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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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US: Cannabis-related drugs may reduce anxiety without "side effects"
Health Newswire reporters Health News
Tuesday 03 Dec 2002 Synthetic chemicals related to cannabis could eventually be turned into new medications to combat anxiety and depression without the side effects of the recreational drug, suggest US researchers. The team of researchers, from the University of California, Irvine, also reveal how anxiety is controlled by a network of natural compounds in the body, known as the anandamide system, which govern pain and mood. Although cannabis relieves anxiety by working on the same system there are side effects of the drug's active ingredient tetra-hydrocannabinol (THC) that can include increased appetite, dry mouth, clumsiness and apathy. However, in experiments on rats the researchers found that two chemicals, known as URB532 and URB597, inhibited the enzyme that breaks apart the natural anandamide system, allowing more neurotransmitters to remain and fulfil their role in reducing anxiety and depression. Pharmacologist Professor Daniele Piomelli and his team say that the two chemicals work in ways which are "far gentler" than THC. The rats that were given the two chemicals did not experience typical side effects and were less noisy when subjected to isolation and less tentative and scared of attack when placed in a maze with exposed spaces. "THC reduces anxiety by binding directly to receptors in the brain and resulting in its familiar 'high' sensation. This reaction is too strong, creating marijuana's side effects," explains Prof Piomelli. He adds, "While the study's results are promising, the road from laboratory discovery to available medication is years long, often winding and definitely expensive." Source: University of California, Irvine © HMG Worldwide 2002 http://www.health-news.co.uk/
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