68 studies on the efficiency of marijuana against cancer

Mechanisms of cannabinoid action against brain tumors

Cancer is a leading cause of death in industrialised countries. So far, the treatments available from the pharmaceuticals mostly have limited efficiency, as well as a significant toxicity and strong undesirable side effects. It is known that the marijuana plant can help in a natural way and relieve symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy: pain relief, nausea, vomiting, greater appetite, improvement of mood, sleep, relationships with the environment… And we all know how important it is to have a good quality of life when fighting against any disease.

New studies show efficiency of Cannabis against Cancer (2013)

Therefore, we can now find something even more interesting: some cannabinoids in the marijuana plant have a healing action against different forms of cancer. Several testimonies are available now in social networks, particularly in the United States, where medical marijuana is much more accessible than in Europe. Examples of the most common cures are leukemia and brain tumors (gliomas), usually in children and even babies. However, these numerous testimonies are not sufficient evidence to convince the medical and scientific communities, which need reliable studies to confirm these claims. In order to rectify the situation, we propose here a (non-exhaustive) list of 68 international scientific publications, drawn from the best research laboratories, demonstrating the efficiency of the cannabinoids found in marijuana plants in the treatment of cancer.

Diagram of the cannabinoid action against cancer cells

Studies on the action of cannabinoids against cancer

• Anti-tumor effects of marijuana. Updated publications on the website of the National Cancer Institute of the Government of the United States in May 2014.
• Preparation and characterisation of biodegradable microparticles filled with THC and their antitumor efficacy on cancer cell lines. Study published in the Journal of Drug Targeting in September 2013.
• The endocannabinoid system: a therapeutic target for regulating the growth of cancer.
• Study published in the Life Science journal in March 2013.
• CBD Cannabidiol as a potential anticancer drug. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in February 2013.
• Cannabinoids as anticancer modulators. Study published in the Progress in Lipid Research journal in January 2013.
• CBD inhibits angiogenesis by multiple mechanisms. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in November 2012.
• Towards the use of cannabinoids as antitumour agents. Study published in Nature in June 2012.
• Cannabinoid-associated cell death mechanisms in tumor models. Study published in the International Journal of Oncology in May 2012.
• Cannabinoids, endocannabinoids and cancer. Study published in Cancer Metastasis Reviews in December 2011.
• The endocannabinoid system and cancer: therapeutic implication. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in July 2011.
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  Marijuana against brain cancer (glioma, glioblastoma…)

• Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid compound, inhibits the proliferation and invasion in U87-MG and T98G glioma cells through a multitarget effect. Study published in the Public Library of Science journal in October 2013.
• CBD, a novel therapeutic target against glioblastoma. Study published in Cancer Research in March 2013.
• Local delivery of cannabinoid-filled microparticles inhibits tumor growth in a model of glioblastoma multiforme. Study published in Public Library of Science in January 2013.
• Cannabinoid action inhibits the growth of malignant human glioma  U87MG cells. Study published in Oncology Reports in July 2012.
• A combined preclinical therapy of cannabinoids and temozolomide against glioma. Study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics in January 2011.
• Cannabidiol enhances the inhibitory effects of THC on human glioblastoma cell proliferation and survival. Study published in the Molecular Cancer Therapeutics journal in January 2010.
• Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death in human glioma cells. Study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation in May 2009.
• Cannabinoids inhibit glioma cell invasion by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression. Study published in Cancer Research in March 2008.
• Cannabinoids and gliomas, a study published in Molecular Neurobiology in June 2007.
• Cannabinoids inhibit gliomagenesis. Study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry in March 2007.
• A pilot clinical study of THC in patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. The results were published in the British Journal of Cancer in June 2006.
• Cannabidiol inhibits human glioma cell migration through an independent cannabinoid receptor mechanism. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in April 2005.
• Cannabinoids inhibit the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway (VEGF) in gliomas. Study published in the Journal of Cancer Research in August 2004.
• Antitumor effects of cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, on human glioma cell lines. Study published in the Journal of Pharmacology in November 2003.
• Inhibition of glioma growth in vivo by selective activation of the CB₂ cannabinoid receptor. Study published in the Journal of Cancer Research in August 2001.

Mechanisms of cannabinoid action against brain tumors

Marijuana against breast cancer

• Targeting multiple cannabinoid antitumor pathways with a resorcinol derivative leads to inhibition of advanced stages of breast cancer. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in June 2014.
• CBDA, an acid form of CBD found in fiber-type cannabis, is an inhibitor of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell migration. Study published in Toxicology Letters in November 2012.
• Cannabinoids: A new hope for breast cancer therapy? Study published in Cancer Treatment Reviews in June 2012.
• Pathways mediating the effects of cannabidiol on the reduction of breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.  Study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment in August 2011.
• CBD induces programmed cell death in breast cancer cells by coordinating the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy. Study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics in May 2011.
• Cannabinoids reduce ErbB2-driven breast cancer progression.  Study published in Molecular Cancer in July 2010.
• CBD as a novel inhibitor of Id-1 gene expression in aggressive breast cancer cells. Study published in Molecular Therapeutics Research in November 2007.
• Antitumor activity of plant cannabinoids with emphasis on the effect of cannabidiol on human breast carcinoma. Study published in the Journal of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics in May 2006.
• THC inhibits cell cycle progression in human breast cancer cells through Cdc2 regulation. Study published in Cancer Research in July 2006.

Explanation of cannabinoid action against breast tumors

Marijuana against blood cancer  (leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma…)

• The effects of cannabidiol and its synergism with bortezomib in multiple myeloma cell lines. Study published in the International Journal of Cancer  in December 2013.
• Enhancing the activity of CBD and other cannabinoids against leukaemia. Study published in Anticancer Research in October 2013.
• Cannabis extract treatment for terminal acute lymphoblastic leukemia of Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1). Study published in Case Reports in Oncology in September 2013.
• Expression of type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors in lymphoma. Study published in the International Journal of Cancer in June 2008.
• Cannabinoid action in mantle cell lymphoma. Study published in Molecular Pharmacology in November 2006.
• THC-induced apoptosis in Jurkat leukemia. Study published in Molecular Cancer Research in August 2006.
• Targeting CB2 cannabinoid receptors as a novel therapy to treat malignant lymphoblastic disease. Study published in Blood American Society of Hemmatology in July 2002.

Dr William Courtney, Cannabis VS Cancer (2013)

Marijuana against lung cancer

• Cannabinoids increase lung cancer cell lysis by lymphokine-activated killer cells via upregulation of Icam-1. Study published in Biochemical Pharmacology in July 2014.
• Cannabinoids inhibit angiogenic capacities of endothelial cells via release of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 from lung cancer cells. Study published in Biochemical Pharmacology in June 2014.
• COX-2 and PPAR-γ confer CBD-induced apoptosis of human lung cancer cells. Study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics in January 2013.
• CBD inhibits lung cancer cell invasion and metastasis via intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in April 2012.
• Cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, as novel targets for inhibition of non–small cell lung cancer growth and metastasis. Study published in Cancer Prevention Research in January 2011.
• THC inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced (EGF) lung cancer cell migration in vitro as well as its growth and metastasis in vivo. Study published in the journal Oncogene in July 2007.

