Pubdate: Wed, 08 Jul 1998
Source: South China Evening Post (Hong Kong) 
Contact:  
Website: http://www.scmp.com/

MARIJUANA SUBSTANCE MAY SAVE BRAIN CELLS

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE In Washington A substance found in marijuana may help
prevent brain cell death, say researchers.

The team at the US Government's National Institutes of Health said they had
found that cannabidiol, "a non-psychoactive, naturally occurring substance
found in the marijuana plant, is a potent anti-oxidant which can prevent
brain cell death".

As an anti-oxidant, cannabibiol might hold promise for preventing brain
damage in strokes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and even heart
attacks, the researchers said in a report of their findings published on
Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The substance does not cause the "high" associated with marijuana smoking,
said Aidan Hampson, the study's main author.

"Cannabidiol is a desirable candidate for a side effect-free therapeutic
agent," Mr Hampson said. "It does not produce euphoria."

The substance protected cultured rat brain cells against damage,
outperforming standard preventative medicines such as vitamins C and E, and
the potent anti-oxidant BHT.

Preliminary results from studies using cannabidiol in live animal models of
stroke "are looking promising", Mr Hampson said.

The substance passes readily from the blood into the brain and has been
tested in humans over several weeks and at high doses, "with no apparent
side effects reported". 

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Checked-by: Melodi Cornett