Cannabis research leads to other medical breakthroughs

Seniors MMJ Network
Dec 6, 2015
3 min read

Research into Medical Marijuana has created breakthroughs in other areas of human science. Some opponents of MMJ are afraid of the benefits that can be demonstrated through human trial research but they fail to see the big picture. If it wasn't for the discovery of THC, we would be unaware of the Endocannabinoid system, an internal system attributed to maintaining homeostasis. Knowing that we posses an Endocannabinoid system, researchers looked for endogenous (naturally produced within the body) cannabinoids and scientists have already identified a few. Most notably Anandamide, which it's effect is attributed to "runners high". THC from Cannabis and Anandamide are both cannabinoids and both use the same internal receptors.

As you can see, breakthroughs with Cannabis has and will continue to lead to a better understanding of the overall human condition. A new study was just published in the journal of Biological Psychiatry and reports -

"the central active constituent of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (simply known as THC) causes transient psychosis-like effects in healthy participants similar to those observed in schizophrenic patients. The mechanisms underlying the effects are not yet understood, but the study suggests that this random neural activity, termed neural noise, may be partly responsible for the psychosis-like effects of cannabis. Neural noise comprises random fluctuations within the neural networks that are not associated with a response to internal or external stimuli."

Here is where biased is determined. People can read that paragraph and say that Cannabis causes schizophrenia. Others can read the above and say that we just learned something new about how schizophrenia works. In those two examples, the latter would be closest to the truth. The researchers conducted this study with 24 participants during a three-day, double-blind, randomized experiment.

You can find the full research paper here --> Study

Essentially, this study confirms something that we know, THC from the Cannabis plant causes psychoactivity. Research offers insight into the mechanisms of this effect. The study notes that a similar effect is observed as a part of the many effects related to schizophrenia.

“This interesting study suggests a commonality between the effects on the brain of the major active ingredient in marijuana and symptoms of schizophrenia,” said Dr. John Krystal, editor of Biological Psychiatry. "Not only does this finding aid our understanding of the processes underlying psychosis, it underscores an important concern in the debate surrounding medical and legalized access to marijuana.”

"The mechanisms underlying the effects are not yet understood, but the study suggests that this random neural activity, termed neural noise, may be partly responsible for the psychosis-like effects of cannabis."

In one breath the editor suggests caution surrounding the legalization of Cannabis for Medicinal or Adult-use but in the next breath is saying there is no direct link to Cannabis and schizophrenia. Researchers have noticed a commonality but do not know why or how the commonality is formed in both instances. Our bias would suggest that they do not understand enough of the background actions in order to link Cannabis and schizophrenia. This just confirms what Seniors MMJ Network passionately advocates for - we need more human trial research. There is definitely not a lack of willing participants in this country and in states with legalized Cannabis programs.

Back to the original point, Medical Marijuana research can be beneficial to all of our society, not just the portion who wants to partake in Cannabis. This latest published paper emphasizes that fact. Understanding the specific neural functions underlying Schizophrenia’s biggest symptom could lead to more effective treatments for the disorder.