Category Archives: News Stories

Cannabis ‘Can Reduce Tumour Growth’, Expert Says

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“He believes chemicals in cannabis could be anti-cancer agents”

Cannabis

“Marijuana is now used by cancer patients in some countries to ease the pain of their illness – but it might actually offer a cure.Guillermo Velasco of the Complutense University of Madrid says there is evidence that cannabinoids – chemicals in cannabis – actually reduced tumour growth in animals.But he says that there is little interest from pharmaceutical companies.

Velasco told Upworthy,, ‘One of the reasons why [it] is so complicated to promote clinical studies is that the active components of marijuana are natural products that cannot be patented and therefore there are few pharma companies interested in their clinical development.’

Earlier this year, the U.S. government admitted that the drug can shrink cancer cells in rodent studies.

In a page of official government advice, the U.S. government now says,, ‘Cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells in the laboratory.’

The site says that the effect has so far been seen in rodent studies, and cautions,  ‘At this time, there is not enough evidence to recommend that patients inhale or ingest Cannabis as a treatment for cancer-related symptoms or side effects of cancer therapy.’’”  https://uk.news.yahoo.com/cannabis–can-reduce-tumour-growth—expert-says-120408138.html#pQEf8NO

Liver’s cannabinoid receptors could be targeted to combat liver cancer in some patients

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News Medical - Life Sciences & Medicine

“A new study reveals that the liver’s cannabinoid receptors could be targeted to fight liver cancer in some patients; and it offers a way to predict what treatments have the best chance of working.

The body’s own marijuana-like substances, — called endocannabinoids — are known to increase the biosynthesis of fatty acids in the liver by activating cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1). CB1 receptors can be found in the brain, lungs, liver and kidney, and they are involved in a number of physiological processes, including mood, appetite, pain sensation and memory.

The study found that the expression of these receptors increased in cancerous liver samples, when compared with cancer-free samples. This suggests that drugs that block CB1 receptors may be effective against HCC.

“Although such drugs were found to cause unwanted psychiatric side effects, non brain-penetrant CB1 receptor antagonists devoid of such side effects — but retaining therapeutic efficacy via peripheral CB1 receptors — are currently being developed,” says study co-author George Kunos, scientific director at the U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).”

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20151123/Livers-cannabinoid-receptors-could-be-targeted-to-combat-liver-cancer-in-some-patients.aspx

Marijuana kills brain cancer, new study confirms

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“The active molecules in cannabis kill brain cancer — another study has revealed.”

“Scientists using an extract of whole-plant marijuana rich in pot’s main psychoactive ingredient THC as well as cannabidiol (CBD) showed “dramatic reductions in tumor volumes” of a type of brain cancer.”  http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2014/11/18/marijuana-kills-brain-cancer-new-study-confirms/

“Marijuana kills brain cancer, new study confirms. The active molecules in cannabis kill brain cancer — another study has revealed.” http://blog.seattlepi.com/marijuana/2014/11/18/marijuana-kills-brain-cancer-new-study-confirms/#13130101=0

“Marijuana Kills Brain Cancer Cells. Researchers have found that the THC in marijuana causes brain cancer cells to die in both mice and humans.”  http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/health/Marijuana_Kills_Brain_Cancer_Cells_All__National_.html

“Marijuana Kills Brain Cancer, New Study Confirms” http://cancerguide.byethost8.com/marijuana-kills-brain-cancer-new-study-confirms-sfgate-blog/

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

Cannabis Enhances Bipolar Patients’ Neurocognitive Performance

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“According to a study published online in the journal Psychiatry Research, individuals with bipolar disorder who used cannabis showed higher neurocognitive performance than patients who did not use cannabis.

Researchers at The Zucker Hillside Hospital in Long Island, NY, in collaboration with a team at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, examined the difference in cognitive performance among 50 individuals with bipolar disorder who had a history of cannabis use, with 150 bipolar patients who had no history of cannabis use.

The team discovered that patients who used cannabis showed superior neurocognitive performance than those who did not…

“These data could be interpreted to suggest that cannabis use may have a beneficial effect on cognitive functioning in patients with severe psychiatric disorders…””

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249006.php

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

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/

Inhaled cannabis reduces pain in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients, study suggests

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“A small study finds that inhaling cannabis could demonstrate a dose-dependent pain reduction in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Researchers at the University of California, United States conducted a study in which 16 patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy were given placebo, or single doses of cannabis.

