Activist Post
Could the active ingredient in marijuana, responsible for its characteristic "high," help turn the tide against the accelerating Alzheimer's epidemic?
A remarkable study published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology in 2006, found that this long-vilified plant contains a compound with not one, but two therapeutic properties ideal for addressing both the surface symptom (memory problems) and root cause (brain plaque) of Alzheimer's disease.[i] This is an ironic finding, considering that the prevailing stereotype is that using marijuana "fries" the brain, leading to debilitating memory issues.
Researchers discovered that the psychoactive component of marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), both "competitively inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as well as prevents AChE-induced amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) aggregation."
On the first account, THC's ability to inhibit the AChE enzyme, is not unlike the mechanism of action behind most Alzheimer's drugs on the market today. Drugs like donepezil (trade name Aricept), for instance, by targeting and inhibiting the brain enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), result in an increase in brain levels of this neurotransmitter, which in turn, results in symptom reduction, i.e. improved memory. Donepezil, however, is riddled with controversy due its well-known association with seizures, which likely reflects its intrinsic neurotoxicity. It is, in fact, a chemical in the same general chemical class as venom, insecticides and chemical war agents, such as nerve gas.
On the second account, THC's ability to prevent the acetylcholinesterase-associated amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) aggregation, i.e. brain plaque, indicates that it may, as the researchers noted, "directly impact Alzheimer's disease pathology." In fact, they found "Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Aβ aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease."
What is so encouraging about this research, and which the researchers described as "noteworthy," is the following:
THC is a considerably more effective inhibitor of AChE-induced Aβ deposition than the approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment, donepezil and tacrine, which reduced Aβ aggregation by only 22% and 7%, respectively, at twice the concentration used in our studies.7 Therefore, AChE inhibitors such as THC and its analogues may provide an improved therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease, augmenting acetylcholine levels by preventing neurotransmitter degradation and reducing Aβ aggregation, thereby simultaneously treating both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer's disease.THC, of course, is only one of a wide range of cannabinoids in the plant marijuana. Not only is there already plentiful information on the neuroprotective properties of marijuana compounds, but there is also a sizeable body of clinical and/or biomedical research indicating the medicinal value of this plant in over 150 health conditions. To view this research visit our Medical Marijuana Research page.
Notes:
[i] Lisa M Eubanks, Claude J Rogers, Albert E Beuscher, George F Koob, Arthur J Olson, Tobin J Dickerson, Kim D Janda . A molecular link between the active component of marijuana and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Mol Pharm. 2006 Nov-Dec;3(6):773-7. PMID: 17140265
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14 comments:
Oh come on. Drug pushers will tell you anything to get you hooked. That is what this is all about not Alzheimer's. While Mary Jane is not addictive it leads to the use of stronger drugs which are and it turns kids into blithering idiots incapable of learning anything in school.
If you have Alzheimer's disease or if you are really interested in finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease (not something just to make an Alzheimer's patient "feel good" and probably hasten his or her death) the check out the site:
http://lymehandbook.com/index/400-misdiagnoses/430-lyme-alzheimers/
to find out the connection between Lyme disease Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's may, in fact, in most cases, be a delayed form of Lyme disease. So the way to treat it is with antibiotics not psychoactive drugs.
Both Charlton Heston and Ronald Reagan developed Alzheimer's disease late in life and they both were out-door woodsy type of people who liked to spend time in areas where they could have been bitten by ticks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer%27s_disease
I remember hearing on TV that Reagan liked to get his exercise by working out doors on his ranch.
Reagan's Ranch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_del_Cielo
"It was a rural, heavily forested part of the state, and Heston lived an isolated yet idyllic[citation needed] existence spending much time hunting and fishing in the backwoods of the area."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlton_Heston
bravo!!! Pharmacon does not like this type of info getting out.....,.
survivingsurvivalism.com
Ernest - try reading the article before tearing it apart.
Why don't you go troll somewhere else Ernest M. Trionfo.
Ernest M. Trionfo nice propaganda.
"it leads to the use of stronger drugs" LOL!!!
That is classic drug war propaganda
Many coke users never touch MJ, they went from Alcohol to Coke use. Others go from Nicotine to crack. I talked to a recovering crack addict once, that couldn't touch MJ it made them sick. So how did they get addicted? LOL. This is police contrived propaganda. The idea there is such a thing as a gateway drug, was just a myth to fool the masses, and you evidently.
