Are Cannabinoids good for your bones?

Research suggests that some cannabinoids can help increasing bone density, strengthening bone tissue and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. There are CB2 receptors within bone osteoblasts that are responsible for managing the construction and degradation of bone tissue. 

Some studies indicate that activation of CB2 receptors stimulates the formation of new bone and inhibits the degradation of old bone. In one study, the constant use of cannabinoids found in hemp plants was shown to activate the CB2 receptor, which in turn, stimulates bone formation and inhibits bone breakdown. Even low cannabinoid concentrations have been shown to be effective in activating human osteoclasts, increasing bone density and offering therapeutic benefits for bone disease.

Other studies suggest that CB1 receptors are also involved in the regulation of bone mass. One of them found evidence that CB1 receptors are responsible for regulating trabecular and cortical bone. These findings suggest that those with higher risk factors for bone weakness or those who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, may benefit from a regular cannabinoid complementary treatment in their day to day.

Although research is currently limited in this area, these recent discoveries show that cannabinoids may offer additional bone health benefits. 

We recommend talking to your doctor to include CBD or another cannabinoid as an addition to your treatment for excellent bone health, this plus a better lifestyle will definitely drive you to a better quality of life.

Sources:

1. Bab, I., and Zimmer, A. (2008). Cannabinoid receptors and the regulation of bone mass. British Journal of Pharmacology, 153, 182-188. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2219540/.
2. Bab, I., Zimmer, A., and Melamed, E. (2009). Cannabinoids and the skeleton: from marijuana to reversal of bone loss. Annals of Medicine. 41(8), 560-7. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890903121025?needAccess=true.
3. Bone Health: Tips to Keep Your Bones Healthy. (February 9, 2013). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bone-health/art-20045060.
4. Idris, A.I., and Ralston, S.H. (2012). Role of cannabinoids in the regulation of bone remodeling. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 3, 136. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3499879/.
5. Khalid, A.B., Goodyear, S.R., Ross, R.A., and Aspden, R.M. (2016, October). Mechanical and material properties of cortical and trabecular bone from cannabinoid receptor-1-null (Cnr1(-/-)) mice. Medical Engineering & Physics, 38(10), 1044-54. Retrieved from http://www.medengphys.com/article/S1350-4533(16)30148-5/fulltext.
6. Ofek, O., Karsak, M., Leclerc, N., Fogel, M., Frenkel, B., Wright, K., Tam, J., Attar-Namdar, M., Kram, V., Shohami, E., Mechoulam, R., Zimmer, A., and Bab, I. (2006). Peripheral cannabinoid receptor, CB2, regulates bone mass. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 103(3), 696–701. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1334629/.
7. Sun, Y.X., Xu, A.H., Yang, Y., Zhang, J.X., and Yu, A.W. (2015). Activation of cannabinoid receptor 2 enhances osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived from mesenchymal stem cells. BioMed Research International, Article ID 874982, 8 pages. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2015/874982/.
8. Tam, J., Trembovler, V., Di Marzo, V., Petrosino, S., Leo, G., Alexandrovich, A., Regev, E., Casap, N., Shteyer, A., Ledent, C., Karsak, M., Zimmer, A., Mechoulam, R., Yirmiya, R., Shohami, E., and Bab, I. (2008, January). The cannabinoid CB1 receptor regulates bone formation by modulating adrenergic signaling. FASEB Journal, 22(1), 285-94. Retrieved from http://www.fasebj.org/content/22/1/285.long.
9. Whyte, L.S., Ford, L., Ridge, S.A., Cameron, G.A., Rogers, M.J., and Ross, RA. (2012, April). Cannabinoids and bone: endocannabinoids modulate human osteoclast function in vitro. British Journal of Pharmacology. 165(8), 2584-97. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423262/.