Marijuana and Alzheimers disease

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have found that the active ingredient in marijuana may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC as it is better known, apparently inhibits the formation of amyloid plaque. In plaques, the main protein component is called beta-amyloid, which is produced from a larger protein called beta-amyloid precursor protein. Ever since the discovery of these proteins researchers have been attempting to discover their role in the disease. This study has found that THC is much more effective at breaking down the plaque than some of the FDA approved medications currently available for treating Alzheimer's disease.

THC (an active ingredient in marijuana) may prevent the progression of Alzheimer's Disease by:
1) Preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter that allows the brain to function, more effectively than commercial drugs, and

2) Blocking clumps of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition in Alzheimer's patients.
SOURCE: Scripts Research Institute published in Molecular Pharmaceutics


Published Research Materials

Molecular Neurobiology Journal — The Endocannabinoid System and Alzheimer’s Disease

Journal of Molecular Medicine — The marijuana component cannabidiol inhibits B-amyloid-induced tau protein hyperphosphorylation through Wnt/B-catenin pathway rescue in PC12 cells

WebMD — Marijuana May Slow Alzheimer's, Key Marijuana Compound Beats Current Alzheimer's Drugs in Test-Tube Study

British Journal of Pharmacology — Alzheimer's Disease; taking the edge off with cannabinoids?

The Journal of Neuroscience — Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease Pathology by Cannabinoids: Neuroprotection Mediated by Blockade of Microglial Activation

The Scripps Research Institute — Marijuana's Active Ingredient Shown to Inhibit Primary Marker of Alzheimer's Disease

Molecular Pharmaceuticals — A Molecular Link between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology

European Journal of Pharmacology — AM1241, a cannabinoid CB2 receptor selective compound, delays disease progression in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Marijuana and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Marijuana and Anxiety & Depression

--NOTE---ATTENTION---NOTE---ATTENTION---NOTE---ATTENTION---NOTE---
Anxiety and depression are NOT currently on the list of Qualifying Conditions for Registry in the MI Med MJ program. It is possible that a patient could use the Affirmative Defense-- and prevail--for the use of medical marijuana to treat symptoms of Anxiety & Depression. This however would require getting arrested, charged and going to court, where outcomes are never guaranteed.

We are not aware of any clinics or doctors in MI currently writing recommendations for medical marijuana for Anxiety & Depression.

If you would like to submit a petition to MI-DCH asking that Anxiety & Depression be added to the list of Qualifying Conditions, you may do so by using this simple, fill in the blank form: http://www.qualifyingpatient.com Please consider doing so.
--NOTE---ATTENTION---NOTE---ATTENTION---NOTE---ATTENTION---NOTE---
Definitions:

The Current DSM-IV Definition Anxiety (Abridged):
A. A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others.
The individual fears that he or she will act in a way (or show anxiety symptoms) that will be embarrassing and humiliating.
B. Exposure to the feared situation almost invariably provokes anxiety, which may take the form of a situationally bound or situationally pre-disposed Panic Attack.
C. The person recognizes that this fear is unreasonable or excessive.
D. The feared situations are avoided or else are endured with intense anxiety and distress.
E. The avoidance, anxious anticipation, or distress in the feared social or performance situation(s) interferes significantly with the person's normal routine, occupational (academic) functioning, or social activities or relationships, or there is marked distress about having the phobia.
F. In individuals under age 18 years, the duration is at least 6 months.
G. The fear or avoidance is not due to direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., drugs, medications) or a general medical condition not better accounted for by another mental disorder...
Major Depressive Disorder (Unipolar Depression)

Category

Mood Disorders

Etiology

Research has shown that depression is influenced by both biological and environmental factors. Studies show that first degree relatives of people with depression have a higher incidence of the illness, whether they are raised with this relative or not, supporting the influence of biological factors. Situational factors, if nothing else, can exacerbate a depressive disorder in significant ways. Examples of these factors would include lack of a support system, stress, illness in self or loved one, legal difficulties, financial struggles, and job problems. These factors can be cyclical in that they can worsen the symptoms and act as symptoms themselves.

