- Joined
- Apr 29, 2012
- Messages
- 11,988
- Reaction score
- 11,965
- Points
- 383
The 49+ Benefits Of THC, CBD, And The Endocannabinoid System
Basics
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of at least 113 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis. R R R
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principal psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. R
CBD is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract. R
Cannabinoids are considered to have a wide scope of potential medical applications.
This is due to clinical reports showing the lack of side effects and non-interference with learning and psychological functions. R
They also have been shown have antidepressant, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective effects. R R R R R R
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system controls emotional responses, behavioral reactivity to context, and social interaction. R R R
Enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling can enhance serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission, increase cellular plasticity and neurotrophin expression within the hippocampus, and dampen activity within the neuroendocrine stress axis. R
CB Receptors
CB1
Good
CB2
Good
Benefits
1. Promotes Neurogenesis
Recent studies indicate that a natural cannabinoid of cannabis, specifically CBD, increases adult neurogenesis. R
Cannabidiol reduced Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and promotes hippocampal neurogenesis through PPARγ involvement. R
Repeated administration of CBD increased hippocampal progenitor proliferation and neurogenesis in wild-type mice. R
In mice, chronic THC exposure increased BDNF in the hippocampus, but not the frontal lobe. R
2. May Help with Alzheimer's Disease
Activation of both CB1 and CB2 receptors have beneficial effects in Alzheimer experimental models by reducing the harmful β-amyloid peptide action and tau phosphorylation, as well as by promoting the brain's intrinsic repair mechanisms. R
CBD inactivated amyloid precursor protein (via activation of PPARγ). R R
Although, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Aβ aggregation. R R
In iron treated rats, chronic cannabidiol improved recognition memory in iron-treated rats. R
CBD may have potential as a preventative treatment for AD with a particular relevance for symptoms of social withdrawal and facial recognition. R
Adding CBD to AD's patient's pharmacotherapy was safe. R
There have been studies showing no efficacy in AD too. R
Technical:
3. Protects the Brain
Acute and chronic administration of cannabidiol increases mitochondrial complex and creatine kinase activity in the rat brain. R
CBD produced significantly better intracranial pressure/cerebral perfusion pressure control without jeopardizing blood pressure. R
CBD protects against the vascular damage caused by a high glucose environment, inflammation or the induction of type 2 diabetes in animal models and reduces the vascular hyperpermeability associated with such environments. R
Technical:
4. Helps with Anxiety
CBD was shown to reduce anxiety in patients with social anxiety disorder (by inducing activity in limbic and paralimbic brain areas). R R
It also helped with public speaking induced anxiety. R
CBD has anxiolytic and possibly antipsychotic properties. CBD was associated with activation in right temporal cortex during auditory processing. During visual processing, CBD increased activation relative to placebo in the right occipital lobe, with maxima in the middle and inferior occipital gyri, the lingual gyrus, and cuneus. R
5. Helps with Stress
Proper endocannabinoid signaling modulates the HPA axis. R R R
Stress-induced downregulation of hippocampal eCB signaling. R
What is interesting (just like microdosing yourself to stress) is that repeated exposure to the same stress can sensitize CB1 receptor signaling, resulting in dampening of the stress response. R
Technical:
6. May Help with Depression
The EC system is suggested to be dysfunctional in mood and related disorders. R
In comparison to placebo, CBD improved emotional facial affect recognition at 60% emotional intensity. R
CBD induces antidepressant-like effects comparable to those of imipramine, an anti-depressant. R
Also, it exhibited an anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in animal models. R R
Endocannabinoids play a role in blood pressure regulation in depressives with higher blood pressure. R
Technical:
7. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
CB2 receptors are expressed in several types of inflammatory cells and immunocompetent cells. R
Activating CB2 receptors inhibit the release of proinflammatory factors. R
