Cannabinoids produced by the human body relieve stress just like CBD and THC?

Recent research on mice by scientists from Northwestern University suggests that endocannabinoids, i.e. cannabinoids produced by the human body, relieve stress, anxiety and reduce anxiety levels in the same way as hemp phytocannabinoids CBD and THC do. A better understanding of how cannabinoids produced by the human body act on the brain to relieve stress could, scientists say, lead to new avenues for treating stress-related mental disorders. The essence of this treatment would be the regulation of endocannabinoid levels.

CBD and THC – how do they relieve stress?

Scientists around the world have been researching the possibility of using hemp cannabinoids in the treatment of many different mental health problems for several years. Research shows that CBD and THC , the most widely researched and best-known cannabinoids, are used in the treatment of depression and other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in alleviating the symptoms of chronic stress. They are also being studied for their benefits for patients experiencing psychotic states.

Studies conducted over the years have established that CBD (in any dose) and THC (in small doses) relieve stress, anxiety and anxiety symptoms. Under the influence of a stressful stimulus, a complex process of mobilizing the body to face a new situation begins and the body's balance is disturbed. This process involves, among others: nervous, hormonal and immune systems.  

Hemp compounds activate the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and through it influence the mentioned systems and inhibit the stress response. Studies have shown that hemp cannabinoids can reduce the level of activation of the HPA axis, which is crucial for the body's neurohormonal response to stress.

Does the body itself activate the endocannabinoid system to calm down?

With such a large scale of research on the effects of cannabis on the body, it is quite surprising that the patterns of brain activity and the neural pathways and circuits influenced by endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the human body ) are still relatively poorly researched.

Research conducted in 2023 by scientists from Northwestern University suggests that our brains remain active under stress. Experts have found that cannabinoid molecules released by our own brain network seem to affect the brain in a similar way to THC - for example, by activating the same brain receptors.

A new study in mice published in Cell Reports shows that the amygdala (a key emotional center of the brain) releases endocannabinoid molecules under stress. Their task is to suppress the stress response coming from the hippocampus (the center of memory and emotions in the brain). These results support the hypothesis that the release of endocannabinoids is part of the body's natural response to stress.

Researchers believe that understanding how the brain adapts to stress at the molecular, cellular and circuit levels could provide important information about how stress translates into mood disorders. It may also reveal new therapeutic targets for of stress-related disorders

Endocannabinoids can protect us against the consequences of stress

Exposure to strong, frequent and/or prolonged stress increases the risk of developing mental or exacerbating the symptoms of existing disorders, e.g. anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress (PTSD). A study in mice suggests that impairment of the endocannabinoid signaling system in the brain may lead to greater susceptibility to developing stress-related mental disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The course of the examination 

In the study, Northwestern scientists used a new protein sensor that can detect the presence of cannabinoid molecules at specific brain synapses in real time. This helped show that high amygdala activity can trigger the release of endocannabinoids. The sensor also showed that endocannabinoids were released by several different types of stress in the mice.

The researchers then removed the CB1 receptors that bound endocannabinoids released by the mice's brains under stress. This resulted in the mice's poorer ability to cope with stress and lack of motivation - the mice reacted to stress passively and did not take action to improve their well-being. This latter finding may be related to anhedonia, a decrease in pleasure often experienced by patients with stress-related disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Researchers believe that the endocannabinoid system is one of the leading targets for research into new methods stress-related mental disorders Scientists plan to conduct further research to determine whether stress-related mental disorders can be treated by increasing the levels of endocannabinoids.