|
|
| Cannabis Truly Helps Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers |
|
Posted by CN Staff on September 11, 2004 at 22:59:37 PT By Anna Gosline Source: New Scientist UK 
Cannabis may loosen the stiff and spastic muscles of multiple sclerosis sufferers, and not just their minds, a follow-up study has found. The results contradict findings from the first phase of the study, where improvements seemed to be largely due to "good moods".“There does seem to be evidence of some benefit from cannabis in the longer term that we didn’t anticipate in the short term study,” says John Zajicek, at Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, UK, and one of the research team. In 2003, Zajicek and his colleagues published results on the largest study to date of cannabinoids and MS. The trial included 630 advanced-stage MS patients who took either cannabinoid compounds or a placebo for 15 weeks. Compared with those on placebos, patients who received active compounds said they both felt less pain and less muscle spasticity – the spasms characteristic of this neurodegenerative disease. Good Guess But physiotherapists using standard evaluations were unable to corroborate the patients' claims of improved mobility or muscle stiffness. The results were further complicated because about two thirds of the patients who received cannabis compounds, such as D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), guessed they had not received a placebo, due to the drugs effect on their mind. The knowledge that they were receiving an active compound, along with the mood-altering effects of THC, may have explained why subjects reported improvements. “If you’ve got a drug that elevates mood and makes people feel better, how can you be sure that it’s really affecting their underlying disease and their symptoms?” asks Zajicek. Marked Improvement When the short-term study ended, however, the researchers gave all subjects the opportunity to continue their treatment for a full year. The team wanted to extend the study to gather information on the safety of long-term cannabinoid use. More than 500 patients agreed to stay on their original treatment. One group took pills of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis. The second group received natural cannabis extract, and the third group took a placebo. At the end of the 12 month period, the patients were evaluated again using the same measures as in the first study. But this time, physiotherapists saw a marked improvement for subjects on active drugs. They had reduced muscle spasticity and an improved overall score for their level of disability. Zajicek is cautious about the implications of the study as it was not specifically designed to test the efficacy of drugs over 12 months. But the results do support animal research that shows cannabinoids may slow nerve cell death and protect against damage. The findings were presented at the British Association for the Advancement of Science Festival, in Exeter, UK. Related Articles: Cannabis May Have Long-Term Benefit for MS Cannabis Study Encouraging for MS Marijuana Chemical Reduces MS Pain MS Patients Trying Marijuana for Symptoms Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
 |
| Comment #15 posted by Hope on September 13, 2004 at 05:37:30 PT |
| Thank you for what you did for the Kubbys. To actually be able to do something instead of just be concerned is wonderful. Thank you. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #14 posted by FoM on September 12, 2004 at 14:03:07 PT |
| You could be right! I know you're right about Stan. I have been half and half watching the news today. These are perilous times we live in. If North Korea is testing a Bomb what can we do about it? He said he'd destroy South Korea if we do anything I read awhile ago. More and more people will need to use Cannabis just to cope with all these serious issues that we have to live with. The more war the more cannabis will be consumed. I don't think Walters cares but it's true. Cannabis helps people cope and everyone that has ever tried it knows that. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #13 posted by BGreen on September 12, 2004 at 13:07:21 PT |
| Stan White is my favorite Colorado resident, too. :-) I'll bet he even comes around the cannabisnews.com website every now and then just to see what we're up to. The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 12, 2004 at 12:35:08 PT |
| It's sure is great to see you Dr. Russo! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #11 posted by Hope on September 12, 2004 at 12:28:10 PT |
| So good to hear from you! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #10 posted by Ethan Russo MD on September 12, 2004 at 12:25:29 PT |
| Please see article: http://www.montananorml.org/docs/McPartland-Russo-JCANT-1-3-4-2001.pdf WARNING: EXTREMELY SLOW DOWNLOAD! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #9 posted by observer on September 12, 2004 at 10:32:26 PT |
| One group took pills of D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in cannabis. The second group received natural cannabis extract, and the third group took a placebo. Hmmm... They don't say which is better, pure THC or the natural cannabis extract (which is THC + lots of other compounds). Since they are silent on this point, I assume that the extract outperformed the pure THC, so it is, 'quick back to the drawing boards' to try to find 'the' other active chemical in cannabis extract to try to profit from that one too. For example, here are some of the medicinally active compounds found in natural cannabis (extract) in addition to delta-9 THC: p-cymene,.0004%, melting point 177 -- AChE inhibitor, antibiotic... anti canidal AChE inhibitor I hope upcoming reports will tell which performed better for MS relief, natural cannabis extract, or pure (synthetic) THC. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #8 posted by FoM on September 12, 2004 at 09:22:17 PT |
| I like Stan White too! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on September 12, 2004 at 09:20:22 PT |
| I posted them on the articles thread. It almost has 100 comments now. That's big! http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19445.shtml#98 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by Hope on September 12, 2004 at 09:19:45 PT |
| I really like it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by Hope on September 12, 2004 at 09:16:53 PT |
| but I was impressed with this. "Sensible Colorado, dedicated to ending the failed policies of unregulated marijuana prohibition and the unproductive approach to other drug use in Colorado." [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by Hope on September 12, 2004 at 09:12:44 PT |
| scientists to beg..."Truly. Truly." [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Hope on September 12, 2004 at 09:09:05 PT |
| Thanks for the good news! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by The GCW on September 12, 2004 at 07:12:49 PT |
| Well now the LTE's are out in this Sunday's edition. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19445.shtml (coming soon to MAP) 8 LTE's and no disagreement. http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%257E416%257E,00.html I spoke with the Post... He said there was a good response but He wished He received more letters with the other viewpoint, for balance. In the past, people have been afraid to speak out in public about this issue, calling for credible drug law reform. Now, people are afraid to come out and speak out in public, supporting the war on drugs, unless some one is paying them to do so. The people want CREDIBLE DRUG LAW REFORM. Also: I believe Ken Salazar and Pete Coors will not mention a word about this issue. They are both drug war lords. They don't want to expose their shortcomings.
[ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Virgil on September 11, 2004 at 23:21:26 PT |
| If the government were not out for the wealthy we would have known all of this and more a long time ago. I just want to express my concern over the Neilson case in Canada that was expecting a ruling on Tuesday on whether an Ontario court can resurrect a dead law for all of Canada. It seems that a lawyer has gotten involved and introduced an extranious constitutional argument. It should mean a delay until after October 19th when the Parliament only legislates, Courts only abrogate argument will be addressed in another case. I was hoping for a ruling on Tuesday in the worst way. Now it looks like it will all be delayed unless they drop the lawyer's advice. It is like it has all been sabotaged. But, we will see. [ Post Comment ] |
| Post Comment |  |
 |  |