Homeostasis

The concept of homeostasis is traced back to ancient Greeks; with Greek physician Alcmaeon of Croton using the term homeostasis to explain health and disease. Hippocrates of Kos, expanded the definition of homeostasis by stating that health is a product of balance and a blend of four body fluids or humors such as phlegm, blood, yellow and black bile (10).

Homeostasis is a self-regulating process, where cells, organs or any other part of the body maintain an optimal internal environment, such as temperature, pH, or any other aspect required for their functioning. Stress is a key factor that threatens homeostasis. The disruption of homeostasis leads to disease, where effective therapy is required towards establishing a homeostatic environment.

What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system is a system involved in regulating and balancing numerous functions and processes in the human body, including brain plasticity, learning and memory, stress, and emotions. The endocannabinoid system is also involved in the immune response, inflammation, appetite, bone and muscle health, digestion, and metabolism. An endocannabinoid imbalance, which indicates changes in the function of cannabinoid receptors, can adversely affect health. The endocannabinoid system has been associated with pathological conditions such as metabolic syndrome, inflammation, insulin resistance and obesity [1]. Endocannabinoid overstimulation can lead to conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome and depression. More specifically, migraines, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and inflammatory bowel disease are associated with clinical endocannabinoid deficiency [2].

The relationship of the endocannabinoid system and homeostasis?

Endocannabinoids are found in various cannabinoid receptors in our body, such as in the brain, connective tissues, and immune cells. The goal of the endocannabinoid is homeostasis *, i.e., the body is in balance. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate stress signals, immune responses, and relieve pain and inflammation.

1. Hampson AJ et al. Cannabidiol and (-)delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol are neuroprotective antioxidants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998;95(14):8268-8273.

2. McPartland JM et al. Care and feeding of the endocannabinoid system: a systematic review of potential clinical interventions that upregulate the endocannabinoid system. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e89566

3. Qin Z et al. Chronic stress induces anxiety via an amygdalar intracellular cascade that impairs endocannabinoid signaling. Neuron. 2015;85(6):1319-1331

4. Racz, I., Nadal, X., Alferink, J., Baños, J. E., Rehnelt, J., Martín, M., Pintado, B., Gutierrez-Adan, A., Sanguino, E., Manzanares, J., Zimmer, A., & Maldonado, R. (2008). Crucial role of CB(2) cannabinoid receptor in the regulation of central immune responses during neuropathic pain. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 28(46), 12125–12135. 

5. Xiong, W., Cui, T., Cheng, K., Yang, F., Chen, S. R., Willenbring, D., Guan, Y., Pan, H. L., Ren, K., Xu, Y., & Zhang, L. (2012). Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. The Journal of experimental medicine, 209(6), 1121–1134.

6. Zuardi et al (2012) ‘’A critical review of the antipsychotic effects of canncbidiolQ 30 years of a translational investigation’’. Curr Pharm Des. 18Q5131-5140

7. Hurd et al (2015). ‘’Early phase in the development of cannabidiol as a treatment for addiction: Opioid relapse takes initial centre stage’’. Neurotherapeutics. 12: 807-815

8. Blessing et al (2015). ‘’Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders’’. Neurotherapeutics. 12:825-836

9. University of Surrey. ‘’ History of Cannabis, The history of the cannabis plant’’. 

10. Billman G. E. (2020). Homeostasis: The Underappreciated and Far Too Often Ignored Central Organizing Principle of Physiology. Frontiers in physiology, 11, 200. 

11. Rodriguez-Leyva, D., & Pierce, G. N. (2010). The cardiac and haemostatic effects of dietary hempseed. Nutrition & metabolism, 7, 32. 

12. Chang CS, Sun HL, Lii CK, Chen HW, Chen PY, Liu KL. Gamma-linolenic acid inhibits inflammatory responses by regulating NF-kappaB and AP-1 activationin lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Inflammation. 2010;33:46–57. 

13. Tang, C.-H., Ten, Z., Wang, X.-S., & Yang, X.-Q. (2006). Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Hemp (Cannabis sativaL.) Protein Isolate. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 54(23), 8945–8950.