Treating Illness with Medical Cannabis
With the recent legal use of medical marijuana much clinical research has been published which strongly supports medical marijuana use for various indications. Studies have shown that medical marijuana can be useful for decreasing various types of pain including chronic pain caused by cancer, pain resulting from various neurologic diseases and pain created by muscle spasticity. Cannabis studies also show utility in treating nausea and vomiting, weight loss, and wasting syndrome in chronically ill persons. Additionally medical marijuana has been shown to be efficacious in treating glaucoma and useful for helping to reduce the need for narcotic medications in persons who have used narcotic drugs long term. Some studies have shown benefit in treating fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seizures, Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Treating Cancer Patients with Medical Marijuana
Cannabis has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments. This very safe medicine can help nausea, vomiting, improve appetite, reduce pain, decrease anxiety, help sleep and improve mood.
A cancer patient would need to take several pharmaceutical drugs to treat all of these symptoms associated with cancer, cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Pharmaceutical medications like zofran or compazine (to treat nausea and vomiting), narcotics (to treat pain), megastrol (to improve appetite), sedatives (to treat anxiety), hypnotics (to help sleep) and antidepressants (to improve mood) each have their own long list of “side effects” and possible drug interactions and adverse reactions.
The NJ MMP allows for the use of cannabis to treat these conditions associated with cancer and cancer treatments. Using cannabis instead of several different medications can be more efficient, economical and reduce side effects.
However, the benefits of cannabis treatment for the cancer patient may potentially go beyond just reducing annoying symptoms. There is ample evidence in the scientific and medical literature showing that cannabis may actually have cancer – fighting effects.
In vitro (in a test tube) and in vivo (in living organisms) studies have shown that:
- Cannabis may have anti-proliferative effects on cancer
- Cannabis may shrink the size of tumors
- Cannabis may reduce the frequency of metastasis
Cannabis has been demonstrated to have numerous metabolic effects that may facilitate its utility as an anti-cancer treatment including:
- Malignant cells have increased receptors for both CB1 and CB2 compared to normal cells allowing cannabis to “target” malignant cells
- Increase production of “the executioner enzyme” (caspase – also found in hot peppers) which leads to apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells without any adverse effects on normal cells
- Decrease migration of cancer cells (hence reducing chances of metastasis)
- Modulating the “rheostatic control” hence increasing the production of ceramide – which causes apoptosis in damaged cells, without affecting normal cells
- Modulates the immune system to decrease inflammation
Treating Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patients with Medical Marijuana
Cannabis has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis and the side effects of medicines used to treat multiple sclerosis. This very safe medicine can help nausea, vomiting, improve appetite, reduce spastic muscle pain, decrease anxiety, help sleep and improve mood.
A multiple sclerosis patient would need to take several pharmaceutical drugs to treat all of these symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, and the side effects of medicines used to treat multiple sclerosis. Pharmaceutical medications like zofran or compazine (to treat nausea and vomiting), narcotics (to treat pain), megastrol (to improve appetite), sedatives (to treat anxiety), hypnotics (to help sleep), muscle relaxers to treat muscle spasms and antidepressants (to improve mood) each have their own long list of “side effects” and possible drug interactions and adverse reactions.
The NJ MMP allows for the use of cannabis to treat these conditions associated with multiple sclerosis. Using cannabis instead of several different medications can be more efficient, economical and reduce side effects.
However, the benefits of cannabis treatment for multiple sclerosis patients may potentially go beyond just reducing annoying symptoms. There is ample evidence in the scientific and medical literature showing that cannabis may actually have neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, immune modulating and neuroregenerative properties that could ameliorate the processes that contribute to multiple sclerosis.
In vitro (in a test tube) and in vivo (in living organisms) studies have shown that cannabis has been demonstrated to have numerous metabolic effects that may facilitate its utility as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.
