It seems
fitting that while we are in the Mile High city we should talk about one of its
defining characteristics. By this I mean
the overwhelming acceptance of marijuana use.
As we know marijuana has been legal for recreational use in the last few
years and even longer for medical purposes.
One of the leading reasons that individuals are prescribed marijuana is
for anxiety and depression-like symptoms. For many individuals this develops
into costly medication in more than one facet.
However, researchers at Vanderbilt University have discovered a
possibility to achieve a “natural” high and to avoid the chronic use of medical
marijuana.
Many
individuals that use medical marijuana complain of anxiety and depression like
symptoms. These symptoms are caused by
the decreased activation of cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors are activated by
endocannabinoids, which are typically the active ingredient in marijuana. The most common endocannabinoids is called
2-AG. Additionally these receptors are
found heavily in the ventral nucleus of the amygdala, the emotional hub of the
brain.
The
researchers at Vanderbilt University developed 2-AG knockout mouse models in
order to test how to obtain this natural high without marijuana. They did this very simply blocking the enzyme
that normally breaks down 2-AG within the brain. This research into finding substitutes for
marijuana is important in these patients because their treatment is also their
curse. Research has show that chronic
marijuana use down regulates the cannabinoid receptors themselves. Thus increasing the amount of anxiety and
depression without ingesting more marijuana.
This enzyme blocker is thus a more effective way to achieve the same
effects of marijuana without the negative side effects.
If this
research can continue to show to give the same outcome of marijuana use is it
still ethical to allow these patients to use marijuana even though it causes
this “vicious cycle”? Or should this be
the patients decision as to how they want to treat their symptoms?
References:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141201113253.htm
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