Medical Marijuana Studies, and Conclusions

2009 May-Jun;5(3):153-68.

Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions.

Source

Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Abstract

Cannabis (marijuana) has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia, said to be first noted by the Chinese in c. 2737 BCE. Medicinal cannabis arrived in the United States much later, burdened with a remarkably checkered, yet colorful, history. Despite early robust use, after the advent of opioids and aspirin, medicinal cannabis use faded. Cannabis was criminalized in the United States in 1937, against the advice of the American Medical Association submitted on record to Congress. The past few decades have seen renewed interest in medicinal cannabis, with the National Institutes of Health, the Institute of Medicine, and the American College of Physicians, all issuing statements of support for further research and development. The recently discovered endocannabinoid system has greatly increased our understanding of the actions of exogenous cannabis. Endocannabinoids appear to control pain, muscle tone, mood state, appetite, and inflammation, among other effects. Cannabis contains more than 100 different cannabinoids and has the capacity for analgesia through neuromodulation in ascending and descending pain pathways, neuroprotection, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. This article reviews the current and emerging research on the physiological mechanisms of cannabinoids and their applications in managing chronic pain, muscle spasticity, cachexia, and other debilitating problems.

PMID:
19662925
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Source link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19662925

After reading the above text taken from the national institutes for health information, how can it be that marijuana is still listed as a class 1 drug, which requires for it to have "no medical use?"


Below in quotes is a summary from a DEA Judge who studied dozens of research papers, and weeks of testimony regarding marijuana.  The key points of his conclusion are as follows:

"A smoker would theoretically have to consume nearly fifteen hundred pounds of marijuana within about 15 minutes to induce a lethal response... In strict medical terms, marijuana is far safer than many of the foods we commonly consume. For example, eating ten raw potatoes can result in a toxic response. By comparison, it is physically impossible to eat enough marijuana to induce death." 

     "Estimates suggest that from 20 to 50 million Americans routinely, albeit illegally, smoke marijuana without the  benefit of direct medical supervision. Yet, despite this long history of use and the extraordinarily high numbers of social smokers, there are simply no credible reports to suggest that consuming marijuana has caused a single death. By contrast, aspirin, a commonly used, over-the-counter medicine, causes hundreds of deaths each year."

~ DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis L. Young

(Yes, that is a quote from a Judge at the "Drug Enforcement Agency") 

Marijuana Movie

Science: Epilepsy
According to research at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, the endocannabinoid system protects against spontaneous seizures. The scientists blocked this system with the cannabinoid receptor antagonist rimonabant in 13 rats for three weeks. In three rats convulsive seizures where observed in the limbic region of the brain after 5 to 8 days. (Source: van Rijn CM, et al. Pharmacol Rep 2011;63(1):165-8.)

Science: Pain
Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, investigated the inhibitory effects of cannabinoids on vanilloid 1 receptors. They used the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 to study the mechanisms of action of peripheral cannabinoids in pain relieving actions on trigeminal ganglion nerve cells. (Source: Wang W, et al. Neurol Sci. 2011 May 17. [in press])

Science: Breast cancer
According to research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, USA, the non-psychotropic cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) induces programmed cell death in breast cancer cells by coordinating the crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy. CBD increased the generation of reactive oxygen species. (Source: Shrivastava A, et al. Mol Cancer Ther. 2011 May 12. [in press])

Science: Aging
Restriction of food intake is a robust means of extending lifespan and postponing age-related disease in many species, including yeast, nematode worms, flies and rodents. Researchers at Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, USA, demonstrated that N-acylethanolamines, which includes the endocannabinoid anandamide, are involved in the process of lifespan extension in a nematode worm (C. elegans). (Source: Lucanic M, et al. Nature 2011;473(7346):226-9.)

Science: Inflammation of the bowel
According to a research group in Brussels, Belgium, increasing the levels of the endocannabinoid 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) reduced colitis and related systemic inflammation in mice. 2-AG levels were increased by inhibiting monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary enzyme responsible for the degradation of 2-AG. (Source: Alhouayek M, et al. FASEB J. 2011 May 6. [in press])

Science: Neuropathic pain
According to research at the University of Georgia in Athens, USA, rats self-administer a synthetic CB2 receptor agonist (AM1241) to reduce neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was produced by nerve injury and rats could self-administer the cannabinoid by pressing down a lever. (Source: Gutierrez T, et al. Pain. 2011 May 6. [in press])

Science: Depression
According to research at the University of Maharastra, India, the endocannabinoid system is involved in the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, a broadly used antidepressant. A CB1 receptor antagonist blocked the effects of fluoxetine. Scientists concluded that "the study indicates an interaction between endocannabinoid and serotonergic system in regulation of depressive and compulsive-like behavior." (Source: Umathe SN, et al. Behav Brain Res. 2011 Apr 28. [in press])

Science: Alzheimer's disease
According to research at the University of California in Irvine, USA, certain brain regions (mid frontal and temporal cortex) of subjects with Alzheimer's disease contain lower levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide than control subjects. Scientists concluded from their study that an impairment in brain anandamide mobilization caused by the amyloid-beta peptide, which is toxic for nerve cells, contributes to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. (Source: Jung KM, et al. Neurobiol Aging. 2011 May 3. [in press])

Science: Epilepsy
According to research at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, the endocannabinoid system protects against spontaneous seizures. The scientists blocked this system with the cannabinoid receptor antagonist rimonabant in 13 rats for three weeks. In three rats convulsive seizures where observed in the limbic region of the brain after 5 to 8 days. (Source: van Rijn CM, et al. Pharmacol Rep 2011;63(1):165-8.)

Science: Pain
Researchers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, investigated the inhibitory effects of cannabinoids on vanilloid 1 receptors. They used the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 to study the mechanisms of action of peripheral cannabinoids in pain relieving actions on trigeminal ganglion nerve cells. (Source: Wang W, et al. Neurol Sci. 2011 May 17. [in press])

Science: Breast cancer
According to research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, USA, the non-psychotropic cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) induces programmed cell death in breast cancer cells by coordinating the crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy. CBD increased the generation of reactive oxygen species. (Source: Shrivastava A, et al. Mol Cancer Ther. 2011 May 12. [in press])

Science: Aging
Restriction of food intake is a robust means of extending lifespan and postponing age-related disease in many species, including yeast, nematode worms, flies and rodents. Researchers at Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, USA, demonstrated that N-acylethanolamines, which includes the endocannabinoid anandamide, are involved in the process of lifespan extension in a nematode worm (C. elegans). (Source: Lucanic M, et al. Nature 2011;473(7346):226-9.)

Science: Inflammation of the bowel
According to a research group in Brussels, Belgium, increasing the levels of the endocannabinoid 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) reduced colitis and related systemic inflammation in mice. 2-AG levels were increased by inhibiting monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary enzyme responsible for the degradation of 2-AG. (Source: Alhouayek M, et al. FASEB J. 2011 May 6. [in press])

Science: Neuropathic pain
According to research at the University of Georgia in Athens, USA, rats self-administer a synthetic CB2 receptor agonist (AM1241) to reduce neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was produced by nerve injury and rats could self-administer the cannabinoid by pressing down a lever. (Source: Gutierrez T, et al. Pain. 2011 May 6. [in press])

Science: Depression
According to research at the University of Maharastra, India, the endocannabinoid system is involved in the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, a broadly used antidepressant. A CB1 receptor antagonist blocked the effects of fluoxetine. Scientists concluded that "the study indicates an interaction between endocannabinoid and serotonergic system in regulation of depressive and compulsive-like behavior." (Source: Umathe SN, et al. Behav Brain Res. 2011 Apr 28. [in press])

Science: Alzheimer's disease
According to research at the University of California in Irvine, USA, certain brain regions (mid frontal and temporal cortex) of subjects with Alzheimer's disease contain lower levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide than control subjects. Scientists concluded from their study that an impairment in brain anandamide mobilization caused by the amyloid-beta peptide, which is toxic for nerve cells, contributes to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. (Source: Jung KM, et al. Neurobiol Aging. 2011 May 3. [in press])

The Endocannabinoid System and How it Works

There are several ways to use medical marijuana.  Those include, smoking, eating, juicing, and vaporizing.  Smoking is one of the quickest and easiest ways to ingest marijuana and surprisingly marijuana has been found to NOT cause lung cancer in a study done by UCLA's Dr. Donald Tashkin .  Dr. Tashkin stated, "we found there was no association with lung cancer and even a suggestion of some protective effect," says Tashkin, whose research was the largest case-controlled study ever conducted. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

In fact, several studies have indicated that marijuana kills cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue.  Brain cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancer have all showed positive response to molecules contained in marijuana.  In fact, the Federal Govt. holds a patent on marijuana for its health benefits.  The patent number 6630507 is registered to the United States Department of Health.  Marijuana has been safely used for thousands of years.  The following video shows facts concerning marijuana through history.


