 | NORML News: Medical marijuana research news |
 NORML News Winter 2007.
A selection of recent studies on the medical benefits of cannabis, edited by Chris Fowlie.
THC can help the elderly
St Louis University researchers found the use of THC may increase weight in elderly subjects who suffer from loss of appetite. 28 patients with a mean age of 79.5 years received oral THC for twelve weeks, and more than half gained weight.
In another study, THC and morphine were found to act synergistically. Researchers noted that this
observation may have relevance for the treatment of chronic pain.
Sources: Wilson et al. J Nutr Health Aging 2007;11(2):195-8; Cox ML, et al. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007 Apr 20;
Protection from seizures
Researchers have found increased levels of anandamide protect from seizures caused by
a nerve poison. Anandamide is a cannabinoid that occurs in the body and binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Source: Karanian DA, et al. J Pharmacol
Exp Ther. 2007 Jun 1
THC reduces brain damage
The administration of THC reduced deficits in motor coordination, equilibrium and
muscle tone, in a study of mice with a cerebellar dysfunction.
Researchers concluded that cannabinoids “could represent a new field of investigation concerning the treatment of cerebellar ataxic
syndrome in humans.”
Source: Lorivel T, Hilber P. Behav Brain Res 2007 Apr 24
Relief from food poisoning
The toxins of a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus, which are the major cause of food poisoning in humans throughout the world, can
be combated by cannabis. Japanese researchers demonstrated in animal studies that both antagonism at the 5-HT3 serotonin receptor and activation of the CB1 receptor by cannabinoids were effective in reducing the symptoms.
Source: Hu DL, et al. Cell Microbiol 2007 May 21
More anti-cancer properties
British researchers have demonstrated
that THC induces apoptosis (programmed
cell death) in cancer cells of tumors of
the colon. They said the use of THC may
represent a new strategy for therapy of
cancer of the colon.
Harvard University researchers have also
shown that THC reduced tumour growth in
common lung cancer by about 50 per cent,
and significantly reduced the ability of the
cancer to spread to other organs.
Source: Greenhough A, et al. Int J Cancer
2007 June 21; American Association for Cancer Research
Reducing lung inflammation
A synthetic cannabinoid (CP55,940)
reduced the concentration of molecules
called cytokines that promote inflammation
of the human bronchial mucous
membrane. Scientists at the University of
Groningen concluded cannabinoids exert
anti-inflammatory properties in airways by
modulating cytokine release.
Source: Gkoumassi E, Br J Pharmacol 2007
June 11
Soothing allergies
Topical administration of THC has been
shown to reduce allergic skin reactions.
Researchers at the University of Bonn
(Germany) showed when inflammation
occurs cannabinoids act like a brake,
preventing the immune system from
getting out of control.
Source: University of Bonn, press release 7
June 2007, at www.sciencedaily.com
Protecting heart function
Researchers who blocked a protein
that degrades anandamide found a
slowed ageing of the cardiovascular
system and slowed development of
atherosclerosis. The higher concentration
of the cannabinoid in the mice resulted
in reduced inflammation and reduced
oxidative stress.
Source: Batkai S, et al. Am J Physiol Heart
Circ Physiol. 2007 Apr 13
Reducing post-operative pain
Pharmos Corporation announced their
synthetic cannabinoid “Cannabinor” was
effective in reducing post-operative pain in
more than 100 patients undergoing tooth
extraction. Cannabinor is a selective CB2
receptor agonist which does not bind to the
CB1 receptor and so does not cause a high.
Source: Pharmos Corp press release 24 April 2007
THANKS to the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine. For the latest clinical research, see www.cannabis-med.org
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