Saliva Analysis Relates to Diet, Stress, and the Endocannabinoid System

Biological underpinnings from psychosocial stress towards appetite and obesity during youth- research implications towards metagenomics, epigenomics and metabolomics

In Summary 

A recent study has revealed how saliva analysis demonstrates the relationship between diet, stress, and the endocannabinoid system. Stress can be measured by the concentration of cortisol in saliva; an increased concentration of cortisol has been positively correlated to increased activity of the endocannabinoid system which then leads to an increase in appetite. One suggested a mechanism for this occurrence is that the increase in cortisol modulates microbes that regulate endocannabinoids which eventually leads to uncontrolled eating habits. The dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system by stress has therefore been related to obesity and is a promising target for the treatment of obesity.
The authors mention utilizing saliva as a tool to discover the cause of patients obesity. By determining the cause in a timely fashion, physicians may be able to recommend more accurate treatment or diet plans to bring patients' weight back under control. Cannabinoids, in combination with stress-relieving techniques, may also provide an easier method for dropping weight than the more traditional diets that are often difficult to adhere to. Considering the obesity rates in America, especially among adolescents, looking into these alternative therapies for obesity is in the best interest of America’s national health.

This study is available for review and download in the CED Foundation Archive:  http://bit.ly/drcaplan