchers from the University of Nebraska and from the Texas Biomedical Research Institute have recommended that more research be done into how THC can be used to help treat the lung inflammation so many are experiencing as a result of COVID-19 [3]. Because of its powerful antiinflammatory properties, these researchers believe cannabinoids can be added to other antiviral therapies in order to reduce lung inflammation. The research suggests that acute infection is caused by a cytokine superstorm, which causes fever, cough, and muscle pain. When these conditions combine they can lead to severe cases of pneumonia. In those critical cases the patient’s lungs are often clogged, making it difficult for them to breathe and sometimes leaving the lungs so inflamed and clogged that the patient is unable to breathe at all. This condition is why researchers are interested in the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis.
At first, researchers looked towards existing prescription medication used for acute inflammation. While their experiments did prove it was helpful in COVID-19 patients’ recovery, it had dangerous side effects that increased the risk of coronary artery disease [4]. The side effects were harsh enough that scientists stopped using the medication and spent their time looking for something that had similar properties for inflammation, yet was not as harsh on the bodies of patients who were already critically ill and fighting for their lives.
Here, they turned to cannabis. Because cannabis contains multiple cannabinoids that offer anti-inflammatory benefits, researchers wanted to explore how it can benefit COVID patients suffering from lung inflammation. One cannabinoid in particular is especially interesting to them: THC.
How THC Can Help
As the popularity of THC continues to grow, so does the interest from the medical community. Research has begun on the power of THC as an anti-inflammatory [5] and it has already been approved by the FDA as a treatment for children with intractable epilepsy [6]. Since THC has already proved itself to be a powerful treatment for critical conditions, it’s no wonder scientists are looking to it for help in treating the novel coronavirus.
As mentioned earlier, COVID-19 attacks the body and causes a storm of cytokines. However previous studies have shown that THC can reduce the number of inflammation cytokines, including IL-6, a specific cytokine that when reduced, has been shown to improve the condition of COVID patients. Along with IL-6, THC was also shown to reduce other compounds associated with COVID-19, including interleukin, interferon gamma, inducible protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1a, and tumor necrosis factor-a. Besides the above, researchers have found that THC helps increase the production of interferons, which are important proteins that activate immune cells and prevent viruses from replicating [7].
Research suggests that THC can target and reduce lung inflammation, even in those suffering from asthma. By reducing the production of the cytokines that cause inflammation, THC has been able to reduce airway inflammation. It also has been shown to reduce pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes lung tissue to become damaged and scarred. Why is this an important fact? Because many COVID-19 patients who survive the disease will have to deal with serious pulmonary fibrosis as part of their long-term recovery [8].
What This Really Means
Unlike THC products, overall THC is very well tolerated and users feel little to no side effects from using it. This is important when it comes to treating symptoms as dangerous as those that present themselves with COVID-19. Interestingly enough, one side effect of THC that actually helps COVID patients is its anti-anxiety properties. Stress adds a lot of pressure on a person and can ultimately lead to its own set of health concerns. During a pandemic like the one we’re currently suffering through, everyone is stressed. Especially those who are suffering from the disease. Since stress and anxiety can have an effect on healing, being able to control those feelings while also reaping the benefits of the inflammation suppressing compounds is especially important for patients and recovering patients [9].
It is important to note that no peer review studies for this research currently exist. The article in question was published with all its researched data, but that data is currently without peer review. The authors point out, however, that there is strong evidence supporting their research and they believe further investigation should be taken in order to fully realize everything THC may have to offer.
Like most studies regarding cannabis as a medical therapy, research is young and studies are ongoing. However, like many other cases, this possibility is interesting enough to warrant a more detailed look. This study doesn’t suggest that cannabis alone can be used to treat COVID-19, or that it’s a miracle cure, but it does present some interesting options to help reduce inflammation and reduce anxiety in those suffering through the terrible disease. That could lead to it being used as part of a coordinated treatment along with other medications and plans.
Researchers will likely keep studying cannabis and how it interacts with a number of different conditions and diseases, but right now, as the world is still reeling from the pandemic and the United States still finds itself in the middle of it, it’s especially important to look under every rock and explore every option for treating patients of this terrible and debilitating disease.
