How Cannabis Improves Memory

Cannabis and Memory

Cannabis affecting the endocannabinoid system plays a role in memory and cognitive functioning. This is due to CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system contributing to retrograde signaling in the brain. Researchers are studying how this relation can aid in treatment to depression and PTSD.

A main study to discover this relation is from mice that were engineered to not have the CB1 receptor. The mice were impaired in short-term and long-term extinction of memories. Their cognition of new hidden mazes also showed their disability in learning.(Source)

Extinction of memories may seem at first as a bad thing. However, our brain does this continually to allow us to see new avenues of thinking. In the mice example the CB1 deficient mice continued to look for the old way out of their cage. They weren't able to allow themselves to discover a new door. Depression and PTSD may improve the ability to forget long term memories.(Source)

The ability to improve cognitive thinking has given cannabis a reputation to flourish creative thinking. CB1 receptors play a role with use of marijuana to increase dopamine levels. This change allows for white noise of the environment to be reduced to give rise to focus and concentration.(Source)

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_and_memory

http://veteransformedicalmarijuana.org/content/general-use-cannabis-ptsd-symptoms

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2571074/

How Cannabis Effects the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabis has a profound effect on our body due to it's influence on our endocannabinoid system. The origin of its name comes from the cannabis plant. It is a system of lipids and receptors that maintain health creating a homeostasis environment in the body. The endocannabinoid system is found throughout our body in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands and immune cells. The prevalence of the endocannabinoid system in the body is the reason cannabis can treat many diverse diseases and symptoms.

Environmental factors can cause disruption in the bodies health. Stability is brought back with the endocannabinoid system. The goal for the lipids and receptors are to stabilize numerous body functions including appetite, pain, inflammation, mood, memory, muscle spasms, protect nerves, immunity, and bone density. Cannabis would be the closest cure-all for its ability to affect so many functions in the body.

The endocannabis system is made up of ligands like anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The cannabinoid CB1, CB2, TRPV1 and G protein-coupled receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system. Together these ligands and receptors control the stabilization of the body.

Cannabis can encourage more endocannabinoids and receptors to be made by the body. First-time users of cannabis may not feel an effect from cannabis. As the body increases cannabinoids it responds more effectively to a cannabis treatment. Smaller doses have larger effects for the receptors to respond to marijuana.(Source)

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system

http://norml.org/library/item/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system

What is 2-AG and Does it Relate to Cannabis?

   2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endocannaboinoid messenger molecule that effects the TRPV1, CB1 and CB2 receptor. 2-AG is 170 times the concentration of anandamide which also effects the same receptors. 2-AG is naturally created in humans and also found in human and cattle milk. (Source)

   So why does this matter? Because 2-AG and anandamide is created on-demand naturally by the body, and an imbalance to the body to produce too much or little is thought to lead to disorders. Drug therapies that target the CB1, CB2 receptors bring the body back to a balance where 2-AG is lacking.(Source) It is theorized that diseases such as bipolar(Source) and alzheimer's(Source) could occur from an imbalance of 2-AG being created in the body.

   The nerve cells affected by 2-AG control body temperature, appetite, memory, mood, inflammation, immunity and the sensation of heat and pain. Studies show that it may inhibit cancer cell formation. 2-AG is created from 20-carbon essential fatty acids (EFA). Cannabis is a good source of EFA's that mimics 2-AG functions.(Source)

   Cannabis drug therapies have been developed to treat symptoms of many problems by mimicking the 2-AG messenger molecule. Some examples of treatment are for memory, pain, nausea, wasting syndrome, cancer, spasticity from multiple sclerosis and tremors from Parkinson's disease.

   2-AG plays an important role in traumatic brain injuries. When a brain injury occurs 2-AG has been found to be elevated. A study with mice was done where they gave a drug to boost the levels of 2-AG after a brain injury. The results were a quicker recovery, reduced inflammation, swelling and brain cell death.(Source)

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Arachidonoylglycerol

http://sensiseeds.com/en/blog/cannabinoid-science-101-what-is-2-ag/

https://www.caymanchem.com/app/template/Article.vm/article/2110

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21175579

http://bipolarnews.org/?tag=cannabidiol

http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/45/14919.short

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11586361

How THC Mimics a Messenger Molecule

   Behaviors such as the  munchies, fertility and where you left your car keys all relate to a messenger molecule named anandamide. This molecule contributes to messages in the brain regarding to pain, depression, appetite, memory and fertility. The molecular structure of THC is very similar to anandamide. The similarity allows it mimic functions that this messenger molecule does. Anandamide breaks down very quickly not allowing humans to get to a “natural high”. THC takes more time to break down giving a psycho-active high.

