Category Archives: News Stories

Cannabis Targets Receptors in the Amygdala Linked to Anxiety

Posted on by
Reply

“Marijuana may hijack cannabinoid receptors in the amygdala to reduce anxiety.”

“An international group of researchers led by Vanderbilt University has discovered for the first time that there are cannabinoid receptors in the amygdala. The amygdala is one of the primary brain regions involved in regulating anxiety and the flight-or-fight response.

“The discovery may help explain why marijuana users say they take the drug mainly to reduce anxiety” said Sachin Patel, M.D., Ph.D., the paper’s senior author and professor of Psychiatry and of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics at Vanderbilt. He said, “this could be highly important for understanding how cannabis exerts its behavioral effects.”

The study titled, “Multiple Mechanistically Distinct Modes of Endocannabinoid Mobilization at Central Amygdala Glutamatergic Synapses” is published in the March 2014 issue of the journal Neuron.”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201403/cannabis-targets-receptors-in-the-amygdala-linked-anxiety

New Study Finds Marijuana To Be Effective Against Depression, Migraine and Anxiety

Posted on by
Reply

“Research has suggested that cannabis may be a promising treatment option for a number of different physical and mental health conditions, from post-traumatic stress disorder to chronic pain. A study released this week suggests that depression , anxiety and migraine can be added to that list.

Neuroscientists from the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions found that endocannabinoids — chemical compounds in the brain that activate the same receptors as THC, an active compound in marijuana — may be helpful in treating depression, anxiety and migraine that results from chronic stress.

In studies on rats, the researchers found that chronic stress reduced the production of endocannabinoids, which affect our cognition, emotion and behavior, and have been linked to reduced feelings of pain and anxiety, increases in appetite and overall feelings of well-being. The body naturally produces these compounds, which are similar to the chemicals in cannabis. Reduction of endocannabinoid production may be one reason that chronic stress is a major risk factor in the development of depression.

Then, the research team administered marijuana cannabinoids to the rats, finding it to be an effective way to restore endocannabinoid levels in their brains — possibly, thereby, alleviating some symptoms of depression.

“Using compounds derived from cannabis — marijuana — to restore normal endocannabinoid function could potentially help stabilize moods and ease depression,” lead researcher Dr. Samir Haj-Dahmane said in a university press release.

Recent research around marijuana’s effect on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder further bolsters the Buffalo neuroscientists’ findings, since both disorders involve the way the brain responds to stress. A study published last year in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, for instance, found synthetic cannabinoids triggered changes in brain centers associated with traumatic memories in rats, preventing some of the behavioral and physiological symptoms of PTSD. Another study published last year found that patients who smoked cannabis experienced a 75 percent reduction in PTSD symptoms.

However, it’s important to note that the relationship between marijuana and depression  is complex. Some research has suggested that regular and heavy marijuana smokers are at a higher risk for depression, although a causal link between cannabis use and depression has not been established. More studies are needed in order to determine whether, and how, marijuana might be used in a clinical context for patients with depression.”  http://painphysicianjournal.co/2016/06/30/new-study-finds-marijuana-to-be-effective-against-depression-migraine-and-anxiety/

New Study Finds Marijuana To Be Effective Against Depression, Migraine and Anxiety

New Study Finds Endocannabinoids May Help OCD

Posted on by
Reply

OCD and cannabis research

“Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may look different in each affected individual. One person might feel it is necessary to wash their hands constantly while others might feel obligated to count something over and over.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, OCD is a common disorder in which a person has uncontrollable and reoccurring obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions often cause anxiety in a person, so they feel by doing compulsions, or certain behaviors, they might relieve their anxiety.

There are many treatments and medications used to combat OCD, however research is now showing that endocannabinoids can also play a huge role in OCD. The new study was funded by the The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) and was conducted with mice. Researchers probed the brain mechanisms that are used when a mouse transitions from goal-directed behavior to habitual behaviors. They then led the mouse to receive food two ways. One way the mice received food was through doing a goal-directed behavior while the second way was through doing a habitual behavior. They then found that by deleting a certain endocannabinoid receptor, mice didn’t form habits.

This discovery led scientists to the conclusion that endocannabinoids, which are natural messengers in our bodies similar to cannabinoids found in cannabis, have a lot to do with how our brains make decisions.

George F. Koob, Ph.D. is the Director of the NIAA stated that their study revealed a mechanism in the brain that controls the transition between goal-directed behaviors and habitual behaviors. He went on to explain, “As we learn more about this mechanism, it could reveal how the brain forms habits and, more specifically, how both endocannabinoids and cannabinoid abuse can influence habitual behavior pathophysiology.”

This conclusion that our bodies natural endocannabinoids and the active ingredients in cannabis can affect memory and decision-making may give scientists a glimpse into new medications and treatments for OCD.” http://ireadculture.com/new-study-finds-endocannabinoids-may-help-ocd/

New Study Finds Endocannabinoids May Help OCD

Benefits of Cannabis Terpenes: Ocimene, Terpinolene, and Guaiol

Posted on by
Reply

Leafly

“Terpenes are a group of fragrant essential oils – secreted alongside cannabinoids like THC and CBD – that contribute to the complex aroma of cannabis. They are also generally responsible for many of the distinguishing characteristics of different strains, and this discovery has led to a sharp increase in interest among researchers, producers, and consumers alike.

Though cannabis contains up to 200 different terpenes, there are about 10 primary terpenes and 20 secondary terpenes that occur in significant concentrations. We’d like to introduce you to the potential health benefits of three of those terpenes: ocimene, terpinolene, and guaiol.

Ocimene is an isomeric hydrocarbon found in a wide variety of fruits and plants. It is recognized by its sweet, fragrant, herbaceous, and woodsy aromas, which feature prominently in several perfumes, and which help plants defend themselves in their natural environment. Ocimene occurs naturally in botanicals as diverse as mint, parsley, pepper, basil, mangoes, orchids, kumquats, and of course cannabis.

Ocimene’s potential medical benefits include:

  • Antiviral
  • Antifungal
  • Antiseptic
  • Decongestant
  • Antibacterial

Cannabis strains that can test high in ocimene include Golden Goat, Strawberry Cough,Chernobyl, and Space Queen. At Tilray, strains currently displaying high concentrations of ocimene include OG Kush, Elwyn, and Lemon Sour Diesel.

Terpinolene is another isomeric hydrocarbon, characterized by a fresh, piney, floral, herbal, and occasionally citrusy aroma and flavor. It is found in a variety of other pleasantly fragrant plants including nutmeg, tea tree, conifers, apples, cumin, and lilacs, and is sometimes used in soaps, perfumes, and lotions.

Terpinolene’s potential medical benefits include:

  • Anticancer
  • Antioxidant
  • Sedative
  • Antibacterial
  • Antifungal

Terpinolene is found most commonly in sativa-dominant strains; a few that frequently exhibit high concentrations of this terpene include Jack Herer and its derivatives, such as Pineapple Jack, J1, and Super Jack. At Tilray, strains currently possessing higher than average concentrations of terpinolene include Lemon Sour Diesel, Afghani, and Jean Guy.

Guaiol is not an oil but a sesquiterpenoid alcohol, and is also found in cypress pine and guaiacum. It has been used for centuries as a treatment for diverse ailments ranging from coughs to constipation to arthritis. It is also an effective insect repellent and insecticide.

Guaiol’s potential medical properties include:

  • Antimicrobial
  • Anti-inflammatory

Strains that can test high in guaiol include Chocolope, Liberty Haze, and Blue Kush. At Tilray, strains currently exhibiting relatively high concentrations of guaiol include Barbara Bud, Jean”

https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/benefits-of-cannabis-terpenes-ocimene-terpinolene-and-guaiol

Researcher explores effects of cannabinoids on blood pressure

Posted on by
Reply

Andrei Derbenev, associate professor of physiology, Tulane School of Medicine

“Hypertension — or high blood pressure — is a long-term, high-risk condition for millions of people worldwide.

At the moment, synthetic beta-blockers are one of the most common drugs prescribed to treat hypertension.

