Osteoporosis tends to alter certain processes in the body, thus allowing the bone degenerates, the symptoms or consequences of this condition can be quite serious for the patient, so treatments for osteoporosis have been involved in a high diversity, from pharmacological medications to rehabilitation therapies, however, there is a natural treatment which is making inroads into the effective curability of different diseases, in its majority chronic classification.
CBD is a cannabis compound that is responsible for causing a series of interactions in the endocannabinoid system, which is said to be associated with the body's bone system, which is why a treatment of degenerative processes using cannabidiol is proposed. .
Next, we delve a little deeper into the topic, evaluating the information we provide through the studies that have been carried out. How does CBD work to treat this disease? How important and effective can CBD treatment be in osteoporosis? And more.
Osteoporosis and its severity
Osteoporosis is nothing more than an alteration of certain functions in the body where the decomposition of bone tissue becomes greater, so a deficiency occurs on the part of the bones as they become weak and fragile, that is, there is an increase in degradation. bone much greater than the production of bone tissue.
It is estimated that nearly 200 million people around the world suffer from this disease, which at first is characterized by being silent, until a fracture mentions its condition. It can attack both men and women, but it is more common. in white and Asian women, increasing the risk in older stages of life such as postmenopausal.
Some of the other risk factors that may contribute to the appearance of this condition are low calcium intake due to diet, gastrointestinal surgery, eating disorders, long-term use of certain medications such as steroids, certain diseases such as cancer, celiac disease, arthritis, also lifestyles that involve a high intake of alcohol or tobacco and sometimes alterations in hormonal levels.
As for its symptoms, we know that these will mostly be dependent on the bone affected by a bone fracture, others may be loss of height or a hunched posture.
Scientific studies on the action of CBD on osteoporosis
As on numerous occasions, various studies have been carried out on this and other cannabis compounds as a treatment for different diseases, in order to establish parameters that allow their use or disuse. In this case we evaluate the information provided by science, about the effectiveness of treating osteoporosis with cannabis compounds.
A study carried out by researchers from the United Kingdom in 2009, belonging to the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow, consisted of studying the presence of endocannabinoid receptors in mice suffering from osteoporosis, demonstrating that the CB1 receptor was involved in bone health. of the ECS, which were deficient in these mice. Bone cells usually differentiate into osteoblasts or adipocytes. In the CB1-deficient bone marrow of mice, a high content of adipocytes was found, a condition quite common in osteoporosis.
Furthermore, an interaction of CB1 receptors was also associated with the differentiation of osteoblasts and adipocytes in bone stromal cells; In addition to this, it was added that the CB1 receptor apparently increased with age. As a final conclusion it was said that, CB1 receptors could be an excellent treatment option for these bone conditions.
Another study carried out in 2010 by the Bone Research Group at the University of Edinburgh showed that inhibition of CB2 receptors decreased the production of osteoclasts, preventing bone resorption. Likewise, it was possible to verify that the activation of this CB2 receptor could produce anabolic effects by helping the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into osteoblasts and inciting bone formation.
An analysis between these two studies concluded that the activation of the CB2 receptor was more viable than that of CB1 since the former did not produce psychoactivity, as happened in the case of CB1.
In the same 2010 study, it was shown that the GPR55 receptor and TRPV1 are therapeutic forms, since in this way osteoclastic function can also be reduced, protecting the bone from bone resorption and preventing osteoporosis.
Therefore, they finally concluded that cannabinoids could act on endocannabinoids, producing an antiresorptive effect, and that endocannabinoids could produce anabolic responses in the bones.
Adding to a 2015 study carried out by researchers from the University of Jerusalem, the Institute of Biomechanics of Switzerland and Tel Aviv University, we note the participation of CBD as a stimulant in bone formation and strengthening it specifically in broken bones.
The study was carried out in mice that suffered from bone fractures, which after 8 weeks resulted in a reduction in the size of the callus of the affected area, demonstrating a more accelerated healing process, as well as it was also found that the new bone formation was quite strong and resistant, which allowed the researchers to conclude that this cannabis compound can improve bone recovery after a fracture, making this a safe treatment option. They also added that CBD promotes osteoblastic function in bone formation. .
Studies have shown the effectiveness of CBD with respect to osteoporosis, but what about the other compounds in cannabis? Will they affect this condition in the same way? The answer is no, this can be explained simply, due to the belief that smoking marijuana helps in the same way in the treatment of this disease and a study in the American Journal of Medicine has shown the opposite, when they discovered that Marijuana users suffered from low body weight and a greater tendency to suffer bone fractures.
