Hormone imbalance occurs when we have too little or too much of one or more hormones in our body. Hormones play a very important role in regulating our health, and the slightest hormonal imbalance can cause a lot of problems. This is because the hormones produced by the endocrine system are essential for sending messages to various organs of the body and advising them what to do and when they should do it, such as our overall metabolism, blood pressure, reproductive cycle, stress management, mood, etc. Both men and women are prone to hormonal imbalances. Women are susceptible to their progesterone and estrogen imbalances, while men can suffer from testosterone imbalances. Symptoms of a hormone imbalance vary depending on the hormone affected, but these include weight gain, acne, decreased sex drive, thinning hair, and more. In addition, there are some health problems that can also lead to hormone imbalances. These diseases include polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, endocrine gland tumors, Addison’s disease, hyper or hypothyroidism, and more. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating our hormone production. There are CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout the body, two types of cannabinoid receptors. They can bind to cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Both tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) can bind to these hormones in the body and help stabilize the endocannabinoid system, which regulates hormones through the many functions they support: appetite, pregnancy, Mood, fertility, immunity and overall immune homeostasis. The link between endocrine processes and the endocannabinoid system has been established by research. “We know that the endocannabinoid system plays a role in maintaining homeostasis. It also ensures that our bodies operate within a narrow range of operating conditions; so-called homeostasis,” said Dr. Mooch. “ECS is known to regulate stress, mood, fertility, bone growth, pain, immune function and more. CBD interacts with endothelial cells and many other receptors in the body,” she said. There are numerous studies showing how cannabis can help regulate hormonal balance. These studies document how the body experiences recovery after using CBD or cannabis with THC, as cannabinoids help correct any hormonal excess or deficiency when they interact with neurotransmitters in the brain.
Here are some hormone-related disorders that cannabis can treat.
Dysmenorrhea
Millions of women around the world suffer from menstrual pain. Whether it’s mild or debilitating pain, cannabinoid CBD can help relieve PMS pain. Most of these menstrual pain cases are because prostaglandins increase while progesterone decreases during menstruation, causing more inflammation, while making women more sensitive to pain and causing uterine contractions, cramps, and vasoconstriction. Studies have shown that CBD can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by dysmenorrhea because it interacts with neurotransmitters. Additionally, women with chronic pain and headaches have found CBD to provide pain relief. Other studies have shown that CBD effectively inhibits the production of COX-2, an enzyme that triggers the production of prostaglandins. The lower the COX-2 level, the less pain, cramping and inflammation occurred.
Thyroid hormone
Thyroid is the name for an important endocrine gland located at the base of the neck. This gland is critical for regulating many other hormones that affect major bodily functions as well as heart health, bone density, and metabolic rate. Also, the thyroid is connected to the brain, and when homeostasis, all functions well. However, thyroid dysfunction can occur in the presence of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, which in turn can lead to many other health problems. Since the endocannabinoid system also helps regulate the thyroid, cannabinoid use can help manage symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. Research analyzing the link between CBD and thyroid disease is still in its early stages, but what we’ve seen so far is promising, showing that this cannabinoid is indeed safe and effective for its management. Research in 2015 revealed that the thyroid is where CB1 and CB2 receptors are concentrated. These are also associated with shrinking thyroid tumors, which also means it has tumor-reducing potential. There are other studies that show CBD benefits for thyroid health because CB1 receptors help regulate T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.
Cortisol
The stress hormone cortisol is important for letting us know if there is an impending danger. Often, especially in people with PTSD and exposure to chronic stress and danger, cortisol levels tend to remain high. CBD is known for its ability to relax and relieve stress. It helps to calm the GABA neurotransmitter, which then lowers nervous system stress. CBD also affects cannabinoid receptors located in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that connects to the adrenal glands. Because of this interaction, the production of cortisol decreases, which allows us to relax.
Post time: Jul-12-2022