Tag Archives: marijuana

Towards a therapeutic use of selective CB2 cannabinoid receptor ligands for atherosclerosis.

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“Atherosclerosis remains the primary cause of heart disease and stroke, causing approximately 50% of all deaths in Western countries. The identification of promising novel anti-atherosclerotic therapies is therefore of great interest and represents a continued challenge to the medical community.

Cannabinoids, such as Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the major psychoactive compound of marijuana, modulate immune functions and might therefore be of therapeutic use for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

The authors have demonstrated recently that oral treatment with low dose THC inhibits atherosclerosis progression in mice through pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects on inflammatory cells. All these effects were mediated via the cannabinoid receptor CB(2), the main cannabinoid receptor expressed on immune cells.

The identification and characterization of cannabinoid derivative that selectively activate CB(2) receptors and are devoid of adverse effects might offer a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19804131

https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/14796678.2.1.49

“Researchers suggest that THC and other cannabinoids, which are active at CB2, the cannabinoid receptor expressed on immune cells, may be valuable in treating atherosclerosis.” https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/787468

Low dose oral cannabinoid therapy reduces progression of atherosclerosis in mice

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Figure 1 : The cannabinoid receptor CB2 is expressed in human and mouse atherosclerotic plaques. Unfortunately we are unable to provide accessible alternative text for this. If you require assistance to access this image, or to obtain a text description, please contact npg@nature.com

“Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease… Derivatives of cannabinoids such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) modulate immune functions and therefore have potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

We investigated the effects of THC in a murine model of established atherosclerosis.

Oral administration of THC resulted in significant inhibition of disease progression.

Our data demonstrate that oral treatment with a low dose of THC inhibits atherosclerosis progression in the apolipoprotein E knockout mouse model, through pleiotropic immunomodulatory effects on lymphoid and myeloid cells.

Thus, THC or cannabinoids with activity at the CB2 receptor may be valuable targets for treating atherosclerosis.”

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v434/n7034/full/nature03389.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15815632

 

Marijuana Chemical Fights Hardened Arteries – WebMD

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WebMD: Better information. Better health.

“The active ingredient in marijuana that produces changes in brain messages appears to fight atherosclerosis — a hardening of the arteries.

It takes a very specific amount of THC — marijuana’s key chemical — to help the arteries. That dose is too low to produce mood-altering effects in the brain, according to the new study.

“It would be difficult to achieve such specific concentrations in the blood by smoking marijuana,” Roth explains in a Nature editorial.”

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20050406/marijuana-chemical-fights-hardened-arteries

“Low dose oral cannabinoid therapy reduces progression of atherosclerosis in mice” http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v434/n7034/full/nature03389.html

 http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/atherosclerosis-2/

CBD-Rich Marijuana Fights Colon Cancer, New Study Finds

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“In 2008, over one million individuals were diagnosed with colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer or bowel cancer and it caused over 600,000 deaths globally. The results of a study published in the journal Phytomedicine in October 2013 suggest that a botanical extract made from high-CBD (cannabidiol) cannabis can selectively target colon cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Researchers were able to reduce tumor growth and pre-cancerous lesions in mice with colon cancer using the pot molecule CBD as part of a “botanical drug substance”. The authors believe that CBD’s benefits as demonstrated by the results of the study could have clinical relevance for the use of cannabis-based medicines in cancer patients.

Current colon cancer treatments are not only very toxic but also fail to prevent the progression of the disease in some patients. Disease incidence and mortality have not reduced using screening strategies for colon cancer.

