Category Archives: THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Chemicals in marijuana ‘protect nervous system’ against MS

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Cannabis

“Chemical compounds found in marijuana can help treat multiple sclerosis-like diseases in mice by preventing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, according to a study reported in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology.

“Inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response, but in cases like MS, it gets out of hand,” says Dr. Ewa Kozela of Tel Aviv University, Israel.

“Our study looks at how compounds isolated from marijuana can be used to regulate inflammation to protect the nervous system and its functions.”

Dr. Kozela and colleagues set out to see if the known anti-inflammatory properties of two substances found in marijuana – the cannabinoids known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) – could also be applied to the treatment of inflammation associated with MS.

With either THC or CBD, the researchers treated immune cells that specifically target and harm the brain and spinal cord. In response to both chemicals, the immune cells, isolated from paralyzed mice, produced fewer inflammatory molecules, particularly interleukin 17 (IL-17).

Interleukin 17 “is strongly associated with MS and very harmful to nerve cells and their insulating covers,” the researchers say. They conclude:

“The presence of CBD or THC restrains the immune cells from triggering the production of inflammatory molecules, and limits the molecules’ ability to reach and damage the brain and spinal cord.” 

More: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267161.php 

 

“Cannabinoids Decrease the Th17 Inflammatory Autoimmune Phenotype” http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11481-013-9493-1

Chemicals in Marijuana Could Help Treat MS

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TAU researchers have found that chemicals in marijuana could help treat multiple sclerosis. (Source: AFTAU)

“TAU researchers have found that chemicals in marijuana could help treat multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. The result can be a wide range of debilitating motor, physical, and mental problems. No one knows why people get the disease or how to treat it. 

In a new study published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Drs. Ewa Kozela, Ana Juknat, Neta Rimmerman and Zvi Vogel of Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Center for the Biology of Addictive Diseases and Sackler Faculty of Medicine demonstrate that some chemical compounds found in marijuana can help treat MS-like diseases in mice by preventing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord…”
 
 

“Cannabinoids Decrease the Th17 Inflammatory Autoimmune Phenotype” http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11481-013-9493-1 

Sending Multiple Sclerosis Up in Smoke

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The illustration is of the cannabis sativa plant.

 “TAU researchers find chemicals in marijuana could help treat MS.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. The result can be a wide range of debilitating motor, physical, and mental problems. No one knows why people get the disease or how to treat it.

In a new study published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Drs. Ewa Kozela, Ana Juknat, Neta Rimmerman and Zvi Vogel of Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Center for the Biology of Addictive Diseases and Sackler Faculty of Medicine demonstrate that some chemical compounds found in marijuana can help treat MS-like diseases in mice by preventing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.

“Inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response, but in cases like MS it gets out of hand,” says Kozela. “Our study looks at how compounds isolated from marijuana can be used to regulate inflammation to protect the nervous system and its functions.” Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science co-authored the study…”

More: http://neurosciencenews.com/neurology-thc-cbd-multiple-sclerosis-482/

 “Sending Multiple Sclerosis Up in Smoke” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131007132253.htm

“Cannabinoids Decrease the Th17 Inflammatory Autoimmune Phenotype” http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11481-013-9493-1

Researchers find chemicals in marijuana could help treat MS

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Researchers find chemicals in marijuana could help treat MS

“In a new study published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Drs. Ewa Kozela, Ana Juknat, Neta Rimmerman and Zvi Vogel of Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Center for the Biology of Addictive Diseases and Sackler Faculty of Medicine demonstrate that some chemical compounds found in marijuana can help treat MS-like diseases in mice by preventing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.

“Inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response, but in cases like MS it gets out of hand,” says Kozela. “Our study looks at how compounds isolated from marijuana can be used to regulate inflammation to protect the nervous system and its functions.” Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science co-authored the study.”

More: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-10-chemicals-marijuana-ms.html

“Cannabinoids Decrease the Th17 Inflammatory Autoimmune Phenotype” http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11481-013-9493-1

Tel Aviv University researchers find chemicals in marijuana could help treat MS

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“Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the nervous system. The result can be a wide range of debilitating motor, physical, and mental problems. No one knows why people get the disease or how to treat it.

In a new study published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Drs. Ewa Kozela, Ana Juknat, Neta Rimmerman and Zvi Vogel of Tel Aviv University’s Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Center for the Biology of Addictive Diseases and Sackler Faculty of Medicine demonstrate that some chemical compounds found in marijuana can help treat MS-like diseases in mice by preventing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord…”

More: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20131008/Tel-Aviv-University-researchers-find-chemicals-in-marijuana-could-help-treat-MS.aspx

“Cannabinoids Decrease the Th17 Inflammatory Autoimmune Phenotype” http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11481-013-9493-1

Parkinson’s Symptoms Reduced by Smoking Cannabis – Parkinson Research Foundation

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Cannabis_Clones_in_Box

 “Ruth Djaldetti, M.D., of Tel Aviv University in Israel, presented the findings of her research at a recent International Congress on Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders.  She reported improvement in tremor, pain, rigidity and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).  Twenty subjects, all in their mid-sixties, and were rated using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) both before and after smoking.  Their overall “before” scores were over 30 and within 30 minutes of smoking, their scores dropped to 24..  Their tremor scores averaged 7.5 on the UPDRS before and dropped to a score of 3.5 after smoking cannabis.  Bradykinesia scores dropped from 13.2 to 8.6 and rigidity went from 7.4 to 6.4.  Dr. Djaldetti also saw a marked relief in the pain her subjects were experiencing and this relief of pain led to better sleep and feeling more rested.