   Messenger cells like anandamide are like a “key” that can attach to a nerve cell receptor acting like a “lock”. Once the messenger cell find a good connection with a receptor it can attach and open the nerve membrane to allow chloride ions to enter the cell. This equalizes the charges inside and outside the cell and prevents the cell from firing a charge. The “key” must be removed to allow the nerve cell to work again. Enzymes work to break down the “key” messenger molecules after a certain amount of time. The nerve cells will cease to work if the messenger molecule remains.(Source) In 1992 an Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam was able isolate anandamide as the “bliss” messenger cell that THC emulates. He was the same scientist that isolated THC in 1964.(Source)

How THC mimic's Anandamide

Anandamide and Memory
   Anandamide has been shown to create or destroy short term memory nerve connections. In animal studies an increase in anandamide results in forgetfulness.(Source) Anandamide helps to retain information like where you parked your car. It allows you to forget things like what the women was wearing at the checkout stand.(Source)

   A famous experiment known as the Morris Water Maze shows what happens to short term memory when anandamide is inhibited. Mice are placed in a water test area with a platform so they can climb out of the water. The platform is removed once the mice remember where it was placed. The mice will naturally look for the platform and realize it isn't there. They will then focus on surviving by swimming. Mice with a drug to block the anandamide will perpetually continue to look for the platform. They will forget that the platform isn't there.(Source)

Anandamide and Fertility
   Anandamide acts as a signaling when an embryo attaches to the female uterus. In fact anandamide is at a higher concentration in the uterus than the brain. Sperm contain receptors that accept the anandamide molecule. It is theorized that disrupting the function of anandamide therefore could interfere with fertility. More research is need to further investigate the relation between fertility and drugs that act like anadamide.(Source)

Similar Sources to Anandamide
   Chocolate has a similar structure to anandamide much like THC. Daniele Piomelli studied this as a scientist at the Neuroscience Instititute in San Diego. He found that chocolate has three compounds that mimic anandamide. Chocolate and THC behave differently as a messenger.  Piomelli states, “The response to THC and to the chocolate anandamides are not at all the same, even if the concentrations could be made comparable.” Chocolate may create a blissful feeling while not giving a high.(Source)

   Recently Piomelli found a naturally occurring molecule in the body that mimics anandamide. Sn-2 arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) can lock into the same bliss receptors. It is unique in that it works at 170 times the concentration of anandamide. The 2-AG molecules are found in different parts of the brain. Piomelli theorizes that the functions of anandamide and 2-AG are complementary.(Source)


Source:
http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/features/anandamide.shtml
http://thesilvertour.org/cannabis-professor-raphael-mechoulam-discovery-thc-1964-anandamide-1992
http://www.marijuanalibrary.org/981217.html#nfo
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21684528
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305799001069
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v388/n6644/full/388773a0.html
https://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/exploring_chocolate/choc_8.html

The Benefits of Cannabis and Osteoporosis

Benefits of Cannabis for Osteoporosis

54 million Americans suffer from Osteoporosis. It is a disease meaning “porous bone”. The holes in the bones can result in broken bones from minor accidents.(Source) Experts believe cannabis can slow the progression of tissue loss leading to Osteoporosis. This is from findings of how interactions with the CB1 and CB2 receptors maintain bone density.

Cannabis works along with the endocannabinoid system to effect the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are in the skeletal nerve terminals. They regulate the bone formation. CB2 receptors initiate bone formation while also slowing bone resorption.(Source)

Bone metabolism is natural in mammals where the minerals in the bone are renewed. Osteoblasts are bone forming cells. Osteoclasts are bone resorbing cells. Osteoporosis occurs when the bone formation is reduced and fat can accumulate in the bone marrow.

Research shows two findings where associations with the CB2 receptors relate to osteoporosis. In one study, CB2 mutant mice resulted in low bone mass. The other shows a tie with the gene CNR2 that encodes the CB2 receptor. When the CNR2 gene is compromised it increases the tendency for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bone loss slows when a cannabinoid drug is given to the mutant mice or women with postmenopausal symptoms.(Source)

A study by the Arthritis Research Campaign looked at the CB1 receptor in mice with bone loss. They also investigated the reasoning behind an increase in fat cells in marrow with aging bones. Osteoporosis was slowed when the mice were given treatment with cannabinoids to increase CB1 receptor function. First, the CB1 receptors regulated the osteoclast cells activity, slowing down the resorption. Secondly, the CB1 receptors were able to differentiate between the osteoblast and fat cells. This resulted in the osteoblast cells being increased and the fat cells decreasing.(Source)

The study done by Stuart Ralston, from the University of Edinburgh said:

"This is an exciting step forward, but we must recognize that these are early results and more tests are needed on the effects of cannabis in humans to determine how the effects differ with age in people. We plan to conduct further trials soon and hope the results will help to deliver new treatments that will be of value in the fight against osteoporosis." (Source)

Source:

http://nof.org/articles/7

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19634029

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18426503

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19656492

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8199007.stm

Cannabis and How it Helps Anxiety

 

Cannabis Treatment for Anxiety

  Anxiety is a natural experience for most of us. It makes us feel uneasy, stressed and agitated. When anxiety disables someone from carrying on a normal life, it becomes a disorder.  Cannabis is a safe and natural way to cope with the symptoms of Anxiety Disorder. OUTCOin San Diego is a legally licensed dispensary which provides cannabis for a variety of medical issues, including Anxiety Disorder.

