Latest Research
Since 2007, the Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR) has sponsored four double-blind, placebo-controlled, FDA-approved Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials which demonstrate that smoking cannabis (marijuana), even in low doses, effectively alleviates the neuropathy pain associated with HIV/AIDS. The results of these clinical trials have been reviewed and published by reputable medical journals.- In February 2007, Neurology published the results of a Phase I clinical trial which concluded smoked cannabis was well tolerated and effectively relieved chronic neuropathic pain from HIV-associated sensory neuropathy. The findings are comparable to oral drugs used for chronic neuropathic pain.
- In November 2007, Anesthesiology published results of a clinical trial conducted by researchers at UCSD Center for Pain Medicine which concluded that normal volunteers subjected to chemically induced pain which mimics neuropathy also responded to medium doses of smoked cannabis.
- In June 2008, the Journal of Pain, published the results of a clinical trial conducted by researchers at UC Davis which also concluded that even low doses of smoked cannabis can be effective in managing hard-to-treat neuropathic pain. In fact, investigators found that low- and high-dose cannabis produced similar levels of pain relief, reducing the intensity of the severe nerve pain. The researchers specifically noted that cannabis not only fights pain itself but also interacts with opiate-based painkillers to increase their effectiveness, particularly in neuropathic pain. They also note that using isolated synthetic cannabinoids such as THC (dronabinol) did not provide the same degree of efficacy as a whole-plant preparation of cannabis.
- In August 2008, Neuropsychopharmacology, published the results of a Phase II clinical trial conducted by researchers at UCSD School of Medicine which concluded, once again, that smoked cannabis was generally well tolerated and effective when added to concomitant analgesic therapy in patients with HIV-related neuropathy pain not adequately controlled by other pain-relievers.
The Endocannabinoid System as an Emerging
Target of Pharmacotherapy
click for full text
by Pal Pacher, Sandor Batkai, and George Kunos
Laboratory of Physiologic Studies
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institutes of Health
2006
Abstract
I. Introduction
II. The pharmacology of cannabinoids
A. Cannabinoid receptors and ligands
B. Cannabinoid receptor signaling
C. Endocannabinoids
III. The endocannabinoid system as therapeutic target in pathophysiological conditions
A. Diseases of energy metabolism
1. Endocannabinoids and appetite regulation
2. Endocannabinoids and peripheral energy metabolism
3. Obesity and associated metabolic abnormalities
4. Cachexia and anorexia
B. Pain and inflammation
C. Central nervous system disorders
1. Neurotoxicity and neurotrauma
2. Stroke
3. Multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury
4. Movement disorders (basal ganglia disorders)
a. Parkinson’s disease and levodopa-induced dyskinesia
b. Huntington’s disease
c. Gilles de la Tourette’s syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, and dystonia
5. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Epilepsy
8. Mental disorders
a. Schizophrenia
b. Anxiety and depression
9. Insomnia
10. Nausea and emesis
11. Drug addiction and alcohol disorders
a. Opiates
b. Nicotine
c. Cocaine
d. Alcohol
e. Psychostimulants
D. Cardiovascular and respiratory disorders
1. Hypertension
2. Circulatory shock
3. Myocardial reperfusion injury
4. Atherosclerosis
5. Asthma
E. Eye disorders (glaucoma and retinopathy)
F. Cancer
G. Gastrointestinal and liver disorders
1. Inflammatory bowel disease
2. Acute and chronic liver disease (hepatitis and liver cirrhosis)
H. Musculoskeletal disorders
1. Arthritis
2. Osteoporosis
I. Endocannabinoids and reproductive functions
IV. Future directions
Acknowledgments
References
Scientific American: The Brain's Own Marijuana 11/22/04
"... the brain makes its own marijuana, natural compounds called endocannabinoids (after the plant's formal name, Cannabis sativa). The study of endocannabinoids in recent years has led to exciting discoveries. By examining these substances, researchers have exposed an entirely new signaling system in the brain: a way that nerve cells communicate that no one anticipated even 15 years ago..."Scientific American - The Brain's Own Marijuana
Professional Organizations and Research Centers
International Cannabinoid Research Society
http://www.cannabinoidsociety.org/
incorporated in 1991, over 500 members worldwide
International Association for Cannabis as Medicine (ICAM)
http://www.acmed.org/
founded in 2000, holds bi-annual symposium
Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR)
http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/
founded in 2001, 17 approved studies as of June 2006