Clara Tourino, Andreas Zimmer, and Olga Valverde published a provacative article demonstrating that THC can protect against MDMA (ecstasy) induced brain damage. The authors note that the negative effects of long term MDMA use arise from it’s metabolism. High temperatures cause “the formation and uptake of MDMA toxic metabolites that increase oxidative stress, causing nerve terminal damage…and eventually axonal degeneration.”
Basically current research suggests that taking MDMA (ecstasy) and going dancing may increase brain damage associated with long term use.
The authors also site evidence that MDMA is often consumed with cannabis (1)(2). They point out that THC has been widely reported to lower body temperature, decrease inflammation, and is a potent anti-oxidant. Interestingly, in animal models of drug abuse THC and MDMA appear to “counter balance” each other. THC is able to attenuate many effects of MDMA including hyperthermia (overheating), hyper-locomotion, and anxiety. However, these authors are the first to explore if THC can actually protect brain cells from MDMA’s toxic effects.
Below is a figure from the publication:
This image shows a vehicle or untreated brain compared to MDMA and THC treated brains. Notice the pale complexion of the MDMA brain slice? This decrease in staining indicates a reduction in important brain proteins, this unwanted protein reduction is prevented when THC is given to the mice.
They also discuss some of the implications of their findings:
“The frequent co-use of both drugs makes it particularly interesting to study the effects of their combination Indeed, previous studies describe the effects of THC and MDMA together in animal models of locomotor activity, temperature, anxiety, reward and THC-dependence. However, the neuroprotective effects of THC on MDMA neurotoxicity have never been reported. In addition, the dose of THC used in this study (3 mg/kg, i.p.) could be considered a dose consumed by regular moderate cannabis users, and for that reason similar doses are used in the previously reported animal studies.”
So what does this mean to humans?
A few clinical studies on polydrug use have shown that use of cannabis and MDMA leads to deficits in brain function. Yet, the authors point to three studies which suggest that MDMA users that also consume THC have less ‘brain problems’ than “pure MDMA users.” (1)(2)(3)
MDMA also has a therapeutic role in diseases such as PTSD. Given that THC may reduce possible negative effects associated with MDMA use, i.e., hyperthermia and listening to techno music. Future clinical studies that are examining a therapeutic role for MDMA, should consider including groups of patients that receive a measured dose of both drugs.
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The Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee, and the Associated press published articles on studies showing that Cannabis has therapeutic value. The studies were conducted through the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) at the University of San Diego. The CMCR was created in 2000 to answer the question, “Does Marijuana have Therapeutic Value?”
The CMCR have submitted their report to the legislature and Governor of California, in which the authors claim to “have found reasonable evidence that cannabis is a promising treatment.”
The CMCR report is a summary of the clinical trials on smoked or vaporized cannabis that were conducted by the organization. Basically, the organization spent 10 million dollars and completed 6 clinical trials. These trials demonstrate that cannabis is an effective pain medicine for MS and HIV/AIDS patients. Notably, one study showed that ”low potency” cannabis may be effective at reducing pain with out inducing a “high”.
The CMCR had to overcome numerous setbacks. At least 5 clinical trials were canceled for various reasons. In one instance a clinical trial on chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting had to be cancelled because not enough cancer patients could be recruited. Additionally, the approval of a study by the government typically took 18 months.
Elsewhere, the Iowa Pharmacy Board is already expecting cannabis to available as a medicine soon. As the board has recommended to legislators that cannabis be rescheduled to allow medical use. Could Iowa potentially distribute cannabis through a pharmacy? Not unless cannabis is removed from schedule I.
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A recent scientific publication from a lab in the UK has established a link between migraines and mutations in the Cannabinoid Type 1 receptor (CB1R aka The”Pot receptor”). Researchers extracted DNA from individuals who were surveyed and reported suffering from migraines. The researchers found the 1st direct evidence that an isoform or mutant form of CB1R can make you susceptible to migraines.
Previous studies have shown that the natural THC our body makes, anandamide, has migraine preventative actions (on the trigeminal nerve).
CB1R antagonists (things that block the receptor) reverse this protective effect. Thus, there is significant data suggesting that the CB1R is involved with migraines.
Interestingly, the International Headache Society has yet to classify or identify any migraine-related genes despite intense research into the subject.
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