Researchers discover a food that stimulates human cannabinoid receptors.
Cannabis Receptors and Food
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Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.
In 1973, scientists discovered that we have specific receptors in our brain for opiate drugs like heroin and morphine. Since we didn’t evolve shooting up, it stood to reason there were natural compounds produced by our bodies that fit into those receptors. So we went looking, discovered them, and named them endogenous morphines—or endorphins, for short.
And endorphins are good; they’re our natural pain relievers—released during exercise, the consumption of spicy food, and orgasm. So, there are healthier ways to stimulate these receptors than shooting up heroin.
In 1990, scientists discovered that we have specific receptors in our brain for the active ingredient in marijuana as well—cannabinoids like THC. Since we didn’t evolve toking up, it stood to reason there were natural compounds produced by our bodies that fit into those receptors. So we went looking, discovered them, and named them endocannabinoids—endogenous cannabinoids.
And endocannabinoids are good; they’re one of our bodies’ ways to ease nausea, ease pain, generally chill us out. The question is; is there a way to get the good without the bad—stimulate these receptors without smoking marijuana?
What’s so bad about smoking marijuana? Lung cancer. Smoking just a single joint is like smoking an entire pack of cigarettes. The worst death I ever witnessed in my medical career, the one that gives me the most nightmares, was a lung cancer victim gasping for breath, being drowned by their tumors. It was hideous. Please don’t smoke—anything. Smoke inhalation is bad, no matter what the source.
Thankfully, researchers discovered a food this year that stimulates cannabinoid receptors, so you can get the benefits without the risks. Which food was it? Was it broccoli, coconuts, garlic, green tea, mushrooms, or tomatoes? It was the tea.
Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.
- C.B. Pert & S.H. Snyder. Opiate receptor: demonstration in nervous tissue. Science, 77:1011-1014, 1973.
- M. Herkenham; A.B. Lynn; M.D. Little; M.R. Johnson; L.S. Melvin; B.R. de Costa & K.C. Rice. Cannabinoid receptor localization in brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 87(5): 1932-1936, 1990.
- C. Brambilla and M. Colonna. Cannabis: The next villain on the lung cancer battlefield? Eur. Respir. J., 31(2):227-228, 2008.
- G. Korte, A. Dreiseitel, P. Schreier, A. Oehme, S. Locher, S. Geiger, J. Heilmann, and P. G. Sand. Tea catechins’ affinity for human cannabinoid receptors. Phytomedicine, 17(1):19-22, 2010.
Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.
In 1973, scientists discovered that we have specific receptors in our brain for opiate drugs like heroin and morphine. Since we didn’t evolve shooting up, it stood to reason there were natural compounds produced by our bodies that fit into those receptors. So we went looking, discovered them, and named them endogenous morphines—or endorphins, for short.
And endorphins are good; they’re our natural pain relievers—released during exercise, the consumption of spicy food, and orgasm. So, there are healthier ways to stimulate these receptors than shooting up heroin.
In 1990, scientists discovered that we have specific receptors in our brain for the active ingredient in marijuana as well—cannabinoids like THC. Since we didn’t evolve toking up, it stood to reason there were natural compounds produced by our bodies that fit into those receptors. So we went looking, discovered them, and named them endocannabinoids—endogenous cannabinoids.
And endocannabinoids are good; they’re one of our bodies’ ways to ease nausea, ease pain, generally chill us out. The question is; is there a way to get the good without the bad—stimulate these receptors without smoking marijuana?
What’s so bad about smoking marijuana? Lung cancer. Smoking just a single joint is like smoking an entire pack of cigarettes. The worst death I ever witnessed in my medical career, the one that gives me the most nightmares, was a lung cancer victim gasping for breath, being drowned by their tumors. It was hideous. Please don’t smoke—anything. Smoke inhalation is bad, no matter what the source.
Thankfully, researchers discovered a food this year that stimulates cannabinoid receptors, so you can get the benefits without the risks. Which food was it? Was it broccoli, coconuts, garlic, green tea, mushrooms, or tomatoes? It was the tea.
Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.
- C.B. Pert & S.H. Snyder. Opiate receptor: demonstration in nervous tissue. Science, 77:1011-1014, 1973.
- M. Herkenham; A.B. Lynn; M.D. Little; M.R. Johnson; L.S. Melvin; B.R. de Costa & K.C. Rice. Cannabinoid receptor localization in brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 87(5): 1932-1936, 1990.
- C. Brambilla and M. Colonna. Cannabis: The next villain on the lung cancer battlefield? Eur. Respir. J., 31(2):227-228, 2008.
- G. Korte, A. Dreiseitel, P. Schreier, A. Oehme, S. Locher, S. Geiger, J. Heilmann, and P. G. Sand. Tea catechins’ affinity for human cannabinoid receptors. Phytomedicine, 17(1):19-22, 2010.
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Cannabis Receptors and Food
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Content URLDoctor's Note
For more on the subject, see Human Neurotransmitters in Plants.
For more context, see my associated blog post: Raspberries Reverse Precancerous Lesions.
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