CBD and phytocannabinoids do not inhibit the production of endocannabinoids

CBD and phytocannabinoids do not inhibit the production of endocannabinoids

CBD and phytocannabinoids do not inhibit the production of endocannabinoids

By Prof. Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG)

Huntington College of Health Sciences

Lately I've been spending a lot of time studying the research on the effects of CBD and phytocannabinoids on the endocannabinoid system. When discussing this research with colleagues, I was interested to learn that some people were concerned that CBD/phytocannabinoid supplementation might interfere with the body's production of endocannabinoids - similar to how testosterone injections cause the body to produce less of its own testosterone.

I am happy to report that this concern is unfounded. Unlike testosterone in injections, which has essentially the same chemical structure as the body's own testosterone, phytocannabinoids do not have the same chemical structure as the endocannabinoids produced in the body. It works this way.

N-arachidonylethanolamide (AEA) and sn-2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the two endocannabinoids produced in the body that bind to receptors within the endocannabinoid system (eCS). Afterwards, an enzyme in the body called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) breaks down AEA and 2-AG - meaning there are now fewer endocannabinoids to do their job. In combination with other factors (e.g. insufficient consumption of foods containing phytocannabinoids such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, parsley,1 sunflower seeds and peas2) this can lead to suboptimal function of the eCB system, also known as “eCB deficiency syndrome”. The condition may be associated with migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, mental disorders and other illnesses.3

However, when significant amounts of phytocannabinoids such as CBD are consumed, the FAAH is used to break them down rather than breaking down the endocannabinoids. This helps maintain healthy endocannabinoid levels and prolongs their effects.4

This series of phytocannabinoids has value as entourage compounds to enhance the effects of endocannabinoids by inhibiting their hydrolysis through substrate competition and prolonging their action. So using phytocannabinoids clearly doesn't cause the body to produce less of its own endocannabinoids - quite the opposite.

References:

1. Gertsch J, Pertwee RG, Di Marzo V. Phytocannabinoids beyond the cannabis plant – do they exist?Br. J. Pharmacol.June 2010;160(3):523-9.

Professor Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, provost for Huntington College of Health Sciences, is a nutritionist, herbalist, author and educator. For more than 37 years, he has educated and trained natural products retailers and healthcare professionals, researched and formulated natural products for dozens of dietary supplement companies, and authored articles on nutrition, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, and integrative health topics for trade and consumer magazines and peer-reviewed publications. He can be reached at gbruno@hchs.edu.

• 2-AG
• AEA
• CBD
• CBD/Phytocannabinoide
• ECS
• Endocannabinoid-System
• FAAH
• Fettsäureamidhydrolase
• N-Arachidonylethanolamid
• Phytocannabinoide
• Prof. Gene Bruno Blog
• sn-2-Arachidonoylglycerol
• Testosteron

Read original article in English.