The ECS and Hormone Regulation (Menopause)
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is continuing to prove to be an amazing tool that we can use to our advantage. Due to all the different physiological functions that the ECS controls, we have a wide range of functions that we can control to our benefit. We know that the body makes its own endocannabinoids on demand, depending on what functions it is trying to control and we have the potential to use this to our benefit. Check this out.
The endocannabinoids that the body makes includes 2-AG and anandamide and they interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors, as well as non-cannabinoid receptors, producing different effects. One of the target receptors we are directly or indirectly interacting with is CB1 receptors. These CB1 receptors are predominantly located in the brain and spinal cord (CNS) are involved in pain sensation, appetite, mood regulation, reward and pleasure pathways, motor coordination, and memory, giving us direct control over these pathways (Zou, Kumar, 2018). Whereas, CB2 receptors are predominantly located in the peripheral tissues, (intestines, bones, immune cells, skin, & spleen) are involved in immune response (anti-inflammatory effects), neuroprotection (a few CB2 receptors located in CNS), and pain (Zou, Kumar, 2018). The good news is that cannabinoids interact with these receptors like a lock and key mechanism, indicating cannabinoids like CBD and THC mimic our own endocannabinoid 2-AG & Anandamide. What this means is that we can also directly control these different physiological processes that are either dysregulated or changed during different conditions or disease processes.
The reason why this is so interesting (and the reason for this blog LoL) is because the ECS also plays a role in regulating our endocrine (hormonal) system as well, which means we can use the ECS to maintain a balance when it comes to our hormones.
The ECS influences hormone secretion, including cortisol release, insulin and glucose metabolism, reproductive hormones, thyroid function, and even growth hormone (Zou, Kumar, 2018). What I wanted to point out in this blog is the potential for us to utilize the ECS as a tool to improve how women deal with hormonal changes that take place during menopause, more specifically involving dysregulated cortisol levels and how damaging it is for those experiencing menopause. Let’s dive into it!
Cortisol is the stress hormone that is released when we engage our sympathetic nervous system or fight-or-flight system controlled by Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis or HPA Axis but it also plays a significant role in menopause that can be potentially harmful. While cortisol has a variety of effects on the human body, it is important to note that too much cortisol is a bad thing. For example, if we are in a constant state of stress (constant engagement of our sympathetic nervous system), excess cortisol is being released from the adrenal glands (adrenal cortex) that sits on top of our kidneys. The problem is the constant release and elevated levels of cortisol are very destructive on the body. In fact, elevated levels of cortisol can lead to metabolic disruption (excess fat storage), damage to our hippocampus (limbic system that is involved in emotional regulation & processing), insulin resistance (cortisol raised blood sugar), damaging our cardiovascular health by contributing to high blood pressure and fatty plaque buildup in our arteries (atherosclerosis), sleep disruption, decreased bone density, disruption in thyroid function, + more. Which means that we need to regulate our cortisol levels when dealing with menopause (Santoro, Randolph, 2011).
As women approach menopause, the body undergoes some hormonal changes, a few of those involving the decline of estrogen, which affects the body’s response to stress, leading to a hyperactive HPA axis and elevated cortisol levels (Santoro, Randolph, 2011). Increased stress means mood swings, hot flashes, anxiety, and irritability and we don’t need none of that around here! We need to manage our stress. Stress is no bueno. Another downside to elevated cortisol levels that are seen during menopause is the connection between excess cortisol and fatigue, low energy, and poor sleeping patterns, which means quality of life can certainly be affected if we don’t control cortisol release (Santoro, Randolph, 2011).
While cannabinoids can’t increase declining estrogen levels that are seen during menopause, it can help counteract some of the effects that are seen with a decreasing estrogen. For example, we know that osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) is an issue for those dealing with menopause because of the decline in estrogen, which helps regulate bone density. Elevated levels of cortisol also can increase bone resorption or breakdown, which may play a role in accelerated bone loss that is seen during menopause. We don’t need weak, brittle, porous bones, we need strong bones! The good news is that the ECS directly regulates bone growth and breakdown, and we can tap into this using CBD. Osteoblasts (bone cells that build bone) and osteoclasts (bone cells that break down bone) both have cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) that we can use to control their behavioral, helping to encourage the osteoblasts to build bone and encourage the osteoclasts to not break down bone faster than we are building (Clouse, Penman, Hadjiargyrou, Komatsu, Thanos, 2022). We can restore balance (homeostasis) between these two bone cells, ensuring that we are building up bone faster than we are breaking it down. What a wonderful design by God!
In addition to bone growth regulation, cannabinoids like CBD can also help with cortisol release that affects women’s metabolism. For example, excessive cortisol release during menopause can lead to weight gain, contributing to abdominal fat accumulation and increased insulin resistance (Santoro, Randolph, 2011). Excessive cortisol release can be problematic when discussing our ability to metabolize sugars and fats, contributing to the rise of type II diabetes that is seen in post-menopausal women (Santoro, Randolph, 2011).
While cannabinoids like CBD can’t directly elevate decreasing estrogen levels that are associated with menopause, it can help decrease excessive cortisol release that can cause many problems for women. From weight gain, sleep disturbances, increased anxiety/depression, chronic stress, bone health, and metabolism, the ECS is a powerful tool that we can rely on natural plant compounds to reestablish balance in our body.
Cheers to these natural, safe, and effective plant compounds!
One amazing plant with seemingly endless potential. Now, that’s what I call medicine!
Bee Well,
Brandon Farless
*This information is for educational purposes only. I am simply sharing information pertaining to these studies. No medical advice or claims are being made on my behalf.
References
1. Clouse, G., Penman, S., Hadjiargyrou, M., Komatsu, D. E., & Thanos, P. K. (2022). Examining the role of cannabinoids on osteoporosis: a review. Archives of osteoporosis, 17(1), 146. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-022-01190-x
2. James, K. A., Stromin, J. I., Steenkamp, N., & Combrinck, M. I. (2023, February 14). Understanding the relationships between physiological and psychosocial stress, cortisol and cognition. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2023.1085950/full
3. Santoro, N., & Randolph, J. F., Jr (2011). Reproductive hormones and the menopause transition. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America, 38(3), 455–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2011.05.004
4. Zou, S., & Kumar, U. (2018). Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(3), 833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030833
