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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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US MN: Marijuana Derivative Fails Appetite Test
ccguide Tuesday 19 Feb 2002 Pubdate: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 2002 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: Website: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/82 Authors: Ronald Kotulak and Jon Van MARIJUANA DERIVATIVE FAILS APPETITE TEST The purported appetite-enhancement powers of marijuana have been cast into doubt by a new study from the Mayo Clinic. The standard drug given to help cancer patients regain appetite was found to be more effective than one derived from marijuana. The study, with 469 cancer patients, found that about three-fourths who were given megestrol acetate reported improved appetites, whereas only about half of those given dronabinol, a marijuana derivative, saw appetites improve. Also, 11 percent taking the standard drug gained weight while only 3 percent of those taking the marijuana derivative did so. "Anecdotal reports and previous small studies suggested that marijuana and its derivatives stimulate appetite," said Dr. Aminah Jatoi, a Mayo oncologist. "These findings should dampen enthusiasm for using marijuana derivatives for this purpose." Flu shot may ward off stroke Getting an influenza vaccination may help prevent strokes in addition to the flu, a French study suggests. The study, published in the February issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, looked at 270 French people and concluded that those who had been vaccinated against the flu also lowered their risk of stroke by about 40 percent. Researchers have speculated that infections can add to a person's risk of heart attacks and strokes, possibly by destabilizing plaque that has built up in arteries and promoting clots. The new study adds weight to the stroke-infection connection. "We found the reduction in stroke risk to be around 40 percent for those who were vaccinated," said Dr. Pierre Amarenco, one of the study's authors. "That would be a major advance in stroke prevention if further studies confirm these results." Amarenco cautioned that researchers might not fully understand their results. "We conclude that influenza vaccination may protect against stroke by reducing the occurrence of infections," he said. "However, we cannot exclude that vaccinated patients may have better lifestyles and, therefore, are less likely to have a stroke in the first place." The researchers plan a new study that will include 3,000 people to see if their results hold up. Panic disorder minus drugs Patients who take drugs to control their panic disorder may become drug-free after taking a course in cognitive-behavior therapy, a new study suggests. The study, published in the journal Behaviour Research and Therapy, included 19 patients who were taking anti-depressants to control their fears and anxieties. After taking a 12-week course in behavior therapy that taught them skills to control their fears, 80 percent were able to discontinue the medication. "Patients are often told that they'll need to take medication indefinitely to control panic disorder," said Brad Schmidt, an associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University and co- author of the study. "But that's not true for every patient. Some people respond well with therapy and can forgo medications." - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D
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