This bears out the results of other studies.  A study done in Great Britain that was published in 2011 found the principal ingredient in cannabis provided neuroprotection for people with Parkinson’s disease.  Its neuroprotective properties included reduction of inflammation and control of spasms, making it an ideal drug for treating Parkinson’s.  However, its confusing legal status make it very difficult for people to obtain or consider using and for doctors to even recommend to patients.

Another interesting study done in 2010 found that cannabinoid receptors are located in many parts of the brain and that cannabinoids are produced naturally in the brain.  People with Parkinson’s have even higher levels of endocannabinoids (cannabinoids produced within the brain).  The main ingredient in cannabis, Tetrahydrcannibol (THC) actually increases dopamine production temporarily.  Cannabidiol (CBD) another component of cannabis, also provides neuroprotective properties and has been shown to reduce dystonias .  CDB could be a very vital improvement for treating Parkinson’s, and a recent study has shown it useful in treating certain cancers as well.

While there have been many, many people reporting the anecdotal benefits of smoking cannabis, clinical trials are lagging behind.  Laboratory and animal studies have shown many benefits, but perplexing issues around the legality of cannabis are slowing the efforts and impeding progress.”

http://parkinsonresearchfoundation.org/blog/2013/07/11/parkinsons-symptoms-reduced-by-smoking-cannabis/

Δ9-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL IS PROTECTIVE THROUGH PPARγ DEPENDENT MITOCHONDRIAL BIOGENESIS IN A CELL CULTURE MODEL OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE

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“Cannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) are neuroprotective in animal and cell culture models of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

In a PD cell culture model we recently demonstrated that Δ9-THC is neuroprotective through activation of the nuclear receptor peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)…

Here we investigate the effect of Δ9-THC and pioglitazone on mitochondrial biogenesis…

CONCLUSIONS:

Even though Δ9-THC and pioglitazone are both protective against MPP+ only Δ9-THC induces PPARγ dependent mitochondrial biogenesis, a mechanism that may be beneficial for the treatment of PD.”

http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/84/11/e2.58

“Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) exerts a direct neuroprotective effect in a human cell culture model of Parkinson’s disease.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22236282

Dronabinol, a cannabinoid agonist, reduces hair pulling in trichotillomania: a pilot study.

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“Trichotillomania is characterized by repetitive pulling causing noticeable hair loss. Pharmacological treatment data for trichotillomania are limited.

Dronabinol appears to reduce the exocitotoxic damage caused by glutamate release in the striatum and offers promise in reducing compulsive behavior.

 

RESULTS:

The medication was well-tolerated, with no significant deleterious effects on cognition.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study, the first to examine a cannabinoid agonist in the treatment of trichotillomania, found that dronabinol demonstrated statistically significant reductions in trichotillomania symptoms, in the absence of negative cognitive effects.

Pharmacological modulation of the cannabinoid system may prove useful in controlling a range of compulsive behaviors…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21590520

THC Gives Cancer Cells the Munchies Too

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“…THC and other cannabinoids are actively being investigated for various useful clinical purposes, including the treatment of cancer through the inhibition of tumor growth.

A new study by Salazar et al. in The Journal of Clinical Investigation demonstrates that THC causes tumor cells to begin to degrade themselves from the inside (a process called autophagy, i.e. “self-eating”). Although autophagy has been shown to promote cell survival in some cases and cell death in others, the authors show that in this case it causes cancer cells to undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis). Thus, THC activates a series of events within cancer cells, inhibiting tumor growth.”

More: http://scienceblogs.com/scientificactivist/2009/04/02/thc-gives-cancer-cells-the-mun/

“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/

Cannabinoid modulation of prefrontal-limbic activation during fear extinction learning and recall in humans.

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“Pre-extinction administration of Δ9-tetrahydrocannibinol (THC) facilitates recall of extinction in healthy humans, and evidence from animal studies suggest that this likely involves via enhancement of the cannabinoid system within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and hippocampus (HIPP), brain structures critical to fear extinction…

 This study provides the first evidence that pre-extinction administration of THC modulates prefrontal-limbic circuits during fear extinction in humans and prompts future investigation to test if cannabinoid agonists can rescue or correct the impaired behavioral and neural function during extinction recall in patients with PTSD.

 Ultimately, the cannabinoid system may serve as a promising target for innovative intervention strategies (e.g. pharmacological enhancement of exposure-based therapy) in PTSD and other fear learning-related disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24055595