Introduction
Cannabis has been a remedy and pain reliever for a long time. It helps with nausea, epilepsy, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis, nerve pain, and even cancer. This journey explores how cannabis works as medicine. (1)
Decoding Cannabis and Pain Relief:
For ages, cannabis eased pain, but we’re not sure how it works. Can cannabis effectively soothe different types of pain? Cannabis compounds, called cannabinoids, help with nerve pain. THC, a major cannabinoid, can reduce nerve pain, but results vary, and side effects are a concern.
Replacing opioids with cannabinoid therapies gains traction. Limited research shows smoking cannabis might help target pain. High THC content seems more effective. (2) Combining cannabinoids with existing pain meds boosts relief. A spray with THC and CBD alongside other treatments reduces pain. Medical marijuana has many compounds, around 100 cannabinoids.
Certain pain types, like rheumatic pain, lack clear evidence. Trials on sprays with Δ9-THC/CBD for musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, and arthritis lack support. But medical marijuana might aid Crohn’s disease-related pain and appetite.
Cannabis’s role in cancer, arthritis, and fibromyalgia pain isn’t clear. More research is needed.
How cannabis eases nerve pain isn’t certain. CBD, non-psychoactive and anti-inflammatory, might help. Choosing CBD treatment requires assessing age, health, and conditions.
Cannabinoids may target CB1 and CB2 receptors for pain relief, but CB1’s role isn’t clear. CBD might affect pain via channels called TRP. These may help reduce pain through cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids’ anti-inflammatory features are gaining focus. CBD’s anti-inflammatory power could help with osteoarthritic pain. (3)
Understanding Cannabinoids for Epilepsy
Cannabinoids and their Mechanism of Action
Epilepsy causes seizures due to abnormal brain activity. Conventional treatments help many, but some struggle with uncontrolled seizures. Cannabinoids from cannabis could offer a new approach. (4)
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are active compounds in cannabis. They interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which controls various processes.
Research shows CBD, especially, has anticonvulsant properties. It can reduce the chances of neurons firing too much, which causes seizures. CBD also interacts with other receptors, like serotonin, helping with epilepsy.
Cannabis and Epilepsy Evidence
In animal tests, CBD reduced seizures in epilepsy models. Synthetic cannabinoids and CBD extracts from cannabis also helped in animals.
In clinical studies, progress is happening. In 2018, the FDA approved a CBD medicine for rare epilepsy types, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. This was a big step for using cannabinoids to treat epilepsy.
Cannabis and Epilepsy Challenges
Though progress is happening, there are hurdles. Figuring out the best way to use cannabinoids for epilepsy is still uncertain. We need more research on how people react, possible side effects, and how much to use.
We need strong clinical trials to know if cannabinoid treatments are safe and work for different epilepsy types.
Also, we must study how cannabinoids mix with other epilepsy meds. Knowing interactions is important for safety and good results. (5)
Medical Marijuana for Neurodegenerative Diseases
Diseases hurting the brain are hard for patients and doctors. Recent studies say medical marijuana and cannabinoids could help. They might ease symptoms and the main problems causing these diseases. We already know they help with epilepsy and pain. Now, they could also help with conditions like multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease, plus some mental health issues.
Multiple Sclerosis and Cannabis
Multiple sclerosis hurts nerves and muscles. Cannabis extracts might help. A mix of Δ9-THC and CBD (called sativex) reduced pain and spasms when taken by mouth. CBD could also help nerve pain. buy thc vape pens in london
In MS, endocannabinoid levels change. CB1 receptors protect nerves in animal models.
Tests on MS patients look good. Extracts with Δ9-THC and CBD helped with spasms, pain, and bladder control. More research could lead to treatments.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Cannabis Connection
Alzheimer’s hurts memory with brain tangles. Inflammation and nerve damage make it worse. Scientists see if the body’s endocannabinoid system can help. weed pens
CB1 receptors in some brain parts matter in Alzheimer’s. They decrease in nerve cells but rise in immune cells. Stuff protecting nerves and stopping inflammation could help.
THC might stop harmful protein clumps. Δ9-THC can block an enzyme and stop clumping. This could lead to new Alzheimer’s treatments. (6)
Synaptic Control with Cannabis
Medical marijuana might help brain cells. It could limit chemicals, reducing damage and inflammation in diseases. pain thc pens
Exploring Medical Cannabis for Depression
Depression Overview: Depression affects millions globally. While therapy and medication are common treatments, interest in medical cannabis is growing as an alternative.
Understanding Depression: Depression brings ongoing sadness and loss of interest. It affects life quality. Treatment often involves therapy and antidepressants.
Endocannabinoid System and Mood: Medical cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system, impacting mood regulation. Research examines if cannabis compounds help depression.
Possible Benefits: Research on medical cannabis for depression is young. CBD, a cannabis compound, might stabilize mood and reduce anxiety.
Neurogenesis and Protection: Cannabinoids might support brain cell growth. Depression reduces this growth. Boosting brain cells could aid depression treatment.
THC and CBD Balance: THC, a cannabis compound, affects mood and thinking. Its use for depression is complex due to side effects and individual reactions.
Use with Caution: Using medical cannabis for depression needs caution. Effects vary. Consult a healthcare professional before trying it.
Future Exploration: More research is needed to understand medical cannabis benefits fully. As medicine explores mental health treatments, cannabis could become valuable for depression.
Conclusion
Medicinal cannabis shows promise for various conditions. Epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and pain could benefit.
Cannabis might help epilepsy by reducing seizures, especially with CBD. Alzheimer’s could see relief from inflammation and protecting nerve cells.
For chronic pain, cannabis offers relief, but risks like addiction need attention. Medical experts and researchers should work together for safe and effective treatments.
References
1: Health Canada – Sante Canada. Information for Health Care Professionals. Cannabis (Marihuana, Marijuana) and the Cannabinoids. Ottawa, ON: Health Canada. 2018.
2: Iskedjian M, Bereza B, Gordon A, Piwko C, Einarson TR (2007) Meta-analysis of cannabis based treatments for neuropathic and multiple sclerosis-related pain. Curr Med Res Opin 23(1):17–24
3: Philpott HT, O’Brien M, McDougall JJ (2017) Attenuation of early phase inflammation by cannabidiol prevents pain and nerve damage in rat osteoarthritis. Pain 158(12):2442–2451
4: Wallace MJ, Blair RE, Falenski KW, Martin BR, DeLorenzo RJ (2003) The endogenous cannabinoid system regulates seizure frequency and duration in a model of temporal lobe epilepsy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 307(1):129–137
5: Hausman-Kedem M, Menascu S, Kramer U (2018) Efficacy of CBD-enriched medical cannabis for treatment of refractory epilepsy in children and adolescents – an observational, longitudinal study. Brain Dev 40(7):544–551
6: Eubanks LM, Rogers CJ, AEt B, Koob GF, Olson AJ, Dickerson TJ et al (2006) A molecular link between the active component of marijuana and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Mol Pharm 3(6):773–777