Symptoms

Symptoms of depression include the following:
· depressed mood (such as feelings of sadness or emptiness)
· reduced interest in activities that used to be enjoyed, sleep disturbances (either not being able to sleep well or sleeping to much)
· loss of energy or a significant reduction in energy level
· difficulty concentrating, holding a conversation, paying attention, or making decisions that used to be made fairly easily
· suicidal thoughts or intentions.
Copyright 1994, The American Psychiatric Association

While the only state I’ve found so far to support Medical Marijuana for Patients with Anxiety and Depression is Oregon – it is completely obvious that a percentage of the population DOES find relief from their symptoms of Anxiety and Depression through the use of Medical Marijuana. State of Washington itself has denied, yes denied, three different petitions to add Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety/Depression, and Bi-Polar Disorder. They denied the petitions for lack of substantial qualifying evidence/clinical trials that the treatment of these conditions is warranted by Medical Marijuana. In just a few short hours I’ve found nearly 20 studies, clinical trials, and personal accounts where the information without a doubt shows that people find relief from their symptoms of Depression and Anxiety through the use of Medical Marijuana.

The debate continues:
full text at http://pn.psychiatry...

Studies Indicate Some Acute Benefit
To Sunil Aggarwal, Ph.D., the verdict is already in.
Aggarwal is a third-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a fellow in the Medical Scientist Training Program. His doctoral dissertation, titled "The Medical Geography of Cannabinoid Botanicals in Washington State: Access, Delivery, and Distress," discussed the successful use of medical marijuana or cannabinoid botanicals by 176 chronically and critically ill patients in Washington state.
(The term "cannabinoids" refers to any of the substances that are structurally related to tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.)
At the AMA meeting, Aggarwal spoke to the Section Council on Psychiatry and asserted that since 2001—when the House of Delegates last voted to retain the Schedule I status of marijuana pending the outcome of research—at least 10 randomized, controlled trials had been completed on the use of cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain of multiple etiologies, appetite and weight loss in HIV/AIDS, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, and severe nausea.
In each of these studies, researchers used a federal-government supply of marijuana grown in Mississippi.
Aggarwal told psychiatrists at the meeting that the total body of literature on the subject shows "that cannabinoids, of which cannabis contains roughly 100 ... have activity at the body's cannabinoid receptors and have many distinct pharmacologic properties, including analgesic, antiemetic, antispasmodic, antioxidative, neuroprotective, antidepressant, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as glial cell modulation and tumor growth regulation."

Likewise there is just as much information out there denying these claims, and proving completely opposite. Which is where we come down to the patient – the patient is who matters, and ultimately can tell the doctor whether or not Medical Marijuana is working for them. Studies on other people, other conditions, and numerous variables is no match for a persons own evaluation of their health. It is our body after all, is it not?

A misconception I think we should all be out to squash is the idea that people who ail from Anxiety and Depression have less-than severe symptoms, compared to any other debilitating condition approved by the current Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. Many of the accounts I read from Doctors say – Medical Marijuana exacerbates anxiety in an individual – while this can be true for some – the majority, and yes majority is valid here, the majority of patients who have Anxiety and Depression claim that Medical Marijuana HELPS them with their condition. "This can come down to the strain that was used during their medical trial. It is widely known that Indicas are better for their relaxing qualities, and Sativas can energize people, motivate - or in some rare instances exascerbate anxiety."
So really it comes down to knowing what works well for the patient on a personal level.

Below is an excerpt of a study listed through the American Psychiatric Association
[full text can be found here http://www.psych.org...ification.aspx :

Norman Sartorius, MD, PhD (Geneva, Switzerland) gave a presentation on the public health implications of the definition of mental disorders. He noted that the challenge is to harmonize the definitions that have been made by different groups since the consequences of the definition are not the same from one group to another. For example, it was announced the all mentally ill persons in France are now classified as being disabled and can now get a pension. While this may be a help to the families of these patients, it ma not be as helpful to the individuals actually suffering from mental illness or to society as it may make it more difficult for such individuals to work. The threshold of disease can be set in absolute terms (e.g., the presence of a particular symptom, like psychosis, equals disease) or certain treatments might define the disorder. In general, disorder threshold involves three sources of information, impairment and consequent disability, distress, and symptoms. ICD has made an effort to keep disability out of the definition because disability depends on the social environment. DSM, in contrast, includes disability as one of the defining characteristics of disorder. It has also been proposed that the social desirability of the condition may play a role in the definition; for example, if an individual has damage of the corpus callosum, it must not be considered a disease in a dis-literate society where reading skills have no social value. Dr. Sartorius then discussed the issue of the stigma and the inevitable discrimination associated with being labeled as having a mental disorder. Stigma is sometimes related to the disease name, raising the question of whether it is possible to define a disorder without giving it a name. Changes in Japan in the name of schizophrenia (from a Japanese word meaning essentially “broken brain” to a term with less severe connotations) will allow us to study the impact of a disorder’s name on stigma. Dr. Sartorius concluded by noting that the main points he is making will be covered in the other presentations at the conference, i.e., that the public health implications relevant to the area in question (e.g., forensic, economic) depend on the definition of mental disorder that is used.

