cannabisnews.com: Scientists Study Medical Applications of Marijuana Scientists Study Medical Applications of Marijuana Posted by FoM on April 18, 2001 at 20:57:26 PT By Dharshani Dharmawardena and Hemesh Patel Source: Daily Bruin In the winter of 1983, a chance encounter with a tree changed Scott Imler's life forever. While skiing, the teen-aged Imler, co-founder of the Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Cooperative, ran into the tree and split his head open. Because of the severity of the injury, Imler developed epilepsy, a condition characterized by seizures and pain. To ease his suffering, he needed to take specific drugs like Valium, medicines known as barbiturates or downers that had serious side effects. "They kill your blood cells and cause liver damage," Imler said. "If you take them in large doses, you can't do anything." Discouraged with the drugs' side effects, Imler then turned to marijuana for medicinal use. Currently, he takes three to four "puffs" a day for pain relief. Because extensive clinical trials have not been completed, scientists must rely on anecdotal situations such as Imler's and research trials on animals to understand the relevancy of marijuana for medicinal purposes. But use of marijuana is not without negative effects. "We don't know if the benefits outweigh the (costs)," Tashkin said. The psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which, is a compound that plays a role in physiological processes such as memory, mood and appetite, according to Professor of Medicine Donald Tashkin. "There are a number of potential therapeutic uses of cannabinoids," he said. "The scientific basis for medical applications of cannabinoids comes from animal studies." Tashkin said animal trials have shown that THC reduces pain and could lessen muscle spasms, symptoms of both multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Because of such results, many patients suffering from terminal illnesses, such as certain types of cancer and AIDS, have turned to marijuana for relief. Recent research conducted by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that compounds in the drug increase appetite. AIDS and cancer patients often experience a lack of appetite because of the medicines they take. The substances in marijuana may be a factor in stimulating a craving for food for some of these patients. For Imler, the benefits not only include alleviation of seizures, but also a new lease on life. "I don't sit in front of the TV anymore," he said. "The effects of the (other) drugs can be debilitating." Despite the positive side of using marijuana for medicinal use, Tashkin pointed out the serious health risks associated with continued use of the drug. He said previous research at UCLA has shown that smoking marijuana is a significant risk for head and neck cancer in young patients. Other negative effects include abnormalities in the airways of habitual marijuana smokers. Researchers believe that THC suppresses the functions of macrophages in the lungs, which defend against infections, and may lead to cancerous growths, according to Tashkin. Imler said most users of medicinal marijuana smoke the drug, which is one of the major negative effects of using the substance. But it is the act of smoking that gives immediate relief. At the same time, patients also have the option of ingesting THC in pill form. "Any physician can order that," Tashkin said. "But the disadvantage is a delay in the onset of THC." According to Imler, physicians can only give a recommendation for marijuana, not a prescription. At LACRC, members grow their own plants for patients with such recommendations. Michele Pearson, Director of Ancillary Services at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center said the pharmacy at the center does not dispense marijuana for medicinal use. She said because the center provides services paid for by student fees, it has to cater to the needs of most students, and the majority of UCLA students don't come to the center for severe medical issues like cancer or AIDS. According to Pearson, if patients are so ill that they need the pain relief provided by such drugs as marijuana, they would most likely be unable to maintain an active campus life. "We don't see those kinds of patients here, and if they do, we refer them out," she said. THC: Drug relieves pain comfortably, but clinical trials not yet complete.Dharshani Dharmawardena and Hemesh Patel, Daily Bruin Senior Staff Source: Source: Daily Bruin (CA)Author: Dharshani Dharmawardena and Hemesh PatelPublished: April 18, 2001Copyright: 2001 ASUCLA Student MediaContact: viewpoint media.ucla.eduWebsite: http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/Related Articles & Web Site:Los Angeles Cannabis Resource Centerhttp://www.lacbc.org/Marijuana-Like Substance in Brain Trigger Appetite http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9337.shtmlMarijuana-Like Chemical May Control Coughinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7522.