"The aspirin of the 21st century..."

[S.R. Prozak]

<http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=398495>

Cannabis may become 'the aspirin of the 21st century'

By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor

19 April 2003


Cannabis, the third most popular recreational drug after alcohol and 
tobacco, could win a new role as the aspirin of the 21st century, 
with growing evidence that its compounds may protect the brain 
against the damaging effects of ageing.

Although the drug distorts perception and affects short-term memory, 
it may also help prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, 
Parkinson's, Huntingdon's and motor neurone diseases. Scientists at 
the Institute of Neurology in Queens Square, London, say the "huge 
potential" of cannabis compounds is emerging, as understanding of its 
biological and pharmacological properties improves.

Professor Alan Thompson and his colleagues wrote in Lancet Neurology: 
"Basic research is discovering interesting members of this family of 
compounds that have previously unknown qualities, the most notable of 
which is the capacity for neuroprotection."

The results of two trials in patients with multiple sclerosis are 
expected this summer and the first cannabis-based medicines are being 
considered for licensing. None of them will have the psychoactive 
properties of the raw drug when smoked or ingested.

Professor Thompson's team says: "Even if the results of these studies 
are not as positive as many expect them to be, that we are only just 
beginning to appreciate the huge therapeutic potential of this family 
of compounds is clear."

Cannabis was thought to affect the cells like alcohol by seeping 
through the cell membrane. But in 1990 the first cannabinoid receptor 
was found, which revolutionised the study of cannabinoid biology. The 
discovery revealed an endogenous system of cannabinoid receptors, 
similar to the opioid system, to which the drug bound when it was 
ingested. Just as endorphins are the body's natural equivalent of 
heroin, a fatty acid called anandamide (Sanskrit for "inner bliss") 
is the natural equivalent of cannabis.

The natural system of cannabinoid receptors plays a role in 
maintaining the balance of chemicals in the brain which regulate the 
rate at which neurons fire. By altering this system, scientists 
believe it may be possible to slow or prevent the process of brain 
decay. David Baker, lead author of the Lancet review and senior 
lecturer at the Institute of Neurology, said: "Alzheimer's disease is 
the result of very slow degeneration caused by the death of nerve 
cells. We probably don't see symptoms until 30 to 40 per cent of the 
nerve cells have died. Something regulates this decay and if we could 
slow it by even a small fraction we might delay by a decade the point 
where someone loses their memory."

But cannabis is a double-edged sword, with potentially damaging side 
effects. "It may be possible to develop drugs that allow selective 
targeting of different areas of the brain and spinal cord and there 
may be a way of limiting the negative effects," Dr Baker said.

A study by Dr Baker and colleagues, in which the natural system of 
cannabinoid receptors was removed in mice, showed that the rate of 
nerve loss was increased, indicating its role in preserving brain 
function. The study, which has been accepted for publication in a 
medical journal, "really clinches the argument", Dr Baker said.

He added: "Cannabis has gone from the drawing board into trials in 
record time, largely because of patient pressure. Hopefully it will 
work and be acceptably safe."


NO GODS          NO MASTERS
           -I-
NO SLAVES        NO MORALS


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