What is homeostasis and how can cannabis play a part?

Cannabis can affect a multitude of aspects of our body, one of the most important being homeostasis.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is a multitude of different processes that enable the body to modify its internal environment to adapt to external changes. This includes a large number of important, even vital, factors, such as :

• Body temperature
• Heart rate
• Blood pressure
• Sleep
• The mood
• Appetite

All this is controlled within the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as a command center, recognizing changes and releasing hormones and neurotransmitters, chemical substances that enable communication between the body's different cells and structures. For example, when you exercise and your body temperature rises, the hypothalamus will detect this change and, in response, trigger the production of sweat by the millions of sweat glands present all over the body, bringing the temperature down to an optimal level.

The endocannabinoid system and homeostasis

The cannabinoids are a family of molecules found in the cannabis plant, the best known being THC. Cannabinoids are also naturally present in the body, and are known as endocannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system refers to the set of cannabinoid receptors present in the human body. These react to endogenous and exogenous cannabinoids, producing effects on the body. The hypothalamus, the area of the brain that controls homeostasis, contains cannabinoid receptors. These molecules are likely to affect homeostasis, which a study has also shown.

Research shows that adding cannabinoids to the human diet helps maintain homeostasis, particularly as we age. According to one study, The endocannabinoid system has deep phylogenetic roots and regulates many aspects of embryonic development and homeostasis, including neuroprotection and neuroplasticity, immunity and inflammation, apoptosis and carcinogenesis, pain and emotional memory, and [...] hunger, nutrition and metabolism.«

Another study published in the prestigious American Journal of Medicine shows conclusive results for diabetic patients. In fact, a study carried out on almost 5,000 adults showed that cannabis use induced a HOMA-IR lower, which means that the use of cannabinoids reduces resistance to insulin, a hormone that breaks down carbohydrates. Cannabis could thus help people with diabetes.

What's more, according to Dr. Dustin Sulak, osteopath and graduate of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, the endocannabinoid system helps regulate homeostasis by facilitating communication between different cells: «at the site of an injury, for example, we can see cannabinoids decrease the release of activators and sensitizers from injured tissue, which stabilizes the nerve cell and calms neighboring cells to prevent excessive release of pro-inflammatory substances».»

Disturbances to homeostasis

When the homeostasis process is interrupted, our body is no longer able to maintain the necessary balance. This can be due to illness, injury or medication. Many of the serious illnesses affecting our society today are linked to a disruption in homeostasis. Examples include diabetes, arthritis, obesity and diseases caused by blood pressure problems, such as glaucoma.

Age can also affect homeostasis. As the body ages, it's not just bones that are affected, but cells as a whole begin to dysfunction, so some age-related diseases, such as arthritis or osteoporosis, have their source in a deficiency in the homeostasis process.