Posted on 11/05/2004 1:38:10 PM PST by Ahriman
A decade ago, when Daniele Piomelli went to scientific conferences, he was often the only researcher studying cannabinoids, the class of chemicals that give marijuana users a high. His work often drew sniggers and jokes; but not any more. At the recent annual Society for Neuroscience conference in San Diego last week, scientists delivered almost 200 papers on the subject.
Why all the attention? Many scientists believe marijuana-like drugs might be able to treat a wide range of diseases, far beyond the nausea and chronic pain typically treated with medical marijuana.
Researchers presented tantalising evidence that cannabinoid drugs can help treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease - Parkinson’s disease and obesity. Other researchers are studying whether the compounds can help victims of stroke and multiple sclerosis.
Although the chemicals work on the same area of the nervous system, the new drugs are much more refined and targeted than marijuana, with few of its side effects.
"Cannabinoids have a lot of pharmaceutical potential," says Piomelli, a neuroscientist at the University of California. "A lot of people are very excited."
Funny they want to create a marijuana-like drug. Isn't that like creating a poultry and bread-like chicken sandwich?
Legalize it. Why don't conservatives want to open this market to our economy?
Many scientists believe that human activity produces global warming.
"Although the chemicals work on the same area of the nervous system, the new drugs are much more refined and targeted than marijuana, with few of its side effects."
Sorry. I guess that kicks the 'legalize medical marijuana' theme right out the door.
Last I remember and this has been quite a while ago, ingesting pot caused the munchies.
Hehe.
So should we also legalize heroin because there are opiod analgesics?
DAVE'S NOT HERE!
In a related-development, the number of Domino's pizza deliveries shot through the roof during the conference.
It is legalized. It's called Marinol.
Legalize it, put a whopping new tax on it for Social Security bail out, institute personalized social security accounts for people under.....fifty who elect to participate.
yeah, that's the ticket.
Last I remember and this has been quite a while ago, ingesting pot caused the munchies.
It seems like all the pot smokers I knew were skinny guys. At least, I don't recall any fat hippies!!
Pass me those Doritos, Dude
DrMike
Side effects? THe only side effect that I know of is the MUNCHIES, and that's one of the reasons why the sufferers of cancer and other serious illnesses like to smoke pot.
Pass me those Doritos, Dude
DrMike
Oh yeah...the marinol argument. Just try keeping the pills down when you can't keep anything down due to extensive chemo, my hubby's been there, done that. The only alternative is a suppository...which goes right where I tell anyone to shove it when they bring up the marinol argument.
Studies show that, although THC appeared to increase appetites, there is no documented evidence that actual weight gain occurred when compaired to non-THC patients.
What's a "snigger"? Must be a "snicker" on drugs.
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