The popularity of cannabidiol CBD derived from the hemp plant has been on a rising trajectory since its legalization with the US Farm Act of 2018. More and more people are using it due to multiple health and medical benefits, the most popular of them are its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It imparts these effects by enhancing the endocannabinoid system (ECS) by influencing the CB1 and CB2 receptors of this system. Besides, studies have shown that cannabidiol is effective in restoring hormonal balance due to its effect on the endocrine system as well and the purpose of this article is to better understand this.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance?
As per the technical definition of hormones, they are chemical messengers of the body secreted by their respective glands spread through the body, and this network is called the endocrine system. Their regular rate of secretion is important for the regulation of vital body functions like metabolism, heart rate, reproduction, etc. However, certain circumstances cause abnormality i.e. too much or too little secretion of hormones resulting in imbalances causing serious negative health effects. This can be due to puberty, menopause, perimenopause, medicines, stress, lifestyle, and multiple other reasons. Besides, it has unwanted effects like mood-swing, weight gain, menstrual irregularity, hair loss, etc.
The Effect Of Cannabidiol CBD On The Endocrine System
Before explaining how CBD affects the endocrine system, let us get a better understanding of the endocrine system itself. This system is a network of glands like the pineal gland, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, thyroid, thymus, and others that produce hormones or biochemical messengers. It has been found from studies that there are ECS receptors in these glands, and hence it activates the endocrine system thereby affecting its functioning. Hence, cannabidiol being a cannabinoid activates endocrine receptors in our body.
Cannabidiol CBD affects biological processes like sleeping, metabolism, stress response, and others as well due to its effect on the endocrine system. It has also been found that the anticancer or antitumor effect of CBD is due to this and is found to be useful in treating oncological diseases like breast cancer, thyroid, and prostate tumors. Besides, its therapeutic and medical benefits are found to be useful in the treatment of hormonal imbalances due to the mutual interaction between the endocannabinoid system and the endocrine system.
The Effect Of CBD On Different Types Of Hormones
Cannabidiol for endocrine disorders is consumed in the form of pure CBD oil, it helps in regulating their balance and maintains homeostasis; shared below is how it interacts with the functioning of various hormones.
Insulin: It is a hormone secreted by the pancreas of the endocrine system and is important for proper sugar metabolism. Its imbalance causes diabetes, heart disease, and obesity as it is one of the most important metabolic hormones of our body. Also, studies show that consuming pure CBD oil stimulates the production of insulin and helps in preventing diabetes.
Diabetes is an autoimmune disorder caused by the immune cells attacking the pancreas causing its inflammation and damage. Consuming CBD is useful due to its anti-inflammatory effects, this helps in reducing the damage and slightly reverses it stimulating insulin production.
Cortisol: This is a stress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands located above both the kidneys and determines our body’s response during stressful situations. Higher levels of it are harmful as it lowers the metabolic rate, reduces immune system function thereby making you more susceptible to infections and higher oxidative stress causing accelerated aging. Consuming pure CBD oil helps to reduce the cortisol levels due to it enhancing the calming effect of GABA receptors and the high amounts of antioxidants contained in it help to negate the effects of oxidative stress.
Melatonin: Melatonin secreted by the pineal gland is responsible for maintaining the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm. Its secretion is affected by the amount of light as well as the emotional state of mind. The more common cause for insomnia is stress and anxiety, they reduce or cause an imbalance in the level of this hormone resulting in sleeping disorders. So, consuming pure CBD oil before bed is good for sleep, due to its calm-inducing and anxiety-reducing effects.
Hormonal Imbalances In Women: CBD is useful in managing or treating hormonal imbalances in women during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. It helps to deal with mood swings due to fluctuating levels of progesterone and estrogen that affect serotonin in the brain. This is because it is known from multiple studies that cannabidiol CBD improves serotonin levels. Apart from this, it helps to manage abdominal pain due to muscular contractions by helping them to relax.
It is obvious from the aforementioned details how cannabidiol CBD is useful in treating hormonal imbalances. Besides, more research is conducted to better understand this and to find means to make it part of regular treatment procedures.
