Tag Archives: marijuana

The interface: marijuana and body weight.

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“Acute marijuana use is classically associated with snacking behavior (colloquially referred to as “the munchies”). In support of these acute appetite-enhancing effects, several authorities report that marijuana may increase body mass index in patients suffering from human immunodeficiency virus and cancer…

Marijuana is a clinically controversial substance, but one potential medical benefit may be weight gain. According to available studies, appetite stimulation as well as weight gain may occur in patients with physical debilitation due to HIV/AIDS and/or cancer.

As for the effects of marijuana on body weight in the general population, use appears to be associated with a lower body mass index.

…marijuana may genuinely be a regulatory compound, increasing weight in those with low weight, but not in those who are normal or overweight.”

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204468/

Intraocular pressure, ocular toxicity and neurotoxicity after administration of cannabinol or cannabigerol.

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“Cannabinol or cannabigerol was administered to cats topically in doses of 250, 500 and 1000 micrograms as a single drop or chronically via osmotic minipumps (20 micrograms hr-1) over a period of 9 days. While cannabinol had a modest effect on intraocular pressure after a single dose, it caused a more significant reduction in ocular tension during chronic administration. Cannabigerol had similar effects, but the magnitude of response to its chronic administration was greater. Cannabinol but not cannabigerol caused conjunctival erythema and hyperemia. After systemic administration of cannabinol (20, 40 or 80 mg kg-1) to rats, 8-13 Hz polyspike discharges appeared in the electrocorticogram during wakefulness and during rapid eye movement sleep episodes. Cannabigerol (10, 30 and 100 mg kg-1) lacked this effect.

These results indicate that chronic administration of these cannabinoids lowers ocular tension considerably.

Like marihuana and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabinol produced both ocular toxicity and neurotoxicity. As cannabigerol lacked these toxicities, it appears that the ocular hypotensive effect of this cannabinoid is somewhat dissociable from both the adverse central and ocular effects accompanying marihuana intake.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6499952

A comparison of the ocular and central effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabigerol.

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“Both delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) and cannabigerol, two naturally occurring marihuana cannabinoids, produced only a modest fall in intraocular pressure after acute topical application to the eyes of cats.

After chronic administration unilaterally to the cornea via Alzet osmotic minipumps and connecting extraocular cannulas, however, a considerable fall in ocular tension amounting to 4 to 7 mm Hg occurred. After systemic administration of delta 9-THC to rats, polyspike discharges appeared in the cortical electroencephalogram initially during wakefulness and behavioral depression. These polyspikes subsequently became evident within rapid eye movement sleep episodes. Cannabigerol was devoid of this effect. After removal of either sympathetic or parasympathetic input to the eyes of cats, the intraocular pressure lowering effect of delta 9-THC was not changed. Neither delta 9-THC nor cannabigerol altered the rate of formation of aqueous humor. On the other hand, both cannabinoids produced a two-to three-fold increase in aqueous outflow facility.

These results suggest that cannabigerol and related cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of glaucoma.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1965836

Antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate and cannabinoid compounds.

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“The antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate (MSC) and three major cannabinoids, ie., delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), were evaluated…

The results showed that MSC induced the antiestrogenic effect via the ER-mediated pathway, while THC, CBD, and CBN did not have any antiestrogenic activity.

This suggests that the combined effects of the marijuana smoke components are responsible for the antiestrogenicity of marijuana use.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16392670

“Antiestrogen treatment of breast cancer: an overview.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7044524

“Newly Found Estrogen Pathway Suggests Novel Breast Cancer Targets”   http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/newly-found-estrogen-pathway-suggests-novel-breast-cancer-targets/81250405/

“New Estrogen Mechanism Holds Novel Cancer Treatment Promise”
http://www.counselheal.com/articles/11565/20140929/new-estrogen-mechanism-holds-novel-cancer-treatment-promise.htm

“CB1 and CB2 receptors are novel molecular targets for Tamoxifen and 4OH-Tamoxifen.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24148245

“Scientists discover new role estrogen plays in cancer growth”  http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/scientists-discover-new-role-estrogen-plays-cancer-growth-article-1.1957877

“Antiestrogen-induced remissions in stage IV breast cancer.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1021225

“Antiestrogenic effects of marijuana smoke condensate and cannabinoid compounds.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16392670

“New estrogen-related breast cancer mechanism detected”   http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/283168.php

“Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol targeting estrogen receptor signaling: the possible mechanism of action… Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), a biologically active constituent of marijuana, possesses a wide variety of pharmacological and toxicological effects (e.g., analgesia, hypotension, reduction of inflammation, and anti-cancer effects).”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25177025

“Anti-Estrogen Drugs to Treat Breast Cancer”  http://www.fccc.edu/cancer/types/breast/treatment/hormonal/anti-estrogen.html

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

 

Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol targeting estrogen receptor signaling: the possible mechanism of action coupled with endocrine disruption.