CBD treatment resulted in an increase in BDNF expression in the hippocampus and decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus (TNF-α) and prefrontal cortex (IL-6). R
Technical:
8. Helps the Liver
Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a pivotal mechanism of liver damage after liver transplantation or hepatic surgery. R
CBD significantly reduced the extent of liver inflammation, oxidative/nitrative stress, and cell death. R
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are one of the main regulatory cells of the immune system. R
While MDSCs induced by CBD in liver consisted of granulocytic and monocytic subsets at a ratio of ∼2∶1, the monocytic MDSCs were more immunosuppressive compared to granulocytic MDSCs, so they may help in certain autoimmune conditions. R
Cannabidiol restores liver function, normalizes 5-HT levels and improves brain pathology in accordance with normalization of brain function. R
Technical:
9. Helps Glaucoma
In glaucoma, the increased release of glutamate is the major cause of retinal ganglion cell death. R
Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to protect neuron cultures from glutamate-induced death. R
Technical:
10. Promotes a Healthy Skeletal System
The endocannabinoid system has been implicated in the regulation of bone metabolism. R
Cannabinoid ligands regulate bone mass. R
CB1 and CB2 receptors have a protective effect against age-dependent bone loss in mice. R
Administration of CBD led to improvement in fracture healing. R
In humans, polymorphisms in CNR2, the gene encoding CB2, are strongly associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis. R R
Therefore CB2 agonists (like CBD) enhances endocortical osteoblast number helping osteoperosis. R
Technical:
11. Alleviates Sleep Problems
Recent studies find that at least 18% of adults report receiving insufficient sleep. R R R
Adults with chronic sleep loss often report excess mental distress. R R
CBD may help with insomnia as it significantly decreases subjective anxiety and increased mental sedation. R
REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during REM sleep associated with nightmares and active behaviour during dreaming. R
In a small study (of 4), CBD is able to control the symptoms of RBD. R
12. Has Anti-Histamine Properties
CB1 receptors are present in mast cells. Activated CB1 receptors present in mast cells suppresses degranulation (by inducing sustained cAMP elevation). R
Activation of CB2 receptors (like taking CBD) attenuates NGF-induced mast cell degranulation. R
13. Reduces Chronic Pain
Sativex (a combination of CBD and THC in equal parts) is approved in Canada for treatment of central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis and intractable cancer pain. R
In patients with GlyR dysfunction, cannabinoids may be effective for treatment of chronic pain. R
Technical:
14. Reduces Dyskinesia
Dyskinesia is a movement disorder that is characterized by involuntary muscle movements, including movements similar to tics or chorea and diminished voluntary movements. R
CBD decreases the amounts of key enzymes that can cause dyskensia. R
In mice, when a TRPV-1 was combined with CBD, it reduced the symptoms of dyskensia. R
15. Treats Neuropathy
There is mounting evidence for therapeutic use of CBD in human neuropathic pain conditions. R
CBD helps with neuropathic pain. R
It also has been shown to help with neuropathic pain in Multiple Sclerosis. R R R
Technical:
16. Reduces Acne
Escalated sebum fabrication is seen with an unattractive look and adds to the growth of acne. R
CBD cream reduced skin sebum and erythema content. R
Activation of the endocannabinoid system controls the proper and well-balanced proliferation, differentiation and survival, as well as immune competence and/or tolerance, of skin cells. R
Therefore CBD may be an effective treatment for multiple pathological conditions and diseases of the skin (ie acne, seborrhea, allergic dermatitis, itch and pain, psoriasis, hair growth disorders, systemic sclerosis and cancer). R R
Technical:
17. Plays a Role in Addiction
Medical cannabis laws are associated with significantly lower state-level opioid overdose mortality rates. R
Drug addiction is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by the compulsive desire to use drugs and a loss of control over consumption. R
CBD may have therapeutic properties on opioid, cocaine, and psychostimulant addiction: R
Technical:
18. May Prevent Mad Cow Disease
Mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration of the brain and spinal cord. R
