Cannabis As Medicine

Harry Anslinger mentioned at the beginning of the video said, "There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz, and swing, result from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and any others…the primary reason to outlaw marijuana is its effect on the degenerate races… Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death…Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”Marihuana leads to pacifism and communist brainwashing…You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother…Marijuana is the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind.”

National Brain Cancer Foundation

The Cannabinoid Research Group of Complutense University in Madrid, Spain and Voices Against Brain Cancer, a national foundation headquartered in New York, announce today that a collaborative alliance has been signed by both organizations. The consideration of the benefits of Marijuana and the compounds contained within the plant known as "cannabinoids" for medicinal purposes is currently a prominent subject matter in North America. In an effort to fast track the propagation of accurate scientific based information on therapeutic opportunities incorporating cannabinoids, these two groups have formed an exclusive partnership in the United States.

[snip]

When asked about the research findings to date, Mr. Guzman noted that "published research clearly shows the anticancer action of cannabinoids impacting glioblastoma multiforma (GBM), and how chemotherapy results of tumor reduction are improved upon by adding cannabinoids as part of the treatment regimen."

"We have an obligation to remain open minded about where the cure for brain cancer will come from, said Michael Klipper, Chairman of Voices Against Brain Cancer. Manuel Guzmán and his research team are world class leaders in the clinical research of cannabinoids and cancer." We recognize our responsibility to disseminate the information associated with the published research, which supports the medicinal legitimacy and can help guide patients and government lawmakers when considering the use of Cannabinoids."

Inoperable Brain Tumor "Miracle Baby"

...he was "quite a skeptic 5 or 6 years ago", Dr. Courtney continued that "my youngest patient is 8 months old, and had a very massive centrally located inoperable brain tumor." The child's father pushed for non-traditional treatment utilizing cannabis.

"They were putting cannabinoid oil on the baby's pacifier twice a day, increasing the dose... And within two months there was a dramatic reduction, enough that the pediatric oncologist allowed them to go ahead with not pursuing traditional therapy."

The tumor was remarkably reduced after eight months of treatment. Dr. Courtney pointed out that the success of the cannabis approach means that "this child, because of that, is not going to have the long-term side effects that would come from a very high dose of chemotherapy or radiation...

You can read more here.

Heart Disease

A non-technical explanation of how cannabis may help with heart disease. This link explains more:

5-HT1A receptors are involved in the cannabidiol-induced attenuation of behavioural and cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress in rats

Parkinsons Patient Treated By Cannabis

I found the video at Man with Parkinson’s able to Drive after Cannabis where they say:

What doctors refuse to tell most people is that they can live a normal life with Parkinson’s disease and do most things others can do with the help of cannabis. Cannabis is still labeled as a schedule 1 drug in line with heavy hitters such as Heroin and Cocaine. Of course these two drugs have been marketed in the past to cure many ailments including coughs and insomnia. they are not marketed as such anymore because there is no real evidence that suggest that people should take either heroin or meth for their cough problems.

The debate still rages on…for some reason…as to the efficacy of cannabis. The studies have proven that we as human beings were created with an Endocannabinoid system that is designed for the uptake of cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. this plant was made for us to heal; it is that simple. Why else would we have these receptors that lead to not only the reduction or elimination of cancer from organs, but also the return of many damaged organs to their previous state. It is proven and there are thousands of people that serve as living proof of how well this plant works. Yet, the debate still rages on.

Parkinson’s disease claims so many lives every year that is is criminal that more people do not have access to the extracts from this plant. The reason why cannabis oil works is because the whole plant is used and thus all of the beneficial cannabinoids are utilized in the system. there is not evidence that anyone has ever been harmed by cannabis and it is probably the least toxic substance on earth.

He goes on to wonder if Jesus' medical miracles were actually cannabis miracles.

I have done a few posts on that:

Christians Oppose Healing The Sick On Moral Grounds

Marijuana Prohibition Is A Crime Against Humanity

Hebrew Etymology

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Group studies the role of the endocannabinoid system in Parkinson's disease

A study underway at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB) of the University of São Paulo (USP) is attempting to discover how the endocannabinoid system is involved in the neurodegenerative process that affects those with Parkinson’s disease.

The endocannabinoid system consists of a set of neurotransmitters that are chemically similar to the chemical compounds found in marijuana (Cannabis sativa) and their brain receptors.

Familial Atrial Fibrillation

Suggested by The entropic anarchy of the endocannabinoid system.

Endocannabinoids And Cannabis Are Neuroprotective

Before I look into the technicals let me cut to the chase. Endocannabinoids relieve pain and reduce brain swelling. Something well known anecdotally. We now have the science (experimental evidence). Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonylglycerol Protects Primary Cultured Neurons Against LPS-Induced Impairments in Rat Caudate Nucleus.

