Autophagy: The Shared Mechanism Between Fasting and Phytocannabinoids
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18690/Keywords:
Autophagy, Phytocannabinoids, Fasting, Cellular homeostasis, HormesisAbstract
Autophagy is a conserved cellular self-renewal process essential for maintaining metabolic balance and responding to physiological stress. Modern dietary patterns, characterized by frequent and excessive food intake, often disrupt these adaptive mechanisms and contribute to metabolic disorders. In contrast, humans evolved under conditions of intermittent food scarcity, during which fasting-induced autophagy provided a survival advantage. Fasting generates mild metabolic stress (hormesis) that activates cytoprotective pathways and enhances cellular resilience. Similarly, several plant-derived compounds, including phytocannabinoids, have been shown to modulate autophagy in both healthy and tumour cells. Emerging evidence indicates that cannabinoids predominantly promote autophagic activity, positioning them as potential modulators of cellular homeostasis. Understanding the shared mechanisms through which fasting and phytocannabinoids induce autophagy may help inform therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic dysregulation, inflammation, and disease progression. Coordinated, well-timed activation of autophagy may therefore offer promising avenues for health optimisation.
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