September 13, 2012 from GreenMedInfo Website
A remarkable study published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology in 2006, found that this long vilified plant contains a compound with not one, but two therapeutic properties ideal for addressing both the surface symptom (memory problems) and root cause (brain plaque) of Alzheimer's disease. [i]
This is an ironic finding, considering that the prevailing stereotype is that using marijuana "fries" the brain, leading to debilitating memory issues.
Researchers discovered that the psychoactive component of marijuana, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), both,
On the first account, THC's ability to inhibit the AChE enzyme, is not unlike the mechanism of action behind most Alzheimer's drugs on the market today.
Drugs like donepezil (trade name Aricept), for instance, by targeting and inhibiting the brain enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), result in an increase in brain levels of this neurotransmitter, which in turn, results in symptom reduction, i.e. improved memory.
Donepezil, however, is riddled with controversy due its well-known association with seizures, which likely reflects its intrinsic neurotoxicity. It is, in fact, a chemical in the same general chemical class as venom, insecticides and chemical war agents, such as nerve gas.
On the second account, THC's ability to prevent the acetylcholinesterase-associated amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) aggregation, i.e. brain plaque, indicates that it may, as the researchers noted,
In fact, they found,
What is so encouraging about this research, and which the researchers described as "noteworthy," is the following:
THC, of course, is only one of a wide range of cannabinoids in the plant marijuana.
Not only is there already plentiful information on the neuroprotective properties of marijuana compounds, but there is also a sizeable body of clinical and/or biomedical research indicating the medicinal value of this plant in over 150 health conditions.
Notes
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How Marijuana Outperforms Drugs for
Alzheimer’s Disease -
September 18, 2012
The war on drugs has most people believing there is no legitimate argument for marijuana, causing it to be highly looked down upon and illegal under federal law throughout the United States.
But there is an
exceptionally large body of research pointing to the
positive impact marijuana can have on various health
ailments, with recent research revealing a link between
marijuana and Alzheimer’s - showing that THC, the
psychoactive component of marijuana, may be beneficial for
Alzheimer’s patients.
In other
words, cannabinoid molecules found in cannabis could halt
the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Help without
Nasty Drug-Induced Side Effects
Many drugs on the market
today address symptoms of Alzheimer’s by targeting and
inhibiting the AChE enzyme, a neurotransmitter. This
leads to decreased levels of AChE, thereby resulting in
reduced symptoms.
The problem with many
Alzheimer’s drugs like donepezil (known as Aricept),
however, is that they are associated with seizures,
among other nasty side-effects. But it isn’t too
surprising - donepezil is in the same class of chemicals
as many insecticides and agents of chemical warfare like
nerve gas.
The researchers studied the reduction of Aβ aggregation after administration of donepezil and tacrine, which resulted in 22 percent and 7 percent reductions, respectively.
Marijuana Misconceptions
Dr. Sean McAllister’s research at the Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco answers the age-old question: Does marijuana cause cancer? He shows that cannabidiol offers hope of a non-toxic therapy that could treat aggressive forms of cancer without any of the painful side effects of chemotherapy.
Let’s not also forget about Mike Hyde, the father who helped his 3-year-old son beat brain cancer with oil from marijuana.
Alzheimer’s on the Rise
And the escalation of the disease rates is not slowing - Alzheimer’s incidence is projected to triple over the coming 50 years. While we know that Alzheimer’s is primarily caused by an overall unhealthy lifestyle made up of a poor diet and lack of exercise, researchers are looking to see if stress is one of the factors that affect one’s risk of Alzheimer’s.
Seeing as stress wreaks havoc
on the immune system, there is no doubt that it also
helps to breed Alzheimer’s.
Consuming foods rich in vitamin E can help prevent the health issue, while a direct relationship has been made between coconut oil and Alzheimer’s as well - a relationship that should not be overlooked.
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