CBD and Thyroid Health

So many of our customers with thyroid conditions have reached out and said that our products help them with their anxiety (hyperthyroidism), depression (hypothyroidism), energy levels (hypothyroidism), sleep, and weight changes, but how exactly does this happen?

The Endocannabinoids System is composed of ligands (cannabinoids), cell surface receptors, and several intracellular signaling pathways that drive various enzymatic reactions inside the body. In more simpler terms, this complex receptor system helps our cells to communicate and control various cellular activities to our benefit. After all, the ECS is the system that helps the body to maintain stable internal functions (homeostasis) as well as immune response, pain, mood, sleep, appetitive, memory, fertility, temperature regulation + so much more (1).

The question is, how can we use external cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) like CBD to help support thyroid health?

According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), there are approximately 20 million Americans that have some form of thyroid disease and approximately 60% of individuals are unaware of their condition (3). After all, the body does so well at compensating that most folks aren’t aware of a “problem” until a symptom arises, which may be a late sign that things have gone wrong.

Evidence suggests that CBD regulates thyroid hormone levels in the body and was shown to reduce symptoms associated with certain thyroid disorders, but exactly how (3)? Although there are limited studies discussing CBD as a treatment option for thyroid disorders (although new studies are taking place), it is nice to know that you are including something like CBD in your daily routine and get thyroid support as well. Studies show that cannabis has been used for thousands of years for treatment of a variety of conditions, including pain and spasticity, but what role does this amazing receptor system play in the role of hormone regulation? Check this out.

The thyroid synthesizes hormones that are secreted into the blood and carried to various places to help regulate metabolism (ie. heart rate, blood pressure, body temp, etc.) and bone health (calcitonin) (2). Since the endocannabinoid system helps to regulate metabolism, energy levels, reproduction, growth and development, and is involved in response to stress, mood, and injury, this receptor system is quickly gaining the attention of medical researchers (2). Woop Woop!

CBD can directly control the thyroid due to the presence of cannabinoid receptors, but cannabinoids can also regulate the thyroid indirectly. The truth is that CB1 receptors help regulate endocrine function through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (prolactin, oxytocin, thyroid hormone, growth hormone), and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (4). The ECS mediates activity dependent retrograde signaling in brain regions like hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and cerebellum, all which are directly involved with the thyroid (4).

Could it be that cannabinoids are the biggest breakthrough in research that continues to go unnoticed? If this complex receptor system regulates so many different physiological functions that pharmaceuticals are unable to do, why has this not become so popular? Could they be keeping this information hush hush from medical professionals that are practicing medicine or just not integrating it?

While CBD was shown to target the thyroid both directly and indirectly, there are studies that show that CBD can help manage the symptoms that are associate with thyroid disorders like anxiety, depression, energy levels, insomnia, cardiovascular health, gut health, hair loss, and weight changes, (2). Due to the cell modulatory properties of cannabinoids when interacting with these receptors, they were also shown to have antitumor and anti-cancer properties that were shown to play a significant role in thyroid tumors and thyroid cancers (4).

Although not fully understood due to the complexity of this receptor system, CBD was shown to alleviate symptoms associated with thyroid disorders like weight gain, inflammation, pain, skin problems, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fatigue which is a huge win for the people (5)!

From controlling immune response, managing symptoms associated with thyroid disorders, balancing hormones, and controlling cell growth, the health benefits of cannabinoids seem promising. The best part is the safety profile of this plant, which means it typically comes without the negative side effects from medications. As we move forward, I believe that cannabinoid medicine will become more mainstream, and I think you will see cannabinoid medicine becoming more popular as a treatment option for various conditions. If we can improve someone’s quality of life using a safe and harmless plant, what more could we want?

One amazing plant with seemingly endless benefits, now that's what I call medicine!

Bee Well,

Brandon Farless

References

K;, L. H. (2015, October 29). An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Biological psychiatry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26698193/

Kalcheff-Korn, S. (2023, October 18). CBD and thyroid function. Realm of Caring Foundation. https://realmofcaring.org/cbd-and-thyroid-function/

Bryant, L.M., Daniels, K.E., Cognetti, D.M., Tassone, P., Luginbuhl, A.J. and Curry, J.M. (2018), Therapeutic Cannabis and Endocannabinoid Signaling System Modulator Use in Otolaryngology Patients. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, 3: 169-177. https://doi.org/10.1002/lio2.154

Hillard C. J. (2015). Endocannabinoids and the Endocrine System in Health and Disease. Handbook of experimental pharmacology, 231, 317–339. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20825-1_11