Abstract

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of many diseases in the central nervous system. Caudate nucleus (CN), the largest nucleus in the brain, is also implicated in many neurological disorders. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the most abundant endogenous cannabinoid and the true natural ligand for CB1 receptors, has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects through its anti-inflammatory action from proinflammatory stimuli in hippocampus. However, it is still not clear whether 2-AG is also able to protect CN neurons from proinflammation stimuli. In the present study, we discovered that 2-AG significantly protects CN neurons in culture against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. 2-AG is capable of suppressing elevation of LPS-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression associated with ERK/p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in CB1 receptor-dependant manner in primary cultured CN neurons. Moreover, 2-AG inhibits LPS-induced increase in voltage-gated sodium channel currents and hyperpolarizing shift of activation curves through CB1 receptor-dependant pathway. Our study suggests the therapeutic potential of 2-AG for the treatment of some inflammation-induced neurological disorders and pain.

Dennis Hill - How Cannabis Kills Cancer Cells

Cannabis For Leukemia

Time Magazine published and article on marijuana ans cancer. Study: Marijuana Compounds Can Kill Some Cancer Cells. It opens with:

Compounds derived from marijuana can kill cancerous cells in patients with leukemia, according to a recent study.

The study, published in the Anticancer Research journal, was partially funded by GW Pharmaceuticals. which already produces a cannabis-derived drug to help people with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wai Liu studied six different non-psychoactive cannabinoids (compounds derived from marijuana that don’t get the user high like its THC component does). He found that certain non-psychoactive cannabinoids “resulted in dramatic reductions in cell viability” and “caused a simultaneous arrest at all phases of the cell cycle,” according to the study summary posted online.

And then there is this report which although strictly anecdotal is very interesting.



We actually have some details of her cannabis use.

The girl, who calls herself "Brave Mykayla," takes a gram of cannabis oil daily to combat side effects of her chemotherapy, such as nausea, restlessness and loss of appetite, but she says that the pills make her feel "funny."

Mykayla's mother, Erin Purchase, credits cannabis with her daughter's remission, but Jesse Comstock, the girl's father, who is divorced from Purchase, is concerned that the use of medical marijuana will impair his daughter's mental development.

He is concerned about her mental development? How well do dead children develop mentally?

What we haven't seen so far is an assay of any of the oils used in treatment. I would think that such assays would be extremely helpful.

Here is another anecdote: Elias Cooper Story: Treating Leukemia With Cannabis Oil

By January 2013 Elias's condition had advanced so far that chemo was the option Elias's doctor left him with. Since Elias was opposed to chemo his wife, Debra Cooper, went online and started to look for alternative treatments for her husbands condition. Thank God for that decision because it is what has saved his life.

Debras research guided her to "Brave" Mykayla, the 8 year old who is using cannabis oil to treat her leukemia. Mykayla is one of the youngest medical marijuana patients in the US and has had great results using cannabis oil to treat her leukemia. Mykayla and her family have been on many TV news segments and shows sharing her story. Elias and Debra were very impressed at the results shown by Mykayla. They were so impressed that they decided to get Elias his medical marijuana card so he to could try cannabis oil.

When Elias finally had his medical marijuana card his wife again turned to the internet to find how to make cannabis oil. Her search for directions to make cannabis oil landed her here, cureyourowncancer.org, on the make the oil page. They followed the instructions here on the site to make Elias's oil and got him started on it right away. He took his first dose of cannabis oil on February 3rd 2013. Elias ingested the oil ever day for about 3 weeks before he went back to the doctor for a checkup. That checkup showed his white blood cell count was down 40,000.

Links at the link. Here is one to get you started: cureyourowncancer.org.

Pharmacology Is Coming Around

I just got a pitch for a new book on pharmacology. Pharmacology Condensed. Here is what they say about the body's endocannabinoid system.

Cannabinoids are extracts of Cannabis sativa, the marijuana plant, the psychoactive properties of which have been known to humankind for thousands of years. The main active component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and recent work has shown that, surprisingly, substances similar to THC occur in the human body and constitute part of the ‘endocannabinoid system’ which has a vital and hitherto unsuspected role in bodily function.

That is a very limited view. Because THC is not the only important cannabinoid. CBD - cannabidiol is another one - among many. But it is a start.

How Cannabis Cures Cancer

Dennis Hill explains how cannabis kills cancer cells in: How Cannabis Oil Works to Kill Cancer Cells.

First let’s look at what keeps cancer cells alive, then we will come back and examine how the cannabinoids CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) unravels cancer’s aliveness.

In every cell there is a family of interconvertible sphingolipids that specifically manage the life and death of that cell. This profile of factors is called the “Sphingolipid Rheostat.” If endogenous ceramide(a signaling metabolite of sphingosine-1-phosphate) is high, then cell death (apoptosis) is imminent. If ceramide is low, the cell is strong in its vitality.

Very simply, when THC connects to the CB1 or CB2 cannabinoid receptor site on the cancer cell, it causes an increase in ceramide synthesis which drives cell death. A normal healthy cell does not produce ceramide in the presence of THC, thus is not affected by the cannabinoid.