- Cannabis has neuroprotective effects through its ability to reduce inflammation– inflammation of nerve tissue is a major cause of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where your body’s own immune cells cause an inflammatory response in the myelin sheath. This myelin sheath serves to protect the underlying nerves from damage and also aids in the transmission of nerve impulses.
- Cannabinoids may also induce neuroprotective effects in oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). These are the cells that produce your myelin sheath and they have been shown to have CB2 receptors
- Studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids can enhance remyelination by promoting oligodendrocyte maturation
- Cannabidiol was shown to protect oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) from cytokine(inflammatory chemical)-mediated cell death(apoptosis) by reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER)stress
- Studies show that WIN55,212-2 (a synthetic cannabinoids) stimulates oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation
- There is a large amount of experimental evidence for cannabinoids helping to reduce neuroexcitotoxicity by modulating neurotransmitter release and synaptic functioning.
- In vitro testing of cannabinoids demonstrate anti-oxidant properties, hence reducing free radical damage and improving cellular energy by preserving mitochondrial function
- Cannabidiol treatment led to improvements in mice with MS-like disease through its ability to suppress T-cell and microglial activity, two key immune cells implicated in MS.
- Mice bred to be deficient in CB2-receptors were more likely to develop nerve inflammation and neurodegeneration under experimental conditions mimicking multiple sclerosis.
Treating Crohn's Disease Patients with Medical Marijuana
Cannabis has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease and the side effects of medicines used to treat Crohn’s disease. This very safe medicine can help nausea, vomiting, improve appetite, reduce intestinal spasms, decrease anxiety, help sleep and improve mood.
A Crohn’s disease patient would need to take several pharmaceutical drugs to treat all of these symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease, and the side effects of medicines used to treat Crohn’s disease. Pharmaceutical medications like zofran or compazine (to treat nausea and vomiting), narcotics (to treat pain), megastrol (to improve appetite), sedatives (to treat anxiety), hypnotics (to help sleep), antispasmodic drugs (to reduce intestinal spasms) and antidepressants (to improve mood) each have their own long list of “side effects” and possible drug interactions and adverse reactions.
The NJ MMP allows for the use of cannabis to treat these conditions associated with Crohn’s disease. Using cannabis instead of several different medications can be more efficient, economical and reduce side effects.
However, the benefits of cannabis treatment for Crohn’s disease patients may potentially go beyond just reducing annoying symptoms. There is ample evidence in the scientific and medical literature showing that cannabis may actually have anti-inflammatory, immune modulating and gastrointestinal properties that could ameliorate the processes that contribute to Crohn’s disease.
In vitro (in a test tube) and in vivo (in living organisms) and clinical studies have shown that cannabis has been demonstrated to have numerous nervous system, immune modulating and metabolic effects that may facilitate its utility as a treatment for Crohn’s disease.
- Observational study data in patients with Crohn’s disease suggest that cannabis helps alleviate disease symptom severity and reduces the requirements for other medications and/or the need for surgery
- A placebo-controlled trial showed that cannabis produces significant clinical benefits in patients with Crohn’s disease – they were able to demonstrate that an 8-week treatment with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-rich cannabis caused a decrease in the Crohn’s disease activity index in 90% of patients without producing significant side effects
- In experiments simulating intestinal inflammation cannabinoids had an effect on immune cells via their CB2 receptors. The cannabinoids promoted T cell apoptosis (cell death) and decreased proliferation of T cells – reducing the inflammatory response
- Activation of CB2 receptors in experimental intestinal inflammation resulted in less migration of neutrophils, T cells and macrophages to the inflamed colon
- CB receptors have been identified in the nervous system of the gut (enteric nervous system – ENS) which is responsible for controlling gut motility and secretion.
- CB1 receptors present in the ENS reduce excessive stimulation of the bowel wall.
- Activation of CB receptors by cannabinoids may reduce excess motility associated with gut inflammation which may reduce diarrhea in inflammatory bowel disease.
