By Hailey Cuddihey
Neuroscience MSc Student
What do we really know about cannabis? The answer to this question is, unsurprisingly, not that much. Although cannabis has been used medicinally for centuries, it wasn’t until the 1990s that we really started to understand how the active substances in cannabis interact with the body1. There is no doubt that cannabis has some therapeutic effects, but from a scientific perspective, we do not fully understand how cannabis works.
What do we know so far?
Our bodies naturally produce molecules like those found in cannabis, known as endocannabinoids. They regulate several processes in the body including metabolism, appetite, pain, and stress3,4. Cannabis provides an external source of cannabinoids. These compounds mimic our naturally occurring endocannabinoids, which why our bodies react to cannabis.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main psychoactive substance found in the cannabis plant and it’s what gets you high. When cannabis is consumed, THC gets into the brain and changes the way the cells communicate, and this is why people get the munchies. THC can get into the area of the brain that controls appetite and it causes people to crave high-fat, high-carbohydrate food5. At first glance, the munchies effect may seem like a major negative side effect. However, there is increasing support for THC usage from people suffering from eating disorders2.
However, cannabis is a lot more than just THC. Cannabis contains over 100 other compounds, many of which have not been studied but are thought to have therapeutic potential. One of the most well-studied therapeutic compounds in cannabis is cannabidiol, or CBD. People often use CBD as an anti-inflammatory and a sleep agent6. CBD oil has gained popularity recently for treating common health issues including pain, depression, anxiety, and acne. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD may improve these health conditions, scientific data from large-scale studies is lacking.
What’s next?
Prior to the legalization of cannabis, there were many barriers that made it challenging for research to occur because the drug was difficult to obtain, and funding was lacking. Since its legalization, researchers now have the opportunity to conduct controlled, large-scale studies. With the growing popularity of cannabis usage, it’s imperative that our knowledge on cannabis effects grows along with it. It is hopeful that with the legalization of cannabis, we can develop the appropriate educational platforms and guidelines regarding cannabis consumption, both medicinally and recreationally. By doing so, we will be able to maximize the benefits of cannabis usage.
For more information on cannabis:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/education-resources.html
References
1. Di Marzo, V. & De Petrocellis, L. Why do cannabinoid receptors have more than one endogenous ligand? Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci.367,3216–3228 (2012).
2. Kaur, R., Ambwani, S. R. & Singh, S. Endocannabinoid System: A Multi-Facet Therapeutic Target. Curr. Clin. Pharmacol.11,110–7 (2016).
3. Komorowski, J. & Stepień, H. [The role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of endocrine function and in the control of energy balance in humans]. Postepy Hig. Med. Dosw. (Online)61,99–105 (2007).
4. Fine, P. G. & Rosenfeld, M. J. The endocannabinoid system, cannabinoids, and pain. Rambam Maimonides Med. J.4,e0022 (2013).
5. Alger, B. E. Getting High on the Endocannabinoid System. Cerebrum(2013).
6. Kogan, N. M. & Mechoulam, R. Cannabinoids in health and disease. Dialogues Clin Neurosci9,(2007).