The National Cancer Institute (NCI ), the U.S. government's cancer research institution United Stateshas compiled a review of multiple sources and clinical studies highlighting the use of cannabinoids, to relieve patients suffering from cancers, serious illnesses and other pathologies (anorexia, stress, pain...).

Will this release help advance cannabis research?

Visit National Cancer Institute (NCI)the federal agency for cancer research in the United Statespublished on February 15 on its websitea press release on the virtues of cannabinoids. They draw on on a large number of references and experiments, with the aim of informing patients suffering from cancer, serious illnesses and other pathologies (anorexia, stress, pain...), of the possibilities of alternative treatments.

This press release begins with a brief introduction to presentation of cannabis from the 19th century to the present day, its history in the United States and worldwide, through the various regulations in force and the research carried out, to a description of the endocannabinoid system and the cannabinoids in general.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve the use of cannabinoids for therapeutic use, so research is limited. Laboratories wishing to carry out clinical trials on cannabis are required to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in order to obtain a Schedule I license from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and obtain approval from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Despite these restrictions on research, numerous studies have been carried out on plant cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids) and endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) produced by the human body:

-These antitumor effects, which could help fight tumors

-These antiemetic effects, which help combat nausea and vomiting and vomiting, as well as stimulating the appetite

-Its analgesic properties are said to help relieve pain, anxiety and sleep.

Antitumor effects
These studies on animals (rats and mice) and outside the organism demonstrate the action of cannabinoids on inhibiting certain tumour cells, reducing or even destroying them, while preserving the cells surrounding these tumours.

The two main receptors of the endocannabinoid system, CB1 and CB2, play an essential role in the antitumor effects of cannabinoids. cannabinoids. The cannabinoids also exert chemopreventive effects to reduce the risk of tumor cell appearance, delay their development or prevent cancer recurrence, and promote the absorption of cytotoxic drugs (chemotherapy).

Antiemetic effects
The CB1 and 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) receptors of the endocannabinoid system are thought to have an effect on emetic circuits, helping to prevent vomiting. Research is not yet sufficiently advanced to claim that cannabinoids have real anti-emetic properties, although one study shows the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD), for these symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

Appetite stimulation
Numerous animal studies have already demonstrated that THC and other cannabinoids have a stimulatory effect on appetite and increase food consumption. The endocannabinoid system could act as a regulator of eating behavior. In addition, CB1 receptors may be involved in the motivational or reward aspects of eating.

Analgesia
The cannabinoids produce analgesia, reducing or suppressing pain sensitivity in the supraspinatus (shoulder) muscles, spine, spinal cord and external neuropathic nerves. Like opioid receptors, CB1 receptors exhibit increased levels in brain regions that regulate nociceptive processing, enabling the integration of a painful stimulus into the central nervous system via activation of skin, muscle and joint pain receptors. CB2 receptors, along with cannabinoids, act on mast cell receptors to reduce inflammation.

Anxiety and sleep
The endocannabinoid system plays a central role in regulating mood and extinguishing aversive memories that provoke empathy, hatred or repulsion. Animal studies, notably on rats, have shown that cannabidiol (CBD) has anxiolytic properties, but these mechanisms are currently unknown and require further research. The endocannabinoid system is also thought to play a key role in modulating the sleep cycle in rats.

This press release from the National Cancer Institute with the help of some fifty studies, highlights the need for further research into cannabinoids which is currently inadequate and underfunded by the relevant institutions.

This organization is one of the most competent in the world in cancer research and the identification of the properties of cannabinoids properties of cannabinoids is a step forward in research following the recommendation to declassify cannabis in the World Health Organization's (WHO) Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs schedule or theapproval of the European Parliament to develop research on cannabinoids.

Source:
► https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq