cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Ingredient Helps Head Injuries Marijuana Ingredient Helps Head Injuries Posted by FoM on October 06, 2001 at 07:56:06 PT By Jeffrey Carpenter, ABCNews.com Source: ABCNews.com Research at the Hebrew University in Israel, reported in the journal Nature, shows that a cannabinoid, similar to the active ingredient found in marijuana and produced in the brains of many animals, protects mice from brain injury. Mice that sustained brain injuries were discovered to have elevated levels of a compound known as 2-Arachodonoyl glycerol, or 2-AG. Theorizing that this cannabinoid was produced to prevent damage, the researchers administered more of the compound to injured mice and found it protected the brain. Treatment Currently, there is no effective drug for the treatment of traumatic brain injury. In the U.S., there are nearly 52,000 deaths and roughly 80,000 cases of severe disability related to traumatic brain injury every year.There are more than 5.3 million people in the U.S. living with disabilities related to traumatic brain injury — numbers far greater than those for multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease."Brain injury is not a one-shot deal. The primary injury occurs from the initial hit. Neurochemical injuries can cause secondary damage," said Dr. Ken Strauss of Temple University. The secondary effects of brain injuries, such as swelling and the release of toxic chemicals, can be more damaging than the initial blow, said Dr. Esther Shohami, lead author of the study.The cannabinoid, 2-AG, is believed to work in three ways. First, it reduces the levels of glutamate, a toxic molecule, released after injury. Second, it decreases the amount of free radicals and TNF (a chemical that induces inflammation) after injury. Third, it increases the blood supply to the brain. All three mechanisms are essential for limiting the damage done after the primary injury."The dose has to be very carefully controlled," Dr. Shohami said — noting that requirement is one of a number of reasons why marijuana, which can vary in potency, would likely be an unreliable treatment for head injuries. She added that 2-AG must be administered within a four- to six-hour window after the injury to be effective. Use in Humans Although 2-AG has only been tested on animals, Dr. Shohami said she didn't "see any problems with using a drug from this family to treat patients." Other cannabinoids have been approved for use in humans, such as synthetic forms of THC used to stimulate appetite.In fact, one pharmaceutical company is trying to develop a similar drug for humans. With the help of researchers at the Hebrew University, Pharmos is set to begin the final stage of clinical trials of Dexanabinol — a drug that is essentially the mirror image of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Because it is not exactly like THC, it does not bind to the same part of the brain, and therefore does not have the unwanted side effects. However, the drug appears to exert effects similar to other cannabinoids on the brain after injury — that is, a decrease in toxic chemicals and swelling. The first two phases of clinical trials were completed in Israel to test for safety. The third and final phase of the trials is set to begin in Europe in January, followed closely by trials in the U.S."Helmets are for preventing primary injury, and hopefully this work can protect people from the secondary effects," Dr. Strauss said. Could a drug similar to the active ingredient in marijuana protect your brain? A study suggests a drug similar to THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, can protect the brain against physical injury. (PhotoDisc) Complete Title: Protecting the Brain: Study Suggests Drug Similar to Marijuana Ingredient Helps Head Injuries Source: ABCNews.comAuthor: Jeffrey Carpenter, ABCNews.comPublished: October 5, 2001Copyright: 2001 ABC News Internet VenturesWebsite: http://abcnews.go.com/Contact: http://abcnews.go.com/service/help/abccontact.html Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmCompound May Reduce Brain Trauma Damagehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11033.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 11, 2001 at 21:10:09 PT News Brief from The Associated Press I didn't know where to post this is so I am putting it on this thread. Maybe a larger article will surface later. Mendocino DA Announces Increase of Allowable Marijuana Plants Source: Associated Press Published: Thursday, October 11, 2001 Copyright: 2001 Associated Press Medical marijuana users in Mendocino County will now be allowed to grow twice as many pot plants, District Attorney Norm Vroman said Thursday. Users were previously allowed 12 immature plants, including six that were flowering. But Vroman said he's learned from patients that's insufficient to meet their needs. The change goes into effect immediately. People will now be allowed 25 plants, flowering or immature, outdoor or indoor. Despite the increase, patients must limit themselves to two pounds of processed pot per year. If the plants yield more than the limit, patients could find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Marvin Lehrman, director of the Ukiah Cannabis Club, said he's pleased with the increase. "I am of course against all limits, but I do think it's a good amount," he said. The increase isn't dramatic when compared to neighboring Sonoma County where users can grow as many as 99 plants, Vroman said [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by dddd on October 07, 2001 at 01:17:10 PT E_Johnson You know I think you are quite cool,,,,,and I really like ;"Such as a legally forbidden state of mind."....... A legally forbidden state of mind,,,,,,,,,,,Those words bring definition to what we are dealing with now,and what we will be dealing with in the near future....And it also rings true,in the obvious smothering of any dissenting voice.....Those who are not part of this "America united" CRAP,,are labelled as unacceptably,un-American,,,non-patriotic hereticesque pinatas,to be batted about with the flagpoles of brainwashed sheeple, ,,who are perhaps innocent victims of the media-mandated flock mentality...................I think what we have here,,,is the successful brainwashing of a large portion of the American public.......... .....but,,,keep in mind,,,,you are hearing all this,from one who is known to often be in a legally forbidden state of mind,,,,and being an admitted "offender",,,..... ?...? dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by bruce42 on October 06, 2001 at 13:35:15 PT In the eye of the beholder I would agree that point of view is a factor in deciding what is desired and not. But, I disagree with the fact that the point of view of the "moral Amerikans" is forced upon the rest of the public. If you don't want to toke, that's just fine, but leave me the hell alone.Personally, I also disagree with drug companies tinkering with naturally existing chemicals to reduce "unwanted" side effects and pawning off the new drugs as perfectly safe. Not that I fear bioengineering and all that, just because such tinkering can lead to very unintended side effects. One case in point, everyone here knows about so called "biodegradable" plastics. A while back I read an article about scientists that found bacteria that naturally produce biodegradable plastic- truly biodegradable plastic. The difference between our petrol plastic and that of the bacteria is the fact that the molecular structures were essentially mirror images of each other- miunte differences in structure. I think we have a long way to go before we can fully understand the implications of tinkering with molecular structure and understanding all the underlying intricacies. We know THC and other cannabinoids work without medically harmful side effects- so why mess with a good thing? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by E_Johnson on October 06, 2001 at 11:50:43 PT Another example of how THC protects the brain? A quote from ABCNews.comBecause it is not exactly like THC, it does not bind to the same part of the brain, and therefore does not have the unwanted side effects. A quote from Harry Anslinger, the father of Marxism-Anslingerism:Reefer makes the darkie think he's equal to the white man.Whether something is a desired effect or an unwanted side effects depends upon your point of view, I guess. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Rainbow on October 06, 2001 at 11:24:04 PT Who has it helped? Surely not Asa or schrub or a multitude of head bangers in our gov't. Rainbow [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on October 06, 2001 at 11:19:08 PT This show what is REALLY at stake Because it is not exactly like THC, it does not bind to the same part of the brain, and therefore does not have the unwanted side effects. Such as a legally forbidden state of mind.THC violates the restrictions on legal states of mind that were given to us by the great leaders of Marxism-Anslingerism.We must continue to express increasing vigilance against the harmful elements of society who pose a rising risk to our society of permanent damage to the principles of Marxism-Anslingerism, by achieving unsocialist and unpatriotic states of mind of a nature that values personal excess over true and spirited dedicated to the values that we express every day in the form of extreme dedicated to the principles of Marxism-Anslingerism. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on October 06, 2001 at 11:11:58 PT What they aren't telling people THC itself does all these good things too, [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on October 06, 2001 at 11:07:20 PT This is your brain on THC Healed and protected. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by bruce42 on October 06, 2001 at 09:58:40 PT Wow! This from ABC, no less. Interesting. A bit late, but at least they acknowledged it's existence.And the antis still have the gall to shove the "MJ is bad for you" crap down our throats. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment