Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology Archives

Study: Cannabinoids are Safe, Effective for Pain Treatment

November 18, 2015

By Paul Armentano, NORML

Cannabinoids are safe and effective for the treatment of chronic pain, according to the results of a systematic review of randomized controlled trials published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology.

Investigators from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and McGill University in Montreal evaluated the results of 11 placebo-controlled trials conducted between the years 2010 and 2014. Trials assessed the use of various types of cannabinoid preparations, including herbal cannabis, liquid and oral cannabis extracts, and nabilone (a synthetic analog of THC), in pain treatment.

New Study: Cannabis May Treat Autoimmune Diseases, Prevent Graft Rejection

April 19, 2015April 19, 2015

A new study being published in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, and e-published ahead of print by the National Institute of Health, has found that cannabis may have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help treat a variety of conditions such as autoimmune diseases and graft rejection.

According to researchers; “This review examines the effects of cannabinoids on immune function, with a focus on effects on T-cells, as well as on resistance to infection. The paper considers the immune modulating capacity of marijuana, of ∆⁹-THC extracted from the marijuana plant, and synthetic cannabinoids.”

New Metastudy Finds Evidence that Cannabis is a Safe, Effective Treatment for Chronic Pain

March 23, 2015

A new metastudy of numerous randomized controlled trials has found that cannabis is a safe, effective treatment for chronic pain. The study was published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, and was published online Monday by the National Institute of Health.

The study, conducted by researchers at Pharmacology Dalhousie University‘s Departments of Anesthesiology in Canada, was an “updated systematic review of randomized controlled trials examining cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews reporting on health care outcomes”, according to the study’s abstract.

Cannabis May Treat Neuroinflammation, According to New Study

February 12, 2015

A study published in the February issue of the Journal of NeuroImmune Pharmacology has found that cannabis may provide a treatment option for neuroinflammation.

“Chronic neuroinflammatory disorders (such as HIV associated neurodegeneration) require treatment that decreases production of inflammatory factors by activated microglia and macrophages and protection of blood brain barrier (BBB) injury secondary to activation of brain endothelium”, begins the study’s abstract. “Cannabioid type 2 receptor (CB₂) is highly expressed on macrophages and brain microvasular enndothelial cells (BMVEC) and is upregulated in inflammation and HIV infection. It has been shown that CB₂ activation dampened inflammatory responses in macrophages and BMVEC.”

New Government-Funded Study: Cannabis May Treat HIV-Associated Neuro Cognitive Disorders

August 22, 2014July 13, 2014

A study being published in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, and e-published ahead of print yesterday by the U.S. National Institute of Health (who also conducted the study), has found that cannabinoid agonists – such as cannabis – may attenuate HIV-associated neuro cognitive disorders in HIV patients on HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). The study also found that activation of the body’s cannabinoid receptors may “blunt brain injury by attenuating drug addiction”.

According to researchers of the study; “Despite the wide spread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), mild forms of HIV-associated neuro cognitive disorders (HAND) remain commonplace. HAART treated patients now show low levels of viremia and more subtle yet biologically important signs of brain macrophage and microglial activation. Adjunctive therapeutic strategies are required to eliminate HIV-1 infection and suppress immune activation and its associated neuroinflammation.”

New Study: Cannabis Can Treat Multiple Sclerosis By Preventing Inflammation

October 25, 2013October 10, 2013

A new study published by the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology has found that cannabis can treat multiple sclerosis by preventing inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.

“Inflammation is part of the body’s natural immune response, but in cases like MS it gets out of hand,” says Drs. Ewa Kozela, co-author of the study. “Our study looks at how compounds isolated from marijuana can be used to regulate inflammation to protect the nervous system and its functions.”