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Pharmacology and toxicology of Cannabis derivatives and endocannabinoid agonists.

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“For centuries Cannabis sativa and cannabis extracts have been used in natural medicine.

Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main active ingredient of Cannabis. THC seems to be responsible for most of the pharmacological and therapeutic actions of cannabis.

In a few countries THC extracts (i.e. Sativex) or THC derivatives such as nabilone, and dronabinol are used in the clinic for the treatment of several pathological conditions like chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma.

Over recent years, alternative approaches using synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists or agents acting as activators of the endocannabinoid systems are under scrutiny with the hope to develop more effective and safer clinical applications.

The present article review recent study and patents with focus on the cannabinoid system as a target for the treatment of central nervous system disorders with emphasis on agonists.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19832688

Memory Loss From Marijuana Blocked By Ibuprofen; Drug Duo May Halt Alzheimer’s Progression

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“Marijuana’s primary side-effect as a medicine — memory loss — may soon become all but forgotten.

In a stunningly simple turn, investigators found that a simple over-the-counter painkiller, such as ibuprofen, blocks memory loss from the drug’s active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The drug combination may also prevent neurological damage from Alzheimer’s Disease, opening possibilities too for the treatment of a variety of other diseases and conditions.

Nearly five millennia into the history of medical marijuana, investigators from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center say they’ve found a way to strip marijuana’s most deleterious side effect. The discovery may prompt U.S. regulators to soon approve marijuana-based treatments for ailments beyond nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients.”

http://www.medicaldaily.com/memory-loss-marijuana-blocked-ibuprofen-drug-duo-may-halt-alzheimers-progression-263443

The Effect of Medical Marijuana Laws on Crime: Evidence from State Panel Data, 1990-2006

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“Debate has surrounded the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes for decades. Some have argued medical marijuana legalization (MML) poses a threat to public health and safety, perhaps also affecting crime rates. In recent years, some U.S. states have legalized marijuana for medical purposes, reigniting political and public interest in the impact of marijuana legalization on a range of outcomes.

Relying on U.S. state panel data, we analyzed the association between state MML and state crime rates for all Part I offenses collected by the FBI.

Results did not indicate a crime exacerbating effect of MML on any of the Part I offenses. Alternatively, state MML may be correlated with a reduction in homicide and assault rates, net of other covariates.

 These findings run counter to arguments suggesting the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes poses a danger to public health in terms of exposure to violent crime and property crimes.
In sum, these findings run counter to arguments suggesting the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes poses a danger to public health in terms of exposure to violent crime and property crimes. To be sure, medical marijuana laws were not found to have a crime exacerbating effect on any of the seven crime types. On the contrary, our findings indicated that MML precedes a reduction in homicide and assault.”

“No correlation between medical marijuana legalization, crime increase: Legalization may reduce homicide, assault rates”   http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326182049.htm

“Medical Marijuana’s Legalization Doesn’t Raise Crime Rates: Study”  http://consumer.healthday.com/mental-health-information-25/behavior-health-news-56/briefs-emb-3-26-5pmet-medical-pot-crime-plos-one-utd-release-batch-1198-686131.html

“Legalization of medical marijuana does not lead to increased crime, and may even be tied to lower rates of offenses such as assault and murder, a new study suggests.” http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20140326/medical-marijuanas-legalization-doesnt-raise-crime-rates-study

“Marijuana use reduces violent crime: Study”  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Marijuana-use-reduces-violent-crime-Study/articleshow/32777752.cms

“No, legalizing medical marijuana doesn’t lead to crime, according to actual crime stats…In fact, states that have legalized it appear to have seen some reductions in the rates of homicide and assault.”  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/03/26/no-legalizing-medical-marijuana-doesnt-lead-to-crime-according-to-actual-crime-stats/?tid=pm_business_pop

The Health Benefits of Medical Cannabis

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“Few people may know this but cannabis, or marijuana, had been popular as a remedy since ancient times.

It was in 2727 B.C. when there was the first record of its use in China. It was also familiar to ancient Greeks, Romans and people from the Middle East.

It was only during 1600 when cannabis use began to be regulated and restricted…

It was only recently that the public knew that cannabis has many benefits which were previously unknown to many people. Cannabis has been legalized in some states because it is non-toxic, can be moderately used by adults and has some beneficial effects on health.

