Stress Relief

The studies in this section deal with the body’s reaction to stress, which is centered around the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis interacts with this same pathway, so it seems inarguable that THC and CBD both would be ideal chemicals to treat a variety of stress-based diseases. The endocannabinoid pathways in the brain are the primary system that controls response to stress in the human body.

What is Stress?

Stress is a psychological feeling of strain or pressure. Some degrees and types of stress are healthy and even necessary for any organism, however once the amount of stress exceeds a person’s perceived ability to tolerate it, it then becomes harmful for the body. The person may then feel anxiety or other side-effects of excessive stress.

What is known about Cannabis & Stress Relief?

The same system in the body that Cannabis interacts with, the endocannabinoid system, is the primary modulator of stress adaptation. The research indicates that unpredictable chronic stress can habituate an animal to an unhealthy endocannabinoid balance, largely by lowering the amount of natural cannabinoids released. Cannabis, as an external plant-based cannabinoid, would make for an excellent treatment by artificially restoring balance to the body’s stress systems. This would allow the patient to essentially “get over” the effects of chronic stress much more rapidly.