A  study published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology in 2006, found that cannabis contains a compound with  two therapeutic properties that are perfect for addressing  the symptom (memory problems) as well as root cause (brain plaque) of Alzheimer’s disease.  This is another finding that completely destroys the prevailing stereotype is that using marijuana “fries” the brain, leading to debilitating memory issues.

Researchers found that that the psychoactive component of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), both “competitively inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as well as prevents AChE-induced amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) aggregation.”

This is great news, given the fact that some drugs for the disease come with some serious side effects. Take donepezil  for example, it’s  riddled with controversy due its well-known association with seizures, which likely its intrinsic neurotoxicity.  In fact, a chemical in the same general chemical class as venom, insecticides and chemical war agents, such as nerve gas, is used for developing this drug. You wouldn’t have to worry about that with cannabis, especially if you grew your own.

THC, as the researchers not, prevents brain plaque,  and indicates that it may, as the researchers noted, “directly impact Alzheimer’s disease pathology.” They found “Compared to currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, THC is a considerably superior inhibitor of Aβ aggregation, and this study provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism through which cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of this debilitating disease.”

As the study states:

THC is a considerably more effective inhibitor of AChE-induced Aβ deposition than the approved drugs for Alzheimer’s disease treatment, donepezil and tacrine, which reduced Aβ aggregation by only 22% and 7%, respectively, at twice the concentration used in our studies.7 Therefore, AChE inhibitors such as THC and its analogues may provide an improved therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease, augmenting acetylcholine levels by preventing neurotransmitter degradation and reducing Aβ aggregation, thereby simultaneously treating both the symptoms and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

This is quite remarkable, and yet another great reason to grow your own marijuana, and in Canada you’re allowed to, all you have to do is apply for your medical marijuana card under Canada’s ACMPR program.

This study is a few years old, but even recent research has found that in Alzheimer’s disease, compounds found in cannabis, like THC and CBD for example, might actually improve memory and ward off some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The newest findings were presented last year at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, it’s the world’s largest source of news about brain science and health.

The new findings showed that treating Alzheimer’s disease mice with the psychoactive compound found in marijuana improves memory and reduces neuronal loss, suggesting a possible therapy for the human disease.

“Today’s findings lend new understanding of the complex effects that cannabis has on the brain,” said press conference moderator Michael Taffe, PhD, of Scripps Research Institute and an expert in substance abuse research. “While it may have therapeutic potential in some situations, it is important to get a better understanding of the negative aspects as well, particularly for pregnant women, teens, and chronic users.” (source)

The study also outlined the dangers of cannabis use for the developing brain, outlining that it’s only safe for adult use.

“Although other studies have offered evidence that cannabinoids might be neuroprotective against the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, we believe our study is the first to demonstrate that cannabinoids affect both inflammation and amyloid beta accumulation in nerve cells.”  – David Schubert from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California. (source)

It’s truly mind altering just how much medicinal benefits this plant has, it’s also equally as mind altering how, for so many decades, study after study has been published outlining marijuana’s potential for curing and treating multiple diseases, yet clinical trials never get initiated.

On the other hand, when some pharmaceutical drug shows half as much promise as marijuana does, clinical trials are set up immediately. This is why people often say that big pharma made it illegal, and in Canada, now they want to be the dealer by growing it and selling it.

The best way to go if you’re interesting in using marijuana for medicinal purposes, is again, to grow your own. That way you know what’s in it, if it’s real, what’s sprayed on it and more.

Health Canada allows you to grow approximately 5 times the amount of grams you were prescribed per day in plants i.e. if you were prescribed 5 gram per day, you can grow 25 plants indoors. Many Doctors are not comfortable signing these prescriptions and if they do, they are extremely conservative and don’t understand that many people prefer to eat or juice rather than smoke and this require much more product. We can not only connect you with compassionate doctors who are willing to write your the prescription you need in order to grow what you need, we also assist you with the paper work.

So contact us if you’re interested in obtaining your medical marijuana license and growing your own marijuana.