As you can see the social stigmas facing patients with Anxiety and Depression are likely enough to cause the mental illness in the first place. This is the uphill battle patients with these disorders are facing today.

Personally – I’ve suffered from Anxiety and Depression from a very young age – its not something people just magic into existence – its not something people choose – another misconception with mental disorders. I’ve taken a myriad of anti-depressants from the SSRI category, and now have moved onto an SNRI, Cymbalta. I have experience no change in my condition since starting Cymbalta nearly two months ago now. I do however find relief from my anxiety and depressive symptoms through Medical Marijuana. The heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweatiness and lack of concentration are completely eradicated after treatment with Medical Marijuana.

All this is fantastic, but the bottom line is – where is the evidence, where is the scientific information backing the use of Medical Marijuana in patients with anxiety and depression? Below you will find links that will help you in your information search, all of these links are valid as of 5/13/09.

http://www.norml.org...m?Group_ID=4393

Cannabidiol, a constituent of natural marijuana not found in Marinol, appears to have distinctive therapeutic value as an anti-convulsant and hypnotic, and to counteract acute anxiety reactions caused by THC.

http://www.jci.org/a...25509/version/1

Cannabinoids promote embryonic and adult hippocampus neurogenesis and produce anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects

http://www.pubmedcen...med&pubmedid...

Antidepressant-like activity and modulation of brain monoaminergic transmission by blockade of anandamide hydrolysis

http://www.pacifier....nd_cannabis.htm

Cannabis and Depression Jay R. Cavanaugh, Ph.D.

http://www.cannabis-...is_artikel.p...

Science: Association between cannabis use and depression may not be causal, study says

http://www.ncbi.nlm....etailView&Te...

Marijuana use and depression among adults: Testing for causal associations.

http://www.ncbi.nlm....etailView&Te...

Do patients use marijuana as an antidepressant?

http://www.thehempir...cts_as_antid...

'Cannabis' Acts as Antidepressant
BBCi, 14th October 2005

http://www.thehempir...nd_depressio...

Cannabis And Depression Research
NORML, 18th July 2005

http://marijuana.res...e/4/10/1460.htm

Cannabinoids elicit antidepressant-like behavior and activate serotonergic neurons through the medial prefrontal cortex.

http://www.healthcen...-268391-98.html

Study: Marijuana chemical may treat depression

http://www.ukcia.org...c/Therapeut.htm

Therapeutic aspects of cannabis and cannabinoids†

http://www.cannabis-.../home-jcant.htm

Treating depression with cannabinoids - Kurt Blass

http://www.cannabis-.../home-jcant.htm

Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System

http://en.wikipedia....cinal_marijuana

Cannabis as a medicine became common throughout much of the world by the 19th century. It was used as the primary pain reliever until the invention of aspirin.[108] Modern medical and scientific inquiry began with doctors like O'Shaughnessy and Moreau de Tours, who used it to treat melancholia and migraines, and as a sleeping aid, analgesic and anticonvulsant.

http://www.canadamed...-marihuana.html

Many patients also report that Medical Marihuana is useful for treating arthritis, migraine, menstrual cramps, alcohol and opiate addiction, depression and other debilitating mood disorders.

http://www.ivanhoe.c...m?storyid=12325

Marijuana and Medicine
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The looming question of the effect of marijuana on the brain has been answered. According to Canadian researchers, cannabis promotes neurogenesis -- the generation of new neurons in the brain -- leading to anti-anxiety and anti-depressant type effects.
http://salem-news.co...sion_2-28-08...

