“The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CB2R manipulation on leukocyte activation within the intestinal microcirculation in two acute experimental sepsis models…
CB2R activation reduces leukocyte activation and systemic release of inflammatory mediators in acute experimental sepsis. Drugs targeting the CB2R pathway may have therapeutic potential in sepsis.”
“The sepsis syndrome represents an improper immune response to pathogens and is associated with an unacceptably high rate of mortality. Although supportive care is of benefit to the septic patient, there are no viable therapeutics available that target the immune system suitable for the whole septic population. Recently, using a physiologically relevant murine mouse model, the cannabiniod 2 receptor has been shown to play a critical role in the host response to sepsis. Here, the structure, expression, signaling, and function of the CB2 receptor on leukocytes will be reviewed. Further, the effects mediated by the CB2 receptor during sepsis will be reviewed. Altogether, alterations in inflammation and the host response during sepsis by the CB2 receptor support its use as a possible therapeutic agent.”
“Sepsis is a complex condition that results from a dysregulated immune system in response to a systemic infection. Current treatments lack effectiveness in reducing the incidence and mortality associated with this disease. The endocannabinoid system offers great promise in managing sepsis pathogenesis due to its unique characteristics.
The present study explored the effect of modulating the CB2 receptor pathway in an acute sepsis mouse model.
Using various compounds we have shown different mechanisms of activating CB2 receptors to reduce leukocyte endothelial interactions in order to prevent further inflammatory damage during sepsis.”
http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/04_14/pdf/171_04_14_article.pdf
http://www.jpp.krakow.pl/journal/archive/04_14/pdf/183_04_14_article.pdf
“Even in the last century cannabis was used in the treatment of chronic pain. The main active component of cannabis Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been increasingly used in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and depression. It is also recommended in the treatment of chronic pain. We present our first experiences with THC in the treatment of patients with chronic pain.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11810357
“Many cancer patients endure severe pain and, by far, one of the most excruciating pain conditions is caused by oral cancer, for which even the strongest available pain medications are largely ineffective. One of the nation’s leading oral cancer treating clinicians, speaking at the American Pain Society’s annual meeting, said he believes that while prospects for major treatment advances remain bleak, a new cannabinoid-based medication may have some promise for providing meaningful pain relief.” http://www.newswise.com/articles/no-relief-yet-for-brutal-oral-cancer-pain-but-cannabinoids-may-offer-some-hope
“Medical marijuana is far more effective at treating symptoms of fibromyalgia than any of the three prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat the disorder.
That is one of the surprise findings in an online survey of over 1,300 fibromyalgia patients conducted by the National Pain Foundation and National Pain Report.”
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“The FDA has approved only three drugs – Cymbalta, Lyrica and Savella — for the treatment of fibromyalgia.”
http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/fibromyalgia/
“Cannabis sativa L. has been utilized for treatment of pain and sleep disorders since ancient times.
This review examines modern studies on effects of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on sleep. It goes on to report new information on the effects on sleep in the context of medical treatment of neuropathic pain and symptoms of multiple sclerosis, employing standardized oromucosal cannabis-based medicines containing primarily THC, CBD, or a 1 : 1 combination of the two (Sativex).
Sleep-laboratory results indicate a mild activating effect of CBD, and slight residual sedation with THC-predominant extracts. Experience to date with Sativex in numerous Phase I-III studies in 2000 subjects with 1000 patient years of exposure demonstrate marked improvement in subjective sleep parameters in patients with a wide variety of pain conditions including multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathic pain, intractable cancer pain, and rheumatoid arthritis, with an acceptable adverse event profile.
No tolerance to the benefit of Sativex on pain or sleep, nor need for dosage increases have been noted in safety extension studies of up to four years, wherein 40-50% of subjects attained good or very good sleep quality, a key source of disability in chronic pain syndromes that may contribute to patients’ quality of life.”
“Only until recently has medical marijuana received its deserved accolades by the mainstream media as a miracle drug; however, many in the medical industry are still leaving pot on the back-burner….until NOW.
A Canadian mother named Sarah Wilkinson has tangible claims about how cannabis has saved her disabled and once terminally ill daughter’s life.”
During an interview with the Toronto Sun, Wilkinson said “I assumed people who wanted it just wanted to get high” prior to her daughter’s marijuana use. However, once administering marijuana to her daughter with no other options from the pharmaceutical industry, Mia’s seizures went from 100 a day to 8 at most, changing her stance about the drug overnight. Results upon using the herb were immediate. Mia’s seizures ended within 24 hours of using the herb and now the Wilkinson’s don’t hesitate to call the drug a miracle.”
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/05/prweb11808330.htm
“Medical marijuana gives epileptic child new lease on life” http://www.torontosun.com/2014/04/26/medical-marijuana-gives-epileptic-child-new-lease-on-life
“Clinical research regarding the therapeutic benefits of cannabis (“marijuana”) has been almost non-existent in the United States since cannabis was given Schedule I status in the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.
In order to discover the benefits and adverse effects perceived by medical cannabis patients, especially with regards to chronic pain, we hand-delivered surveys to one hundred consecutive patients who were returning for yearly re-certification for medical cannabis use in Hawai’i. The response rate was 94%. Mean and median ages were 49.3 and 51 years respectively. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents used cannabis primarily for chronic pain. Average pain improvement on a 0-10 pain scale was 5.0 (from 7.8 to 2.8), which translates to a 64% relative decrease in average pain. Half of all respondents also noted relief from stress/anxiety, and nearly half (45%) reported relief from insomnia. Most patients (71%) reported no adverse effects, while 6% reported a cough or throat irritation and 5% feared arrest even though medical cannabis is legal in Hawai’i.
No serious adverse effects were reported.
These results suggest that Cannabis is an extremely safe and effective medication for many chronic pain patients. Cannabis appears to alleviate pain, insomnia, and may be helpful in relieving anxiety.
Cannabis has shown extreme promise in the treatment of numerous medical problems and deserves to be released from the current Schedule I federal prohibition against research and prescription.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24765558
Full text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3998228/