Study: Daily Marijuana Use Does Not Shrink Your Brain

Study: Daily Marijuana Use Does Not Shrink Your Brain

By Reuters, BOULDER, CO — Daily marijuana use is not associated with brain shrinkage when using a like-for-like method to control for the effects of alcohol consumption on those who both drink and toke up, a new study from Colorado has found.

The study, led by neuroscientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder and published Jan. 28 in the Journal of Neuroscience, points to continued uncertainty about how pot use alters the structure of the brain. Even so, other studies have found the drug has short-term effects on learning and memory.

How to Choose a Medicinal Cannabis Strain?

How to Choose a Medicinal Cannabis Strain?

Choosing to use medicinal cannabis (also known as medical marijuana) can be a very easy decision to make. Choosing which variety of cannabis is best for a particular individual or condition can be more complicated. 

Many patients have never tried or grown cannabis before discovering it as a medicine. Even for those who have, knowing what works for recreational and social purposes does not always translate into knowing the most suitable variety of cannabis for specific medical needs.

5 Differences Between CBD and THC

5 Differences Between CBD and THC

Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two main ingredients in the marijuana plant. Both CBD and THC belong to a unique class of compounds known as cannabinoids. 

While many strains of marijuana are known for having abundant levels of THC, high-CBD strains are less common. But CBD has recently started to draw attention from the medical community, who seem to prefer CBD over THC. Here, we explain the differences between these two compounds.

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.

5 Must-Know Facts About Cannabidiol (CBD)

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?

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: 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)

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

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/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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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: 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)

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.

5 Amazing New Discoveries About the Potential of Marijuana That You Won't Hear in the Corporate Media

5 Amazing New Discoveries About the Potential of Marijuana That You Won't Hear in the Corporate Media

Five new cannabis-centric studies warrant major attention.

By Paul Armentano /  AlterNet

Scientific discoveries are published almost daily in regard to the healing properties of the cannabis. But most of these findings appear solely in subscription-only peer-reviewed journals and, therefore, go largely unnoticed by the mainstream media and by the public. Here are five just-published cannabis-centric studies that warrant attention. 

Men Who Smoke Pot Possess a Reduced Risk of Bladder Cancer

Is cannabis use protective against the development of certain types of cancer? The findings of a just released study in the journal Urology imply that it might be.

Investigators at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Department of Neurology assessed the association of cannabis use and tobacco smoking on the risk of bladder cancer in a multiethnic cohort of more than 80,000 men aged 45 to 69 years old over an 11-year period. The results? While men who smoked cigarettes possessed a 1.5-fold increased risk of cancer, those who only smoked pot possessed a 45 percent reduced risk of being diagnosed with the disease.

“After adjusting for age, race or ethnicity, and body mass index, using tobacco only was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer (hazard regression 1.52) whereas cannabis use was only associated with a 45 percent reduction in bladder cancer incidence (HR 0.55),” investigators reported.

The study is not the first time that researchers have identified an inverse association between marijuana use and the development of cancer. In 2009, Brown University researchers similarly reported that the moderate long-term use of marijuana was associated with a reduced risk of head and neck cancers in a multi-center cohort involving over 1,000 subjects. In addition, the largest case-controlled study ever to investigate the respiratory effects of marijuana smoking found no positive association between inhaling pot and lung cancer risk. “We hypothesized that there would be a positive association between marijuana use and lung cancer, and that the association would be more positive with heavier use,” pulmonologist Dr. Donald Tashkin, Professor Emeritus at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA told The Washington Post. “What we found instead was no association at all, and even a suggestion of some protective effect.

Long-Term Pot Exposure Isn't Damaging to Lung Health

All smoke is not created equal.