Depression: Medical Marijuana is a Successful Therapy

http://cannabisnews....read21194.shtml

Article : Marijuana may live up to be the elixir of lifeLive Up To Be The Elixir of Life
http://www.jointoget...ijuana-eyed-...

Marijuana Eyed for Treatment of Anxiety Disorders
August 4, 2004

Reported by Rochester Cares for MMMA 5/13/09

Marijuana and Cachexia (wasting syndrome)

Marijuana and Cancer

Crohn’s disease

Marijuana and Diabetes

Marijuana and Glaucoma

"Marijuana and THC have been shown to reduce IOP [intraocular pressure] by an average of 24% in people with normal IOP who have visual-field changes. In a number of studies of healthy adults and glaucoma patients, IOP was reduced by an average of 25% after smoking a marijuana cigarette that contained approximately 2% THC." — Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base, National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine (1999)

Published Research Articles

Dronabinol and Retinal Hemodynamics in Humans — American Journal of Ophthalmology — Volume 143, Issue 1, Pages 173-174 (January 2007)
Purpose: To investigate the effects of oral cannabinoids on retinal hemodynamics assessed by video fluoresce in angiography in healthy subjects.
Methods: In a self-experiment, the cannabinoid dronabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) was administered orally to eight healthy medical doctors (7.5 mg Marinol; Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Chicago, Illinois, USA). At baseline and two hours after dronabinol intake, intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured and retinal hemodynamics were assessed by fluorescein angiography. The retinal arteriovenous passage time was determined on the basis of dye dilution curves by means of digital image analysis in a masked fashion.
Results: Dronabinol resulted in a significant IOP reduction from 13.2 +/- 1.9 mm Hg to 11.8 +/- 2.0 mm Hg (P = .038). The retinal arteriovenous passage time decreased from 1.77 +/- 0.35 seconds to 1.57 +/- 0.31 seconds (P = .028). Systemic blood pressure and heart rate were not statistically significantly altered.
Conclusions: Cannabinoids, already known for their ability to reduce IOP, may result in increased retinal hemodynamics. This may be beneficial in ocular circulatory disorders, including glaucoma.

Effect of Sublingual Application of Cannabinoids on Intraocular Pressure: A Pilot Study — Journal of Glaucoma Volume 15(5) October 2006 pp 349-353
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) and the safety and tolerability of oromucosal administration of a low dose of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Patients and Methods: A randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, 4 way crossover study was conducted at a single center, using cannabis-based medicinal extract of Delta-9-THC and CBD. Six patients with ocular hypertension or early primary open angle glaucoma received a single sublingual dose at 8 AM of 5 mg Delta-9-THC, 20 mg CBD, 40 mg CBD, or placebo. Main outcome measure was IOP. Secondary outcomes included visual acuity, vital signs, and psychotropic effects.
Results: Two hours after sublingual administration of 5 mg Delta-9-THC, the IOP was significantly lower than after placebo (23.5 mm Hg vs. 27.3 mm Hg, P=0.026). The IOP returned to baseline level after the 4-hour IOP measurement. CBD administration did not reduce the IOP at any time. However, the higher dose of CBD (40 mg) produced a transient elevation of IOP at 4 hours after administration, from 23.2 to 25.9 mm Hg (P=0.028). Vital signs and visual acuity were not significantly changed. One patient experienced a transient and mild paniclike reaction after Delta-9-THC administration.
Conclusions: A single 5 mg sublingual dose of Delta-9-THC reduced the IOP temporarily and was well tolerated by most patients. Sublingual administration of 20 mg CBD did not reduce IOP, whereas 40 mg CBD produced a transient increase IOP rise.

Marijuana Smoking vs Cannabinoids for Glaucoma Therapy — Archives of Ophthalmology 1998;116:1433-1437
Objective: To discuss the clinical effects, including toxicological data, of marijuana and its many constituent compounds on the eye and the remainder of the body. A perspective is given on the use of marijuana and the cannabinoids in the treatment of glaucoma.
Results: Although it is undisputed that smoking of marijuana plant material causes a fall in intraocular pressure (IOP) in 60% to 65% of users, continued use at a rate needed to control glaucomatous IOP would lead to substantial systemic toxic effects revealed as pathological changes.
Conclusions: Development of drugs based on the cannabinoid molecule or its agonists for use as topical or oral antiglaucoma medications seems to be worthy of further pursuit. Among the latter chemicals, some have no known adverse psychoactive side effects.

Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects an estimated 170 million people worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1.8% of the US population has ever been infected with hepatitis C. In Michigan this translates to approximately 160,000 residents that have been infected with hepatitis C. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is committed to decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis C.

Is it now possible that these approximately 160,000 residents in Michigan might find relief of their symptoms through the medicinal use of Marijuana. Many scientific studies have documented the beneficial effects marijuana has demonstrated in treating sufferers of the hepatitis C virus.

If you're a hepatitis C patient, the possibility of adding medical marijuana to your comprehensive treatment plan may have been a question that's crossed your mind but you don't know where to look for information. The links below will connect you to a wealth of information to help you make an informed decision about medical marijuana.

It's understandable that many physicians in Michigan are apprehensive to discuss this subject with their patients. Doctors receive little, if any, education about medical marijuana or its components while in medical school. Many are unaware of the wealth of research showing the efficacy of medical marijuana in treating the symptoms of Hep c. The first task of a patient seeking a recommendation for medical marijuana very well may be educating his/her doctor.

If you, or someone you know is a hepatitis C sufferer, please do some research and at least discuss the possibility of adding medical marijuana to your comprehensive treatment plan. The informative links below will educate you and enable you to discuss medical marijuana with your physician from a knowledgeable and thoughtful perspective.

Hepatitis C and Medical Marijuana

Hepatitis C (HCV) & Drug Use

Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana with Hepatitis C

Cannabis Medical Dictionary: Hepatitis

Should Hepatitis C Patients Who Smoke Marijuana Be Eligible For Liver Transplants?

Moderate Cannabis Use Associated with Improved Treatment Response in Hepatitis C Patients on Methadone

Medical Marijuana Boosts Hepatitis C Treatment in New Study

Treatment for hepatitis C virus and cannabis use

Risk Of Hepatitis C-Related Liver Damage Increased By Regular Marijuana Use

Hepatitis C, Depression Drug & Marijuana

Marijuana has many possible medical uses

Marijuana and HIV/AIDS

Beginning in the 1970s, a series of human clinical trials established cannabis's ability to stimulate food intake and weight gain in healthy volunteers. In AIDS patients, marijuana can improve appetite and nausea. Many patients also experience improved mood and weight gain. Unwanted effects are generally mild or moderate in intensity.
From the Institute of Medicine (a federal agency)

"For patients such as those with AIDS or who are undergoing chemotherapy and who suffer simultaneously from pain, nausea, and appetite loss, cannabinoid drugs might offer broad spectrum relief not found in any other single medication." — an excerpt from Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base (1999) Institute of Medicine

Published Research Articles

Cannabis in Painful HIV-associated Sensory Neuropathy: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.
Donald Abrams, MD, et al. (2007) Neurology. 68:515-521

Objective: To study the effect of smoked cannabis on the neuropathic pain of HIV-associated sensory neuropathy and an experimental pain model.

Methods: Fifty patients were randomly assigned to smoke either cannabis or identical placebo cigarettes with the cannabinoids extracted. Patients smoked 3 times daily for 5 days.

Conclusion: Smoked cannabis reduced pain by 34%. Smoked cannabis was well tolerated and effectively relieved chronic neuropathic pain from HIV-associated sensory neuropathy. The findings are comparable to oral drugs used for chronic neuropathic pain.

Short-Term Effect of Cannabinoids in Patients with HIV-1 Infections
Donald Abrams, MD, et al. (2003) Annals of Internal Medicine. 139:258-266

Background: Cannabinoid use could potentially alter HIV RNA levels by two mechanisms: immune modulation or cannabinoid–protease inhibitor interactions (because both share cytochrome P-450 metabolic pathways).

Objective: To determine the short-term effects of smoked marijuana on the viral load in HIV-infected patients.

Conclusions: Smoked and oral cannabinoids did not seem to be unsafe in people with HIV infection with respect to HIV RNA levels, CD4

Our partners, Americans for Safe Access, provide additional information about the benefits of marijuana for HIV/AIDS patients

Marijuana and Nail Patella

Marijuana and Seizures

Marijuana and Severe or Chronic pain

Marijuana and Severe and persistent muscle spasms

Marijuana and Severe nausea