did you know? human brains make their own ‘marijuana’

If reading that headline made you do a double-take, you’re not alone.

It seems that our bodies contain an entire Endocannabinoid System, but the modern medical system isn’t too terribly concerned with educating us about it.

The endocannabinoid system works in conjunction with opioid receptors in our brains, and plays crucial roles in curbing inflammation and maintaining homeostasis in many of the body’s systems.

The endocannabinoid system was actually discovered almost twenty years ago, when research into medical marijuana use was expanding, and being taken more seriously as a potential source for making more pharmaceuticals (of course). 

U.S. and Brazilian scientists discovered over a decade ago that the brain creates proteins which act like marijuana, and are linked to specific receptor sites in the brain, as well as in our skin.

The human brain has two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. THC, the “intoxicating compound” in marijuana, can attach itself to either of them.

However–why do we have two different receptor sites in our brains for cannabinoids in the first place?

Because the human body actually produces its own cannabinoids, which are crucial for development and physical growth.

Cannabinoids are present in breastmilk, in mothers’ bodies during pregnancy–and even in sperm cells.

Far from THC being a “harmful chemical” in our bodies…THC and cannabinoids naturally belong in the human body.

We need cannabinoids to survive and grow, even in the fetal stage.

Endocannabinoids play a role in the sexual behaviour of males via the CB1 receptor, and the CB2 receptor is responsible for beginning production of sperm and regulating their swimming speed. 

Virtually all parts of female reproductive functions are affected by the endocannabinoid system.

The CB1 receptor plays a pivotal role in the formation of the fetus’s brain.

Even after delivery, endocannabinoids remain crucial for the survival of the newborn, because they affect suckling behavior and appetite stimulation in the newborn–which is why endocannabinoids are present in breastmilk!

Literally every aspect of our physical development, from conception onward, is influenced by the presence of cannabinoids.

Further, the “runner’s high” phenomenon that many athletes describe, has been attributed to a rush of endorphins (those pleasure-causing hormones that are released to help us get through extreme physical events, such as childbirth). However, they’ve recently discovered that cannabinoids may be the true cause of this!

Our brain is making its own THC to create that “runner’s high”, as a response to extreme physical demand.

Cannabinoids are part of our normal physiology as human beings.

This leads to a bigger question: IS it safe for pregnant women to be exposed to cannabis during pregnancy?

The fact that cannabinoids are naturally present in our bodies and critical to our development is paradigm-shifting information, as those in power have maligned cannabis as a “dangerous street drug” since the 1970’s.

Other plants, like Copaiba, contain phytocannabinoids, which lack the “intoxicating” factor but still affect the CB receptors in positive ways, such as reducing inflammation, relieving joint and nerve pain, and soothing emotional strain.

Indigenous people in South America have used copaiba essential oil to treat many ailments for hundreds of years - just as cannabis has been held as sacred medicine by humankind since the dawn of time.

In a recent survey done in Canada, cannabis was rated as extremely effective or effective by 92% of the respondents who used it as a therapy for nausea and vomiting.

Most recent studies find that cannabis is indeed an effective remedy with few if any downsides for the expectant mother–however, research on the effect of cannabis in the developing fetus is still lacking in clarity.

Many women who experience nausea during pregnancy find that cannabis is even more effective than Zofran as a relief therapy.

This is especially true in cases of extreme vomiting, or Hyperemesis Gravidarum–where up to 15% of women suffering from this condition are driven to seek therapeutic termination of pregnancy.

Cannabis can make a massive difference in these sorts of cases.

One thing is clear–cannabis undoubtedly has huge applications in not just treating pain, but in healing the physical body.

Studies on CBD oil in children with chronic and deadly diseases show much promise for the long-term health applications of cannabis.

Cannabinoids, being an integral part of the human body, might be able to actually initiate vitality and improve overall health.

The modern “health care” system only sees cannabis as useful insofar as it is profitable, and so personally, I think that true solutions are not to be found within the system.

Palliative care - treating sick people - is where modern medicine excels.

A healed patient is no longer a patient…so there is no incentive for the medical industrial complex to help you HEAL. The opposite is also true…there is no money to be made from dead patients, either.

They specialize in the middle: Sick, but not too sick. Well, but not entirely so.

Understanding the role of cannabinoids in our bodies is one step toward taking back our sovereignty and freedom to HEAL ourselves. True health care will always begin with self-care.

Originally posted on TheHomestead.Guru

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