General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMedical Marijuana - what's it good for?
We've already been over the claims that medical marijuana is a miracle cure for cancer (http://bit.ly/1haHM4S). But what IS it good for? What does the science say about it's efficacy against various illnesses and ailments?
A very long read....
Read about it here: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/cannabis-cannabinoids-and-cancer-%E2%80%93-evidence-so-far
dhill926
(16,234 posts)Stardust
(3,894 posts)Warpy
(110,913 posts)and it's almost less expensive.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)it's misclassified as a schedule 1 drug.
madinmaryland
(64,920 posts)Prophet 451
(9,796 posts)It makes a magnificent painkiller, to start with.
kentuck
(110,950 posts)especially arthritic gout.
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)Playinghardball
(11,665 posts)elias49
(4,259 posts)To fight the nausea from chemo administered to fight cancer, yeah. Cure cancer? Not so much.
Ghost in the Machine
(14,912 posts)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16078104&dopt=Citation
Cannabinoids selectively inhibit proliferation and induce cell death of cultured human glioblastoma multiforme cells. Journal of Neurooncology. 2005
http://www.bentham.org/mrmc/contabs/mrmc5-10.htm#6
Cannabinoids and cancer. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry. 2005
http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/308/3/838
Anti-tumor effects of cannabidiol, a non-psychotropic cannabinoid, on human glioma cell lines. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2003
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17931597
Cannabinoid receptor agonists are mitochondrial inhibitors: a unified hypothesis of how cannabinoids modulate mitochondrial function and induce cell death.Athanasiou A, Clarke AB, Turner AE, Kumaran NM, Vakilpour S, Smith PA, Bagiokou D, Bradshaw TD, Westwell AD, Fang L, Lobo DN, Constantinescu CS, Calabrese V, Loesch A, Alexander SP, Clothier RH, Kendall DA, Bates TE.
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
Time-lapse microscopy of human lung cancer (H460) cells showed that the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA), the phyto-cannabinoid Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and a synthetic cannabinoid HU 210 all caused morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis. Janus green assays of H460 cell viability showed that AEA and THC caused significant increases in OD 595 nm at lower concentrations (10-50 microM) and significant decreases at 100 microM, whilst HU 210 caused significant decreases at all concentrations. In rat heart mitochondria, all three ligands caused significant decreases in oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential. THC and HU 210 caused significant increases in mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production, whereas AEA was without significant effect. All three ligands induced biphasic changes in either mitochondrial complex I activity and/or mitochondrial complex II-III activity. These data demonstrate that AEA, THC, and HU 210 are all able to cause changes in integrated mitochondrial function, directly, in the absence of cannabinoid receptors.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16078104
Cannabinoids selectively inhibit proliferation and induce death of cultured human glioblastoma multiforme cells.
McAllister SD, Chan C, Taft RJ, Luu T, Abood ME, Moore DH, Aldape K, Yount G.
http://www.scientificfactsofpot.com/studies.htm#Cancer
When you are done, you can go to the top of the page here: http://www.scientificfactsofpot.com/studies.htm
and read the rest:
Marijuana Fights:
Heart Disease
Cancer
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Alzheimer's
Liver Disease
Epilepsy
Skin Allergies
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Anxiety and Depression
and is also Neuroprotective and Causes Neurogenesis (brain cell growth)
Peace,
Ghost
elias49
(4,259 posts)I've done some reading on the subject and you won't find an oncologist willing to stake his reputation on cannabis curing cancer....maybe in 10 years. Or 20.
"Fights the effects of" is not the same as "cures".
RainDog
(28,784 posts)The experiments on the human subjects with inoperable brain tumors (gliomas) are promising because they demonstrated that certain cannabinoids shrink tumor cells. One of the scientists who participated in the work, however, did go on record saying the cannabinoids kill cancer cells.
During her postdoc at Dr. Piomellis laboratory (University of California Irvine, 2000-2003) she studied the involvement of another group of bioactive lipids (lysophosphatidic acid and related compounds) on pain initiation. In 2004, Cristina returned to Spain and she started coordinating a new line of research within Dr. Guzmáns laboratory. The goal of her research is to understand and exploit cannabinoids as potential antitumoral agents in breast cancer. More recently, she has also focused her attention on new cannabinoid receptors and their possible involvement in cannabinoid antitumoral action in breast cancer and other type of tumors.
video here (can't imbed) - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017182219
One important finding was that marijuana caused REMISSION in Crohn's Disease - not cancer, but a very difficult illness for which there is no cure, so a study that demonstrated remission is a BIG deal - even though the study size was small. The disease affects around 400,000 to 600,000 people in North America. Humans have cannabinoid receptors in their stomachs, not just their brains. CB1 (THC) and CB2 (CBD) receptors are located in the stomach and intestines.
