Are Your Hormones Safe with Consumption of CBD?

CBD is attributed to health benefits such as pain management, mood regulation, reduced dress, and anxiety. All these benefits are caused by CBD's influence on specific hormones in the body. A question arises: are the hormones safe with CBD consumption? Read through this article to find out.

The use of CBD for medicinal, recreational, and therapeutic has led to marketing its products to help with different conditions. CBD has been used to help in dealing with pain, anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases. CBD mainly works by interacting with the endocannabinoid system and the endocrine. These systems affect and control the production and functioning of hormones. How does CBD affect the hormones in our body? Are hormones safe with the consumption of CBD? This article looks into the systems and hormones that CBD influences. It also points out if CBD harms hormones.

CBD and its Products

Cannabidiol, CBD, is the second most known compound of the cannabis plant. The most known cannabis compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which causes a high effect after use. CBD, however, does not cause intoxication. It is extracted through manufacturing processes and made into different products. CBD is available in oils, edibles, creams, balms, and vapes. These products come in different packages and potencies. CBD affects individuals differently but works with the endocannabinoid system of every person to have effects.

The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors and enzymes. This system is responsible for maintaining balance or hemostasis in the body. It regulates the normal functioning of different organs. The ECS also helps regulate pain, inflammation, mood, appetite, movement, and neurological coordination. The known cannabinoids are CB1 and CB2 and are similar in function to cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. According to Marzo & Piscitelli (2015), CBD does not directly attach to or influence any receptors. The study above suggested that CBD  directs the body to produce and use its natural cannabinoids.

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is a network of hormones and glands throughout the body. Glands in the endocrine system include the hypothalamus, thyroid, testes, pancreas, and pineal gland. These glands produce different hormones. Hormones include estrogen, cortisol, and insulin. These have different roles in the body and its processes. The work of hormones includes reproduction, mood, metabolism, appetite, and sexual function. Extreme hormonal changes can indicate a problem in the endocrine system that can affect the whole body. Normal levels and functioning of hormones and glands indicate that the system is well. The body's release and inhibition of hormones are regulated by the hypothalamus situated in the brain. These hormones and processes can be affected by the use of CBD oil, as discussed below:

Effect of CBD on Hormones

CBD works with cannabinoid receptors and different hormones in the body to help in specific conditions. CBD affects hormones in the body in three ways:

Hormone Synthesis

CBD influences the cannabinoid receptors to alter the secretion of hormones and change their impacts when needed. Zendulka et al. (20116) showed that CBD influences the CB1 receptor situated in the brain to send messages to the hypothalamus, which then influences the secretion of the hormones in the specific glands.

Hormonal Response

CBD influences the message of how much hormone is needed. The CB1 receptor sends this message to the hypothalamus, the secretion gland, and is finally released to the target organ. An increase or decrease in hormones can be affected by CBD.

Hormone Breakdown

Hormones that have been used need to be discarded to maintain balance in the body. According to Blair (2016), CBD affects how enzymes responsible for breaking down hormones work.

Hormones Affected by CBD

CBD works with the receptors in the body and hypothalamus to influence the secretion, response, and breakdown of intended hormones. Specific hormones are affected by the use of CBD and influence how the body functions. The hormones are discussed below:

CBD and Estrogen

The hormone estrogen influences sexual development and fertility in women. It also may affect the vulnerability of diseases like breast cancer. Dobovišek et al. (2022) studied the use of CBD in breast cancer, with the hormone estrogen as the main focus. The study indicated that lowering estrogen levels can help breast cancer and post-menopause conditions.

CBD and Cortisol

Cortisol is responsible for managing one's response to stress. Increased cortisol levels are attributed to high stress, anxiety, and weight gain. Henson et al. (2021) explained that CBD controls the overproduction and release of cortisol, reducing stress and anxiety.

CBD and Insulin

The pancreas produces insulin which helps in metabolism by turning glucose into energy. Insufficient insulin can cause diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Zorzenon et al. (2019) explained that when CBD is used, it influences insulin production and prevents diabetic complications and other metabolic diseases.

CBD and Thyroid Hormones

The thyroid hormones are designed to help with metabolism. Borowska et al. (2018) showed that  CBD affects the production of the thyroid-stimulating hormone. High levels of this hormone cause hyperthyroidism. CBD inhibits the release of the hormone controlling the disease.

CBD Oil and Melatonin

CBD oil helps a person relax and fall asleep easily. Hormone melatonin sends signals to the body when it is time to sleep. Haack et al. (2020) suggested that healthy levels of melatonin regulate sleep patterns. Low and unbalanced levels of melatonin cause insomnia, depression, diabetes, and obesity. With the help of CBD, melatonin levels can be balanced, ensuring mental and health wellness.

Conclusion

CBD is used to benefit the body in different ways. Different studies are being conducted on the effect of CBD on different organs, systems, and hormones in the body. One of the ways CBD works in the body is through the influence of hormones. These hormones affect metabolism, moods, appetite, and even sexual productivity. CBD influences the secretion, release, and breakdown of these hormones to specific body parts. It regulates the increase or decrease of these hormones when needed. This leads to a balance of the endocannabinoid and endocrine systems, thus ensuring the body is functioning normally. More studies are conducted on the effect of CBD on other hormones like testosterone and the growth hormone. With the available studies, it is safe to say that CBD positively influences hormones in the body. Embrace CBD to help balance your hormones, among other health benefits.

References

Borowska, M., Czarnywojtek, A., Sawicka-Gutaj, N., Woliński, K., Płazińska, M. T., Mikołajczak, P., & Ruchała, M. (2018). The Effects Of Cannabinoids On The Endocrine System. Endokrynologia Polska, 69(6), 705-719.

BLAIR, D. P. (2016). Hormones And CBD.

Dobovišek, L., Novak, M., Krstanović, F., Borštnar, S., Turnšek, T. L., & Debeljak, N. (2022). Effect Of Combining CBD With Standard Breast Cancer Therapeutics. Advances In Cancer Biology-Metastasis, 4, 100038.

Haack, M., Simpson, N., Sethna, N., Kaur, S., & Mullington, J. (2020). Sleep Deficiency And Chronic Pain: Potential Underlying Mechanisms And Clinical Implications. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(1), 205-216.

Henson, J. D., Vitetta, L., Quezada, M., & Hall, S. (2021). Enhancing Endocannabinoid Control Of Stress With Cannabidiol. Journal Of Clinical Medicine, 10(24), 5852.

Di Marzo, V., & Piscitelli, F. (2015). The Endocannabinoid System And Its Modulation By Phytocannabinoids. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 692-698.

Zendulka, O., Dovrtelova, G., Nosková, K., Turjap, M., Sulcova, A., Hanus, L., & Jurica, J. (2016). Cannabinoids And Cytochrome P450 Interactions. Current Drug Metabolism, 17(3), 206-226.

Zorzenon, M. R. T., Santiago, A. N., Mori, M. A., Piovan, S., Jansen, C. A., Padilha, M. E. P., ... & Mareze-Costa, C. E. (2019). Cannabidiol Improves Metabolic Dysfunction In Middle-Aged Diabetic Rats Submitted To A Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 312, 108819.