There is much more. Follow the link to read it.

Cannabis For Brain Tumors

I'm going to post a medical abstract that covers brain tumors. Yes there is a lot of complicated medical terminology. So what is the bottom line? Cannabis seems to be the only medicine that affects these tumors and it does so without dangerous side effects. Not "no side effects" but side effects that do not kill you or introduce new problems (like cancer). See below for videos on the subject.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of primary brain tumor and is diagnosed in approximately 15,000 people each year in the United States alone. No cure for this type of cancer exists, and the current standard of care treatments provide little benefit and are associated with debilitating side effects. Recent evidence shows that a large number of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) invade the GBM tumor mass and secrete factors that directly and indirectly promote tumor growth. TAMs express a panel of unique receptors that could be targeted for therapeutic benefit. One such receptor, cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), is a member of the endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling system, and its activation has been shown to tightly control the migration and phenotype of both macrophages and microglia. Additional receptors, also engaged by eCBs and cannabinoid-like compounds, are expressed by macrophages and microglia. These receptors also control cell migration and phenotype, but exhibit distinct pharmacological profiles and operate through a different mechanism of action. Strong evidence accumulated over the past decade indicates that membrane receptors expressed by TAMs represent novel targeting opportunities to treat GBM tumor progression. Here we review studies that significantly increased our understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of receptors engaged by eCBs and cannabinoid-like compounds expressed by GBM tumor cells and TAMs. This evidence provides a strong rationale for developing new therapeutics that target the eCB signaling of TAMs for the treatment of GBM while minimizing the typical side effects associated with standard care.

PubMed NIH - cannabinoid cancer.

Marijuana Prohibition is a crime against humanity.

Cannabinoid Profiles

Discoverer of THC Dr. Raphael Mechoulam is an Israeli professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel.

THC - Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol

THCA - Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid

THCV - Tetrahydrocannabivarin

CBD - Cannabidiol

CBN - Cannabinol

CBG - Cannabigerol

CBC - Cannabichromene

Cannabinoids And The Reason Why The Establishment Hates Them, Dr Bob Melamede 30Aug2013

Doctor Bob had to put his shirt on. I'd have to put on a few more garments than that to be presentable for video blogging. Dr. Bob notes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That points to the fact that a given cannabis plant cannabinoid mix may be more effective than a single individual cannabinoid.

Scientific Research and Real Facts about the Cannabinoids in Cannabis narrated by an old buddy of mine Peter Coyote.

Cannabis CBD Videos

Here are a few videos about CBDs.


Greenwerkz - How to Get R4

Ganja Geezer

A schizophrenic reports on CBD:

Low THD Hi CBD cannabis strain developed in Israel:




More CBD videos

CBD - Charlotte's Web

This is a video about a special strain of Med Pot with one of the CBDs greatly enhanced.

CB2

Changes in endocannabinoid levels and/or CB2 receptor expressions have been reported in almost all diseases affecting humans,[34] ranging from cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, neurodegenerative, psychiatric, bone, skin, autoimmune, lung disorders to pain and cancer. The prevalence of this trend suggests that modulating CB2 receptor activity by either selective CB2 receptor agonists or inverse agonists/antagonists depending on the disease and its progression holds unique therapeutic potential for these pathologies [34]

Medical Marijuana prohibition is a crime against humanity and a violation of the religious precept - heal the sick.

Pass it on.

H/T The Weed Blog

Helping Schizophrenics

Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.

Cannabidiol is a component of marijuana that does not activate cannabinoid receptors, but moderately inhibits the degradation of the endocannabinoid anandamide. We previously reported that an elevation of anandamide levels in cerebrospinal fluid inversely correlated to psychotic symptoms. Furthermore, enhanced anandamide signaling let to a lower transition rate from initial prodromal states into frank psychosis as well as postponed transition. In our translational approach, we performed a double-blind, randomized clinical trial of cannabidiol vs amisulpride, a potent antipsychotic, in acute schizophrenia to evaluate the clinical relevance of our initial findings. Either treatment was safe and led to significant clinical improvement, but cannabidiol displayed a markedly superior side-effect profile. Moreover, cannabidiol treatment was accompanied by a significant increase in serum anandamide levels, which was significantly associated with clinical improvement. The results suggest that inhibition of anandamide deactivation may contribute to the antipsychotic effects of cannabidiol potentially representing a completely new mechanism in the treatment of schizophrenia.

You can find out more about cannabidiol at Endocannabinoids - The Science.

Uruguay - Marijuana Biotech Hub

Uruguay is about to become a biotech hub for medical marijuana research.

Presidential Spokesman Diego Canepa said Monday that foreign labs have told the government they'd like to set up there. Canepa is quoted by the local daily El Observador as saying that "Uruguay will become a hub for biotechnology."

It is about time there was a place in the world that research on the medical potential of cannabis can be done.

If only the Federal government in the US could see the potential.