Beyond the High: Unraveling the Links between Cannabis, Hormones and Appetite
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| Index Article "Beyond the high: Unraveling the links between cannabis, hormones and appetite" | |
Introduction
At the intersection of science and society, the perception of cannabis has undergone a significant change in recent decades. It could be said that a revealing curtain is being drawn on the effects of cannabis on the hormones that dictate our dietary patterns.
Beyond cultural stigmas and preconceived perceptions, this study delves into the little-explored terrain of how cannabis can influence hormones linked to appetite.
This article introduces how appetite works in humans. At the same time, it summarizes two studies that have been innovative and challenging in the relationship of cannabis with hormones and our cravings for food. Stay with us!
How does appetite work?
Primeramente, tenemos que saber cómo funciona el apetito en el organismo para luego comprender el efecto que tiene el cannabis en el mismo. Así que, ¡vamos allá!
Appetite in human beings is a very complex process. So to speak, it is regulated by an immense network of signals and systems. It's as if your body is an incredibly large and synchronized computer that, thanks to its great intelligence, can control when you are hungry and when you are full.
In order to carry out this process, different hormones and systems intervene. Let's explain this in a simplified and simple way:
1. Hormones edl Hunger and Satiety
Ghrelin: this hormone is known as the “hunger hormone”. It is released mainly by the stomach when it is empty and acts on the brain, especially the hypothalamus, to stimulate appetite. You could say that this hormone is the one that whispers in your ear “Hey, I'm hungry, I want to eat, give me food”.
Leptin: this other hormone is known as the “satiety hormone” and comes from adipose tissue (fat). Its function is to send signals to the brain indicating that the body has stored sufficient energy reserves. You could say that it is the one that whispers in your ear “Don't eat more, you have eaten enough, we have enough reserves, stop eating”.
2. Endocannabinoid system
CB1 and CB2 receptors: these are distributed throughout the body. If you want to know more about the endocannabinoid system, consult our Article "Meet Raphael Mechoulam and the Endocannabnoid System"
Activation of receptors: the activation of these receptors, either by natural cannabinoids in the body (endocannabinoids) or by external cannabinoids (such as those in cannabis), can modulate appetite and food intake.
Putting it another way, it is as if it were the cannabinoid team, in charge of detecting the signals to activate a switch in the brain and body, and sending you the message of hunger.
3. Nervous Pathways and Signals of the Digestive System
Nervous signals from the digestive system are also influenced by nervous signals from the digestive system such as gastric distension (the stomach stretches ) and the release of different nutrients that influence the sensations of hunger and satiety.
That is, it is as if the stomach and its friends send messages to the team when they are full or when they need more food. It would be something like “Hey, we need more fuel” or “We are very full…we don't need more food”
4. Psychological and Environmental Factors
Psychological and environmental factors could not be missing. We tend to forget about these, but they are essential for the proper functioning of our body. Both personal experiences as well as emotions or environmental factors affect eating habits. It is very important that we maintain a mind-body balance and that we eat in a healthy way.
In summary, we must stay with the idea that appetite is a multifaceted process that involves a complex interaction of hormonal, nervous and psychological signals. You could say that it is a great team that dances in a coordinated way, sending signals and messages that help the person balance hunger.
Does cannabis influence appetite?
First of all, emphasize that various studies have been carried out on this topic, but there is still a long way to go to discover... Let's get started!
Studies conclude that cannabis consumption has varied effects on human appetite. It is important to keep in mind that the cannabinoids present in cannabis interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, which regulates various physiological functions, including appetite and metabolism. Furthermore, as we mentioned previously, the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, present in the nervous system and other peripheral organs, play a key role in this regulation.
Different investigations have concluded that cannabis consumption (smoked, vaporized or ingested) can acutely increase appetite, stimulating food intake and promoting food storage. of energy in adipose tissues. On the other hand, results have also been obtained from the chronic use of cannabis, associated, in some cases, with a lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes.
Other results have been those that have related cannabis to the hormones involved in the regulation of appetite (ghrelin, leptin, GLP-1), resulting in a significant increase in these hormones. regarding cannabis consumption. For example, oral cannabis administration has been observed to increase blood total ghrelin concentrations, while decreasing GLP-1 concentrations.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that, in addition, differences have been identified in the responses between occasional and frequent cannabis users.
In summary, cannabis does influence people's appetite, although we must wait a little longer to obtain better results on its influence on appetite.
How does CBD affect appetite?
You may be wondering if CBD affects the body in the same way as THC.
The answer is no. CBD does not affect appetite in the same way as THC, but studies are showing that CBD also contributes to the process of appetite and metabolism. I explain to you...
Let's start by mentioning what CBD or also known as Cannabidiol is. This cannabinoid is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not directly activate the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which are essential in the regulation of appetite. However, CBD can have indirect and complex effects on the endocannabinoid system.
Some research suggests that CBD may play a role in modulating food intake and energy homeostasis. Although the precise mechanisms are not fully understood, it has been observed that CBD could affect the expression of genes and proteins related to metabolism and appetite regulation.
