by Dr. Josh Axe
Why cannabinoids have a multitude of health benefits
Embedded in your body is an ancient system of neurotransmitters and receptors known as the endocannabinoid system. It actually produces its own cannabis-like chemicals, known as endocannabinoids, which your body churns out as needed to keep you healthy. These natural endocannabinoid receptors are found all over your body—in your brain, skin, bones, organs, immune cells, glands, heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, and muscles.
As a result, the endocannabinoid system is woven into nearly every organ system within your body and works hand in hand with your nervous system and endocrine system. Not surprisingly, the endocannabinoid system has a hand in regulating a broad range of vital functions, including mood, memory, gut health, hormone balance, appetite, pain, inflammation, and immunity. But its overarching function is to maintain your body’s homeostasis, or steady state—so your internal environment remains stable and runs smoothly, regardless of the external challenges it faces. Think of it as a body-wide motherboard. The endocannabinoid system continually monitors your body and mind, releasing chemicals as needed to maintain biological harmony.
Your body has two main types of endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors are located in high concentrations in your brain and spinal cord, and they control your central nervous system and affect things like sleep, mood, stress, and memory. CB2 receptors are located in a variety of places, but there are high concentrations in your immune cells, which regulate inflammation—and keeping inflammation in check is one of the most important things you can do for your health, since it plays a role in nearly every modern disease, from heart disease to Alzheimer’s.
And here’s what’s really amazing: Like a key in a lock, a number of cannabis molecules (known technically as phytocannabinoids, because they come from plants) plug into these receptors, where they unlock the healing effects of your body’s natural endocannabinoids.
Hemp 101
The hemp plant contains hundreds of individual compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes. Although we hear a lot about CBD, the truth is that all cannabinoids work best when they’re used in combination with one another and with terpenes, just as whole foods are healthier than single supplements. This phenomenon is known as the entourage effect. For instance, terpenes and flavonoids (healthy chemicals that give plants their color) can enhance CBD’s therapeutic effects. A review of studies published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that using terpenes and plant cannabinoids together may help with a range of problems, including cancer, anxiety, pain, inflammation, and epilepsy.8
Here’s a quick cheat sheet for understanding these substances and how to use them.
Cannabidiol (CBD). In TCM, this cannabinoid is a moistening yin tonic that supports qi movement, calms the mind, and reduces inflammation. Found in high concentrations in hemp as well as in medical strains of cannabis that have been bred for high CBD levels, the substance can be helpful for anxiety,9 nausea,10 seizure disorders,11 and arthritis pain.12 In my practice and personal experience I have also seen it work effectively to improve sleep, help digestion, and balance hormones. The reason CBD is one of the most powerful medicinal compounds on the planet is that it puts your body in a relaxed state. It triggers the relaxing branch of your nervous system, known as the parasympathetic system, while decreasing the activity of the sympathetic branch, so it lowers cortisol and is great for combating stress.
What’s more, CBD is a neuroprotective antioxidant more potent than vitamin C, so it safeguards the health of your brain. CBD doesn’t fit into either the CB1 or CB2 endocannabinoid receptors, but it changes the way the receptors respond to THC and other cannabinoids, making their effects more beneficial. It also binds to TRPV1 receptors,13 which are involved in the transmission and modulation of pain as well as the control of inflammation. CBD also seems to slow the rate at which your natural endocannabinoids are broken down, allowing them to linger in your system and, as a result, have a greater effect on your body. This feature of CBD can be incredibly helpful for those who have an “endocannabinoid deficiency,” a possible underlying cause of irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, and other tough-to-treat conditions. Studies show that people with those illnesses have suboptimal endocannabinoid levels14—and cannabis eases their symptoms. One study published in Pharmacotherapy found that daily use of medical cannabis reduced pain and cut the frequency of migraine attacks by more than half.15 Although more research is needed, it’s possible that by slowing endocannabinoid metabolism, CBD-rich cannabis restores healthy cannabinoid levels in people with these mysterious, treatment-resistant conditions.
