{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/bipolar-disorder/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1928-markdown","title":"Cannabinoids: Chemical Compounds with Huge Therapeutic Potential","slug":"cannabinoids-chemical-compounds-with-huge-therapeutic-potential","content":"The therapeutic properties of the cannabis plant have been known for\r\nmore than [5000\r\nyears](http://www.maps.org/research-archive/mmj/grinspoon_history_cannabis_medicine.pdf).\r\nHowever, it was not until\r\n[1896](http://thecompassionchronicles.com/2013/12/30/cannabinoids-illinois-adams-and-discovering-cannabidiol/)\r\nthat three researchers -- Wood, Spivey and Easterfield -- discovered\r\nthat cannabinoids, natural compounds unique to the plant, were behind\r\nthese effects. Working with the resin of Indian hemp in a laboratory in\r\nBoston, Massachusetts, they isolated and named the first cannabinoid\r\ncompound, known as cannabinol (CBN). Their discovery was one of many\r\nthat led to a paradigm shift in research into human health and disease.\r\n\r\nOne Discovery Leads to Another\r\n------------------------------\r\n\r\nIn 1940, more than four decades after the discovery of CBN, Roger Adams\r\nisolated and identified another cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), while\r\nworking with red oil extract made from Minnesota wild hemp at the\r\nUniversity of Illinois. After Adams's discovery, it was 24 years until\r\nthe next breakthrough in cannabinoid science.\r\n\r\nWorking at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Raphael Mechoulam identified\r\ndelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the substance responsible for much\r\nof the psychoactive, or mood-altering, effects of cannabis. Since the\r\ndiscovery of THC, there have been rapid advances in the isolation and\r\nidentification of cannabinoids. So far, [over\r\n85](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866040/) unique\r\ncannabinoids have been identified.\r\n\r\nFurther Breakthroughs in Cannabinoid Science\r\n--------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nAs researchers continued to learn more about cannabinoids, it appeared\r\nincreasingly likely that the effects of cannabinoids must be mediated by\r\na family of receptors. It was not until 1988 that the first of these\r\nreceptors, [cannabinoid receptor type\r\n1](http://www.drugscience.org/Petition/C3D.html) (CB1) was revealed by\r\n[Allyn Howlett](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2848184) and William\r\nDevane of St. Louis University Medical School, Missouri.\r\n\r\nSince then, CB1 receptors have been found in large numbers in several\r\nareas of the human brain, including the basal ganglia (affecting motor\r\nactivity), neocortex (thinking), hippocampus (short-term memory),\r\ncerebellum (motor coordination), periaqueductal gray (pain perception),\r\nand hypothalamus and limbic cortex (appetite and sedation).\r\n\r\nThese receptors are also found to a lesser extent in the dorsal horn of\r\nthe spinal cord (affecting pain perception) and on immune cells. A few\r\nyears after the discovery of CB1, a [second\r\nreceptor](http://www.gwpharm.com/Research%20History.aspx), cannabinoid\r\nreceptor type 2 (CB2), was identified by researchers [Munro, Thomas and\r\nAbu-Shaar](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7689702) from the MRC\r\nLaboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, United Kingdom. CB2\r\nreceptors are predominantly found in immune cells and tissues, with the\r\ngreatest density in the spleen. Activation of these receptors reduces\r\ninflammation, a precursor to many diseases.\r\n\r\nDiscovery of a New Molecular Signalling System\r\n----------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe discovery of cannabinoid receptors fueled speculation that the body\r\nmust produce compounds that bind to the receptors. The first such\r\ncompound, anandamide (AEA), was isolated by [Raphael\r\nMechoulam](http://www.sciencemag.org/content/258/5090/1946) and his team\r\nat Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1992.\r\n\r\nA couple of years later, a second compound, 2-arachidonoylglycerol\r\n(2-AG), was discovered and in the following decade several other\r\ncompounds capable of activating the cannabinoid receptors were\r\nidentified. These compounds, together with the receptors, make up the\r\nendocannabinoid system.\r\n\r\nManipulation of the Endocannabinoid System\r\n------------------------------------------\r\n\r\n[Research](http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1361971-overview# a4)\r\nindicated that the [endocannabinoid\r\nsystem](http://norml.org/library/item/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system)\r\nmediates a number of physiological functions vital for survival. More\r\nimportantly, it suggested that modulating the activity of the\r\nendocannabinoid system using cannabinoids may be the key to treating a\r\nbroad range of diseases and symptoms.