“Sativex, a cannabinoid extract with a 1 : 1 ratio of tetrahydocannabinol and cannabidiol, has been shown to alleviate neuropathic pain associated with chemotherapy.
This research examined whether tetrahydocannabinol or cannabidiol alone could attenuate or prevent cisplatin-induced tactile allodynia.
These data demonstrate that each of the major constituents of Sativex alone can achieve analgesic effects against cisplatin neuropathy.”
“Cannabinoid receptor agonists such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) enhance some (antinociceptive) but not other (positive reinforcing) effects of mu opioid receptor agonists, suggesting that cannabinoids might be combined with opioids to treat pain without increasing, and possibly decreasing, abuse.
These data indicate that the discriminative stimulus effects of nalbuphine are more sensitive to attenuation by cannabinoids than those of fentanyl. That the discriminative stimulus effects of some opioids are more susceptible to modification by drugs from other classes has implications for developing maximally effective therapeutic drug mixtures with reduced abuse liability.”
“The palliative effects of cannabinoids on cancer-related symptoms are well established.
In fact, many drugs comprised of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or its synthetic analogues are currently approved in Canada for use in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, pain relief, and appetite stimulation.
While this may provide adequate treatment to the symptoms endured by cancer patients, what if cannabis can all together treat and cure cancer?
Latest discoveries on cannabinoids and their anticancer properties focus on their molecular mechanisms of action and have been discussed in a recently published review article in Current Oncology, a peer-reviewed journal (Velasco, Sanchez, & Guzman, 2016).
It is important to begin by understanding that our body possesses an endogenous cannabinoid system.”
https://news.liftcannabis.ca/2016/04/21/new-review-sheds-light-cannabinoids-anticancer-mechanisms/
“Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the sensors of pathogen-associated molecules that trigger tailored innate immune intracellular signalling responses to initiate innate immune reactions.
Data from the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model indicates that TLR signalling machinery is a pivotal player in the development of murine EAE. To compound this, data from human studies indicate that complex interplay exists between TLR signalling and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
Cannabis-based therapies are in clinical development for the management of a variety of medical conditions, including MS. In particular Sativex®, a combination of plant-derived cannabinoids, is an oromucosal spray with efficacy in MS patients, particularly those with neuropathic pain and spasticity.
Despite this, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of Sativex® in MS patients remains unclear. This review will highlight evidence that novel interplay exists between the TLR and cannabinoid systems, both centrally and peripherally, with relevance to the pathogenesis of MS.”
“There is currently no pharmacological treatment approved for cannabis dependence. In this proof of concept study, we assessed the feasibility/effects of fixed and self-titrated dosages of Sativex (1:1, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD)) on craving and withdrawal from cannabis among nine community-recruited cannabis-dependent subjects.
“CP55,940 is a synthetic analogue of tetrahydrocannabidiol, which is a psychoactive ingredient of the Cannabis plant.
This study was designed to evaluate the effects of CP55,940 on normal bladder function in vivo and examine whether it suppresses urinary frequency induced by nociceptive stimuli in the bladder.
CP55,940 decreases bladder activity and urinary frequency induced by nociceptive stimuli, probably by suppression of bladder afferent activity. Effects of CP55,940 were abolished by both CBR antagonists. This data implicates a role for the endocannabinoid system in bladder mechanoafferent function in rats. In addition, our results show that CP55,940 reverses urinary frequency exemplified in an overactive bladder model, suggesting it could be an effective treatment for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.”
“Opioid receptor agonists are effective for treating pain; however, tolerance and dependence can develop with repeated treatment. Combining opioids with cannabinoids can enhance their analgesic potency…
These results demonstrate that antinociceptive tolerance is greater during treatment with the mixture, and although treatment conditions were sufficient for dependence to development on morphine, withdrawal was not markedly altered by concurrent treatment with THC.
Thus, THC can enhance some (antinociception, tolerance) but not all (dependence) effects of morphine.”
“Although evidence suggests cannabis impairs driving, its driving-performance effects are not fully characterized. We aimed to establish cannabis‘ effects on driving longitudinal control (with and without alcohol, drivers’ most common drug combination) relative to psychoactive ∆9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) blood concentrations.
Current occasional (≥1×/last 3 months, ≤3 days per week) cannabis smokers drank placebo or low-dose alcohol, and inhaled 500 mg placebo, low (2.9%), or high (6.7%) THC vaporized cannabis over 10 min ad libitum in separate sessions (within-subject, six conditions). Participants drove (National Advanced Driving Simulator, University of Iowa) simulated drives 0.5-1.3 h post-inhalation. Blood and breath alcohol samples were collected before (0.17 and 0.42 h) and after (1.4 and 2.3 h) driving.
We evaluated the mean speed (relative to limit), standard deviation (SD) of speed, percent time spent >10% above/below the speed limit (percent speed high/percent speed low), longitudinal acceleration, and ability to maintain headway relative to a lead vehicle (headway maintenance) against blood THC and breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC).
THC was associated with a decreased mean speed, increased percent speed low and increased mean following distance during headway maintenance. BrAC was associated with increased SD speed and increased percent speed high, whereas THC was not.
Neither was associated with altered longitudinal acceleration.
A less-than-additive THC*BrAC interaction was detected in percent speed high (considering only non-zero data and excluding an outlying drive event), suggesting cannabis mitigated drivers’ tendency to drive faster with alcohol.
Cannabis was associated with slower driving and greater headway, suggesting a possible awareness of impairment and attempt to compensate.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26889769
“Stoned Drivers Safer Than Drunk Drivers” http://americanlivewire.com/2015-02-15-stoned-drivers-safer-drunk-drivers/
“The primary cannabinoids, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) and Delta(8)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(8)-THC) are known to disturb the mitochondrial function and possess antitumor activities. These observations prompted us to investigate their effects on the mitochondrial O(2) consumption in human oral cancer cells (Tu183). This epithelial cell line overexpresses bcl-2 and is highly resistant to anticancer drugs. A rapid decline in the rate of respiration was observed when Delta(9)-THC or Delta(8)-THC was added to the cells. The inhibition was concentration-dependent, and Delta(9)-THC was the more potent of the two compounds. Anandamide (an endocannabinoid) was ineffective; suggesting the effects of Delta(9)-THC and Delta(8)-THC were not mediated by the cannabinoid receptors. These results show the cannabinoids are potent inhibitors of human oral cancer cells (Tu183) cellular respiration and are toxic to this highly malignant tumor.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20516734
“Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray was approved as add-on therapy for spasticity in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
We showed our forty-weeks post-marketing experience regarding efficacy and safety of THC/CBD spray in an Italian cohort of 102 MS patients…
In conclusion, treatment with THC/CBD spray appears to be a valid answer to some of the unmet needs in MS patients, such as spasticity and other refractory-to-treatment symptoms. “
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26608223
http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/