Cannabis’ benefits are relayed in the mainstream media through vibrant advertisements, celebrity endorsements, and other multi-faceted avenues. While these are reliable enough, nothing beats first-hand experiences.
You may be wondering why we are going on, and on about how to gauge cannabis’ benefits for ourselves, well, we’ve got a point.
Without first-hand experience, you won’t know how any product will bode for you, especially when it comes to cannabis and its effects on the body. That’s why today we’re zeroing in on the effects of Delta-8 THC on hormones, aka the regulators of the body.
Cannabis and Hormones
You can’t jot down all the subtleties of the complex relationship between cannabis and hormones, because research is ongoing. So, we’ll mention the most prominent and important effects, we already know about.
The key players in regulating and maintaining the hot and cold dynamic between cannabis and hormones are the Endocannabinoid System or ECS, all necessary hormones and its prime regulator, the pituitary gland, along with its supporting characters, hypothalamus, endocrine system, and others.
Now, let’s pull in focus. Cannabinoids are the active compounds in cannabis, which interact with ECS receptors, particularly the CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Research has shown the impact of cannabis on the regulation of hormones, namely cortisol, insulin, and reproductive hormones. For instance, THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, may influence the release of cortisol, which is the stress hormone, and impact insulin sensitivity.
For reproductive hormones, cannabinoids can affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, potentially but not definitely influencing the release of sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen.
Some studies have also indicated that chronic cannabis use might disrupt menstrual cycles and alter fertility in both men and women. The former is widely reported, while the latter is still being researched.
These are what we would deem surface effects of cannabis on hormones, there are a lot more which we’re going to dive deeply into and talk about below. So, keep reading!
General Benefits of Delta-8 THC
You already know we’re not just here to talk about cannabis in general today, but Delta-8 THC in specific. So before we get right into its effects on hormones, let’s preface with a list of some great benefits of Delta-8 THC on your mind and body.
Pain Relief
Just like its famed source, the CBD, Delta-8 THC is appreciated for its pain relief goodness. Whether you smoke it in the form of a delta 8 pen or consume Organic Delta 8 gummies, you’ll experience its relieving benefits soon enough!
Psychoactive Benefits
As usual, you can expect the characteristic benefit of euphoria from this derivative. However, the psychoactive property of this Delta-8 is a lot milder than its predecessor, Delta-7, also successor Delta-9 THC.
So, you may not feel “high” as you probably would with other CBD derivatives, making it great for those who are more prone and sensitive to bouts of anxiety and panic attacks. As with increased euphoric effects, those issues can get worse.
Anxiety and Stress Relief
As an appropriate segue, the Delta-8 THC’s relatively mild psychoactive properties make it a great choice for those with chronic or severe anxiety or stress episodes. Users feel at ease with Delta-8, from their spiked levels, without feeling too overwhelmed from the “high.”
Delta-8 can potentially be an option for children and pets alike, who could use the relieving benefits and not have to deal with the usual euphoric effects, which can be extreme. But of course, medical supervision is paramount in this case, and parents must not use Delta-8 THC without medical advice.
Stimulating Appetite
Delta-8 THC’s mild euphoric sensations and effective formulation are also great for stimulating appetite in patients with eating disorders or mental health issues. It has shown great promise in research and trials in stimulating appetite without experiencing psychotropic episodes.
Inflammation Relief
Another great indicator of Delta-8 THC is that it may have anti-inflammatory properties. This could be potentially great for those struggling with inflammation, such as arthritis.
Inflammation is associated with various health issues, and substances with anti-inflammatory benefits are often explored and have positive prospects for their therapeutic virtues.
Antiemetic Properties
Delta-8 THC has been studied for its potential antiemetic (anti-nausea and vomiting) benefits, which can be great for those who often experience lightheadedness. It’s great for those with physically challenging jobs, especially in the sea, such as oil rig workers or shipmen.
The Delta-8 THC is also a great choice for patients undergoing chemotherapy or experiencing nausea for other reasons.
