International

The role of endocannabinoids in the brain's stress relief mechanism

Published

2 years ago

September 29, 2023

João Xabregas

Listen to this article

Photo: DR | livepurepower.com

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In the realm of medical science, groundbreaking discoveries have the power to revolutionize the healthcare landscape. Recently, researchers have revealed new insights into how the body's endocannabinoid system reacts to stress, potentially paving the way for the development of innovative medications to treat psychiatric disorders. When people face stress, a complex series of reactions occur in their body. It is believed that the brain, in response to the cortisol produced by stress, can release its own endocannabinoids to rebalance itself. These endocannabinoids activate the same receptors in the brain and are similar to those found in cannabis plants, specifically THC.

However, the intricate patterns of brain activity and neurological circuits modulated by these brain-derived endocannabinoids have long remained shrouded in mystery. A recent preclinical study, So far, carried out only in mice, it has come to clarify part of this enigma. Researchers have discovered that a crucial emotional center in the brain, known as the amygdala, releases endogenous cannabinoids during stressful situations. These cannabinoids act as natural cortisol inhibitors, attenuating the impact of stress signals originating from the hippocampus, a vital region responsible for memory and emotions.

Sachi Patel, lead author of the study and chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, highlighted the potential impact of these findings: “Understanding how the brain adapts to stress at the molecular, cellular and circuits can provide valuable insights into the transformation of stress into mood disorders. It could also reveal innovative therapeutic targets to combat stress-related disorders.”

Cannareporter had already published an interview with another Brazilian researcher and neuroscientist, Renato Malcher Lopes, who reported to us his research on the modulation of the endocannabinoid system, also in chronic stress and Autism.

A natural stress relief mechanism

These findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that these endogenous cannabinoids constitute the body's innate mechanism for dealing with stress and maintaining balance in the human body. This revealing fact has enormous significance, considering the increased risk of developing or exacerbating psychiatric disorders, ranging from generalized anxiety to major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), under the influence of prolonged or chronic stress. .

To unravel these mysteries, scientists from Northwestern Medicine used a state-of-the-art protein sensor. This sensor has the ability to detect the presence of these cannabinoid molecules in precise brain synapses in real time. It has conclusively demonstrated that specific high-frequency patterns of amygdala activity can trigger the release of these cannabinoids. Furthermore, the sensor revealed that various stress factors could induce the release of these molecules in mice.

The domino effect of removing cannabinoid receptors

The importance of these endogenous cannabinoids becomes even more evident when considering the consequences of their absence. When scientists removed the target of these cannabinoids, known as cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1), at the hippocampus-amygdala synapses, the mice showed diminished abilities to deal with stress and a decrease in motivation. Their reactions to stress became more passive and immobile, and after stress exposure they showed a reduced preference for sucrose-sweetened water. This latest finding may have implications for anhedonia, the diminished capacity for pleasure often seen in individuals with stress-related disorders such as depression and PTSD.

According to researcher Sachi Patel, this research suggests that deficiencies in the brain's endogenous cannabinoid signaling system may make individuals more susceptible to stress-related psychiatric disorders, including depression and PTSD. However, it is important to note that this hypothesis requires further investigation in humans.

The promising endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system emerges as one of the main candidates for drug development in the context of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Sachi Patel is optimistic about the possibilities this discovery could bring. “Determining whether increasing levels of endogenous cannabinoids can be used as a potential therapeutic for stress-related disorders is the logical next step of this study and our previous work. Clinical trials are underway in this area that could answer this question in the near future.”

It should be noted that this research received essential support from grants granted by the National Institute of Mental Health and by National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, specifically through Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism. These subsidies were granted by the National Institutes of Health, which highlights the importance of this research for advancing the understanding of stress-related disorders.

In short, this study opens the door to a deeper understanding of how the endocannabinoid system responds to stress and its potential implications for the treatment of stress-related psychiatric disorders. As science continues to unravel these mysteries, hope for innovative therapeutic interventions on the horizon shines brighter than ever.
__________________________________________________________

[Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original.]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

What do you do with €3 a month? Become one of our Patrons! If you believe that independent cannabis journalism is necessary, subscribe to one of the levels of our Patreon account and you will have access to unique gifts and exclusive content. If there are many of us, we can make a difference with little!

João Xabregas

With a professional background in CAD technical drawing (2D and 3D), João Xabregas is an activist and advocate for all uses and applications of cannabis. He discovered and entered the world of cannabis during his youth, where he developed a special interest in the cultivation of the plant, which led him on a journey of self-learning through the world of cannabis that continues to this day. His adventures linked to cannabis cultivation began with the same goal as many others: to be able to guarantee the quality and eliminate any possible risks to his health of what he consumed, as well as to avoid any type of dependence on the illicit market. However, he quickly began to view the world of cannabis and everything related to it with a very different perspective. He admits the enormous passion he has for the most persecuted plant in the world and about which he is always willing to write and have a good conversation.