NORML, the medical marijuana advocacy group, thinks this is a positive study.
I don’t see it that way. Continue reading Spinning the effect of marijuana abuse in schizophrenics
Category Archives: Marijuana (Cannabinoids)
The relationship between cannabis use and early psychosis
It’s part of the highlights of the 5th International Conference on Early Psychosis held in Birmingham, UK and published on Medscape.
Here are the highlights of the highlights as they relate to marijuana and psychosis — a mental disorder characterized by delusions or hallucinations that indicate impaired contact with reality. Continue reading The relationship between cannabis use and early psychosis
The cannabis experience in oncology
In September 2003, the Dutch government legalized a medicinal cannabis product for clinical research, drug development, and prescription use by patients.
Here’s what has happened since then. Continue reading The cannabis experience in oncology
Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs
Professor Richard Beasley from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand has studied the effects of marijuana on the lungs.
For chronic users, smoking just 1 joint is as bad for the lungs as 2.5 to 5 cigarettes. Continue reading Comparing cannabis vs cigarettes on the lungs
The effects of smoking marijuana on the lungs
Aside from the finding (summarized here) that marijuana smoking is not associated with lung cancer, here is a list of its effects on lung function.
Continue reading The effects of smoking marijuana on the lungs
Marijuana use not associated with lung cancer
People who smoked marijuana in their youth are getting to the age when cancers are seen. Therefore, we’re probably on the verge of seeing many studies on the effects marijuana’s long-term health consequences.
Among more than 2000 people living in Los Angeles County, long-term marijuana users who smoked more than 22,000 joints over a lifetime showed no greater risk than infrequent marijuana users or nonusers.
How could this be?
Continue reading Marijuana use not associated with lung cancer
Marijuana used to treat neuropathic pain in AIDs patients
Neuropathic pain occurs when damaged or dysfunctional nerve fibers send incorrect signals to pain centers leading to feelings of tingling, numbness, and shooting and burning pain. It’s very discomforting to the patient and difficult to treat.
Here’s a study where cannabis showed benefit. Continue reading Marijuana used to treat neuropathic pain in AIDs patients
Safety report on cannabis oral spray
A spray has been developed from the major components of marijuana (cannabis), including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in alcohol. The formulation is sprayed under the tongue or in the cheek to relieve pain in multiple sclerosis.
This small study examined effects on the mucus membrane of the mouth. Continue reading Safety report on cannabis oral spray
Insufficient proof of efficacy for marijuana spray to permit sale in the UK
GW Pharmaceuticals was able to prove that Sativex, their marijuana oral spray product, was safe and reliably contained sufficient tetrahydrocannabinol. But proof of effectiveness was lacking, in the view of the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Continue reading Insufficient proof of efficacy for marijuana spray to permit sale in the UK
The Volcano alternative means of delivery of inhaled Cannabis sativa
An earlier study (reported here, discussed here) showed that the Volcano vaporization device is a reliable way to achieve lung concentrations of marijuana.
Now, researchers from the University of California and San Francisco General Hospital confirm that vaporization of cannabis is a safe and effective mode of delivery of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). They think the device should be used in future studies of THC. Continue reading The Volcano alternative means of delivery of inhaled Cannabis sativa
Cannabinoid-receptor blocker will probably not be sold in the US
The New York Times reports, “The [FDA] advisory panel voted unanimously, 14 to 0, against recommending the drug [rimonabant, Acomplia, Zimulti], saying there was inadequate evidence of its safety. The FDA is not required to follow this advice, but it typically does.”
The report is interesting to this blog because rimonabant works by blocking cannabinoids receptors in the brain. Continue reading Cannabinoid-receptor blocker will probably not be sold in the US
Status of cannabinoids for pain management
Dr. Lynn Webster of the Lifetree Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah reports from the American Academy of Pain Medicine meeting.
Effective? Continue reading Status of cannabinoids for pain management
Legalizing marijuana: Does it matter?
An article by the Canadian AIDS Society says not enough is being done to get Canadians to use legal marijuana.
Apparently legalizing a drug with no credible scientific evidence for its use as primary or secondary treatment for anything is not enough. Continue reading Legalizing marijuana: Does it matter?
FDA has ruled against Tigan: Now, what to do for nausea and vomiting?
Companies must stop manufacturing and distributing trimethobenzamide hydrochloride (Tigan, Tebamide, T-Gen, Trimazide, and Trimethobenz) suppositories.
It’s a good time to review CAM options for nausea and vomiting. Continue reading FDA has ruled against Tigan: Now, what to do for nausea and vomiting?
The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Dr. Frederick Burgess, who is clinical associate professor of surgery (anesthesiology) at Brown University in Rhode Island, has these thoughts from the American Academy of Pain Medicine Annual Meeting this past February. Continue reading The status of marijuana to treat pain and nausea
Cannabis does not interact with 2 cancer drugs
Docetaxel (Taxotere) is used to treat breast cancer, while irinotecan (Camptosar) is used to treat cancer of the colon or rectum.
This study shows that medicinal cannabis can be taken with both anticancer agents and does not require adjusting their doses. Continue reading Cannabis does not interact with 2 cancer drugs
Update on cannabinoids to treat pain
Here are highlights from the American Academy of Pain Medicine 23rd Annual Meeting
Sativex Oromucosal Spray Continue reading Update on cannabinoids to treat pain
Marijuana: A life-saving medication?
Did you hear the story about Angel Raich who wants to take marijuana every few hours, under her doctor’s advice, to control pain and give her an appetite? Her doctor claims without it she would “starve to death.”
I think she needs a second opinion.
Self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV, and it’s often associated with antiretroviral therapy. Patients experience muscle weakness and atrophy, pain, and numbness.
Here’s what people use to manage the discomfort. Continue reading Self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS
History of cannabis in medicine
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria has an exhaustive review.
I summarize it here.