The Endocannabinoid system, Phytocannabinoids and Pain (Patho)physiology

What is the endocannabinoid system?

The endocannabinoid system is an innate group of cannabinoid receptors that exists as part of our normal physiology.  These receptors are located all over the body including in most organs, the peripheral nervous system, and the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system- CNS).  The ECS is involved in: pain, appetite, mood, memory, and sleep to name a few of its functions.  Expression of cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors is HIGH in the uterus and cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors are expressed abundantly in the uterus, intestines, immune system, lungs, pancreas and skin.  In women of childbearing age, CB1 and CB2 receptors are found in varying amounts depending on where a woman is in her cycle.  Internally, substances like anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)- which are naturally produced by the human body- stimulate CB receptors and, externally, receptors of the ECS (CB1 and CB2) are directly stimulated by delta-9-THC (the psychoactive substance in some strains of Cannabis).

How does the endocannabinoid system interact with women’s reproductive systems?

Naturally produced hormones such as progesterone, which is one of the main “directors” of the menstrual cycle, also increase or decrease the amount of working endocannabinoid receptors during different parts of the cycle.  It is only natural, then, that women need to have a healthy endocannabinoid system to thrive.  When this system gets “out of whack,” various types of pain can occur. 

So how does the endocannabinoid system relate to overall “pain?” 

Most people are familiar with the inflammatory pain system and, in truth, there is plenty of overlap between pain “systems” that we are going to discuss in this post.  Scientifically, inflammation means that numerous chemicals- mainly called cytokines, interleukins, and growth factors- are made in excess and overstimulate nerve cells that then go on to produce the sensation of pain.  These chemicals also lead to the immune system becoming activated and to cell death (cells often burst open and/or shrivel up when they die and then release other chemicals) Then, this cellular debris needs to be cleaned-up.  This ends up being part of what is called “oxidative stress.” 

Huh? As an example of how this pain starts, women with endometriosis have amplified inflammation and oxidative stress and this overstimulation results in both acute (intense, short-term) pain and chronic (nagging, long-term) pain.   Check out our post on endometriosis and the endocannabinoid system for more specifics. 

The nociceptive pain system is responsible for perception and transmission of pain signals from the peripheral nervous system.  That is, the part of our nervous system that runs through our arms, legs, and body cavities (including the pelvis)- including both visceral (deep down inside the gut and pelvis) and superficial pain.  Through this system we perceive pressure, stretching, heat, burning, etc. 

Finally, there is the neuropathic pain system which results from direct damage to the nerve cells (and nerve fibers) as part of inflammatory or nociceptive damage.  This leads to signals being sent from the periphery straight to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).  Many people describe this type of pain as shooting or piercing as it travels along nerve fibers.  Then, the brain gets involved, remembers and distorts the experience of pain, creates a memory regarding avoiding this type of pain in the future (anxiety), and a chronic pain pathway is established.  The earlier in her life a woman begins to experience this type of pain the greater the CNS (brain) integrates it, distorts it, and makes it permanent.  That is why and how chronic pain is so difficult to treat.    

Unfortunately, the general experience of pain, including pain from many women’s health issues such as endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and painful sex, also exacerbates anxiety, social withdrawal, poor sleep, and other factors which impact an individual’s overall mental health.   At CannaGyne Botanix we have chosen specific strains of phytocannabinoid-rich hemp that are particularly well-suited to these pain pathways and women’s health.  Our formulas contain cannabidiol as well cannabichromene (CBC), CBDa, and cannabigerol (CBG) as the synergistic effect of these phytocannabinoids enhances the therapeutic qualities of our products via our natural endocannabinoid physiology.