Posted by Larry Hoover on February 21, 2007, at 12:10:58 [reposted on February 25, 2007, at 14:38:13 | original URL]
In reply to Cannabis-Why do I respond well?, posted by Tom Twilight on February 21, 2007, at 10:10:55
> Cannabis really calms me down!
>
> It works better than an a Benzo for me
> Question is why does it work so well?
>
> I've heard that Cannabis reduces Cortropin releasing factor, is this why it helps?
> Or is this one of multiple actions?One of multiple actions, without doubt.
We (in our typical human arrogance) have labelled certain receptors in the brain as cannabinoid receptors. Well, it turns out that Mamma Nature had other ideas in mind as to what they are for. It turns out that these receptors respond to a chemical called anandamide (after the Sanskrit word for bliss). And other natural ligands, too. Once you're into multiple receptors and multiple ligands, it gets very complicated, very fast. So, I'll just leave it at that.
New theories about what might be "remedied" by marijuana include:
http://www.nel.edu/pdf_/25_12/NEL251204R02_Russo_.pdf
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/endocannabinoid.htm
http://www.psych.ubc.ca/~bglab/neuro.htmlThe key with cannabis, I think, is to find a method of employing the beneficial properties, while avoiding the adverse ones, i.e. do not smoke this stuff. Vapourizers are an option. All sorts of oral preps, too. Smoking it, though, deteriorates lung function greater than that caused by tobacco.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:736098
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20070101/msgs/736101.html