We’ve all been at a place where we feel extremely overwhelmed, sleepless, sentimental, and feel like our emotional responses are on an endless roller coaster. You start to wonder what’s wrong until it hits you: hormones. Both men and women experience hormonal fluctuations but in different ways.
Hormonal imbalances can occur when your hormone levels deviate from your normal range. Because these essential compounds affect every cell in your body, even a minor hormonal imbalance can have a cascade of negative consequences. CBD is a substance present in hemp and cannabis plants that may aid in treating hormone imbalances. CBD capsules in UK may help restore hormone balance and alleviate the symptoms that make you unhappy. Read on to understand the functioning of CBD to regulate hormonal balance.
How does CBD Balance Hormones?
Hormones, like endocannabinoids, are biochemical messengers that play a role in a variety of physiological processes. For example, hormones influence our growth, behavior patterns, sleep, sexual performance, energy consumption, and emotions. Even our ability to assess danger and formulate an appropriate response relies on these compounds.
The thyroid, pancreas, pineal gland, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, ovaries, and testicles produce hormones. These glands release hormones like Melatonin, testosterone, insulin, cortisol, glucagon, epinephrine, etc. The production of these messengers can be disrupted by internal or external factors such as the aging process, stress, diet, and chemicals. Cortisol, for example, regulates our stress and anxiety responses, whereas Melatonin tells our bodies when it’s time to go to bed and when it’s time to wake up.
The endocannabinoid system and the endocrine system are inexorably connected. It has been proven that the endocannabinoid system stimulates the receptors in the endocrine system, and cannabinoid receptors have been found in various endocrine glands. As a result, CBD can invoke endocrine receptors in the brain and the rest of the body.
According to research, CBD interacts with the endocrine system, influencing processes such as the sleep cycle, stress signals, metabolism, and sexual activity. Some studies also show that endocannabinoids can regulate the proliferation of various endocrine cancer cells, resulting in antitumor effects. They can stop cell growth and metastasis in some oncologic diseases, such as thyroid, breast, and prostate cancers metastasis in some oncologic diseases, such as thyroid, breast, and prostate cancers.
Because of the link between CBD and hormonal balance, these natural compounds may have therapeutic potential in treating endocrine disorders.
Let’s look at how CBD affects specific hormones now that we understand how it can balance them:
Sleep Hormones
Melatonin, produced by your pineal gland, regulates your circadian rhythm, or even when you sleep and wake, as well as your energy levels. It is maximum at night and minimum in the morning for most people. Your health will suffer if you do not get enough sleep.
The ECS influences your sleep pattern. According to one study, the ECS activates CB1 receptors, which control sleep quality, how fast you drift off to sleep, and the amount of Melatonin produced are all factors to consider..
Sexual Hormones
The pituitary gland controls and the hypothalamus influences the release of sexual hormones in both males and females. Cannabinoids appear to function on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal polarity here as well. The activity of endocannabinoids and the production of the female hormone estradiol are linked. The endocannabinoid system has been researched to play a role in menstrual cycle regulation. Although the mechanisms are unknown, the endocannabinoid system impacts gonadotropin hormone secretion. Unfortunately, THC harmed the reproductive function of female mice by altering hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal integrity. Male mice with chronic CBD exposure showed impairment in sexual behavior and fertility.
The use of CBD to treat bone and joint illnesses is one area of cannabis research that is showcasing great promise. Women’s bones become relatively weak, and their bone density decreases during menopause due to the fluctuations and decelerating sex hormones. This process is aided by excessive GPR55 receptor activity, which results in bone tissue loss and, ultimately, skeletal fluorosis.
GPR55 has been dubbed the third cannabinoid receptor (CB3) by some researchers, and CBD can temporarily block it. This mechanism is currently being tested in bone remodeling and density loss models.
Metabolic Hormones
Diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas produces insufficient insulin. Insulin regulates nutrient absorption and storage and the conversion of sugars into energy to keep our metabolism and energy levels in check. Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes can all be caused by insulin imbalances.
Cannabinoids’ effects on metabolism and the link between CBD and diabetes have been the subject of numerous studies. CBD is now under research to see if it can affect pancreatic function, blood sugar levels, and energy balance. Based on conclusive findings, insulin adjustment could be one of the following big things in CBD.
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid hormones TSH, T3, and T4, are critical for thyroid function. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) controls hormone production, while T3 and T4 are linked to body mass, energy, hair, skin, and nails, among other things. There is currently no research on the relationship between CBD and thyroid hormones, but there is evidence on how endocannabinoids influence them.
CBD can stimulate or inhibit endocannabinoids, which could impact the thyroid. When endocannabinoids are obstructed, TSH, T3, and T4 levels rise, possibly contributing to a more active thyroid. CBD has been shown to boost anandamide levels, a fatty acid neurotransmitter. Anandamide has also been found to reduce TSH in hypothyroidism and normal thyroids with high TSH.
More research is needed, but CBD’s treatment of thyroid hormones appears to have a promising future. It could imply that CBD adapts to the needs of the individual. However, it would not reduce TSH in those with hyperthyroidism who have low TSH.
Conclusion
The interactions between CBD and the ECS are complex, and more research is required, but there is some evidence and cbd articles that CBD may help with symptoms of hormonal imbalances. Doctors advice to adapt several lifestyle changes in order to encourage healthy hormonal functioning as scientists continue to conduct more research about CBD. Following an 8 hour sleeping routine, exercising more frequently, eating healthy and balanced diet, and worry less through practices like meditation are all examples of these changes.