Can Cannabis Regulate the Thyroid Gland?
Problems with the thyroid are nothing new. Since humans walked the earth, problems like stress, hunger, malnutrition and the like were part of daily life. In fact, all mammals at any time are subjected to a sudden change in their environment and that could upset the delicate balance in the endocrine system where the function of the thyroid gland is very important.
Do not be fooled by the butterfly shape of the thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland gets disturbed it could lead to numerous disorders. None of them are pleasurable and all have to be treated. When there is a slight deviation, changing your eating habits could rectify the problem. But if no attention is paid to the matter, it could make you very sick.
What is the Thyroid Gland?
The butterfly-shaped organ is located at the base of your neck. Its important function is to release hormones that regulate metabolism. Some very important functions are connected to the thyroid gland, for example:
Heart rate
Breathing
Peripheral and central nervous systems
Menstrual cycles
Bodyweight
Body temperature
Muscle strength
Cholesterol levels, and more
As the thyroid is part of the endocrine system, it stores and releases hormones into the bloodstream so that it can reach the cells in the body. Two very important hormones, Triiodothyronine(T3) and Thyroxine(T4) are formed by the iodine in the foods we eat. The levels should never be too high or too low. To keep a perfect balance, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland are constantly in communication to maintain T3 and T4 balance.
What happens if the Thyroid gets disturbed?
When the delicate balance of the thyroid gland gets disturbed, many thyroid disorders could happen. First, you might experience symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleeping problems. When you experience these symptoms and every test had been done to see what´s wrong, it could be that the thyroid is out of balance. Many issues are connected to the thyroid, and the best results would be obtained by a blood test. Some of these issues seem harmless and are easily balanced of checked early enough. But there are more dangerous issues too, like cancer of the thyroid gland. There are treatments available to rectify the problem. Medical marijuana is included as one of these treatments.
What Common Thyroid Disorders are There?
As mentioned above, there are many conditions that could influence the thyroid. We will deal with some of the common disorders.
Hyperthyroidism
When the gland is overactive, it produces too much of its hormone. Some of the symptoms you might have include:
Weight loss
Tremors
Heat intolerance
Tiredness
Frequent bowel movement
Sleeping problems
The Thyroid gland is enlarged
Irritability
It is more common under women than men.
Hypothyroidism
As it is exactly the opposite of hyperthyroidism, not enough of the hormone is made. Already since the age of 12, people can suffer from hypothyroidism, but in many cases, it is a mild condition. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
Weight gain
Tiredness
Problems remembering
Cold intolerance
Depression
Dry and brittle hair
Slower heart rate
Irritability
Higher cholesterol levels
When hypothyroidism is not treated it can cause myxedema coma where immediate hormone treatment is needed. This condition is rare though.
Hashimoto’s disease
Chronic lymphocytic or Hashimoto’s disease is a common cause of hypothyroidism. The immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland and eventually destroys the ability to produce hormones. Symptoms include:
Milder weight gain
Depression
Fatigue
Dry skin and thin hair
Goiter
Puffy face
Irregular menstruation and constipation
Grave’s disease
One out of every 200 people could develop Grave’s disease that also causes hypothyroidism. The autoimmune system attacks the thyroid gland mistakenly and causes it to produce too much of the hormone that regulates metabolism. Symptoms include:
Anxiety
Hand tremors
Tiredness
Trouble sleeping
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Bulging eyes and vision problems
Excessive sweating
Frequent bowel movement or diarrhea
Disturbed menstrual cycle
How can Cannabis help?
One of the sole purposes of medical cannabis is to restore the balance of the endocannabinoid system which includes the endocrine system. Many symptoms of thyroid disorders can be treated with medical cannabis. It deals very well with pain, inflammation, weight loss or weight gain, and tiredness But, it also is very helpful in balancing the thyroid hormone.
The cannabinoids in the cannabis plant play an important role in hyperthyroidism. It regulates the hormones in the endocrine system. There are cannabinoid receptors on the thyroid and the regions in the brain where communication happens between the gland and the brain. The CB1 receptors directly influence the neurons that control the thyroid. Cannabinoids have thus a function in the regulation of the thyroid hormones.
Some thyroid disorders cause inflammation of the gland. Medical marijuana has anti-inflammatory properties that could reduce inflammation. Mood changes are also treatable with cannabis. Most symptoms of problems with the thyroid would benefit from cannabis-treatment.
Closure
If you experience any of these symptoms, it might be a good idea to visit a medical professional. In the meantime, it would serve a purpose to start with cannabis treatment as it could only help to balance the thyroid issue.
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