cannabisnews.com: New Cannabinoid Compound May Treat Anxiety





New Cannabinoid Compound May Treat Anxiety
Posted by CN Staff on December 01, 2002 at 19:17:05 PT
By Anna Salleh - ABC Science Online
Source: ABC Online
The anxiety-dampening effect of cannabinoids in marijuana may one day be used as a pharmaceutical, after American and Italian researchers found a way to utilise them on rats while avoiding the unwanted side-effects.The findings by Satish Kathuria of the University of California at Irvine in the United States and colleagues at the University of Urbino, Italy, are published in the online version of Nature Medicine.
Smoking marijuana is known to dampen anxiety, but the main psychoactive ingredient, THC, can have other effects such as making users feel cold and hungry, and impair concentration and memory. THC works by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, receptors which usually process another cannabinoid produced naturally by the body, known as anandamide.Kathuria and colleagues wondered if they could develop a compound that harnesses the anxiety-dampening effects of cannabinoids, while bypassing some of the unwanted effects of THC.They developed a compound that binds to an enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase, which normally destroys anandamide and therefore ends its effect on the cannabinoid receptor in the brain. This effectively prolongs the effective life of anandamide and its impact on cannabinoid receptors in the brain.The researchers found that rats given the drug appeared to have raised levels of anandamide in the brain and reduced anxiety: they squeaked less when isolated, and had less trouble in exploring mazes. Anxiety levels returned to normal when the cannabinoid receptors were blocked.Importantly, the body temperature of the rats did not fall, they did not increase their feeding nor spend too much time in one position (catalepsy) - all of which are key side-effects of intoxication by cannabinoids."Our results indicate that anandamide participates in the modulation of emotional states and point to fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition as an innovative approach to anti-anxiety therapy," wrote Kathuria.As well as providing evidence for a new approach to treating anxiety, the study is also consistent with previous research which has found cannabinoid receptors are important in regulating anxiety and depression in humans. Cannabinoid receptors occur in areas of the brain important to regulating emotion.The new work is also consistent with the idea that marijuana may disrupt this system. Recently published research by Professor George Patton of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne has found that adolescent cannabis use increases the risk of depression and anxiety in later years of life.Note: The anxiety-dampening effects of cannabis have been replicated, without the side effects. Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)Author: Anna Salleh - ABC Science OnlinePublished: Monday, December 02, 2002Copyright: 2002 Australian Broadcasting CorporationWebsite: http://www.abc.net.au/Contact: comments your.abc.net.auRelated Article & Web Sites:U of C at Irvinehttp://www.uci.edu/Nature Medicinehttp://www.nature.com/nm/Marijuana's Distant Relative May Be Next Prozac http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14868.shtmlCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #2 posted by knox42897 on December 01, 2002 at 22:06:26 PT:
YA HA HA HA
These "researchers" don't understand preventive medicine. The people who use cannabis are only self medicating themselves for either a diagnosed or undiagnosed medical condition. Medical Marijauna-Its the LAW!!!!!
LAS VEGAS NEVADANS FOR RESPONSIBLE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN AMERICA
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by delariand on December 01, 2002 at 20:50:50 PT
ha ha ha
"The anxiety-dampening effect of cannabinoids in marijuana may one day be used as a pharmaceutical, after American and Italian researchers found a way to utilise them on rats while avoiding the unwanted side-effects."You assume the side effects are unwanted! In the immortal words of Dr. Herbert, pot is only illegal to those who enjoy it.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment