Marijuana compound removes toxic Alzheimer's protein from the brain

[True Earthling]

Last edited Thu Jun 30, 2016, 12:30 PM - Edit history (1)

Scientists have found preliminary evidence that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other compounds found in marijuana can promote the cellular removal of amyloid beta, a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer's disease.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160629095609.htm

"Inflammation within the brain is a major component of the damage associated with Alzheimer's disease, but it has always been assumed that this response was coming from immune-like cells in the brain, not the nerve cells themselves," says Antonio Currais, a postdoctoral researcher in Schubert's laboratory and first author of the paper. "When we were able to identify the molecular basis of the inflammatory response to amyloid beta, it became clear that THC-like compounds that the nerve cells make themselves may be involved in protecting the cells from dying."

Brain cells have switches known as receptors that can be activated by endocannabinoids, a class of lipid molecules made by the body that are used for intercellular signaling in the brain. The psychoactive effects of marijuana are caused by THC, a molecule similar in activity to endocannabinoids that can activate the same receptors. Physical activity results in the production of endocannabinoids and some studies have shown that exercise may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Schubert emphasized that his team's findings were conducted in exploratory laboratory models, and that the use of THC-like compounds as a therapy would need to be tested in clinical trials.

edit - some additional info.

A Molecular Link Between the Active Component of Marijuana and Alzheimer's Disease Pathology
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562334/

Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Abeta aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease.

J147 was mentioned in the article. J147 is a derivative of curcumin...

http://www.mybraintest.org/2016/01/curcumin-and-brain-health/

Researchers at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California working on an experimental drug for Alzheimer’s disease have made a happy discovery that the compound also appears to have some generalized anti-aging properties.

Known as J147, the drug is based on a specialized formation of curcumin, the spice used in curry. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory molecule that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

Salk J147 study...
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.impactaging.com%2Fpapers%2Fv7%2Fn11%2Fpdf%2F100838.pdf

[Faux pas]

1. EXCELLENT!

[SkyDaddy7]

26. The more studies that come out...

showing the obvious medical value of cannabis the more ABSURD this is...

Schedule I Controlled Substances

Substances in this schedule have no currently accepted medical use in the United States, a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.

Some examples of substances listed in Schedule I are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), peyote, methaqualone, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("Ecstasy&quot .

[Faux pas]

28. It absurdly crazy!

I always thought that anything Mother Nature has put here, is should be legal and Free!

My mom died of Alzheimer's, I don't want to be on that list.

[SkyDaddy7]

41. I'm so sorry...

My Grandfather did as well. It is a really nasty disease.

[Faux pas]

75. I'm sorry for you too

SkyDaddy7. I consider myself lucky that Mom knew who I was to the end.

[SkyDaddy7]

79. Yeah, you were "lucky"

I guess, relatively speaking, huh...That she was able to retain who you were. But I know the pain you must have endured regardless. It is such a twisted disease for the loved ones to deal with. IMHO.

My grandfather "Grandpap" what we called him...I think he always remembered who his wife of 63yrs was, my grandmother, but for the last few waning months he did not know who his 3 daughters were & he had long forgot who any of us grand kids or great grand kids were.

There was a really surreal time for me just a couple months before he passed...I had suffered a spinal cord injury & had been in the hospital for 4 weeks & after that I was "in house" rehab for another 8 weeks. As soon as I got home we drove from Atlanta to Live Oak, Florida so I could see him before they put him in hospice care because he was going downhill fast & my Mom & grand mother could no longer care for him. He basically sat in a chair all day & at that time I could not walk so the first day I was there I laid on the couch in the same room with him & spent some time with him even though he had no clue who I was. It was so odd talking with him because his mind was literally in another time period...The 1930s. He worked for the WPA during the Great Depression & throughout WW2 driving a truck & he was telling me about job that was coming up & really wanted to know who i worked for & my work ID#???? Not sure what that was all about. However, he kept asking me who I was working with & I had no idea how to answer & I could see this was bothering him & he was getting suspicious of me or aggravated with me like I was a shady character or something. I guess back then they had a work ID number or something & talked about their jobs & when I couldn't produce this type of info I think he figured I was up to no good. LOL! It was kinda funny & of course upsetting at the same time. He was getting so visibly upset my grandmother had to calm him down & let him know everything was OK.

So, they got him up & took him to the kitchen got him something to eat & I dozed off on the couch...The next thing I know I woke up to my 86yr old grandfather on top of me punching me in the chest yelling at me "We don't your kind here!" I thought I was having a crazy nightmare & then everyone comes running into the room & pulls him off me because I could not do anything but try to hold his arms but even still he was STRONG especially for an 86yr old man in his condition!! He worked a 135 acre 100 head of cattle farm for decades until about 5yrs before he died. Plus, I was incredibly weak due to my SCI being high on my neck really weakened my arms & wiped out my legs. He was not hurting me as much as it scared he was going to hurt himself! He had fallen just days before & had a hairline fracture in his hip so my Uncle & brother had been helping him around the house while he held onto his walker. But somehow after they fed him some lunch & brought him back to his chair he got up on his own & made it the 10-15ft or so over to the couch where I was! CRAZY!

I didn't let it bother me but it really upset my Mom & my Aunts, his daughters...They knew how much he loved me & all his grand kids & it just broke their hearts to see him like that. I tried to comfort them by telling them that is not Grandpap so don't let it upset you...No one got hurt all is good. But you know how painful it must have been for them.

[Faux pas]

80. Yikes SkyDaddy7

that's something you'll never forget. My mom only got violent with me once (I took care of her for 10 1/2 yrs), she tried to bash me with her cane. I tried to stop her by shutting my bedroom door. She finally gave up before too much damage was done. She lived in the 1930's thru the 70's in her mind.

Yes, painful for sure, for everyone. I can't imagine what goes on in the mind of an Alzheimer's victim. It has to be a nightmare.

We survived!

[lunatica]

56. My mother did too

I have no one to take care of me. If I get it I don't even want to imagine what my life would be like if the State had to take care of me. At 68 I have to think about that. I think a lot about assisted suicide, or just plain suicide because I would have to do it before I lost my mental capacity.

[bettyellen]

70. I've had the same thoughts. Scary stuff.

[Faux pas]

74. We don't have it yet!

My mom started showing symptoms in her early 60's. But, she was quite the drinker up until then. I know booze kills off brain cells, don't know if there's a connection to Alz or not. I quit drinking at 44 I'm 67 now. I started using marijuana at 27.

We can't dwell on what could be, in my mind that's just borrowing trouble. Peace, Love and Joy to you lunatica!

[Locrian]

67. absurd? try CRIMINAL

As in crimes against humanity for keeping it illegal in the name of profit.

Hey, I have an idea - if you want to keep prisons full, throw all the people responsible for profiting off the drug war, prisons, big pharma meds, etc into jail.

[SkyDaddy7]

78. +1 nt.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Good news!

[nolabels]

29. In other news, Marijuana removes body from mind!

[Arkansas Granny]

31. Well, I think we've known that for a long time.

[Hortensis]

44. Lol. This sounds very hopeful.

[Silver_Witch]

3. Hoping for anything that stops this horrible disease!

Fingers crossed! Of course it is a cheap fix so I am sure big pharma will fight it!

[AllyCat]

10. Big Pharma will find a way to test, develop some outrageously priced

version of a weed, patent it and make it the "only" way to get without a lifetime in jail. They'll find a way to make a profit.

[Kip Humphrey]

4. "Stay stoned, stay sane", I always say.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Important news. Whether THC is the ultimate weapon or not it will advance research. . nt

[Scuba]

6. The dirty, fucking hippies were right again!

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Yeah, we were.

Now, where do I sign up for that trial?

And have they bothered to find out which strain of pot has the best effect?
Do they even KNOW there is more than one strain/type/variety?

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

43. Just smoke weed every day - smoke two joints! It works every time!

[dixiegrrrrl]

60. Take one drug that gives you poor memory to avoid a disease that gives you poor memory..

Seems fair enough....either way, I'd be happy

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

72. Read up on mj. It prevents many diseases, cancer, heart disease, diabetes...

And every day they discover something else wonderful. I'll miss you at 120.

[jumptheshadow]

71. You are correct about using the right strain

The CBD and THC tinctures from our state's new medical marijuana program have been very effective in a very short time for my partner. Her tumor markers edged downward during a chemo break, she is now capable of eating a wider range of foods without getting that strange chemo taste, and she has experienced her most significant weight gain (five pounds) in years.

We had been using street marijuana before the program. Although she tolerated years of chemo with it, the official stuff is much more effective.

[RoccoR5955]

16. We hippies KNOW that we were right all along.

And still nobody listens!

[bemildred]

8. Well that explains Willie Nelson. nt

[AllyCat]

9. Of course, we can't test that.

That would be illegal. And if and when we move to Schedule 2, only the drug companies will be able to profit from a weed that people should be able to grow.

[99th_Monkey]

21. The Weed's legal in Oregon. Come test it here.

Or in these seven foreign countries where it's legal:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/countries-where-marijuana-legal-form-193400717.html?ref=gs

[AllyCat]

33. I applaud the states trying to inject some reason into

The marijuana debate. Still illegal federally.

[Warren DeMontague]

57. Nevertheless, legalization is working.

Even if Chris Christie were to be in charge of a federal effort to shut down state legalization regimes, the resources to really do it aren't there.

They can't bring back prohibition nationwide. Although I suspect some of the drug war gravy train types would like to try.

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

42. I have been testing it for over 50 years now.

Inconclusive results, more tests needed.

[Akamai]

68. I applaud your willingness to put your beliefs to the test! :)

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

45. Give me a fricking break!

I've been smoking daily for 44 years and not ONCE did I get it legally.

Bad laws are bad laws and we are morally exempt from following them.

//////////////////////////////

Phil: It's the same thing your whole life: "Clean up your room. Stand up straight. Pick up your feet. Take it like a man. Be nice to your sister. Don't mix beer and wine, ever." Oh yeah: "Don't drive on the railroad track."

Gus: Well, Phil, that's one I happen to agree with.

[AllyCat]

48. Did you read my post or only the first line?

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

58. No, I read it and agree with it! I guess I just broke into a happy dance.

Just having fun! Being stoned!!

[AllyCat]

63. Oh!

[TheSarcastinator]

11. THC is already proven better Rx for Alzheimer's than ANY currently available meds

from the abstract of a 2006 study conducted at the Scripps Institute, one of the best research facilities on the planet:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17140265

"...Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Abeta aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease."

...and from the conclusion of the article:

" It is noteworthy that THC is a considerably more effective inhibitor of AChE-induced Aβ deposition than the approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment, donepezil and tacrine, which reduced Aβ aggregation by only 22% and 7%, respectively, at twice the concentration used in our studies.7 Therefore, AChE inhibitors such as THC and its analogues may provide an improved therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease, augmenting acetylcholine levels by preventing neurotransmitter degradation and reducing Aβ aggregation, thereby simultaneously treating both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer's disease."

[lark]

22. Wow, being a pot head might have more benefits other than good sleep!

Awesome!!

[chknltl]

32. Well it paid ALL the bills from 1989-2014

(confessions of a basement grower in a state that is sorta ok with it now but wasn't earlier).

[Rex]

12. Good thing it is illegal...well in some states.

The Feds need to get their heads out of their asses over THC.

[phazed0]

13. Good thing the Democratic platform intends to keep it illegal in the face of MORE evidence!

Barf.

[AllyCat]

34. Careful! We are not allowed to ask for reason

In the Party. Only toe the DNC approved line.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

14. Been smoking daily since 1972 and in EXCELLENT health!

I guess I pick the right drug!

[Ernesto]

17. 1964 for me................. n-t

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

40. Then you must REALLY be healthy!!

[Moostache]

15. Another example of how the "war on drugs" is an abject failure.

Marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug is laughable on the surface and tragic in the details. The amount of pain and suffering that *might* be alleviated with THC or derivatives of it make it worth formal studies at a minimum.

Our government cannot figure how to get healthcare to those who need it or realize that full prisons of non-violent drug offenders is a waste of tax money (and should NEVER be privatized in ANY WAY). But they are sure we need segregated bathroom monitors and mandatory pregnancy monitoring to potentially charge women who miscarry with murder...SMFH....stop the world, I want to throw up!

[True Earthling]

18. J147 is mentioned in the article.. J147 is a derivative of Curcumin

http://www.mybraintest.org/2016/01/curcumin-and-brain-health/

Researchers at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California working on an experimental drug for Alzheimer’s disease have made a happy discovery that the compound also appears to have some generalized anti-aging properties.

Known as J147, the drug is based on a specialized formation of curcumin, the spice used in curry. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory molecule that can cross the blood-brain barrier.

[AllyCat]

35. I HEART cumin!

Must be why I LOVE Indian and Mexican food.

[LWolf]

49. curcumin is tumeric

https://examine.com/supplements/curcumin/

[AllyCat]

50. LOL! Yup! My mistake.

But I still love Indian food.

[LWolf]

53. So do I.

I admit to loving curry.

[MADem]

64. Well, all "curry powder" is, is a mix of spices, to include turmeric...

So you're not wrong at all.

The real old school grandma-cooks in south Asia would get out the mortar/pestle and toast/grind those spices every time they made a dish -- good eatin'!!

Sample recipe (there are many variations, but this is recognizable in terms of flavors to those in the west): http://www.chowhound.com/recipes/curry-powder-10576

[Javaman]

19. K & R nt

[Uncle Joe]

20. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, True Earthling.

[99th_Monkey]

23. K&R - The more we learn, the more idiotic we look making it illegal. LEGALIZE! nt

[Skeeter Barnes]

24. If I didn't have to pass drug screens for work, I'd probably get high sometimes.

I might try to vape it instead of smoking it but I think it would be fun.

[Politicub]

25. Just wow

[IronLionZion]

27. I'm glad someone is researching it

This should lead to more studies and support to update the laws. If there are more health benefits to be found, then the big pharma lobbyists would likely use their influence to move it forward.

[mountain grammy]

30. K & R

From the legal state of Colorado..

[Svafa]

36. Really exciting news.

Alzheimers is one of the worst things imaginable. Hopefully this leads to more promising research.

[Eleanors38]

37. The best university system in the word has to wait for approval from DEA to study weed.

[Playinghardball]

38. Base on this story I will never get Alzheimers....

Keep up the good smoke....

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

47. Me too!

Nor will I get cancer. Heart disease, MS, etc.

I hope I die of an orgasm when I'm 115.

[Lucinda]

39. KNR

[bluedigger]

46. "a progressive brain disorder that leads to memory loss"

It almost seems counter-intuitive.

[dhill926]

51. Now if I could only remember…

where I put my weed…

[Warren DeMontague]

54. "The faces of marijuana addicts"

Are you for real? This is what the prohibitionist argument is reduced to- taking a "faces of meth" video and slapping "marijuana" on it?

You were better off when you guys were having DARE classes tell high school kids pot would make their genitalia fall off.

Uh, yeah. Addicts of teh pot. So Here are a few.

[Warren DeMontague]

55. Thank god we are still sticking millions of people in prison for smoking it!

[fbc]

59. Are we talking about prevention here?

Or could marijuana help patients with well advanced Alzheimer's symptoms?

[PoliticalMalcontent]

61. The thing that kills me is that this info isn't new.

It's been out in some form or another for ages. The OP even included a link to some government study from 2006-2008.

It's a shame that there has to be such a struggle for progress. It's completely unnecessary.

That being said, good. I'm glad this information is making the rounds again. I hope people are open-minded when it comes to this stuff, though undoubtedly there will be push-back by a certain segment of the population.

[raven mad]

62. I wish this had come out 15 years ago.

We lost the most amazing man to this horrendous disease. My father-in-love had the most unique sense of humor, and was a pioneer in so many ways.

Fuck the feds. Pot works.

[Lunabell]

65. Good news since I have alzheimers in my family.

My grandmother was a "southern belle" and as I grew up we all thought mama had a drinking problem. Slurred words, forgetful, personality changes. As my grandfather lay dying in his bed, he confessed that she wasn't an alcoholic, but had early onset dementia and he had been ashamed all these years. To my family it was more lady like to have a drinking problem than it was to have dementia.

LOL, true story. So now I have been using a preventative for all these years and didn't even know it.

[mrr303am]

66. Slow down folks, remember we can't take big bold progess.

We are only allowed to take small, tiny steps forward anymore.

[Arazi]

81. Yes! Incrementalism is best. Health care just needs tweaking nt

[downeastdaniel]

69. My dear sister was diagnosed at age 50 as having Alzheimers. She passed 10 years later. So, I only

Have one more thing to add: Hemp hemp Horray!

[tblue37]

73. Someone once said that if aspirin were discovered today it would probably be

considered a miracle drug because of all its therapeutic uses.

I suspect that someday marijuana will be considered a Swiss Army knife of a drug.

[apcalc]

76. Great-isolate the compound and use it...

And ditch the weed...which harms your lungs, your brain and your judgement in other ways.

[Ghost in the Machine]

77. They have known this since 2006...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17140265?ordinalpos=5&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Here's a link to more studies on Alzheimer's and Marijuana: http://www.scientificfactsofpot.com/studies.htm#Alz

Here's a link to studies that show how Marijuana can treat:
Heart Disease
Cancer
Diabetes
Osteoporosis
Alzheimer's
Liver Disease
Epilepsy
Skin Allergies
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Anxiety and Depression

and is also Neuroprotective and Causes Neurogenesis (brain cell growth)

http://www.scientificfactsofpot.com/studies.htm

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This is why "Big Pharma" continues to lobby against legalization.... because marijuana is a "naturally occuring plant", which means that they can't patent it and make billions of dollars in profits from it, because people could grow their own medicine in their homes or yards.

We had a lot of problems with the DEA when we first began importing pure, unrefined Shea Butter in from Ghana, Africa. Sorry I don't have links to any Government studies on it, but I have seen the results with my own eyes, and heard from repeat customers for over 3 years while I was selling it. I know some people will call it "Woo", or 'anecdotal', but I believe in what I can physically see, what I have experienced myself while using it, and seeing/hearing the results of repreat customers, some of which drove over 300 miles round trip just to buy more before I started offering it online to them...

Peace,

Ghost