Neuroprotective Characteristics
While research is still ongoing, Delta-8 THC’s impact on neurological pathways has already shown great promise. It provides protection to the brain’s nerve cells and can potentially improve disturbed sleep patterns and memory retention abilities.
But it is important to note that using Delta-8 THC is not the end-all-be-all for brain disorders, it has only shown a few examples of hope.
You must understand that using Delta-8 THC might induce certain symptoms and effects and cause further issues, which is why a doctor’s supervision is always necessary.
Effects of Delta-8 THC On Hormones
We looked at only a few effects of cannabis on hormones, now we’re going to get specific. This time, we’re going to look at the effects of a certain type of cannabis, the Delta-8 THC, on hormones.
Delta-8 THC is derived from CBD with a hemp base. And it has many amazing benefits, as we’ve already seen above. And through numerous clinical trials and tests, we are well aware of its effects on a hormonal level.
So now, let’s go over the effects of Delta-8 THC on our hormones.
Cortisol
Cortisol is the stress hormone, simply put. Some cannabinoids, including THC, have been associated with changes in cortisol levels. Delta-8 THC might impact stress levels, reducing spikes for the most part, especially when you use a moderate dosage.
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine regulates the transmission of nerve impulses in the body and relays neural messages from different parts of the body, to the brain. It is also called the messenger hormone.
Delta-8 THC might increase how acetylcholine is released, helping increase and elevate the brain’s functions, causing the nervous circulation to be more streamlined and faster.
Insulin
The ECS is involved in regulating insulin and glucose metabolism. Some studies suggested that Delta-8 might influence glucose sensitivity, but of course, the specific effects have not been brought to light just yet.
Note that cannabis might make people more sensitive to insulin and can make blood pressure readings irregular, or feel more severe than normal. So doctor’s advice and supervision is crucial.
Serotonin
As shown in trials with mice, Delta-8 THC significantly changes the activity and regulation of serotonin in the brain. This hormone is a neurotransmitter, mainly responsible for mood regulation and promoting feel-good feelings. You know those feelings of peace and lifting ups? That’s serotonin for ya!
Delta-8’s mild euphoria might calm and relieve anxiety without causing things to go haywire. But you’ll be relieved to know that too much serotonin in the brain has been linked to seizures and worsened anxiety. So Delta-8 THC is a stable contender in making sure the serotonin is controlled.
Testosterone and Estrogen
In a few experiments, minimum doses of Delta-8 have been shown to interfere with the male sex hormone. As for estrogen, the results are more promising.
The minimal dose of this cannabis has shown to have quite a substantial effect on estrogen in premenopausal women. It is also suggested to be of benefit to women dealing with hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.
However, it’s still a hit or miss, so women on the verge of menopause or those with hormonal disorders must consult reputed gynecologists before using or experimenting.
Melatonin
No, we’re not talking about melatonin gummies, but the hormone itself. Melatonin is responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles and using Delta-8 THC can be beneficial in regulating the cycle for the better. You see, your sleep cycle is heavily impacted by your stress and anxiety levels, with the
Delta-8 targets those stressors and relieves you of effects, it also indirectly helps your melatonin to disperse properly, helping you and your body rest and take a breather when it’s time.
But keep in mind that unsupervised dosages can kick things off into madness and mess it all up. So, follow the dosage instructions properly to get the best results.
Thyroid
Delta-8 THC can also have certain effects on the thyroid, which plays a crucial role in metabolism and energy regulation. Unsupervised and improper dosages can cause problems like weight gain, fatigue, depression, and decreased libido, among others.
So it cannot be said enough, how important speaking to your doctor is before you self-prescribe with Delta-8 THC.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our comprehensive take on the effects of Delta-8 THC on hormones. Remember always to seek the advice and recommendations of your doctor before you start consuming Delta-8 THC in any form, gummies, smoking, supplements, or concentrations. Medical supervision is compulsory.
Share with your cannabis-enthusiast friends or family to enlighten them!