Cannabinoids induce apoptosis of various cell types

Cannabinoids against colorectal cancer

• Inhibition of colon carcinogenesis by a standardised Cannabis Sativa extract with high content of CBD. Study published in Phytomedecine in December 2013.
• Chemopreventive effect of the non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid CBD on colon cancer. Study published in the Journal of Molecular Medecine in August 2012.
• Cannabinoids against intestinal inflammation and cancer. Study published in Pharmacology Research in August 2009.
• Action of cannabinoid receptors on colorectal tumor growth. Study published by the Cancer Center of the University of Texas in July 2008.

Marijuana against stomach cancer

• Cannabinoid receptor agonist as an alternative drug in 5-Fluorouracil-resistant gastric cancer cells. Study published in Anticancer Research in June 2013.
• Antiproliferative mechanism of a cannabinoid agonist by cell cycle arrest in human gastric cancer cells. Study published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry in March 2011.

Marijuana against prostate cancer

• Non-THC cannabinoids inhibit prostate carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo: pro-apoptotic effects and underlying mechanisms. Study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in December 2012.
• The role of cannabinoids in prostate cancer: Basic science perspective and potential clinical applications. Study published in the Indian Journal of Urology in January 2012.
• Induction of apoptosis by cannabinoids in prostate and colon cancer cells is phosphatase dependent. Study published in Anticancer Research in November 2011.

Mode of action of cannabinoids against tumor cells

Marijuana against liver cancer

• Involvement of PPARγ in the antitumoral action of cannabinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma (CHC). Study published in Cell Death and Disease in May 2013.
• Evaluation of anti-invasion effect of cannabinoids on human hepatocarcinoma cells. Study published on the site Informa Healthcare in February 2013.
• Antitumoral action of cannabinoids on hepatocellular carcinoma. Study published in Cell Death and Differentiation in April 2011.

Marijuana against pancreatic cancer

• Cannabinoids inhibit energetic metabolism and induce autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. Study published in Cell Death and Disease in June 2013.
• Cannabinoids Induce apoptosis of pancreatic tumor cells. Study published in Cancer Research in July 2006.

Marijuana against skin cancer

• Cannabinoid receptors as novel targets for the treatment of melanoma. Study published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in December 2006.
• Inhibition of skin tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo by activation of cannabinoid receptors. Study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, in January 2003.

Cannabis to cure Cancer ? (David Triplett, 2010)

Marijuana against other types of cancer

• Bladder: Marijuana reduces the risk of bladder cancer. Study published in the Medscape site in May 2013.
• Kaposi sarcoma: Cannabidiol inhibits growth and induces programmed cell death in Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus-infected endothelium. Study published in the journal Genes & Cancer in July 2012.
• Nose, mouth, throat, ear: Cannabinoids like THC inhibit cellular respiration of human oral cancer cells. Study by the Department of Pediatrics at the State University of New York, published in June 2010.
• Bile duct: The dual effects of THC on cholangiocarcinoma cells: anti-invasion activity at low concentration and apoptosis induction at high concentration. Study published in Cancer Investigation in May 2010.
• Ovaries: Cannabinoid receptors as a target for therapy of ovarian cancer. Study published on the American Association for Cancer Research website in 2006.

Finally, it’s worth highlighting from these publications that the efficacy of cannabinoids against cancer depends on the dose: the higher the dose, the more important the action. Since it is difficult to obtain high and constant blood concentrations of cannabinoids by consuming marijuana plants in the usuall ways (smoking, vaporizing…) most patients use extractions of cannabinoids. The most popular extraction is called Rick Simpson’s oil .

Efficiency of cannabinoids against cancer

We advise you to use a high CBD marijuana strain for your extractions, for this non-psychoactive cannabinoid seems to be the one with best anti-tumor properties.
We greatly appreciate the research work carried out by Dr Manuel Guzman’s team at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid for their current work on the use of cannabinoids against cancer.
Do not hesitate to share this information in your community, particularly if you know doctors who do cancer research, and obviously with people suffering from this disease and seeking a natural, effective and safe complementary therapy.
The current legislation on medical marijuana is not adapted to the medical information available today.

http://www.alchimiaweb.com/blogen/68-studies-efficiency-marijuana-against-cancer/

The best website about the dangers of gluten in our heath

Welcome to the first site dedicated to helping people identify and deal with  gluten sensitivity.

Our mission is to:

1. Educate the world about the broad reaching nature of gluten on human health and wellness.
2. Provide easy to use, non invasive tools to help identify those who are gluten sensitive – including genetic testing.
   
3. Provide the instruction through video, audio, and written tutorials for those trying to embark on a TRUE gluten free lifestyle.
4. Provide healthy resources for those with gluten intolerance/sensitivity.
5. Support research endeavors revolving around grains, gluten, lectins, and other compounds within grain that may harm human health.
6. Provide an ongoing analysis and commentary of research performed in the field of food sensitivity/intolerance.
7. Help those with gluten induced diseases re-establish their health without having to go through what Michael went through (see below).

The origin of our dedication to the gluten free community…

Little Michael was only seven years old when his mother took him to see Dr. Osborne.  You see, he was diagnosed with a debilitating disease called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.  Michael’s case was so bad that doctors didn’t know if he would make it.  Because of this, the Make-A-Wish Foundation actually stepped in and granted Michael and his family a wish (A trip to the Galapagos Islands).

Michael’s condition racked his body with headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, indigestion, and stomach pain.  He had been suffering since his introduction to normal foods at 20 months of age. He was in and out of the hospital so frequently that he had to have a permanent stent placed in his arm so that when he was hospitalized, it would be easier to give him an IV.

Imagine going through years of hospital trips, doctors visits, and horrible pain all before you reach the age of 10.  This was Michael’s story until his mother brought him into Dr. Osborne’s office.  After an extensive exam and laboratory testing, Micheal was diagnosed with non-celiac gluten sensitivity.  That was in 2005.

Today, Michael is gluten free and very much alive.  He no longer has a plastic stent in his arm.  He is growing normally.  He doesn’t need to take as many medications to treat his symptoms. He is active in band, and he has a new lease on life.
Michael is alive today because he is gluten free.  Does this sound like a diet trend?

 http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/

Sugar addiction

Are you a sugar addict?
There have been lots of studies done on the addictions people can have to sugar. Well we now know that the parts of the brain effected by addictive drugs are also lighting up with we consume sugars, causing a downward spiral with heavy sugar intake. Does this explain your eating habits?
Check out this article on why addiction centres are getting patients off the drugs, but onto cupcakes.

Rodney Zimmers was 21 years old and 135 pounds when he got off heroin and cocaine for good. Three years later, he was still drug free but had ballooned to 250. He blames his weight gain on the high-calorie, high-sugar food served in rehabilitation.

“Once I got sober, I continued to eat all this awful stuff,” said Mr. Zimmers, now 29 and the founder of Blueprints for Recovery, an all-male treatment facility near Prescott, Ariz. “I learned how to be sober, but I didn’t learn how to take care of all of me. I didn’t know how to cook or grocery shop because I’d never done it. I didn’t learn any life skills or how to live like an adult.”

His story is familiar to those in recovery, who often gain significant weight on their road to well-being. It’s not all their fault; most rehabilitation programs haven’t devoted much thought to nutrition.

“The main focus was just, ‘get them off their substance,’ and the rest will take care of itself,” said Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross, an eating disorder and addiction medicine specialist in Denver who has been a consultant to various rehab centers.

While fruits, vegetables and a variety of proteins were served in rehab, so were refined sugars, sodas, energy drinks, sugary juices and sugary/fatty/salty snacks (the so-called ”hyperpalatables”), all of which are relatively inexpensive and easy to buy in bulk.

