Hemp will help in the treatment of an aggressive form of brain cancer
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In one of London's scientific universities, the research team found that the aggressive form of brain cancer has a strong effect of hemp.
In the course of the experiments, the specialists found that the maximum therapeutic effect is provided by complex therapy, which combines radiation treatment of cancer and the use of active chemical components of cannabis.
In the course of the research, the scientists studied the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on a brain tumor in combination with radiation therapy. Treatment of the tumor (glioma, the most difficult to give anti-cancer therapy) was carried out by three methods: treatment with plant compounds, radiation therapy and a combination of two methods of treatment.
The most positive results were recorded in the third group, where they performed complex treatment. In this group, the size of the neoplasm significantly decreased, and in some cases completely disappeared (experiments were carried out on laboratory animals).
Scientists have long learned about the useful properties of cannabis, for example, a spray from the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, as well as a drug that helps reduce the side effects of anticancer therapy.
In total, there are more than 80 cannabinoids that bind to unique cell receptors and receive external signals, as a result, receptors along the signaling pathway indicate to cells what to do. Cannabinoids destroy cancer cells by changing the signaling pathway inside the cell.
It is worth noting that smoking cannabis adversely affects the mental state, also the work of the heart and the vascular system. The active component of the plant is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
There is an opinion that smoking of narcotic cigarettes promotes strengthening of creative abilities, allows to think more originally, however, at the Leiden Academy in the Netherlands experts have denied this common view. In the course of their research, they studied the effects of cannabis on human creativity. The experiment was attended by people who smoked marijuana. In total, the specialists created three groups with an equal number of participants; in the first group, participants received high doses of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (22 mg), in the second group - a low dose (5.5 mg), the third group used placebo.
The dosage of participants in the first group was approximately equal to three narcotic cigarettes, in the second group - to one cigarette.
In the experiment, an inhaler was used to inject the drug, after which the participants performed specific tasks that helped specialists evaluate the convergent (the ability to find one option under strictly defined conditions, ie, the solution of the problem from the previously learned algorithm) and divergent thinking (the ability to find various solutions one task).
As a result, the specialists found out that in the group where low doses of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol were received and took placebo, the participants coped well with the tasks set, while the solutions were not creative. When using high doses of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the ability to find multiple solutions in participants was reduced.
Specialists concluded that smoking cannabis does not increase the creative potential of a person, so to solve the problem of a creative crisis, you need to look for other ways.
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