  Medical marijuana is non-toxic, and has been found to be a safe and effective treatment for pain, nausea, arthritis, vomiting, loss of appetite, sleep, seizures, glaucoma, PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome),  Crohn's disease, inflammation, ADD (attention deficit disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyper activity disorder), wasting syndrome, epilepsy, hepatitis C, autism, stress relief, and many more ailments that medical marijuana provides an effective treatment for.   All conditions that medical marijuana can help, may not be included by the State Health Department.  It is important to know the law, and what conditions have been approved for use of medical marijuana in your State.  There has been an overwhelming demand due to the  realization that many potentially toxic and dangerous medicines can be avoided, or reduced by using medical marijuana as an alternative, or in addition to conventional medicine.   This has created an overwhelming demand for medical marijuana.   To best serve all potential medical marijuana patients, please fill out the form on the MMJ page, so we can contact you, to schedule a time for you to visit with a Medical Marijuana Doctor.   

All information is confidential and will only be shared with the Medical Marijuana Doctor who is available to answer your questions concerning medical marijuana, and help you incorporate medical marijuana into your treatment plan.  Again, please fill out the form on the home page to have your medical marijuana questions answered, or to obtain a recommendation from a qualified physician to use medical marijuana. 

"The evidence is overwhelming that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS -- or by the harsh drugs sometimes used to treat them. And it can do so with remarkable safety. Indeed, marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day."

~ Joycelyn Elders, MD
Former US Surgeon General
Editorial, Providence Journal
Mar. 26, 2004

 

 

 

"There is very little evidence that smoking marijuana as a means of taking it represents a significant health risk.

Although cannabis has been smoked widely in Western countries for more than four decades, there have been no reported cases of lung cancer or emphysema attributed to marijuana.

I suspect that a day's breathing in any city with poor air quality poses more of a threat than inhaling a day's dose -- which for many ailments is just a portion of a joint -- of marijuana."

-- Lester Grinspoon, MD
Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
"Puffing Is the Best Medicine,"
Los Angeles Times
May 5, 2006

Although marijuana has been used safely for thousands of years, there is just now becoming more and more evidence of the beneficial molecules in marijuana. 
Recently, with the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, scientists have learned that cannabinoids from marijuana fit perfectly like a key in a lock on receptors in the human body.  Our bodies also produce cannabinoids.  Currently researchers think that some people may be cannabinoid deficient, which could be a precursor for various illnesses and diseases.  There have been instances of significant healing for patients that appear to fit this model.  One Doctor in particular has found noticeable improvement in patients who ate cannabis, and also juiced the fresh leaves of cannabis.

Autophagy (aw-TOF-uh-jee) - Defined ~

A normal process in which a cell destroys protein and other substances in its cytoplasm (the fluid inside the membrane but outside the nucleus), which may lead to cell death.  Autophagy may prevent normal cells from developing into cancer cells, but may also protect cancer cells by destroying  anticancer drugs or the substances taken up by them.  Marijuana has been shown to kill cancer cells without harming the surrounding tissue.  This is very exciting as no other current cancer treatment can make that claim.

In this study we show that cannabinoids, a new family of potential antitumoral agents, induce autophagy of cancer cells and that this process mediates the cell death–promoting activity of these compounds. Several observations strongly support this idea: (a) THC induced autophagy and cell death in different types of cancer cells but not in nontransformed astrocytes, which are resistant to cannabinoid killing action, (b) pharmacological or genetic inhibition of autophagy prevented THC-induced cell death, (c) autophagy-deficient tumors were resistant to THC growth-inhibiting action, and (d) THC administration activated the autophagic cell death pathway in 3 different models of tumor xenografts as well as in 2 human tumor samples.

Side Effects of Medical Marijuana:

  • Happy
  • Hungry
  • Sleepy

Truth about Marijuana