In the public eye, the image of cannabis is rapidly shifting from gateway drug to universal cure.
The reason for this revolution is a fairly recent discovery in biology: the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system is what separates us from amoebae. The human body consists of hundreds of billions of cells. The fact that we are not just a big blob of cells but precisely sculpted, functional human beings is due to the endocannabinoid system. This system governs life’s most critical functions such as the control of cell division, metabolism, immune system and brain activity.
In the public eye, the image of cannabis is rapidly shifting from gateway drug to universal cure. What people may have missed though, is why cannabis is suddenly receiving all this positive attention. The reason for this revolution is a fairly recent discovery in biology: the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is what separates us from amoebae. The human body consists of hundreds of billions of cells. The fact that we are not just a big blob of cells but precisely sculpted, functional human beings is due to the endocannabinoid system. This system governs life’s most critical functions such as the control of cell division, metabolism, immune system and brain activity.
The endocannabinoid system decides whether or not a cell divides, and as such is involved in cancer on the one hand and degenerative diseases on the other. endocannabinoids determine how much energy is available and how it is diverted. This ties in with cancer and metabolic disorders such as anorexia or obesity.
Endocannabinoids keep tight control of brain activity, thus shielding it from hyperactivity/seizures and other neurological disorders such as Migraine, depression and anxiety. Finally, endocannabinoids regulate self-recognition and thereby protect the body from self-degradation/auto-immune disease such as irritable bowel syndrome or Multiple Sclerosis.
- Cell activity or other relevant stimuli determine the amount of endocannabinoids that are released from the plasma membrane surrounding the cell.
- cannabinoids bind their receptors in the plasma membrane. In this example CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 activity determine cell fate through their respective downstream pathways. With 40 cannabinoid receptors discovered today and dozens of known endogenous (produced by the body) and exogenous (environmental) cannabinoids, the potential for fine-tuning is virtually limitless.
Cannabinoids can alleviate symptoms or even cure disease
The therapeutic use of cannabinoids goes back thousands of years to places like India and China where cannabis was recommended for malaria, dysentery and constipation, to block rheumatic or menstrual pain, to induce sleep and to stimulate appetite. Unfortunately, much evidence for the therapeutic
value of cannabinoids is anecdotal and not backed by scientific method. Still, a wealth of scientific data exists that supports the therapeutic use of cannabinoids.
To date, there is scientific evidence for the therapeutic value of cannabinoids in many disorders. This includes some of the most debilitating and financially burdening diseases in the developed world: Alzheimer’s, cancer, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, obesity, pain and others.
Cannabis plants contain more than 100 cannabinoids, as well as other compounds like flavonoids and terpenoids, which is thought to be why some people respond better to herbal cannabis than pure cannabis derivatives. Cannabinoids act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate many bodily functions via CB1 receptors, found mainly in the brain; CB2 receptors in immune cells; the gastrointestinal tract; and peripheral nervous system. The two most studied cannabinoids are THC and CBD.
There is conclusive or substantial evidence for the use of medical cannabis in treating intractable seizures in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, improving symptoms in multiple sclerosis and treating chronic pain in adults, however the evidence regarding other indications is moderate or limited and there are several potential side effects.
The bulk of evidence for therapeutic cannabinoids is based on THC and CBD. THC,
the quintessential cannabinoid, is known for
- stimulating appetite,
- blocking pain,
- inducing sleep and amnesia.
In addition, THC can actually stop cancer cells from dividing and for instance brain cells from an Alzheimer’s patient from degenerating. Interestingly, although THC usually wreaks havoc on the memory of recreational users, it can actually improve memory in demented patients. This shows an important point: the effect of cannabinoids very much depends on the individual and the situation.
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