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How CBD promotes growth of the new cells in the brain

How CBD promotes growth of the new cells in the brain

14/06/2023

Neurons do not renew... Unlike cells of the intestine, which are renewed every two weeks, or blood erythrocytes, whose lifespan is 120 days, brain nerve cells remain with us for life. Various pathological factors can cause neuronal death, among them neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's), brain injury, and ischemia.

Neurogenesis is the process of formation of new nerve cells [1]. In adults, neurogenesis is actually preserved in only one part of the brain (the hippocampus) [2]. However, neurogenesis plays an important role in brain health [3]. Disruption of neurogenesis is associated with the development of several mental disorders, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, schizophrenia, and addiction [4-6].

Research on mice with chronic stress, shows that activation of neurogenesis leads to a decrease in anxiety- and depressive-like behavior [7].

Disruption of neurogenesis is strongly associated with addiction. Use of almost any addictive substance (THC, alcohol, opiates, amphetamine) causes a decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis [8]. An interesting experiment showed that rats with reduced neurogenesis consumed more cocaine and "worked" harder to get the drug [9].

Neurogenesis disruption is also associated with the development of schizophrenia [5, 10]. It is interesting as well that several types of medications for mental disorders, particularly antidepressants, increase the rate of neurogenesis [11].

Activation of neurogenesis is a new and promising therapeutic tool for various forms of mental disorders, from anxiety and PTSD to addiction and schizophrenia [12].

The endocannabinoid system plays a major role in regulation of adult neurogenesis [13,14]. Endocannabinoid system is the body regulatory system that consists of cannabinoid receptors on cells (CB1 and CB2) and signaling molecules which activate those receptors (endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-AG).

A decrease in the level of endocannabinoids in the brain leads to a decrease in neurogenesis by 50% [14]. Activation of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor is an important factor for neurogenesis [14].

CBD promotes neurogenesis.

It is known from experiments that CBD (3 – 30 mg/kg, 10 days) improves neurogenesis in animals and this effect depends on the activation of CB1 receptors [15, 16].

How does CBD improve neurogenesis?

The proneurogenic action of CBD depends on its ability to increase anandamide, which is caused by CBD inhibition of the enzyme that metabolizes anandamide (FAAH) [5].

CBD-induced increase of the anandamide activates CB1 receptors and enhances neurogenesis.

CBD saves nerve cells from ischemia.

In addition to neurogenesis increase, CBD has other neuroprotective properties, particularly, CBD protects neuronal damage and death under pathological states.

In a model of stroke in mice, short-term use of high doses of CBD (10 mg/kg) prevented cognitive and emotional impairments caused by cerebral ischemia [17]. CBD reduced hippocampal neurodegeneration, prevented reduction of the white matter, and enhanced neurogenesis.

CBD promotes regeneration of existing and appearance of new neurons in the brain, while also helping to preserve neuronal functions during pathological conditions.

References:

1. https://qbi.uq.edu.au/brain-basics/bra...

2. https://www.nature.com/art...

3. https://www.nature.com/artic...

4. https://www.nature.com/artic...

5. https://www.frontiersin.org/arti...

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/...

7. https://www.nature.com/arti...

8. https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10....

9. https://www.nature.com/articl...

10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/scien...

11. https://www.nature.com/artic...