cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Under the Microscope Marijuana Under the Microscope Posted by FoM on November 10, 2001 at 08:02:00 PT By Alex Singer, The McGill Daily Source: The Peak Some would say using marijuana in a medical setting is, ahem, a half-baked idea with no possible benefits to society or suffering patients. Others might disagree, including the McGill research group that recently received $235,000 from Health Canada in partnership with the CIHR (Canadian Institute for Health Research) to scientifically prove the medical worth of this popular plant. Since the 1960s, scientists having been trying to ascertain the medical benefits of one of North America's most common recreational drugs. Consequently, there is a slew of anecdotal evidence attesting to its use in alleviating suffering resulting from Crohn's disease, partial spinal cord injuries and glaucoma. Recent research has focused on the effects of marijuana on the immune system and discomfort associated with cancer and AIDS chemotherapy. Still, perhaps the most promising work has been done in the basic science analysis of the mechanism of action that marijuana has in the body. Three Little Letters The active component thought to provide much of the analgesic (pain modulation) and cognitive effects of marijuana is called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). While many scientists believe there are other psychoactive compounds in cannabis, THC is the most studied and best understood. Basically, when one smokes a joint or uses some other ingestion device, the heat from the burning marijuana leaves causes the THC to become aromatic (airborne) and enter your lungs. Once inside, the THC enters the blood stream at the same exchange point as oxygen. As any cigarette smoker or asthma inhaler user will tell you, the alveoli are very efficient at allowing chemicals to enter the blood. Less than two minutes after ingestion, the blood flow will have distributed the tiny molecules of THC throughout the body. In healthy people, who are not in the process of being strangled, the brain uses only 20 per cent of the oxygen available in the blood cells. Hence, a lot of blood needs to get to your noggin in order to meet the demand. And, like white on rice, the THC rides the chariot of blood cells upward at a rapid clip. Once it reaches the brain, a set of receptors are activated, causing the effects that have become so familiar to pot-heads and invulnerable undergraduates, among other sectors of our community. The Receptors In much the same way as a key fits into a lock, THC finds a home in what have been dubbed the cannibinoid receptors. Commonly referred to in scientific literature as CB1 and CB2 (cannibinoid receptors 1 and 2), these receptors are abundant in the brain. They are especially common in areas responsible for memory, cognition and motor co-ordination. These regions are centred in the cerebellum, hippocampus, hypothalamus and basal ganglia. For scientists curious as to THC's effects, these receptors are crucial to ongoing research and their presence is a cornerstone to explaining marijuana's therapeutic effects. Now, it might seem odd that we would have receptors for THC in our brain. Why would evolution, or God, have placed these intricate protein-carbohydrate structures up there just to get high? Well, along with identifying the receptors for THC, researchers have also elucidated the endogenous ligand (in English: the "key" for the receptor "locks" made naturally in the body). This chemical is called anandamide and is derived from fatty acids (the stuff in butter). Ananamide is involved in numerous physiological processes including pain modulation, control of movement, co-ordination, balance, pleasure sensation, learning, cognition and memory. The current basic science research is trying to resolve what impacts this receptor-ligand (lock and key) mechanism, hormones or neurotransmitters being the primary targets. Figuring out this mechanism would mean being able to further our knowledge of these incredibly complex systems, with the aim of eventually devising treatments to aid in treating problems in these areas. Those working in the area of cannibinoids are excited about future prospects in this line of work. "Certainly not all the kinds of pathways are worked out, and probably not all of the involved molecules have been identified yet," commented Billy Martin at the pharmacology and toxicology department of the Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. "But we're on the right track, characterising the normal physiological pathways used by the cannibinoids to affect pain modulation, control of movement, control of visceral sensation and other processes." Common Acute Effects Anyone who has smoked pot has stories of their experiences that are both glorious and ignoble. Scientifically speaking, however, the short-term effects were summed up very nicely in 1996 in a paper by Dr. I.B. Adams and R. Martin titled Cannabis: Pharmacology and Toxicology in Animals and Humans. "Usually