You might know that understanding the human endocannabinoid system can help cannabis users navigate how the plant might affect them. Are you ready for a deeper dive into the subject?

CB1 and CB2 Receptors

The human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) was uncovered in 1992. It has been revealed that the ECS is a network of CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout the body, transporting the cannabinoids. In this system, imagine that cannabinoids are like keys and they fit into ECS receptors like locks. This sets off a process to slow down nerve signals like a dimmer on a light switch. 

Phytocannabinoids are found in plants. Endocannabinoids are found in animals, such as those produced by the human body itself. The human body produces endocannabinoids such as  anandamide and 2-AG, for example. The ECS can also be supplemented with phytocannabinoids, found in several types of plants, but most abundantly in cannabis.

CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system, specifically at points of communication. Cannabis activates these receptors and slows the release of neurotransmitters at these sites, which can help stop seizures. CB2 receptors are found primarily in organs, such as the liver and spleen, and in cells in the immune system. Activation of CB2 reduces inflammation and pain.

Why is 2-AG an important endocannabinoid? 

2-AG, or 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, is found in high concentrations in the brain. An important consideration in 2-AG biology is that it is a significant metabolic intermediate in lipid (fat) synthesis. 

Not only is 2-AG found in the brain, but also in the liver, and lungs. However, it is not located in the gut, heart, kidney, or spleen. It is the major source of arachidonic acid used for prostaglandin synthesis.

The prostaglandins are a group of lipids, or fats, produced at sites of tissue damage or infection that are involved in controlling injury or illness. Prostaglandins control processes such as inflammation, blood flow, and the formation of blood clots.

Therefore, cannabis may have wide-ranging and potentially beneficial effects by manipulating 2-AG production in our bodies.

Remember that cannabis is not just made up of THC and CBD, but hundreds of other cannabinoids such as CBN, CBC, and CBG. Terpenes and flavonoids are worthy of consideration too. The entourage effect means a stronger medicinal effect by using whole plant medicine.

THC and CBD

CBD can decrease the negative effects of THC. interacts with CB2 and opioid dopamine and serotonin receptors known to improve immune system, pain, depression anxiety and addiction. People with PTSD can often be marked by a deficiency of anandamide. When they consume THC, it mimics anandamide to the CB1 receptors in the brain, undoing some of the adrenal overdrive of the amygdala and provides symptom relief.

THC affects the body psycho-actively. CB1 receptors are activated throughout the cortex, midbrain, cerebellum and spinal cord. This activation can relieve anxiety, impair memory formation and recall, and slow reaction times. It also provides pain relief, cancer symptom relief, and improves sleep.

CBD is not psychoactive; it actually decreases psychoactive effects of THC. CBD binds to CB2 receptors through the body, as well as opioid, dopamine, and serotonin receptors in the brain. CB2 activation by CBD improves immune system function and provides relief from pain, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

The ECS is the reason why cannabis has a medicinal benefit. It supports our immune and nervous systems in maintaining homeostasis, and regulating appetite, energy levels, memory, and self-preservation. We can moderate this system ourselves either through natural endocannabinoid production stimulation or through the consumption of phytocannabinoids found in cannabis.

Are you ready to take an even deeper dive into the science of this incredible plant? Find out more today from CSC…. 

Source: Dr. Marty Moore, Honahlee, 2021 https://youtu.be/_DZTgwNGF1Q

An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system by  Hui-Chen Lu and Ken Mackie    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/

Prostaglandins. You and Your Hormones. https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/prostaglandins/

Anxiety and depression are some of the most common symptoms of the most common disorders in America, yet many feel they suffer alone. Anxiety and depression are moods, symptoms, or the name for a type of disorder, not necessarily disorders in and of themselves. From cancer and chronic pain patients, those suffering a range of long-term disorders, stress, or pain can often check the box of depression or anxiety as a disruptive symptom of their disorder.

Anxiety is often marked by symptoms such as increased alertness, racing heart, and sweating palms. Depression is generally marked by a low positive affect, lethargy, and less enjoyment in daily life. Both depression and anxiety can be expressed as restlessness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and irritability.

Biochemically, stress begets stress. An over-sensitive stress response system is a common trauma response. Chronic stressors create stress-sensitive symptoms. In this way, anxiety and depression are “two sides of a similar reaction to stress, in terms of both thought processes and hormones,” says Brit Garner of SciShow Psych.

Both conditions can be looked at through the lens of the fight-or-flight response, acutely or over time. When the body perceives a threat, it prepares to fight, run, or freeze. Chronic anxiety could be triggered by helplessness and depression as hopelessness in response to threatening stimuli. The anxiety is the running and fighting; depression is the freeze response. These responses create disorder in our lives when we struggle to overcome these cycles of anxiety and depression.

In western medicine, antidepressants are usually the first line of defense against both depression and anxiety. Physiologically, the depressed or anxious brain will exhibit lower levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. SSRIs positively affect serotonin and may provide relief. As far as medical cannabis intervention goes, healthcare leaders seem split, with some saying that cannabis use can worsen depression or anxiety, while others say it can improve it.

“Oftentimes, depression is part of this bigger picture and sometimes depression is the final common endpoint for things that have gone wrong in the brain and the body and really the brain is in this withdraw and protect mode.” Although EEG studies show underactive left frontal lobe in depressed brains, “we want to wake the brain back up and help people interact with their world in a better way. This is where cannabis medicine can come in handy.” CBD and THC can help regulate sleep dysfunction in people with depression and anxiety. A rested brain and body are better able to combat depression and anxiety and can improve motivation and energy levels during the day.

Depression affects up to 7% of Americans at least once in their lifetimes and anxiety as many as 18%. Almost 1 in 5 people are experiencing depression and anxiety chronically enough to disorder their lives. Cannabis is a potentially effective treatment tool. Increased equitable access to medical cannabis for anxiety and depression treatment will bring clarity for specific cannabis interventions.

Sources:

Why Do Anxiety And Depression Go Together?; SciShow Psych, 2019: https://youtu.be/xdAjGRvxGPMCBD, Cannabis, and Depression by Dr. Dani Gordon, MD https://youtu.be/DCk4Dy_Joc8

Have you ever been ordered to submit to a health screen? Perhaps it caused you to worry about not passing the test. Even though the active effects of cannabis wear off after a few hours, how long is it detectable? The answer is a little complicated.

Cannabis is metabolized very differently from person to person. Consumption frequency, method, and amounts are some of the more obvious variables that can affect cannabis blood testing, but age, gender, and body fat percentage can also affect results. Due to the many variables affecting detectable THC in the bloodstream, rough estimates of detection time windows are the best that current research can provide.

What about frequency and dosage? 

Light: Occasional cannabis use, fewer than one to three times per week, in small amounts

Regular: Five to seven times per week with moderate dosages

Chronic: Daily cannabis use, frequently throughout the day or in large amounts, seven days per week

THC and its metabolite, THC-COOH, are the substances that drug tests seek. These substances are lipid-soluble, so overweight people will have THC in their system longer than those who have less body fat. Exercise breaks down fat and can release THC and THC-COOH back into the bloodstream, especially for overweight and chronic cannabis users. Unfortunately, THC released from exercise won’t get you high; levels are detectable but minuscule, so any post-exercise high likely is stemming from natural endocannabinoids and endorphins.

In general, regular, chronic, and overweight users will see THC and THC-COOH in higher levels on blood tests than light users. For light cannabis users, blood tests can generally detect THC and THC-COOH for up to 24-72 hours. For regular users and chronic users, expect to find detectable THC as long as three to seven days after your last consumption. According to LabCorp, operator of one of the world’s largest laboratory networks, “Testing can indicate use anywhere from three days to more than 30 days prior to testing. Chronic, heavy users of marijuana may test positive for even longer than 30 days after last use.” As exercise can re-release these compounds, avoid exercise for up to 72 hours prior to testing if you are an overweight or chronic user, as this can increase the odds of failing a blood test—even if you have not consumed cannabis in several weeks. As a rule, cannabis users with a higher body fat content will be on the high end of estimates for detectable metabolites.

Blood tests are increasing in popularity as a way to test for THC, especially because it does not typically detect THC as sensitively as a urinalysis, meaning it can provide a more accurate estimate of use in the last 30 days. Saliva tests detect as recently as 72 hours and may be a better indicator of cannabis use than blood tests for employment screenings or roadside testing. According to LabCorp, “Since screening tests are not definitive, confirmatory testing is typically done to verify the results. A positive confirmatory test means the person had THC or THC-COOH in their body when the sample was collected, but it does not confirm when THC was used or ingested.”

Interested in gaining more knowledge about cannabis and how it affects the human body? Contact us today about our classes.

Sources:

https://www.labcorp.com/help/patient-test-info/marijuana-thc-testing