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LittleDipster


Registered: 06/18/10
Posts: 4,141
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Preventing marijuana-induced memory problems with OTC painkillers
#19170816 - 11/21/13 03:53 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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http://www.elsevier.com/connect/preventing-marijuana-induced-memory-problems-with-OTC-painkillers
Quote:
New study in Cell suggests that use of medical marijuana could be broadened if patients take NSAIDs like ibuprofen By Mary Beth O'Leary | Posted on 21 November 2013
In addition to being used as a recreational drug, marijuana has been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions, from chronic pain to epilepsy. However, its medical value is greatly limited by debilitating side effects. A study published by Elsevier's Cell Press today in the journal Cell has revealed the molecular pathways responsible for marijuana-induced learning and memory problems. The findings suggest that preventing these side effects could be as easy as taking an over-the-counter painkiller.
"Our studies have solved the longtime mystery of how marijuana causes neuronal and memory impairments," said senior study author Dr. Chu Chen, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology and Neuroscience at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. "The results suggest that the use of medical marijuana could be broadened if patients concurrently take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen."
The main active ingredient in marijuana is Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and drugs based on this compound have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients. But these drugs have not been approved for a wider range of conditions, in part because of Δ9-THC-induced side effects. Moreover, there are no effective FDA-approved treatments for these side effects because, until now, little was known about the molecular pathways underlying these impairments.
In the new study, Chen and his team discovered that Δ9-THC treatment caused an increase in levels of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the mouse hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning and memory. Drugs or genetic techniques that reduced COX-2 levels in mice prevented memory problems and neuronal abnormalities caused by repeated Δ9-THC exposure. Because COX-2 is inhibited by over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen, the findings suggest an easy strategy to prevent the side effects of marijuana.
The researchers also discovered that Δ9-THC treatment reduced neuronal damage in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, and this beneficial effect persisted when the animals were simultaneously treated with a COX-2 inhibitor.
"There are no effective medications currently available for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease or halting disease progression," Dr. Chen said. "Our results suggest that the unwanted side effects of cannabis could be eliminated or reduced, while retaining its beneficial effects, by administering a COX-2 inhibitor along with Δ9-THC for the treatment of intractable medical conditions such as Alzheimer's disease."
 The signaling pathway that leads to learning and memory impairments induced by marijuana (Credit: Cell, Chen et al)
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fireshaman
Botanist



Registered: 08/31/07
Posts: 961
Last seen: 5 months, 5 days
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Re: Preventing marijuana-induced memory problems with OTC painkillers [Re: LittleDipster]
#19172428 - 11/21/13 08:12 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Interesting, but as a side note, Ibuprofen is pretty toxic!
While pure cannabinoids are extremely safe. Not as safe to burn the whole herb, but as a pure form, very safe.
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refried

Registered: 06/14/13
Posts: 3,675
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Re: Preventing marijuana-induced memory problems with OTC painkillers [Re: fireshaman]
#19172795 - 11/21/13 09:54 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Didn't read the whole article but I wouldn't want to be taking pain meds every day due to the damage on one's liver, etc.
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solo11
Stranger

Registered: 09/05/13
Posts: 106
Last seen: 9 years, 13 days
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Re: Preventing marijuana-induced memory problems with OTC painkillers [Re: refried]
#19173006 - 11/21/13 10:58 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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very cool! there are a host of natural cox 2 inhibitors of course, in fact I have a lot of rosemary plants, time to start munchin it down. on top of that rosemary gives other benefit to memory as well. A cox 2 inhibitor, anti microbial, and does something with supplying the brain with oxygen, I bet a good food grade essential oil of something would be the best option. I guess there weren't studies to show it actually works though
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LittleDipster


Registered: 06/18/10
Posts: 4,141
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Re: Preventing marijuana-induced memory problems with OTC painkillers [Re: solo11]
#19173154 - 11/21/13 11:58 PM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
solo11 said: very cool! there are a host of natural cox 2 inhibitors of course, in fact I have a lot of rosemary plants, time to start munchin it down. on top of that rosemary gives other benefit to memory as well. A cox 2 inhibitor, anti microbial, and does something with supplying the brain with oxygen, I bet a good food grade essential oil of something would be the best option. I guess there weren't studies to show it actually works though
oh nice!
Yeah I would never want to take ibuprofen whenever I smoke but it is interesting to see how exactly the mental side effects come about and can be prevented.
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dark3st
Stranger


Registered: 08/02/13
Posts: 3,332
Last seen: 8 years, 3 months
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Re: Preventing marijuana-induced memory problems with OTC painkillers [Re: LittleDipster]
#19173817 - 11/22/13 06:46 AM (10 years, 2 months ago) |
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This research is directed towards people with debilitating conditions, not druggies y'all.
BUT taking a COX-2 inhibitor if your a casual smoker won't hurt you because your not going to be taking them every day.
In medical practicing, doctors and patents are supposed to weigh the medical benefits over the risks.
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