Synthetic THC May Help in the Treatment of Phobias
Exposure-Based Therapy for Phobias Phobias are “overwhelming and unreasonable fear[s] of an object or situation that poses little real danger but provokes anxiety and avoidance”. Living with phobias can be intrusive and draining. For example, someone who suffers from agoraphobia is unable to even leave their house without experiencing extreme and intense discomfort. Though the individual has an irrational fear of the outside world, at its origins, the phobia typically stems from a rational fear (i.e. rejection or failure). When it comes to the treatment of anxiety disorders like phobias, one of the go-to options is exposure-based …
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Shows Success In Treating Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
Cannabis Used In Treatment Of Crohn’s Disease A recent study conducted by Meir Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine provides evidence that cannabis can help relieve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This phenomenon has been suggested in the past, but this was the first controlled clinical trial conducted to test it. In particular, the study focused on the treatment of Crohn’s disease. In 2002, Crohn’s disease was estimated to affect between 400,000 and 600,000 people in North America alone. Crohn’s disease is type of inflammatory bowel disease that can affect the gastrointestinal …
Study Shows THC May Limit Damage Caused By Heart Attack
Small Amounts Of THC Defend Against Heart Attacks A recent study conducted by the Felsenstein Medical Research Center in Israel offered some new evidence of the medical value of Cannabis. The study, published in the Journal of Biochemical Pharmacology, was conducted to determine what effect small amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has on heart protection. In order to do so, they conducted an experiment using mice as the subjects. “A single ultra low dose of THC before ischemia [Insufficient Blood flow] …
Cannabis Shown To Ease Symptoms During Opiate Withdrawal
According to a recent study, cannabis use may help relieve withdrawal symptoms during Methadone treatment. The study that was performed at Thomas Jefferson University and recently published online shows the cannabinoid system may have a place in future substance abuse treatment. This Pennsylvania-based university was the home for observing 91 patients undergoing Methadone treatment. Methadone is common form of treatment for opiate dependence. It can be effective, but it has a number of negative side effects. There are quite a few reported side effects of Methadone treatment, such as: anxiety, insomnia, …
Study: Cannabis Could Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
New Evidence in Support of Medicinal Cannabis A study conducted by researchers at The Roskamp Institute in Sarasota, FL suggests a relationship between the cannabinoid system and the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. According to Corbin Bachmeier, the study’s head researcher, patients with Alzheimer’s disease could benefit from cannabinoid receptor stimulation. What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating – not only to individual patients, but entire families. It is the most common form of dementia (“a general term for a decline in mental ability severe …
Cannabinoids May Help in Managing Asthma-Related Symptoms
What Is Asthma? Asthma is one of the most ubiquitous chronic inflammatory diseases in the U.S., affecting an estimated 35 million people, and claiming the lives of 4,000 each year. The disease is typically caused by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causing the chest to feel tight and breathing to become difficult. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing (especially at night), shortness of breath, and pain or pressure in the chest. While not every case of asthma is identical, the treatments for all cases are similar. Current Methods of Treating Asthma Patients Anti-inflammatory drugs are the most popular treatment …
Medical Marijuana in the Management of Autism
As autism becomes more prevalent in the United States, there is a growing need for alternative treatments. Currently prescribed drugs simply do not work for some, and more parents have been turning to medical marijuana to ease their children’s symptoms. While no double-blind study has been done on the effect of marijuana and autism, UC Irvine (UCI) is dedicated to studying the disorder. Medical Marijuana Gaining Popularity Among Autistic Patients With funding from the William & Nancy Thompson Family Foundation and the Children & Families Commission of Orange County, UCI created the Center for …
Medical Marijuana and Lupus: What You Need to Know
What is Lupus? Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, primarily the skin, joints, kidney, and brain. The disease affects the immune system, causing it to become hyperactive. Normally the system makes proteins (antibodies) in order to fight antigens (viruses & bacteria). Lupus causes the immune system to confuse the antigens and healthy tissue, attacking and killing both. This leads to chronic pain, swelling, and long-term tissue damage. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, “One and a half to two million American’s have a form …
Smoking Medical Marijuana Can Decrease Pain From Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an immune system attack on the central nervous system (CNS). A fatty substance called Myelin, which surrounds and protects the nerve fibers in the CNS, is damaged as well as the nerve fibers themselves. The damaged myelin forms scar tissue (sclerosis) and causes disrupted nerve impulses traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord causing the variety of symptoms that can occur. Symptoms include pins and needle …