What is an Anxiety Disorder
  Anxiety disorder can occur as a panic, social, phobia or a generalized worry that won't go away. Symptoms include fear, panic, insomnia, quick breath, racing heart, inability to self-sooth, dry mouth, nausea, tense muscles, dizziness, and clammy or numb hands and feet. Environmental stress, heredity, and trauma are factors that contribute to this disorder.

Anxiety and the Brain
  Receptors in the brain that control fear and emotion contribute to the feeling of anxiety.  Prolonged stress can alter the way these nerve cells transmit information leading to a long lasting anxiety disorder.(Source)

  Commonly prescribed drugs to treat anxiety such as Valium and Librium block the GABA receptors. When these receptors are blocked, the body can calm anxiety and fear-based emotions.  Cannabis has been shown to regulate anxiety by blocking the GABA receptor.(Source)

  The CB1 receptor also controls anxiety in the brain functions.  Studies have shown that regulating the CB1 receptor reduces anxiety.(Source) Cannabis has been continually proven to affect the CB1 receptorthrough research studies.(Source) Cannabis regulates mood and anxiety by controlling the CB1 receptors.(source) 

   Sachin Patel, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Psychiatry and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics in Vanderbilt, has been at the forefront of research for the benefits of cannabis relating to brain function. Published in the March 2014 issue of Neuron he writes about endocannabinoids in the amygdala. The amygdala regulates memory, anxiety and the "fight or flight" response in the brain.

   Long term stress and trauma can result in a reduction of endocannabinoids being produced in the amygdala resulting in an increased feeling of anxiety. Light users of marijuana can experience treatment in anxiety by increasing the endocannabinoids needed to regulate the emotion. In contrast, chronic marijuana users reduce the effectiveness of the endocannabioids creating a paradox of an increase in anxiety.(Source) 

   Cannabis regulates the brain function to aid in the treatment of anxiety disorder.  OUTCO dispensary in San Diego has knowledgeable staff that can discuss which options are right for each patient.

Source:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
http://thebrain.mcgill.ca/flash/d/d_04/d_04_m/d_04_m_peu/d_04_m_peu.html
http://outcoca.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-marijuana-effects-gaba-in-nervous.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23647582
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16148437
http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2014/03/discovery-sheds-new-light-on-marijuana-anxiety-relief-effects/

The Benefits of Cannabis with Crohn's Disease

Crohn's Disease is a re-occurring inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract as well as an inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Not to be confused with another IBD disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's affects any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract rather than only the colon or large intestine. Genetics, heredity and/or environmental factors have been shown to lead to Crohn's disease.  This disease affects around 700,000 Americans mostly of European descent. Symptoms of the disease are loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, irregular menstrual cycle and fever. Inflammation of the GI Tract can also lead to diarrhea, bleeding, cramps, pain and constipation. (Source)

The enteric nervous system helps aid in gut function while the endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps to maintain gut motility, inflammation and sensation. Both systems contain Cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 receptors making medical marijuana use a viable treat for Crohn's disease patients . (Source)

A pilot study of 32 patients of Crohn's disease was conducted at the International Association for Cannabis as Medicine conference at Leiden University in the Netherlands by Physicians in the Society of Cannabis Clinicians. Patients in this study showed  improvement in symptoms of vomiting, depression, nausea, gut pain, appetite, activity, fatigue, flareups and severity of flareups.(Source)

A study was completed at the University of Calgary in 2009 of 313 people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).  The results of this study reported improvement of  abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and joint paint in which 17.6% of the patients used cannabis using the inhalation method. (Source)

A study in 2011 with 30 Crohn's Disease patients showed that 21 reported improvements in all symptoms.(Source) in 2013, 21 patients involved in  a study smoking 2 marijuana cigarettes a day. showed improvement in sleep and appetite.  These patients with Crohn's disease were subjects that had not responded to other treatments(Source)

In a questionnaire given at a clinic with 191 Crohn's disease patients, 48% reported use of cannabis to reduce symptoms such as abdominal pain diarrhea and appetite were what the patients. Patients in the group that had abdominal surgery were more likely to use cannabis for treatment. (Source)

