The science of cannabis and the mind!

Researchers have discovered a new way to boost the effects of anandamide - a natural chemical in the body that provides pain relief similar to marijuana.

Anandamide has been called the ‘bliss molecule’ for its similarities to the active ingredient in certain marijuana genetics. As part of the body’s endocannabinoid system, this neurotransmitter has been shown in studies to offer analgesic, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects. It also plays a role in regulating food consumption.

In the study, led by Daniele Piomelli, researchers identified an “escort” protein in brain cells that transports anandamide to sites within the cell where it is broken down by enzymes. They discovered that anandamide’s potency is increased when this protein, called FLAT, is blocked.

Previous work by the researchers suggests that compounds boosting anandamide’s natural abilities could form the basis of pain medications without the side effects of sedation, addiction or other central nervous system problems common with existing painkillers, such as opiates.

“These findings raise hope that the analgesic properties of marijuana can be harnessed for new, safe drugs,” said Piomelli, a professor of pharmacology. “Specific drug compounds we are creating that amplify the actions of natural, marijuana-like chemicals are showing great promise.”

For the study, Piomelli and his colleagues used computational methods to study how FLAT binds with anandamide and escorts it to cell sites to be degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzymes. Blocking FAAH activity increases several effects of anandamide without triggering the “high” of marijuana.

Researchers hypothesize that inhibiting FLAT (FAAH-like anandamide transporters) might be especially useful in controlling certain types of pain.

Specific types of pain that could be helped by this discovery could include pain caused by damage to the central nervous system. It is also thought that it might help people break addiction to drugs such as nicotine and cocaine.

The study appears in the online version of Nature Neuroscience.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of California, Irvine; Italy’s University of Parma and University of Bologna; and the Italian Institute of Technology.

Santa Cruz County supervisors step up for Medical Cannabis

The Santa Cruz county board of supervisors on Tuesday imposed a moratorium on medical cannabis regulations, instead joining an evolving legal fight over how MMJ collectives and medical marijuana patients may access their marijuana medicine.
The move, which halts a set of rules approved with the support of local dispensaries in May, was triggered by a state appeals court ruling striking down a set of Long Beach regulations for their medical marijuana collectives as conflicting with federal drug laws.


That case has been appealed to the state's highest court. The county is joining that appeal along with the American Civil Liberties Union, offering up its regulatory scheme as an alternative to the oft-criticized Long Beach law, which required dispensaries to make steep payments for a chance to receive a license to operate within city limits.

Thank you Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors for fighting on the side righteousness.

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