If you’re not yet aware, cannabis is an herb that can have various effects on the body. But why? What makes cannabis different than its close botanical cousins, like Humulus (better known as Hops, the plant that gives beer its taste)? The answer lies in the way cannabis interacts with the human body. While conversations on cannabis typically focus on neurotransmitters and the plant’s effects on the brain, we want to focus on a different part of the body: the endocrine system.
What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is an interconnected group of organs and secretions that are spread throughout the entire body. It is responsible for releasing hormones, chemical messengers that can affect specific organs or the entire body all at once. The endocrine system helps regulate sleep, mood, hunger, reproduction, and blood pressure. The exact effect of the endocrine system depends on the gland, the hormone it’s producing, and the organ that the hormone is acting on. In short, it’s a little complicated, but the endocrine system is the chemical messaging system of the human body.
What does cannabis have to do with it?
Cannabis, as you likely know, contains a wide variety of chemical compounds, like cannabinoids and terpenes. The two most significant of these chemical compounds are THC and CBD. These compounds can have significant, measurable effects on the human body by interacting with chemical receptors in the body. When THC interacts with these receptors, it binds to them, causing a wide range of effects, including modifying the function of the endocrine system.
Cannabis, as you likely know, contains a wide variety of chemical compounds, like cannabinoids and terpenes. The two most significant of these chemical compounds are THC and CBD. These compounds can have significant, measurable effects on the human body by interacting with chemical receptors in the body. When THC interacts with these receptors, it binds to them, causing a wide range of effects, including modifying the function of the endocrine system.
Are there any negative effects on the endocrine system?
There are some concerns about the plant’s effects on the reproductive system. THC can bind to receptors in the ovaries and testes, which affect their function. In people with testes, THC can potentially lead to diminished sperm count, lower testosterone production, and decreased adrenal cortical steroids. The connection between cannabis use and sperm count isn’t yet directly linked, so further research is necessary to outline the exact effects of cannabis on male reproduction.
In people with ovaries, THC can affect how ovaries travel through fallopian tubes, as well as affect signaling in the body to the placenta. The CDC currently recommends avoiding cannabis while pregnant or attempting to become pregnant. Not only does THC seem to affect your chances of getting pregnant, it can negatively affect the embryo once you are pregnant. Even secondhand smoke is potentially hazardous to the health of developing infants, leading to lower birth weight and abnormal psychological development.
What else does cannabis do to my hormones?
Have you ever wondered why cannabis makes you hungry? The answer has to do with the hormones that cannabis stimulates. A study in Nature showed that cannabis increases the amount of ghrelin (the hormone that makes you hungry) in your body. At the same time, it reduces the effects of the hormone leptin, which regulates body weight and food intake. This results in lower body weights and BMIs. Maybe the next big diet fad will be smoking a bowl?
Cannabis can also stimulate the release of the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin is often included in lists of “feel-good chemicals” as it causes sensations of satisfaction and happiness. Normal triggers for the release of oxytocin include childbirth, breastfeeding, and sexual activity, but soft touches and skin-to-skin contact can also release it. Cannabis can help stimulate the release of this chemical, which increases feelings of well-being and emotional bonding. This is probably why there are no enemies in the smoke circle.
The exact effects of cannabis on the endocrine system are still not fully understood, and a large amount of research is still necessary to examine cannabis’ effect on the human body. What we know for sure is that cannabis vaporizers are one of the best ways to smoke for the health-conscious individual. RYOT’s portable vaporizers offer the very best vapor, whether you’re interested in smoking botanical extracts or dry herb. We have created the very best vaporizers that are designed by smokers for smokers.
The RYOT VERB DHV dry herb vaporizer is easy to load, easy to use, and gives a hit that is sure to satisfy. The mouthpiece is designed to stay cool, even while users control the temperature of the smoke, which is displayed on its OLED screen. Rapid heating and an easy-to-load chamber mean this unit can be ready in seconds to raise your levels of oxytocin whenever you need it. Hit it and enjoy!
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