Roy

I wonder if plain pot can do this too. Wouldn't it be "funny" if instead of causing brain damage pot can cure it?

"Local researchers have joined an international trial of a marijuana-based drug that could limit the damage caused in traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Jack Wilberger, chairman of neurosurgery at Allegheny General Hospital, will be leading the local arm of the study, which began here about 10 days ago.

Dexanabinol, a synthetic drug, is derived from the active agent in cannabis, or marijuana. It acts on the so-called secondary injury process, which is a chemical cascade that leads to progressive brain cell death after the initial trauma. The drug counters inflammation, works as an antioxidant and blocks the uncontrolled influx of calcium into the cells, which can kill them.

"It's different from all other drugs we've tried in head injury in that all of them were limited to one of those three mechanisms of action," Wilberger said. "None of them worked."

Dexanabinol could help because it does all those things simultaneously. The drug can be given by injection up to four hours after the injury is sustained.

Minimal side effects were seen in earlier European trials, Wilberger said. Although the drug is based on a marijuana molecule, it doesn't give patients a "high."

For the trial, head injury patients will be randomly assigned to receive the drug or a placebo. The researchers will compare mortality rates for the two groups, as well as recovery levels.

About 15 to 20 local residents could number among the anticipated 250 American participants. About 1,500 patients ultimately will be enrolled in the trial, which includes both U.S. and European hospitals, Wilberger said.

Studies conducted in Israel found that three months after injury 42 percent of patients who took dexanabinol had good neurological recovery compared to 17 percent of those taking a placebo.

Dexanabinol's properties were discovered in the late 1980s by researchers at Israel's Tel Aviv University. The drug is being made by Pharmos Corporation, based in Rehovot, Israel.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.5 million people sustain a brain injury each year. As a result, about 50,000 people die and up to 90,000 are left with a longterm or lifelong disability.

After brain injury, "few people come back normal, to the way they were before," Wilberger noted. Animal experiments showed that dexanabinol markedly improved recovery, but in that setting the drug was given immediately. "


Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Copyright: 2003 PG Publishing
Contact: letters@post-gazette.com
Website: http://www.post-gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341
Author: Anita Srikameswaran

Mamabudz

Actually... cannabis is the strongest anti-oxidant in nature (and is stronger than anything in the laboratories too)

One anecdootal report...okay let me put it more simply...one of Mama's dearest frieds sufered a stroke 2+ years ago. Major stroke on the left side of her brain. Prognosis was either death or a vegetable.

Mama's friends smokes pot...all day...every day. After 24 hours n the hospital we snuck in some brownies...

Just as a background, the damage caused by stroke is usually caused by the re-introduction of blood into the damaged area, which causes an increase of free-radicals from highly oxygenated blood which in turn "burns out" the cells and causes brain cell death -- that is a very simplified way of putting it. Cannabis being an anti-oxidant can control and diminish that free radical overload and control that "burn out" before it happens.

To make a long story short... Mama's friend is alive and well and survived reasonably unscathed (some slight amnesia which has lessened over time).

The doctors, neurologists, etc. call it a miracle.

Now miracles happen but not that often
-- miracle or cannabis...you decide.

BTW the stroke was caused by medication in an over the counter cough suppresant she took...the chemical that causes the strokes in that medication have been removed.

Chuck Chronko

Regarding the anti-oxidant thing, is the anti-oxidant obsorbed only through ingestion or is it through the smoke?

Mamabudz

It is absorbed by both means

three6sthree9s

I just completed a Level one DUI class in jacksonville, Florida due to an arrest for DUI where I blew a .007 but also was in possession of 1.5 grams of marijuana. In that class I was told by the instructor that THC is oil-soluble, comes into the body in oil, and that the oil remains after the THC is evacuated. This oil accumulates around the brain and the testicles(in men) and long-term use causes enough accumulation of this oil to cause shrinkage of the brain, which can not be good. Is there any truth to this ominous assertion? I can't seem to find this backed up even in government-sponsored websites. Please enlighten me, anyone!

Mamabudz

,

Sort of...THC molecules bind easily to Lipid molecules. Lipids are oils, fats and waxes

No. THC molecules enter the body if smoked as vapor.

Incorrect. Although after being metabolized (broken down and used) the byproducts of THC molecules, THC metabolites, are stored in the body and do bind with the fat cells

No finding of "marijuana oil" accumulating in the brain or testicles or ovaries for that matter

Absolutely untrue. IN fact read back in this thread to see how THC has been found to be a neuron (nerve cell) and specifically brain neuron protector.

No truth... But this guy has a future as a horror novelist

...have a cookie...it might just be good for you!

Hugz,

Mama Budz

Rugbee

I’m glad your friend survived from her tragedy
However, anyone who believes that marijuana is healthy and doses not have ill side effects should put down their pipe and think twice. Sure Marijuana has its advantages but it also has its disadvantages…

finalreflection

(See: Glass, 2001; Panikashvili et al 2001.)

""Strokes tend to kill neurons in two ways, 1st: Early on, Overstimulation with excess glutamate and 2nd: Later by prolonged lack of stimulation from glutamate. Cannabinoids decrease both risks by moderating the release of glutamate in the brain. "" (paraphrased) (This is sort of similar to what you said except I don't believe it had so much to do with antioxidant properties as it does with neurotransmitter/activants regulation.... the MJ kind of "levels things out" rather than enhancing or decreasing them... which is what you need to prevent stroke damage...

The doctors should probably should have known about this...... and Cannabinoids are very good at helping moderate the damage caused by strokes.... May want to point the Neurologists/doctors to this research paper as it could help alot of people if they have somehow missed this wonderful application for MJ!

PhreshwaterPhunk

That gaush darn cough syrup!!

__________________
"Faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death."Hunter S. Thompson

broomhdj

(In response to Mamabudz's post)

OMG, marijuana is the best ****ing thing ever!! It just gets better and better. But all of you already knew that.