Posted on 07/01/2016 6:11:28 AM PDT by Wolfie
Marijuana compound removes toxic Alzheimer's protein from the brain
An active compound in marijuana called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been found to promote the removal of toxic clumps of amyloid beta protein in the brain, which are thought to kickstart the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
The finding supports the results of previous studies that found evidence of the protective effects of cannabinoids, including THC, on patients with neurodegenerative disease.
"Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer's, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells," says one of the team, David Schubert from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California.
Schubert and his colleagues tested the effects of THC on human neurons grown in the lab that mimic the effects of Alzheimer's disease.
If you're not familiar with this special little compound, it’s not only responsible for the majority of marijuana's psychological effects - including the high - thanks to its natural pain-relieving properties, it’s also been touted as an effective treatment for the symptoms of everything from HIV and chemotherapy to chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder, and stroke.
In fact, THC appears to be such an amazing medical agent, researchers are working on breeding genetically modified yeast that can produce it way more efficiently than it would be to make synthetic versions.
The compound works by passing from the lungs to the bloodstream, where it attaches to two types of receptors, cannabinoid receptor (CB) 1 and 2, which are found on cell surfaces all over the body.
In the brain, these receptors are most concentrated in neurons associated with pleasure, memory, thinking, coordination and time perception, and usually bind with a class of lipid molecules called endocannabinoids that are produced by the body during physical activity to promote cell-to-cell signalling in the brain.
But THC can also bind to them in much the same way, and when they do, they start messing with your brain's ability to communicate with itself. The can be a good and a bad thing, because while you might forget something important or suddenly be incapable of swinging a baseball bat, you'll probably feel amazing, and want to eat all the snacks.
Over the years, research has suggested that by binding to these receptors, THC could be having another effect on ageing brains, because it appears to helps the body clear out the toxic accumulations - or 'plaques' - of amyloid beta.
No one's entirely sure what causes Alzheimer's disease, but it’s thought to result from a build-up of two types of lesions: amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
Amyloid plaques sit between the neurons as dense clusters of beta-amyloid molecules - a sticky type of protein that easily clumps together - and neurofibrillary tangles are caused by defective tau proteins that clump up into a thick, insoluble mass in the neurons.
It’s not clear why these lesions begin to appear in the brain, but studies have linked inflammation in the brain tissue to the proliferation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. So if we can find something that eases brain inflammation while at the same time encourages the body to clear out these lesions, we could be on the way to finding the first effective treatment for Alzheimer's ever.
Back in 2006, researchers at the Scripps Research Institute found that THC inhibits the formation of amyloid plaques by blocking the enzyme in the brain that produces them, and now Schubert and his team have demonstrated that it can also eliminate a dangerous inflammatory response from the nerve cells, ensuring their survival.
"Inflammation within the brain is a major component of the damage associated with Alzheimer's disease, but it has always been assumed that this response was coming from immune-like cells in the brain, not the nerve cells themselves," says one of the team, Antonio Currais.
"When we were able to identify the molecular basis of the inflammatory response to amyloid beta, it became clear that THC-like compounds that the nerve cells make themselves may be involved in protecting the cells from dying."
It's exciting stuff, but it's so far only been demonstrated in neurons in the lab, so the next step will be for Schubert and his team to observe the link between THC and reduced inflammation and plaque build-up in a clinical trial. And they've reportedly already found a drug candidate called J147 that appears to have the same effects as THC, so this might be the way they can test the effects of THC without the government getting in the way.
The results have been published in Aging and Mechanisms of Disease.
Some powdered coffee creamers may be made with it.
“Don’t many heavy pot smokers have memory issues as they age?”
They had memory issues decades ago, but they don’t remember having them. Hence the need to smoke another doobie, to help combat Alzheimer’s.....Wait, what was the question?
It works pretty well in brownies.
some one brought some weed laced brownies to our office Christmas party. One of our girls had to type up a complex packing detail summary and when I got it it was a lot of gibberish. she had no clue
a salesman allowed “my ass is numb”
Ingredients
To replicate the mouthfeel of milk fats, nondairy creamers often contain hydrogenated vegetable-based fats, although nonfat nondairy creamers/whiteners also exist. Other common ingredients include solidified corn syrup and other sweeteners or/and flavourings (such as French vanilla, hazelnut and Irish cream); as well as sodium caseinate, a milk protein derivative (from casein) that does not contain lactose. The use of a milk derivative prompts some individuals and organisations - such as vegans and Jewish dietary law authorities - to classify the product as "dairy" rather than nondairy. Those who rely on this classification will either not consume the product (e.g. vegans) or will not use or consume it in conjunction with any meat products (e.g. observant Jews).[7] As with other processed food products, low calorie and low fat versions are available for non-dairy creamers.
Source: Wikipedia
Imho, cream and coconut oil are healthier.
Thanks! I just ordered oil that is from Canada.
I get it. In other words, if they get stoned they forget that they can’t remember anything.
Well most Alzheimer’s patients are not swinging baseball bats anyway and they already forget important things, so I’m not seeing a downside...
