Cannabis Linked To Crohn’s Cure

Posted on May 22, 2013 by David

“Smoking cannabis may be key in treating Crohn’s disease, research suggest.

In a recent trial marijuana was shown to induce ‘complete remission’ for patients suffering from the condition, which is also known as inflammatory bowel disease.

Scientists at Meir Medical Center, Israel, studied 21 people with severe Crohn’s disease who did not respond to various therapies.

They split the patients into two groups: 11 were given a joint to smoke twice a day for eight weeks, while 10 were given a placebo cigarette which contained no trace of cannabinoids.

A ‘complete remission’ of Crohn’s disease was recorded in 5/11 (45%) of the cannabis group and 1/10 in the placebo group.

A total of 10/11 patients in the cannabis group responded to the clinical trial with Crohn’s symptoms (which include pain, diarrhoea, tiredness and weight loss) significantly reduced.

In addition, study authors wrote: “Subjects receiving cannabis reported improved appetite and sleep, with no significant side effects.”

“Further studies, with larger patient groups and a non-smoking mode of intake, are warranted,” they added.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/21/cannabis-treatment-inflammatory-bowel-disease-crohns_n_3311278.html?utm_hp_ref=uk%3Fncid%3DGEP

Please Note: The title of this article has been changed to “Could Cannabis Cure Crohn’s Disease?”

Now they’re telling us smoking weed will also help fend off diabetes – MSN

Posted on May 17, 2013 by David

Man smoking a joint (©RL/KEYSTONE USA/Rex Features)

“The magical weed that helps us stay trim, be less crazy, control seizures, cure Crohn’s, rescue the economy and make watching TV game shows more enjoyable is now being credited for possibly reducing the risk of diabetes, too. Analyzing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” researchers uncovered the good news that current marijuana users had 16 percent lower fasting insulin levels and 17 percent lower levels of insulin resistance than their nonstoner friends.

Bonus: Scientists found that pot users also had slimmer waistlines and higher levels of “good” cholesterol.”

http://now.msn.com/marijuana-may-fight-diabetes-researchers-say

Marijuana Decreases Diabetes Risk, More Studies Indicate

Posted on May 16, 2013 by David

“Marijuana stimulates appetite while lowering insulin levels and insulin resistance.”

“Just a few days after news broke that marijuana appears to treat symptoms of Crohn’s Disease, now it appears weed smokers may enjoy a decreased risk of diabetes, according to the latest research showing “current marijuana use was associated with 16% lower fasting insulin levels” and 17 percent lower levels of insulin resistance. High insulin and insulin resistance can lead to type II diabetes.

The study by Elizabeth A. Penner, Hannah Buettner, Murray A. Mittleman – from University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, respectively – also found “significant associations between marijuana use and smaller waist circumferences”. Obesity is a predictor of diabetes.

Over at The Atlantic, writer Lindsay Abrams collects the data showing that even though tokers eat an extra 600 calories a day on average, they have a reduced prevalence of obesity, and lower incidence of diabetes.

The implications are profound, considering each American carries around the equivalent of a spare car tire – leading to trillions of dollars in medical costs over the coming decades. The United States government considers marijuana a dangerous drug with no medical use. U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag aims to close every medical cannabis dispensary in the Bay Area, claiming all are illegal regardless of the will of California’s voters.

In the latest report, Penner, Buettner and Mittleman looked at 4657 adult men and women from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2010. “Marijuana use was assessed by self-report in a private room. Fasting insulin and glucose were measured via blood samples after a 9-hour fast, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated to evaluate insulin resistance.”

“579 were current marijuana users and 1975 were past users. In multivariable adjusted models, current marijuana use was associated with 16% lower fasting insulin levels (95% confidence interval [CI], −26, −6) and 17% lower HOMA-IR (95% CI, −27, −6). We found significant associations between marijuana use and smaller waist circumferences.””

http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2013/05/15/marijuana-may-decrease-diabetes-risk-too-studies-indicate/

Treatment of Crohn’s Disease with Cannabis: An Observational Study

Posted on May 8, 2013 by David

“The marijuana plant cannabis is known to have therapeutic effects, including improvement of inflammatory processes. However, no report of patients using cannabis for Crohn’s disease (CD) was ever published.

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the effects of cannabis use in patients suffering from CD.

RESULTS:

Of the 30 patients 21 improved significantly after treatment with cannabis… The need for other medication was significantly reduced. Fifteen of the patients had 19 surgeries during an average period of 9 years before cannabis use, but only 2 required surgery during an average period of 3 years of cannabis use.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first report of cannabis use in Crohn’s disease in humans. The results indicate that cannabis may have a positive effect on disease activity, as reflected by reduction in disease activity index and in the need for other drugs and surgery. Prospective placebo-controlled studies are warranted to fully evaluate the efficacy and side effects of cannabis in CD.”

Full Text: http://www.ima.org.il/IMAJ/ViewArticle.aspx?year=2011&month=08&page=455

www.thctotalhealthcare.com

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