Do you ever get blamed for being forgetful? Long-term cannabis use has been associated with poor short-term memory. Why is that? Let’s go through some fast facts about the mechanisms.
What are the receptors in the endocannabinoid system? There are three endocannabinoid receptors that have been discovered so far – CB1, CB2, and CB3. The CB1 receptors are located mainly in the central nervous system with a small number in other areas on cells’ surfaces. CB1 receptors are associated with learning, sleep, coordination, and pain sensation. CB2 receptors are different, located throughout the body and associated with immune function. Though only three receptors have been discovered, cannabis researchers believe there may be as many as 10!
When one of the cannabinoid compounds in cannabis called ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binds to and activates the CB1 receptors it was thought that this binding would give cannabis users the memory deficit effect. However, researchers from a recent study found that serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (5-HT2AR) are instead the ones to blame.
Because both CB1 and 5-HT2A receptors are neighbors, when THC binds to CB1R, it signals 5-HT2A by forming a heteromer. To prove this, research experiments were done on mice. When THC binds to CB1R, both the pain-relieving effects and psychoactive effects such as memory loss were observed in normal mice with normal CB1R and 5-HT2AR. However, when blocking the CB1-5-HT2A receptors’ \heteromer, the mice had no psychoactive effects, but no change in pain relieving effects. The same happened to a genetically modified mice which had the 5-HT2AR mice removed; the mice showed no change in pain relieving effects. Similarly, they found that the GM-mice had no signs of memory deficit. This concluded that CB1R was responsible for the anxiety and pain feelings and 5-HT2AR was responsible for the relaxation and memory loss effects.
This is a major find for medical cannabis users to avoid the adverse consequences from using medical cannabis treatments. Now you know there is a way to prevent further memory deficit from using cannabis. However, more studies are needed to put the observation into practice.
In the ideal world, patients think physicians are magicians. Once they pay a visit to the doctor and take the prescribed medication, conditions would improve. Our health care system expects physicians to know patients by a short period of time, but this is not possible with every patient, especially those who have chronic or severe conditions with long medical history or complications.
Patients who suffered from severe illness or illnesses who do not really have very effective treatment such as nausea, chronic pain, and epilepsy therefore start to look into alternative help such as medical marijuana.
As a matter of fact, a lot of patients are capable of taking care of their own medical issues. There are some tricks that healthcare professionals might not know that patients do know because they are the frontline fighters of that specific condition. Patients can help each other by sharing their knowledge of that illness and supporting those with similar conditions. Clinic staff can also provide more time and detailed information to patients such as cannabis strains education. It is actually very surprising to see how positive a marijuana clinic or dispensary can be.
Patients should be more proactive and take initiative in their treatment plan. It is only rational to do so since a majority of the patients are not financially able to hire a doctor who is available 24/7.
“Giving patients more control doesn’t mean handing over a blank prescription pad. Patients can gain more control — safely — if they understand a drug’s effects and duration, and if they have some leeway in when and how to use it. For instance, when I (David Casarett, MD) prescribe as-needed pain medication, I’ll give my patients permission to figure out for themselves how much to take and when. “
The health care system seems to lack this knowledge that the marijuana industry has already learned years ago.
Bones frame our bodies, providing protection to our organs. Bone density and strength decrease as we grow older, frequently resulting in broken bones. Cannabis to the rescue — at least in rats!
Bones are made up of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, other minerals, and collagen found In a According to a May 2015 study published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, cannabidiol (CBD) can help to accelerate the healing process of fractured bones. Dr Yankel Gabet of Tel Aviv University and Itai Bab of Hebrew University co-led researchers to test the theory on two sets of rats. One set of rats was given CBD alone and another set was given a mixture of CBD and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD was found to stimulate the reproduction of bone cells by an enzyme to speed up collagen maturation (crosslinking as well as stabilizing). This, in turn, enables broken bones to heal faster and stronger.
“We found that CBD alone makes bones stronger during healing, enhancing the maturation of the collagenous matrix, which provides the basis for new mineralization of bone tissue. After being treated with CBD, the healed bone will be harder to break in the future.”
This is exciting news for patients who have osteoporosis and other bone conditions. Many current medicines have adverse effects (including severe bone, joint, and muscle pain and gastrointestinal problems), while CBD from cannabis does not. Because of the safety profile of CDB, clinical trials would help to ascertain the complete medical value of CBD to improve human bone health and fracture healing.
Many brain functions are still a mystery. Thanks to scientific studies, we know that medicinal cannabis can help regenerate our neurological cells, not kill brain cells!
“The medicinal benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids are immense, and it’s time everyone is allowed full access to this amazing healing herb.”
Cannabinoids, compounds found in cannabis, incite brain cells to grow by neurogenesis and can alleviate depression, anxiety, and stress.
Low dose THC helps to protect brain cells from damage, such as stroke and head trauma, and may preserve cognitive function.
Traumatic head injured patients who have some THC in their blood are more likely to survive.
CBD and THC in cannabis (in mixture or independently) can help kill cancer cells and shrink brain tumors in concert with chemotherapy.
Low levels of THC act as an antioxidant, which can protect neuro cells by lowering beta-amyloid level. Beta-amyloid, which is present in high amounts in people with Alzheimer’s, is a protein in the brain that can clump together to form plagues. Plaques may activate the immune system to trigger inflammation.
Most of the cannabis studies referred to above utilized low doses of cannabinoids. Keep in mind that optimal dosage is key!
Did you know that cannabis can be juiced into a cup for health benefits? As a matter of fact, raw cannabis can be consumed just like any other leafy green!
Raw cannabis may help the body
regulate the immune system
prevent inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and COPD
trigger antioxidants to remove damaged cells
improve the efficiency and health of cells and the regulatory system
relieve nausea and pain (in HIV/AIDs patients or cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy)
reduce spasticity and seizures
“According to Courtney (Dr. William Courtney, physician, researchers and one of the leading experts in raw dietary cannabis), one of the biggest benefits is the positive effect cannabis has on the body’s endogenous cannabinoid system, which is made up of endocannabinoids, or chemical compounds found throughout the body that perform different processes.
“I believe this plant, having evolved over millions of years, is put together to support that system,” he said.
“Why raw? Raw cannabis can provide more complete benefits than the heated forms of cannabis such as smoking, vaping, cannabis oil prepared with low heat, or cooked or baked edibles. When heat is applied, the majority of cannabis benefits – tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THC-A) and cannabidiolic Acid (CBD-A) will be activated, or decarboxylated, into THC and CBD, respectively. Because it does not contain the psychoactive component THC, raw cannabis does have alter mood or perception. Cannabis leaves in raw form are great for patients who want the medicinal benefits of marijuana without its other effects. An excellent choice for those who have a low tolerance to THC, raw cannabis is the ultimate botanical booster in greens drinks. Adding sweeter and more watery vegetables and fruits such as cucumber, green apples, romaine, and avocado can mitigate the bitterness of raw cannabis leaves. You can create the ultimate detoxifying smoothie by combining cannabis with lemon, arugula, dandelion, or parsley. Try freezing the raw cannabis juice in ice cube trays or as ice pops for a novel way to enjoy the natural benefits of cannabis in drinks!
