Marijuana discovery hints at how patients may benefit without suffering harmful side effects

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      It looks like French researchers have figured out how to negate the euphoria caused by smoking cannabis.

      In a paper published in the journal Science, scientists at the French Institute of Health and Medical Research point out that a naturally occurring hormone called pregnenolone has "been largely uninvestigated".

      However, in tests with laboratory mice, they discovered that it "reduces several effects of THC", the psychoactive agent in marijuana.

      Pregnenolone accomplishes this by inhibiting a receptor in the brain.

      According to the researchers, this discovery "could open an unforeseen approach for the treatment of cannabis intoxication and addiction".

      "These researchers weren't trying to be buzzkills," Science stated in an accompanying article.

      As medicinal marijuana becomes more widely accepted—even CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta has endorsed its efficacy—this research could help patients.

      Lead researcher Pier Vincenzo Piazza told the French news agency AFP that's because people receiving high doses risk impairments to brain development, memory, and lung function, and may be susceptible to addiction. 

      Pregnenolone could diminish these harmful side effects.

      "We hope to be able to start clinical trials in people in a year to a year and a half," Piazza told AFP.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      patrick

      Jan 5, 2014 at 7:49am

      why fix it if it isn't broken?

      its me

      Jan 5, 2014 at 9:03am

      According to the researchers, this discovery "could open an unforeseen approach for the treatment of cannabis intoxication and addiction".

      addiction?

      Sang Riel

      Jan 5, 2014 at 9:17am

      Legalize it, get this hormone into unsuspecting users so they will have to smoke more and more to get high....great business model.

      AC

      Jan 5, 2014 at 2:43pm

      Maybe possible pretty soon to pickup a stash of the stuff at the Safeway checkout counter.

      Dana Larsen

      Jan 6, 2014 at 2:57am

      Since when is feeling happy, sensual and hungry a "harmful side effect."

      Look for this kind of product to be used in the forced treatment of "marijuana addicts."

      The last time someone developed a cannabis-blocker the result was making users want to commit suicide. Look up "Rimonabant" for that story.

      63r01d

      Jan 6, 2014 at 11:18am

      So they want to get rid of the happiness people get, and also an "addiction" that is non existent. Who the hell is in charge at that place, hit em over the head