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/17529/20130718/medical-marijuana-crohns-disease-remission-anti-inflammatory-drug-inflammatory-bowel-disease.htm
Ghost in the Machine
(14,912 posts)I was just giving you a starting point, not doing all the research for you. You should also understand that until recently, testing has been very limited due to the legal & schedule status of cannabis. With all the new States with medical marijuana laws, and 2 States that have legalized it even for recreational use, testing *should* start picking up more, even using human subjects who are willing to participate in clinical studies and trials.
I know this is only anecdotal, but I can speak from experience about how well it works for pain medication, and for post traumatic stress, anxiety & panic attacks and for depression. I can also attest to how it helps with ADHD and for anger management issues. I also have a nephew who had cancer as a child (I don't remember what type of cancer it was as it's been 20+ years ago), and wasn't supposed to see his 12th birthday. His parents allowed him to smoke pot, and within 6 or 7 months he was in remission.. with no signs of cancer. He is alive and well today... and fixing to turn 33 years old. Coincidence?? Maybe... but I'll hold onto my own belief that it was the cannabis that helped him.
Peace,
Ghost
elias49
(4,259 posts)I won't even try to speculate...something worked and that's all that matters.
There's still loads we don't understand about the mind's influence with the physical body, too. I think we'd benefit from more support for alternative therapies in general...not that I consider marijuana in the same class as ginseng, for example, or ginko. But currently marijuana sits in a nether-world between conventional "western' medicine and medicine that takes the mind or the psyche or the 'heart' into consideration in treating modern maladies.
Ultimately, we're just energy, imagining all the great shit that's been happening this year and it isn't even summer yet!
RainDog
(28,784 posts)There have been reports of people who have had remissions in tumors because of marijuana, but there are no clinical trials - for humans, beyond that one trial that was only allowed to go forward because people were going to die anyway.
One person who has done a lot of cannabinoid research is a biologist at the University of Colorado. His name is Robert Melamede.
He thinks, as more people are beginning to think, as well, that the endocannabinoid system regulates entire bodily homeostasis via all major organ systems. As the article here notes, our endocannabinoid system is located throughout the body - nearly every major bodily system is regulated by our internal cannabinoids - and this regulation includes apoptosis - or cell death - for cells that are not functioning correctly.
Anyway, he was seeking funding, last time I checked, to do a study using cannabis oil as a topical ointment to treat melanomas. This research was inspired, in part, by people who used cannabis oil themselves for melanomas, took pictures, and sent them to the doctor. That's where most research begins - with human observation.
So, there's a reason for people to think the plant cannabinoids can help regulate cells that are not functioning properly - but there's no body of peer-reviewed, scientifically designed and executed studies to demonstrate whether this belief is real or not.
The reason there is no body of work, of course, is because our govt. has spend decades refusing to fund any study - any study - that might demonstrate a benefit from cannabis. This is U.S. policy for various agencies related to marijuana, but most importantly for the NIDA.
So, first we have to end this ridiculous war on a plant and then look at claims through controlled studies.
Cannabinoid research is a big deal at this time because it wasn't even known that humans had an endocannabinoid system until the mid-1990s.
But the claims that science is making about cannabis now were made by Chinese medical/plant specialists back before the birth of Jesus - and written down...again based upon observation.
Looking at this topic in terms of a bet - smart money would be on the idea that cannabis has multiple uses for health.
But pharmaceutical drugs require distinct molecules, not whole-plant medicines.
This is why cannabis should be classified as a plant, not a drug.. because that's what it is. If researchers want to create synthetics, they can - but the synthetics created and marketed for cancer side effects, doctors who have worked with cancer patients and cannabis for years have said (as in Dr. Donald Abrams) that the plant works better than the synthetic, because of the "entourage effect."
This is why one hospital, at least, in Israel has a room where cancer patients can go smoke cannabis, as strange as that may sound.
Ghost in the Machine
(14,912 posts)You do know that our bodies have natural cannabinoid receptors in it, as well as opioid receptors, right? Opioids are derived from a plant, the opium poppy, but it takes scientists to break it down and do all sorts of things with it to make pain medications for us. Cannabis just has to be dried and smoked to work. I can also tell you from experience, after smoking pot for over 30 years for recreational purposes I quit cold turkey and never had the first withdrawal symptom, craving or anything. In other words, it is physically non addictive. Some people develop a psychological dependence on it, but that's different.