Researchers have made progress in investigating cannabis as a treatment for breast and brain cancers considering its antiproliferative CB1 and CB2-mediated effects in colorectal cancer cells and action in experimental models of colon cancer. The study was partially funded through grants from GW Pharmaceuticals and lead by researchers from Italy and the UK.”

http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2014/01/06/cbd-rich-marijuana-fights-colon-cancer-new-study-finds/

“Inhibition of colon carcinogenesis by a standardized Cannabis sativa extract with high content of cannabidiol” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24373545

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

Marijuana Effectively Reduces Seizures in Epilepsy Patients

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marijuanas

“Medicinal uses of marijuana have been a matter for heated debate for quite some time now. A review by American Academy of neurology collated all available information on marijuana use for brain disease treatment and concluded that except for treating symptoms of multiple sclerosis, there is no hard evidence in favor of medical usage of marijuana.

But now some articles have been published in the journal Epilepsia that contradicts the earlier review. One of these articles is a case study of a family living in Denver, CO. The child in the family suffers from a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome and used to have frequent seizures, as many as 50 convulsions a day. But the child was given “Charlotte’s Web”- a marijuana strain with high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Reportedly, the seizures decreased considerably and now the child suffers from only 2 or 3 seizures each month.

According to the author of the article, Dr. Edward Maa, “As medical professionals it is important that we further the evidence of whether CBD in cannabis is an effective antiepileptic therapy.””

http://www.newsonwellness.com/2014/05/marijuana-effectively-reduces-seizures-epilepsy-patients/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/

Smoking cannabis associated with PTSD symptom reduction in some patients, says study

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“Clinical research from New Mexico supports a conclusion that smoking cannabis [marijuana] is associated with PTSD symptom reduction in some patients.”

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20140523/Smoking-cannabis-associated-with-PTSD-symptom-reduction-in-some-patients-says-study.aspx

“PTSD Symptom Reports of Patients Evaluated for the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program”  http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02791072.2013.873843#.U39UHBVX-uY

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/

A restricted population of CB1 cannabinoid receptors with neuroprotective activity.

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“The CB1 cannabinoid receptor, the main molecular target of endocannabinoids and cannabis active components, is the most abundant G protein-coupled receptor in the mammalian brain…

The data unequivocally identify the restricted population of CB1 receptors located on glutamatergic terminals as an indispensable player in the neuroprotective activity of (endo)cannabinoids, therefore suggesting that this precise receptor pool constitutes a promising target for neuroprotective therapeutic strategies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24843137

Prevention of Alzheimer’s Could Hinge on Marijuana Science

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Alzheimers Disease includes reduced brain activity and function (red areas above), the result of years of accumulated damage. Molecules in pot seem to prevent this damage.

“The British Journal of Pharmacologyhas published a paper that concludes that the ingredients in marijuana likely work to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and age-related dementia.

Smoking, vaping, or eating the pot molecules THC and CBD directly effects nerve cell function, resulting in reduced chronic brain inflammation, reduced oxidative stress, and reduced cellular dysfunction — all the while promoting stability of the human body’s internal environment (homeostasis) and healthy brain cells (neurotrophic support)…

Pot likely prevents Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases at the individual cell level. Molecules in pot like THC and CBD (called cannabinoids) plug into a primal, chemical signaling system in cells called “the endocannabinoid system.” Cannabinoids dampen inflammation, protect cells from oxidative damage, and promote cell health on a number of levels, the paper shows.

Manipulating the endocannabinoid system will likely be a key to preventing or curing a bunch of neurodegenerative disorders, the paper concludes.”

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/LegalizationNation/archives/2014/05/13/prevention-of-alzheimers-could-hinge-on-marijuana-science

“Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology by Cannabinoids: Neuroprotection Mediated by Blockade of Microglial Activation”  http://www.jneurosci.org/content/25/8/1904.long

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/alzheimers-disease-ad/

Marijuana Rated Most Effective for Treating Fibromyalgia

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marijuana graph

“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.”

Cymbalta graph

Lyrica graph

Savella graph.”

“The FDA has approved only three drugs – Cymbalta, Lyrica and Savella — for the treatment of fibromyalgia.”

http://americannewsreport.com/nationalpainreport/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html

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

 

Therapeutic benefits of cannabis: a patient survey.

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“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/