The disease may be most easily transmitted to humans by eating food contaminated with the brain, spinal cord or digestive tract of infected carcasses. However, the infectious agent, although most highly concentrated in nervous tissue, can be found in virtually all tissues throughout the body, including blood. R R
CBD prevented prion accumulation and protects neurons against prion toxicity (by inhibiting the neurotoxic effects of PrPres and affected PrPres-induced microglial cell migration in a concentration-dependent manner.) R R
19. May Help with ALS
A number of abnormal physiological processes occur simultaneously in ALS. R
Cannabis appears to have activity in all of those areas. R
Cannabis has powerful antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects (prolonged neuronal cell survival, delayed onset, and slower progression of the disease. R
Cannabis also has properties applicable to symptom management of ALS, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction. R
20. Plays a Role in Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa (AN) has the highest mortality rate between psychiatric disorders. R
AN has been associated with different alleles of the CB1 gene. R
CBD effects leptin and ghrelin. R
Endocannabinoids effect the liver's ability for: secretion of hormones regulating appetite and satiety (leptin, adiponectin), lipogenesis, adipogenesis, obesity, and insulin resistance via CB1. R
In AN short-term weight gain is associated with a disproportionately increased leptin secretion. Ghrelin acts as a natural antagonist to leptin. R
Circulating ghrelin levels are increased in illness-induced anorexia. R
Ghrelin and endocannabinoids exert orexigenic effects which may facilitate nutritional restoration. R
The effect of cannabinoids appears to be bi-phasic, as they can stimulate as well as inhibit food intake, depending on the preparation and the dose used. R
Basics
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of at least 113 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis. R R R
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principal psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. R
CBD is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract. R
Cannabinoids are considered to have a wide scope of potential medical applications.
This is due to clinical reports showing the lack of side effects and non-interference with learning and psychological functions. R
They also have been shown have antidepressant, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective effects. R R R R R R
The Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system controls emotional responses, behavioral reactivity to context, and social interaction. R R R
Enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling can enhance serotonergic and noradrenergic transmission, increase cellular plasticity and neurotrophin expression within the hippocampus, and dampen activity within the neuroendocrine stress axis. R
CB Receptors
CB1
Good
- Suppresses mast cell activation responses. R
- Has beneficial anti-ischemic effects. R
- Reduces gastrointestinal transit. (may be good or bad) R
- Plays a role in fear extinction. R R
- Helps with anxiety. R
- Increases ACTH. R
- Increases growth hormone. (may be good or bad) R
- Inhibits glutamate and GABA. R R
- Increases CCK and ghrelin release. R
- Decreases prolactin. R
- Lowers stress. R
- Helps with sleep. R
- Increases BDNF. R
- Improve myelin. R
- Lowers inflammation and permeability in the gut. R R
- Increases PPARγ expression. R
- May participate in tumor formation in the brain. R
- May Interact with circadian rhythm. R
- Impairs memory and increases fatigue. R
- Decreases Acetylcholine and glutamine. R
- May contribute to anxiety. (in alcohol withdrawal) R
- Decreases bone density. R
- Increases liver fat. R
- May lead to obesity and metabolic disorders. R R R
- Decreases thyroid hormones (TSH mostly). R
- Raises cortisol. R
- Lowers adiponectin. R
- Inhibits cAMP. R
- Can affect mitochondrial energy. R
CB2
Good
- Stimulates of opioid receptor. R
- Regulates lipid production and cell death. R
- Inhibit the release of proinflammatory factors. R
- Activation helps Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease R
- CB2 receptors are expressed in several types of inflammatory cells and immunocompetent cells. R
- CB2 is upregulated in autism. (CB1 is downregulated) R
- Inhibits cAMP. R
Benefits
1. Promotes Neurogenesis
Recent studies indicate that a natural cannabinoid of cannabis, specifically CBD, increases adult neurogenesis. R
Cannabidiol reduced Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and promotes hippocampal neurogenesis through PPARγ involvement. R
Repeated administration of CBD increased hippocampal progenitor proliferation and neurogenesis in wild-type mice. R
