Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Medical Marijuana May Prevent Suicides, Study Finds

Medical Marijuana May Prevent Suicides, Study Finds

Medical Marijuana May Prevent Suicides, Study Finds
Published last week in the American Journal of Public Health, a group of economics researchers found that medical marijuana laws led to a sharp drop in suicide rates among young men.
The results seem to support the belief that marijuana can be used to cope with stressful life events, says study co-author Daniel Rees, PhD, professor of economics at the University of Colorado Denver.

Study: Cannabis May Suppress Epilepsy-Linked Genes

Study: Cannabis May Suppress Epilepsy-Linked Genes


Marijuana may be able to reduce seizures by suppressing genes related to epilepsy, according to new research out of Britain.
Published last month in the open-access journal PeerJ, investigators at the University of Reading say the findings strengthen support for chemicals in marijuana as seizure treatments.

Marijuana Unlikely To Cause Violence, Study Finds


Marijuana Unlikely To Cause Violence, Study Finds
New research out of the U.S. suggests marijuana may not provoke aggression and violence like alcohol does.
Published in the journal Addictive Behaviors, a study on the link between substance use and violence among young couples has found marijuana to be an unlikely cause.
Unsurprisingly, the results show alcohol to be a major factor instead.

Canada Becoming A World Leader In The Emerging Global Medical Marijuana Industry

Canada becoming a world leader in the emerging global medical marijuana industryCanada Becoming A World Leader In The Emerging Global Medical Marijuana Industry
While the progress with legal medical and recreational marijuana in the United States continues to make headlines around the world, Canada has been quietly establishing itself as a world leader in research opportunities as one of only 3 countries in the world with a carefully-monitored, national medical marijuana program.

5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD)

Chemical structure of cannabidiol. (Photo:Wikimedia Commons)
Chemical structure of cannabidiol. 
(Photo:Wikimedia Commons)
5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD)
CBD, or cannabidiol, is quickly changing the debate surrounding the use of marijuana as a medicine.
Most people have heard of a chemical called THC, which is the ingredient in marijuana that gets users high. But recently, attention has shifted to another compound in marijuana called CBD — and for good reason.
Because while doctors can’t seem to look past certain side effects of THC, CBD doesn’t seem to present that problem. On the other hand, evidence of CBD’s medical benefits continues to grow.
Here are five facts that you should know about this unique compound:

How Long Does THC Stay In Your System?

(Photo: Pixabay)How Long Does THC Stay In Your System?
The amount of time that your body retains traces of marijuana depends on a number of factors, including how often you smoke and your metabolism rate:

  1. THC vs. THC-COOH
  2. Length of Detection Period
  3. Occasional Users
  4. Frequent Users

Indica vs. Sativa: Understanding The Differences

indica-vs-sativa-06-19Indica vs. Sativa: Understanding The Differences
Indica and sativa are the two main types of cannabis. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Cannabis is one of the oldest crops known to mankind, with records of its cultivation dating back thousands of years.
Today, it is widely accepted that marijuana has two different species: Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. Cross-breeding of the two types has led to a wide variety of hybrid strains with unique characteristics.
The differences between indica and sativa remain a subject of much debate, especially among scientists who study the plant. However, most agree that indica and sativa plants are distinct in a number of ways.

Scientists Believe THC May Offer New Form Of Gene Therapy

(Photo: zentilia/Shutterstock)
(Photo: zentilia/Shutterstock)
Scientists Believe THC May Offer New Form Of Gene Therapy
Researchers from the University of South Carolina are exploring the potential of marijuana compounds to fight disease through gene-modifying activity.



Marijuana May Turn Off DNA Linked To Skin Cancer And Other Diseases

dna-marijuana-09-07
Marijuana May Turn Off DNA Linked To Skin Cancer And Other Diseases

Marijuana may be the key to treating a wide range of skin diseases at the gene level, according to new research from Italy.

Study: Marijuana May Reduce Risk of Erectile Dysfunction

(Photo: Zach Klein/Flickr)
(Photo: Zach Klein/Flick
Study: Marijuana May Reduce Risk of Erectile Dysfunction
A new study suggests that marijuana may help prevent erectile dysfunction in individuals most at risk.
One of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction is high cholesterol, which can clog blood vessels and weaken blood flow to the penis. Over time, it may also result in abnormal tissue build up, leading to permanent dysfunction.

Study: CBD May Reduce Pain, Slow Disease In Breast Cancer Patients


Study: CBD May Reduce Pain, Slow Disease In Breast Cancer Patients

(Photo: nextnature.net)
(Photo: nextnature.net)

A new study suggests that a compound in marijuana could help manage pain as well as slow disease progression in patients undergoing breast cancer treatment.

