On Jun 30, 7:10=A0pm, zumone2002 <zumone2...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/pf/59195471.html
>
> Marijuana Has Anti-Inflammatory That Won't Get You High
> Richard A. Lovett
> for National Geographic News
> June 24, 2008
>
> A compound in marijuana may be a potent anti-inflammatory agent that
> won't get people high, scientists say.
>
> The finding could be a boon to sufferers of arthritis, cirrhosis, and
> other diseases. Existing drugs can be less effective for some people
> and can carry side effects, from stomach ulcers to increased risk of
> heart attacks.
>
> Marijuana sup****ters have long argued that the plant's active
> ingredients, known as cannabinoids, are safe and effective treatments
> for pain, nausea, and other ailments.
>
> The most active cannabinoid=97delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC=97is
> known to have anti-inflammatory properties. But it is also responsible
> for the plant's psychotropic effects.
>
> Now researchers say that another cannabinoid, called beta-
> caryophyllene, or (E)-BCP, helps combat inflammation without affecting
> the brain.
>
> (E)-BCP is already part of many people's daily diets, the researchers
> note. Foods that are particularly high in the compound include black
> pepper, oregano, basil, lime, cinnamon, carrots, and celery.
>
> Essential oils from cannabis plants=97whose leaves and flowers are used
> to make the marijuana drug=97contain up to 35 percent (E)-BCP.
>
> But even after decades of cannabis research, scientists hadn't
> previously known that the compound had anti-inflammatory properties.
>
> "This is because the focus was on the classical cannabinoids [rather
> than (E)-BCP]," said lead study author J=FCrg Gertsch of the Swiss
> Federal Institute of Technology.
>
> Lone Receptor
>
> Cannabinoids in marijuana are known to primarily affect two of the
> many molecular receptors in the human body.
>
> The CB1 receptor is found in the brain and central nervous system and
> is responsible for the high people experience when they smoke pot.
>
> The other receptor, called CB2, is found in tissues in the rest of the
> body and triggers a cascade of biochemical reactions that can help
> combat inflammation.
>
> "Our interest is to exploit the pharmacological nature of the CB2
> receptor," because it does not have psychotropic side effects, Gertsch
> explained in an email.
>
> "Targeting the CB2 receptor could be a therapeutic strategy to prevent
> or treat diseases like Crohn's disease [inflammation of the intestinal
> tract], liver cirrhosis, osteoarthritis, and atherosclerosis."
>
> THC activates both receptors, so it won't alleviate inflammation
> without also making people high.
>
> But (E)-BCP affects only the CB2 receptor, according to the new study,
> which appears in today's issue of the Proceedings of the National
> Academy of Sciences.
>
> As part of their research, the scientists engineered a strain of mice
> that lacked the CB2 receptor. The team then fed the modified mice and
> normal mice a diet rich in (E)-BCP.
>
> When the scientists induced inflammation with chemicals, normal mice
> experienced an anti-inflammatory effect while the genetically
> engineered mice did not.
>
> "This experiment shows that the anti-inflammatory effects are mediated
> via the CB2 receptor," Gertsch said.
> ...
>
> --
> Luke
Luke,
First off, let me thank you for keeping this newsgroup current about
the latest research. I am a lurker that never skips your posts. I
used to post here before but feel I have little to offer since it's my
son with CD and he usually refuses to talk about his health. And
that's a good thing. He trusts me to know what to do if he flares and
I do mostly because of you and this site. His wife (a godsend) often
asks me about "stuff" when we're alone. BTW, I think this is very
healthy for all concerned--the patient doesn't obsess, and the helpers
are knowledgeable.
As to today's research, it moved me to comment. IBD sufferers have a
tougher battle with daily life than most--and deserve/need the chance
to get high. They have extra op****tunities to get low so this seems
almost fair. Put another way, even if marijuana didn't reduce
swelling, many chronically ill folks should be allowed to use it for
its psychological effects.
Probably the next time I'll post here is closer to the US elections.
Four years ago, I implored people to vote for Democrats for their own
self interest--better healthcare insurance plans. To me, the
Republicans are in it for the money, the Dems for the votes. The
former motivation has given us the present system, the latter possibly
will benefit those without huge bank accounts and great job benefits.
It's a no brainer to me--the fact that the Rs have screwed up
everything and everyone except the very rich has made self interest
inclusive of the whole planet and all its inhabitants.
Again, thanks for your scientific diligence--hopefully we'll hear
about a cure (or better treatment) before the general population. We,
the sufferers of IBD--and their families--deserve at least that. Then
we could all get a little high with our friends w/o marijuana.
Mel
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