Yo, my name is Dan and I wanna talk to y’all about the thyroid gland. This gland is important cuz it wraps around the front of your trachea at the base of your neck. It’s an endocrine gland that secretes hormones to regulate all kinds of systems in your body. A healthy thyroid gland means you’re good with your heart, bones, and muscles. But it ain’t just that, cuz this gland talks to your brain too to keep everything balanced.
The thyroid affects all kinds of processes like metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and even your emotions. But if something goes wrong with it, you could be facing a whole range of symptoms and health complications. That’s why researchers have been looking into the thyroid/brain communication network and the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is present in both the central nervous system and the thyroid gland itself. It might have a role to play in hormone release, which is where CBD oil comes in as a potential way to impact various types of thyroid disorders. So let’s get into what the thyroid does and what kind of problems it can cause.
The thyroid releases hormones to control all kinds of internal processes like metabolism, growth, brain development (especially during infancy), body temperature, heart and muscle functioning, and a whole bunch of other stuff. If the thyroid releases either too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) hormone, then it’s gonna be real bad for your organs and your overall health.
There are specific disorders of the thyroid like goiter (swelling), thyroiditis (inflammation), Graves’ disease (overactive thyroid), thyroid cancer, small lumps that cause excess hormone production (thyroid nodules), and even a rare form of hyperthyroidism called thyroid storm. You don’t wanna mess with any of this stuff.
It can be hard to detect a specific disorder, but there are tests like biopsies, imaging scans, and blood tests to check for proper levels of hormones. The American Thyroid Association estimates that thyroid disorders affect up to 20 million Americans, with as much as 12% of the population developing a thyroid condition at some point in their lives.
The causes of thyroid disorders ain’t really known, but researchers think autoimmune conditions, stress, high cholesterol, and smoking can be factors. Women are also more likely than men to develop a thyroid problem. If pregnant women have untreated hypothyroidism, it can lead to miscarriage, preterm delivery, and developmental problems for the baby.
There are conventional treatments for thyroid conditions like pharmaceutical medications for underactive (T4 replacement) and overactive (hormone secretion reduction) thyroids. Plus, surgery if necessary. But these drugs can cause serious side effects in the liver and immune system.
That’s why people are turning to CBD for thyroid disorders. By acting on the endocannabinoid system, CBD can regulate internal homeostasis on a whole-body level without the side effects of prescription drugs. Most people use a single high-quality CBD oil that can address a variety of thyroid malfunctions like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, thyroiditis, and thyroid storm.
There have been scientific studies suggesting CBD’s regulatory effects on the endocrine gland. A 2002 study found functional cannabinoid receptors in rat thyroids that could influence hormone release. Plus, CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory that can reduce organ and tissue inflammation.
Clinical trials are needed to determine how effective CBD is for thyroid disorders. But it’s promising so far. CBD oils are easily ingested and absorbed into the body when placed under the tongue and held for 90 seconds. The proper dosing can be a trial and error process, so make sure to read labels and understand how much you’re consuming.
It’s important to consider the quality of CBD oil you’re using too. Look for companies with thorough lab-testing, transparent ingredient lists, and helpful customer service. The FDA has been cracking down on disreputable companies, so be careful out there.
In conclusion, the thyroid gland is crucial for your overall health, but it can cause all kinds of problems if something goes wrong. Traditional medications have side effects, which is why people are turning to CBD oil as a potential alternative treatment. It’s important to do your research and find a high-quality product if you decide to try CBD for thyroid disorders. Stay healthy, y’all.
