How does marijuana treat pain?
In 2005, after battling cancer and two recurrences, 42 year old Ann W. was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Now, the legs that had once made her a star softball player couldn't be depended upon to hold up her slim frame. On the coldest winter day, a pair of soft cotton socks felt like barbed wire against her skin and shoes felt like steel bear traps. Even the cotton percale sheets on her bed were torture at their touch. The pain was relentless. Ann was taking all the prescribed medications that medicine had to offer. Nothing helped. Then a friend suggested marijuana. He supplied the dried vegetation and rolled one of the awkward cigarettes. Ann began inhaling deeply, and within moments, the drug began to ease her pain.
More than 40% of Americans have tried marijuana at least once (NIDA, 2008).
How marijuana works:
The body produces chemicals called cannabinoids, which aid in physical and mental functions. On some nerve cells in the brain there are cannabinoid receptors that collect the chemicals in order to optimize the body's usage in regulating learning and memory, functions such as judgment, movement, coordination, and pleasure, etc (NIDA, 2008).
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the major active chemical in marijuana. The THC, when smoked, passes from the lungs into the blood stream where it circulates through the body, including the brain. THC attaches itself to the cannabinoid receptors and stimulates the brain cells to release the chemical messenger Dopamine, which - among other functions - stimulates the censors in what is known as the pleasure center of the brain (Dopamine, n/d; NIDA, 2008).
What ailments is marijuana supposed to help?
The most common ailments include pain relief in general and pain relief from nerve damage (neuropathic pain) in particular; nausea, especially from cancer treatments like chemotherapy; spasticity, such as is caused by Multiple Sclerosis; glaucoma; and movement disorders. It is a powerful stimulant of appetite, which aids patients suffering from wasting syndromes like AIDS, or from HIV, or dementia.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) (NORML, 2009) lists 19 ailments which are emerging as possible beneficiaries of cannabis. In addition to those listed above, the others are Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Diabetes Mellitus, Dystonia, Fibromyalgia, GI Disorders, Gliomas, Hepatitis C, Hypertension, Incontinence, MRSA, Osteoporosis, Pruritus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sleep Apnea, and Tourette's Syndrome.
Do studies back it up?
NORML (2009) reports that a search of the PubMed website (owned by the National Library of Medicine) for the year 2008, titled "cannabis, 2008", returned more than 2,100 studies (as compared to 258 in 1996). However, many of these are animal trials. Outside of the U.S. the research is more common with over 17,000 papers published in the scientific literature. NORML contends that there are many positive results, with more to come. It reports that, until 1941, cannabis was part of the pharmacopoeia in the United States, and that the American Medical Association (AMA) testified against banning it (NORML, 2008).
This researcher has not found the study that denies that marijuana works. Neither NIDA (2008) nor The University of Texas' College of Pharmacy's Addiction Science Research and Education Center (UTCP ASREC) (Drugs, n/d) denied that marijuana works. Each explained exactly how it does and in great detail. The debate seems to center on the risks.
The Risks:
According to NORML (2008, 2009), the risks are minimal. According to NIDA (2008) and UTCP ASREC (Dopamine, n/d; Drugs, n/d) the risks are too great. Simply stated, UTCP ASREC (Drugs, n/d) explains that the receptors in the brain are for the specific agents that the body produces. When external drugs, with the same makeup, are introduced they interfere with natural processes. This interference can have serious consequences. NIDA (2008) reports 35 possible side effects including cold, trembling hands, increased risk of lung infection, cancer of the lungs, head, and neck, and heart attack.
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Dopamine (n/d). Dopamine - A sample neurotransmitter. Retrieved September 20, 2009 from http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/dopamine.html
Drugs (n/d). Drugs can interfere with just about every step in the work of neurotransmitters. Retrieved September 20, 2009 from http://www.utexas.edu/research/asrec/drugs_m.html
NIDA - The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2008). What is marijuana? Retrieved September 20, 2009 from http://www.nida.nih.gov/researchreports/marijuana/Ma rijuana2.html#what
NORML, (2008). Introduction. Retrieved September 20, 2009 from http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5441
NORML (2009). Recent research on medical marijuana. Retrieved September 20, 2009 from http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7002