In mice, chronic THC exposure increased BDNF in the hippocampus, but not the frontal lobe. R
2. May Help with Alzheimer's Disease
Activation of both CB1 and CB2 receptors have beneficial effects in Alzheimer experimental models by reducing the harmful β-amyloid peptide action and tau phosphorylation, as well as by promoting the brain's intrinsic repair mechanisms. R
CBD inactivated amyloid precursor protein (via activation of PPARγ). R R
Although, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Aβ aggregation. R R
In iron treated rats, chronic cannabidiol improved recognition memory in iron-treated rats. R
CBD may have potential as a preventative treatment for AD with a particular relevance for symptoms of social withdrawal and facial recognition. R
Adding CBD to AD's patient's pharmacotherapy was safe. R
There have been studies showing no efficacy in AD too. R
Technical:
- CBD dose-dependently and significantly inhibited GFAP mRNA and protein expression in Abeta injected animals. R
- CBD impaired iNOS and IL-1beta protein expression, and the related NO and IL-1beta release. R
3. Protects the Brain
Acute and chronic administration of cannabidiol increases mitochondrial complex and creatine kinase activity in the rat brain. R
CBD produced significantly better intracranial pressure/cerebral perfusion pressure control without jeopardizing blood pressure. R
CBD protects against the vascular damage caused by a high glucose environment, inflammation or the induction of type 2 diabetes in animal models and reduces the vascular hyperpermeability associated with such environments. R
Technical:
- CBD is protective against PAC-induced neurotoxicity mediated in part by the 5-HT(1A) receptor system. R
- CBD rescued iron-induced effects, bringing hippocampal DNM1L, caspase 3, and synaptophysin levels back to values comparable to the control group. R
4. Helps with Anxiety
CBD was shown to reduce anxiety in patients with social anxiety disorder (by inducing activity in limbic and paralimbic brain areas). R R
It also helped with public speaking induced anxiety. R
CBD has anxiolytic and possibly antipsychotic properties. CBD was associated with activation in right temporal cortex during auditory processing. During visual processing, CBD increased activation relative to placebo in the right occipital lobe, with maxima in the middle and inferior occipital gyri, the lingual gyrus, and cuneus. R
5. Helps with Stress
Proper endocannabinoid signaling modulates the HPA axis. R R R
Stress-induced downregulation of hippocampal eCB signaling. R
What is interesting (just like microdosing yourself to stress) is that repeated exposure to the same stress can sensitize CB1 receptor signaling, resulting in dampening of the stress response. R
Technical:
- CB1 receptor-endocannabinoid signaling is activated by stress and functions to buffer or dampen the behavioral and endocrine effects of acute stress. R
- chronic stress downregulated CB1 receptor expression and significantly reduced the content of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol within the hippocampus. R
6. May Help with Depression
The EC system is suggested to be dysfunctional in mood and related disorders. R
In comparison to placebo, CBD improved emotional facial affect recognition at 60% emotional intensity. R
CBD induces antidepressant-like effects comparable to those of imipramine, an anti-depressant. R
Also, it exhibited an anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects in animal models. R R
Endocannabinoids play a role in blood pressure regulation in depressives with higher blood pressure. R
Technical:
- Acts via enhancing both serotonergic and glutamate cortical signalling through a 5-HT1A receptor-dependent mechanism. R
- CBD demonstrated non-activation of neuroreceptors CB1 and CB2. R
- Abnormalities in the cannabinoid-1 receptor (CNR1) gene that codes for cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors are reported in psychiatric disorders. R R
7. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
CB2 receptors are expressed in several types of inflammatory cells and immunocompetent cells. R
Activating CB2 receptors inhibit the release of proinflammatory factors. R
CBD treatment resulted in an increase in BDNF expression in the hippocampus and decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus (TNF-α) and prefrontal cortex (IL-6). R
Technical:
- CB1 and CB2 are expressed by human gingival fibroblasts and are upregulated during periodontal inflammation. IL-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in these cells is reduced by anandamide and this effect can be antagonized by AM251 and SR144528. R
