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

Cannabinoids inhibit neurodegeneration in models of multiple sclerosis

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“…exogenous CB1agonists can provide significant neuroprotection from the consequences of inflammatory CNS disease… Therefore, in addition to symptom management, cannabis may also slow the neurodegenerative processes that ultimately lead to chronic disability in multiple sclerosis and probably other diseases.

The results of this study are important because they suggest that in addition to symptom management, cannabinoids offer the potential to slow the progression of a disease that as yet has no satisfactory treatment.”

http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/126/10/2191.full

Summary of evidence-based guideline: Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.

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“Clinicians might offer oral cannabis extract for spasticity symptoms and pain (excluding central neuropathic pain) (Level A). Clinicians might offer tetrahydrocannabinol for spasticity symptoms and pain (excluding central neuropathic pain) (Level B). Clinicians should counsel patients that these agents are probably ineffective for objective spasticity (short-term)/tremor (Level B) and possibly effective for spasticity and pain (long-term) (Level C). Clinicians might offer Sativex oromucosal cannabinoid spray (nabiximols) for spasticity symptoms, pain, and urinary frequency (Level B). Clinicians should counsel patients that these agents are probably ineffective for objective spasticity/urinary incontinence (Level B). Clinicians might choose not to offer these agents for tremor (Level C). Clinicians might counsel patients that magnetic therapy is probably effective for fatigue and probably ineffective for depression (Level B); fish oil is probably ineffective for relapses, disability, fatigue, MRI lesions, and quality of life (QOL) (Level B); ginkgo biloba is ineffective for cognition (Level A) and possibly effective for fatigue (Level C); reflexology is possibly effective for paresthesia (Level C); Cari Loder regimen is possibly ineffective for disability, symptoms, depression, and fatigue (Level C); and bee sting therapy is possibly ineffective for relapses, disability, fatigue, lesion burden/volume, and health-related QOL (Level C)…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24663230

Marijuana pills and sprays ease MS symptoms

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“Multiple sclerosis is characterized by disrupted communication between the brain and the body, resulting in symptoms ranging from blurred vision to muscle weakness and pain. There is no cure for the condition, and therapies have proven difficult, as many have serious side effects.

But now, relief may come in the form of a medical marijuana pill.”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/274517.php

AAN calls oral cannabinoids effective for MS pain, spasticity

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“An expert panel organized by the American Academy of Neurology called oral cannabis extract the only complementary and alternative medicine unequivocally effective for helping patients with multiple sclerosis, specifically easing their pain and symptoms of spasticity, medicine possibly for as long as 1 year of treatment.”

http://www.clinicalpsychiatrynews.com/cme/click-for-credit-articles/single-article/aan-calls-oral-cannabinoids-effective-for-ms-pain-spasticity/6ca42663d197581d76107390a304ec4d.html

Study: Marijuana only alternative therapy showing promise for MS patients

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“Researchers said medical marijuana seems to be the only “alternative therapy” showing promise for helping those with multiple sclerosis.

Officials at Oregon Health and Science University said research shows therapies like massage and acupuncture aren’t as effective as medical marijuana.”

http://kfor.com/2014/03/24/study-marijuana-only-alternative-therapy-showing-promise-for-ms-patients-massage-acupuncture-dont/

Neurologists Say Medical Marijuana Effective in Treating MS

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Image courtesy of GW Pharmaceuticals

“The American Academy of Neurology has become one of the first medical organizations in the U.S. to endorse the use of medical marijuana.

In new guidelines published in the journal Neurology, the Academy said oral cannabis, medical marijuana pills and medical marijuana spray may help ease symptoms of muscle spasticity and frequent urination caused by multiple sclerosis (MS).”

http://americannewsreport.com/nationalpainreport/neurologists-say-medical-marijuana-effective-treating-ms-8823383.html