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by jAhn on April 19, 2001 at 12:50:54 PT We need Unity!! Within ALL dangerous activities. Please don't take my post the "wrong" way. I love lots of people- of MANY different walks of life...Dangerous or Not Dangerous. Isn't the term dangerous a relative one anyway?I would be the last person to cheer for the Prohibition of Certain Individuals' activities. But. Wouldn't it be cool as green if we could all just: Become a Team? N.O.R.M.L. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by jAhn on April 19, 2001 at 12:43:48 PT Only in America... ...are the "recreational activities" that are not Prohibited are more likely to Kill a Human faster than crossing the 12-noonish heavy traffic of Broadway, New York City- blindfolded!!! How many deaths were reported because of "Skiing Accidents?" (hard to find exact figures?) (we know!) How many deaths/fatal injuries from Hard-Hitting footbal? How many deaths/fatal injuries from Nascar? (More Importantly: How much Gas & Oil is Wasted on a "recreational activity" which Not Every "American/whaterver ya wanna call me"- Supports? How many deaths/fatal injuries from "Toughmen Competitions?" How many deaths/fights/FATAL injuries from the "Sport of Boxing?" How many Wake-Boarding accidents? How many Rock climbing Mis-haps? Stop treating Marijuana Smokers like Unwanted Dogs!!! Some people happened to believe in the 4000 year-old doctrined uses of "Pot" as Real-Deal Holyfield Medicine Even MORE people are coming to find out that Hemp is going to be the future oil source of America- Once we ALL realize that there are only, about 50, Petrol Oil Salesman to compete with. So go ahead, jump off a bridge! (hey, it's Legal to!) (with or without a bungee cord/safety harness) So you feel that It's TV that draws the line between the two's differences? Remember: Michael Jackson was Set on Fire during the making of a "Pepsi" commercial. Also: How many people- a year- suffer from Failed Amusement Park Ride? I'm sure you're out there...I've read SOME SICK STUFF about people falling off of Roller Coasters! My step-mother's friend got her long hair caught in the bolts and bars of a Ferris Wheel. The force of the spinning wheel pulled and pulled until it ripped a chunk of her hair out- a little bit of scalp, too, that resulted in Bloodshed... I cringed the first time I was told this by my step-ma. I still cringe at the Visuals -my imagination's creations. eeeyuck...I'd rather have some ruthless thug Kidnap me and force-ingest a million joints/blunts worth of smoke down my hatch! P.S.S. How many people are fatally injured/killed from riding those "innocent" snow mobiles and jet skis? (P.s.s.s....If ya don't believe they're More Dangerous than Smokin' a Joint, One need not look any further than the T.V. show: RealTv for a clip of some Jet-ski/snowmobile accidents!!! Have fun: Welcome to: The Real WorldP.s.s.s.s: I wonder what the total Sum (of profits) that these sports Generate? What about Missle sales? Ok...now what about Dangerous Consumeristic "Goods?" ((Re: Billions of FAILED Firestone Tires, and Recalled Childrens' Toys that result in the asphyxiation of some children)) So why does POT have to be legalized? Have you ever heard someone say, "TO FREE UP SOME RESOURCES?" Believe 'Em!! We need 'em! To ensure safety of ALL people and not just some, we'll say, Jet-Ski salesman, or a Sports Commentator, or Ski-Resort Owner, The Nascar Sponsorors', The Snake Oil-Salescreeps, The Amusement Park Security.... Just use your Imagination...We live in a world that Caters to the Tyrannical. (meaning: T-Rex seems like a friggin' Chameleon when contrasted by The Tycoons of Amerikka---I think I've said enough... Stop Arresting US pot Smokers!!! (you hurt the economy by reducing the amount of people we have available for work- Real Work.) Don't you feel that Prohibition has Gone Too Far?No matter what the drug....Just give it to 'em! It can't be any more "Bad for the Reputation of Amerikka" The reputation of this country is going to get us all Killed...mark my words! Because of a FEW people that "don't know how to play with others!" I'm tired of this Fighting! There are Thousands of People suffering from something that this U.S. government could be making BILLIONS of off--No Exaggeration, either...combined with the profits that Hemp would exhume, Cannabis/Marijuana will be ONE HOT industry with Billions of profits for this land of....(whatever you imagine-) [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: