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.

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.

GW Pharmaceuticals announced plans to expand their research agenda by investigating the therapeutic potential of new cannabis-ethanol sprays into the realm of metabolic diseases such as Obesity and Type II Diabetes.

For this project, GW is teaming up with Mike Cawthorne, the group director of the research team that “discovered the multi-billion dollar insulin sensitizer drug, Rosigilatzone.”

The new cannabis spray will be extracted from plants which contain high amounts of CBD and THCV. CBD has shown potential to treat fatty liver diseases and hpercholesterolaemia and also blocks the psychoactive effects of Delta9-THC. THCV, a natural antagonist or Cannabinoid receptor blocker, has notable effects on increasing energy expenditure. THCV, unlike Delta9-THC, is usually present only in small concentrations on the plant. However, GW may have developed a so called THCV-rich cannabis plant.

Developing a treatment for a complex illness, such as metabolic syndrome, can be explored using two cannabinoids in combination and can potentially “be addressed with a single medicine.”