Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
Acetaminophen and cannabinoid receptor interactions were the focus of a research article published in the journal of Neuropharmacology in late December 2009. The research demonstrates that the effects of Acetaminophen on pain are mediated through the CB1 receptor. Acetaminophen has previously been shown to elevate the levels of endocannabinoids in the body. Thus increasing the amount of activated cannabinoid receptors, leading to pain relief and anti-inflammatory effects.
Most prescription narcotics such as percocet and vicodin are cut with acetaminophen by pharmaceutical companies. This gives the pain killers more of a “kick.” Without acetaminophen, some pain killers are not nearly as effective. Researchers have been investigating the molecular mechanism for this interaction and the Endocannabinoid System appears to be a big player. Previous research has also shown that there is some “cross talk” between opiate receptors and cannabinoid receptors.
The study investigated the effects of acetaminophen in combination with different pain killers. The authors found that a combination of acetaminophen with gabapentin or morphine produced synergistic pain killing effects in rats. The results may have clinical significance because the effect was observed in rats that are a model of spinal cord injury. Interestingly, this synergistic pain relief disappeared when the rats were given AM251. AM251 blocks the Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptor (CB1R) thus inhibiting CB1R activation.
Given the notable toxicity of acetaminophen, cannabinoids might be a reasonable supplement to accompany current treatments for pain.
Posted in Cannabination, Jahan Marcu | 2 Comments »
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
The Journal of Molecular Psychiatry recently published an LTE from a group of researchers who demonstrated that chronic low doses of the cannabinoid WIN55212, resulted in new brain cells or neurons in the hippocampus of old rats. As we age, our ability to make new cells decreases, this may be the cause of many age related disorders. A class of drugs that can restore neurons may be a potential cure for diseases such as Parkinson’s, depression, etc.
The data was simply amazing–3 weeks of treatment resulted in noticeable effects! So this blog includes the figures from the publication, see below. On the left hand side, Figure A shows brain cells stained with red and green. Green, spindle like, staining indicates neuron growth. Pictures A and B show the typical neuron growth in developing brains. As you can see in pictures E and F, chronic administration of a non-psychotropic dose of WIN55212 restores neuron production in older rats, indicated by the green wisps. Note that this green stain is very low in old rats that did not receive the cannabinoid, pictures C and D.
The authors speculate, “Cannabinoid receptor stimulation therapy may thus provide clinical benefit for humans with age-associated memory impairment.”
Lots of molecules can activate cannabinoid receptors, so take your pick. More research is needed to determine which cannabinoids are the best option. None of the plant cannabinoids have not been explored for this effect. This not the first time cannabinoids have been linked to neurogenesis; HU-210 has also demonstrated similar effects.
Posted in Cannabination, Jahan Marcu | 1 Comment »
Friday, July 3rd, 2009
The San Jose Mercury News reported that Marijuana smoke will be added to the ever-growing list of cancer-causing materials covered by prop. 65 in CA.
Putting marijuana smoke in this category seems misplaced at best when diet colas, which contain everything from saccharine to questionably FDA-approved Nutrasweet and other chemically engineered sweeteners are not included. (Sorry if Nutrasweet or Diet Coke is on the list, but I couldn’t find it.)
It is particularly ironic that marijuana smoke will be the only smoke on the list, given the level of industrial air pollutants that are not included on the list.
The purpose of prop 65 is to protect our citizens and drinking water, yet toxic molds are not included on prop 65! Further, “businesses are not required to provide OEHHA with any information regarding their Proposition 65 warnings.” The OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment) mission is to enhance public health and the environment through scientific evaluation of risks posed by hazardous substances.
It’s too bad the very studies used by OEHHA to make this decision were deeply flawed regarding the methods, leading to artificially high readings of hazardous compounds. Some of the leading cannabis researchers in the world published a three part study on cannabis smoke a few months ago. This study compared the techniques used to analyze cannabis smoke and they found huge flaws with current methods which produced exaggerated levels of side products. In some cases, the authors suggest that previous researchers left out essential information regarding their methods–making it impossible to repeat previous experiments or confirm the results! Despite credible reports which demonstrate that practically all previous research comparing cannabis and tobacco smoke is flawed and inaccurate, OEHHA went ahead and used bad science to support their politics.
A political decision like this, will undoubtedly cause confusion for years to come. After all the two main ingredients on the plant, THC and CBD, have notable anti-cancer properties. In fact, research which demonstrates that combining THC and CBD has synergistic or greater than additive anti-cancer properties, will be presented at the upcoming International Cannabinoid Research Society meeting (July 7th-11th in Chicago).
The leading researcher in this area is Dr. Tashkin, who has been employed by the U.S. government and for the last 30 years has been examining if a link does exist between marijuana smoking and cancer. He did not find a link between cannabis smoke and cancer, unless the smokers also used tobacco.
Prop 65 may cause future inconveniences for any cannabis patients who needs to be able to smoke in a public or private facilities, i.e. trying to ease their glaucoma before their eyes explode from the ocular pressure.
However, there remains two benefits to this decision:
1) Legitimacy
2) Deterrence to non-medical users
1) This is a step towards regulating cannabis. A simple regulatory mechanism such as requiring a warning label, may provide some legal protections for those who follow it. Therefore by listing the potential harms, as on every bottle of a pharmaceutical drug, it provides a bit of legitimacy because the consumer is protected or informed, and because it reinforces the reality that cannabis is a medical treatment.
2) Often I hear criticisms regarding access to medical cannabis, specifically with regard to who has access to it and who gets it. Additionally, some are concerned that people who fake illnesses to get pharmaceutical drugs will also con doctors who recommend medical cannabis. A cancer warning would deter any casual/recreational user from taking advantage of a system intended to serve the state’s seriously afflicted and chronically ill population.
What about the Science?
It has never been conclusively shown that smoking cannabis will cause, prevent, or treat cancer. What science has shown is that:
A) the active ingredients in cannabis, when isolated or in combination have anti-cancer properties.
B) Cannabis smoke contains some of the same cancer causing material as tobacco smoke.
C) People who smoke cannabis have less of a chance of getting lung cancer then non-smokers or cigarette smokers
So, there is no concrete proof that smoking cannabis will cause or fight cancer but the individual compounds in the smoke have anti-cancer and pro-cancer properties. Meaning the side products of cannabis smoke can cause cancer but the most abundant ingredients (cannabinoids) fight cancer. How they work together remains unclear, so it seems unfair to label cannabis smoke as a carcinogen because that’s only half the story.
I know neither politics nor science is about being “fair.” However, science is the pursuit of truth/facts. So in the interest of truth, let’s incorporate what is actually known about cannabis smoke into the Prop 65 warning:
“Cannabis Smoke contains compounds known to the State of California that may cause or treat cancer.”
Posted in Cannabination, Contributing Author: Jahan Marcu, Jahan Marcu | No Comments »
