Plan to make cannabis "safe"

Friday July 10th, 2015

British researchers may have found a way to make cannabis "safe" for medical use, it has been announced.

They believe it should be possible to block the drug's harmful effects on the brain.

The discovery comes from a joint project between the University of East Anglia, UK, and the University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.

The research found the drug uses a cannabinoid receptor and a serotonin receptor to work on the brain.

They say this can be blocked - allow the drug's main ingredient, THC, to continue to relieve pain while not impairing memory. The researchers say there is evidence it might also act against cancer.

The research, published in PloS Biology, involved laboratory mice.

Researcher Dr Peter McCormick said: "THC, the major active component of marijuana, has broad medical use - including for pain relief, nausea and anxiety. Our previous research has also found that it could reduce tumour size in cancer patients. However it is also known to induce numerous undesirable side effects such as memory impairment, anxiety and dependence.

"There has been a great deal of medical interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms at work in THC, so that the beneficial effects can be harnessed without the side-effects.

"THC acts through a family of cell receptors called cannabinoid receptors. Our previous research revealed which of these receptors are responsible for the anti-tumour effects of THC.

"This new research demonstrates how some of the drug's beneficial effects can be separated from its unwanted side effects."

Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol occurs through heteromers between cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. PLOS Biology 9 July 2015

Tags: Alternative Therapy | Europe | Pain Relief | UK News

Printer friendly page