While cannabidiol (CBD) has shown anti-cancer effects in previous studies, recent research from Temple University’s School of Pharmacy in Philadelphia and the California Pacific Medical Center points to a more comprehensive role of CBD in cancer therapy.

Study: Cannabidiol May Improve Sleep In Parkinson’s


Cannabidiol May Improve Sleep In Parkinson’s



(Photo: Ian MacKenzie/Flickr)
(Photo: Ian MacKenzie/Flickr)

An ingredient in marijuana may help Parkinson’s disease sufferers overcome sleep problems, a new study has found.

In a small 6-week case series, investigators from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil administered cannabidiol (CBD) to four patients with Parkinson’s disease who also showed symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder.
Published last month in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, all four patients experienced a significant reduction in symptoms following treatment.

Marijuana, REM Sleep, and Dreams


Marijuana, REM Sleep, and Dreams

(Photo: cblue98/Flickr)
(Photo: cblue98/Flickr)

Marijuana can affect how often you dream by rearranging your sleep cycle.

People who smoke marijuana before bed often struggle to recall their dreams the next morning. Yet, when these individuals stop smoking, they tend to experience more vivid dreams than before.
Marijuana is known to affect various aspects of sleep, including activities that are not involved with dreaming. But there’s a simple reason why marijuana users tend to have less dreams.

Drug Made From Cannabis Could Treat Schizophrenia


Drug Made From Cannabis Could Treat Schizophrenia


(Photo: GW Pharmaceuticals)
(Photo: GW Pharmaceuticals)

A drug made from chemicals found in marijuana has now entered human trials as a treatment for schizophrenia.

GW Pharmaceuticals announced on Monday that it has started Phase 2 clinical trials on a drug made from the marijuana compound cannabidiol (CBD).
The company, which holds the only license for growing cannabis in the UK, says the new drug features “purified CBD” as its active ingredient. Early findings show promise for improving symptoms of schizophrenia and suggest the drug can reduce the side effects of current antipsychotics when used together.
While marijuana is known to cause temporary psychosis-like effects, it is not CBD, but THC, that’s responsible. THC is the chemical in marijuana that causes the high. However, studies suggest CBD has an opposite effect.
“CBD is a constituent of traditional cannabis”“CBD is a constituent of traditional cannabis and tends to counteract the effects of THC,” explainsRobin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at King’s College London. Some varieties of cannabis have higher CBD levels than others, he adds.
So far, a single trial has been conducted on CBD as an antipsychotic. The study, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry in 2012, compared CBD with the traditional antipsychotic amisulpride and found CBD was just as effective, but caused far less side effects.
Now the challenge for GW Pharmaceuticals is to prove its effectiveness in a larger group of patients.
The company says the Phase 2 trial will enroll 80 patients and will investigate the drug, temporarily known as GWP42003, as an add-on to currently prescribed antipsychotics. Results are expected by the second half of 2015.
GW Pharmaceuticals also makes a marijuana-derived pharmaceutical called Sativex, which is being trialed for cancer pain, and Epidiolex, which is being trialed for children with treatment-resistant epilepsy.
Sativex is already approved in 24 countries for treating spasticity symptoms in multiple sclerosis, and is distributed through agreements with a number of large pharmaceutical companies.
GW Pharmaceuticals is also developing new cannabis treatments for brain cancer, ulcerative colitis, Type 2 diabetes, and adult epilepsy.

5 Ways Cannabis Could Help Fight Alzheimer’s


5 Ways Cannabis Could Help Fight Alzheimer’s

(Photo: poporin/Flickr)
(Photo: poporin/Flickr)

Medical marijuana may provide a number of advantages in treating Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent paper from researchers in Spain.

The idea of using marijuana to treat Alzheimer’s is still not widely recognized. But treatment options for Alzheimer’s are currently limited, and research over the years has now led scientists to believe cannabis, or components of the plant known as cannabinoids, could be the answer.
This month, two scientists with the Spanish Biomedical Research Networking Centre (CIBER) published a review in Frontiers of Pharmacology highlighting the potential benefits of cannabis-based treatments and calling for clinical research to be conducted.

