A recent study conducted on mice by researchers from the Northwestern Universities suggest that endocannabinoids, or cannabinoids produced by the human body, relieve stress, anxiety and reduce anxiety in the same way that the hemp phytocannabinoids CBD and THC do. A better understanding of how cannabinoids produced by the human body act on the brain to alleviate stress could, according to researchers, result in new treatment pathways for stress-related mental disorders. The essence of this treatment would be to regulate endocannabinoid levels.
CBD and THC - how do they relieve stress?
Scientists around the world have been studying the possibility of using the hemp cannabinoids in the treatment of a wide variety of mental health problems. Research shows that CBD and THC, the most widely researched and best-studied cannabinoids, are used to treat depression and other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to relieve symptoms of chronic stress. They are also being researched for their benefits for patients/women experiencing psychotic states.
Research over the years has 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, the body's balance is disrupted. The nervous, endocrine and immune systems, among others, are involved in this process.
Hemp compounds activate the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and, through it, affect the aforementioned systems and inhibit the stress response. Studies have shown that hemp cannabinoids can reduce the level of activation of the HPA axis, which is central to the body's neurohormonal response to stress.
The body itself activates the endocannabinoid system to calm down?
With so much 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 that are affected by it Endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced by the human body) are still relatively poorly studied.
Research conducted in 2023 by scientists from the Northwestern Universities suggest that our brains stay active under stress. Experts have found that cannabinoid molecules released by our own brain network seem to affect the brain similarly to THC - such as activating the same brain receptors.
A new study on mice published in Cell Reports shows that the amygdala (a key emotional center of the brain) releases endocannabinoid molecules under stress. Their function is to suppress the stress response coming from the hippocampus (the brain's center for memory and emotion). 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 insights into how stress translates into mood disorders. It may also reveal new therapeutic targets in the treatment of disorders stress-related.
Endocannabinoids can protect us from the consequences of stress
Exposure to severe, frequent and/or prolonged stress increases the risk of developing the disorder mental or exacerbation of symptoms of already existing disorders, such as anxiety disorders, depression, syndrome post-traumatic stress (PTSD). A study in mice suggests that impairment of the brain's endocannabinoid signaling system may lead to greater susceptibility to the development of stress-related mental disorders, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Course of the study
In the study, Northwestern researchers 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 activity in the amygdala can trigger the release of endocannabinoids. The sensor also showed that endocannabinoids were released as a result of several different types of stress in mice.
The researchers then removed the CB1 receptors to which the endocannabinoids released by the mice's brains under stress bind. This resulted in a poorer ability of the mice to cope with stress and a lack of motivation - the mice reacted passively to stress, and did not take action to improve their mood. The latter finding may be related to anhedonia, a decrease in feelings of 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 of treatment of disorders stress-related mental disorders. Researchers are planning further studies to determine whether stress-related mental disorders can be treated by increasing endocannabinoid levels.
