Adding to the list of numerous diseases that medical marijuana has already helped to heal – cancer, rare muscular diseases, arthritis, seizures, and more – compounds in the plant have also been shown to positively impact Alzheimer’s disease. This is important because the degenerative disease affects more than 5 million Americans.

One study, published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology in 2006 found that a compound within cannabis harnesses two therapeutic properties ideal for addressing both the surface symptom (memory problems) and root cause (brain plaque) of Alzheimer’s disease.

It states very clearly that marijuana compounds which normally account for a ‘high,’ Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), competitively inhibits the enzyme acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) as well as prevents AChE-induced amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) aggregation, the key pathological marker of Alzheimer’s disease. (Charts and graphs here.)

The study abstract states:

RELATED ARTICLE: How Marijuana Takes on Alzheimer’s Successfully

Numerous experimental drugs have been introduced which have failed miserably for treating Alzheimer’s disease, which can cost hundreds of dollars a month.  These drugs are not only an insult to the patients and families who have to pay for them, hoping they will work, but a burden to the medical system.

Conversely, marijuana compounds showed an ability to inhibit the AChE enzyme, not unlike the mechanism of action behind most Alzheimer’s drugs on the market today – and the marijuana compounds cost considerably less – without harming the patient.

The compound THC also showed an ability to prevent the acetylcholinesterase-associated amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) aggregation, i.e. brain plaque, as the researchers of the study note, “directly impacts Alzheimer’s disease pathology.”

Now I ask you – where is the real medicine? And why is marijuana still listed by the Feds as a Schedule I drug? It is time for re-classification. Not only is it improperly labeled; it could save lives.

Source: Natural Society article by CHRISTINA SARICH