Sugar was also considered a harmless replacement for drugs and alcohol. In fact, AA’s “Big Book” — the 12 Step bible — suggests that recovering addicts keep candy on hand. (This may explain why cookies, coffee and plumes of cigarette smoke are often staples at so many 12 Step meetings.)

But though sweets may have eased some people’s drug cravings, many ended up “transfer addicting” from their substance of choice to sugar.

“Once off the drugs, the brain craves the uber rewards of the hyperpalatables — Mint Milanos, Oreos, any sugar. An apple’s reward doesn’t cut it,” said Dr. Pamela Peeke, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland and author of “The Hunger Fix.”

“So you end up with the transfer addiction,” she added. “Off the cocaine, onto the cupcakes.”

Research has found that food and drugs have similar influence on the brain’s reward center. A 2013 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that sugar, not fat, stimulates cravings.

And a widely cited study from that year found that Oreo cookies activated the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s pleasure or reward center, as much as cocaine and morphine, at least in laboratory rats.

This has an effect not only on the addict’s neural pathways, but also on the addict’s psyche and self-esteem.

“Some relapse because they’re so disgusted with the amount of weight they’ve put on,” said Dr. Marianne Chai, the medical director at the New York Center for Living, a recovery facility for adolescents, young adults and their families in Manhattan. “The mind-set is, ‘I want immediate results.’ They don’t want to invest the four to six months of strict diet and exercise. So they live on caffeine and stimulants or sometimes cocaine to lose weight.”

Now, with more awareness of sugar’s effects on the brain, some rehab facilities are overhauling their meal plans and hiring “culinary nutritionists,” certified chefs who are also registered dietitians.

“We’re not asking them to live on arugula,” said Dr. Peeke, who is also the senior science adviser to Elements Behavioral Health, which operates addiction and eating disorders treatment centers. “We come upon creative, delicious entrees and snacks that will compete with the junk they’ve been doing all along, to reclaim that reward center. We’re switching them from bad fixes to healthy fixes.”

The Center for Living offers on-site cooking classes for patients and their parents, along with lectures on nutrition and healthy eating. Patients grow their own herbs and vegetables on a roof garden, and they are not allowed processed sugars, caffeine or energy drinks.

“Most of the young adults don’t know anything about how to pick out food; they’re living on deli and fast food, and a lot of parents fail and struggle with self-care and modeling self-care,” said Dr. Chai, who believes that maintaining a proper diet can play a pivotal role in helping maximize one’s ability to recover in a “sustainable, lasting way.”

Victoria Abel, a certified addiction nutritionist in Prescott, Ariz., who customizes nutrition programs at recovery facilities, said she had “no clue how desperate the field was for this.”

“Patients are so malnourished, their body’s starving,” she added.

She leads weekly grocery shopping excursions, where clients learn about healthy foods and how to read food labels. They’re not allowed to buy any item if the first four ingredients are some kind of sugar, and dessert is permitted only once a week. “I’m trying to teach moderation,” she said.

Not every expert agrees with this treatment path. Dr. Mark Willenbring, the founder of Alltyr, an addiction treament clinic and consultancy in St. Paul, says he does not believe that healthy eating is the missing ingredient to help patients stay drug and alcohol free.

“I think it’s rehab’s responsibility to provide a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, not too much red meat and not too much fat, because it’s healthy,” said Dr. Willenbring, the former director of the Division of Treatment and Recovery Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “But is it going to affect recovery? I don’t think so.”

But those in the trenches are hopeful that the focus on nutrition is a step in the right direction.

Christopher Kennedy Lawford, the author of many books on addiction, including the recent “What Addicts Know,” said: “When you’re used to shooting heroin or drinking a bottle of vodka, sugar seems really benign. It’s hard to take it seriously.”

But Mr. Lawford, who was been drug and alcohol free for 23 years and said his first drug was sugar, is adamant that rehabilitation programs start treating addicts holistically.

“You can’t get an addict into recovery until you deal with every aspect of their life,” he said. “What you think, how you think, how you relate to people, what you put in your body, how you exercise — it’s all related. And we need to get smarter about it.” 

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/15/addiction-recovery-weight-gain-nutrition/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=fb-share&_r=3&

Study: Saccharin And Sugar May Be More Addictive Than Cocaine

Sugar and artificial sweeteners are so accessible, affordable and socially sanctioned, that few consider their habitual consumption to be a problem on the scale of say, addiction to cocaine.  But if recent research is correct their addictive potential could be even worse.
Almost 40 years ago, William Duffy published a book called Sugar Blues which argued that refined sugar is an addictive drug and profoundly damaging to health.  While over 1.6 million copies have been printed since its release in 1975, a common criticism of the book has been that it lacked sufficient scientific support.
Today, William Duffy's work is finding increasing support in the first-hand, peer-reviewed and published scientific literature itself. Not only is sugar drug-like in effect, but it may be more addictive than cocaine.  Worse, many sugar-free synthetic sweeteners carry with them addictive properties and toxicities that are equal to, or may outweigh those of sugar.
Back in 2007, a revealing study titled, "Intense sweetness surpasses cocaine reward,"  found that when rats were given the option of choosing between water sweetened with saccharin and intravenous cocaine, the large majority of animals (94%) preferred the sweet taste of saccharin.[i] This preference for sweetness was not attributable to its unnatural ability to induce sweetness without calories, because the same preference was found with sucrose; nor was the preference for saccharin overcome by increasing doses of cocaine.

A common argument against the relevance of animal studies like this to human behavior is that rats differ too profoundly from humans. However, even insects like forager bees have been found to respond in a similar way to humans when given cocaine, experiencing an overestimation of the value of the floral resources they collected, with cessation of chronic cocaine treatment causing a withdrawal-like response.[ii]
Researchers believe that intense sweetness activates ancient neuroendocrine pathways within the human body, making obsessive consumption and/or craving inevitable. The authors of the cocaine/saccharin study summarized this connection as follows:

Our findings clearly demonstrate that intense sweetness can surpass cocaine reward, even in drug-sensitized and -addicted individuals. We speculate that the addictive potential of intense sweetness results from an inborn hypersensitivity to sweet tastants. In most mammals, including rats and humans, sweet receptors evolved in ancestral environments poor in sugars and are thus not adapted to high concentrations of sweet tastants. The supranormal stimulation of these receptors by sugar-rich diets, such as those now widely available in modern societies, would generate a supranormal reward signal in the brain, with the potential to override self-control mechanisms and thus to lead to addiction.