But what if a natural drug, marijuana, which has been known for 5,000 years, could be used in the treatment of high blood pressure?

Andrei Derbenev, associate professor of physiology in the Tulane University School of Medicine, recently received a four-year, $1.5 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how cannabinoids — the compounds of cannabis (another name for marijuana) — affect a brain stem area involved in blood pressure control.

His research may have important clinical applications for the treatment of hypertension.

He is identifying the cells in the sympathetic nervous system linked to the kidneys, a key organ in hypertension. (The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates the body’s “fight or flight” response. Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is a cause of high blood pressure.)

He and his research team are studying the effect of exogenous cannabinoids — from the marijuana plant — and endogenous cannabinoids —those naturally produced within the body.

Cannabis “has lots of different chemicals inside. Some of them are painkillers. Some of them, we don’t know what they are doing.”

People ask Derbenev all the time: Is marijuana good? Is it bad? But the debate, he says, should be, instead, “Which works? Which does not work?”

About a decade ago, Derbenev led a study about the effect of cannabinoids on the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates the body to “rest and digest.” In that investigation, his team showed the mechanism by which cannabis can reduce digestive spasms and thus decrease vomiting. It’s a finding of great interest to cancer patients experiencing nausea while undergoing chemotherapy.”

https://news.tulane.edu/news/researcher-explores-effects-cannabinoids-blood-pressure

Marijuana fights Alzheimer’s disease, Salk Institute scientists discover

Posted on by
Reply

Cannabinoids remove plaque-forming Alzheimer's proteins from brain cells

“Salk Institute scientists have discovered that a main compound found in marijuana can fight a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the scientists, at this time, there are no drugs that significantly inhibit cell death associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s or Huntington’s diseases. However, the most recent data about Alzheimer’s and marijuana suggests that there is a therapeutic potential of cannabinoids (the chemical compounds secreted by cannabis flowers) for the treatment of AD. Cannabinoids are able to remove plaque-forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells, reports the Medical Express on June 29.”  http://www.examiner.com/article/marijuana-fights-alzheimer-s-disease-salk-institute-scientists-discover

“Cannabinoids remove plaque-forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells”  http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-06-cannabinoids-plaque-forming-alzheimer-proteins-brain.html

“Cannabinoids remove toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease from the brain” http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/science-world/cannabinoids-remove-toxic-proteins-associated-with-alzheimers-disease-from-the-brain-407788.html

“Marijuana Compound Helps Remove Alzheimer’s Disease Protein From Brain” -brain.” http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/42990/20160630/marijuana-compound-helps-remove-alzheimers-disease-protein-from-brain.htm

“Marijuana compound removes toxic Alzheimer’s protein from the brain”  http://www.sciencealert.com/marijuana-compound-removes-toxic-alzheimer-s-protein-from-the-brain

“Cannabinoids remove plaque-forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells”  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160629095609.htm

“Cannabinoids Remove Plaque-forming Alzheimer’s Proteins from Brain Cells”  https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news/2016/06/cannabinoids-remove-plaque-forming-alzheimers-proteins-brain-cells

“MARIJUANA COMPOUND REMOVES ALZHEIMER’S PLAQUE FROM BRAIN CELLS, STUDY FINDS” http://www.popsci.com/marijuana-compound-removes-alzheimers-plaque-from-brain-cells-study

“Cannabinoids remove plaque-forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells. Preliminary lab studies at the Salk Institute find THC reduces beta amyloid proteins in human neurons.” http://www.salk.edu/news-release/cannabinoids-remove-plaque-forming-alzheimers-proteins-from-brain-cells/

 

No Link Between Marijuana Use and Stroke Risk

Posted on by
Reply

Medpage Today

“There was no evidence that marijuana use was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in adolescents and young adults, a researcher said here.

