Connecting with others has been shown to lower anxiety and depression, help regulate our emotions, enhance self esteem and empathy and improve our immune systems. Cannabis can promote Social Connection and undo the toll the last few years of pandemic forced isolation has taken.
Nate Seltenrich, an independent science journalist based in San Francisco writes in the Project CBD Newsletter
“Cannabinoids and the broader Endocannabinoid System (ECS) help maintain homeostasis in the body and affect physical health in many ways. This vast system of cellular receptors, ligands (compounds that bind to these receptors), and enzymes also influences mental health, cognition, emotion, and other processes occuring in the brain.
Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 (CB1) is the most abundant G Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPCR) throughout the central nervous system.
The large family of GPCRs includes about 750 different receptors. Some 150 of these are targeted by pharmaceuticals. This represents more than one-third of all approved drugs in the United States and Europe!
CB1 is present in very High levels in the cerebellar and hippocampal regions of the brain, and in Lower levels generally. There CB1 helps modulate neurotransmitter release, and other functions. Key CB1 agonists, activate the receptor producing variety of cellular responses. These CB1 agonists include the Endogenous Cannabinoids Anandamide and 2-AG and the Phytocannabinoid THC.
It’s clear that ECS enhancing Cannabis, foods and activities can positively impact brain function. Recent papers suggest a growing range of benefits. Yet, there is still much more to learn.
LOCKDOWN
Another condition Cannabis may help with is Social Isolation due to pandemic lockdowns. Researchers based at U of Padua in northern Italy, (near where COVID-19 made its first terrifying stand) wrote a new paper for the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry. They propose that behaviors known to improve Endocannabinoid tone could help individuals comply with emergency public health measures like lockdown and minimize adverse psycho-physical impacts.
Using current knowledge of the link between Social Isolation and ECS function in animals, they recommend ECS-boosting “lifestyle interventions”. Probiotics, CBD, Meditation, and Exercise could make individuals less prone to fearful, negative thoughts and aggressive behavior seen with stressful lockdown or quarantine. These healing modalities also protect against biological reactions that could cause health complications.
SOCIAL INTERACTION
A pair of studies published in August suggest that increased ECS activity is also tied to improved Social Interaction and motivation, at least in mice. In an Italian study, published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, researchers fed mice an extract of “non-psychotropic,” lowTHC, hiCBD Cannabis for two weeks. When evaluating it’s behavioral effects researchers saw no effect on motility or anxiety, but observed increased Social Interaction. To check out this resource go to