"New compound from CBDA could be substitute for opioids & steroids"

Israeli researcher Raphael Mechoulam has announced the development of a process to modify and stabilize cannabidiolic acids (CBDA) that appear early in the cannabis plant’s growth, rendering compounds that have the potential for large-scale use.

The result is a semi-synthetic, fully stable, acid-based compound that could be useful in suppressing nausea from chemotherapy, and be a treatment for such afflictions as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Psoriasis. 

Researchers say such compounds, which are more potent than CBD or THC – and which so far have shown no negative side effects – could replace steroids and opioids.

Politically correct for pharma

Mechoulam worked with American biotech startup EPM to develop the solution to stabilizing the acids through esterification, a simple chemical process. That could prove interesting to the pharmaceutical industry as the process turns out the acids in a consistent form that is patentable. Also, EPM CEO Reshef Swisa said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has told the company the compound would not be treated as cannabis but as any other drug in development, thereby avoiding the stigma and legal limitations associated with marijuana.

"Cannabis & Chemotherapy Side Effects"

When it comes to chemotherapy, medical cannabis is primarily used to treat the common side effects including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and pain. 

Here’s what you need to know about how medical cannabis can support you or a loved one during chemo. 

The 2 majors cannabinoids THC & CBD have shown to effectively reduce the nausea and vomiting that often occurs during and after chemotherapy treatments.

For example, THC seems to cause the "high" reported by marijuana users, and also can help relieve pain and nausea, reduce inflammation, and can act as an antioxidant.

Cannabidiol (CBD) can help treat seizures, can reduce anxiety and paranoia, and can counteract the "high" caused by THC.

In this point, you will allow me to emphasize that the researches about cannabis & chemotherapy so far suggests that it is the synergy of all cannabinoids together that has the greatest results for patients but lets see what the experts say about it...

"Cannabis & Chronic Wounds"

A chronic wound is a wound that does not heal in an orderly set of stages and in a predictable amount of time. 

Wounds that do not heal within 3 months are often considered as 'Chronic Wound'.

Chronic wounds seem to be detained in one or more of the phases of wound healing.For example, chronic wounds often remain in the inflammatory stage for too long. To overcome that stage and jump-start the healing process a number of factors need to be addressed such as bacterial burden, necrotic tissue, and moisture balance of the whole wound.

Chronic wounds may never heal or may take years to do so. These wounds cause patients severe emotional and physical stress and create a significant financial burden on patients and the whole healthcare system.

Most therapists may use topical antibiotics, which kill bacteria and can also help by keeping the wound environment moist, which is important for speeding the healing of chronic wounds. Some researchers have experimented with the use of tea tree oil, an antibacterial agent which also has anti-inflammatory effects.

The ideal methods of pain relief for wound patients are modalities that are topical, lack systemic side effects, noninvasive (not requiring the introduction of instruments into the body), self-administered, and display rapid onset of analgesia.

Extracts derived from the cannabis plant have been applied to wounds and other dermatological problem for thousands of years...

"Cannabis & Alzheimer's Desease"

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disorder of unknown origin that is characterized by a progressive loss of memory and learned behavior. For both patients and their loved ones, Alzheimer’s Disease ranks among the most challenging conditions one can experience.

This chronic neurodegenerative disorder leads to progressive symptoms including dementia, memory loss, emotional issues, and speech problems, among others. Few treatments exist and available therapies only address some symptoms, but not the progression of the disease itself.

The search for new therapeutic options has led to significant interest in cannabis-based treatments and researchers are currently working to advance our understanding of the possible roles medical cannabis could play in the future of Alzheimer’s treatment.

Preclinical data shows the potential of cannabinoids to moderate the progression of AD while clinical data demonstrates that these compounds can provide symptom relief, but lets take a look in what 10 studies says about it...

"Historic vote at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs"

The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) on Wednesday,Dec. 2. accepted a World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs.

The  approval of Recommendation 5.1 had a slim majority in favor with 27 votes for, one abstention and 25 votes against.

The CND – the main drug policymaking body within the United Nations – turned down all five remaining recommendations.

The passage of Recommendation 5.1 carries broad symbolic significance for medical cannabis, as it could help boost medical cannabis legalization efforts around the globe now that the CND tacitly acknowledges the medical utility of the drug.

“The medical cannabis wave has accelerated in recent years already, but this will give it another boost,” Martin Jelsma, drugs and democracy program director at the Netherlands-based Transnational Institute, told Marijuana Business Daily.

“And for those countries that basically mirror the U.N. scheduling in their domestic legislation, it may lead to national descheduling and remove obstacles to use cannabis for medical and research purposes.”