1. Combats inflammation.

Inflammation of the brain plays a major role in Alzheimer’s disease. Inflammatory activity of the brain’s immune cells is thought to contribute to the progressive loss of neurons that underlies the disorder.
As it turns out, compounds in marijuana act on targets found on immune cells called CB2 receptors. Several studies have found that activation of CB2 receptors can reduce neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease models.
Besides CB2 receptors, THC also acts on CB1 receptors. CB1 activity may also interfere with the inflammatory process, according to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

2. Protects against Alzheimer’s plaque.

(Photo: NIA)
(Photo: National Institutes of Health)
The accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaque in the brain is a primary hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques are highly visible in brain scans of patients, and are believed to play a role in the loss of neurons.
Studies have shown that certain cannabinoids can protect neurons against Aβ plaque and its effects. For example, researchers have found that THC can prevent memory deficits in Aβ-injected rats.
Cannabinoids may also be effective at preventing the formation of plaque, according to a 2006 study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics. The study concluded: “Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Aβ aggregation.”

3. Can be taken without causing a ‘high.’

The main concerns of health professionals regarding the use of marijuana-based treatments are related to the ‘high’ caused by certain cannabinoids, mainly THC. While it’s true that THC’s effect on the brain can disrupt memory and attention, this is not as big of a barrier in treating Alzheimer’s as some might think.
In fact, studies conducted so far suggest the therapeutic effects of psychoactive cannabinoids, including THC, can be achieved at low enough doses to avoid causing a high.
What’s more, cannabis contains a number of other potentially useful compounds that are not psychoactive. For example, a 2014 study published in Psychopharmacology found the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD to be effective at reversing memory deficits in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Promotes growth of brain cells.

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Neurogenesis is the growth of new brain cells that occurs throughout adulthood. A disruption of this process is thought to be an early event in Alzheimer’s that prevents neurons from regenerating once progressive cell loss begins.
Various cannabinoids, including CBD, have been shown to promote neurogenesis in response to disruption caused by Aβ plaque.
Also, a 2004 study published in the European Journal of Neuroscience found that cannabinoids could increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein is known to play a key role in promoting neurogenesis and brain plasticity.

5. Mimics current treatments.

Most drugs used for treating Alzheimer’s work by preventing the breakdown of a signalling molecule called acetycholine. Interestingly, in addition to their unique benefits, studies show cannabiniods can affect acetycholine in the same way as current medications.
THC has been found to inhibit AChE – the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetycholine – as well as the accumulation of Aβ plaque associated with AChE activity. AChE inhibitors are commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of dementia.

67% of U.S. Doctors Say Cannabis ‘Should Be A Medical Option’


67% of U.S. Doctors Say Cannabis ‘Should Be A Medical Option’   (April 2014)


More than two-thirds of doctors in the U.S. believe cannabis can be used to treat certain conditions, according to a new survey by WebMD/Medscape.

Findings from an online survey of over 1,500 doctors in 48 states reveal strong support for marijuana as a medicine.
Despite the fact that marijuana is federally classified as having no medical use, 69% of doctors surveyed by WebMD/Medscape said that it “can help with certain treatments and conditions.”
67% of doctors also agreed that cannabis “should be a medical option for patients.”
“The medical community is clearly saying they support using marijuana as a potential treatment option for any number of medical problems. In fact, many doctors already prescribe it,” says Dr. Michael W. Smith, chief medical editor of WebMD, an award-winning online health portal.
“In fact, many doctors already prescribe it”Support was highest among oncologists and hematologists, with 82% agreeing that marijuana offered legitimate benefits, such as easing pain and nausea related to chemotherapy.
Rheumatologists showed the lowest level of support, with only 54% saying cannabis offered benefits to patients. Despite a lack of clinical data, patients with arthritis represent the largest portion of medical marijuana users in Canada.
Pain relief is also one of the most commonly reported reasons for using medical marijuana, notes Dr. Smith. “Medical marijuana may be a better painkiller than narcotic painkillers, like oxycodone, with less potential for addiction,” he says.
“More research will help us better understand how best to use medical marijuana in the treatment of many conditions that cause chronic pain.”
In a similar survey conducted last year by the New England Journal of Medicine, 76% of readers said they would support the use of medical marijuana in specific cases.
Laws allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana have been passed by 21 states and the District of Columbia.

Cannabis May Be Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia, Survey Finds


Cannabis May Be Best Treatment For Fibromyalgia, Survey Finds

(Photo: Andrea Guerra/Flickr)
(Photo: Andrea Guerra/Flickr)

A new survey from the National Pain Foundation suggests medical marijuana may top currently available pharmaceuticals for treating fibromyalgia.

The survey, conducted online, asked more than 1,300 patients with the chronic pain disorder to rate the effectiveness of treatments that they’ve tried. Medical marijuana was compared with the only three drugs approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia: Savella, Lyrica and Cymbalta.
Just 8% of patients that tried Cymbalta and 10% that tried Lyrica or Savella found the drugs to be “very effective” for managing symptoms of the disorder.
For each of the three drugs, over 60% of patients reported that it “does not help at all.”
On the other hand, 62% of patients who tried medical marijuana found it to be “very effective.” Another 33% said it “helps a little,” and only 5% felt that using cannabis for fibromyalgia “does not help at all.”
“I’ve found nothing that has worked for me, apart from marijuana,” explained one patient in the survey. “Nothing but medical marijuana has made the greatest dent in the pain and mental problems,” wrote another.
fibromyalgia-survey-2-04-21
Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects 2-4% of the population, predominately females. But while scientists still puzzle over the true cause of fibromyalgia, the latest findings shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
In a 2011 study conducted by Spanish researchers, patients who used cannabis showed improvements in pain, stiffness, relaxation and perception of well-being.
“The use of cannabis was associated with beneficial effects on some fibromyalgia symptoms,” noted the authors.
Likewise, a 2012 survey found that 1 in 8 Canadians living with fibromyalgia relies on marijuana to cope with their symptoms.
“We think that there’s probably a role for that class of compounds, the cannabinoids in general,” explains Dr. Mark Ware, associate professor of anesthesia at McGill University and co-author of the Canadian survey. “It’s just a question of working out how that’s going to be put into practice,” he adds.
An earlier study by Dr. Ware and his team revealed that nabilone, a pill containing marijuana’s active ingredient, THC, could help fibromyalgia sufferers sleep better. Nabilone has also been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life scores in patients with the disorder.
Still, some patients prefer natural cannabis over synthetic versions, which are known to have more potent side effects.
“I have patients with a range of pain syndromes who have failed all their other treatments and for whom herbal cannabis has been the only reasonable option that they have that controls their symptoms,” says Dr. Ware.

Washington lawmakers consider medical marijuana to treat PTSD


Washington lawmakers consider medical marijuana to treat PTSD

People diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder would become eligible to use medical marijuana under a proposal being considered in the Legislature.
Several veterans showed up Tuesday at the Capitol to testify in favor of  Senate Bill 5379, which would add PTSD to the list of terminal or debilitating conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana use. 
PTSD is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as “anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a dangerous event.”
Under state law, conditions now eligible to be treated with medical marijuana include cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, intractable pain, glaucoma and Crohn’s disease.
Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, said that adding PTSD to the list of eligible diagnoses would help veterans who continue to suffer from wartime injuries and psychological stress.
Hobbs, who is the prime sponsor of the legislation, served in Kosovo and Iraq and is a member of the Army National Guard.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved two types of antidepressants to help treat PTSD, but Hobbs said he thinks medical marijuana should be available as a treatment too.
“This is just another option for these men and women who have suffered from the wars,” Hobbs said. “One size does not fit all.”
Active duty service members and reservists are banned from using marijuana under federal rules, even if it is to treat a medical condition. Veterans who have left the service, however, are not subject to the same rules, and several veterans told lawmakers Tuesday that using cannabis won’t affect the federal disability benefits they receive.
Cory Kemp, an Air Force veteran who was blinded by an injury in Afghanistan in 2010, said he used to take pharmaceuticals to treat his PTSD and the brain injury he sustained in combat. But the drugs caused unwanted side effects, such as anxiety and stomach cramps, he said.
“I was pretty much confined to the couch 24 hours a day,” said Kemp, a former explosive ordnance technician who lives in Rainier.
Since late 2013, Kemp said, he has been using cannabis exclusively and has found it relieves his symptoms with fewer side effects.
“He has a normal life now — as best as he’s going to get with being 100 percent blind and having PTSD and a brain injury,” said Tara Kemp, Cory Kemp’s wife and caregiver.
Others said cannabis relieves symptoms of PTSD and anxiety so well that it has kept many veterans from committing suicide.
“Without it, I wouldn’t be alive today,” said Randy Madden of Olympia, who said he suffers from flashbacks and anxiety stemming from his time in Iraq from 2004 to 2005.
Critics of the bill said that data are still scarce on how well marijuana treats PTSD and how its use affects patients over time.
Seth Dawson with the Washington Association for Substance Abuse Prevention said some studies have shown that marijuana use can actually worsen the symptoms of PTSD sufferers.
“We wish there were studies to the contrary, but we’re not aware of them,” said Dawson, who spoke also on behalf of the Washington State Psychiatric Association.
Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, said she wants veterans to get the treatment they need, but “there are a lot of unanswered questions” surrounding using marijuana to treat PTSD.
“We still don’t know what the effects on the brain are from long-term usage,” Bailey said. “I want to see more research.” 

Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/02/17/3643643_lawmakers-consider-medical-marijuana.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

Cannabis May Protect The Aging Brain, Say Experts


Cannabis May Protect The Aging Brain, Say Experts

(Photo: Isabella Bello/Flickr)
(Photo: Isabella Bello/Flickr)

New research from a pair of neurologists at the University of Dublin claims cannabis could be the key to fighting disorders of the aging brain.

As the brain gets older, it becomes more susceptible to degenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Although different areas of the brain are affected, what underlies both conditions is the progressive death of brain cells.
While a number of therapies can be prescribed, scientists have yet to develop treatments that can slow or cure these disorders. However, researchers now believe compounds that target the body’s marijuana pathways, known as the endocannabinoid system (‘endo’ stands for endogenous), could lead to the development of such treatments.
“Modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system is emerging as a potentially viable option in the treatment of neurodegeneration,” wrote University of Dublin researchers Veronica Campbell, PhD and Steven Fagan, PhD last month in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
“The endocannabinoid system has been identified as a possible therapeutic target against neurodegeneration as a number of alterations in the endocannabinoid system have been noted in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease,” they continued.
According to the pair, studies have already demonstrated the promise of THC, the main compound in cannabis, in managing a number of Alzheimer’s related symptoms:
“Dronabinol, derived from the phytocannabinoid THC, is beneficial in reducing anorexia, increasing body weight and improving behaviour in elderly Alzheimer’s disease patients. Dronabinol has more recently been assessed in a pilot study with Alzheimer’s patients where it improved nocturnal motor activity and reduced agitation and aggression, without undesired side effects.”
What’s more, previous studies found THC could prevent the loss of dopamine neurons in animal models of Parkinson’s. “The endocannabinoid system is believed to be a promising therapeutic target for delaying disease progression and ameliorating Parkinsonian symptoms,” the researchers note.
“The endocannabinoid system is believed to be a promising therapeutic target”Likewise, Dr. Fagan and Dr. Campbell say that studies point to “the alteration of multiple components of the endocannabinoid system in the progression of Huntington’s disease,” a movement disorder that shares a number of similarities with Parkinson’s.
Although trials involving herbal cannabis as a treatment for Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s are lacking, the authors highlight research on a cannabis-based pharmaceutical, Sativex, as an example of its therapeutic promise.
“Preclinical studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), combined with THC, in the form of the cannabis-based medicine Sativex, which is already used as a therapeutic agent for multiple sclerosis,” they wrote.
Sativex has been studied in patients with multiple sclerosis and is currently available in 25 countries for the treatment of MS-related symptoms. However, the drug’s potential to treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease has been noted as well.
Previous research has suggested both the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of marijuana as key factors in its protective effects.

Doctor Gives Cannabis To 8-Month-Old Infant [Video]


Doctor Gives Cannabis To 8-Month-Old Infant [Video]


Once a skeptic of medical marijuana for children, California physician Dr. William Courtney had a change of heart after witnessing the miraculous recovery of a cancer-stricken baby.

Cannabis May Treat Lou Gehrig’s Disease


Cannabis May Treat Lou Gehrig’s Disease

(Photo: Brian Burt/Flickr)
(Photo: Brian Burt/Flickr)

New research shows marijuana-based treatments could delay the progression of a fatal condition known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The study, published in the journal CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, found that treatment with Sativex, a cannabis-based pharmaceutical, led to a modest reduction in disease progression in mice that were bred to model ALS.
The research was led by a group of scientists from Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, who conclude that their findings “provide support that Sativex (or alternative Sativex-like combinations of phytocannabinoids) may serve as a novel disease-modifying therapy in ALS.”
A number of previous studies also demonstrate a potential for cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, to slow the condition, the team notes. The researchers add that further experiments should be carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of higher doses.
Approximately 30,000 Americans currently suffer from Lou Gehrig’s disease. The disorder affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. As it progresses, patients lose control over voluntary muscle movements, eventually leading to paralysis and death.
There is no known cure for ALS. The only treatment approved by the FDA, Riluzole, has been shown to lengthen patient survival by just a few months.
On the other hand, Sativex has been approved in 24 countries as a treatment for multiple sclerosis, which shares a number of similarities with ALS.
Likewise, research shows cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, which many suspect could be used to slow a variety of neurodegenerative disorders.
So far, six U.S. states have made medical marijuana available for patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease including Maine, Arizona, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, and most recently Florida.