Scientists believe that there is potential in harnessing the medical powers of marijuana without unleashing the effects that it can cause to the human’s memory. However, they think that it would take years before they can apply the medication to human beings.
"This has great potential but it is years away from human application," said Dr. Dennis J. Patin, associate professor of clinical anesthesiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "I expect that some drug company will research further," he added.
A senior author of a published issue dated April 27 of Natural Chemical Biology noted that his colleague "report new fundamental mechanistic discoveries on the cannabinoid system, rather than proposing a medicine or treatment."
Marijuana has a potential medication that can relieve pain and anxiety. This is due to its psychoactive ingredient which is called Tetrahydrocannibinol (THC). But at some effects of this ingredient, it can cause problems in the cognitive ability of a person such as memory loss.
Concerning the effects of marijuana, researchers found out that multiple people diagnosed with sclerosis who smoke marijuana in order to relieve symptoms are likely to experience cognitive problems, shortfalls and mood disorders, commonly depression and anxiety.
Casida and his team from different universities in California discovered that the breakdown of certain enzymes is blocked by organophosphorus nerve agents. As a result, it stimulates the cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
Organophosphorus or OP nerve agents act like OP pesticides which lead to an excess of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous system.
Researchers studied the experiment using mice. The OP compounds found in the mice had shown therapeutic effects of THC such as pain relief and lower body temperature without unleashing the effects that cause problems to cognitive ability.
"We find that that a single organophosphorus compound is capable of eliciting full-blown cannabinoid effects that mirror those of direct cannabinoid receptor stimulators such as THC," said Casida. "We believe our compound does not act directly on the cannabinoid receptors, but instead elicits its effects by blocking the enzymes that degrade the endogenous cannabinoids . . . which in turn stimulate the cannabinoid receptors in the brain."
According to her, the arachidinic acid pathway is also responsible in pain and inflammation and when these enzymes are blocked, it can also lower the levels of arachidonic acid, which can be helpful in relieving pain.
Regarding to these studies, there is an increase in the chances on the later years, if not now, that there is a possibility that this drug would offer medical benefits without affecting the cognitive ability of a person.
Jasmine Parker, a mother and a writer, finds time releasing her pressure and stress by soaking in a hot tub. Her husband, usually, joins her bathing in a hottub.
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