\r\n\r\nCurrently, THC and CBD are the two main cannabinoids of medical\r\ninterest.\r\n[THC](http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine)\r\nhas been found to increase appetite and reduce nausea, and may help\r\ndecrease pain, inflammation, and muscle control problems. CBD may be\r\nuseful in controlling epileptic seizures, reducing pain and\r\ninflammation, and quelling mental illnesses and addictions.\r\n\r\nResearchers Hone Synthetic Cannabinoids\r\n---------------------------------------\r\n\r\nContinued research into the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids led to\r\nthe creation of synthetic cannabinoids -- chemicals created to mimic the\r\neffects of natural cannabinoids. Two THC-based medications,\r\n[dronabinol](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a607054.html)\r\n(Marinol) and\r\n[nabilone](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a607048.html)\r\n(Cesamet), showed clinical benefit and were subsequently approved by the\r\nU.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention or treatment\r\nof chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Other cannabis-based\r\nmedications are currently in development.\r\n\r\nCombined Approach Offers Greater Hope\r\n-------------------------------------\r\n\r\nResearch has yet to reveal the exact mechanisms by which all of the\r\ncannabinoids in the cannabis family of plants exert their therapeutic\r\neffects, but evidence suggests that these compounds work better together\r\nthan alone: a discovery termed the entourage effect. Support for this\r\neffect derives from comparisons of the effect of the whole cannabis\r\nplant with that of the drug Marinol. When Marinol became available as a\r\nmedicine in the mid-1980s, researchers believed that it would have the\r\nsame effect as the entire cannabis plant. However,\r\n[patients](http://www.coloradonorml.org/information/marijuana/medical/marinol-vs-natural-plant)\r\nprescribed Marinol frequently reported greater psychoactive effects --\r\ncaused, in part, by the lack of CBD, which is believed to modulate the\r\npsychoactivity of the THC.\r\n\r\nAdvocates Call For Overhaul of Marijuana Laws\r\n---------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe ability of cannabinoids to work together to treat a variety of\r\nailments while causing minimal adverse side effects has led to calls for\r\nmedical marijuana --the use of the cannabis plant or its basic extracts\r\nfor medical purposes -- to be legalized. [Twenty-three\r\nstates](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/state-laws-related-to-marijuana)\r\nand Washington, DC, have already passed laws allowing marijuana to be\r\nused for a variety of medical conditions. However, many people are still\r\nunable to obtain, possess or cultivate marijuana for their own medicinal\r\nuse without breaking the law.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/34402227@N03/4968163345)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.2345679012345678,"src":"/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/bd8e6/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.jpg","srcSet":"/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/f836f/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.jpg 200w,\n/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/2244e/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.jpg 400w,\n/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/bd8e6/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.jpg 487w","srcWebp":"/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/10051/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/61e93/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.webp 200w,\n/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/1f5c5/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.webp 400w,\n/static/433d8eeddf29b114224c689e0e82c545/10051/6162c38246fa78235422389aca895d30.webp 487w","sizes":"(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1891-markdown","title":"Bipolar Disorder: Is Marijuana a Natural Mood Stabilizer?","slug":"bipolar-disorder-is-marijuana-a-natural-mood-stabilizer","content":"People with bipolar affective disorder, sometimes called manic depression, suffer from volatile mood swings that can range from periods of euphoria to periods of deep depression. These extreme moods not only interfere with activities of daily living, but can lead to dangerous, impulsive and high-risk behavior, as well as suicidal thoughts.\r\n\r\nBipolar affective disorder is a lifelong condition that usually develops during the teen years. Current treatments, including psychotherapy, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics, leave much to be desired. But recent research on medical marijuana is providing new hope: Some studies suggest that cannabis may be a natural mood stabilizer that can help patients with bipolar affective disorder. \r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### Treatments for Bipolar Affective Disorder\r\n\r\nAbout [5.5 million American\r\nadults](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2847357/) (2.5% of the population) have bipolar affective disorder. Of these, 82.9% are considered severe.