CBD and Its Healing Powers: Modulation Of Your Body's High Energy Systems
Cannabanoids are miracle compounds for many afflictions, including ones in the bones, brain and the immune system. As such, it is a wonderful complement to your holistic health care. One specific molecule, cannabidiol (CBD) is naturally occurring in the hemp plant. Many people are frightened and/or confused about the use of the plant for any purpose due to its psychoactive properties. This article focuses on the safety and viability of CBD, the non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant. In clinical recovery, CBD provides many opportunities for healing that do not exist with any other substance or plant, especially when the nervous and immune systems are interacting with one another in dysfunctional patterns. Its abilities to stimulate the innate immune response, to inhibit viral replication, to prevent cytokine storms and to modulate high energy systems in the body are impressive.
What is CBD?
The endocannabinoid system in the human body is designed to maintain homeostasis. Its receptors receive lipid mediators (CBD) which are metabolized on an as-needed basis. These lipids are very similar to those found in human breast milk. As such, study author Yankel Gabet states (1):
"We only respond to cannabis because we are built with intrinsic compounds and receptors that can also be activated by compounds in the cannabis plant.”
John Hicks, MD, author of The Medicinal Power of Cannabis, states:
"Most people have not had their cannabinoid system supplemented since they were breast-fed. If they were not breast-fed, this system has not been supported since birth."
While the entire cannabis plant has been studied and utilized in medicine since about 4000 BCE, the study and use of CBD specifically is a more recent development. The structure of CBD was discovered in 1963, followed by the discovery of CBD receptors in the brain in 1988. These studies led to the understanding that CBD works in partnership with G-protein type receptors in the body (2). Many hormones act through the G-protein receptors. These receptors are also involved in the modulation of of ion channels - calcium and potassium channels that move ions in and out of body cells. In 1990, scientists discovered the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1). CB1 receptors exist in the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, and in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Here, they are involved in many physical and biochemical responses in the body, including:
influence in the fight/flight response
unconscious muscle movement
motor coordination and balance
transmission of information from the brain to the spinal column, and vice versa
complex thinking and higher cognitive function
sexual behavior
eating and sleeping patterns
pain perception and sensitivity
memory and integration of newly learned information
Later, in 1993, another group of scientists discovered the CB2 receptor. Two forms of CB2 receptors are found in peripheral tissues and organs (especially in the immune system cells), in the testes and brain, and in the enteric nervous system (which helps to regulate gut health via GI tract mobility).
All CBD compounds originate from arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid which is abundant in the brain, muscles and liver. It is an important regulator of inflammatory response in the body. As fat-based mediators, CBD compounds are responsive to the regulation of cholesterol levels in the body and can be negatively impacted when cholesterol is too low or is not properly synthesized.
CBD and Bone Healing
An important research project in 2015 concluded that CBD generated greatly improved healing of bone fractures. The research was led jointly by Dr. Yankel Gabet of the Bone Research Laboratory at the Department of Anatomy and Anthropology and the late Prof. Itai Bab of Hebrew University's Bone Laboratory. The team labeled their findings on CBD's impact with "undeniable clinical potential" and stated: “We found that CBD alone makes bones stronger during healing, enhancing the maturation of the collagenous matrix, which provides the basis for new mineralization of bone tissue. After being treated with CBD, the healed bone will be harder to break in the future.”
There is likely an important immune modulation process at play here, discussed in greater depth below.
The same team, in earlier research, discovered that CBD stimulated bone formation and inhibited bone loss. This paves the way for the future use of cannabinoid drugs to combat osteoporosis and other bone-related diseases.
CBD and Immune Modulation
Inflammation is a physical response to the injury of body tissue from direct trauma, toxins, and/or pathogens such as viruses and fungi. Blood flow increases to the injured tissue along with body temperature, swelling and pain. Inflammation in acute injury is very beneficial. It isolates the damaged area and mobilizes protective cells which work to remove damaged cells. However, when the process is not properly modulated, inflammation can become chronic and tissues can be damaged and destroyed. Essentially, when one tactic used by the immune system has not resolved the injury or infection, a new one will be employed and the inflammatory process extends and becomes more complex. As Dr. Hicks states, this can lead to "a continued interaction with the extracellular matrix", desensitizing immune receptors which become saturated and then begin to down-regulate. Ongoing immune responses of this type can lead to all types of autoimmune diseases as the body forms antibodies against smoldering immune conditions.
The immune system is balanced between two sides, the TH1 and the TH2, immune cells which develop from immature T cells. With proper immune modulation, the system should utilize a shifting process between the two sides. In chronic types of immune imbalance, however, there are often “preferential shifts” vs. the teeter-totter type regulation. With these shifts, there is greater promotion of cytokines, chemokines and interleukins, all of which further an inflammatory response.
