Cannabis may become 'the aspirin of the 21st century'

UK Independent ^ | Jeremy Laurance

[Sir Gawain]

Cannabis may become 'the aspirin of the 21st century'

By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor

19 April 2003

Cannabis, the third most popular recreational drug after alcohol and tobacco, could win a new role as the aspirin of the 21st century, with growing evidence that its compounds may protect the brain against the damaging effects of ageing.

Although the drug distorts perception and affects short-term memory, it may also help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntingdon's and motor neurone diseases. Scientists at the Institute of Neurology in Queens Square, London, say the "huge potential" of cannabis compounds is emerging, as understanding of its biological and pharmacological properties improves.

Professor Alan Thompson and his colleagues wrote in Lancet Neurology: "Basic research is discovering interesting members of this family of compounds that have previously unknown qualities, the most notable of which is the capacity for neuroprotection."

The results of two trials in patients with multiple sclerosis are expected this summer and the first cannabis-based medicines are being considered for licensing. None of them will have the psychoactive properties of the raw drug when smoked or ingested.

Professor Thompson's team says: "Even if the results of these studies are not as positive as many expect them to be, that we are only just beginning to appreciate the huge therapeutic potential of this family of compounds is clear."

Cannabis was thought to affect the cells like alcohol by seeping through the cell membrane. But in 1990 the first cannabinoid receptor was found, which revolutionised the study of cannabinoid biology. The discovery revealed an endogenous system of cannabinoid receptors, similar to the opioid system, to which the drug bound when it was ingested. Just as endorphins are the body's natural equivalent of heroin, a fatty acid called anandamide (Sanskrit for "inner bliss") is the natural equivalent of cannabis.

The natural system of cannabinoid receptors plays a role in maintaining the balance of chemicals in the brain which regulate the rate at which neurons fire. By altering this system, scientists believe it may be possible to slow or prevent the process of brain decay. David Baker, lead author of the Lancet review and senior lecturer at the Institute of Neurology, said: "Alzheimer's disease is the result of very slow degeneration caused by the death of nerve cells. We probably don't see symptoms until 30 to 40 per cent of the nerve cells have died. Something regulates this decay and if we could slow it by even a small fraction we might delay by a decade the point where someone loses their memory."

But cannabis is a double-edged sword, with potentially damaging side effects. "It may be possible to develop drugs that allow selective targeting of different areas of the brain and spinal cord and there may be a way of limiting the negative effects," Dr Baker said.

A study by Dr Baker and colleagues, in which the natural system of cannabinoid receptors was removed in mice, showed that the rate of nerve loss was increased, indicating its role in preserving brain function. The study, which has been accepted for publication in a medical journal, "really clinches the argument", Dr Baker said.

He added: "Cannabis has gone from the drawing board into trials in record time, largely because of patient pressure. Hopefully it will work and be acceptably safe."

[William Terrell]

It was on the New York Times bestseller list for umpteen months, wasn't it???

Just below "The Chromatigraphic Separation of the Phenolic Counpounds of delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol".

You won't be able to face reading a threatening book so you'll try to discredit it.

[Boot Hill]

Howdy sit-rep, how you been doing?

sit-rep says:   "I know Boot Hill well, and I know he is a WOD/anti-drug kinda guy...'What do you think of this?' was meant as a trigger to get him going..."

So you thought you just give the wasp nest a few quick whacks with the stick and then sit back and watch the show? Is that it?

Today was a bad day to try to distract me from life-beyond-the-net. My youngest son, his wife, and our new grandson came by to spend Easter weekend with us. Have I ever told you what a grand person my daughter-in-law is?

But since it is now late and all are in bed, and not wanting to disappoint you, let's see if I can find something nasty to rile up the drug-obsessed libertarians that usually infest these threads.

The author of this thread story is Jeremy Laurance, and he is the "Health Editor" for the UK Independent and just loves to write about marijuana (on Goggle, "Jeremy Laurance" + "marijuana" = 35 hits (no pun intended)). Let me offer a couple of recent quotes from his writings.

"Cannabis...could win a new role as the aspirin of the 21st century, with growing evidence that its compounds may protect the brain against the damaging effects of ageing."   (Cannabis may become 'the aspirin of the 21st century')

"Evidence is growing that the drug [cannabis]...is a trigger of psychotic delusion, lung disease and immune dysfunction."   (Cannabis 'may cause public health disaster')

Two stories, just five months apart with seemingly opposite and alarming or sensational messages about marijuana. What could account for this? Well, let's try one more quote from our "health" editor and see what's behind this.

"Health stories in the newspapers tend to focus on 'miracle cures' or 'deadly scares'. Editors are always looking for a sensational story. That's what sells papers."   (Comments by Jeremy Laurance to ScienceMuseum.org about what motivates journalists)

There you have it, sit-rep, straight from the horse's mouth, sensationalism (not truth), "That's what sells papers"! If you want to know about advances in science ("...it may also help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntingdon's and motor neurone diseases..."), consult a reputable science journal, but never, ever, try to learn about science from a newspaper.

One final note: recent research about the diseases that Laurance mentions above, has shown that they may be caused by a previously unknown class of organisms called "nano-bacteria", which are small enough to permeate the blood/brain barrier (called the "dura mater") where they can then act directly upon the brain. If this turns out to be the case, then the use of marijuana would only mask (some) symptoms and not "prevent" the diseases, as Laurance's column suggests. It would be sort of like suggesting that cough syrup could prevent tuberculosis because you would never have the characteristic TB cough.

So, does this qualify as "getting him going"?

Best regards,

Boot Hill

[sit-rep]

So, does this qualify as "getting him going"?

Ya, ya did good... As always, education flows like wine when you voice in!

Happy Easter to you and yours, and when you free up, tell me about your daughter-in-law...

SR

[CWOJackson]

Pot become the aspirin of the 21st Century?

Probably, aspirin isn't the catch all wonder drug it was originally thought to be, and in some cases is dangerous. Used to be aspirin was prescribed for everything, from an infected hang nail to flu symptoms.

I'm sure there are plenty of "qualified" folks out there who would prescribe pot the same way. "Hey dude, check it out. Got a hang nail and Doctor Bob gave me this righteous pot."

"Far out dude! He gave me the same thing for SARS last week!"

[CWOJackson]

On second thought, I doubt the FDA will approve it.

Oh well, back to aspirin.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[MeekOneGOP]

As Granny used to say:

"For medicinal purposes only", of course.

[jayef]

I will share with you the sum of knowledge I have gathered from the woddies in my time here:

Recreational use of marijuana is impossible. Only alcohol can be used recreationally. This is because alcohol tastes good and can be savored with a meal. Marijuana just makes you high and is immoral. All marijuana use is abuse. Marijuana makes you craves snacks and is bad for your health.

[jayef]

You guys are so funny and clever.

[jayef]

Never. Let the people grow it. Keep the government out of it.

[jayef]

You seem to have turned a corner, sir. While we may still disagree, it seems that you are at least willing to apply yourself to the inquiry and to entertain a truly scientific analysis. I won't call you a convert yet, but your attitude seems to have changed since our first encounters here. True?

[robertpaulsen]

"Legalize it and tax it sky high", then watch as people flock to the black market (as they're doing now with cigarettes -- taxed at 33%) to purchase it.

Oops, right back to where we started.

[robertpaulsen]

"The results of two trials in patients with multiple sclerosis are expected this summer and the first cannabis-based medicines are being considered for licensing. None of them will have the psychoactive properties of the raw drug when smoked or ingested."

Dude, then what's the point?

Prediction: Will go nowhere.

[tacticalogic]

Which means that in short order, their bought and paid for representatives in Congress will be singing the praises of cannabis-based medicines.

At least the ones that are produce by a patentable synthesis process.

[Gianni]

The author of this thread story is Jeremy Laurance, and he is the "Health Editor" for the UK Independent and just loves to write about marijuana (on Goggle, "Jeremy Laurance" + "marijuana" = 35 hits (no pun intended)). Let me offer a couple of recent quotes from his writings.

Searched the web for "boot hill" + "marijuana" Results 1-10 of 149.

Searched the web for "Gianni" + "marijuana" Results 1-10 of 1,560.

Searched the web for "robertpaulsen" + "marijuana" Results 1-10 of 1,560.

Imagine that - the only person who loves to write about marijuana as little as the author is our own robertpaulsen. (Sorry, RP, just so happened that your name had same # of hits on Google).

[robertpaulsen]

"Searched the web for robertpaulsen marijuana. Results 1 - 5 of about 30. Search took 0.12 seconds"

"In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some entries very similar to the 5 already displayed." (Of these five, two of them were "To:robertpaulsen" --rp).

This was google. You must have a better search engine.

Searched the web for gianni homosexual. Results 1 - 10 of about 1,180. Search took 0.49 seconds.

Just havin' fun with ya!

[PaxMacian]

GOD MADE HERB
GOD SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD
GOD GAVE IT TO MAN

Genesis 1:11
Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth"; and it was so.

Genesis 1:12
And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:29
And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.

[PaxMacian]

Your ignorant judgements of others are immoral. I know and have known hundreds that have recreationally used herb over the course of a lifetime and all are far better off than those that have been drinkers, both physically and cognitively.

[Gianni]

Yeah, when you're nickname is a famous gay fashion designer, it's bound to happen.

Point made, Google can turn up just about anything given near-random search parameters.

[Bacon Man]

May I be the first to say WOOHOO!

You may and I will second the motion. Anybody else? Well then the motion is carried. WOOHOO it is!