While current legislation considers marijuana/cannabinoids to have no medical uses, the discovery of an endocannabinoid system in the body, specifically in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), gives significant evidence to the contrary. This endocannabinoid system is made up of receptors that bind to THC as well as natural molecules similar to THC (endocannabinoids). The specific receptor that produces the most well-known effects of THC is called CB1 and is most prominently found in the brain.
Other than its psychoactive effects, there is an abundance of anecdotal evidence and much less scientific evidence that cannabis provides relief from symptoms of ailments as wide reaching as pain, to tumor growth management, to seizures. This, coupled with the legalization of medical marijuana in many states including Minnesota, has created an increased interest in the medical possibilities of cannabis. However, the legal standing of marijuana as an illicit drug makes it hard for researchers to study. The presence of the endocannabinoid system is a handy-dandy (and legal) alternative.
The study of endocannabinoids (a type of molecule or chemical) that are naturally found in the brain allows researchers to see the effects THC has by binding to the same receptors. One of these is called anandamide or abbreviated AEA. This chemical has been shown to decrease pain (analgesia), increase appetite, control inflammation, and decrease cell division (important in controlling tumors…for example, in cancer), all activities that many individuals claim cannabis also demonstrates. So, the answer is no, there is not marijuana in our brains, although there are similar molecules that seem to have positive effects naturally that could be duplicated using cannabinoids such as those found in marijuana.
However, the psychological effects of cannabis are often a barrier for acceptability by the general public when it comes to medical legalization of marijuana. In this instance, some available solutions have been to extract the best known active ingredient out of the plant form of the drug, THC. However, more recent research as shown that a chemical from the marijuana plant called cannabindiol. This chemical may be able to have a wider range of medial effects than THC without inducing any kind of psychological changes, thus reducing abuse potential and the “high” that accompanies intake of the cannabis plant itself. In addition, these extracts are often available medically in a less stigmatized administration than smoking, such as oils, edibles, or pills.
Perhaps in a few generations, there will be over-the-counter pills and syrups with drugs derived or extracted from cannabis for pain or to help increase appetite in the seriously ill. Perhaps the stigma will be gone to allow for medical use of THC or cannabindiol and it will join the ranks of the opioids (serious pain relievers) as a therapeutic drug, instead of with heroin and meth as an illicit drug.
Endocannabinoids: is There Marijuana Inside our Brains?