After I was badly injured in a work related accident, which left me disabled, the doctors gave me some pain pills to take. It was only oxycodone 10mg, but they knocked me out about 20-30 minutes after taking them and I'd sleep for 4 or 5 hours. Being a single father with kids to take care of, I couldn't live like that. After having 2 major neck surgeries in 2 months, I weaned myself off the pain pills within a few weeks. I started smoking pot again because I wanted to see if it really was good for medicinal use. It was, and I could still function and take care of my kids. When I went for my 1 month check-up after the 2nd surgery, my Neurosurgeon asked if needed a refill on my pain meds. I told him "no thanks, I found a more natural remedy that helps and allows me to function, too". He gave me a knowing smile, then said "this is off the record, but marijuana is the best pain reliever known to man! I have no problem with you going that route. I've done all I can for you except to refer you to pain management, which you will be in for the rest of your life."
I didn't want to do that, so I told him I would just keep doing what I was doing, as it was better for me and I could have some quality of life and be there for my kids. Long story made short... flash forward 7 years. I was still smoking, but I was getting immune to the same thing and it was taking more and more to relieve the pain. I was spending over $300/mo on pot and the thought popped in my head that "hey, I have this insurance card in my pocket, along with a pharmacy card and I have zero co-pays for the doctor and prescriptions were $1.10 for generic.... $3.30 for name brand, maybe I'll try pain management now!" It was more of an economical decision than anything. Well it's been 4 years since I started pain management. I started out on 10mg oxycodone 4x/day and in 2 years was up to 180mg/day... a 30mg roxicodone every 4 hours! Now I'm on 2 40mg opanas/day along with 2 15mg roxicodones/day for breakthrough pain. The opanas are 12 hour time released and are about the same equivalent as 90mgs of the immediaterelease roxies. The problem?? They are HIGHLY ADDICTIVE and if I go over the 12 hours without doing any, I start going into withdrawals... and it is NOT pleasant. I'm seriously thinking of checking into rehab, then start smoking again once I get clean from these opioids! I'd rather go natural with no addiction and no withdrawals than to keep living like this. I won't even get started on the Benzo (xanax) addiction and withdrawals for the PTSD, anxiety & panic attacks! I would not wish this life on anyone!!
Peace,
Ghost
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)I can think of three legitimate madical uses for mj, pain, nausea from chemo, and glaucoma.
FreedRadical
(518 posts)When I hear a question like this, the first thing that always comes to my mind is this...
beveeheart
(1,364 posts)I have from spinal stenosis. I'm finally able to sleep all night long instead of waking up every time I changed positions.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)calimary
(80,700 posts)Makes it easier to get to sleep. Makes it easier to keep a good attitude and not blow up at people. Calming. And it kept my dad from losing his mind with the pain and disability from a ferocious case of late-onset diabetes at the end of his life. That, his kitties, his grandchildren, and sneaking donuts and candy bars and other food he wasn't supposed to have were the only things that brought him any pleasure at all. When he died, I cleaned up his place, and was amazed to see how many roaches he left lying around. In every room!
OriginalGeek
(12,132 posts)of not being high.
But that was long ago. Patiently waiting til it's legal again.
RainDog
(28,784 posts)because it repeats the first link. Here's the second one: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/medical-marijuana-what%E2%80%99s-it-good
It lists:
Stimulating Appetite
Nausea and Vomiting
Glaucoma
Pain Relief
Epilepsy
Muscle Tension and Spasms
Autoimmune Diseases
Antitumor Properties
fwiw - it is legal for treatment of MS in 10 nations under the name "Sativex" - whole plant cannabis for the "entourage effect" rather than a synthetic derivative of a single molecule, the sort of medicine pharmaceutical companies are more comfortable with because of the regulations something must meet in order to be considered for the U.S. marketplace by the FDA.
Sativex is currently unavailable in the U.S., but people can purchase "home remedy" versions, with varying levels of THC and CBD if they live in the legal state of Colorado.
Many state legislatures have added medical marijuana provisions to legislation, or have already passed such legislation, since the reports on epilepsy management in children. This legislation often refers to CBD-only oil from "home remedy" versions of cannabis oil, which, again, ignores the "entourage effect" of THC and CBD.
Cannabis is also legal for treatment of PTSD in Israel. The federal govt. no longer forces vets to choose between opiods for pain and cannabis for amelioration of the symptoms of trauma. But medical marijuana states differ concerning what is covered by their mmj provisions. So, even if the federal government won't prevent your doctor from prescribing medications, if you use cannabis as medical treatment in a state that doesn't recognize your situation, your doctor would still be prohibited from providing other medications.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)need I say more?
Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)Maureen Dowd from printing a column for at least a day.
If she, and an entire host of vile, narrow minded columnists and pundits were to digest it on a daily basis, the sickness of extremist, racist, war mongering, corporate supremacist propaganda could be cured forever, thereby saving democracy.
Thanks for the thread, Playinghardball.
Pastiche423
(15,406 posts)are what it is good for, for me. And it does not harm my liver.
Thank the cosmos I live in a Medical Marjuana state.
Canna-oil is a miracle to me.