Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
05:41
Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
Published on: April 6, 2022
2.8K
Medicinal Cannabis and the Intestinal Microbiome
Luis Vitetta1,2,3, Tamara Nation2, Debbie Oldfield2,3
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 8, 2025
Summary
Medicinal cannabis components interact with the gut microbiome and the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). This interaction influences gut health, immunity, and neurological pathways, offering potential therapeutic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine
- Neurogastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cannabis has a long history of medicinal, food, and recreational use.
- Cannabis compounds can alleviate pain, inflammation, mood disorders, and gastrointestinal issues.
- The gut-microbiota-brain axis facilitates communication between the central and enteric nervous systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the connection between the endocannabinoid system, gut microbiota, and medicinal cannabinoids.
- To propose an exogenous cannabinoid-intestinal microbiota-endocannabinoid system axis.
- To advance an integrative medicine model for prescribing medicinal cannabis.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing clinical evidence on the endocannabinoid system and gut microbiota.
- Conceptualization of the exogenous cannabinoid-intestinal microbiota-endocannabinoid system axis.
- Proposal of an integrative medicine model.
Main Results:
- The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in regulating immune responses, intestinal homeostasis, and barrier integrity.
- The gut microbiota influences neurological, endocrine, and immunological functions via the gut-microbiota-brain axis.
- Medicinal cannabinoids and the intestinal microbiome can potentiate the endocannabinoid system's actions.
Conclusions:
- An exogenous cannabinoid-intestinal microbiota-endocannabinoid system axis is proposed, highlighting the microbiome's role.
- Medicinal cannabinoids may enhance the endocannabinoid system's mechanism of action.
- An integrative medicine approach to medicinal cannabis may yield beneficial health outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
71.3K
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
71.3K
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
377
The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
377
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
01:21Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Cannabinoids
201
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a phytocannabinoid that primarily interacts with the CB1 receptor, a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) predominantly in and around the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and emetic center. THC also blocks the serotonin receptor activity in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) by inhibiting serotonin release. THC exerts its anti-emetic effects through these interactions, which are beneficial for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
Two synthetic agonists of THC,...
201
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
244
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
244
01:50What is Monogastric Digestion?
70.5K
The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
70.5K