It has been proven that CBD can be helpful in supporting the end of TH1 regulation and destruction, including the reduction of interleukin-8 and other chemokines. (3).
CBD and Neurotransmission
Neurotransmission is controlled both by the brain and the gut. CB1 receptors have the highest expression of any G-protein in the brain. Let's explore a bit more about G-proteins.
Also known as guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, G-proteins are a family of proteins that act as molecular switches inside cells. They are also involved in transmitting signals from a variety of stimuli outside a cell to its interior. Their activity is regulated by factors that control their ability to bind to and hydrolyze guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to guanosine diphosphate (GDP) (4). GTP is a high-energy nucleotide which is important in the activation of fatty acids and in protein synthesis. The dephosphorylation of GTP to GDP is critical. The reversible phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reaction occurs in every physiological process, establishing proper function of protein phosphatases, which are necessary for organism viability. Because protein dephosphorylation is a key process involved in cell signaling, protein phosphatases are implicated in conditions such as cardiac disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Recent findings have shown that CB1 receptor activation enhances protein synthesis, which modulates neurotransmitter balance in long-term brain plasticity (Younts et al, 2016). For Alzheimer's and dementia conditions, these are notable findings. Also importantly, recent studies have located connections between chronic anxiety and higher risks for development of Alzheimer's disease (5). The endocannabanoid system helps to modulate stress responses and is heavily expressed in the brain. The limbic system, hippocampus, HPA (hypothalamus pituitary axis), and amygdala are all impacted by the activation of CB receptors.
The expression of G-protein couple receptors (GPCR) by CB1 receptors is comparable to that of NMDA (glutamate) and GABA receptors in the brain (Freund et al, 2003). The levels of expression appear to be astonishingly variable amongst brain locations, and also appear to be dependent upon the cell type and/or compartments in which they are expressed (6). While much more needs to be clarified through study about how the expressions are regulated, we do now know that the endocannabanoid system plays a significant role in neurotransmission. One particular understanding that is currently developing is that pools of CB1 receptors may function as reservoirs, available to be used rapidly in stressful conditions. Regular use of CBD allows functional levels to be maintained in these reservoirs for such use.
CBD is useful in treating many types of neurotransmission imbalance, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Dr. Hicks explains that CBD has a biphasic response (7). This means that the compounds have two distinct phases, both releasing and inducing stress responses. Careful attention to a person's constitution, inclusive of the interplay between the nervous, immune, and methylation systems in the body can provide a just-right approach for achieving balance.
CBD and Energy
It was formerly believed that GPCRs were present only at the plasma membrane. Studies described as "elegant" have shown that different types of GPCRs are also located inside the cell (Irannejad et al, 2017 & 2013, Jong et al, 2016; Jalink and Moolenaar, 2010). These discoveries provide understanding that both water and lipid-based pathways allow CBD to activate CB1 receptors located within membranes and mitochondria, thus triggering G-protein signaling (Rozenfeld and Devi, 2008).
Mitochondria regulate numerous cellular processes that are crucial for high-energy organs in the body (such as the brain, heart, and liver), most notably ATP production and tight modulation of calcium. These functions are absolutely necessary for normal synaptic transmission and energy production in the body. ATP is the energy which runs all body systems and is the end product of proper nutrition, efficient digestion, and assimilation. Mitochondria regulate its distribution and may be optimized by activation of CB1 receptors.
Individualized therapy with CBD is useful in mitigating conditions which involve mitochondrial stress, such as viral infection (EBV & Herpes family viruses), CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), fibromyalgia, heart disease, and many others.
CBD and Coronavirus Expression
The infection of host cells by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 begins with the attachment of the receptor-binding domain of the S1 protein to the host cell receptor angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). ACE2 is an enzyme on the outer cell membrane of host cells and is expressed abundantly on human endothelial cells in the lungs, arteries, heart, kidney, and intestines. A protease on the host cell membrane activates the spike protein by cleaving it at S1/S2 and S2 sites leading to conformational changes that allow the virus to fuse with the host membrane and enter the cytoplasm.
Any step of the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and replication cycle is a potential target for antiviral intervention including cell entry, genome replication, viral maturation, or viral release. However, binding of the viral spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 is a critical step during the infection of human cells. Therefore, cell entry inhibitors could be used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as to shorten the course of COVID-19 infections by preventing virus particles from infecting human cells.
The approach of utilizing compounds that block virus–receptor interaction has also been useful for other viruses, including HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus.
This has now been studied with cannabinoids as potential blockers. Of note, two particular cannainoids ,CBDA and CBGA, have been found to be particularly effective at the cellular level. Previous reports have indicated that one possible mechanism for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 by CBD is activation of innate immune mechanisms, which has been discussed in this article. However, the live-virus data in the referenced study indicate that inhibition by CBDA and CBGA occurs at the point of cell entry. The authors state: “These mechanisms are not mutually exclusive, and it remains possible that multiple cannabinoids in complex mixtures from plant extracts could act independently to inhibit SARS-CoV-2, potentially leading to enhanced effectiveness when compared to individual compounds.”
In another very significant study, findings show that CBD induces interferon expression and up-regulates its antiviral signaling pathway. Interferon is a signaling protein named for its ability to “interfere” with viral replication. A cohort of human patients previously taking CBD had significantly lower SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence of up to an order of magnitude relative to matched pairs or the general population.
These researchers highlight the fact that CBD also suppresses cytokine activation in response to viral infection, reducing the likelihood of immune cell recruitment and subsequent cytokine storms within th lungs and other affected tissues. These results complement previous findings suggesting that CBD suppresses cytokine production in recruited immune cells such as macrophages. Thus, CBD has the potential not only to act as an antiviral agent at early stages of infection but also to protect the host against an overactive immune system at later stages.
Notable as well, because CBD blocks viral replication and potentially entry into cells, it is likely to be effective against viral variants with mutant spike proteins.
As the authors of this study note, there is a huge spectrum of quality (or lack thereof) in CBD preparations/products on the current market. The low percentage of THC in a CBD product is also key to the antiviral success. Always use a trusted practitioner and CBD provider when attempting therapeutic intervention.
Some Final Notes and Words of Hope
Further discussion of CBD and its powers to relieve disease progression, especially in neurological diseases, is forthcoming. But, let's take a moment to celebrate that neurological, degenerative diseases such as MS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, autoimmune encephalitis, epilepsy, and eating disorders appear to be likely benefactors of new information and studies on CBD.
At the heart of this exploration is the role CBD and CB1 receptors play in the liberation of gliotransmitters. Because glial cells greatly outnumber neurons in the brain, accounting for over 70% of all cells in the central nervous system, gliotransmitters released by astrocytes have the potential to be very influential and important within the central nervous system, as well as within other neural systems throughout the body. These cells do not simply carry functions of structural support, but can also take part in cell-to-cell communication with neurons, microglia, and other astrocytes by receiving inputs, organizing information, and sending out chemical signals (8). This creates a "pyramidal" type signaling and synaptic response that carries much greater potential for modulation and regulation of neurological imbalances.
As in all healing, it is important to address the body and mind completely/holistically. At True Nature, together we will optimize your nutrition, detoxification, immune function, and mental/emotional processes in order to achieve whole health. CBD is a very safe and powerful natural medicine, if used properly and individually for your needs. Also as in all other healing, the use of very high quality products is a necessity. At True Nature, I share sources of the cleanest, purest forms of CBD available. We provide holistic telehealth services.
SOURCES
1. Natalya M Kogan, Eitan Melamed, Elad Wasserman, Bitya Raphael, Aviva Breuer, Kathryn S Stok, Rachel Sondergaard, Ana VVillarreal Escudero, Saja Baraghithy, Malka Attar-Namdar, Silvina Friedlander-Barenboim, Neashan Mathavan, Hanna Isaksson, Raphael Mechoulam, Ralph Müller, Alon Bajayo, Yankel Gabet, Itai Bab. Cannabidiol, a Major Non-Psychotropic Cannabis Constituent Enhances Fracture Healing and Stimulates Lysyl Hydroxylase Activity in Osteoblasts. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2015
2. John Hicks, MD, The Medicinal Power of Cannabis, Skyhorse Publishing, 2015, p. 22
3. R. Mechoulsm, "Cannabinoid recent advances", Chem. Biodivers, 2007
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_protein
5. Amy Gimson, Marco Schlosse, Jonathan D Huntley, Natalie L Marchant, "Support for midlife anxiety diagnosis as an independent risk factor for dementia: a systematic review", BMJ Journals, 2018
6. Arnau Busquets-Garcia, Jaideep Bains, and Giovanni Marsicano, "CB1 Receptor Signaling in the Brain: Extracting Specificity from Ubiquity", Neuropsychopharmacology REVIEWS (2018)
7. John Hicks, MD, The Medicinal Power of Cannabis, Skyhorse Publishing, 2015, p. 30
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliotransmitter