I have a gut feeling: Marijuana Coffeeshop and Gut Microbiome

Visit the best marijuana coffeeshop in Amsterdam and feel the relationship between marijuana used by our ancestors for treating most gastrointestinal disorders. The gut is an essential part of our bodies. Home to trillions of healthy bacteria, the gastrointestinal tract, or the gut, has so many vital functions related to our health. And recently, a lot of research has been devoted to it.

One of the questions that researchers are trying to figure out is: What is the relationship between marijuana and the gastrointestinal tract? How do cannabis and our endocannabinoid system interact with the gut’s microbes?

Back to basics: Your gut

The gastrointestinal tract, which starts with the esophagus and ends with the anus, has trillions of viruses, fungi, and most of all bacteria that live within it. When our bodies are healthy, these microbes are in symbiosis with our bodies. We help them, and they help us by regulating our immune system, creating essential amino acids, and vitamins, and breaking down toxic substances that we might consume.

On the other hand, the gut barrier is a structure that is part of the gut lining that allows absorbing nutrients and prevents pathogenic bacteria and viruses from entering the body.

The endocannabinoid system and your gut

The endocannabinoid system is an extensive system that helps regulate mood, emotions, appetite, stress responses, and pain. It is composed of cannabinoids that are natural in the body, called endocannabinoids, and it consists of cannabinoid enzymes and receptors. This system is in several parts – the brain, organs, glands, immune cells, connective tissues, and the gut.

This system is affected during a high, but it also has a significant role in maintaining the microbiome in the gut and regulating vital functions such as homeostasis, movement of food, digestion, and immunological and inflammatory responses.

So what is the relationship between marijuana coffeeshop and the gut?

There is substantial evidence that marijuana has beneficial properties for the gut. Cannabinoids found in marijuana interact with cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 found in the body’s endocannabinoid system.

Before being a popular choice in a marijuana coffee shop in Amsterdam, marijuana was used by our ancestors for treating inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders like cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, as well as abdominal pain. According to research, THC may be able to alter the microbiomes found in the gut, which protect against gaining weight.

One study on obese mice and THC showed that mice retained their lean microbiome when given THC. In other words, the THC prevented them from gaining weight. It also reduced inflammation and gut permeability – when toxins or bacteria leak from the gut to the bloodstream.

When it comes to studies based on humans, have proven that users of marijuana have fewer bacteria that can cause obesity. This can explain why marijuana users are less likely to be obese than people who do not use marijuana. However, THC causes an increase in appetite, more popularly known as munchies.

Final words

The relationship between marijuana and the gut is very complex and important. There is a need for further research that could help us understand this relationship better. It is speculated that terpenes and other smaller cannabinoids may become a part of research in the future. But all in all, you are free to enjoy your weed in the best local coffeeshops in Amsterdam!