Cannabis drug 'fights pain without high'

BBC On Line ^ | Wednesday, 21 August, 2002 | Unsigned

[aculeus]

Scientists have developed a cannabis-based medicine which relieves chronic pain without any of the "high" normally associated with the drug.

They believe the discovery could pave the way for cannabis-based medication to become available by prescription within two years.

Much of the controversy surrounding the medicinal use of cannabis has centred on fears that it would be used solely for its mood-altering effects.

However, scientists at the University of Massachusetts in the United States say their discovery should help authorities to overcome these fears.

Dr Sumner Burstein and colleagues say early trials of the medication in animals and healthy patients have been promising.

The medication, called ajulemic acid or CT3, has been manufactured in laboratories.

It maximises the medicinal effects of tertrahydrocannabinol - the key ingredient of cannabis - without any of the mind-altering effects.

'More effective'

In animal tests, this compound was found to be between 10 to 50 times more effective at reducing pain than tetrahydrocannabinol.

Those tests showed that ajulemic acid was very effective at preventing the joint damage associated with arthritis and relieving the muscle stiffness associated with multiple sclerosis.

The compound was tested last year in 15 healthy volunteers in France. That study reported no side effects or mood changes in those participants.

A further trial on 21 patients with chronic severe pain is currently underway in Germany.

Dr Bernstein said the results of each study had been promising.

"The indications so far are that it is safe and effective," he said.

Dr Bernstein added that the compound could replace a wide variety of current medicines used to fight pain.

"We believe that [the compound] will replace aspirin and similar drugs in most applications primarily because of a lack of toxic side effects."

Dr Bernstein acknowledged that some patients may wish to experience the mood-altering effects of cannabis by taking this compound.

But speaking at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston, he added: "The medical community wants efficacy without this effect."

A spokeswoman for the UK's Medicinal Cannabis Research Foundation said: "We believe it would be premature to comment on the merits of ajulemic acid before more rigorous testing in patients has been carried out, but look forward to seeing the results after further study."

[A CA Guy]

There is a lot more interference in daily life if you are breaking laws.
This is the freest nation on the planet.
But to what extent do you advocate freedom? To the point of anarchy where everybody does what ever they wish?
There are limits in society with laws so most of society can operate safer.
Do I think all laws are perfect or that Gov. is perfect? NO.
Do I think it's OK to re-visit existing laws? Sure!

Is wanting a smaller, cost efficient government (conservative) the same as wanting one that allows someone to illegally self medicating (libertarian)? No!

There is a difference in wanting your government to be efficient vs. turning a blind eye to evil.

[MrLeRoy]

But to what extent do you advocate freedom? To the point of anarchy where everybody does what ever they wish?

No, to the point where any adult can do anything that violates nobody else's rights. Since nobody else has a right to my body, I violate nobody's rights by putting drugs in my body.

There is a difference in wanting your government to be efficient vs. turning a blind eye to evil.

Small government is not about "efficiency"; it's about individual rights. Government is not competent nor authorized to fight "evil"--- only to protect individual rights.

[Don Joe]

"That's like decaf coffee or blended scotch - Yes, you could drink it, but what's the bloody point?"

Get back with us when you're hobbled by chronic pain, and your daily decision consists of "do I drive my car today as I grit my teeth, wince and groan in indescribable pain, or do I take my narcotic painkillers and stay home?"

[headsonpikes]

How would one distinguish your views and rationales from those of any apologist for any generic authoritarian regime???

Your views appear to be those of a lower-level Soviet apparatchik, justifying any and all acts of the State by averring that to do otherwise would be to foment and encourage anarchy.

Other than the fact that you are pro-American, I suppose, what views do you hold that would DISTINGUISH you from such apologists of whatever totalitarian stripe?

Answering my queries would be a FIRST for you; so take your time. ;^)

[Don Joe]

"According to my hubby's doctor, the only other alternative was a suppository...very dehumanizing..."

Huh? "Very dehumanizing"???