The study consisted of evaluating 170 adult marijuana users for recreational purposes and 114 tobacco-only users. Faithful marijuana users had a lower body weight index compared to non-consumers, and these could suffer more fractures than smokers. of tobacco, when measuring the bone density of the patients they realized that Regular marijuana users had lower mineral density, in turn increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
How CBD works on osteoporosis
In principle we have a system called endocannabinoid which has been directly associated with the bone system, meaning that, if there is a deficiency of this, bone degeneration processes could occur, this is because it intervenes in the correct regulation of activities. osteoclastic and osteoblastic.
Cannabinoids cause various effects as antagonists of certain endocannabinoid receptors, in this case emphasis is placed on endocannabinoid receptors CB1, CB2 and GRP55, since they are the protagonists and cause of the wonderful results on this disease.
The GPR55 receptor was first discovered in 1999, located in the brain and is said to be a G protein-coupled receptor 55. Cells of the skeletal system have both CB1 and CB2 receptors, as well as GPR55, the latter having shown a great similarity with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, having that it can cause effects very similar to those they have.
When these receptors are blocked, especially GPR55, an increase in bone mass occurs, while bone resorption is inhibited, which is nothing more than the process by which osteoclasts eliminate bone tissue, promoting release of minerals; The cannabis compound called CBD has been shown to interact with this receptor, producing this effect and therefore significantly helping patients with osteoporosis.
Benefits of CBD to treat osteoporosis
- Reduces inflammation: Patients with osteoporosis often present inflammation in the areas affected by bone fractures, due to the weakness that osteoporosis produces in the bone, CBD has anti-inflammatory properties in most of its forms, so it could help in this condition.
- Goodbye pain: When we have a patient with osteoporosis we have to know that pain will be one of the main symptoms of the condition, since when the bones are fractured, a thin bundle of nerves that is located just above it is injured, which will immediately produce a severe pain, CBD has analgesic properties that could relieve this symptom without side effects.
- Increased bone mass: Thanks to various studies, it has been shown that CBD acts on certain receptors to promote the growth of bone mass, which is essential in cases of osteoporosis, in this way the patient strengthens their bones and improves their life prognosis.
- Helps the healing process: Once a patient with osteoporosis has a bone fracture, they go through a long and quite tedious recovery process. CBD, thanks to its various benefits on this disease, helps to cure the condition faster, increasing the hardness of the callus formed and reducing its size in less time, this ensures good bone recovery with strength benefits.
How to use CBD for the treatment of osteoporosis?
There are various ways that are known today to use CBD, however, there are certain diseases in which some methods are more effective than others, for example, when we talk about inhaled CBD, the effect is usually quite fast and effective, Although in this disease it is advisable to use two types of CBD, CBD rich oil and the topics or creams made from CBD.
Oil rich in CBD can be obtained with low levels of THC, which allows the beneficial effect to be achieved by helping to avoid the psychoactive effect, however, that is not a problem since this oil, as its name indicates, is rich in cannabidiol, so We will have numerous benefits to treat the disease.
On the other hand, there are creams or topicals, which are recommended to be applied locally. Studies have shown that the absorption of CBD at the skin level is quite high, its effect usually takes a little longer, but it is the same. of cash.
We recommend trying both in combination, applying a thin layer of cream to the affected area plus some sublingual drops of CBD oil to promote the healing of your bones, as well as strengthening.
General conclusion
As we have seen, both CBD and THC can help in the treatment of osteoporosis, however, there are ways to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC, obtaining a quality product with a high level of CBD, studies have shown the effectiveness of cannabis compounds in not only the treatment of symptoms, but also in the prevention and cure of the patient.
We always recommend going to a specialist if you are thinking about using this cannabis compound, since they will be able to provide you with the necessary information on its use, as well as the evaluation of your body in response to treatment with CBD, dosage and tips to avoid or mitigate the effects. mild side effects that CBD can cause in the first instance.
It is advisable to consider this medication as another supplement, rather than a replacement for your current conventional treatment. You could discuss this with your treating doctor and he will help you decide what is best for your health.
One of the greatest and most important advantages of this compound is the prevention of bone fractures, since this is the most serious consequence of this disease, helping to strengthen and promote the growth of bone tissue, increasing the patient's quality of life. .
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