Yo what’s up guys, it’s ya boy Dan and today we’re talking bout some real serious shit. You heard of ALS? That’s Lou Gehrig’s disease for ya’ll who don’t know. It’s this crazy condition that messes up yo muscles and shortens yo lifespan like crazy. Ain’t no cure for it yet, but researchers are lookin’ into marijuana for some possible solutions.
Now I know some of y’all might be skeptical bout this stuff, but hear me out. Cannabis has been shown to have potential for a lot of health problems. And with ALS, the body’s nerve cells that control muscle contraction get messed up real bad. But weed has got some molecules in it that aligns with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is like the universal regulator of the human body, controlling everything from the nervous system to the immune system.
So far, studies have found an increase in immune cells possessing CB2 receptors in areas with motor neuron damage amongst ALS patients. Animal studies have also shown higher levels of anandamide and 2-AG in mice with lower spinal cord damage, which points to some sort of defence mechanism. Both these things suggest the ECS is involved in the condition.
Some researchers are even probing THC and the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55,212-2 for their potential to delay the progression of the disease. And get this guys, a paper published in the American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Care suggests using cannabis as part of a multidrug regimen to target all underlying physiological aspects of ALS, including glutamate antagonists, antioxidants, an anti-inflammatory agent, microglial cell modulators, neurotrophic growth factors, and a mitochondrial function-enhancing agent. Weed remarkably features activity in all these areas, so it might be that missing piece they’re looking for.
But it’s not just about slowing the disease down. Weed could also help with symptom management, including pain, muscle relaxation, bronchodilation (widening the airways of the lungs), saliva reduction, appetite stimulation, and sleep induction. Researchers are also exploring PPAR activation in reducing neuroinflammation and blocking neurodegeneration. And wouldn’t you know it, cannabis produces a fair few PPAR agonists (molecules that activate these receptors), including the cannabinoids CBD, THC, and CBG.
Now some of y’all might be wondering if weed is even safe for those with ALS. Well I’m here to tell ya that cannabis is generally safe and well-tolerated, and overdoses from cannabis use alone are virtually non-existent. The main side effects of medical cannabis include anxiety, confusion, and impaired cognition. But some cannabinoids, including CBD, also interact with a wide range of medications.
So there you have it folks, it’s still early days for medical marijuana and ALS research, but the potential is definitely there. We need more clinical trials to confirm the effectiveness and safety of cannabis as a medicine for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. But hey, it’s always good to keep an open mind about these things. Stay lit my friends.