In a previous article, "Is Fructose As Addictive As Alcohol?", we looked at the addictive properties of isolated fructose in greater depth, including over 70 adverse health effects associated with fructose consumption. It appears that not only does fructose activate a dopamine- and opioid-mediated hedonic pathway within the body, but like excessive alcohol consumption, exacts a significant toll on health in exchange for the pleasure it generates.
The drug-like properties of common beverages and foods, have been the subject of a good deal of research over the past few decades. Wheat and related grains, for instance, are a major food source of opioid peptides. These pharmacologically active compounds, also found in milk, coffee and even lettuce, may even explain why ancient hunters and gatherers took the agrarian leap over 10,000 years ago.  Likely, the transition from the Paleolithic to Neolithic was motivated by a combination of environmental pressures and the inherently addictive properties made accessible and abundant due to the agrarian/animal husbandry mode of civilization. For more on this, read our essay "The Dark Side of Wheat."
As far as synthetic sweeteners, an accumulating body of toxicological research indicates they have a wide range of unintended, adverse health effects beyond the aforementioned problem of addiction. For a comprehensive list, view our Artificial Sweetener Research page.
One clear implication of these findings is that one is best served consuming natural sweet foods, including honey, or fruit like apples. Not only are these easier to consume in moderation, but they have a profound set of "side benefits" as well. To learn more read our recent explorations of the following alternatives:
Why You Should Ditch Sugar In Favor of Honey
Why The Apple Is One Of The World's Most Healing Superfoods
Sweet! Dieting without Deprivation

Resources

• [i] Magalie Lenoir, Fuschia Serre, Lauriane Cantin, Serge H Ahmed. Intense sweetness surpasses cocaine reward. PLoS One. 2007 ;2(8):e698. Epub 2007 Aug 1. PMID: 17668074

• [ii] Andrew B Barron, Ryszard Maleszka, Paul G Helliwell, Gene E Robinson. Effects of cocaine on honey bee dance behaviour. J Exp Biol. 2009 Jan;212(Pt 2):163-8. PMID: 19112134

 http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/study-saccharin-and-sugar-found-more-addictive-cocaine

This May be Hard to Believe but we Now Know that Sugar is as Addictive as Cocaine

Calling all sugar-fiends!
Did you know that little white stuff you sprinkle into your coffee, that's hidden in your granola bar and is filled in your dessert is as addictive of that white powder that'll get you behind bars? Sugar (street name: stardust, snow, crack, fairy dust, rock.. just kidding) gets you hooked through invoking in a feeling of euphoria triggered by dopamine, the pleasure-inducing chemical in our brain, according to Psychology Today. Interestingly enough, the legal white powder, sugar, is causing more deaths in our population than the illegal substance, drugs.
Dr. Lustig, who has conducted the toxic effects of sugar findings, has said 75% of diseases Americans face are preventable simply by improving our diets. And with every high comes a low. Dr. Charles Raison, CNN's mental health expert stated, "While processed sugars may produce a brief emotional high, several lines of evidence indicate that they affect our biology in ways that promote depression. For example, rates of depression in a country rise in lockstep with per capita sugar consumption. Sugars- which are found in all sorts of processed foods we don't typically think of as sweet- promote obesity, and obesity is a very powerful risk factor for the later development of depression."

So how is sugar addictive?

Dr. Sanjay Gupta offered his brain as a test during his interview with Dr. Lustig about the toxic effects of sugar. Having sips of coca cola increased the blood flow to certain regions of the brain- the same areas stimulated by a dose of cocaine or heroine. And just like an addict, you need more and more of that substance to get the same rush, which is why Americans are addicted to sugar. Neuroscientist Eric Stice says that by scanning hundreds of volunteers, he's noticed that those who regularly consume sweet foods like ice cream or soda, build up a tolerance, feeling less reward and needing to eat more and more each time. He states, "If you overeat these on a regular basis, it causes changes in the brain. Basically it blunts your reward region response to the food, so then you eat more and more to achieve the same satisfaction you felt originally."

So why are we addicted?

Dr. Lustig explains that our craving for sugar is a result of evolution. Since in nature, no foods with fructose are poisonous, humans have adapted to think "if it's sweet, it's safe." Our brain has adapted to stay away from the harmful stuff by making the sweet stuff taste so darn good. CBS's 60 Minutes explains, "Central to Dr. Lustig's theory is that we used to get our fructose mostly in small amounts of fruit, which came loaded with fiber that slows absorption and consumption; after all, who can eat 10 oranges at a time? But as sugar and high fructose corn syrup became cheaper to refine and produce, we started gorging on them." Guess Darwin couldn't have predicted in a thousand years time, sugar would become our poison of choice.
They say it can't be so bad if it tastes so good.. Wrong. Too much sugar causes the liver to convert fructose to fat, causing high cholesterol, clogged arteries, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, obesity, breast and colon cancer. Lewis Cantley, head of Beth Israel Cancer Center, has discovered that tumors actually feed off glucose, due to their insulin detectors. We are literally dying for sugar.

Sugar is in places that most people would never imagine...

This dangerous substance isn't just found in your sugar shaker- sugar is in places you'll never imagine, like your peanut-butter, bread, sauces and yogurt; in fact, the average American eats 130 pounds of sugar a year! Ditching dessert isn't just going to do the trick; restaurants sneak sugar into savory dishes, even fish recipes like Miso Black Cod, to amplify it's taste, keeping you hooked. Dr. Lustig recommends that men should not consume more than 150 calories of added sugars a day and women, just 100. Thank god looking at Food Porn doesn't have calories.
Now you don't need to ban all sugar from your diet- I mean, what's the point of life without a little bit of sweet stuff? Just try to stay balanced and not overdo it. With portion control, it's fine to have dessert every night, just stay active and try to eat as many natural sugars, like fruit and honey, as possible. One of my favorite desserts when I'm craving something sweet are frozen grapes with a bit of dark chocolate. Artificial sweeteners aren't the solution either- they are filled with dangerous chemicals linked with causing cancer. Dr. Lustig's key word was "overeat," so you can make your cake and eat it too (just not the whole entire thing) and you're addiction will be under control.
To learn more, read Sanjay Gupta's interview with Dr. Lustig and Lewis Cantley on the War on Sugar and watch Dr. Lustig's anti-sugar campaign YouTube video Sugar: The Bitter Truth.

 http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/11856-sugar-addictive.html?c=tca

Sara Ketabi

https://www.facebook.com/EatFeelFresh

http://eatfeelfresh.com/ 

J Altern Complement Med. 2014 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Efficacy of a Homeopathic Complex on Acute Viral Tonsillitis.

Malapane E¹, Solomon EM, Pellow J.

Author information

Abstract

Abstract Background: Acute viral tonsillitis is an upper respiratory tract infection prevalent in school-aged children. Because this condition is self-limiting, conventional treatment options are usually palliative. Homeopathic remedies are a useful alternative to conventional medications in acute uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections in children, offering earlier symptom resolution, cost-effectiveness, and fewer adverse effects. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a homeopathic complex on the symptoms of acute viral tonsillitis in African children in South Africa. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-day pilot study. Thirty children, age 6 to 12 years, with acute viral tonsillitis were recruited from a primary school in Gauteng, South Africa. Participants took two tablets of the medication four times daily. The treatment group received lactose tablets medicated with the homeopathic complex (Atropa belladonna D4, Calcarea phosphoricum D4, Hepar sulphuris D4, Kalium bichromat D4, Kalium muriaticum D4, Mercurius protoiodid D10, and Mercurius biniodid D10). The placebo consisted of the unmedicated vehicle only. The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale measured pain intensity, and a Symptom Grading Scale assessed changes in tonsillitis signs and symptoms. Results: The treatment group had a statistically significant improvement in the following symptoms compared with the placebo group: pain associated with tonsillitis, pain on swallowing, erythema and inflammation of the pharynx, and tonsil size. Conclusion: The homeopathic complex used in this study exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities in children with acute viral tonsillitis. No patients reported any adverse effects. These preliminary findings are promising; however, the sample size was small and therefore a definitive conclusion cannot be reached. A larger, more inclusive research study should be undertaken to verify the findings of this study.

Home Remedies for Nasal Congestion

Nasal congestion in simple terms is known as a ‘blocked nose’ or ‘stuffy nose’. This happens when there is swelling in the nasal cavity, leading to a buildup of mucus. As a result, it becomes difficult to breathe normally. This is a symptom often associated with colds, flus and allergic reactions.
Nasal congestion can be more than merely annoying. It is important to treat it immediately or it can cause other problems, such as ear infections, restless sleep and so on.

