. The most potent cannabinoid is thought to b

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1 ijuana What is it good for? June 3, 2014 by J edical marijuana is growing steadily, fanned by at aims to increase its availability and legality. for? Inaccurate, uncited memes claiming its e ything from cancer to epilepsy travel on social hat does the science actually say? Cannabis sativa, is an annual plant originally f been used for medicinal purposes for at least lly active compounds found in the plant are c ; at least 66 have been identified so far. These receptor; CB1 receptors which are found pred rain and spinal cord, and CB2 which are found. The most potent cannabinoid is thought to b nnabinol (THC).

2 (THC) drug dronabinol in HIV/AIDS patients pr at those taking THC ate more than controls an t. However, in a study comparing dronabinol w trol) in cancer patients presenting loss of appe onabinol was not as effective as megestrol in eight gain. here, but a study in healthy people found that nsumed more calories (had the munchies ), e ary snacks, than those inhaling a placebo. stimulate appetite? The CB1 receptor is active body that are known to stimulate eating behav s and limbic forebrain, and also certain areas. THC can exert effects by mimicking endogen annabinoids) that are naturally found in the bo nd Vomiting

3 nabilone nor dronabinol are FDA approved fo t, a few studies have shown that they may be b mall 2010 study carried out by McGill Universi 21 adults with post-traumatic or postsurgical n ants were randomly assigned to receive cann, 2.5%, 6% or 9.4% THC) which was smoke All participants used all four potencies, which e duration of the study. Participants recorded d, sleep and quality of life. They found that ca ration of 9.4% THC moderately reduced pain a w side-effects. Larger studies are needed to v lved in chemotherapy induced nausea and vo al and limbic regions that can influence the stim of nausea and vomiting. CB1 receptors are fou these areas, and drugs such as nabilone can a f

4 or example, an early and small trial in 1971 dem ijuana reduced IOP but the effects only lasted efulness when taken in this manner. However, hile marijuana may temporarily reduce IOP, it re throughout the body, canceling out the ben t by the Institute of Medicine concluded that d uction in IOP by cannabinoids and marijuana, d and required too high doses, and there are t ommend lifelong use in the treatment of glauc mful effects of chronic marijuana smoking outw e treatment of glaucoma. ich is a neurological disorder characterized by cts around 2.3 million Americans, almost half olled seizures. The use of marijuana to treat ep ory. Some animal studies have demonstrated

5 cannabinoid called GWP42006 in the treatme idence for the success of marijuana in control y sufferers also spurred a senator in the U.S. to eople in South Carolina to use CBD oil to trea assed into law two days ago. ension and Spasm uggested that marijuana may be able to help c ess and spasms, but the results are conflicting ge placebo-controlled trial was initiated in Brit igate marijuana in the treatment of multiple scl ifferent forms of MS were enrolled, and althou al derivatives or marijuana did not provide obj ts in spasticity (as measured by physicians), th ing improvements in spasticity and pain. Base ther study was initiated to investigate whether

6 een numerous laboratory and animal-based s mor properties of cannabis, or more specifical veral studies have shown that cannabinoid ad rowth of cultured brain cancer cells and tumo r tissue transplanted into animals) in rodents, n cancers derived from glial cells). One study i sive glioma, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), w esistant to anticancer therapies, found that TH NA sequence), raising the possibility that it co une diseases such as arthritis and multiple sc s certainly early days yet and further investigat dy left many questions unanswered, for examp C last for. Furthermore, their results also hinte CA2 gene may be suppressed by THC. This tu es a protein involved in DNA repair, so we cert ssing its activities as this can lead to cancer. r Properties

7 ard study investigating THC also found that no oid inhibited the growth and spread of lung tu uced tumor size in mice with human lung canc red with a control group. However, the researc not know the exact mechanisms behind this a is needed since some studies have actually sh some cancers. For example, a 2000 study pu munology found that THC promoted lung tum ding the body s antitumor system. ny websites which state that cannabis cures emonstrated, cannabis may have many poten and laboratory and animal studies have yielde sults with regards to cancer. But cancer is not e, and saying it is a cure is wrong, especially sults and the fact that studies so far regarding ve not been conducted in humans. o find out more, check out this great review of