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."

[gdani]

Have you tried Imitrex? My mother used to be incapacitated by migraines, but the drug changed her life. It works like a charm on me, too

I second the Imitrex recommendation. It's been the only thing that has helped my wife (although she's not a pot smoker so....)

[LouD]

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

[Neckbone]

LOL!

[ravingnutter]

But seriously, I hope this is good news for cancer sufferer's and the like.

Not really...when someone goes through intensive chemo-therapy, they are so nauseated that they can't keep the pills down, so these THC "wonder drugs" they are touting are worthless. According to my hubby's doctor, the only other alternative was a suppository...very dehumanizing...

[gdani]

Ah, but what if there's a way to simply synthesize the active substance in a lab?

Isn't that what Marinol is/was?

I tried Marinol once (just a little science experiment - I swear). It's great stuff if you don't mind the fact that it leaves you unable to carry on a conversation.

The advantageous thing about actual marijuana as a pain-killer, etc is that you can control the dosage. With Marinol it was take the whole pill or nothing as it was a little round "pill" with yellowish goo inside i.e. you couldn't split it up.

[Lexington Green]

My family suffers migraines. Pot helps, usually to stop the headache going full-blown. But once full-blown, Imitrex is needed... unfortunately, Imitrax can do some funky things to your heart. I know this in my heart - no government has the moral authority to deny you any medication/substance that abates the misery of migraine pain.

[WindMinstrel]

Thanks for the recommendation -- that's the next one on the list to try.

[Physicist]

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. It even feels kind of good...don't tell the FDA! Like bathing in hot champagne.

[Sandy]

but what if there's a way to simply synthesize the active substance in a lab?

But wtf is the point? There's already a way to simply "synthesize" the active substance, and at virtually no cost. Why would I want to pay hundreds of dollars for some synthetic product when I can simply grow the real thing in my back yard? Let's see... pain relief plus altered mood with nearly no cost, available immediately, vs. pain relief plus unknown side effects for hundreds of dollars, available at some unknown time in the future. Tough call, eh?

[Dakmar]

So you don't subscribe to the Rube Goldberg School of Medicine and Jack Booted Social Control?

[WindMinstrel]

hrmm, when I get my migraines I try to avoid any sensations at all. Anything besides quiet darkness and I start hurling like Linda Blaire. Feh.

What's the deal with the injectible stuff? They give it to you in pre-measured syringes or something, or do you have to go to a doctor's office?

[Dakmar]

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

[MosesKnows]

fears that it would be used solely for its mood-altering effects

This all seems a bit silly. There are many pain-killing drugs already available. The attribute of marijuana is the ability to increase a cancer patient’s appetite. A cancer patient dies from starvation and dehydration as the organs shut down one by one. In the earlier stages, any method that serves to increase the patients’ appetite is desirable.

[Khepera]

Everybody on the Truck!!!

[Physicist]

What's the deal with the injectible stuff? They give it to you in pre-measured syringes or something, or do you have to go to a doctor's office?

Pre-measured, disposable syringes. The needle is very thin--painless, as far as I'm concerned--and the amount injected is very small, .5 ml.

[general_re]

No such thing as a painless needle - I hate needles. ;)

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...

[headsonpikes]

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

Translation: 'We have figured out how to make some serious $$$$ from this NEW research angle'.

Hey, don't scoff! Who'd have thought you could sell small bottles of WATER for $$$$? It ain't medicine unless it costs big bucks; get with the Program!

Keep the leafy green material safe, affordable, and unlawful! ;^)

[Destructor]

Wait a minute...without the high? The Libertarian potheads won't like that!

[Dakmar]

I'll be there.

[A CA Guy]

Geat, I always approved of prescribed versions.
I guess this screws up the dopers claiming they want it for medical purposes.
Without the high, for most I bet it's goodbye! LOL