Homeostasis and CBD

In 1865 Claude Bernard first defined homeostasis

With etymology of the Greek “Homo”- equal and “Stasis” state means to maintain a constant internal state. Today modern medicine has resurrected this term and seeks homeostasis as a therapeutic objective.

What is homeostasis?

Our sensors throughout the body send signals to the brain about what’s going on outside and how it affects us at all times. The brain regulates certain physiological functions to achieve a balance and “that everything goes well”. We could say that homeostasis is a mechanism of self-regulation of our body that keeps the internal environment stable regardless of external conditions.

What has to be on balance for “everything to be fine”?

For example, humans are endothermic so we must regulate our body temperature so that it always stays around 36 or 37oC. Our blood levels of sugar, water, salts, oxygen, etc… they must also be stabilized for the rest of our body to function normally. That is, countless variables that affect us biologically must be balanced to make sure that our organism works properly.

Imagine you’re in the middle of summer walking down the street at 40oC. Your nerve sensors feel extreme heat and, because for everything to work well your body has to maintain a constant temperature, the brain starts sending signals to the sweat glands so that they produce sweat and result in lowering the body temperature. It will also send signals for your capillaries to dilate to help you get rid of the insufferable heat that is altering your homeostatic body temperature. If you suddenly enter a mall with full air conditioning, then you will start to tir as the body will try again to increase your body temperature.

homeostasis cbd

All these phenomena occur as our nervous system sends negative or positive feedback signals to implement the necessary physiological mechanisms that return the body to a stable state or help us with certain functions.

In the example of sweating and tiritera we are talking about negative feedback since when feeling hot or cold the brain sends signals to cool or warm the body, that is, it aims to counteract the effect that is breaking the balance of body temperature. We feel warm because our body temperature is rising, we sued and as a result the body temperature drops. In the case of the cold we need to tir to increase our temperature. That is, after receiving the nerve signals, homeostatic changes occur to stabilize our organism.

In addition, there is also positive feedback with which our brain sends “help” or signals that accompany a desired and necessary effect. For example, during natural childbirth, when a woman experiences contractions, the brain releases oxytocin, a hormone that stimulates contractions and dilates the birth canal to make it easier for the baby to come out.

So homeostasis is essential for everything to go well in our body. As in an orchestra, the brain has to work as a conductor to make all the instruments play in due course and harmonically. And they are not only physiological functions that make our body work well but also that our minds are naturally balanced.

homeostatic balance

How to promote Homeostasis with Cannabis?

Cannabis-derived chemicals have shown a lot of relationship with homeostasis. They have the ability on the one hand to reduce and on the other to support the activity of some of our physiological functions acting as biological regulators. Cannabinoids achieve these effects in part by acting on the endocannabinoid system a system composed of enzymes, neurotransmitter lipids and CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors (among others that remain to be discovered). Cannabinoids interact with these receptors in a very similar way to how molecules produced by our own organism called endocannabinoids do.

A 2008 scientific publication explains in detail the important role that the Endocannabinoid System plays in homeostasis,how it is involved in neuroprotection and neuroplasticity, immunity and inflammation, pain and emotional memory, and diet and metabolism. In short, the endocannabinoid system is largely responsible for regulating physiological functions such as appetite, sleep, mood, immunity, digestion and inflammation. If one of these is not balanced, the Endocannabinoid System acts immediately.

Our body is able to create its own endocannabinoids that include 2AG and anandamide and, by administering doses of cannabinoids that we find in nature, we can get to stimulate our endocannabinoid system.

How does CBD help homeostasis?

CBD, like all cannabinoids, supports the biological functions of the Endocannabinoid system. CBD promotes homeostasis in most homeostatic processes:

endocannabinoid system

The immune system

In the immune system homeostasis usually depends on signs of inflammation and anti-inflammation. Inflammation is more of a symptom caused by illness or injury rather than an ailment itself. And yes, CBD effectively has anti-inflammatory properties that have its effect when cannabidiol intervenes with our endocannabinoid system.

systems involved in homeostatic processes

The central nervous system (CNS)

As for homeostasis in the Central Nervous System, the forces involved in its balance are divided into two groups: relaxation/inhibition and arousal. When the system is overly excited it can result in certain mental states such as anxiety. The endocannabinoid system is distributed in CNS cells and when CBD connects to endocannabinoid receptors in CNS cells a message is sent to the CNS nucleus to intervene in the balance.

body homeostasis

The endocrine system or hormonal system

For our endocrine system to achieve homeostasis most balancing mechanisms are divided into those that break down tissues (catabolic hormones) and those that build them (anabolic hormones). For example, your pancreas has the function of producing insulin. To ensure the proper functioning of the body millions of cells in the pancreas will have to produce a large amount of insulin to keep your blood sugar stable. If they produce too much it can cause adverse effects such as hyperglycemia and if they don’t produce enough then you can suffer hypoglycemia. Again the endocannabinoid system is involved in lipid control and glucose metabolism at various levels. When, for example, there is excessive energy intake or consumption, the endocannabinoid system decompensations and may cause hyperactivity in some organs responsible for maintaining the energy balance. Some studies suggest that deregulation of the endocannabinoid system results in the accumulation of excess visceral fat and less adiponectin segregation of adipose tissue. And again, CBD helps control your endocanabinoid system.

A correct dose of CBD is the ideal therapy to help your body sound as harmonic as an orchestra. Favoring homeostasis CBD will intervene so that each organ goes at its own pace and in turn at the rhythm of all the organs in your body.

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