Marijuana-like compounds may aid array of debiliating conditions ranging from Parkinson's to pain

[The Straight Story]

Marijuana-like compounds may aid array of debiliating conditions ranging from Parkinson's to pain

SAN DIEGO -- October 26, 2004 No longer a pipe dream, new animal research now indicates that marijuana-like compounds can aid a bevy of debilitating conditions, ranging from brain disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease, to pain and obesity. The new research was presented at the 34th Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego.

In past studies, researchers determined that the main active chemicals in the drug marijuana produce a variety of effects by connecting to specific sites on nerve cells, called cannabinoid receptors. Researchers also discovered that these receptors normally bind to natural internal chemicals, dubbed cannabinoids.

"Understanding how marijuana and the brain's own natural cannabinoid system works is helping researchers design new medicines," says cannabinoid expert Daniele Piomelli, PhD, of the University of California in Irvine. "It's believed that the controlled therapies that come out of this research might provide select benefits to patients while avoiding some of the unwanted effects seen with the drug."

Research from California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco points to the promise of marijuana-like treatments for those with the fatal brain disorder ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"Our research indicates that select marijuana compounds, including THC, significantly slow the disease process and extend the life of mice with ALS," says study author Mary Abood, PhD.

http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2004/7/20046967.shtml

Enough of the war on pot. I don't smoke it myself, but for crying out loud, make it legal and let grown ups to make their own decisions in their life. You only get one go around, why live it in pain because someone else wants to control a plant?