Author: Jimmie Ott

2-AG and your current Endocannabinoid system 

This is one of the most abundant current endocannabinoids out there, which does flow between your neurons to control the release. This is a molecule that does keep everything in balance, including your immunity, your appetite as the body needs it, and it can even play a role in sexual arousal of the body. 

Who discovered it. 

The person who discovered 2-Arachidonoglycerol, or 2-AG is someone who played a major role in the way that cannabinoids work, and it was found by a game named Dr. Raphael Meschoulam, and it’s one who found this in Israel, discovering this along with the compound of THC on the ECS. He found that 2-Ag had specific signaling aspects that came along with this, and it soon what’s called the endocannabinoids, which are cannabinoids that are within the body. His team then went to look at the different ligands that are within the tissues of animals, and that 2-AG among other ligands, did bond with the ECS receptors too. 

So what is it Exactly? 

This is a chemical which does bind directly to your ECS receptors, offering the champagnes that are necessary within specific target cells. It’s an ester that’s created with omega-6 arachidonic acid, along with glycerol that comes from arachidonic acid. This is something that’s a lipid (otherwise known as fats) that offer messages within your ECS. 

Because it uses these fatty acids, various dietary changes do change the “tone” of your ECS. The 2AG fluids offer the status as one of the most abundant kinds of endocannabinoids in the brain, and it’s considered the full agonist amongst your ECS receptors too. That means when it does bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, it gets fully activated.  Anandamide is a partial agonist of this, so the results are quite limited. 

The functions 

This is one that’s very important for your central nervous system, and the immune system, due to what the body needs to break it down to modulate. For the CNS, it’s basically responsible for the release  of the 2AG receptors, so it’s a big responsibility for it, since it’s basically how we feel, look, and perceive various realities. 

There are a few ways for you to look at this. The main way is that the neurons do send various signals via impulses, which do result in neurotransmitter releases. When this recaches what’s called the presynaptic neuron, it does prompt the release of this, and then it binds to your postsynaptic neurons. 

This does work on retrograde ways, so it goes back across the cleft, which is then against the normal flow.  This is because it allows for postsynaptic cells to control the traffic of it, causing excitation of this. 

As for the immune system, it offers balance to this immune system by possessing both the CB1 and the CB2 receptors, it controls and modulates these. 

This includes the following: 

  • Your b cells 
  • Your natural killer cells 
  • The monocytes 

This is something that dampens the firing when needed, and it then prevents your immunity from going crazy. 

It also works to help with stimulating your appetite, which is partially responsible for the “munchies” you get when you have cannabis.  It can control the food intake, so that’s why you may eat after smoking. Finally, it controls sexual function, and it can help cap the sexual desire feelings. According to a study that looked at the concentrations of this, it wsa found that endocannabinoids gatekeep the feelings of your sexual desire as it arises, and they also do help to temporarily look at different feelings as well. 

Major Issues with Undiagnosed Depression 

While many people are coming forward with their anxiety and depression, a ton of people are still worried about getting diagnosed, so they don’t be. There are tons of reasons why people haven’t looked to depression being the primary reason for their health issues. A lot of depressive situations will disrupt your life, especially if you haven’t been diagnosed, or you even don’t know that you suffer from this, because a lot of times, people mistake depression for different health conditions. Tiredness, low moods, and the like can make you feel this way.

Some symptoms of depression 

There are certain symptoms of depression, especially major depressive episodes. These include the following: 

  • Losing interest or excitement in the daily activities and hobbies of life 
  • Feeling empty and sad 
  • Suddenly feeling fatigued and tired 
  • Feeling random cravings, or less appetite 
  • Anxiety and agitation 
  • Disrupted sleep 
  • Headaches and back pain 

We all have different types of issues that can sometimes make us feel bad. But if these last for longer than two weeks, you might have clinical depression, which is basically depression that’s diagnosed. 

What can Happen if you don’t have Diagnosed depression 

The answer? A lot.  Some of the most common concerns that you may have when you have clinical depression are listed below. 

Lessened immune system 

If you have an immune system that’s weakened, it could be due to undiagnosed depression. Your immunity and depression are intricately linked, and this can make you far more susceptible to inflammation, chronic disease, and various other health concerns

there are also conditions that create depression, and it  can cause you to develop this.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse 

If you feel tired and commonly turn to drugs and alcohol to help with this, you might have depression.

Using caffeine is a common one, because some might just have a lot of caffeine to help with this, and not just coffee either. This can also mask the energy levels that you really have, but also put you at risk for heart conditions.

Cannabis is also used to help with the managing of depression. It’s safer than other drugs, and it can help, but it doesn’t fix the problem. Alcohol can also make you feel worse if you have depression. 

Obesity 

Another thing that happens is unhealthy weight management. As we start to get older and older, our calorie-burning and fat reduction process begins to slow, which makes hitting the right weight much harder for you to do. Also, when you feel tired, you eat more too. Our body starts to crave carbs as the primary energy source, and most of the time, people who have depression also have obesity and weight issues too. This can cause fatigue and other concerns as well.

Sexual Issues 

Another thing that happens too, is that your sex life begins to also deteriorate. Depression makes the neurotransmitters break down a lot more, so arousal and desire also start to struggle too. It can also cause issues with erections, and lubricants too.

It can also cause issues with orgasms too, since it can be harder to hit too. Men who have this also might struggle with erectile dysfunction. Because of the issues in the neurotransmitters directly from the sex organs also might cause different issues with the blood flow that happens.