Source:

http://www.ccfa.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis/what-is-crohns-disease/

http://www.medicaljane.com/2014/06/28/medical-marijuana-and-inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/#

http://www.beyondthc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Crohns05.pdf

http://www.ima.org.il/imaj/ViewArticle.aspx?aId=375

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1542356513006046

http://journals.lww.com/ibdjournal/Abstract/2014/03000/Cannabis_Use_Provides_Symptom_Relief_in_Patients.6.aspx

The Benefits of Cannabis for Autism

Reports have shown that cannabis can help treat symptoms of autism. Autism is a disorder in brain development that affects social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication and signs of repetitive behaviors. Autism has a broad spectrum of symptoms and sources in the body for the resulting behavior.(Source) Five percent of autism cases have also an occurrence of Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X Syndrome occurs when the X chromosome has a failure to express the fragile X mental retardation protein or FMRP. There are varying degrees of severity to how bad the mutation is. Symptoms include attention deficit, hyperactivity, anxiety and aggression.(Source)

Studies show that the Fragile X Syndrome affects the part of the body known as the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis affects the endocannabinoid system in the body which is made up of lipids and receptors.  The function of these receptors is to process appetite, feelings of pain, mood as well as memory functions. One of these lipids is 2-AG or 2-arachidonoylglycerol, which is crucial for cell function and communication. People with fragile X syndrome have a non-functioning 2-AG lipid. This lipid is found as a non psycho-active cannabinoid found in cannabis. Studies showing this correlation help explain why these symptoms are reduced when marijuana use replace this non functioning 2-AG in the body. (Source)

Researchers at Stanford University studied mice in which two synapse-adhesion proteins led to a block or slowing of signaling in their brains. This study reflects another form of the spectrum of autism in which there are mutations in neurologin-3 (NL-3) and R451. This study showed that the CB1 receptors  which are affected by these mutations can be helped through targeting of this receptor through use of marijuana treatment.(Source)

The researchers studied mutations in neurologin-3 (NL-3) and R451. . The mutation of neurologin-3 (NL-3), a gene encoding a protein that builds and maintains synapses, demonstrated a deletion of the entire gene.  In contrast the mutation of R451, demonstrated a single amino acid substitution. Both of these mutations have shown to be associated with autism in humans. (Source)

Success Stories

A family in San Diego wrote about their adopted son Sam that who showed signs of autism at 18 months old. The family gave doses of marijuana to their son at age 8 and documented changes in his behavior through a daily journal  read here). Their observations showed behaviors of agitation and aggression diminished leaving their son with a calm focused attention which was previously unobserved in his daily behavior.

Alex Echols, a resident of Oregon, suffers from a form of autism called tuberous sclerosis.  This form of autism has been shown to cause non-malignant tumors in organs. These tumors have affected his brain functions  to the point where he experiences powerful seizures and engages in self- inflicted harm. After trying many different drugs with Alex to no avail his parents decided to give him cannabis.   This resulted in a major reduction in self inflicted harm and a an increased relaxation in use of his hands for exploration. (Source)

Source:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism

https://decryptedmatrix.com/live/marijuana-cannabinoids-found-to-help-combat-autism/

http://www.nature.com/ncomms/journal/v3/n9/full/ncomms2045.html?WT.ec_id=NCOMMS-20120925

http://www.letfreedomgrow.com/cmu/SamsStory.htm

http://www.autismdailynewscast.com/studies-finds-link-between-autism-and-cannabinoids/921/laurel-joss/

Different Cancers that Have Been Shown to be Reduced with Cannabis

Tumors in the brain have shown promising results to reduce or be destroyed through many research studies using marijuana. The inhibiting of cancer cells to proliferate do not stop with tumors in the brain. Studies have shows that there are promising results for many other cancer cells. Here is a list and studies on how cannabis-based medicine.

• Biliary Tract Cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)(Source)
• Breast Carcinoma – By inhibiting anandamide(Source)
• Cervical Carcinoma – By increase of inhibiting tissue of Matrix Metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1)
(Source)
• Colorectal Carcinoma - Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) found in most colorectal cancer cells were reduced by the increase in anandamide, which increases with cannabis use.(Source)
• Leukemia Cells – THC induces Leukemia cell death. (Source)
• Lymphoma – used with other drugs to induce lymphoma cell death (Source)
• Lung Carcinoma – THC induced Lung Cancer cell death. (Source)
• Neuroblastoma – Type 1 Vanilloid Receptor (Source)
• Oral Cancer – By inhibiting O(2) in Oral Cancer cells to cause death to cells (Source)
• Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma – By increasing ceramides and affecting the CB2 receptors (Source)
• Prostate Carcinoma – By increasing ceramides and effects on anandamide (Source)
• Skin Carcinoma – By activating the CB1 and CB2 receptors (Source)
• Thyroid Epithelioma – CB1 Receptors (Source)

• Uterus Carcinoma - Cell Growth Inhibition (Source)