The only thing that leads to stronger drugs is the network of drug pushers, empowered by the drug war. They are the catalyst to encourage the use of harder additive drugs. They don't check for ID to see what age people are, their only condition for sale is "Do you have the money?" The drug war created the very commercial conditions to keep these nefarious people in business. They have a codependent relationship with the police. Where there is demand, supply will be met, it's just a matter of at what price. You don't stop demand by banning supply. You will NEVER!! stop the pushers, proven by the fact they never stopped alcohol from being supplied.
Alcohol kills kids every year. What are you going to do about that? you have some new way to ban alcohol? LOL
"it turns kids into blithering idiots" I would like to see kids under 15 not have access to MJ but I have also known people that have smoked it in school which have more academic accomplishments than you can dream of. Steve Jobs smoked pot in his day, and well I am betting he did better than you did. I also know Dr's of physics and chemistry that I think you would have a very hard time beating in an IQ test. So better get your facts straight. Bad teachers cause more harm to the schooling of kids, than MJ ever did. There are a great deal of very inept teachers out there. They can't survive with out provided textbooks and the all important "teacher guide" with the answers, since they often don't even know the material they are "teaching"
"Alzheimer's may, in fact, in most cases" that really sounds conclusive to base a treatment program and stop all research into other pharmacology DR.Ernest LOL!!!!
Fact is, there ISN'T a conclusive link between Lyme disease and Alzheimer's. You probably just did a quick google search to try and negate this research effort because MJ is evil LOL
"Drug pushers will tell you anything to get you hooked. That is what this is all about not Alzheimer's."
The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and The Scripps Research Institute are not drug pushers, they are the people that did the research the article refers to, if you knew how to use footnotes. Unlike you they have an open mind in looking for compounds useful in improving health.
Instead of spreading drug war propaganda, maybe you should stop the pushers of the largest growing area of abused drugs. Maybe you have heard of one of them Oxycontin? Yes the "pushers" are your doctors. Are you going to tell me MJ is worse than these class of drugs, and is less addictive than MJ LOL please do I need a good laugh.
By the way I have not tried MJ,coke and don't even drink. Can you say the same? In my experience the worst ranters against MJ are "recovering" alcoholics or at least drinkers. I don't need any of these things, but I don't want research stopped on finding new cures because of propaganda created by the police to keep their jobs, and the private prisons full of customers.
What does coming on here spreading well debunked propaganda do for you? It sure doesn't make me take your posting seriously, nor have a hope of changing my opinion. I just see a zealot with too much time on their hands, and maybe should think before you go around judging others motives. Like calling research institutes drug pushers LOL
There were 100 plus medicines based on THC in 1900, banned for commercial reasons as it is far too competitive to lose against timber and petroleum. Research has shown that due to the resident receptors for cannabis compounds, that it is an essential dietary component for neural health, at least as salad or juicing raw which has no high. THC only becomes fully active when completely dried as it depends on the PH value.
I have come across some people who will rant against cannabis in a very aggressive manner just like the first posting. It's a very peculiar thing, the way people who have absolutely no knowledge will shout the loudest. I think these people are really unable to think for themselves and will tow the propaganda line whatever the truth may be. Ironically, if they had a smoke they would have a better opportunity of activating the brain!
Ernest. The big reason why weed leads to other drugs is because ITS ILLEGAL! Its in the black market, so you go to a drug dealer and they're like "hey..i got this other stuff too". If its controlled like alcohol we shouldnt have that problem.
the human brain has cannabinoid receptors for a reason...you ae born with them! do a little bit of research and you will find israel and canada have done wonderful amazing research on the numerous medical benefits of cannabis. why would you rather put man made chemicals with so many horrific side effects (big pharma)INSTEAD OF USING SOMETHING TOTALLY NATURAL??!! stop demonizing cannabis..thats part of 'THEIR' stategy!!
It may be "neuroprotective"??, but I am still not a fan of the "confusion, forgetfulness, paranoia, spaciness, and loss of motivation" (not to mention the overeating!!) that are all common side effects of marijuana use. After about 30 years of using it, myself, I quit doing it 10 years ago. I have NO desire to return to the "420 lifestyle"! If YOU want to endure those type of side effects to enjoy the questionable benefits? Power to you, go right ahead! (you should certainly be free to choose!). Been there, done that, and won't ever go back. Nowadays, I vastly prefer mega-nutrition and Nootropics ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nootropic )for my feeling sharper. Just my personal take.
Hmmm. trionfopublishing.com site is not responding. Karma?
@ernest, weed is not a gateway drug, its an exit drug
The opposition always comes from those who have never researched or tried it-just like those who slam the Bible as God's word have NEVER read it. As far as I'm concerned God made it so I trust there's some very good reason for its existence
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