Summary: Endocannabinoids are cannabis-like substances that naturally occur in the body to activate the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). This complex system helps restore physiologic homeostasis, which is considered to occur when all of our physiologic systems are working as well as they possibly can. Unfortunately, there is a weak link in this elaborate system…our body only synthesizes 2 of these chemicals; Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (abbreviated as 2-AG). Fortunately, Medical Cannabis contains over 100 Phytocannabinoids that activate the ECS.
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This article was created to address a variety of other conditions for which cannabis has proven helpful. For the most part, these conditions alone are not adequate to certify one for a medical cannabis card.
This post is a work in progress. I will be adding more conditions to the top of this section over time.
*Premenstrual Dsyphoric Disorder (PMDD. Proponents of cannabis have long been outspoken about its medicinal benefits (e.g. pain/nausea relief), but some potential uses of the plant are more surprising—and very intriguing. Psychiatrist Dr. Julie Holland, a psychopharmacology specialist who has run a private psychiatric practice in Manhattan for more than two decades, has found that the effects of cannabis may be particularly adept at treating hormonal and emotional issues that are common among women. Cannabis, Holland explains, could be the solution to treating monthly PMS symptoms, painful cramps, irritability, insomnia, depression, and anxiety, as well as symptoms of perimenopause. The most underrated benefit of cannabis according to Holland? Its anti-inflammatory effect. https://goop.com/wellness/sexual-health/can-cannabis-help-with-pms/
*Autism spectrum Disorder. “Although the research on cannabis and autism spectrum disorders is in its infancy, there has been much controversy and confusion. Over the years, more patients and their families are seeking guidance from doctors on using cannabis to alleviate symptoms. From preventing seizures to calming aggression, a slow trickle of research is suggesting that cannabidiol (CBD), a component of cannabis, may be the wonder drug families have been searching for. But does it hold up to this standard? Should we be recommending it to patients? How do we weigh the benefits and the risks?
Unfortunately, many clinicians lack adequate training on the subject, making them unprepared to have a meaningful discussion with patients and families. Efforts to advance research have been limited for technical and logistical reasons, often leaving doctors with just as many questions as patients.”
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/medical-marijuana-for-autism
*Diabetes. Studies have shown that medical cannabis use is associated with lower levels of fasting insulin, lower levels of blood sugar, a reduced body mass index, and a reduction in waist circumference. The use of THC together with CBD has been shown to inhibit the severity of diabetes and also inhibit the onset of diabetes. Much of this benefit is through positive effects on the PPAR gamma system. The thiazolidinedione class of anti-diabetic medications also works by activating this system.
Editors note: Our father’s ALS was treated with medical cannabis. He also had diabetes and was taking a prescription medication, METFORMIN. His A1c (3 month glucose average) actually improved on medical cannabis despite stopping Metformin.
https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2014-05/marijuana-management-diabetes
*Other cardiometabolic benefits. Medical cannabis has been shown to improve HDL (“Good cholesterol”) while also reducing blood pressure and increasing the rate of metabolism.
*Obesity. The Endocannabinoid System “plays an integral role in energy homeostasis, consistent with its observed dysregulation in the obese state”. Energy balance and expenditure is modulated by the ECS.
In general, activating the ECS has a net result of increasing the rate of metabolism, which helps individuals maintain or reduce weight. Using THC alone usually results in an increase in appetite and weight.
https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/medical-marijuana-lose-weight/67234/
*Depression. The article reference below basically states that the Endocannabinoid System controls the release of neurotransmitters responsible for reducing anxiety and improving depression. The article also notes that a growing body of evidence shows that depression and anxiety are related to a deficit in our body’s ability to produce adequate endocannabinoids that activate the ECS. [Editors note: Just a reminder that our body synthesizes only 2 endocannabinoids. The cannabis plant contains over 100 phytocannabinoids that activate our ECS.]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19839936/
*Menopausal symptoms. There is evidence that cannabis can help alleviate many of the symptoms caused by menopause. Approximately 75% of women will have hot flashes while going through menopause. Symptoms can last many years, even into a woman’s ’70s and ’80s!
Estrogen is linked to the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) by regulating an enzyme (FAAH or fatty acid hydrolase) that breaks down the THC-like endocannabinoid, Anandamide. There is also some evidence that early menopause is due to an Endocannabinoid deficiency.
https://boorasmd.com/education/articles/treating-menopause-with-medical-cannabis/
*Libido and Female Sexual Function. “In our study, the majority of women who used marijuana before sex reported positive sexual effects in the domains of overall sexual satisfaction, desire, orgasm, and improvement in sexual pain but not in lubrication. Women who used marijuana before sex and those who used it more frequently were more than twice as likely to report satisfactory orgasms as those who did not use marijuana before sex or used it infrequently.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6522945/
Female sexual function is regulated by hormones and by neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Activation of cannabinoid receptors has been shown to enhance the release and duration of dopamine action, which may be another pathway by which marijuana affects sexual function. Cannabinoid receptors have also been localized in other areas of the brain that control sexual function.
https://boorasmd.com/education/female-sexuality-and-medical-marijuana-cannabis/
*Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Somewhere between 25-45 million people in the United States have IBS. This accounts for 10-15% of the entire population.
Symptoms of IBS range from mild to quite severe, sometimes leading to emergency department visits or hospitalization. The exact cause is unknown, but there is evidence that IBS, like many other problems, is linked to a deficiency in Endocannabinoid production. Some individuals with IBS have an increase in colon contractions, which causes diarrhea. Other individuals have reduced colonic contractions leading to constipation. Lastly, there is a group with mixed diarrhea and constipation. Cannabis helps all of these groups.
Issues with gut motility and visceral hypersensitivity contribute to the pain, bloating, feelings of fullness and bowel problems associated with IBS. Medical cannabis has been found to be helpful in controlling gut motility and visceral pain. Treatment has also been shown to improve the permeability of intestinal cells, which helps our body absorb important nutrients. The stress-relieving properties of cannabis also significantly help with these symptoms. Stress makes IBS symptoms worse.
https://boorasmd.com/education/articles/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs-and-cannabis/
Written by Charlie Booras, MD on June 24, 2021.
