Cannabis and thyroid disorders - How can it help?
Currently, most patients suffering from thyroid disorders are prescribed hormone replacement drugs. These simply replace the thyroid gland in performing the tasks it cannot perform. However, they do not act directly on the thyroid gland itself and have many side effects that can be very unpleasant in some cases. More and more patients are therefore turning to other types of medication. This raises the question of whether cannabis can play a role in the fight against thyroid disorders.
What is the thyroid gland and what does it do?
The thyroid gland is a gland of the endocrine system, located below the larynx. Through the production of two hormones - T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (tetraiodothyronine) - it determines how the body's cells use energy and is therefore important for regulating weight, mood and controlling physical and mental energy levels, thus controlling metabolism. Sometimes, however, thyroid function can fail. The two most common forms of thyroid dysfunction are hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones) and hypothyroidism (underproduction of these hormones).
It is estimated that hyperthyroidism affects approximately one in a hundred women and may be caused by excessive iodine or tetraiodothyronine consumption, inflammation, tumours (of the testes, ovaries, pituitary gland or the thyroid gland itself) or certain diseases (Graves' disease, multinodular goiter or toxic nodular goiter). The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include tremors, heat and sweating intolerance, irritability and increased appetite.
Hypothyroidism is usually caused by Hashimton's disease or damage to the thyroid gland from radiation therapy. Hypothyroidism is mostly benign, with symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, constipation, hair loss, elevated cholesterol levels and/or an increased feeling of cold.
Can cannabis help with thyroid problems?
Scientists are concerned about the possible effect of cannabis on thyroid function because several studies have shown a close link between thyroid function and the endocannabinoid system. In the 1970s and 1980s, scientists found that in rats, cannabis reduced thyroid hormone levels. More recently, a study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology showed that CB1 receptors modulated the release of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones in the same animals. The authors therefore suggested that cannabinoids could play a role in regulating thyroid function in rodents.
Our knowledge of the relationship cannabinoids, endocannabinoid system and the thyroid, however, goes beyond just rodents. A 2009 study showed that in humans, receptors of the endocannabinoid system CB1 directly interact with neurons responsible for controlling thyroid function. Another study, published in 2015, confirmed these findings and showed that cannabinoid receptors can act on thyroid damage. In view of this link between endocannabinoid system and the thyroid, it seems reasonable to explore a possible relationship between cannabis use and thyroid disorders. Few studies have addressed this issue. Fortunately, one of them is quite remarkable in its scope.
For several decades, the National Center for Health Statistics in the United States has produced annual reports assessing the health status of Americans. In 2017, a team of researchers studied reports produced between 2007 and 2012 to assess the effect of cannabis on thyroid function. In total, data from 5,280 people between the ages of 18 and 69 were analyzed. As a result, they found that those who had used cannabis in the month prior to the analysis had lower thyrotropin levels than non-users or those who had last used cannabis more than one month ago. Thyrotropin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that regulates the release of thyroid hormones. In other words, the higher the thyrotropin level, the more active the thyroid gland. It can therefore be concluded from this study that cannabis use leads to transient hyperthyroidism.
This hypothesis is supported by another study conducted in 2008, in which the authors observed a lack of thyroid excitation in long-term cannabis users. But it's not that simple, because another study published in 2013 in the journal Pharmacopsychiatry looked at the thyroid functions of regular cannabis users and concluded that cannabis consumption does not affect them.
While it is unfortunate that there are few studies on the link between cannabis use and thyroid disorders, it is encouraging that scientific interest in this issue is growing. The discrepancies between studies are due both to the fact that the sample group is often too small to be truly significant and to the complexity of cannabis itself. With such a wide range of plant varieties with such diverse characteristics, the validity of conclusions about the effect of cannabis on the thyroid gland is very limited.
In other words, research in this area simply divides people into two groups: those who use cannabis and those who do not. But consuming high-CBD varieties does not have the same effects as using high-THC cannabis. Until researchers are able to categorise the users studied according to the cannabinoid content and the variety of cannabis consumed, the conclusions of the studies will remain speculative. So, if you suffer from thyroid dysfunction and are tempted to treat yourself with cannabis, avoid self-medication and consult a professional.
PHOTO: Shutterstock
"All information contained on this website, as well as information provided through this website, is for educational purposes only. None of the information contained herein is intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis and such information is not to be considered medical advice or recommended treatment. This website does not promote, endorse or advocate the legal or illegal use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or the commission of any other illegal activity. Please see our Disclaimer for further information."