More Discoveries About the Potential of Medical Marijuana (Part 2)

Source: Alternet
PART ONE
Here’s four more amazing ways scientists are showing that cannabis actually helps to keep your brain safe from disease, dementia and even death:

Promotes new brain cell growth

Government scare campaigns often claim that cannabis kills brain cells…(based on) studies were done in the ’70s by strapping a gas mask onto a monkey and pumping in hundreds of joints worth of smoke. The monkeys suffered from lack of oxygen — that’s why their brain cells died. Modern research is now proving the opposite.
In 2005, Dr. Xia Zhang at the University of Saskatchewan showed that cannabinoids cause “neurogenesis” – which means that they help make new brain cells grow…Scientists in Brazil expanded on this research, demonstrating in 2013 that CBD, another chemical in cannabis, also causes new brain cells to sprout. Researchers in Italy then produced the same result with CBC, (also) found in cannabis resin…This helps explain previous research showing that cannabinoids effectively treat mood disorders like depression, anxiety and stress…
Prevents Alzheimer’s
Modern research shows that using cannabis helps prevent the incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia by cleaning away beta-amyloid “brain plaque.” A 2014 study…was led by Dr. Chuanhai Cao, PhD…at the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute. “THC is known to be a potent antioxidant with neuroprotective properties,” said Dr. Cao…
This confirmed earlier studies, such as one from 2008 which found that THC “simultaneously treated both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.” This study concluded that “compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, THC is considerably superior.” (And) these studies used very low levels of THC to find these results…So where’s the headlines saying “Smoking Cannabis Prevents Alzheimer’s”?
Prevents brain damage after strokes and trauma
Several recent studies have found that cannabinoids protect the brain from permanent damage after trauma or stroke…(In) a 2014 study…Researchers analyzed blood samples from hundreds of people who had suffered head injuries, and found that people with small amounts of cannabinoids in their bloodstream were 80% less likely to be killed from head trauma…There are 52,000 deaths every year from traumatic head injury in America. This study showed that if every adult American had…cannabis once a week, 80% of those deaths would be avoided – that’s about 41,600 lives that could be saved, every year!
Helps treat brain cancer
Repeated laboratory and animal studies show that THC act(s) to kill cancer cells, while it does not affect normal cells, in the brain…A 1998 study found that THC “induces apoptosis [cell death] in C6 glioma cells” – an aggressive form of brain cancer…(A) 2012 study showing that CBD stopped metastasis in aggressive forms of cancer; a 2013 study showing that a blend of six cannabinoids killed leukemia cells, and a 2014 study showing that THC and CBD could be combined with traditional chemotherapy to produce “dramatic reductions” in brain tumour size.
The medicinal benefits of cannabis and cannabinoids are immense, and it’s time everyone is allowed full access to this amazing healing herb.

New Jersey Medical Marijuana Information

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