I've used those suppositories, and didn't feel "dehumanized" in the least. And, they worked!

[A CA Guy]

So you don't practice the criminal vice of illegal drugs, but advocate others breaking the law and putting the public at large in danger from the drug use!!!!

Not very ethical.

Lawsuits caused by drug users.
Criminality of drug users.
Violent crimes of drug users.
Poor health of drug users.

None of that is a plus.

I would agree with you that tobacco is a killer and it is illegal to basically be drunk in public, at work or anywhere around children.

[Don Joe]

"If you don't mind needles, I recommend the injectable Imitrex over the pill. It works much faster, and it does a more complete job of it."

Have you tried the nasal spray version? Kills the worse migraines imaginable inside of five minutes, and, you don't have to punch holes in your body.

[Don Joe]

"Let's see... pain relief plus altered mood with nearly no cost"

Some of us don't live our lives like caged monkeys in search of "altered moods". We'd simply like to get rid of the damned pain. "Getting buzzed" ain't part of the plan.

Maybe some day you'll be unfortunate enough to learn this on your own.

[Don Joe]

A "cannabis is useless and evil, but we can synthesize it for good purposes" ping.

A "they make something useful from the castor bean, so let's go eat a bowl of 'em!" ping.

[tacticalogic]

None of that is a plus.

And under what political ideologies or systems is that considered the prime consideration as to wheather something should or should not be allowed?

[Don Joe]

"I've had good luck taking Fiorinal for migraines. Of course, that has Butalbital in it, so no washing it down with a shot of whiskey..."

Sounds like another name for Phrenilin, which I've used for tension headaches that resisted milder remedy, and very early stage migraines, but I never noticed any problems from having a drink afterwards.

[Don Joe]

"I know people are free to post here, but the Libertarians are NOT conservative."

Oh, come on now, be fair. Apart from being pro-divorce, pro-punitive confiscatory "child support", pro-abortion, and pro-hedonist drug warriors, they are as "conservative" as you're apt to find anywhere.

[A CA Guy]

The results of what drugs do to the person gives most folks a clue as to why it is BAD and hurtful.

Drugs (including when you get drunk) effect others during driving, cost of medical care for poor health and loss of productivity at work.

Add to that how lawsuits due to employees are clobbering employers found using while on the job.
So the employer (who never advocated drug use) can lose assets (or the whole company) due to the drug-using loser he hired.
This causes less paychecks to go home to the other workers who never chose to use drugs.

Illegal drug use is like abortion, it touches many around it no matter how you try and package the act.

[headsonpikes]

YO!! Don Joe!

Feel free to answer my queries in #124, as CA Guy's views and yours seem to be fairly close.

I would say very close. ;^)

[A CA Guy]

I'm pro-divorce if there is abise or adultery.
I am pro child support if children were born and there is a parent.
I am NOT pro-abortion, but would tolerate it in the cases of rape or the actual bad health of the mother.
If I accept thos two needed areas, the 99.5% of other abortions today can be shown for what they are - Selfish murder.
I am for people following the law regarding staying clean of substance. Whereas the Addicted Warriors are FOR substance abuse - (Which is pro-irresponsibility).

[A CA Guy]

abise = abuse

[A CA Guy]

PS: Of course I would wish there were NO abortion, but logically I can see us getting to the point where we may stop 99.5% of them.

[LouD]

Actually, I'm thinking you could probably use the straight stuff. It tends to help with pain, as well as improve one's sense of humor.

I recommend you get yourself a bong and a big stack of "Three Stooges" videos.

[headsonpikes]

You fail to distinguish between ACTUAL harms(there may be some), and the harms that are a result of GOVERNMENT action itself, including the plethora of lawsuits dependent upon the maze of gubmint regulations.

You dodge and weave, but will not deal with the plain fact that the chief EVIL of MJ, in your estimation, is that it is presently UNLAWFUL.

It's a sad day when folks just roll over for rule by shyster.

IMHO.

[Lexington Green]

" Ever heard of Hawthorn Berry herb? "

No. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.