\r\n\r\nCurrent treatments for bipolar affective disorder are aimed at\r\ncontrolling the extreme moods. However, each treatment has drawbacks:\r\n\r\n* Mood stabilizers, including [lithium](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a681039.html), can cause nausea, dizziness, excessive thirst, diarrhea and have been linked to [birth defects](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21034180).\r\n\r\n* [Lamatrogine](http://www.drugs.com/sfx/lamotrigine-side-effects.html), an oral anti-seizure drug that is sometimes prescribed for mood disorders, can cause blurred or double vision, clumsiness and serious skin rash.\r\n\r\n* Antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy can trigger rapid mood cycling.\r\n\r\n* Antipsychotics can cause mania. \r\n\r\nMany bipolar patients self-medicate with alcohol and marijuana, and [substance abuse rates approach 60%](http://www.ukcia.org/research/CannabinoidsInBipolarAffectiveDisorder.pdf). Some studies have shown that [substance abuse can increase disease\r\nseverity](http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bernard_Carroll4/publication/11794655_Substance_abuse_in_bipolar_disorder/links/542ae0bd0cf277d58e8a0bae.pdf)\r\nand\r\n[suicide rates](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1034/j.1399-5618.2003.00017.x/abstract). Yet other studies have reported that [patients who self-medicate with marijuana report less mania and depression](http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0118916).\r\n\r\nRELATED: [DOES MARIJUANA HELP OR HURT PEOPLE WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56c615107c6109000c00011e/does-marijuana-help-or-hurt-people-with-bipolar-disorder)\r\n\r\n### Brain Chemistry & Bipolar Disorder\r\n\r\nWhile the causes of bipolar affective disorder aren’t clear, it’s thought to have a strong genetic component. It could also be related to physical changes in the brain. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) have shown that [the brains of those with bipolar affective disorder have\r\n\"decreases in the volume of the brain's prefrontal cortex](http://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-news/2008/imaging-identifies-brain-regions-and-chemicals-underlying-mood-disorders-may-lead-to-better-treatments.shtml) and its\r\nsubcortical connections sites, including the amygdala.\"\r\n\r\nThe prefrontal cortex is involved in decision making and behavior, while the amygdala\r\nis responsible for emotions, mood and motivation. All of these functions are affected by bipolar disorder. And cannabis, which can have profound effects on brain function may have a role to play. \r\n\r\n### Cannabis May Be a Natural Mood Stabilizer for Those With Bipolar Disorder\r\n\r\nIn a literature review, researchers from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom [examined the relationship between marijuana and bipolar affective disorder](http://www.ukcia.org/research/CannabinoidsInBipolarAffectiveDisorder.pdf). The authors of the study note that the effects cannabis has shown in other conditions, such as improved mood, may have applications in bipolar disorder. \r\n\r\nThey note that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary constituent of cannabis, has anti-anxiety, hypnotic and antidepressant effects that can improve mood and promote a sense of well-being. These benefits have been recorded in healthy subjects as well as those with pain conditions, multiple sclerosis and cancer. The researchers say that this property can be especially helpful during the depressive phases of bipolar disorder.\r\n\r\nThe authors also examined studies on the antipsychotic effects of cannabidiol (CBD), THC’s counterpart. In the brain, substances called neurotransmitters relay signals between brain cells—this is how your brain receives the messages to carry out life functions. Sometimes these neurotransmitters can become overactive, a phenomenon that’s linked to conditions like attention deficit disorder and anxiety disorder. \r\n\r\nIt turns out that CBD has an effect on the firing of these neurotransmitters—dampening their signals to the brain when they become overactive. Researchers think that this property can have mood stabilizing actions that have applications in bipolar disorder. \r\n\r\nOverall, the authors concluded that both THC and CBD from medical marijuana have similar properties to standard medications being used to treat bipolar affective disorder. Based on this finding, the researchers feel that patients with bipolar affective disorder could benefit from medical marijuana. Their findings also suggest that a placebo-controlled trial involving cannabinoids like THC and CBD should be undertaken to further explore the plant’s benefits. \r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  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