Stress brain responses are pathological as many physical as well as mental health conditions can be evoked by exposure to chronic stress or tense environments. Anxiety, depression or ischemic heart disease are a few conditions that many individuals can easily fall prey to because of prolonged stress.
In the recent past, there has been a surge of interest in the employment of cannabinoids for stress management and overall enhancement of quality of life. Like other compounds including THC and CBD, cannabinoids are known to modify the actions of the ECS and are considered to be potential stress modulators.
How Does The Endocannabinoid System’s Functions Help In Dealing With Stress?
Just like how the body has robust systems that control feelings of pain, mood and even appetite, the endocannabinoid system too manages stress responses. This system consists of CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors, endogenous cannabinoids such as anandamide and the relevant enzymes involved in the synthesis and breakdown of endocannabinoids.
During stress, the endocannabinoids act on the CB1 and CB2 receptors which act as modulators of homeostasis. Furthermore, endocannabinoids have also been found to act directly on the HPA axis, which is likely to be overactive in many stress disorders.
Therefore, it may be possible that the ECS could modulate the amount of HPA-axis activity as well as the secretion of the cortisol stress hormone via the adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.
How Can Cannabidiol (CBD) Help With The Symptoms Of Stress?
CBD or cannabidiol happens to be one of the most promising cannabinoids that researchers have come across that has great potential in the medical field. Several studies have demonstrated that CBD possesses anxiety lowering effects, which opens up tremendous possibilities for treating stress, especially considering that it does not have the psychoactive effects of THC.
CBD has been linked with an increase in the idiopathic perception of the body towards serotonin which is well known to be integrally involved in pain perception and volume. Communication of stress and anxiety flora through the matrix of serotonin receptors is made possible and facilitated in CBD.
Besides, you should know that CBD may also help to raise anandamide levels in the brain. Anandamide, an endocannabinoid that is sometimes referred to as the "bliss molecule", contributes to feelings of well-being and relaxation. Hence, since more anandamide within the body promotes less stress and anxiety, it can also potentially promote calmness.
How Does THC Relieve Stress?
Tetrahydrocannabinol or more commonly abbreviated to THC on the other hand is the essential psychoactive element of cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol targets the CB1 receptors that are predominantly found in the brain upon use and as such induces several farms including euphoria and relaxation that some people use as relieving tools when under pressure.
Factors affecting the stress alleviation brought about by marijuana’s tetrahydrocannabinol(THC) include the amount ingested and the individual’s level of sensitivity. Low THC levels or amounts can act as anxiolytics and a stress reliever, but on a larger scale, some individuals tend to have more stress and anxiety at greater amounts of THC than they would have otherwise.
As long as there is no abuse administered, it could provide some sort of help in the reduction of hyperactivity in the amygdala, the area associated with emotion and acute stress response within the brain. This would therefore mean an increase of dopamine levels, something that would be useful in calming some individuals down.
However, the dose-dependent nature of THC’s effects calls for restraint whenever this substance is being used and stresses on moderation when using THC.
What Are the Synergistic Effects of CBD and THC: The Entourage Effect?
Some researchers believe that deepening CBD and THC interaction can improve therapeutic efficacy as a result of a so-called entourage effect. This theory states that cannabinoids, terpenes as well as other compounds contained in cannabis work in synergy for a better therapeutic effect than one of the compounds alone.
Together, CBD can help manage the high THC anxiety negative side effects such that the overall stress relief effect becomes greater. Such a combination would allow a broader therapeutic range and better tolerance of cannabis interventions for stress management.
What Do Current Research and Clinical Applications Show?
Some clinical research studies which have been carried out not long ago have shown that cannabinoids are effective in dealing with stress as well as disorders related to it. With regards to patients with social anxiety and PTSD who have been receiving CBD treatment, there is evidence that these patients manage to reduce anxiety and improve stress management.
Here too, low levels of THC have been seen to help certain individuals to relax, sleep better, and get through stressful periods without problems of insomnia.
What are the Limitations of This Study?
Even with the steady growth of interest towards the usage of cannabinoids for the treatment of stress related conditions, there still are a number of hurdles.
To begin with, the effect of cannabinoids would vary depending on certain individual psychiatry traits, the quantity of cannabinoids administered as well as the different types of cannabinoids administered. Such variables should be sought in future research in order to determine their appropriate levels and appropriate combinations to enhance stress relief without endangering health.
Moreover, chronic THC abuse has been reported to have tolerance, dependence, cannabis use disorder or some detrimental effects on the mental health of some cannabis taking individuals. Thus, researchers need to consider quite importantly the long term effects of cannabinoids in the management of stress and mental health disorders for safety concerns.
Conclusion
The role of cannabinoids in the stress reduction response has been investigated in order to attract both researchers and the markets. CBD and THC explore new abilities to impact stress and anxiety responses via the ECS. CBD can be recommended for consumers seeking alternatives to erosive stress therapy.
It is believed that marijuana can be effective and safe if used properly. Proper dosages, response over time and safety will all be crucial factors if cannabis is to be embraced as a holistic approach to managing stress.