Cannabigerol (CBG). A lesser-known cannabinoid that’s just starting to gain popularity, CBG is available only in trace amounts in most hemp strains, but it has terrific healing potential. Known as the mother of all cannabinoids, it’s the first cannabinoid the plant produces and the precursor from which all other cannabinoids are synthesized. Like CBD, it’s not intoxicating. It can bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors as well as to the alpha-2 receptor in your brain stem and peripheral nerves,16 where it mimics the parasympathetic nervous system by producing a calming effect. It also blocks the uptake of anandamide, one of your body’s natural endocannabinoids—known as the “bliss molecule” because it bolsters feelings of pleasure. By allowing anandamide to linger in the system, CBG has the ability to improve mood. It also seems to be an effective anti-inflammatory and antibacterial (and may even work against antibiotic-resistant strains of staph).17
Cannabinol (CBN). Another lesser-known cannabinoid, CBN comes from the breakdown of aging THC molecules, so it’s not found in living, growing plants. Studies show it may provide relief for chronic muscle pain disorders, including temporomandibular (jaw) pain and fibromyalgia.18 It also seems to stimulate appetite, which can be helpful for people with cancer and AIDS and other chronic illnesses.19 And preliminary research shows it may enhance sleep20 and treat inflammatory diseases, like autoimmune disorders and inflammatory bowel disease.21
THC. The molecules of this intoxicating chemical are extremely similar to those in the “bliss molecule,” anandamide. And just like anandamide, THC can plug into both CB1 and CB2 receptors. As a result, it has wide-ranging effects. Recent research shows that THC may help people with PTSD22 and chronic pain.23 A review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology looked at the results of eighteen high-quality trials using THC alone or in combination with other cannabinoids in people with chronic pain (including nerve-related pain and rheumatoid arthritis) and found that all but three showed the substance has significant pain-relieving effects.24 That said, from the TCM perspective, heavy or regular THC use depletes qi—it drains your adrenals, takes a toll on your liver, and kills your libido. And research shows that frequent use of THC can increase the risk of psychosis,25 impair memory,26 and cause anatomical brain changes.27 So it makes sense to use it only when it’s really needed—for pain after surgery or to fight nausea during chemo, for instance. In most cases, it’s best to stick with cannabis strains that have a ratio of at least 10:1 CBD to THC to minimize THC’s side effects.
Terpenes. There may be more than 120 of these chemicals in hemp, which give the plant its distinct odor. Terpenes are also found in high amounts in essential oils; in fact, they’re responsible for giving essential oils their medicinal qualities. Although research is in its infancy, several terpenes found in cannabis seem to have protective health effects. Limonene, for instance, may improve mood and kill breast cancer cells.28 Myrcene combats inflammation and is a sedative and muscle relaxant.29 Pinene has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and it bolsters memory to boot.30 Linalool can reduce anxiety and may help prevent seizures.31
For most health issues, the effective dosage of CBD is in the range of 10 to 40 milligrams daily. But for certain ailments that are best treated by combining CBD with low doses of THC, it’s a bit different. Here are the recommended oral CBD oil doses.
Condit
ion: General Wellness
Dosage: 10–50 milligrams of CBD oil daily
Condition: Chronic pain
Dosage: 10–100 milligrams of CBD oil daily
Condition: Epilepsy
Dosage: 50–300 milligrams of CBD oil daily
Condition: Sleep disorders
Dosage: 40–160 milligrams of CBD oil daily
Condition: Schizophrenia
Dosage: 40–1,000 milligrams of CBD oil daily
Condition: Glaucoma
Dosage: 20–40 milligrams of CBD oil daily
Condition: Loss of appetite in cancer patients
Dosage: 2.5 milligrams oral THC, plus 1 milligram CBD oil for 6 weeks
Herbs, foods, and essential oils that mimic and support cannabinoids
The following common foods influence your endocannabinoid system and can work synergistically with cannabinoids to improve your health.
Essential oils. Rosemary, black pepper, lavender, cinnamon, clove, and copaiba oils are able to mimic some of the immune-related benefits of cannabinoids. The reason: They contain beta-caryophyllene, a terpene that engages CB2 endocannabinoid receptors, which are primarily found in the immune system.
Holy basil. This herb, also known as tulsi, contains beta-caryophyllene and other terpenes that lower cortisol and reduce stress.
Echinacea. A well-known cold fighter, echinacea contains N-acylethanolamines, which bind to and activate endocannabinoid receptors.
Black truffles. This delicacy contains anandamide, the “bliss molecule” and one of your body’s natural endocannabinoids.
Cacao. Another delicious food that contains anandamide, cacao also deactivates a type of fatty acid that breaks down anandamide.
Helichrysum. Typically used as an essential oil, this flowering plant produces compounds that mimic CBG and cannabigerolic acid (CBGa).
Omega-3 fats. These healthy fats are involved in the synthesis of new endocannabinoids in the body and react with existing endocannabinoids to create a type of endocannabinoid that binds to receptors in your immune system.
Maca. Maca has long been known as an adaptogen, a substance that helps the body respond to stress. Research suggests that compounds in maca known as N-alkylamides mimic the biological action of cannabinoids.
The six conditions cannabinoids are especially good at treating
While their full range of benefits has yet to be realized, cannabinoids seem to hold real promise for a few conditions in particular. I’ve mentioned some of the research above, but the following six health issues are so common—and can have such devastating health effects—they’re worth exploring in greater detail.
Stress and anxiety. Stress contributes to virtually every disease known to humans, but the endocannabinoid system is present in stress-responsive neural circuits, which strongly suggests it plays a critical role in regulating our response to stress. Indeed, studies show cannabis can help combat this modern scourge. A study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that a 300-milligram dose of CBD was enough to curb anxiety in a public-speaking trial (but lower and higher doses weren’t as effective).32 A review of CBD for anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and social anxiety, concluded that the evidence “strongly supports” it as a treatment.33 And a first-of-its-kind study published in 2018 in the Journal of Affective Disorders looked at reports from nearly nine thousand sessions of people using medical cannabis (a combination of CBD and THC); it reduced stress and anxiety by an average of 58 percent.34
Sleep. Chronic insomnia afflicts 10 to 15 percent of people in the United States, and another 25 to 35 percent of us have occasional trouble sleeping, which can affect mood, decrease productivity, and increase vulnerability to accidents and illnesses. But many researchers believe that CBD and other cannabinoids can improve sleep, and a fascinating 2020 study in Digestive Disease and Sciences found this to be the case. The study looked at people with autoimmune hepatitis, a painful condition that often causes insomnia, who used CBD for relief. Eighty-seven percent said it improved their sleep, and 12 percent of those said CBD allowed them to get off their prescription sleep medication.35
Pain. Chronic pain is an intractable problem in the United States, one that is complicated by the fact that prescription pain drugs are dangerously addictive. But cannabinoids offer hope. There’s evidence that cannabinoids can reduce opioid use36 and overdose mortalities37—and the study of patients with autoimmune hepatitis I referred to in the sleep section above bears it out: 82 percent of participants said CBD offered significant pain relief, and 47 percent of those were able to go off their prescription pain meds as a result.38
Inflammation. Endocannabinoid receptors are found on immune cells, which means that cannabinoids play an important role in the immune system and one of the immune system’s primary responses: inflammation. I already mentioned that CBD binds to TRPV1 receptors, which mediate inflammation and pain, and desensitizes them. And several studies show that cannabinoids suppress inflammatory responses by downregulating cytokine and chemokine production (two inflammatory chemicals).39
Brain health. Endocannabinoid receptors are abundant in the brain—one reason CBD and other cannabinoids seem to be so beneficial for mood disorders. But cannabinoids also seem to be healthy for the brain in general. In one study, CBD was able to prevent the development of social recognition deficit in mice with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, possibly slowing the disease’s progression.40
Gut health. More than 1.5 million people in the United States have inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), and available medications aren’t highly effective. Cannabis has been used for millennia to treat gut inflammation,41 and contemporary research supports its use. A small study in Israel found that patients with Crohn’s disease experienced significant symptom relief after using cannabis oil (with CBD and THC).42 And there’s evidence that CBD can also be beneficial for leaky gut43 and colitis.44
While those conditions are the most well researched, there are a number of other ways in which cannabinoids may be beneficial for health. Here’s a glimpse of the promising research we’re likely to learn more about in the next few years.