Treating Seizure Patients with Medical Marijuana
Cannabis has been used to treat seizures for over 1000 years as it was utilized in China, India, Africa, Greece and Rome for its anti-convulsant properties.
What Causes Seizures?
Seizures occur when your brain cells become over excited and start to discharge impulses in an abnormal fashion. Some seizures affect the entire brain (generalized seizures) and consequently lead to an altered level of consciousness. Other seizures only affect a limited area of the brain and are called partial seizures.
The term epilepsy is generally reserved for those patients with generalized seizures. Unfortunately, a relatively large proportion of those suffering form epilepsy respond poorly to anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s) with break through seizures and adverse side effects. Additionally, many epileptics end up developing resistance to AEDs, require higher doses of drugs and multiple drugs which eventually leaves them unable to function.
Studies and Observations Supporting the use of Cannabis as an Anti-Seizure Agent
Case studies, observational studies and a few clinical studies have shown benefits of cannabis with minimal (and relatively benign) side effects. For example;
- In 1978, Mechoulam and Carlini conducted a randomized experiment on nine epileptic patients. Four of the patients were administered 200 mg of CBD daily. The remaining five patients were administered a placebo. Two of the four patients who received the 200 mg/daily dosage of CBD became seizure free. The placebo patients continued to experience unchanged seizure activity.
- In 1981 Carlini and Cunha used a placebo controlled study to examine 15 adult patients whose seizures were uncontrolled by conventional treatment. Of the 8 patients who received CBD four exhibited no sign of seizure, one “improved markedly,” one “improved somewhat,” one showed no improvement, and one withdrew from the study. Of the placebo-treated patients, one showed “a little improvement,” whilst six showed no change. Four of the CBD-treated patients reported that CBD caused some sedation. The investigators concluded that CBD could be of benefit to patients with secondary generalized epilepsy for whom existing medicines were ineffective.
- In 2013, Porter and Jacobson examined the results of parental surveys on high CBD strains of cannabis use in children that had treatment-resistant epilepsy. Their findings: “The average number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) tried before using cannabidiol-enriched cannabis was 12. Sixteen (84%) of the 19 parents reported a reduction in their child’s seizure frequency while taking cannabidiol-enriched cannabis. Of these, two (11%) reported complete seizure freedom, eight (42%) reported a greater than 80% reductions in seizure frequency, and six (32%) reported a 25-60% seizure reduction. Other beneficial effects included increased alertness, better mood, and improved sleep. Side effects included drowsiness and fatigue….”
- A high profile story about the use of CBD for seizures involves the case of Charlotte Figi. Charlotte suffers from a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome. Charlotte was experiencing about 300 seizures per week since she was a little baby. This terrible disease did not respond to over 12 medications and left her malnourished and wheelchair bound.
Fortunately, Charlotte’s parents heard about the benefits of CBD oil and started giving this to her. She has responded fantastically and immediately and now only gets one or two seizures each week. She is no longer malnourished, no longer wheelchair bound and is the proverbial “poster child” for the use of CBD in epilepsy. Charlotte’s story has made national news - Charlotte’s story has spawned the creation of “The Realm of Caring Foundation”. This non-profit organization has reported that 85 percent of the children studied experience a greater than 50% reduction in seizures activity.
There have been countless other reports extolling the benefits of cannabis as a therapeutic agent in epilepsy. Many of these reports have been summarized the paper Cannabis Therapeutic: Compendium Cannabis in the Management and Treatment of Seizures and Epilepsy published in 2014 and written by Ben Whalley, Ph.D. Dr Whalley is a pharmacist and has written and co-written multiple scientific, peer-reviewed papers on the potential effect of cannabis in relieving seizure disorders.
According to Whalley (2014), “most of the available human evidence suggests that both a reduction in incidence and severity of seizures, as well as physical and behavioral improvements in children and adults treated with either cannabis or its 25 preparations (e.g. CBD solution), can be achieved.
