From: rpattree2@gmail.com   
      
   Five Ways Cannabinoids Could Help Combat Alzheimer’s    
      
   Weed - Five Ways Cannabinoids Could Help Combat Alzheimer’s    
   As treatment options for those stricken with Alzheimer’s remains limited,   
   the idea of utilizing specific marijuana cannabinoids is beginning to gain   
   some serious traction. Over the last few years there have been several studies   
   done abroad which have    
   caused scientists to conclude that marijuana, or her collective compounds   
   better known as cannabinoids, could potentially hold the key to providing   
   comfort for the 35 million people worldwide who die annually from the disease.    
      
   Late last year researchers from the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the   
   University of Bonn in Germany found that by activating the brains cannabinoid   
   receptors, Alzheimer’s patients were able to cleanse their brain by the   
   activation of the brains    
   cannabinoid receptors. Now, a just published review in Frontiers of   
   Pharmacology is reporting that two researchers from the Spanish Biomedical   
   Research Networking Center have discovered some serious potential benefits of   
   cannabinoid-based medications –    
   and are pleading with the medical community to conduct some real research.    
      
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   1. Prevents Dementia:    
      
   Most Western medicines currently being utilized to treat Alzheimer’s   
   specifically target the prevention of a breakdown in the signalling molecule   
   called acetycholine. Compellingly, in addition to offering some rather unique   
   health aides, research has    
   concluded cannabiniods can affect acetycholine, similar to many of today’s   
   Western medications. Additionally, THC has been found to inhibit AChE – the   
   rouge enzyme accused of breaking down acetycholine – in addition to the   
   accumulation of Aβ    
   plaque.    
      
   2. Reduces Inflammation:    
      
   Brain Inflammation is an unfortunate major component for those suffering from   
   Alzheimer’s disease. The loss of neurons which underscores this debilitating   
   disorder is thought to be caused by inflammatory activity within the brain’s   
   immune cells. As    
   though through divine intervention, marijuana’s collective compounds work   
   synergistically on specific targets located on certain immune cells, better   
   known as CB2 receptors. Within the forums area, there are several studies   
   which have noted; by    
   activating the CB2 receptors patients could potentially reduce their   
   neuroinflammation. Working in unison with the CB2 receptor, THC has been shown   
   to fire up the CB1 receptors. The activity from these CB1 receptors may also   
   interfere with the    
   inflammatory process, according to a 2012 study published in the Journal of   
   Alzheimer’s Disease.    
      
   3. Stimulates Healthy Brain Cell Growth:    
      
   Neurogenesis is the process by which new growth within the brain cells occur   
   – a constant event throughout adulthood. Any disturbance or altercation of   
   this process is believed to be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s…   
   Preventing regeneration as    
   progressive cell loss begins. Some of the more helpful cannabinoids,   
   specifically CBD, have been shown to vigorously cultivate neurogenesis,   
   combating the damage done by Aβ plaque.    
      
   4. Medication Minus Intoxication:    
      
   Forgetting the stony nature of their own pharmaceuticals, one of the primary   
   concerns of today’s health “professionals” and the use of    
   annabinoid-based medicines has more to do with the perceived ‘high’   
   associated with the plant, i.e. THC. No    
   doubt, it’s true that THC’s psychotropic effect on the brain can alter   
   one’s memory and attention span, but for those sliding down the slippery   
   slope of Alzheimer’s disease, this is nowhere the issue some might surmise.   
   As beneficial applications    
   of THC can be achieved at low enough doses to avoid any unwanted ‘high’   
   feelings.    
      
   5. Halts Beta-Amyloid Plaque Growth:    
      
   The buildup of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaque in the human brain occurs over time,   
   and is a primary indication of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s   
   disease. These Aβ plaques are unfortunately easy to see in the brain scans of   
   patients stricken with    
   the illness, and are considered the primary culprits in the distraction of   
   valuable neurons. Studies have shown that certain cannabinoids can protect   
   neurons against Aβ plaque and its effects. Case and point, scientists have   
   recently discovered that THC    
   can prevent memory deficits in Aβ-injected rats.    
      
      
      
   Posted on March 21, 2014    
      
   http://www.marijuana.com/news/2014/03/five-ways-cannabinoids-cou   
   d-help-combat-alzheimers/    
      
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