These doses were either low (one per cent tetrahydrocannibinol, THC), medium (four per cent THC) or high (seven per cent THC).

Tests were first performed on baseline spontaneous pain, evoked pain and cognitive function. Subsequently, participants either inhaled the cannabis or placebo, with measurements of pain intensity and cognitive function assessed over a three-hour period.

The higher the content of THC participants inhaled, the less pain they felt. The high dose of THC had a significant effect when researchers evoked pain using foam brush and von Frey.

These are tools used to test neuropathic pain in patients – von Frey are a set of filaments that test the pain of a patients by pushing against the skin to assess when the sensation becomes painful.

Patients on the high dose of THC showed impaired performance on the neuropsychological tests, but researchers concluded the pain reduction of patients adds further evidence on the efficacy of cannabis in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The results of this study were published in the Journal of Pain and Palliative Care Pharmacology.

Earlier this month, the CBD compound in cannabis was reported by researchers as a potential treatment for diabetes.”

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2015/apr/inhaled-cannabis-reduces-pain-in-diabetic-peripheral-neuropathy-patients,-study-suggests-95680845.html

“Efficacy of Inhaled Cannabis on Painful Diabetic Neuropathy.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25843054

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

Cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells

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“The use of Cannabis for medicinal purposes dates back to ancient times.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page1

“Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page1

“The use of Cannabis for medicinal purposes dates back at least 3,000 years. It came into use in Western medicine in the 19th century and was said to relieve pain, inflammation, spasms, and convulsions.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page2

“Cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells in the laboratory”  http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page1

“…cannabinoids may be able to kill cancer cells while protecting normal cells…

A laboratory study of delta-9-THC… showed that it damaged or killed the cancer cells…

A laboratory study of cannabidiol… showed that it caused cancer cell death…” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/patient/page2

“Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not effect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4

“Because cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page6

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

Medicinal Marijuana May Help Cure Children With Severe Epilepsy

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A marijuana plant

“Recent research found that a liquid form of therapeutic marijuana can provide cure to children with treatment-resistant epilepsy.

The said study will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 67th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in late April.”

http://au.ibtimes.com/medicinal-marijuana-may-help-cure-children-severe-epilepsy-1440398

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

What is Pinene and What Are the Benefits of this Cannabis Terpene?

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“Pinene (or α-pinene) is an aromatic compound commonly found in cannabis that smells a lot like – you guessed it – a forest of pine trees.” http://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-pinene-and-what-are-the-benefits-of-this-cannabis-terpene

“Anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective activity of (+)-α-pinene: structural and enantiomeric selectivity. Previous studies have suggested that α-pinene, a common volatile plant metabolite, may have anti-inflammatory effects in human chondrocytes, thus exhibiting potential antiosteoarthritic activity… The data obtained show isomer- and enantiomer-selective anti-inflammatory and anticatabolic effects of α-pinene in human chondrocytes, (+)-α-pinene being the most promising for further studies to determine its potential value as an antiosteoarthritic drug.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24455984

“The therapeutic efficacy of α-pinene in an experimental mouse model of allergic rhinitis. In the present study, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of α-pinene (α-PN) in the ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized allergic rhinitis (AR) model were investigated… Taken together, we suggest that α-PN is a promising anti-allergic agent and may be useful in the clinical management of AR.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25242385

“Structural and Thermodynamic Basis of (+)-α-Pinene Binding to Human Cytochrome P450 2B6… (+)-α-Pinene is a monoterpene hydrocarbon that is widely distributed in the environment and a potent P450 2B inhibitor. “ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3754432/

“Inhibitory effects of α-pinene on hepatoma carcinoma cell proliferation… Taken together, these findings indicate that α-pinene may be useful as a potential anti-tumor drug.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24815485

“Synergistic Antitumor Effect of α-pinene and β-pinene with Paclitaxel against Non-small-cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC).” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25188609

“Biological activities of α-pinene and β-pinene enantiomers. The antimicrobial activities of the isomers and enantiomers of pinene were evaluated against bacterial and fungal cells.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23442885

“Microbial Synthesis of Pinene” http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/sb4001382

“Effect of alpha-pinene on nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B in THP-1 cells.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15066217

“Protective effects of alpha-pinene in mice with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a complicated inflammatory disease that has an unknown underlying pathogenesis. Because alpha-pinene can modulate inflammation, we examined whether alpha-pinene plays a role in AP… These findings suggest that alpha-pinene has an anti-inflammatory effect during cerulein-induced AP.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22982349