THC dissolves readily in alcohol so it’s simple to make medicinal liquors from premium street product. Essentially hemp oil is such a liquor, distilled. Might as well take a dram of alky for heart health.
I’m of the opinion that our Heavenly Father has given us everything we need to have a good life here. We just have to figure it out.
I tried a vaporizer this past week, CBD. Very pleasant, not anything like “smoking weed”, much more enjoyable.
See post# 5.
OK Folks, 63yo, was recently diagnosed with a cancerous tumor and subjected to the full force of Big Med. Tests, poking, proding etc., up to porta-cath placement and radiation and a scalpel. I opted to try a less invasive treatment, cannabinoids, which have had positive results (see Youtube, Rick Simpson Phoenix Tears)in reversing and curing cancer in terminally ill patients.
I am early into treatment, and the first measurable benefit is drop in blood pressure. I was at extreme hypertension and now at teenager level.
If I survive, I’ll let ya know.
Yes, there are many good reasons:
It's been observed many times that the lab-created or lab-isolated form of THC (Marinol) is not nearly as effective as direct extracts from the plant. Multiple studies of cancer/pain patients have shown the synthetic pill to not be as good as natural plant compounds.
It is possible to make a plant-based pill. However it's IMPOSSIBLE to properly dose any cannabinoid pill since it is fat soluble AND partially acid soluble (unlike any other drug class). A Marinol pill is a tiny acid-soluble bubble that holds oil.
The pill acts extremely slowly, absorption is never the same each time and tolerance changes constantly. Its absorption is highly affected by the fiber, fat%, fat type, PH of the foods you eat and stomach acid levels. Even how hot your food is impacts absorption.
The best method for patients are inhale-able vapor versions of true plant-based extracts. They get the natural compounds, it doesn't matter what's in their stomach and they can perfectly regulate the dose each and every time they need medication. There are three ways this is accomplished:
1) A prescription drug known as "Sativex". Basically an inhaler made from true cannabis extract. Very promising, very good patient reviews but extremely expensive.
2) Using a plant extract vaporizer to inhale laboratory-tested extracts. Some people claim it is more effective that Sativex and about half the price.
3) Using a digital plant vaporizer to "strip" and vaporize the active ingredients you want from unprocessed plants without smoking the plant. The least portable but by far it is considered to have the most medicating effects and also the cheapest. Someone can grow completely organic plants in their backyard or closet and create practically free medicine that can be consumed without smoking.
Now. they ALL get you high. Just like EVERY effective pain medication gets you high. Only it is not physically addictive like the opiates, doesn't destroy your liver, doesn't kill your stomach/appetite and can be grown for free.
Now guess which cannabis medication is approved by big government: the least effective one that costs the most and is made in a lab by big pharma.
And if you try and grow your own free organic medicine, in most states you can go to prison! Even with no evidence of dealing. Aint graft grand?
And for the record I've been very close to dozens of cannabis users for decades. They're ALL far more successful than average and many daily smokers are extremely successful- business owners, lawyers, doctors, scientists, etc. The successful ones simply don't talk about using it. Especially not to new people who don't express acceptance of cannabis first. Yes, I've seen many people get carried away and ignore responsibilities (just like can happen with video games, TV, social media, porn, books and FREE REPUBLIC). But I've NEVER met anyone who wasn't completely 100% functional within hours of putting it down. And no study has ever proved any permanent negative effects in even one single adult- nomatter how heavy the use.
Already done. THC has been synthesized and put in a non-intoxicating oral form for some time now.
I’d like to hope CBD would also have this amazing effect on the brain developing Alzheimer’s. Taking CBD oil is simple and you can live your life. There is usually a tiny bit of THC in it but the CBD counteracts the high. CBD is what medical marijuana patients who actually take it for serious conditions are taking.
Please remember: SMOKING is very unhealthy and puts toxins right into your brain, and that includes smoking marijuana. However, vaping, taking oils or tinctures orally, are healthy ways to ingest a medicinal herb. So if you are reading this and want to do your own experiment on Grandma, DO NOT HAVE HER START SMOKING LEAVES. Get oils or vaping stuff.
periodic reports might be worthwhile and certainly of interest.
Cbd oil is the primary one my elderly pets receive.
Hemp-derived. So thc is a non-issue.
Yeah, but THC is only ONE of the cannabinoids in marijuana, and may not be the active agent for this particular purpose. "Hash brownies" are probably the better course at this time,or powdered m.j. mixed with water and swallowed.
The fact that it actively removes the amyloid is wonderful news, as that can mean an actual curative, rather than a preventative (which would also be good).
I confess to a vested interest, in that my great-grandmother had severe dementia (great health otherwise, as she lived to a very ripe old age, dying when I was around four).
I am working with an oncologist to monitor results. I’ve just started treatment with commercially produced cannabanoids versus home-made (which was an emergency measure utilizing Everclear). I can post results occasionally if people are interested.
Hope your conventional MD is in on the loop and keeps everything under close watch. If I find something new & informative on the subject I’ll make sure to post it.
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