Medical Cannabis

Medical cannabis is the term used to refer to the use of marijuana, cultivated with medical seeds, and other cannabinoid substances for treating health problems. Marijuana is a mixture of green, brown, crumpled and dried leaves from the marijuana plant. This mixture of leaves are rolled up and smoked like a cigar or cigarette or smoked through a pipe. It can also be mixed with food and eaten. Its mode of administration to the user includes vaporizing or smoking dried buds, consuming extracts and the ingestion of capsules. Synthetic cannabinoids are even available in some countries such as dronabinol and nabilone. While in some countries the recreational use of marijuana is illegal, in some countries its medical use is legal.”

http://www.doctortipster.com/19879-the-health-benefits-of-medical-cannabis.html

Effect of an acute consumption of a moderate amount of ethanol on plasma endocannabinoid levels in humans.

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“Animal experiments have shown that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in the regulation of ethanol intake. We investigated these effects in healthy volunteers who consumed a moderate amount of ethanol (red wine) and measured plasma levels of the endocannabinoids (ECs) anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) to test whether alcohol consumption influences the ECS in humans…

AEA, 2-AG and plasma glucose levels were significantly reduced after red wine consumption.

Water intake had no significant effect on AEA  but resulted in a gradual reduction in 2-AG concentrations…

The consumption of a moderate amount of red wine reduces plasma AEA and 2-AG concentrations, whereas the volume and caloric equivalent of the sugar containing, non-alcoholic liquid grape juice does not affect plasma ECs. Plain water has a differential effect on the ECS by reducing 2-AG concentrations without affecting AEA.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22278319

Exercise, Manual Therapy, and the Endocannabinoid System: Why we’re all inherently potheads

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“Have you ever heard of the digestive system? The lymphatic system? How about the muscular and nervous systems? Of course you have. Science has been studying them for years, making breakthroughs in our understanding of their inner workings that have lead to advancements benefited humanity in ways we now take for granted.

How about the endocannabinoid system? Have you heard of that?  If your profession has nothing to do with the biological sciences, I would expect the answer to be no (save a few individuals).  Don’t feel bad however, I have asked this question to many health and medical professionals that I have taught over the years and have received many a blank stare or look of confusion.

What if I were to tell you that this biological system permeates the entire human body with receptors located in skeletal muscle, the digestive tract, adipose (fat) tissue, and throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems (including the brain)? Again, you would question why this system is not studied, discussed, or even mentioned in most in physiology/health classes.

What if I were to tell you that the Endocannabinoid system (or ECS):

–   Helps regulate the central control of energy balance

–   Helps regulate metabolic processes (including storage)

–   Plays a key role in the maintenance of bone mass

–   Regulates intestinal motility

–   Promotes/regulates sleep

–   Is involved in neuromodulation and immunomodulation in the immune system

–   Is involved in modulating insulin sensitivity

–   Is involved in the regulation of pain signaling

–   And much more”

http://functionalanatomyblog.com/2014/03/27/exercise-manual-therapy-and-the-endocannabinoid-system-why-were-all-inherently-potheads/

“Exercise activates the endocannabinoid system.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14625449

“Exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling is modulated by intensity.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22990628

“Effects of exercise stress on the endocannabinoid system in humans under field conditions.”   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22101870

Therapeutic utility of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB(2)) selective agonists.

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“The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is a class A GPCR that was cloned in 1993 while looking for an alternative receptor that could explain the pharmacological properties of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol.

CB2 was identified among cDNAs based on its similarity in amino acid sequence to the CB1receptor and helped provide an explanation for the established effects of cannabinoids on the immune system.

In addition to the immune system, CB2 has widespread tissue expression and has been found in brain, peripheral nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract.

Several “mixed” cannabinoid agonists are currently in clinical use primarily for controlling pain, and it is believed that selective CB2 agonism may afford a superior analgesic agent devoid of the centrally mediated CB1 effects.

Thus, selective CB2 receptor agonists represent high value putative therapeutics for treating pain and other disease states. In this Perspective, we seek to provide a concise update of progress in the field.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23865723

The draft genome and transcriptome of Cannabis sativa

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“Cannabis sativa has been cultivated throughout human history as a source of fiber, oil and food, and for its medicinal and intoxicating properties.

The availability of the Cannabis sativa genome enables the study of a multifunctional plant that occupies a unique role in human culture. Its availability will aid the development of therapeutic marijuana strains with tailored cannabinoid profiles and provide a basis for the breeding of hemp with improved agronomic characteristics.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3359589/

Chemical constituents of marijuana: the complex mixture of natural cannabinoids.

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“The cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.) and products there of (such as marijuana, hashish and hash oil) have a long history of use both as a medicinal agent and intoxicant.

Over the last few years there have been an active debate regarding the medicinal aspects of cannabis.

This manuscript discusses the chemical constituents of the plant with particular emphasis on the cannabinoids…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16199061

“Phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa…”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17712812