Study: Pot May Improve Cognitive Functioning in Bipolar Disorder

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“Patients with severe psychiatric disorders actually function better in neurocognitive assessments when they have a history of marijuana use.

Patients with bipolar I disorder performed better in neurocognitive assessments when they had a history of marijuana use.”

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/08/study-pot-may-improve-cognitive-functioning-in-bipolar-disorder/261140/

“Cognitive and clinical outcomes associated with cannabis use in patients with bipolar I disorder”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408776/

Cannabinoid Receptor-2 Regulates Embryonic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development via PGE2 and P-selectin Activity.

“Cannabinoids (CB) modulate adult hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPCs) function, however, impact on the production, expansion or migration of embryonic HSCs is currently uncharacterized.

Here, using chemical and genetic approaches targeting CB-signaling in zebrafish, we show that CB receptor (CNR) 2, but not CNR1, regulates embryonic HSC development…

Together, these data suggest CNR2-signaling optimizes the production, expansion and migration of embryonic HSCs by modulating multiple downstream signaling pathways.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25931248

It’s “BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH”. Please, BE AWARE:

“A glioma is a primary brain tumor that originates from the supportive cells of the brain, called glial cells.” http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=159

“Long-term use of both mobile and cordless phones is associated with an increased risk for glioma, the most common type of brain tumor, the latest research on the subject concludes.”  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/834888

“Remarkably, cannabinoids kill glioma cells selectively and can protect non-transformed glial cells from death… cannabinoids-the active components of the plant Cannabis sativa.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15275820

Green Party politician Ian Driver wants a Cannabis cafe to open in Kent

“Molecular mechanisms involved in the antitumor activity of cannabinoids… Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa, have been shown to exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on a wide spectrum of tumor cells… Of interest, cannabinoids have displayed great potency in reducing the growth of glioma tumors… Cannabinoids appear to be selective antitumoral agents as they kill glioma cells without affecting the viability of non-transformed cells. Cannabinoids have been proven to inhibit glioma tumor growth… Since cannabinoids kill tumor cells without toxicity on their non transformed counterparts, they can represent a class of new potential anticancer drugs.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835116/
“Antitumor effects of THC.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1240145/

“…cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is able to kill glioma cells, both in vivo and in vitro, independently of cannabinoid receptor stimulation… CBD exerts its antitumoral effects through modulation of the LOX pathway and of the endocannabinoid system…” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18028339

“Antitumor effects of cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, on human glioma cell lines… Marijuana and its derivatives have been used in medicine for many centuries… cannabinoids (CBs) have been shown to possess antitumor properties… the nonpsychoactive CBD was able to produce a significant antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo,” http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/308/3/838.long

“Cannabinoids appear to be selective antitumoral agents as they kill glioma cells without affecting the viability of nontransformed counterparts… good safety profile… remarkable antitumor effects… anticancer activity of cannabinoids.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18088200

“Marijuana Could Cure Cancer And Brain Tumors, Suggests Study” http://www.newseveryday.com/articles/13835/20150416/marijuana-fight-both-cancer-brain-tumour-research.htm

“Marijuana can kill cancer cells and even shrink brain tumours, amazing new findings reveal” http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/marijuana-can-kill-cancer-cells-5502082

“Cannabis extract shrinks brain tumours” http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6283-cannabis-extract-shrinks-brain-tumours.html#.VUSoGlU4nTY

“Cannabis chemicals slows down brain cancer tumour: British Scientists” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Cannabis-chemicals-slows-down-brain-cancer-tumour-British-Scientists/articleshow/45166303.cms

“Cannabis reduce tumour growth in cancer patients” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Cannabis-reduce-tumour-growth-in-cancer-patients/articleshow/38456886.cms

“Cannabis can cure cancer and even shrink brain tumours” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Cannabis-can-cure-cancer-and-even-shrink-brain-tumours/articleshow/46902373.cms

“Cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects by various mechanisms, including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis invasion and metastasis. Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death.” https://medicine.yale.edu/cancer/patient/programs/sarcoma/info/info.aspx?id=CDR683767

“Study: Thinking Can Speed Up Brain Tumour Growth”
http://au.ibtimes.com/study-thinking-can-speed-brain-tumour-growth-1443392

“Cannabis Significantly Prevents Tumour Growth in Cancer Patients” http://au.ibtimes.com/cannabis-significantly-preventstumour-growth-cancer-patients-1347319

“Cannabis Extracts ‘Drastically Reduce’ Brain Tumour Size” http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cannabis-extracts-drastically-reduce-brain-tumour-size-1475399