Anti-tumor effects. In animal studies, CBD and other non-euphoric cannabinoids have demonstrated anti-tumor and cancer-fighting benefits, and may be effective in preventing the spread of breast, prostate, brain, colon, and lung cancer. Cannabinoids seem to have a variety of effects, from inhibiting the viability of tumor cells to limiting the activity of cancer stem cells, which are required for cancer’s spread.45
Acne treatment. CBD targets the two primary pimple-causing pathways—inflammation and oil production—and other cannabinoids may offer similar benefits.46
Diabetes treatment. Research in mice found that treating them with CBD could prevent the development of diabetes. While 86 percent of the untreated mice developed the disease, just 30 percent of those treated with CBD did.47
Heart health. Recent research has linked CBD with a number of benefits for the heart and circulatory system, including the ability to lower blood pressure,48 affect diabetes (as mentioned above), and reduce stress. In fact, the substance can actually cause the blood vessels to relax, which protects against vascular damage in those who eat a high-glucose diet.49
Autoimmune disease. Multiple studies have shown that CBD can calm an overactive immune system and reduce inflammation, the root causes of autoimmune disease. For instance, a recent study published in Frontiers in Immunology found that CBD can ameliorate autoimmune encephalomyelitis (a mouse model of multiple sclerosis) in mice.50
I’ll provide more information in upcoming chapters on CBD and other cannabinoids. But now that you understand the research on these ancient substances, I hope you will share my enthusiasm for their ability to enhance health and healing in a variety of realms—and find safe, effective ways to use them in your own life.
CHAPTER 8
The Power of Essential Oils
Ho
w Plant-Based Medicine Can Help You Avoid Pharmaceuticals
When my mom was facing her second bout of cancer in 2005, we overhauled her diet by eliminating processed foods and sugar and building her daily meals around healthy fats, veggies, and tons of herbs. None of that may surprise you. But here’s something that might: Essential oils were an indispensable aspect of her cancer-fighting approach as well. I had my mom start using frankincense oil every day, because it is strongly anti-inflammatory, protects healthy cells, stimulates the immune system, and eradicates germs and bacteria. But here’s the kicker: It can even kill cancer cells, according to laboratory studies.1 Myrrh oil can, too,2 and my mom also used that daily. She diligently followed the diet and lifestyle regimen we created, and now she has been cancer free for fifteen years.
Essential oils weren’t solely responsible for my mom’s remarkable recovery. But I believe they played an integral role, and here’s why: Just a few drops of these ancient substances are enough to have a healthy biological effect, and each oil has its own distinct benefits. Lavender oil, for instance, can take the edge off stress and anxiety.3 Oregano is an effective way to kill fungus and battle candida and viral infections.4
The science supporting these remedies is recent, but humans have been using essential oils to heal a variety of ailments for thousands of years. These organic compounds, extracted from the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, resin, and peels of plants, were commonly used by the ancient Egyptians, including Cleopatra and the pharaohs, as medicines, beauty treatments, and embalming fluids. Entire Egyptian temples were dedicated to the production and blending of oils, and the recipes were written on the walls in hieroglyphics.