Cannabis and Pain Management

One hundred million Americans suffer from chronic pain.(Source) Three to four percent of the global population suffer from neuropathic pain. (Source) Pain contributes to feeling depressed, concentration, energy level, ability to sleep well and enjoyment of life. (Source) Cannabis has been found to be an effective treatment in neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and pain from cancer. Cannabis has been found to be safer with less side effects than opiate medication.(Source)

Cannabis has been found to effectively relieve neuropathic pain. Both Cannabis and Opiates target the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors effect the Central Nervous System CNS using the CB1 and CB2 Receptors, which effect pain-sensation, and mood notably. (Source)

Fibromyalgia is a muscleskeletal pain resulting in fatigue and pain in the neck, spine, shoulder and hips. Three to six million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. In 2006, a study in Germany giving THC to patients showed a significant relief in symptoms. A study in 2008 with 40 patients gave a synthetic cannabinoid and showed significant improvements in pain. And in 2011 a study in Barcelona and the patients reported significant relief in pain, stiffness, relaxation, somnolence and feeling of well-being.(Source)

Cannabis has been found in studies in Australia and Britain showed that 20% of patients suffering from Rheumatoid Arthrites (RA) used medical marijuana to help treat their symptoms.(Source) Cannabis is an anti-inflammatory and helps to turn off pain-sensations in the nerves from the interactions it has with CB1 and CB2 Receptors. Results in a study in Britain showed that their were significant improvements in pain, sleep and inflammation.(Source) Cannabidiol CBD found in marijuana has shown to stop the progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis and protected joints. (Source)

A research study showed that advanced cancer patients were able to reduce their pain by 30% using a THC:CBD extract. In the study, with 177 patients, opiate medications did not provide the necessary relief. The placebo and THC alone had similar results to the opiate medication where the THC:CBD cannabis extract showed a noticeable relief in pain.(Source)

Cannabis has been found to have less side effects than opiate medication. A study has found that states that have legal medical marijuana has less mortality rates due to overdose in pain medication. (Source) Cannabis has been found to help patients addicted to opiate drugs withdraw from addiction by replacing with medical marijuana, and perceived to help pain more.(Source) Pain sufferers that have achieved a tolerance with opiate medication can feel a better relief by replacing treatment with cannabis.(Source) Cannabis can be used with opioid therapies to help lower the dose of opiates, thereby reducing their side effects. (Source)

Source:

http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=13172&page=1

http://www.prweb.com/pdfdownload/8052240.pdf

2006 Voices of Chronic Pain Survey. (American Pain Foundation)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis

http://ajh.sagepub.com/content/28/5/297

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=25154332

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19896326

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22880540

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22048225

http://www.humboldt.edu/hjsr/docs/fwhjsrparagraph/Issue%2035%20Second%20Article%20Peters.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19857996

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/45/1/50.abstract

http://norml.org/library/item/rheumatoid-arthritis#3

An Explanation of the Effects of the CB1 and CB2 Receptors

Cannabis has been found to have a direct effect on the cannabinoid receptors system in the brain. These receptors have a direct relation to appetite, pain-sensation, memory and mood. As the largest receptors in the body, they are influenced by ligands, endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids like cannabis echinacea purpura, and synthetic cannabinoids. Cannabis as well as the endocannabinoids are fat-soluble, or lipophilic. The two known cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2.(Source)

Plants create cannabinoids to help their homeostasis as a plant, having antioxidant properties to protect from UV rays which in turn helps the plant from disease. In animals, antioxidants help to protect as well from UV rays and free radical damage that can result in cancer and disease.(Source)

Interestingly, the marijuana plant also uses THC and other cannabinoids to promote its own health and prevent disease. Cannabinoids have antioxidant properties that protect the leaves and flowering structures from ultraviolet radiation - cannabinoids neutralize the harmful free radicals generated by UV rays, protecting the cells. In humans, free radicals cause aging, cancer, and impaired healing. Antioxidants found in plants have long been promoted as natural supplements to prevent free radical harm.

Cannabinoid receptors effect the G protein coupled receptor family, which are the cause of many diseases, 40% of all modern medicinal drugs target the G protein receptors.(source) The goal of the endocannabinoid system in the body is to maintain homeostatis, or an internal stable environment in the body. (Source)

Important Functions of the Cannabinoid System

There are many important and diverse functions to keep the body in a constant homeostasis. Here are a couple examples:

1. The cannabinoid system deals with autophagy, where a cell self-digests and recycles itself. This process keeps healthy cells healthy and also rids the body of malignant tumor cells having them consume themselves in a cellular suicide.
2. The cannabinoid system reduces pain to injuries. The injured tissue sends activators and sensitizer signals to stop excessive nerve cell firing, calming the sensation and the immune cells to not have them cause an excessive inflammation.
3. The cannabinoid system effects human behavior and mood. The receptors trigger a neuronal placticity, allowing for the brain to be open-minded and able to move beyond common patterns of thought to allow for creativity and aid in social interaction.

CB1 Receptor

CB1 receptors are in the central nervous system of the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. They are the biggest group of G-coupled receptors in the brain. Cannabinoids effect a reduction of the GABA mediated neurotransmission, which results in an increase of neuron excitability.(Source) They effect memory processing, pain regulation and motor control. (Source)

CB 2 Receptor

CB2 receptors are in the immune system and hematopoietic cells (Blood cells that help create other blood cells found in red bone marrow), white blood cells, tonsils and spleen. This receptor effects the relief of pain, and more research is showing that it effects smooth muscle, fibroblasts and others. The main function of the CB2 receptor is the regulation of cytokine release, which research is looking into the benefit of anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer treatments. (Source) Cytokines signal cells to communicate in immune responses to inflammation, infection and trauma.(Source)

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid_receptor

http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/mdd/v07/i11/html/1104feature_filmore.html

http://norml.org/library/item/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Cannabinoid-Receptors.aspx

http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-are-Cytokines.aspx

Cannabis Effecting Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

The case of the “Munchies” would lead one to think that it leads to obesity, but in fact on average it reduces obesity by one third.(Source) Though the caloric intake may be more caused with the munchies, cannabis reacts with the metabolization of carbohydrates and regulation of insulin to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes.

"The most important finding is that current users of marijuana appeared to have better carbohydrate metabolism than nonusers," says Murray Mittleman, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Their fasting insulin levels were lower, and they appeared to be less resistant to the insulin produced by their body to maintain a normal blood-sugar level."

Fasting insulin levels from the study were sixteen percent lower and 17% lower in insulin resistance. These two factors are increased with type II diabetes. (Source)

Research has yet to understand why this is occurring and some theories that haven't been proven have been offered:

• Marijuana is a replacement for food for some users
• Other active parts of the cannabis plant like cannabidiol may interact with the brain receptors to help manage the metabolism and regulate eating.
• Regular use of cannabis may dull the receptors and have them not react too strong to wanting to increase appetite over time.

One drug that has been taken off the market because of the side effects of causing increased suicide may offer an answer to the reason why the appetite is controlled through cannabis. The drug Rimonabant used as a weight loss drug targeted the same brain receptor (CB1) that cannabis does. It's effect made a lower drop in fasting insulin levels by lowering the receptors signaling. (Source)

Source:

http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/24/aje.kwr200.abstract?__hstc=9292970.2e518383c30fe9090ca33584378a6435.1409929942141.1411273921013.1411401471685.9&__hssc=9292970.1.1411401471685&__hsfp=210472818

http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2813%2900200-3/abstract

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/23/health/time-marijuana-diabetes/index.html?__hstc=9292970.2e518383c30fe9090ca33584378a6435.1409929942141.1411273921013.1411401471685.9&__hssc=9292970.1.1411401471685&__hsfp=210472818

The Reason Behind Cannabis and the Munchies

For chemotherapy patients struggling to increase their appetite, marijuana can increase their desire to eat being beneficial. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC which is the psychoactive part of cannabis has been found to be the factor to increasing appetite. There are a couple studies that show different reasons on why marijuana increases the “munchies”, and it may be a combination of the various factors.

Two studies showed that an increase in hedonic, or pleasurable taste, rather than a motivation to eat was increased with the use of cannabis. With exposure to taste and scent, dopamine is released with encourages the appetite for the food. Once THC is in the blood stream, it has been found to increase dopamine levels.(Source) and (Source)

In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences a research group led by Daniele Piomelli found that marijuana triggers the CB1 receptors in the gut, not the brain, to signal that a fatty food has been ingested. The saying of “You just can't eat one Lay Potato Chip” is correct in that when a fatty food is eaten, intestinal CB1 receptors send a message to the brain to stimulate the creation of endocannabinoids creating a chemical response of hunger increasing your appetite for fatty foods. (Source)

Another study shows how endocannabinoids are responsible for pre and post natal survival. Endocannabinoids are present in cow's milk, soft cheese and breast milk. The research showed that the cannabinoid receptors are stimulated by the cannabinoids in milk to encourage suckling leading to newborn survival. This response may hold a connection in later life to the encouragement of eating.(Source)

Another study showed the THC released the hormone ghrelin, which increases appetite. Both endocabbinoids and ghrelin effect the hypothalamus part of the brain. AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK helps regulate cell energy metabolism. THC and ghrelin increase appetite by stimulating the AMPK to allow the hypothalamus sense of food deprivation thereby increasing hunger.(Source)

Recently in February 2014 a study was published in Nature Neuroscience studied the increase in smell with cannabis. The study used the underlying basis that hunger leads to an increase in sensory perception which leads to an increase in food intake. The results in the study with mice showed that odor detection was increased with cannabis due to CB1 receptors affecting the olfactory bulb enhancing the sense of smell. This increased awareness to smell gives in turn the increase to hunger. The mice stayed longer smelling the food and ate more.(Source)

Cannabis and Obesity

Though the study finding show that caloric intake from marijuana goes up with the urge to eat, another study two studies show that marijuana users are one third less likely to be obese and have a lower rate of Type 2 Diabetes.(Source) Read more on this by clicking this link.

