Cannabis and the Type 1 Vanilloid Receptor

TRPV1 also known as Type 1 Vanilloid Receptor, Capsaicin Receptor and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member1 is a protein that the TRPV1 gene encodes. This receptor regulates body temperature and the sensation of heat and pain. Found in the nervous system it is a communicator of pain to the brain, and desensitizing gives a analgesic pain free feeling.

Cannabinoids found in marijuana have been found to be an antagonist to the TRPV1 receptor, which can help with neurpathic pain, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy, amputation as well as osteoarthritis, anxiety and long term depression.(Source) Cannabidiol CBD has shown to have an activation of the TRPV1 receptors. (Source) Endocannabinoid anandamide that is affected by the use of cannabis has been shown to act on the TRPV1 receptors as well. (Source) Dopamine which is increased with cannabis use also effects the TRPV1 receptor.(Source)

Along with treatment in symptoms, cannabis can reduce cancer to it's role in the TRPV1 receptor. Neuroblastoma is a cancer started in the nervous system in the human fetus or embryo that resides in the nervous system. This form of cancer is usually seen in young children before the age of 10. Research has shown that cannabis can delay or stop the cancer cell growth of neuroblastoma by activating the TRPV1 receptors. (Source)

Source:

http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/318/3/1375

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRPV1

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC123079/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1574087/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17442052

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)