- THC and CBD act as anti-inflammatory substances independent of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) inhibition. R R
8. Helps the Liver
Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a pivotal mechanism of liver damage after liver transplantation or hepatic surgery. R
CBD significantly reduced the extent of liver inflammation, oxidative/nitrative stress, and cell death. R
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are one of the main regulatory cells of the immune system. R
While MDSCs induced by CBD in liver consisted of granulocytic and monocytic subsets at a ratio of ∼2∶1, the monocytic MDSCs were more immunosuppressive compared to granulocytic MDSCs, so they may help in certain autoimmune conditions. R
Cannabidiol restores liver function, normalizes 5-HT levels and improves brain pathology in accordance with normalization of brain function. R
Technical:
- CBD attenuated the bacterial endotoxin-triggered NF-κB activation and TNF-α production in isolated Kupffer cells, likewise the adhesion molecule expression in primary human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells stimulated with TNF-α and attachment of human neutrophils to the activated endothelium. R
- CBD significantly reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-κB, Fas ligand and caspase-3, and increased the expression of survivin protein in ischemic/reperfused liver tissue. R
9. Helps Glaucoma
In glaucoma, the increased release of glutamate is the major cause of retinal ganglion cell death. R
Cannabinoids have been demonstrated to protect neuron cultures from glutamate-induced death. R
Technical:
- The neuroprotection by THC and CBD was because of attenuation of peroxynitrite. R
- The effect of THC was in part mediated by the cannabinoid receptor CB1. R
10. Promotes a Healthy Skeletal System
The endocannabinoid system has been implicated in the regulation of bone metabolism. R
Cannabinoid ligands regulate bone mass. R
CB1 and CB2 receptors have a protective effect against age-dependent bone loss in mice. R
Administration of CBD led to improvement in fracture healing. R
In humans, polymorphisms in CNR2, the gene encoding CB2, are strongly associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis. R R
Therefore CB2 agonists (like CBD) enhances endocortical osteoblast number helping osteoperosis. R
Technical:
- CB1 receptor deficiency in aged mice results in accelerated age-dependent osteoporosis due to marked increase in bone resorption and significant reduction in bone formation coupled to enhanced adipocyte accumulation in the bone marrow compartment. R R
- Bone loss was also reported in CB2 deficient mice. R
- CBD stimulated mRNA expression of Plod1 in primary osteoblast cultures, encoding an enzyme that catalyzes lysine hydroxylation, which is in turn involved in collagen crosslinking and stabilization. R
- Co-expression of TRPV1, CB1/CB2, NAPE-PLD and FAAH was found in both human osteoclast cultures and in native osteoclasts from human bone biopsies. R
- Activation of CB1 in sympathetic nerve terminals in bone inhibits norepinephrine release, thus balancing the tonic sympathetic restrain of bone formation. R
- A CB2-specific agonist that does not have any psychotropic effects enhances endocortical osteoblast number and activity and restrains trabecular osteoclastogenesis, apparently by inhibiting proliferation of osteoclast precursors and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand expression in bone marrow-derived osteoblasts/stromal cells. R
11. Alleviates Sleep Problems
Recent studies find that at least 18% of adults report receiving insufficient sleep. R R R
Adults with chronic sleep loss often report excess mental distress. R R
CBD may help with insomnia as it significantly decreases subjective anxiety and increased mental sedation. R
REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during REM sleep associated with nightmares and active behaviour during dreaming. R
In a small study (of 4), CBD is able to control the symptoms of RBD. R
12. Has Anti-Histamine Properties
CB1 receptors are present in mast cells. Activated CB1 receptors present in mast cells suppresses degranulation (by inducing sustained cAMP elevation). R
Activation of CB2 receptors (like taking CBD) attenuates NGF-induced mast cell degranulation. R
13. Reduces Chronic Pain
Sativex (a combination of CBD and THC in equal parts) is approved in Canada for treatment of central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis and intractable cancer pain. R
In patients with GlyR dysfunction, cannabinoids may be effective for treatment of chronic pain. R
Technical:
- The α3 GlyRs mediate glycinergic cannabinoid-induced suppression of chronic pain. R
14. Reduces Dyskinesia
Dyskinesia is a movement disorder that is characterized by involuntary muscle movements, including movements similar to tics or chorea and diminished voluntary movements. R
CBD decreases the amounts of key enzymes that can cause dyskensia. R
In mice, when a TRPV-1 was combined with CBD, it reduced the symptoms of dyskensia. R
15. Treats Neuropathy
There is mounting evidence for therapeutic use of CBD in human neuropathic pain conditions. R
CBD helps with neuropathic pain. R
It also has been shown to help with neuropathic pain in Multiple Sclerosis. R R R
Technical:
- Activation of peripheral CB2 receptors blocked neuropathic pain. R
- Prevention of microglial accumulation and activation in the dorsal spinal cord was associated with limited development of a neuropathic pain state. R
- It reduced prostaglandin E(2), lipid peroxide and nitric oxide, reducing NOS. R
16. Reduces Acne
Escalated sebum fabrication is seen with an unattractive look and adds to the growth of acne. R
CBD cream reduced skin sebum and erythema content. R
Activation of the endocannabinoid system controls the proper and well-balanced proliferation, differentiation and survival, as well as immune competence and/or tolerance, of skin cells. R
Therefore CBD may be an effective treatment for multiple pathological conditions and diseases of the skin (ie acne, seborrhea, allergic dermatitis, itch and pain, psoriasis, hair growth disorders, systemic sclerosis and cancer). R R
Technical:
- Activation of TRPV4 interfered with the prolipogenic ERK1/2 MAPK pathway and resulted in the downregulation of NRIP1, which influences glucose and lipid metabolism, thereby inhibiting sebocyte lipogenesis. R
- Cells with "silenced" CB2 exhibited significantly suppressed basal lipid production
17. Plays a Role in Addiction
Medical cannabis laws are associated with significantly lower state-level opioid overdose mortality rates. R
Drug addiction is a chronically relapsing disorder characterized by the compulsive desire to use drugs and a loss of control over consumption. R
CBD may have therapeutic properties on opioid, cocaine, and psychostimulant addiction: R
- CBD reduced cigarette consumption in tobacco smokers. R
- It reduced nicotine withdrawal. R
- CBD inhibited the reward-facilitating effect of morphine. R
- It reduced the amount of times rats self-administered heroin. R
- CBD prevented neurotoxicity in rats from alcohol binging. R R
- CBD was an effective treatment of cannabis withdrawal syndrome (of THC). R
Technical:
- CBD can attenuate both behavioral and dopaminergic neuronal correlates of mesolimbic dopaminergic sensitization, via a direct interaction with mTOR/p70S6 kinase signaling within the mesolimbic pathway. R
18. May Prevent Mad Cow Disease
Mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration of the brain and spinal cord. R
The disease may be most easily transmitted to humans by eating food contaminated with the brain, spinal cord or digestive tract of infected carcasses. However, the infectious agent, although most highly concentrated in nervous tissue, can be found in virtually all tissues throughout the body, including blood. R R
CBD prevented prion accumulation and protects neurons against prion toxicity (by inhibiting the neurotoxic effects of PrPres and affected PrPres-induced microglial cell migration in a concentration-dependent manner.) R R
19. May Help with ALS
A number of abnormal physiological processes occur simultaneously in ALS. R
Cannabis appears to have activity in all of those areas. R
Cannabis has powerful antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects (prolonged neuronal cell survival, delayed onset, and slower progression of the disease. R
Cannabis also has properties applicable to symptom management of ALS, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction. R
20. Plays a Role in Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa (AN) has the highest mortality rate between psychiatric disorders. R
AN has been associated with different alleles of the CB1 gene. R
CBD effects leptin and ghrelin. R
Endocannabinoids effect the liver's ability for: secretion of hormones regulating appetite and satiety (leptin, adiponectin), lipogenesis, adipogenesis, obesity, and insulin resistance via CB1. R
In AN short-term weight gain is associated with a disproportionately increased leptin secretion. Ghrelin acts as a natural antagonist to leptin. R
Circulating ghrelin levels are increased in illness-induced anorexia. R
Ghrelin and endocannabinoids exert orexigenic effects which may facilitate nutritional restoration. R
The effect of cannabinoids appears to be bi-phasic, as they can stimulate as well as inhibit food intake, depending on the preparation and the dose used. R