These are just a few of the reasons why depression, when left untreated, causes major issues. if you suffer from depression, you should talk to your doctor today to see if there is any way they can help with alleviating the symptoms. 

Marijuana and Tumor Growth

While there are some effects that marijuana can have on some diseases, one that’s definitely got attention are those with cancer. Cancer is when a cell growth that’s abnormal happens, spreading to various parts of your body. It’s accompanied in many cases by weight loss, pain, nausea, and extreme weight loss too due to this. Some recent studies have discovered that certain cannabinoids, including THC can help with slowing this growth, improving life expectancy, and also offers treatment for this disease as well.

Can it really Help?

CBD is definitely something that can help, as it’s responsible to help with the targeting of the ID-1 gene, which is a big part of metastasizing, and spreading of these cancer cells. The component that’s psychoactive does help to shut this gene off, stopping the replication of these cells. Right now, the current discovery did help with not only showing the effect that this has on people, but also, the benefits that are there too.

Further evolution on the research has since grown, and now, there are tons of journal entries that are there that document how beneficial medical cannabis is for cancer. There is one journal called the oncogene journal, which shares how cannabis can help with this. According to a publication from 2007, it was found that THC does inhibit epithelial growth, and also it also helps with reducing the migration of this, and there is some evidence that’s been provided that shows how it’s slowed down the growth of cancer.

It also discusses the psychoactive parts of THC, responsible for blocking this movement, and the cells are supposed to be localized, and also keeps diseases at a much earlier level and stage. What this means, is that when it’s caught early, it can keep it from getting worse, thereby increasing the survival rate. Another study that also looked at this studied how cannabis and lung cancer are connected. They looked at mice that had metastatic cancer over the course of three weeks. They gave them some THC, and since then, the tumors were able to shrink by up to 60% in some cases, and this also reduced the cancer as well within people.

Can it Cure Cancer

There is some agreement that cannabis is a type of innovative medicine, and marijuana are now being seen in a more positive manner, with the correct journals and experiments that document the benefits that are there. As more and further research gets done on the daily about this, there is also more information provided to help show how to combat the symptoms and the disease.

It is also expected in many cases that the benefits that are related to the usage of medical cannabis will further be uncovered down the line. So while there isn’t a specific means that says yes, cannabis takes out cancer completely, there is a chance that it can do this, and there are many people who want that to be the case. The best way to determine the effects of marijuana, and the benefits for those with cancer is to wait and see. We don’t know for sure if it’ll be the saving grace that a lot of people can rely on. But what we do know right now, is that for current studies, there are a lot of great benefits that marijuana has on cancer, and there are tons of amazing benefits that this can offer, so hopefully down the line, we’ll be able to see more and more of these benefits come to light, shedding light on the benefits of medical cannabis for various illnesses too. 

What’s a T-Break 

If you’re someone that uses cannabis a lot, you might get to certain points where the enjoyment is far less. The same happens with just about everything. Coffee for instance is good because the first time will give you some energy, and better clarity, but as you continue, the individual starts to get used to it, and the caffeine effects go away.

If you want to feel that same burst every single time, you have to either get something stronger or drink more coffee, and this is how a tolerance for this begins to develop. 

This works in the same way with cannabis. You get a THC tolerance, and when that occurs, it’s nowhere near as enjoyable. The good thing about this though, is that the break doesn’t have to last forever, and you’ll be able to enjoy the effects over time. 

What Tolerance  With Cannabis 

In general, your body has CB1 and CB2 receptors, which cannabis works on.  Sometimes, your body resists this over time, and you’ll have to consume either a stronger strain, or more in order to get the effect. 

The ECS definitely controls a lot of the basic functions including appetite, sleep, memory, mood, even your fertility, and there are various receptors. 

One good thing about this, is that if you take a break from this, you get the full benefits over time. 

Is it Bad to Get a Tolerance? 

This is something that you may wonder. 

A little bit is actually good, because if you’ve got no tolerance, you’ll continuously feel paranoid and overly high, and that can be uncomfortable.

If you have a tiny bit of tolerance, it’ll allow you to enjoy the benefits a whole lot better, while experiencing far less effects in terms of the psychoactive aspects of the plant itself. 

With that said, too much tolerance can make things hard. 

The Benefits of Breaks 

While it might be a bit hard at first, this actually can be beneficial.

Over time, you lower the tolerance, and it can also help you use less down the line.

Less cannabis means that you’re saving some money, and you’ll also get to keep more of the weed that you buy to smoke.

full frame Organic Cannabis close up

It’s good for a lot of people who want to properly maximize those benefits.  The big thing to understand though, is that it’s different for everyone. Not everyone needs a long tolerance break. A couple of days might be good. It depends on the type of ECS that you have your own personal psychological makeup, and well, how much cannabis you’ve got.

Some people, however, can’t do this. This is especially true in the event of someone who uses cannabis medically. Taking a break from this can make the condition worse, and it’s something that isn’t good for you.

For those who do partake in self-medication, this is something that’s good for you, and it can help.

You don’t have to always quit cold turkey either. If you take a lot, sometimes lessening the amount is good. Your body will slowly reduce what it needs over time. Some people benefit from taking a fraction, and only using that fraction for a little bit, allowing them to get the full effects.

Just like with virtually anything, you do develop tolerances. The solution to every tolerance is to take a bit of a break from it. That’s why, if you notice the cannabis not working the same way that it used to, and you’re tired of taking gross amounts to maximize the effects, consider a T-break for your needs.