|
|
| Cannabis Spray Blunts Pain |
|
Posted by FoM on September 09, 2001 at 15:07:17 PT By Erica Klarreich Source: Nature Science 
A spray that delivers the active ingredient of cannabis under the tongue may ease chronic pain, preliminary clinical trials suggest. Of the 23 patients who participated in the controlled study, only a few failed to respond to the spray, William Nortcutt of James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, UK told the British Association for the Advancement of Science's Annual Festival of Science on Monday. Seventeen have gone on to use the drug to treat their pain in the long term, he said. "Some of the patients said it made a huge difference; others just said it lets them sleep," Nortcutt said. "But when you're in chronic pain, being able to sleep is one of the most important things." Earlier clinical trials have also shown the pain-relieving benefits of cannabis. But researchers have struggled to find a good way to deliver the drug, says Roger Pertwee, a neuropharmacologist and cannabis expert at the University of Aberdeen, UK. "The study with a spray is very interesting," he says. "The past clinical trials have been with pills, but absorption by swallowing is very unreliable." About half of the trial's participants had multiple sclerosis; the rest suffered chronic pain from severe nerve damage and spinal-cord injuries. Although a few of the multiple sclerosis patients had been using cannabis to treat pain before the trials, most participants had seldom or never used it. The most common side-effect appeared to be dry mouth, Nortcutt reports. Several patients experienced panic or a high during tests to find appropriate dosages. Most preferred a drug in which the active substance, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was mixed with another, less psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. Previous clinical studies have involved only pure THC, Pertwee says. The research comes as many groups are pushing for cannabis to be legalized for therapeutic use in the United Kingdom. If cannabis were to be made legal, Nortcutt says, the path to approval might be much faster than for typical drugs, which take an average of six years. "There is a huge amount of anecdotal evidence that would help scientists," Nortcutt told the Glasgow meeting. "We have to recognize that cannabis has been used for 5,000 years." But much more work is needed to understand how cannabis might be exploited as a pain treatment, Nortcutt warned. "I wouldn't call for it to be prescribed now." Note: Early trials suggest cannabis spritz may give relief to chronic pain sufferers. • British Association for the Advancement of Science , Glasgow, September 2001 Source: Nature Science Related Articles & Web Site: Medical Marijuana Information Links New Trial Shows Cannabis Works Cannabis News Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
 |
| Comment #4 posted by schmeff on September 10, 2001 at 09:29:34 PT |
| "I wouldn't call for it to be prescribed now." Perhaps another 5000 years of study will provide the answers we need. I am sure the DEA would support the idea of another 5000 years of suffering. [ Post Comment ] |
|
Comment #3 posted by Ed Carpenter on September 09, 2001 at 18:06:38 PT:
|
| "A spray that delivers the active ingredient of cannabis under the tongue may ease chronic pain, preliminary clinical trials suggest." "Earlier clinical trials have also shown the pain-relieving benefits of cannabis. But researchers have struggled to find a good way to deliver the drug, says Roger Pertwee, a neuropharmacologist and cannabis expert at the University of Aberdeen, UK." Perhaps a pinch between the cheek and gum would work, but why not just smoke it? [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by Rainbow on September 09, 2001 at 16:47:28 PT |
| Cn someone get this to Johnson before the debate? Asa has said there is no medical or scientific evidence. Right here it is asa Rainbow [ Post Comment ] |
| Post Comment |  |
 |  |