There are many ways to clear congestion. This very common problem can be easily treated by using ingredients already in your kitchen. Use any of these remedies as needed to relieve discomfort until you are well again.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for nasal congestion.

1. Garlic

Garlic is on of the best home remedies for reducing nasal congestion. Its antiviral and antifungal properties help fight the respiratory infection causing congestion.

• Boil two to three garlic cloves in one cup of water. You may also mix in one-half teaspoon of turmeric powder. Drink it daily until the congestion clears.
• Eating fresh garlic cloves can also help relieve stuffiness and discomfort.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can quickly clear a stuffy nose as it helps thin the mucus. Plus, being rich in several nutrients, it is also good for your overall health and immunity.

1. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm water.
2. Drink this two or three times a day at least for a few days.

3. Steam Inhalation

Inhalation therapy is another popular home remedy for instant relief from nasal congestion. It works as a natural expectorant to clear the congestion and also lubricates the irritated respiratory tract. You can do this two to four times a day.

• Add one tablespoon of crushed carom seeds (ajwain) to boiling water and inhale the steam (keep your head about an arm’s length away from the bowl from which you are inhaling the steam).
• You can also add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to boiling water and inhale the steam.

Note: Steam inhalation is generally not recommended for young children because of the risk of scalding. Also, it may not be suitable for pregnant women, and those suffering from high blood pressure, heart condition or central nervous system disorders.

4. Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation with saline solution can also be used to treat nasal congestion. It helps wash away the mucus and irritants from the nasal passages.

1. Mix one teaspoon of salt in two cups of distilled warm water.
2. Use this solution for nasal irrigation using a neti pot or some other irrigation device.
3. Repeat once or twice daily for a few days.

Note: Make sure to use distilled or previously boiled water for nasal irrigation and wash the irrigation device after each use.

5. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is highly beneficial for those suffering from nasal congestion, thanks to its decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Simply put one or two drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a fresh handkerchief and inhale the aroma. Do this a few times a day.
• You can also use eucalyptus essential oil on your pillow so you can get the benefits of this oil even when you are in deep sleep.

6. Warm Water

When suffering from nasal congestion, it is important to aid a steady flow of mucus through your nasal passages. Warm water can be of great help in this regard. It will also keep the nasal passages moist and prevent them from drying out.

• Using a humidifier can help open up clogged nasal passages.
• You can also run a hot shower for several minutes so that steam builds up in the bathroom. Breathe in the soothing vapors. Repeat twice daily until you recover completely.
• Another option is to wet a washcloth in warm water and place it over your face. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat several times a day.

7. Herbal Tea

Hot herbal tea can help thin the mucus clogging your nasal passages. The herbs in herbal tea will also help flush out the toxins from your body, giving you double benefits.
Simply drink a cup of hot herbal tea of your choice a few times daily until the congestion clears. Peppermint tea is usually considered good for nasal congestion as the menthol in this herb helps open up the nasal passage.

8. Black Pepper

Black pepper can be highly beneficial for relieving nasal congestion and blocked sinuses. It will induce sneezing thus getting rid of the mucus and allergens in your sinuses.

1. Take a little black pepper in your palm and add three drops of sesame oil in it.
2. Dip your finger in the mixture and apply it under your nose.
3. Breathe in the strong aroma. It might make you sneeze, so do not suppress it.
4. Repeat as needed.

9. Spicy Tomato Tea

This is an excellent remedy for getting relief from nasal congestion as it can help improve the flow of mucus through the nasal passages.

1. Boil one cup of tomato juice along with one tablespoon of chopped garlic, one tablespoon of lemon juice, some hot sauce and a pinch of celtic sea salt.
2. Drink this tea slowly while it is hot, twice daily for a few days.

Also, eat very spicy foods and include ginger, garlic, onion and red chili more often while preparing your food to make it spicier. You can also have chicken soup.

10. Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a very good natural ingredient to treat nasal congestion, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps cleanse the mucus membranes. Plus, the heat and moisture from fenugreek tea will help thin the mucus.

1. Mix one or two teaspoons of crushed fenugreek seeds in a glass of water.
2. Boil the solution.
3. Strain and drink it while it is warm.
4. Repeat two or three times a day until you get complete relief from the problem.

Note: Do not take fenugreek during pregnancy as it may stimulate uterine contractions.
If you do not get relief from nasal congestion after following any of these home remedies, contact your physician.

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-sinus-congestion.html

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Cannabis could help treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Chinese Study: Cannabis Could Help Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Through CB2 Activation

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a type of chronic arthritis that affects joints on each side of the body. It is characterized by joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue.
Cannabis has been used to help treat the inflammatory symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for years. Despite anecdotal success, past research offers little insight into the mechanism involved in treating the condition with cannabis.
A recent study to be published in Rheumatology does just that, suggesting that the benefits could be attributed to activation of the CB2 receptor.

Researchers Investigate Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cannabinoid Treatment

Before diving into the study, it’s helpful to know that fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are the type of cells most often associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. They become constantly engaged in inflammatory mechanisms, which causes cartilage damage, joint destruction, and deformation over time.
As we know, there are currently two widely-acknowledged cannabinoid receptors. Some suggest that more could exist, but not all are in agreement. Nonetheless, activation of the CB2 receptor in particular has shown promise in treating a number of inflammatory conditions.

“Activation of the CB2 receptor – which occurs when one consumes cannabis – could be a potential therapeutic target of rheumatoid arthritis.”

A team of researchers from China sought to determine whether a similar mechanism could be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis. In doing so, they investigated the potential effects of CB2 receptor activation in FLS-cell types.
According to their results, rheumatoid arthritis cell-types showed an increased amount of CB2 receptor expression. Further, activating the CB2 receptors seems to have inhibited the proliferation of the FLS cells associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
In conclusion, the Chinese researchers determined that activation of the CB2 receptor – which occurs when one consumes cannabis – could be a potential therapeutic target of rheumatoid arthritis.
Of course, this idea is nothing new. Cannabis infused topicals are a common method of treatment for joint pain, because they allow patients to target the areas in need of the most relief.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a type of chronic arthritis that affects joints on each side of the body. It is characterized by joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue.
Cannabis has been used to help treat the inflammatory symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for years. Despite anecdotal success, past research offers little insight into the mechanism involved in treating the condition with cannabis.
A recent study to be published in Rheumatology does just that, suggesting that the benefits could be attributed to activation of the CB2 receptor.

Researchers Investigate Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cannabinoid Treatment

Before diving into the study, it’s helpful to know that fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) are the type of cells most often associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. They become constantly engaged in inflammatory mechanisms, which causes cartilage damage, joint destruction, and deformation over time.
As we know, there are currently two widely-acknowledged cannabinoid receptors. Some suggest that more could exist, but not all are in agreement. Nonetheless, activation of the CB2 receptor in particular has shown promise in treating a number of inflammatory conditions.

“Activation of the CB2 receptor – which occurs when one consumes cannabis – could be a potential therapeutic target of rheumatoid arthritis.”

A team of researchers from China sought to determine whether a similar mechanism could be beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis. In doing so, they investigated the potential effects of CB2 receptor activation in FLS-cell types.
According to their results, rheumatoid arthritis cell-types showed an increased amount of CB2 receptor expression. Further, activating the CB2 receptors seems to have inhibited the proliferation of the FLS cells associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
In conclusion, the Chinese researchers determined that activation of the CB2 receptor – which occurs when one consumes cannabis – could be a potential therapeutic target of rheumatoid arthritis.
Of course, this idea is nothing new. Cannabis infused topicals are a common method of treatment for joint pain, because they allow patients to target the areas in need of the most relief.

Medscape Medical News from the

• European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Congress 2014

This coverage is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the European League Against Rheumatism.

Medscape Rheumatology

Marijuana for Arthritis and Pain: Is There a Role?

Bret S. Stetka, MD

DisclosuresJune 25, 2014

• Human Studies in Rheumatic Disease
• So Does Cannabis Belong in the Clinic?

• References

Editors' Recommendations

• Psoriatic Arthritis and Cardiovascular Risk
• Biosimilars in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Wave of the Future?
• First Biomarkers for Severity of Osteoarthritis

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Cannabis in Pain and Arthritis: A Look at the Evidence

On Thursday, June 12, 2014 -- day 2 of the 2014 European League Against Rheumatism annual congress -- Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles took the podium to discuss the use of medicinal marijuana in rheumatologic diseases. Dr. Fitzcharles is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at McGill University in Montreal, and her talk^[1] was part of a symposium looking at the possibility of repurposing old or established analgesics for rheumatic diseases.
Fitzcharles began her talk with a historical look at cannabis use. The plant was first used in Europe and Asia around 5000 years ago, at which time scientists believe it contained very little tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive substance in today's marijuana. Eventually, more THC-heavy strains were propagated, and the ancient Chinese began using the plant medicinally around 2700 years ago. "Queen Victoria used cannabis for her menstrual cramps," Fitzcharles commented.
She then posed the question of why we have an endogenous cannabinoid system in the first place, before reviewing the correct dogma among experts. It's thought that our cannabinoid system is involved in maintaining homeostasis, particularly in terms of stress, sleep, and modulation of pain. Furthermore, although they are often thought of for their neuro- and psychoactive effects, cannabinoid receptors are actually fairly ubiquitous throughout the body. They're found on cells of the joints, bone, skin, and immune system, as well as on neurons.
Preclinical work in animals has found cannabinoids to be effective in nearly every acute pain model tested, likening them to some opioids in terms of their analgesic effects. Rodent models of arthritis demonstrate increased endocannabinoids in the spinal cord and upregulation of both cannabinoid receptor subtypes, CB1 and CB2. A recent study reported at the European Calcified Tissue Society Congress 2014 found that mice with destabilized knee joints had 40% more cartilage degeneration if they were deficient in these CB2 receptors.^[2] A study in humans suggests the presence of cannabinoid receptors on the synovia.^[3] So it appears that the endocannabinoid system has relevance to rheumatology.
However, with the good comes the bad, particularly in terms of brain function. Too much cannabinoid exposure can worsen memory, affect the reward system (and therefore have addiction implications), and impair cognition.

 

Medical Marijuana For Arthritis: A Natural Cure?

TruthOnPot.com – Medical marijuana seems to be a gift from nature for anyone who suffers from pain, which is a symptom that most patients with arthritis are all-too-familiar with. Interestingly, the earliest evidence of medical marijuana’s use as a treatment for arthritis dates as far back as 2800 BC, which makes it more of a historical finding than a scientific breakthrough.
Today, more than 31 million Americans suffer from arthritis. And while the Arthritis Foundation lists over 100 different medications that are available for this disease, many patients continue to suffer from painful and often debilitating symptoms without adequate relief.
For those patients, medical marijuana seems to provide hope.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a joint disorder that can affect anyone of any age, but is most common among the aging population. Arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the joints, which is often accompanied by severe pain.
Although there are over 100 different forms of arthritis, the most common are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both cause pain and swelling of the joints and result in limited movement.
Pharmaceutical advancements have resulted in a wide availability of arthritis drugs, which are more helpful to some individuals than others. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the use of anti-rheumatic drugs may be able to slow disease progression during earlier stages. However, the vast majority of patients must depend on lifelong treatment in order to mitigate joint damage and functional losses.
Unfortunately, there are no drugs available that can slow the progression of osteoarthritis and traditional anti-inflammatory drugs are not always effective in relieving symptoms of pain. Furthermore, drugs used to treat both forms of arthritis are often accompanied by intolerable side-effects. As a result, arthritis research continues to investigate new modes of therapy, which has led scientists to consider nature’s oldest form of arthritis medicine – medical marijuana.

How Can Marijuana Help?

Anecdotal evidence of marijuana’s benefits is clear. A survey conducted in 2005 found that 16% of medical marijuana users in the UK were using it to treat symptoms of arthritis. Scientific research lends support to this finding, as studies show that medical marijuana can be beneficial for sufferers of arthritis in a variety of ways.

Perhaps the strongest scientific evidence comes from studies that have found cannabinoids – the active compounds in marijuana – to have both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Furthermore, studies suggest that the endocannabinoid system may play a direct role in regulating bone mass and may even be able to protect against the breakdown of cartilage.
Unfortunately, most of the research on cannabinoids has been limited to animal models and arthritis is no exception. Even still, numerous studies have provided overwhelming evidence of medical marijuana’s ability to reduce joint inflammation and related pain symptoms. Based on these preliminary findings, researchers have slowly shifted their attention to humans in recent years.
In 2004, GW Pharmaceuticals – the makers of Sativex – sponsored one of the only clinical trials to investigate the effect of marijuana-derived compounds on patients with arthritis.
The study was conducted on 58 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who reported insufficient relief from traditional medications. After using Sativex – an oral spray containing marijuana-derived cannabinoids THC and CBD – over a 5 week period, the patients reported significant improvements across a number of symptoms, including pain on movement, pain at rest, and quality of sleep. Furthermore, Sativex seemed to be well tolerated by patients, exhibiting much milder side-effects than the majority of conventional arthritis treatments.
While the Sativex study did not investigate the biological mechanisms behind these improvements, more recent studies have been able to confirm the therapeutic role of the endocannabinoid system in arthritis.
For instance, a study published in 2008 was able to show for the first time that cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are present in the knee joints of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. What’s more, the study identified the presence of two endocannabinoids – anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) – in the synovial fluid of arthritis patients, but not in samples taken from healthy volunteers. Endocannabinoids are known to be synthesized and released by the body in response to a variety of biological dysfunctions, suggesting that activity of the endocannabinoid system may be one of the body’s natural mechanisms for fighting arthritis.

What This Means For Your Health

While research seems promising, it is important for patients to remember that only one clinical trial has been completed so far. As a result, it is likely that health professionals will remain apprehensive for the time being about the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of arthritis in actual practice.
Even still, a combination of strong preclinical and anecdotal evidence suggests that medical marijuana may indeed be able to relieve symptoms of pain and joint inflammation and without the debilitating side-effects common to traditional arthritis medications.

