How pot eases MS

[Tom]

AN international research team believes it has discovered how marijuana alleviates the pain and debilitating symptoms of diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

 

The researchers claim the finding, reported today in the journal Neuron, promises new therapies to reduce pain and damage to brain cells.

 

MS is a chronic and progressive disease in which the protective sheaths surrounding nerves in the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to problems with movement and speech.

 

The German and US researchers found marijuana acts as a "gatekeeper", suppressing the biochemical reactions that cause pain and nerve damage.

 

The new findings fit neatly with a large British study of cannabis-based drugs, reported last year. In a study of almost 600 people with MS, they found 25mg a day of cannabis significantly reduced the volunteers' pain and muscle stiffness and spasms, apparently acting on chemicals and cells in the brain.

 

Author:Leigh Dayton, Science writer

Date:January 05, 2006

Source:The Australian

Copyright:© The Australian

 

[WantDaChronic]

we have all known that kind of information for years, when are they gonna start making it available to the sick though?

[fsagertyaef]

cant they figure out anything new we knew that years ago