The Science Behind the Benefits of Cannabis for Seizures
There are many potential mechanisms by which cannabidiol (CBD) can reduce seizures in susceptible individuals via its ability to regulate nerve excitation;
(1) CBD regulates helps to regulate/control the intracellular levels of calcium – calcium is a major stimulator of nerve excitation
(2) CBD blocks (antagonizes) 5 Hydroxytryptophan receptors which helps inhibit the generation of seizures
(3) CBD helps your central nervous system (CNS) maintain higher levels of adenosine by reducing adenosine reuptake which then increases inhibitory CNS signals and helps suppress seizures
There are also numerous other effects of CBDs that may reduce seizure activity that are not related directly to CBD’s anti-convulsant properties. For example – CBDs have been shown to modulate (control) your immune system and inflammatory responses, reduce pain, enhance sleep, and reduce anxiety.
In summary, CBD’s anti-seizure effects are most likely due to several different mechanisms.
CBD has an excellent side-effect profile and can help other anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) work better. Consequently, CBD treatment can have beneficial effects as an anti-seizure medicine by itself. Additionally CBDs can reduce the dosage needed to produce therapeutic responses and the undesirable side effects of AED treatments.
Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Patients with Medical Marijuana
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a chronic condition where you will suffer from severe and painful emotional stress when “triggered” to remember past traumatic experiences. These triggers can include pictures, music, smells, situations and many common everyday situations that stir up painful memories that you are trying to forget.
To be diagnosed with PTSD, an adult must have all of the following for at least 1 month:
- At least one re-experiencing symptom – such as flashbacks, bad dreams and unpleasant recurring thoughts related to the traumatic event
- At least one avoidance symptom – such as avoiding places, events, objects or thoughts or feelings related to the traumatic event
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms – such as being easily startled, feeling tense or “on edge”, experiencing insomnia or anger issues
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms – such as difficulty remembering the traumatic event, experiencing recurrent negative thoughts like guilt or blame, and feeling depressed
Many people that are suffering from PTSD also suffer from other chronic problems and may be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, (CFS), fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and many other syndromes. If you have PTSD you likely also experience an assortment of other symptoms including fatigue, muscle and joint pain, cognitive problems (brain fog), gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, irritable bowel), unstable body temperature, unexplained rashes, dizziness and vertigo, headaches, red and burning eyes, hormonal problems, sleep issues, unexplained weight gain and many more. Many people suffering from PTSD will eventually experience secondary symptoms related to immune dysfunction, hormonal imbalances and autonomic nervous system failure.
Not everybody that experiences some sort of traumatic event will develop PTSD. The underlying cause of most cases of PTSD is some sort of physiologic weakness caused by chronic stressors. These stressors may include poor quality diet, poor quality (and quantity) of sleep, chronic inflammatory response syndrome, (CIRS), exposure to harmful electromagnetic frequencies (EMF), hormonal problems, autonomic nervous system (ANS) problems, adrenal insufficiency or adrenal overload, thyroid problems and many others.
The treatment for PTSD requires an intelligent, systematic, holistic approach that includes the following:
- Identify and reduce sources of excessive stress – Such as immune system stress, Autonomic nervous system stress and
- Endocrine stress by incorporating proper diet, proper sleep and proper exercise into your daily routines
- Also using proper nutritional supplementation (as needed) – by application of a metabolically directed approach
- Additionally, avoidance of environmental biotoxins (in genetically susceptible individuals) – such as mold and fungus – leading you to experience chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS)
- You must also try to avoid harmful electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) – which sensitize your nerves to overreact to stimuli
- Reprogram your thought patterns by training in some sort of mind- body technique, like meditation, yoga, chi gong, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
- Use Low dose naltrexone (LDN) to down regulate neuro-excitotoxic receptors in your brain and nervous system
- Use medical cannabis to down regulate neuro-excitotoxic receptors in your brain and nervous system
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