Source:

http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v17/n3/full/nn.3647.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705914/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16185725

http://www.jbc.org/content/280/26/25196.full

http://www.pnas.org/content/108/31/12904

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299904007423

http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/24/aje.kwr200.abstract?__hstc=9292970.2e518383c30fe9090ca33584378a6435.1409929942141.1411273921013.1411401471685.9&__hssc=9292970.1.1411401471685&__hsfp=210472818

Cannabis and PTSD

OUTCO offers medical cannabis to PTSD sufferers in San Diego.  Research studies has shown that it is an effective treatment because of the way marijuana relates to the brain activity.

What Is PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD can develop after a trauma that can cause flashbacks, memory loss of the event, anxiety or hyper-arousal for over a month. Common traumatic events could be war, injury, sexual assault, threats or witness to a traumatic event. Women are more likely to get PTSD and children under the age of 10 rarely experience it. (Source)

Correlation of PTSD and Marijuana Use

An increased tendency to use in marijuana occurs with PTSD sufferers than the general public. A study showed that with teen and young adults, PTSD contributed to the use of cannabis more than peer pressure or other factors.(Source) Another study with 5,672 adults showed that the relation to PTSD symptoms and the use of cannabis were directly correlated. (Source)

PTSD, Cannabis and the CB1 Brain Receptor

Defective CB1 receptor signaling in the brain appear to be the cause of memories to not diminish in impact over time. Studies with animals have shown that this malfunction in the receptor due to trauma can cause anxiety, fear and depression symptoms leading to insomnia, isolation and other effects.(Source) Research has shown that enhancing cannabinoids receptors in the brain reduce the anxiety and fear symptoms in animals.(Source)

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis show a relation in allowing the CB1 and CB2 receptors to work by inhibiting the enzyme fatty acid amide hydroxylase (“FAAH”) from destroying the endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter, Anandamide. Anandamide is based off of a sanskrit word meaning joy, bliss and delight and has been known at low levels to decrease pleasure and motivation. (Source)

OUTCO is the only licensed marijuana dispensary in San Diego to aid PTSD sufferers with Cannabis treatment. Cannabidiol CBD offers treatment without the psychoactive effects of THC. We offer free delivery and medicine at affordable prices for patients. Look for our future blog on how the Veteran community is helped by OUTCO in San Diego.

Source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posttraumatic_stress_disorder

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306460309002366

http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/adb/25/3/554/

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/da.22031/abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15637635

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandamide

Benefits of Cannabis for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is mental disability where the person has inappropriate thoughts, emotions, behavior feelings and actions causing an altered reality of delusions and hallucinations. (Source) Studies have found a theory that the human endogenous cannabinoid system is a major source of the causes of schizophrenia. (Source) The endogenous cannabinoid system is responsible in the brain to trigger signals relating to appetite, the feeling of pain, mood and memory as well as regulating phychoactive effects by cannabis from the most notable CB1, CB2 and Anandamide receptors of the nervous system (Source).

Studies have shown promising benefits of Marijuana to relieve Schizophrenia symptoms. Cannabis should not be a replacement for prescribed drugs for the condition without talking to your physician. The Drug Enforement Agency DEA has categorized cannabis as a schedule 1 drug, research for cannabis is lacking and conclusive evidence for benefits of Schizophrenia is still in progress.(Source) 

Here are a collection of studies regarding marijuana and Schizophrenia:

Markus Leweke of the University of Cologne in Germany conducted a study with 39 individuals with schizophrenia giving half cannabidiol (CBD) and the other half Amisulpride, an anti psychotic drug used for schizophrenia treatment. Cannabidiol is derived from the cannabis plant and is an antioxidant anti psycho-active part of the marijuana plant. The results showed that the symptoms equally went down for all subjects, with the people using cannabidiol (CBD) having less side effects. (Source)

Dr. Daniele Piomelli, professor of pharmacology at the University of California-Irvine has studied the anandamide receptors of the nervous system in the endogenous cannabinoid system. Dr. Piomellis theorizes with this study that cannabidiol CBD helps with schizophrenia by saying “What CBD seems to be doing is preventing anandamide from being destroyed”.(Source)

Raquel Levin and Fernanda F. Peres in Brazil did a study on mice with schizophrenia in which they gave Cannabidiol CBD to some mice and WIN55212,2 (synthetic cannabinoid agonist) to the other. Both were able to show positive results in improving sensory gating deficits. The results from the team were “Our results reinforce the role of the endocannabinoid system in the sensorimotor gating impairment related to schizophrenia, and point to cannabinoid drugs as potential therapeutic strategies.” (Source)

