Posted by linkadge on July 23, 2006, at 16:31:53
In reply to Re: Cannabinoids » SLS, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2006, at 12:13:32
Yes, marajuanna seems to house growing reports of efficacy in bipolar disorder. There are quite a few reports I have heard now of bipolar individuals gaining superior symtpom releif in all domains as compared to traditional agents.
Marajuanna has anti conflict, anti agression, antidepressant, and antimanic, antihyperlocomotion, properties. "Stoned" can often a very stable state.
With the recent evidence that cannabanoid agents actually promote neurogenesis, (unlike other agents of abuse), there is growing reason to believe an antidepressant effect is real, and not completely explained by a "high".
Cannabanoid compounds exert multiple binding effects to the serotonin system. They are not as blunt as an SSRI, and the result may be a more natural effect on hippocampal formation and function.
Cannabanaoids and dopamine also seem to work on an axis, where cannabanoids can turn off certain dopaminergic circutry. Some agents are being tested for hyperactivity disorders, as they do have the ability to reduce hyperlocomotion.
Certain cannabanoids have antipsychotic effects in their ablity to reduce dopamine in certain limbic circutry.People with schizophrenia may be using it for multiple reasons, one being to counteract prefrontal hypofunction.
There are some reports of MJ inducing paranoia. I would argue that this may be an effect of excessive anticholinergic action. I had a slight effect in this regard for perhaps 10 minautes. It did not last too long, and I never had it the second time (when I used it when free from pharmacudical ADs' etc). So, I can't recomend it in combination with prescription drugs.
Essentially, if you're exercising for too long, and the brain wants you to stop exercising, it activates the endocannabanoid system, which can make you hungary, tired, satisfied, etc.
The evidence is growing that anorexic disorders may be linked to dysfunctional endocannabanoid systems.
Omega-3, in particular DHA, has the ability to enhance the activity of the endocannabanoid system. Low DHA levels have been associated with bipolar disorder in some studies, so it makes one wonder if the stabalizing effects are not a result of (in part) an enhancement of the endocannabanoid system.
The reports that marajuanna creates apathy, are fairly irrelevant in comparison to the apathy syndromes that can be a product of SSRI's, AP's and lithium. This too may manifest itself differently in a bipolar individual.
Marajuanna never created apathy in me to any degree, infact it did the opposite. It certainly curtailed my locomotion (Ie I didn't have to exercise for 5 hours a day to be satisfied). The reduction of locomotion may be confused with apathy by some researchers.
I've heard of a few people who are doing well treating their "resistant" mood disorders with combinations of fish oil and marajuanna.
In addition, there is an anandamide reuptake inhibitor in the pipelines. Anandamide is the brains own version of THC. It seems to show promise as an antianxiety agent.
Linkadge
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URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060717/msgs/669756.html