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“Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), a biologically active constituent of marijuana, possesses a wide variety of pharmacological and toxicological effects (e.g., analgesia, hypotension, reduction of inflammation, and anti-cancer effects).

Among Δ(9)-THC’s biological activities, its recognized anti-estrogenic activity has been the subject of investigations.

… Δ(9)-THC is used as both a drug of abuse (marijuana) and as a preventive therapeutic to treat pain and nausea in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy…

…important to investigate the mechanistic basis underlying the anti-estrogenic activity of Δ(9)-THC…

We have recently reported that ERβ, a second type of ER, is involved in the Δ(9)-THC abrogation of E2/ERα-mediated transcriptional activity. Here we discuss the possible mechanism(s) of the Δ(9)-THC-mediated disruption of E2/ERα signaling by presenting our recent findings as well.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25177025

 

Effect of Marijuana Use on Outcomes in Traumatic Brain Injury.

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“Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with significant morbidity (sickness) and mortality (death).

Several studies have demonstrated neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids.

The objective of this study was to establish a relationship between the presence of a positive toxicology screen for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and mortality after TBI…

After adjusting for differences between the study cohorts on logistic regression, a THC(+) screen was independently associated with survival after TBI.

A positive THC screen is associated with decreased mortality in adult patients sustaining TBI.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25264643

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

THC for Huntington’s Disease? CB1 receptors important for more than drug use

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Psychology Today: Here to Help

“Smoking marijuana doesn’t have to be a bad thing – Especially if you have HD.

The idea that THC can be used to relieve disease symptoms isn’t a new thing – Glaucoma, HIV, and cancer patients have all benefited from the use of CB1 agonists whether in the form of marijuana leaves or a pharmacologically similar product (like dronabinol).

Nevertheless, the idea of using THC or other CB1 agonists for the treatment of HD is pretty new…

The results of this study suggest that THC and other CB1 compounds may not only be able to improve symptoms in already symptomatic HD patients, but also slow down the progression of such a devestating disease.

Good news all around and a great use of THC as far as I’m concerned (medical use and removal from schedule-1 anyone?!).”

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-addiction/201102/thc-huntingtons-disease-cb1-receptors-important-more-drug-use

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

Growing medicine: Small-scale cannabis cultivation for medical purposes in six different countries.

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“The production and consumption of cannabis for the treatment of medical conditions is of increasing importance internationally…

Growing cannabis for medical purposes was widespread.

The majority of medical growers reported cultivating cannabis for serious conditions…

There is a wider demand for licit access for medical cannabis than currently available…

many medical growers are using cannabis to treat serious medical conditions without proper medical advice and doctor’s guidance.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25123694

Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes

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CBD prevents excessive lipogenesis induced by “pro-acne agents&#x...

“Acne vulgaris is the most common human skin disease, affecting quality of life of millions worldwide…

Investigation of the cutaneous cannabinoid system seems to be a promising choice when searching for novel therapeutic possibilities…

“Collectively, our findings suggest that, due to the combined lipostatic, antiproliferative, and antiinflammatory effects, CBD has potential as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris…

These data, together with our current findings, point to a promising, cost-effective, and, likely, well-tolerated new strategy for treating acne vulgaris, the most common human skin disease…

…given the extensively documented accumulation of phytocannabinoids from smoked marijuana in the pilosebaceous unit (where they become incorporated into the hair shaft), it is very likely that CBD can reach the sebaceous glands as well, can accumulate, and may well reach “therapeutically sufficient” concentrations there.

Moreover, it is very important to note that, besides the systemic application, one should keep in mind the possibility of the topical administration.”

 http://www.jci.org/articles/view/64628

“Schematic overview of the cellular “anti-acne trinity” of CBD and its proposed mechanism of action.”

Schematic overview of the cellular “anti-acne trinity” of ...

 

Anti-Cancer Effects In Active Component Of Marijuana

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“Guillermo Velasco and colleagues, at Complutense University, Spain, have provided evidence that suggests that cannabinoids such as the main active component of marijuana (THC) have anticancer effects on human brain cancer cells.

In the study, THC was found to induce the death of various human brain cancer cell lines and primary cultured human brain cancer cells by a process known as autophagy. Consistent with the in vitro data, administration of THC to mice with human tumors decreased tumor growth and induced the tumor cells to undergo autophagy.

As analysis of tumors from two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (a highly aggressive brain tumor) receiving intracranial THC administration showed signs of autophagy, the authors suggest that cannabinoid administration may provide a new approach to targeting human cancers.”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/144770.php

“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/