“Brain Tumors And Cell Phone Use Found To Be Linked (Again)” http://www.medicaldaily.com/brain-tumors-and-cell-phone-use-found-be-linked-again-310460

“Brain Tumors Removed Through The Eye Socket In Revolutionary Operation” http://www.medicaldaily.com/brain-tumors-removed-through-eye-socket-revolutionary-operation-319650

“Cannabis Shrinks Brain Tumors Associated With Highly Aggressive Form Of Cancer” http://www.medicaldaily.com/cannabis-shrinks-brain-tumors-associated-highly-aggressive-form-cancer-310720

“Towards the use of cannabinoids as antitumour agents. Various reports have shown that cannabinoids (the active components of marijuana and their derivatives) can reduce tumour growth and progression in animal models of cancer, in addition to their well-known palliative effects on some cancer-associated symptoms. This article discusses our current understanding of cannabinoids as antitumour agents”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22555283

“…antitumor effects of cannabinoids in gliomas… canabinnoids exercised selective antitumoral action in several distinct tumor models. Thereby, normal cells used as controls were not affected. The safety factor in the cannabinoids’ administration has also been demonstrated in vivo. The various cannabinoids tested in multiple tumor models showed antitumoral effects both in vitro and in vivo. These findings indicate that cannabinoids are promising compounds for the treatment of gliomas.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24142199

“The tumors regressed over the same period of time that cannabis was consumed via inhalation, raising the possibility that the cannabis played a role in the tumor regression.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21336992

“CB1 and CB2 expression levels have been detected in human tumors, including those of brain. Cannabinoids-endocannabinoids exert anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-invasive, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic effects in different cancer types, both in vitro and in vivo animal models, after local or systemic administration. We present the available experimental and clinical data, to date, regarding the antitumor action of cannabinoids on the tumorigenesis of gliomas.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25472761

“The efficacy of cannabinoids against high-grade glioma in animal models, mediated by two specific receptors, CB1 and CB2, raised promises for targeted treatment of the most frequent and malignant primary brain tumors… The high levels of CB2 expression would predestine those tumors to be vulnerable to cannabinoid treatment.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17239827

“Cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects by various mechanisms, including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis invasion and metastasis… molecular mechanisms of action of cannabinoids as antitumor agents. Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death… these compounds have been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in glioma cells in culture and induce regression of glioma tumors in mice and rats, while they protect normal glial cells…” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4

“As a therapeutic agent, most people are familiar with the palliative effects of the primary psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa (CS), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a molecule active at both the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors… however, several studies have now shown that CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists can act as direct antitumor agents in a variety of aggressive cancers.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25916739

“CANNABIS can help cancer patients: Drug kills cancer cells and shrinks brain tumours, report reveals.” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3036667/How-cannabis-help-cancer-patients-Drug-kills-cancer-cells-shrinks-brain-tumours-report-reveals.html

“Active Component In Marijuana Targets Aggressive Brain Cancer Cells… cannabinoids such as THC had anticancer effects in mice with human brain cancer cells AND PEOPLE with brain tumors.” http://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/news/20090401/marijuana-chemical-may-fight-brain-cancer

“Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2673842/

“Active Ingredient in Marijuana Inhibits Cancer Growth…the cannabinoids found in marijuana may aid in brain tumor treatment…cannabinoids inhibited genes needed for the production of vascular growth factor (VEGF) in laboratory mice with glioma brain tumors AND TWO PATIENTS with late-stage glioblastoma multiforme, a form of brain cancer.” http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20040815/marijuana-stall-brain-tumor-growth

“Cannabinoids Inhibit the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Pathway in Gliomas… Because blockade of the VEGF pathway constitutes one of the most promising antitumoral approaches currently available, the present findings provide a novel pharmacological target for cannabinoid-based therapies.” http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/64/16/5617.long

“Marijuana’s Active Ingredient Targets Deadly Brain Cancer… cannabinoids could stop growth and kill cancer cells but did not harm normal cells.” http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20000228/marijuanas-active-ingredient-targets-deadly-brain-cancer

“Anti-tumoral action of cannabinoids: Involvement of sustained ceramide accumulation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation” http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v6/n3/abs/nm0300_313.html

“Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa L., inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. It has also been reported that cannabinoids inhibit tumor cell invasiveness… Local administration of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of cannabis, down-regulated TIMP-1 expression in mice bearing subcutaneous gliomas… THC also depressed TIMP-1 expression in cultures of various human glioma cell lines as well as in primary tumor cells obtained from a glioblastoma multiforme patient… TIMP-1 down-regulation may be a hallmark of cannabinoid-induced inhibition of glioma progression.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17675107

“Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa L… inhibit tumor growth by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and impairing tumor angiogenesis… these compounds inhibit tumor cell spreading… Local administration of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of cannabis, down-regulated MMP-2 expression in gliomas generated in mice… MMP-2 down-regulation constitutes a new hallmark of cannabinoid antitumoral activity.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18339876

“Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa… Cannabinoids exert various palliative effects in cancer patients. In addition, cannabinoids inhibit the growth of different types of tumor cells, including glioma cells… Of interest, cannabinoids seem to be selective antitumoral compounds, as they kill glioma cells, but not their non-transformed astroglial counterparts.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17952650

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/brain-cancer/

European rating of drug harms.

“The present paper describes the results of a rating study performed by a group of European Union (EU) drug experts using the multi-criteria decision analysis model for evaluating drug harms.

Alcohol, heroin and crack emerged as the most harmful drugs (overall weighted harm score 72, 55 and 50, respectively). The remaining drugs had an overall weighted harm score of 38 or less, making them much less harmful than alcohol.

The outcome of this study shows that the previous national rankings based on the relative harms of different drugs are endorsed throughout the EU.

The results indicates that EU and national drug policy measures should focus on drugs with the highest overall harm, including alcohol and tobacco, whereas drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy should be given lower priority including a lower legal classification.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25922421

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/addiction/

A safer alternative: Cannabis substitution as harm reduction.

“Harm reduction is a set of strategies that aim to minimise problems associated with drug use while recognising that for some users, abstinence may be neither a realistic nor a desirable goal.

In this paper, we aim for deeper understandings of older adult cannabis users’ beliefs and substitution practices as part of the harm reduction framework..

Study participants described using cannabis as a safer alternative for alcohol, illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals based on their perceptions of less adverse side effects, low-risk for addiction and greater effectiveness at relieving symptoms, such as chronic pain.

Cannabis substitution can be an effective harm reduction method for those who are unable or unwilling to stop using drugs completely.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25919477

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/addiction/

 

Role of CB2 receptors in social and aggressive behavior in male mice.

“This study was designed to examine the role of cannabinoid CB2r in social and aggressive behavior…

Our results suggest that CB2r is implicated in social interaction and aggressive behavior and deserves further consideration as a potential new target for the management of aggression.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25921034

Endocannabinoids regulate the activity of astrocytic hemichannels and the microglial response against an injury: In vivo studies.

“Anandamide (AEA) is an endocannabinoid (EC) that modulates multiple functions in the CNS and that is released in areas of injury, exerting putative neuroprotective actions.

In the present study, we have used intravital microscopy to analyze the role of the EC system in the glial response against an acute insult…

In summary, these findings demonstrate that AEA modifies glial functions by promoting an enhanced pro-inflammatory glial response in the brain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25917763

Alkylindole-sensitive receptors modulate microglial cell migration and proliferation.

“Ligands targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) expressed by microglia have been shown to regulate distinct components of their activation process, including cell proliferation, migration and differentiation into M1 or M2 phenotypes.

Cannabinoids, including the active component of the Cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the synthetic alkylindole (AI) compound, WIN55212-2 (WIN-2), activate two molecularly identified GPCRs: CB1 and CB2 .

Our results suggest that microglia express functional AI-sensitive receptors that control select components of their activation process.

Agonists of these novel targets might represent a novel class of therapeutics to influence the microglial cell activation process. ”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25914169

The monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL184 decreases inflammatory response in skeletal muscle contusion in rats.

“Muscle wound healing process is a typical inflammation-evoked event. The monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor (4-nitrophenyl)4-[bis(1,3-benzodioxol -5-yl)-hydroxymethyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate (JZL184) has been previously reported to reduce inflammation in colitis and acute lung injury in mice, which provide a new strategy for primary care of skeletal muscle injury.

Our findings demonstrate that JZL184 is able to inhibit the inflammatory response and interfere with contused muscle healing, in which the anti-inflammatory action may be mediated through cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25912803

Distinct roles of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in social behavior and emotionality at different developmental ages in rats.

“To date, our understanding of the relative contribution and potential overlapping roles of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the regulation of brain function and behavior is still limited. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of systemic administration of JZL195, that simultaneously increases AEA and 2-AG signaling by inhibiting their hydrolysis, in the regulation of socio-emotional behavior in adolescent and adult rats.

These findings provide the first evidence for a role of 2-AG in social behavior, highlight the different contributions of AEA and 2-AG in the modulation of emotionality at different developmental ages and suggest that pharmacological inhibition of AEA and 2-AG hydrolysis is a useful approach to investigate the role of these endocannabinoids in neurobehavioral processes.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25914159