Other preclinical studies have indicated that CBD may have properties that counteract the increased appetite associated with THC. Additionally, it has been proposed that CBD could have potential in the treatment of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, although more research is needed to confirm these effects and better understand its mechanism of action.
In summary, CBD appears to influence the regulation of appetite and metabolism in complex ways, but more research is still needed to fully unravel these effects and determine the therapeutic potential of CBD in eating and weight-related disorders.
CBD & THC Comparative Table
Sage Journals Study Summary
In this section we are going to talk about a study by Journal Pshycopharmacology called “Exploring the munchies : An online survey of users' experiences of cannabis effects on appetite and the development of a Cannabinoid Eating Experience Questionnaire”.
As a summary, this study was carried out with an extensive online survey with cannabis users using the Exploratory Cannabinoid Eating Experience Questionnaire (CEQQ).
A total of 591 people participated in an exploratory validation, 163 for the factor analysis and others. 40 people for a test-retest reliability test.
The analysis revealed 2 factors:
Hedonic: Related to the enjoyment and sensory aspects of eating.
Appetitive: linked to motivational factors to initiate or promote eating.
Through the CEEQ test it was concluded that cannabis effectively influences mainly the motivational factors to start eating and the hedonic factors to maintain it. Likewise, it was concluded that the CEEQ is a valuable tool for future research on the effects of cannabis on eating behavior, highlighting the complexity of the psychological factors involved in this interaction.
Translational Psychiatry Study Summary
To begin, let me tell you that this study highlights the complexity of the impact that cannabis has on health to understand more in depth what its physiological and behavioral effects are. It is based on the importance of the endocannabinoid system, especially in the hypothalamus, in the regulation of appetite and energy homeostasis.
The study explored the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic effects of cannabis in occasional and frequent users, using a variety of routes of administration. They also used a randomized, double-blind design to reinforce the validity of the results.
To carry it out, the research implemented rigorous procedures for the extraction and measurement of blood samples at different times during the experimental sessions. In addition, different specific methods were used such as “liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry” and “ELISA test kits”, which ensure precision in THC measurements. and hormones.
In turn, robust statistical tools and exploratory approaches were used that provided a comprehensive view of the interaction of cannabis and hormonal markers.
The results conclude that there are significant differences in blood concentrations of THC depending on the route of administration. In addition, effects were also observed on endocrine markers such as insulin, GLP-1 and total ghrelin, indicating an influence of cannabis on hormonal regulation.
So that you can see more clearly how the different forms of cannabis administration affect the body, we have prepared this table. However, I encourage you to read the study:
AUC: constitutes the most important measure of the bioavailability of a drug. It relates the variations in its plasma concentration as a function of time.
Cmax: Maximum concentration.
Tmax: Maximum time.
Insulin: hormone released by the pancreas in response to the presence of glucose in the blood.
GLP-1: intestinal hormone synthesized in intestinal L cells whose secretion depends on the presence of nutrients in the lumen of the small intestine.
Grelin: gastric hormone that regulates appetite and nutritional homeostasis.
In summary, in the study (which we recommend reading) the most notable and conclusive results are the following:
The relationship between cannabis consumption, endocrine pathways and eating behaviors is bidirectional, pointing out the interconnection between the cannabinoid system and metabolic processes.
The diversity of doses and simulated conditions along with the randomized, double-blind design allowed for a deeper understanding of how cannabis affects different users. These findings have not only contributed to scientific knowledge, but have also had an implication in the design of future studies, as well as in the formulation of policies related to cannabis consumption.
Thanks to the specific methods used during the extraction and measurement of blood samples, it was possible to provide a complete view of the changes in blood concentrations throughout the session. With this, the reliability of the results obtained in relation to the impact of cannabis on the endocrine markers evaluated was supported.
The use of advanced statistical models, such as LME, allowed for a comprehensive assessment of endocrine markers in relation to cannabis use.
The results conclude that there are significant differences in THC blood concentrations depending on the route of administration.
In conclusion, this study revealed new avenues of research with the aim of understanding in depth the physiological impact of cannabis. The discovery that the effects of cannabis on our body are different depending on the way we consume it stands out.
Final conclusion
Cannabis use exerts diverse effects on human appetite by interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system, which regulates functions such as appetite and metabolism. The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 play a crucial role in this regulation.
Acute cannabis use, whether by smoking, vaporizing, or ingesting, can immediately increase appetite and promote energy storage. In contrast, chronic cannabis use has been associated in some cases with lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes, although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood.
The relationship between cannabis and hormones that regulate appetite, such as ghrelin, leptin and GLP-1, is complex and varies depending on the form of consumption. For example, oral cannabis increases total ghrelin concentrations while decreasing GLP-1 concentrations.
Differences are observed in the responses between occasional and frequent cannabis users.
Although more research is required to fully understand these effects and their implication in energy homeostasis, these findings underscore the complexity of the relationship between cannabis and appetite, which goes beyond simply stimulating or reducing food intake.
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