Imagine your brain as a superhero, equipped with its very own stress-busting molecules that work like the THC found in cannabis. When stress strikes, these mighty molecules come to the rescue, activating the same receptors in the brain and calming you down. Despite their importance, the exact role of these cannabinoids was a mystery until now. Thanks to a study done on mice, scientists have uncovered a key player in the brain called the amygdala, which releases these cannabinoids under stress. The role of the amygdala is to suppress the stress alarm signals coming from another important brain region called the hippocampus. This exciting finding not only expands our understanding of how the brain handles stress but also offers potential targets for developing new treatments for stress-related disorders. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that your brain has its very own stash of natural stress relievers!

When you’re under stress, your brain may release its own cannabinoid molecules to calm you, activating the same brain receptors as THC derived from cannabis plants. But the brain activity regulated by these cannabinoid molecules were not well known. A new study in mice has discovered a key emotional brain center, the amygdala, releases cannabinoid molecules under stress that dampen the incoming stress alarm from the hippocampus, a memory and emotion center in the brain. The finding may reveal novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of stress-related disorders.

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