There is a lot of buzz around cannabis oil extracts from cannabis plants, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), which appears to have anticonvulsant properties. Indeed, the endogenous cannabinoid system, which is named after the plant, is very important in human health and wellbeing.
Endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body, as are natural endocannabinoids, which are lipid products of dietary fats. This means that the modulation of the endocannabinoid system can occur by changing the fats in our diet.
- There are at least two types of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. Today we are concerned with the CB2 receptor, which is involved in:
- Allergic and autoimmune inflammatory diseases
- loss of bone mass
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Ischemic injury from stroke or heart attack
- Chronic pain
- liver injury and disease
- Alcohol and nicotine addiction
- Weight gain
- Stress responses
Changes in endocannabinoid levels and/or CB2 receptor expressions have been reported in almost all diseases affecting humans, ranging from cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, neurodegenerative, psychiatric, bone, skin, autoimmune, lung disorders to pain and cancer, and modulating CB2 receptor activity holds tremendous therapeutic potential in these pathologies.(R) .
This means that stimulating the CB2 receptor has a protective function, in many pathological conditions. For example, migraine with aura seems to involve Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD), which produces a propagating wave of transient neuronal hyperexcitability followed by depression. Cannabinoids are able to inhibit this CSD (R).
Now, believe it or not, olive oil activates CB2 receptors and as a bonus, has anti-obesity effects silencing the activated immune cells that are key drivers of metabolic syndrome and inflammation (R). Also, oleoyl ethanolamide, a product of oleic acid, induces satiety (feeling full), decreases circulating fatty acid concentrations and increases the capacity for β-oxidation (R).
Omega-3 levels from fish oil also cause significant changes in the endocannabinoid system, by increasing the receptors of CB2. Our body is able to convert omega-3 fatty acids into cannabinoids that have anti-inflammatory benefits -- but without the psychotropic high (R). However, activating CB2 receptors also has the added benefit of having antidepressant-like effects (R).
Those who wish to try taking olive oil and omega 3 supplements for migraine with aura, may also like to add a small dose of magnesium, as magnesium inhibits NMDA receptors, which are involved in Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD). And CSD propagates the neuronal depolarisation, which is considered as the cellular correlate of the migraine aura (R).
Now, believe it or not, olive oil activates CB2 receptors and as a bonus, has anti-obesity effects silencing the activated immune cells that are key drivers of metabolic syndrome and inflammation (R). Also, oleoyl ethanolamide, a product of oleic acid, induces satiety (feeling full), decreases circulating fatty acid concentrations and increases the capacity for β-oxidation (R).
Those who wish to try taking olive oil and omega 3 supplements for migraine with aura, may also like to add a small dose of magnesium, as magnesium inhibits NMDA receptors, which are involved in Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD). And CSD propagates the neuronal depolarisation, which is considered as the cellular correlate of the migraine aura (R).