Future Studies

Currently, GW Pharmaceuticals is doing a study on their own GWP-42003 which is derived from cannabidiol CBD. They are doing the research in hopes of finding treatment with cannabis for schizophrenia. They have finished phase 1 and it shows promising results and they are now doing phase 2 (Source)

For medication to be introduced in the United States with cannabidiol CBD, it first needs to be FDA approved for study. The FDA has approved experimental use for CBD for the treatment of Dravet syndrome. Soon the FDA is set to allow it for clinical trials in showing safety and tolerability for CBD in children.(Source)

Source:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00628290

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9130308

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system

http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/06/its-hard-to-study-marijuanas-medical-benefits-when-its-illegal/373603/

http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/30/marijuana-compound-treats-schizophrenia-with-few-side-effects-clinical-trial/

http://www.leafscience.com/2014/03/18/drug-made-cannabis-treat-schizophrenia/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24567721

http://blog.norml.org/2013/12/16/study-cannabidiol-holds-promise-for-treating-psychosis/

Benefits of Cannabis for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease is the disruption of the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain. Nerve cells that produce dopamine are destroyed making the brain to not function in processing messages or muscle function. (Source)

Some studies have shown that the use of Marijuana to relieve Parkinson symptoms can be effective, but physicians warn that it should not be a replacement for prescribed drugs for the condition. Since the Drug Enforement Agency DEA has deemed cannabis as a schedule 1 drug, approval for research into the benefits of cannabis is lacking and conclusive evidence for benefits of Parkinson's is still in progress.(Source) Here are a collection of studies regarding marijuana and Parkinson's Disease:

Movement Disorders Journal with research done by Katerina Venderova in 2004 located in Prague did a study on Parkinson's patients and the results are as follows:

• 45.9% of patients showed mild to major treatment of parkinson's symptoms
• 30.6% showed treatment for rest tremors
• 44.7% showed treatment for bradykinesia ( slowness in movement caused by weakness, tremor or feeling of rigidity).
• 37.7% improvement in muscle rigidity
• 14.1% treatment in L-dopa-induced dyskinesias (disruption in brain signals of movement).
• 4% complained of cannabis worsening symptoms.
• Use of Cannabis for 3 months or more had significant improvement in Parkinson's symptoms

This study was done on less than a 100 patients and the conclusions are that more research needs to be done on a wider population for more concrete findings. (Source)

A theory but not studied enough is that marijuana could benefit Parkinson's Disease since the effects of Parkinson's symptoms are concentrated in the basal ganglia of the brain, which are packed with cannabinoid (THC) receptors that Cannabis main function relates to. (Cb1and Cb2 receptors)(Source)

To ad to the brain function, The British Journal of Pharmacology had a study that showed the following: “Given its antioxidant properties and its ability to activate CB₂ but to block CB₁ receptors, Δ⁹-THCV has a promising pharmacological profile for delaying disease progression in PD and also for ameliorating parkinsonian symptoms.” (Source)

One symptom that Parkinson's Disease has is REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). The patients studied using Cannabis (CBD) the non psycho-active component of cannabis showed significant improvement. (Source)

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source:

http://www.parkinson.org/getdoc/6ffea1eb-3439-4e0c-b45e-5da1dc8d7537/default

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24845114

http://www.denverrelief.com/blog/conditions-treated-by-cannabis/parkinsons-disease-and-cannabis-marijuana-therapy/

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01278.x/abstract

http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/06/its-hard-to-study-marijuanas-medical-benefits-when-its-illegal/373603/

What is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

When Cannabis is dried and then heated it does a chemical reaction that turns it into Tetrahyrocannabinol popularly known as THC. In this form, it becomes a narcotic psychoactive drug that is used primarily as a pain killer. The visual look is a clear water like solid (white) that when warmed up is sticky.

THC is well known to aid in increased appetite and reduce nausea. It stimulates the hypothalamus by CB1 activity to give interest to food as well as the ghrelin hormones that are in the gastronomical tract that induces the feeling of hunger. This affect helps cancer and AIDS survivors to gain an appetite.

THC has shown very good results in helping with multiple sclerosis symptoms. Studies have shown that especially oral cannabis, and good findings of THC help to reduce rigid or stiff muscles also known as spastic muscles, in reducing pain and spasms, and bladder dysfunction.

With marijuana is criminalized in many places, there is a lack of research and studies for possible more cures due to the legality of it. Studies for Parkinson's, Huntington, Alzheimer's diseases as well as Tourette's syndrome, Cervical Dystonia, and Epilepsy all have inconclusive results from studies from the lack of ability to do research.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol