Cannabinoids as Medicine

Today I was caught by surprise from  a US Federal Government statement. They stated that in their opinion there is no medical value in marijuana. The claim is premature and in contradiction to a world wide research interest into cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes ranging from the management of atherosclerosis to cancer to neurodegeneration.

Just today Science Daily posted this news items indicating that blockade of the CB 1 receptor(CB=cannabinoid) accelerates neurodegeneration in the animal model. The abstract of the relevant study reads ....

Marijuana and Dementia

Over the years there have been multiple studies indicating the potential of cannabinoids across a wide range of conditions. This latest study provides further weight as to the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. It is high time that the public was made aware of the considerable therapeutic potential of these compounds. As for the psychosis\schizophrenia risk, that has been too much overblown and the risk is virtually negligible post 21 years of age. The reasons for this therapeutic potential are:

• The two principal cannabinoids, THC and cannabidiol, have very strong antioxidant capacity.
• These two compounds are lipophilic, that is lipid soluble, hence will remain in the body for extended periods. For pot smokers, typical wash out periods are 90% after one week, though this can greatly vary.
• Both of these compounds target specific receptors. THC will target CB1 and to a lesser extent CB2(controversial), while cannabidiol is very specific for CB2 and hence is non-psychoactive.
• Both compounds will bind to the anion site of ACHe, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is markedly reduced in some dementias, particularly Alzheimers.
• ACHe is also strongly implicated in amyloid production, both cannabinoids reduce the production of amyloid, an early step in Alzheimers because this production seems contingent on the anion site.
• Activation of the CB2 receptor limits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, excess production of these cytokines being implicated in everything from atherosclerosis to cancer to dementia.