CBD oil can regulate pain and inflammation, making it useful in treating hundreds of health conditions. In addition to this, CBD may also impact cellular function.
What is the relationship between CBD and Mitochondria?
Before CBD oil was legalized and researchers in France discovered its potential benefits to human health, scientists found that mitochondria had a cannabinoid receptor. Since then, we have continued researching all there is about this system’s role in mitochondrial function.
Mitochondria are the organelles responsible for cellular metabolism, and they play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis within our cells. CBD oil improves the essential functions of mitochondria which in turn improves our health and overall body stability.
There is a huge interest in the effect of CBD oil on the mitochondria due to the desire to understand whether mitochondrial defects are associated with many metabolic and other health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others.
There are many mitochondria within all cells, and they generate nine out of ten of the energy that cells need to survive. This process, called oxidative phosphorylation, occurs when mitochondria transform nutrients into cell energy. CBD oil may help improve mitochondrial function, which would have a positive effect not just on the cell but on the entire body.
Mitochondria are important for many functions in the body, including energy production and homeostasis. They play an essential role in oxidative stress as well as cell destruction and healing processes.
The oil from CBD has been used to manage many diseases and ailments since it was discovered, but exactly how this occurs isn’t clear yet. CBD interacts with the mitochondria in your cells which could be why it works so well for managing various symptoms that come along with many different health issues. We are just starting to explore what effects these interactions have on our bodies.
Does CBD Oil have any effect on Autophagy & Apoptosis?
CBD oil can regulate apoptosis and autophagy simultaneously within the body. Apoptotic cell death is regulated by CBD, while cellular recycling (known as “autophagy”) allows cells to break down components that are not necessary for survival or new building blocks for other processes in each individual system. When cells have faulty components, autophagy helps to get rid of them or cleanse the area. When a cell is dysfunctional and could potentially cause issues for nearby cells, apoptosis will kill it off before any problems occur.
CBD oil may help with apoptosis or cell death. A study published around 2013 showed that CBD interacted with a protein on mitochondrial membranes, which are known as VDAC1 and inhibited the protein, which could be said to be caused by apoptosis. The inhibition of this process by CBD is thought to lead to its immunosuppressive abilities as well as its anti-cancer properties.
The mitochondria in the cells are responsible for producing energy, and when they become damaged, it results in cell death. CBD oil is thought to create mitochondrial apoptotic responses through its impact on the endocannabinoid system by way of regulating electrical activity within these cellular powerhouses so that any damage done can be repaired before a build-up occurs again. The three ways this happens:
In low-stress situations, mitochondrial action is increased which triggers the process of autophagic cell rejuvenation. In contrast, during high-stress conditions, the activity of mitochondria declines to shield the cells from damage. Finally, during extremely stressed out conditions, cancerous cells are brought down by phytocannabinoids (e.g CBD) as endogenously produced cannabinoids increase in their levels, causing apoptosis or death of these cancerous cells.
The reason phytocannabinoids act on the body in such an effective way is that they chemically resemble naturally occurring endocannabinoids.
Does CBD have any part to play in homeostasis?
The body is a perfect machine, with all of the different systems working together to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Homeostasis occurs in this state where our bodies are not too hot or cold and we have enough water for everyone.
A study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology reported that an “imbalance of sodium and calcium homeostasis trigger pathophysiologic processes in cerebral ischemia, which accelerate neuronal brain death.” Further research linked mitochondrial imbalance to neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
CBD oil impacts the surface of mitochondria, such as by binding to sodium-calcium exchanger receptors. When bound, it opens a channel that allows ions from high concentrations to flow into low concentrations; this process regulates calcium levels within cells and is known as homeostasis.
What is the impact of CBD on Free Radicals?
The production of energy in the form of ATP via electron transport is a complicated process. In very simple terms, oxidation occurs when an oxygen atom accepts four electrons and becomes two water molecules; phosphorylation then produces adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Sometimes ionized oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, or free radicals are released into the body during this process and can cause significant damage to cells. These molecules, often referred to as free radicals can break down cell membranes, proteins & DNA.
CBD oil is a potent antioxidant, triggering the CB2 cannabinoid receptor to encourage the protection of cells and reduce oxidative stress. This reduces long-term damage risk in your body by reducing inflammation caused by harmful free radicals that can contribute to diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s later on.
While many foods and consumable products are labelled as being antioxidants, CBD oil is one of the most promising uses with evidence given by the U.S Government who filed a patent following research published in 1998 suggesting that there may be therapeutic benefits to cannabinoid usage when extracted from hemp plant extracts such as those found within cannabis plants including but not limited to marijuana or hemp-derived oils containing THC levels below 0.3%.
Conclusion
CBD has beneficial effects on our mitochondria, the tiny organelles that provide cells with energy. It protects them from damage in adverse conditions and restores their function when they are impaired. This sets up a protective loop between cannabinoid receptors and mitochondrial function, which ensures proper cell functioning; this is how CBD secures cellular health to restore overall body homeostasis. The data on the effects of cannabinoids on mitochondria shows us once again how amazing they are at protecting the health and promoting it.