Cannabinoid
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Dr. Rhonda Patrick makes her third appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.
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Brain Nutrition Exercise Alzheimer's Cholesterol Omega-3 Inflammation Depression Probiotics DNA Damage Stem Cells Serotonin Mental Health Cannabinoid CurcuminDr. Rhonda Patrick makes her third appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.
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Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol – better known as THC – is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. THC binds to endocannabinoid system receptors, eliciting a wide range of physical effects and producing the “high” associated with its use. A new study suggests that THC reverses brain aging in old mice.
Researchers injected old mice with a microdose of THC that was roughly three to four orders of magnitude lower than a typical dose. Then, they assessed gene expression in the animals' hippocampal tissue at five days and five weeks post-treatment.
After just five days, they found that the microdose THC treatment altered the expression of 18 genes related to neurogenesis (the production of new nerve cells). THC altered the expression of 88 genes related to nerve cell survival and development five weeks post-treatment. Interestingly, THC did not affect brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein noted for its effects on neurogenesis.
These findings suggest that a single microdose of THC exerts potent, enduring effects on the rodent brain and may have potential applications in humans. It also aligns with results from a compelling case study in which THC microdosing ameliorated symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Lactate, a molecule produced during vigorous exercise, also has robust effects on the brain, influencing neurogenesis and promoting cognitive function. Learn more in this episode featuring Dr. George Brooks.
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Intense cycling exercise at 80% maximum heart rate improves memory via endocannabinoid action on the hippocampus www.sciencedaily.com
Exercise activates the endocannabinoid system to promote learning and memory formation.
Scientists have identified robust links between physical exercise and brain health. Some of the mechanisms that drive the beneficial effects of exercise on the brain include increases in brain volume and connectivity, improved blood flow, enhanced synaptic plasticity, and increased neurogenesis – the formation of new neurons. Findings from a 2020 study suggest that moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercise improves motor sequence memory via endocannabinoid action on the hippocampus.
Motor sequence memory involves learning predefined sequences of interrelated motor actions, such as playing the piano or dancing. The hippocampus interacts with various neural networks to support the formation of motor sequency memory.
Endocannabinoids are small lipid molecules produced in the body that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Endocannabinoids regulate many physiological processes, including movement control, pain processing, brain development, and learning and memory. The two major endocannabinoids in the body are anandamide and 2-arachindonyl glycerol.
The study involved 15 healthy adults (average age, 23 years) who had at least fair respiratory fitness, as measured via VO2 max. Participants completed a serial reaction time task (a widely used measure of learning and memory) before and after three conditions: moderate-intensity exercise, vigorous-intensity exercise, and rest. Prior to performing the task, participants consumed a standardized carbohydrate-rich breakfast. During the task, the investigators measured the participants' behavior, brain activity, and circulating anandamide (endocannabinoid) levels.
They found that vigorous-intensity exercise markedly improved motor sequence memory compared to rest. Moderate-intensity exercise also improved motor sequence memory, but to a lesser degree. The improvements coincided with increased levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide and enhanced hippocampal activity.
These findings suggest that vigorous-intensity exercise promotes motor sequence memory and learning and underscore the benefits of exercise on cognitive function. Learn about the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise in our overview article.
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The body’s endocannabinoid system regulates communication between the immune system and gut microbiota. www.sciencedaily.com
The euphoria known as a “runner’s high” is caused by activation of the endocannabinoid system, a complex signaling system that regulates energy metabolism, inflammation, pain, and brain biology. The gut microbiota, which coordinates its activity with the brain and immune system, also modulates energy metabolism and inflammation and brain functions such as mood and cognition. Findings of a new report suggest that the endocannabinoid system is involved in communication between the gut and the immune system.
The gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract, consume nutrients from the diet that are not absorbed by the host and produce multi-purpose compounds such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Previous research has demonstrated that some strains of bacteria that produce SCFAs modulate the number of cannabinoid and opioid receptors in the gut. A dysregulated endocannabinoid system and gut microbiota may increase the risk of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and obesity; however, [exercise may improve microbiota and gut health.](https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2017/3831972/)
The authors collected baseline data from a group of 78 participants (age, greater than 45 years) with osteoarthritis who were part of a separate trial. They also collected data from a group of 40 additional adults. Participants provided a stool sample for the measurement of cannabinoids and cannabinoid metabolites, inflammatory markers, and SCFAs. They also sequenced the bacterial DNA contained in the stool sample to identify the types of bacteria present.
The researchers found that endocannabinoid concentrations in the stool increased as levels of SCFAs, SCFA-producing bacteria, and overall microbiota diversity increased. Higher endocannabinoid levels were associated with higher levels of inflammation-resolving cytokines such as interleukin-10 and lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Using a statistical model, the researchers found that endocannabinoid levels mediated the relationship between SCFA and inflammatory markers. This means that the relationship among these three variables is stronger than the relationship between SCFA and inflammatory markers alone.
These results demonstrate that endocannabinoids facilitate some of the anti-inflammatory effects of SCFAs and that the endocannabinoid system modulates the immune system through activity of the gut microbiota.