“It’s not going to cure the disease, but it will do a lot to alleviate the pain and suffering of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Cannabis is probably less harmful than other available painkillers.” – Arthritis Research Campaign

As it stands today, it is difficult for even doctors to deny the potential benefits that arthritis patients may gain from using medical marijuana as an alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Marijuana Works to Treat Arthritis Pain

Marijuana can be used as a viable treatment option against moderate to severe arthritis pain, as a new report indicates that nearly a third of Canadians currently enrolled in the medical marijuana program roll joints for chronic joint pain.
A recent survey conducted by Health Canada and the Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids found that about 36-percent of Canadian medical marijuana patients, representing the largest group using cannabis to treat any medical condition, regularly smoke weed to calm arthritis pain.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham, who were commissioned earlier this year by Arthritis Research U.K. and the National Institutes of Heath to study the effects of marijuana on osteoarthritis patients, recently discovered that cannabis treatment in rat models proved to be successful at interfering with pain signals from the spinal cord and ultimately alleviating pain.
The study, which explored the natural cannabinoid receptors found in the body, uncovered significant evidence that suggests that marijuana has a “well described anti-inflammatory effect” when these pathways are triggered. What’s more is that tissue samples obtained from both rats and human study participants displayed indicators that the body naturally embraces this method of managing pain.
Researchers concluded that because of the effect cannabinoids have on the human spinal cord, marijuana could be considered a suitable treatment alternative for those suffering from the early stages of osteoarthritis.
Many medical experts concur, saying that natural cannabis needs to receive more consideration and recognition in the realm of effective pain management.
Mike Adams writes for Playboy's The Smoking Jacket, BroBible and Hustler Magazine. Follow him: @adamssoup; facebook.com/mikeadams73.

Cannabis compound relieves pain from osteoarthritis

(NaturalNews) Pain from osteoarthritis leaves many debilitated due to stiff and swollen joints. While prescriptions are readily available for osteoarthritis sufferers, they often leave patients with the choice of living between two worlds: If they take prescription pills, they may live with less physical pain yet suffer from the wide array of side effects that pharmaceuticals are equipped with. If they choose not to take prescriptions due to side effects, they will live in the chronic physical pain caused by osteoarthritis. Basically, they are forced to choose between one form of pain or another. However, this may not be the case for much longer.

According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Nottingham UK, alongside researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Commonwealth University in the US, a specific cannabinoid is reduced during osteoarthritis, thus resulting in heightened pain and more rapid progression of the condition. Therefore it was concluded that activating the specific cannabinoid reduced in osteoarthritis patients, known as cannabinoid 2 (CB2), not only reduces pain, but also helps maintain symptoms and inhibits the speed at which the disease progresses as well.

Researchers studied human spines of deceased individuals who lived with osteoarthritis of the knee and discovered they had lower levels of CB2 receptors. The more progressed the disease was, the lower the CB2 receptor levels were. In response, Research UK and the National Institutes of Health funded a study in which researchers activated CB2 receptors in lab rats with osteoarthritis in an attempt to reduce pain. The diseased rats were injected with JWH-133, a non-psychoactive synthetic cannabinoid that binds with CB2 receptors to activate them, and the results were nothing short of fascinating.

Study reveals a new potential method for pain relief from osteoarthritis

Results showed treating osteoarthritis by increasing CB2 receptors with the use of JWH-133 injections reduced chemicals responsible for causing inflammation in osteoarthritis, reduced excitatory nerves in the spine that are stimulated by inflammation, and increased the overall amount of CB2 receptor "message" (MRNA) and protein in nerve cells of the spine. To put it simply, activating the cannabinoid receptors that are drastically reduced in osteoarthritis patients reduced inflammation, thus reducing pain and allowing the individual to lead a higher quality of life. Furthermore, since patients with late stage osteoarthritis have drastically reduced levels of CB2 receptor "message" in the spine, increasing levels of the CB2 receptor "message" might greatly reduce the severity and rate of progression of the disease.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.nursingtimes.net

http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0080440

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

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/043910_medical_marijuana_cannabis_osteoarthritis.html#ixzz3EI5MpplP

 

Treating Pain With Medical Marijuana

Research suggests cannabis has promise for easing arthritis-related pain, inflammation and more – but some doctors caution that’s only part of the picture. 

“Joints for Joints.” That was the title of a lighthearted yet science-based debate at the annual scientific meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals in 2011. The topic: whether medical marijuana – that is, the medicinal use of the cannabis plant – was a safe and effective arthritis treatment.
Taking the “con” view, Stuart L. Silverman, MD, attending physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, Calif., argued that although some cannabis research was compelling, inconsistent dosing and quality-control issues, as well as a lack of well-controlled research, meant marijuana was not “ready for prime time,” particularly where arthritis was concerned.
Taking the “pro” position, Arthur Kavanaugh, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego (who declined to be interviewed for this article), argued that the type of carefully controlled trials Dr. Silverman called for had not been conducted on aspirin, either, and that cannabis – used medicinally for nearly 5,000 years – had few side effects, eased pain from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and might reduce inflammation as well.
Drs. Silverman and Kavanaugh didn’t reach any firm conclusions, but after multiple rheumatologists in the audience revealed that many of their patients were inquiring about or already using cannabis, one thing was clear: Medical marijuana had gone mainstream. Yet many in the medical establishment have strong concerns.
Currently, 20 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized limited use of medical marijuana for certain conditions, and nine more states may follow suit. (Some, including California, permit it for arthritis; others, such as New Jersey, do not.) Two states, Washington and Colorado, have decriminalized even its recreational use. A 2011 Journal of Pain survey revealed that almost 10 percent of Americans with chronic pain use marijuana. Although it’s unclear how many of those have arthritis, large-scale surveys from the United Kingdom and Australia indicate that roughly one-third of people who use medical marijuana do so for arthritis – and most report considerable pain relief. Additionally, a Canadian study in Arthritis Care & Research found that among 457 patients with fibromyalgia, 13 percent used cannabis to manage their disease.

How It Works
Research shows that, among other things, cannabis eases chemotherapy-induced nausea and loss of appetite, and relieves spasms in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Even so, pain relief is perhaps the most well-recognized and studied effect.
Several decades ago, scientists discovered that mammals, including humans, have a pain-regulating system (the endocannabinoid system) with receptors in nervous system tissue, immune cells and bone and joint tissue. These receptors respond to cannabinoids, a set of compounds that include endocannabinoids, which the body creates on its own; and phyto-cannabinoids, plant-based compounds found in marijuana that are very similar to endocannabinoids.
The best known cannabinoids are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound in cannabis) and CBD (cannabidiol, a major constituent of the plant thought to act as a sedative and reduce inflammation, nausea and convulsions). They have complex mechanisms, but in a nutshell, cannabinoids can reduce pain by acting on certain receptors.
Of the two main cannabis species – sativa and indica – sativa contains higher THC and lower CBD levels and produces a more euphoric “high.” Indica has higher CBD and lower THC levels and is used to aid sleep and ease pain.
Cannabinoids also seem to have a positive impact on some other pain medications. One study, in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics in 2011, found that chronic pain patients using long-acting oxycodone or long-acting morphine who inhaled vaporized herbal cannabis experienced a significant decrease in pain – far more than with the opioids alone. Though the study was of just 21 patients, study author Donald I. Abrams, MD, professor of clinical medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, says it “suggests that cannabis has the potential to relieve pain and decrease use of opioids, which, unlike cannabis, are associated with major side effects.”

http://www.arthritistoday.org/arthritis-treatment/natural-and-alternative-treatments/remedies-and-therapies/medical-marijuana.php

Could cannabis compound soothe arthritis pain? 

“Synthetic cannabis-like molecule developed in lab could help osteoarthritis sufferers,” reports The Daily Telegraph.
Anecdotal reports of cannabis’s ability to soothe chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis have been available for many years.
Aside from the obvious legal issues (cannabis is a Class B illegal drug), cannabis also carries the risk of side effects and complications such as psychosis and depression.
So a compound containing the drug’s painkilling ability without its psychoactive effects could lead to useful new treatments. 
One candidate is “JWH133” a chemical that binds to and activates the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor. Receptors are proteins found on the surfaces of cells. When activated receptors cause a response inside cells. The CB2 receptor is also activated by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent in cannabis. Activating the CB2 receptor is thought to relieve pain and inflammation.
The new research found evidence that JWH133 relieves pain in a rat model of arthritis. Importantly, the JWH133 compound is selective for CB2 receptors and does not activate cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors. CB1 receptors are found in the brain and are believed to be responsible for the psychological effects of cannabis.
So this suggests JWH133 may be a useful candidate for an osteoarthritis treatment. However, this is very early stage research only involving rats.
As Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis UK, says in the press coverage, this research does not support recreational cannabis use.

Where did the story come from?

The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Nottingham in the UK in collaboration with researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Commonwealth University in the US. It was funded by Arthritis Research UK and the National Institutes of Health.
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One. PLOS One is an open-access journal, meaning that all the research it publishes can be accessed for free.
This study was reported on by the Daily Express and The Telegraph. The Telegraph made no mention of the fact that the current research was in rats. This was also unclear from the over-optimistic headline in the Express. However, the report in the Express was of a higher standard, as it explained that the research was in animals and that it would take a considerable amount of time before any pill could be available for patients.

What kind of research was this?

This was a laboratory experiment on animals.
The researchers wanted to test the hypothesis that activation of cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors would reduce osteoarthritis pain responses in an animal model of osteoarthritis.

What did the research involve?

To create the animal model of osteoarthritis, rats had an injection of a chemical (monosodium acetate) into one of their knees (on the left rear limb). This triggered the same kind of inflammation and functional damage to the limb that occurs in humans with osteoarthritis.
The rats were then either given a drug called JWH133 or a placebo (“dummy”) injection. JWH133 binds with and activates the CB2 receptor of cells, causing them to respond. Eight rats were injected with JWH133 and eight were injected with placebo.
Pain behaviour was determined by measuring the change in weight distribution between the limbs and by testing the rats' sensitivity to pinch and touch.
Further experiments were performed on the animal model of osteoarthritis and normal rats that had been given an injection of saline (salty water) into their knee to see how JWH133 could reduce pain.

What were the basic results?

Once the rats had the injection of monosodium acetate into the knee of their left rear limb to model osteoarthritis, they placed less weight on that limb and their paw was more sensitive to pinch and touch.
Repeated injections with JWH133 significantly reduced the development of pain behaviour in the osteoarthritis model rats compared to the placebo injection.
The researchers went on to perform a series of further experiments. They found that:

• treatment with JWH133 reduced the changes in inflammation-controlling chemicals which are released by osteoarthritis model rats
• treatment with JWH133 reduced the firing of nerve cells in the spine in response to pain in osteoarthritis model rats, but not normal rats
• osteoarthritis model rats have higher levels of the CB2 receptor “message” (mRNA) and protein in nerve cells in the spine

The researchers then looked at the levels of CB2 receptor “message” in human spines of people who had died who had had knee osteoarthritis. They found that the more severe the disease, the lower the level of CB2 receptor “message”. The researchers say that this might reflect “events associated with later stages of joint pathology [disease]”.

How did the researchers interpret the results?

The researchers conclude that “activation of CB2 receptors attenuated [reduced] the development and maintenance of osteoarthritis-induced pain behaviour”. They go on to state that their “clinical and pre-clinical data support the further investigation of the potential of CB2 receptor agonists [chemicals that bind to the receptor and activate it] for the treatment of pain associated with osteoarthritis, in particular at earlier stages of the disease”.

Conclusion

This study found that a chemical called JWH133, which binds to and activates the cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptor, could reduce osteoarthritis-induced pain behaviour in rats injected with a chemical to mimic the effects of osteoarthritis.
This early stage research supports the further investigation of the potential of chemicals which bind to activate the CB2 receptor as treatments for osteoarthritis-induced pain. However, so far the treatment has only been tested in a small number of rats injected with a chemical to mimic symptoms of osteoarthritis. This study does not show what positive or negative effect chemicals that activate the CB2 receptor may have in humans suffering from osteoarthritis.
Until further trials involving humans, such as a phase I trial are carried out, it is impossible to predict whether JWH133 will be effective, and probably more importantly, safe in humans.
If you are having problems coping with your arthritis symptoms, the NHS offers specialist services for people with chronic pain conditions.
Read more about NHS Services for people with chronic pain.
Analysis by Bazian. Edited by NHS Choices. Follow Behind the Headlines on Twitter.

Links to the headlines

Synthetic cannabis created for osteoarthritis. The Daily Telegraph, January 7 2014
‘Synthetic cannabis’ pill could end arthritis pain for millions. Daily Express, January 7 2014

Links to the science

Burston JJ, Sagar DR, Shao P, Bai M, King E, et al. Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors Regulate Central Sensitization and Pain Responses Associated with Osteoarthritis of the Knee Joint. PLoS ONE. Published online November 25 2013

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/01January/Pages/Could-cannabis-compound-soothe-arthritis-pain.aspx

 

Medical Marijuana for Arthritis Treatment and Arthritis Pain

Medical marijuana contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds as well as natural analgesics, providing a one-two punch that makes medicinal marijuana an excellent part of an arthritis treatment plan. Medical marijuana can relieve joint pain while at the same time reducing the inflammation that precipitated that pain. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and even juvenile arthritis may be treated with the help of cannabinoids naturally occurring in marijuana.

Medical Marijuana is an Effective Treatment for Arthritis Pain and Inflammation

27 million Americans have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. This condition, also known as degenerative joint disease, causes breakdown of joint cartilage resulting in pain and inflammation where bare joints rub together. A further 1.3 million Americans are living with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes severe pain. In addition, 300,000 children in America have juvenile arthritis. While most doctors do not recommend use of medical marijuana for young children, adults and older teens can treat their arthritis with medicinal marijuana.
In a 2005 study, THC and cannabidiol were found to produce notable improvements in pain, quality of sleep, and to reduce disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both these compounds are among the cannabinoids naturally occurring in medical marijuana. In 2000, researchers found that cannabidiol "effectively blocked progression of arthritis" in animal trials.
Although both these studies involve cannabinoids administered as drugs isolated from marijuana, medicinal use of cannabis by smoking, vaporizing, or eating, may be a better delivery method for the same potent analgesics and anti-inflammatories. When smoked, medical marijuana enters the smoker's blood stream immediately and is distributed evenly. In addition, smoking medical marijuana provides the body with all the cannabinoids present in marijuana, not one or two isolated components. Thirdly, in some states patients can legally cultivate marijuana plants, but the average patient cannot extract cannabinoids from marijuana, meaning patients who choose drugs that isolate particular cannabinoids must remain dependent on the pharmaceutical industry for their medicine.

Choosing Medical Marijuana to Treat Your Arthritis and Pain

Before trying medical marijuana for your arthritis treatment, make sure medical marijuana is legalin your state, city, and county. If medicinal marijuana remains illegal in your area, consider getting involved in local efforts to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. If it is legal, talk to your doctor about writing a recommendation for medical marijuana. Some doctors have limited experience with medical marijuana and may recommend you see a medical marijuana specialist.
Once you have a recommendation in hand, you will need to acquire your medicine. You'll need to either hire a medical marijuana caregiver or locate a medical marijuana dispensary in your area. Both options are not available in all areas, even where medical marijuana is legal. You may not have the option to use a dispensary or your medical marijuana caregiver may be forced to serve only a limited number of patients. Again, know your laws!