the mental and behavioural effects of marijuana consist of a sense of well-being (often termed euphoria or a high), feelings of relaxation, altered perception of time and distance, intensified sensory experiences, laughter, talkativeness, and increased sociability when taken in social settings. Impaired memory for recent events, difficulty concentrating, dreamlike states, impaired motor co-ordination, impaired driving and other psychomotor skills, slowed reaction time, impaired goal-directed mental activity and altered peripheral vision are common associated effects." Glaucoma Perhaps the most convincing evidence for a medical use of marijuana comes when one considers this common vision impairment. Essentially, glaucoma causes one's vision to blur due to a film or cataract that covers the eye. The cause is IOP (intraocular pressure) which is an increased blood pressure in the optical region. Recent research has found that, in a three-to-four-hour period after administration of inhaled marijuana, the subjects' IOP was markedly decreased. These results were seen in both patients with glaucoma and those with normal IOPs. Also interesting to note was the fact that a topically applied (cream form) of THC had no effect. The exact mechanism of all other IOP inhibitory drugs is known but research in the area of marijuana has been remarkably slow. Despite lingering concerns regarding the administration of a drug which had to be smoked, the American Academy of Ophthalmology had this to say about using pot in the treatment of glaucoma (1992), "There is clear evidence that marijuana (or its components) taken orally or by inhalation can lower intra-ocular pressure." AIDS and Cancer Chemotherapy Many of the strongest drugs used to treat various cancers and AIDS boast long lists of uncomfortable side effects. The most critical of these is "wasting," a term that describes rapid weight loss caused by nausea and vomiting that adversely affect many patients. The ravages of the disease are, in many cases, not as uncomfortable as the toxic soup of medications that are enlisted to aid in the body's defense efforts. This is where marijuana comes to the rescue. With not a single negative drug interaction reported, and hundreds if not thousands of patients reporting miraculous alleviation of medication-related suffering, marijuana may be the drug of choice to prevent wasting. Indeed, AIDS patients serviced by the Compassion Clubs (marijuana pharmacies) in Montreal and Vancouver have consistently toted the benefits in terms of allowing them to eat and carry on their daily routines. The medical establishment has taken these claims seriously and is currently investigating the possibility of using cannabis in a widespread manner to combat these side-effects. Immune System THC also appears to have some immunosuppresent properties. This may seem alarming, but in terms of making you susceptible to that nasty cold, passing the joint and sharing your buddy's saliva is likely to be much worse for you. Still, some cell-mediated and humoral immune system responses may be slightly impaired by heavy marijuana use. The data in this area is not entirely clear or conclusive; some research actually points to an enhancement of other parts of the immune system. Scientifically speaking, marijuana's effect on the immune system is an intriguing area of study. The auto-immune disorder multiple sclerosis has shown some anecdotal evidence of being ameliorated by weed. Also of note are results of experiments involving EAE (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis). This is a disease that is inducible in rats, which in many ways mimics the effects of MS. Here, marijuana has been shown to modify the immune response and decrease the severity of the disorder. This is certainly fascinating, as the more we begin to understand the action of THC in the body, the better we can apply its powers to the healing effort. Science Meets Politics and the Law While the Canadian government has been more open to allowing marijuana to be studied and used in a medical setting, our neighbour to the south has not been so forthcoming. The DEA has not relented on marijuana's classification as a Schedule-1 drug, insisting it has a high potential for abuse and no medical uses. Many have pushed for downshifting of its status to Schedule-2, where it would sit alongside other tightly controlled prescription drugs such as morphine. These are drugs that have a high potential for abuse but also some possible therapeutic effects. On May 14, 2001 Justice Clarence Thomas had this to say about changing the status of weed: "Marijuana has no medical benefits worthy of an exception." The 8-0 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the manufacture and distribution of marijuana are illegal under all circumstances has been a blow to hopeful investigators and the substance's proponents in the scientific and medical communities. On the other hand, a mere two months later, Canada relaxed its laws regarding the availability of marijuana to severely and terminally ill patients. As well, Health Canada has opened up the door to research endeavours with its ambitious multi-million dollar marijuana-growing facility in an abandoned mine under a northern Manitoba lake. With high-profile science publications like the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science exhibiting work like Oxford's Leslie Iverson's piece titled, "High Times for Cannabis Research," it seems the tides may be changing regarding the uses of this banned substance. It remains to be seen, however, what the current research both McGill University and other universities here and abroad will uncover with regards to this tantalising scientific discipline. Newshawk: puff_tuffSource: Peak, The (CN BC)Author: Alex Singer, The McGill Daily Published: 10, vol 109 -- November 5, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Peak Publications SocietyContact: letters mail.peak.sfu.caWebsite: http://www.peak.sfu.ca/Feedback: http://www.peak.sfu.ca/Feedback.HTMLRelated Articles & Web Site:FTE's Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmSenators Pay a Visit To The Compassion Club http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11304.shtmlCriminal Possession Law is Reefer Madnesshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11272.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by The GCW on November 10, 2001 at 20:33:34 PT Canada has a lot of good news coming out right now.One thing not mentioned is gamma linolenic acid, found to aid a strong ammune system in the body, is only available in app. 5 locations on the planet: HEMP SEED OIL, MOTHERS MILK, black currant seed oil, primrose oil, and borage. Another one for: "Why would evolution, or God, have placed these..." GLA there? And the U.S. bans hemp seed oil, which supplies only app. 2% of your daily requirements, as it says on the bottle. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on November 10, 2001 at 14:02:15 PT: Basically a Good Article I would comment on one item: The doses of THC used in experiments to demonstrate immunosuppressive effects are commonly 50-100 times those needed to get high, and much higher yet than those required for medical benefit. Donald Abrams saw no immunological damage in his study of AIDS patients, and we saw none in our Chronic Use Study that will be published in Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics in January.For those interested in all the active components in cannabis beyond THC, please E-mail me, and I will send you a copy through the ozone of the article John McPartland and I wrote in the current JCANT: Cannabis and Cannabis Extracts: Greater than the Sum of their Parts? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Cannabuzz on November 10, 2001 at 12:14:00 PT a lot of that iz Bogus!......i'll tell U...... The article, "Pot Under Microscope", with the information therin, is essentially 20 years old and out-O'-date, and therefore "bullshit". yes..yes...yes....we have all known since the '80s that THC does "this..., and that...", BUT how flippin' vague can U get?!?!? True, THC is a main substance, but only in the vast boque of other active compounds in marijuana. Like CBNs, and even THCV(found in Afgani Indica's)which is a newly discovered compound that is more potent then THC. And research out there about marijuana is still oblivious 2 the fact that the high you get from a Cannabis Indica plant is very much different from the high one gets from a Cannabis Sativa plant. An Indica high's signature has highly more sedative and narcotic properties 2 it, [i.e. mad-munchies and 'couch-lock' with a physical high] when compared 2 Sativa's high which is characteristically clear-headed, creative, though-provoking, and cerebrall with energy not wanting to "sit down and watch tha' Simpsons". But is there ever any mention on the differences between Sativa and Indica in the books at school or the Government's propaganda? NoI mean really, ... here's a point; if smoking marijuana really impares everyone'z moter-skills, coordination, and movement you wouldn't see anything "extreme" in sports. I've been 2 all the subculture 'hoods and all from Hawaii 2 SoCal 2 Orlando and you wouldn't believe the performances of physical strength and mental coordination I've seen done under the influence of the 'Dank. Most all those skaters, riders, surfers, dirtbikers, ever our own professional Basketball and Football players, smoke tha dank atleast once a day. ...not to mention all the people who take responsible use of the many benefits of marijuana: husbands, wives, teachers, lawyers, doctors, CEOs, policemen, bankers, cooks, honor-roll students, government workers, "blue-collar", "white collar", ect, ect, of every race, creed, color, and social-status. just read up....read up and get info......it's where understanding begins.ohhh, and yes, U can drive a car just fine, if not better, when your high. just don't be so high you'll have a meltdown. Know the effects- know your dose- know your weed. AND DO IT RESPONSIBLY!! Peace [ Post Comment ] Post Comment