420
Founder
Test Shows Improved Memory And Learning In Doped Up Rats. This past week, a U of S research team garnered international attention after publishing a study suggesting that marijuana related substances might reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The study was published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation before it made headlines in Canada and the United States. The study involved a synthesized substance, HU210, which imitates major ingredients found in marijuana.
Dr. Xia Zhang, an associate professor of psychiatry at the U of S, and his team found that high doses of HU210 increased neurological cell development in the hippocampus, the region of the brain is associated with learning and memory, as well as anxiety and depression.. This development has led speculation that the drug may in fact reduce or even eliminate symptoms of depression and anxiety in the animals.
The story caught the attention of media outlets from home and abroad including the Globe and Mail, CNN, FOX News, and newspapers across Europe. Most, if not all stories focused on the improved memory and brainpower with high HU210 doses and the possibility of the synthetic drug as a anti-depressant.
Dr. Zhang says drug companies have already expressed interest in his study although he insists nothing is certain as of yet. "This could be a major market for drug companies. I have definitely had some interest expressed in my research."
In the experiments, the rats were injected with high doses of HU210 and placed a variety of controlled situations designed to test their depression and anxiety levels. The rats injected with HU210 displayed symptoms that Dr. Zhang and his team describe as being evidence the animals were in fact happy or less depressed. For example, the rats showed more reluctance to submit when put in life threatening situations. When placed in a pool of water, the rats .high' on HU210 did not give up and accept drowning as quickly as those .sober' rats.
The researchers see this as evidence that the drug gave the rats more motivation or will to live; this of course indicating that they were in fact less depressed.
However, Dr. Zhang cautions that this neurological cell development, and the resulting evidence that it the drug fights depression, may be exclusive to rats and therefore may not have the same effect on humans. "There is a huge difference between rats and humans. We may not have the same results if we choose to test humans."
He also insists that although HU210 may mimic ingredients found in marijuana, marijuana itself contains a plethora of other substances that are sure to alter the effects on the brain. "HU210 is very pure, unlike marijuana. The other ingredients in marijuana may act on different receptors and therefore may produce different results."
Despite these cautions, marijuana activists and endorsers across the province are celebrating the Saskatchewan born discovery. "This is definitely a very positive study and I'm glad that it came out of Saskatchewan," says marijuana activist Nathan Holloway. "Hopefully, this will open peoples minds towards the drug and perhaps stretch open the possibility of legalization or decriminalization in the future."
Decriminalization and legalization may seem a far-fetched, but the possibilities marketing marijuana or marijuana related substances as anti-depressants may not be too far off. "The results are very promising," says Dr. Zhang, "This could be a new treatment for anxiety and depression".
The majority of non-smokers have traditionally dismissed claims that the drug has calming and relaxing effects, denying has any positive impact on the brain. This study, however, may support the pro-marijuana claim that 'weed makes you happy'. Drug companies are undoubtedly looking to cash in on exactly this phenomenon.
With a surfacing skepticism about traditional anti-depressants such as Prozac, Zhang and other are expressing optimism that marijuana may be the next blockbuster anti-depressant. "Prozac and other anti-depressants work for some and don't for others=85we are hoping marijuana or some kind marijuana related substance can improve these conditions," says Zhang.
Holloway too is optimistic about the drugs future: "We now have science on our side and I think this will help legitimize the drug." He says, "weed makes you happy, and we've been saying that all along."
Source: Sheaf, The (CN SN Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Sheaf Publishing Society, Inc.,
Contact: sheaf.editors@usask.ca
Website: The Sheaf
The study was published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation before it made headlines in Canada and the United States. The study involved a synthesized substance, HU210, which imitates major ingredients found in marijuana.
Dr. Xia Zhang, an associate professor of psychiatry at the U of S, and his team found that high doses of HU210 increased neurological cell development in the hippocampus, the region of the brain is associated with learning and memory, as well as anxiety and depression.. This development has led speculation that the drug may in fact reduce or even eliminate symptoms of depression and anxiety in the animals.
The story caught the attention of media outlets from home and abroad including the Globe and Mail, CNN, FOX News, and newspapers across Europe. Most, if not all stories focused on the improved memory and brainpower with high HU210 doses and the possibility of the synthetic drug as a anti-depressant.
Dr. Zhang says drug companies have already expressed interest in his study although he insists nothing is certain as of yet. "This could be a major market for drug companies. I have definitely had some interest expressed in my research."
In the experiments, the rats were injected with high doses of HU210 and placed a variety of controlled situations designed to test their depression and anxiety levels. The rats injected with HU210 displayed symptoms that Dr. Zhang and his team describe as being evidence the animals were in fact happy or less depressed. For example, the rats showed more reluctance to submit when put in life threatening situations. When placed in a pool of water, the rats .high' on HU210 did not give up and accept drowning as quickly as those .sober' rats.
The researchers see this as evidence that the drug gave the rats more motivation or will to live; this of course indicating that they were in fact less depressed.
However, Dr. Zhang cautions that this neurological cell development, and the resulting evidence that it the drug fights depression, may be exclusive to rats and therefore may not have the same effect on humans. "There is a huge difference between rats and humans. We may not have the same results if we choose to test humans."
He also insists that although HU210 may mimic ingredients found in marijuana, marijuana itself contains a plethora of other substances that are sure to alter the effects on the brain. "HU210 is very pure, unlike marijuana. The other ingredients in marijuana may act on different receptors and therefore may produce different results."
Despite these cautions, marijuana activists and endorsers across the province are celebrating the Saskatchewan born discovery. "This is definitely a very positive study and I'm glad that it came out of Saskatchewan," says marijuana activist Nathan Holloway. "Hopefully, this will open peoples minds towards the drug and perhaps stretch open the possibility of legalization or decriminalization in the future."
Decriminalization and legalization may seem a far-fetched, but the possibilities marketing marijuana or marijuana related substances as anti-depressants may not be too far off. "The results are very promising," says Dr. Zhang, "This could be a new treatment for anxiety and depression".
The majority of non-smokers have traditionally dismissed claims that the drug has calming and relaxing effects, denying has any positive impact on the brain. This study, however, may support the pro-marijuana claim that 'weed makes you happy'. Drug companies are undoubtedly looking to cash in on exactly this phenomenon.
With a surfacing skepticism about traditional anti-depressants such as Prozac, Zhang and other are expressing optimism that marijuana may be the next blockbuster anti-depressant. "Prozac and other anti-depressants work for some and don't for others=85we are hoping marijuana or some kind marijuana related substance can improve these conditions," says Zhang.
Holloway too is optimistic about the drugs future: "We now have science on our side and I think this will help legitimize the drug." He says, "weed makes you happy, and we've been saying that all along."
Source: Sheaf, The (CN SN Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Sheaf Publishing Society, Inc.,
Contact: sheaf.editors@usask.ca
Website: The Sheaf
