Posted on 08/13/2005 12:00:36 PM PDT by traumer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Derivatives of the active compound in cannabis -- cannabinoids -- may have the potential for treating inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, UK researchers report.
"The system that responds to cannabis in the brain is present and functioning in the lining of the gut," lead researcher Dr. Karen Wright, of the University of Bath, explained to Reuters Health. "There is an increased presence of one component of this system during inflammatory bowel diseases," she explained.
Wright and her colleagues established the location of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 in human colon tissue, and used human colon cell lines to investigate the binding of cannabinoid compounds and in wound-healing experiments. They report their findings in the journal Gastroenterology
The team found that CB2 was increased in colonic tissue characteristic of inflammatory bowel disease. Cannabinoids enhanced surface wound closure via CB1-related mechanisms.
"Cannabinoids, which we make ourselves, as well as synthetic cannabinoids, can promote wound healing in the gut, which is extremely interesting given that inflammatory bowel disease involves damaged gut linings," Wright said.
Although results are available yet, she added, relevant studies of the use of cannabinoids are taking place in the UK and a clinical trial is being conducted in Germany.
Would you buy stock in a company that spent tens of millions of dollars to research a drug that people can make themselves? In their garden? With a seed?
I'm sure there's a lot of profit to be made in the 'getting high use of medical pot' and about zero to be made in the 'no high, but actual treatment is there' situation.
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Actually they seek to isolate the compounds which have medicinal benefits rather than the ability to "get high".
"Which means companies should (and do) research into it more."
Would you buy stock in a company that spent tens of millions of dollars to research a drug that people can make themselves? In their garden? With a seed?
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Research companies research the compounds in cannabis in order to make a patentable medicine. Point in case Savitex, a patented medication which has drawn investors and is now in use in hospitals.
http://www.gwpharm.com/sativex.asp
If they do so, then fine. Heck, take the ridiculous high part out of it, and even I won't complain.
However, like I said, I think the odds of them finding much useful besides ruining lives is very, very remote.
If they do so, then fine. Heck, take the ridiculous high part out of it, and even I won't complain.
However, like I said, I think the odds of them finding much useful besides ruining lives is very, very remote.
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Most pharmaceutical drugs have the ability to ruin lives. Valium , codeine etc.
I strongly disagree. Never knew anyone that had a benzo problem so bad, though short term they can be a pain.
Codeine and opiates are fairly dangerous. Still, pot seems to offer little to no benefit, and huge risks at the moment.
Won't take too long for the patients to figure that one out, if they haven't already (see post #127).
I strongly disagree. Never knew anyone that had a benzo problem so bad, though short term they can be a pain.
Codeine and opiates are fairly dangerous. Still, pot seems to offer little to no benefit, and huge risks at the moment.
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You disagree that many pharaceuticals are dangerous and addictive?
Codeine and opiates are "fairly dangerous"?
Valium addiction is not a problem?
www.drug-rehabs.org/faqs/FAQ-valium.php
www.benzo.org.uk/wales1.htm
www.breggin.com/minortranqs.html
www.opiates.com/opiates/codeine-addiction-detox.html
www.drug-rehabs.org/faqs/FAQ-codeine.php
Oh, they certainly are problems.
I disagree that cannabis would be less of a problem.
IF (and I say if) the marijuana cannabinoid(s) in Sativex® works for MS, then smoked marijuana works for MS.
Won't take too long for the patients to figure that one out, if they haven't already (see post #127).
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People with MS, especially in the lates stages, can barely move let alone plant, maintain, grow and dry out a cannabis plant.
Oh, they certainly are problems.
I disagree that cannabis would be less of a problem.
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Opiates have been proven to be one fo the most addictive drugs known to man. They are far more addictive than cannabis, which is psychologically addictive rather than physically.
Many drugs used in medicine are addictive but that does not mean they should not be used.
We need to move beyond the area where abused drugs are used for medicine, and work on safer methods.
If there's elements of pot that is helpful, isolate them. Keep all the addictive parts out of it.
It's a dangerous road though, since this is all about getting high in the first place.
We need to move beyond the area where abused drugs are used for medicine, and work on safer methods.
If there's elements of pot that is helpful, isolate them. Keep all the addictive parts out of it.
It's a dangerous road though, since this is all about getting high in the first place.
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Personally I am a fan of herbal remedies. They are much less taxing on your body and have very positive effects.
Then try toadstools.
Then try toadstools.
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No thank you. They are poisonous.
So is pot to the mind, and many other plants. Herbal stuff is fine, as long as it's not poisonous to the mind or body.
I am not unaware of the potential tradeoffs. You cite the most severe immuno-depressant states, notably the '96 from Transplantation, "those receiving chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer".
I am not willing to deny a patient suffering from a less agressive cancer, or for that matter, any disease whose treatment side effects might be ameliorated by ingesting marijuana in whatever form, that relief on basis of a decade-old study.
In support of my position, I point out that you cannot cite more recent references due to the governmental ban on "legitimate medical research" in this area since the mid-90's.
I would require doctors to advise patients of the hazards you point out, but leave the final decision to the informed patient.
Are you REALLY that confused?
Good grief!
Considering that you couldn't answer the question in any capacity, apparently, so are you.
I didn't ignore it. Since I don't have much experience with it, I let your statement stand unchallenged by myself.
If you want me to argue about it for the heck of it, just say so.
Pot can't do anything for that, nor for diverticulousis; both of which need dietary control and/or surgery, because of the pockets in the intestines.
There are some bowel disorders that when in the acute stage, can be relieved by narcotics. I'm sure that not all of them can ... but if a possible treatment is found, I certainly would not dismiss it out of hand because it is a "drug". The pain drugs given after surgery are opium derivatives, not completely unlike heroin, and if a cannaboid had a chance of treating a condition, i'm not sure why that would be a bad thing.
I can't believe that in 2005, there are still some people who think Reefer Madness was a documentary.
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