Unlike tobacco smoking, the inhalation of marijuana cigarettes – even long-term -- is not associated with significant adverse changes in pulmonary health, according to data published online in December in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

Investigators at Emory University in Atlanta assessed marijuana smoke exposure and lung health in a large representative sample of US adults age 18 to 59. Researchers reported that cannabis exposure was not associated with FEV1 (forced expiratory volume) decline or deleterious change in spirometric values of small airways disease. They further reported that marijuana smoke exposure may be associated with some protective lung effects among long-term smokers of tobacco, acknowledging, "[T]he pattern of marijuana's effects seems to be distinctly different when compared to that of tobacco use."

Their findings are similar to those of a 2013 literature review, published in the same journal, which concluded: "[H]abitual use of marijuana alone does not appear to lead to significant abnormalities in lung function. Findings from a limited number of well-designed epidemiological studies do not suggest an increased risk of either lung or upper airway cancer from light or moderate use. ... Overall, the risks of pulmonary complications of regular use of marijuana appear to be relatively small and far lower than those of tobacco smoking."

Alcohol, Not Pot, Alters the Brain

It was less than a year ago when the mainstream media was chock-full of headlines like this one: ‘Brain changes associated with casual marijuana use in young adults, study finds.’ But a funny thing happened when a team of scientists from the University of Colorado and the University of Kentucky tried to replicate these results in a larger, more well-controlled cohort of subjects.

They couldn’t.

“We acquired high-resolution MRI scans, and investigated group differences in gray matter using voxel-based morphometry, surface-based morphometry, and shape analysis in structures suggested to be associated with marijuana use, as follows: the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum,” researchers summarized in the January 28 edition of The Journal of Neuroscience. “No statistically significant differences were found between daily users and nonusers on volume or shape in the regions of interest. Effect sizes suggest that the failure to find differences was not due to a lack of statistical power, but rather was due to the lack of even a modest effect.”

They concluded, “In sum, the results indicate that, when carefully controlling for alcohol use, gender, age, and other variables, there is no association between marijuana use and standard volumetric or shape measurements of subcortical structures. … [I]t seems unlikely that marijuana use has the same level of long-term deleterious effects on brain morphology as other drugs like alcohol.”

Marijuana Use Doesn’t Lead to Depression

“Regular use of marijuana has also been linked to depression, anxiety, and a loss of drive or motivation.” So says the online publication, ‘Marijuana: Facts for Teens,’ published by the US National Institute on Drug Abuse. But is this claim true? No, according to longitudinal data published online ahead of print in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which reports that future incidences of major depression are not higher among cannabis users compared to nonusers.

Investigators concluded, "Our results do not support a longitudinal association between cannabis use and increased incidence of MDD (major depressive disorder); rather, they indicate an inverse relationship between the two, which may be attributed to self-medication factors."

Previous studies have similarly dismissed the notion that pot use is associated with increased suicide risk. Specifically, a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Public Health reported a drop in suicide rates in states that had legalized marijuana compared to those that had not, finding: “Suicides among men aged 20 through 39 years fell after medical marijuana legalization compared with those in states that did not legalize. The negative relationship between legalization and suicides among young men is consistent with the hypothesis that marijuana can be used to cope with stressful life events.”

Marijuana Possesses a Unique Margin of Safety Compared to Other legal and Illegal Drugs

Despite the US federal government’s ongoing insistence that pot is one of the most dangerous substances known to man, an objective review of the plant’s safety profile finds that it is comparably safer than most other drugs, particularly alcohol.

Writing in Nature.com this past January, an international team of German and Canadian researchers published a comparative risk assessment of the toxicity of tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis. Their evaluation concluded that the risks of cannabis have likely been “overestimated” while the dangers associated with booze “have been commonly underestimated.”

They concluded: “[Our] results point to risk management prioritization toward alcohol and tobacco rather than illicit drugs. … [and] suggest a strict legal regulatory approach [for cannabis] rather than the current prohibition approach.”

Author’s Note: Paul Armentano is the Deputy Director of NORML — the National Organization for the reform of Marijuana Laws — and also serves as a senior policy advisor for Freedom Leaf, Inc. He is the co-author of the book, Marijuana Is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? (Chelsea Green, 2013).