“Our data did not support” a link between the drug and stroke risk”

http://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aan/45577

“Cannabinoids in experimental stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cannabinoids (CBs) show promise as neuroprotectants with some agents already licensed in humans for other conditions. Cannabinoids reduced infarct volume in transient and permanent ischemia and in all subclasses: endocannabinoids, CB1/CB2 ligands, CB2 ligands, cannabidiol, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and HU-211. Overall, CBs significantly reduced infarct volume and improve functional outcome in experimental stroke.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25492113

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/stroke-2/

Pot a Common Remedy to Ease Back Pain

Posted on by
Reply

“Use of marijuana to ease back pain was common among patients at a university spine clinic in Colorado where pot has been legal for medical purposes since 2000, but most of the users did not have a prescription, according to research presented here.

Among 184 patients at a Colorado spine center, 19% said they used marijuana for pain relief, but less than half, 46%, actually had a prescription for the drug, according to study co-author Michael Finn, MD, an assistant professor of neurosurgery at the University of Colorado in Denver.

The most common way to use the drug was smoking it, 90%, followed by oral ingestion, 45%, and vaporization, 29%.

According to the users, marijuana worked. A total of 89% said it greatly or moderately relived their pain, and 81% said it worked as well as or better than narcotic painkillers.”

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AdditionalMeetings/42228

CANNABIS CHEMICALS STOP PROSTATE CANCER GROWTH

Posted on by
Reply

Image result for bjc british journal of cancer

“ACTIVE chemicals in cannabis have been shown to halt prostate cancer cell growth according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer*.

Researchers from the University of Alcala, in Madrid tested the effects of the active chemicals in cannabis called cannabinoids** on three human prostate cancer cell lines – called PC-3, DU-a45 and LNCaP.

The prostate cancer cells carry molecular ‘garages’- called receptors- in which cannabinoids can ‘park’.

The scientists showed for the first time that if cannabinoids ‘park’ on a receptor called CB2, the cancer cells stop multipyling.

“This research suggest that prostate cancer cells might stop growing if they are treated with chemicals found in cannabis but more work needs to be done to explore the potential of the cannabinoids in treatment.”

To confirm the findings the scientists switched off the CB2 receptors – or ‘closed the garage doors’- on the prostate cells. When cannabinoids were then added to cells without the CB2 receptor, the prostate cancer cells carried on dividing and growing. This suggests that cannabinoids connect with the CB2 receptors on prostate cancer cells to stop cell division and spread.

Professor Ines Diaz-Laviada, study author at the University of Alcala said: “Our research shows that there are areas on prostate cancer cells which can recognise and talk to chemicals found in cannabis called cannabinoids. These chemicals can stop the division and growth of prostate cancer cells and could become a target for new research into potential drugs to treat prostate cancer.””

http://www.nature.com/bjc/press_releases/p_r_aug09_6605248.html

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20090821/Cannabis-chemicals-stop-prostate-cancer-growth.aspx

Cannabis May Cure Celiac Disease

Posted on by
Reply

Evidence suggests that there is a natural plant treatment that can mitigate or even cure celiac disease: cannabis.

“Celiac disease can be devastating to those who suffer from it, but evidence suggests that there is a natural plant treatment that can mitigate or even cure the ailment: cannabis.

People who have celiac suffer from autoimmune attacks on their small intestine after eating gluten, which can lead to pain and an inability to absorb nutrients, as well as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cancer over the long term.

Gluten is ubiquitous in the Western diet and people who take pains to avoid eating it are still likely to consume some by accident on occasion, and even in small amounts gluten can lead to extremely painful and embarrassing episodes.

Fortunately, marijuana may be able to help.

A study published in the PLOS One journal in 2013 suggests that cannabis could play a key role in taming the ravages of celiac. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Teramo in Italy, took intestinal biopsies from celiac patients and looked at the cannabinoid receptors in the gut, which play a role in controlling inflammation and dysfunction. The results showed significantly more receptors in people with an active disease than those who had been treating it with at least 12 months of a gluten-free diet, leading the scientists to suggest that the data “points to the therapeutic potential of targeting [cannabinoid receptors] in patients with celiac disease.”

Anecdotal reports corroborate the study’s findings. Some patients believe that marijuana has actually helped them cure celiac outright.”

http://reset.me/story/cannabis-may-cure-celiac-disease/

“Altered Expression of Type-1 and Type-2 Cannabinoid Receptors in Celiac Disease” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3631143/