Marijuana is a drug with a mixed history. Mention it to one person, and it will conjure images of potheads lost in a spaced-out stupor. To another, it may represent relaxation, a slowing down of modern madness. To yet another, marijuana means hope for cancer patients suffering from the debilitating nausea of chemotherapy, or it is the promise of relief from chronic pain. The drug is all these things and more, for its history is a long one, spanning millennia and continents. It is also something everyone is familiar with, whether they know it or not. Everyone grows a form of the drug, regardless of their political leanings or recreational proclivities. That is because the brain makes its own marijuana, natural compounds called endocannabinoids (after the plant's formal name, Cannabis sativa).

The study of endocannabinoids in recent years has led to exciting discoveries. By examining these substances, researchers have exposed an entirely new signaling system in the brain: a way that nerve cells communicate that no one anticipated even 15 years ago. Fully understanding this signaling system could have far-reaching implications. The details appear to hold a key to devising treatments for anxiety, pain, nausea, obesity, brain injury and many other medical problems. Ultimately such treatments could be tailored precisely so that they would not initiate the unwanted side effects produced by marijuana itself.

This article was originally published with the title The Brain's Own Marijuana.

3 Comments

1. 1. ubersquiz 10:24 AM 11/29/09

   Time to make having a brain illegal then i guess haha.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

2. 2. 2manyRareDiseases 01:28 PM 4/9/10

   It would be amazing if the scientists would learn how to harness this and manipulate it to do what the article says -- treat chronic pain, nausea, and many other problems that currently are not able to be treated by smoking marijuana. If they could "trick" the brain into producing more of this without the harmful by-products of smoking it could replace the need for taking morphine or oxycontin which are also highly addictive if the patient is not careful. I look forward to hearing more about this, thanks!

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this

3. 3. Danene33 03:21 PM 10/24/10

   I would love to know if anyone is studying the effects of marijuana on traumatic brain injuries. I have had one for many years and when I got on the program in Oregon, I have discovered that it helps immensely. I am more clear headed and able to carry on conversations and socialize appropriately. Anyone know of any studies? I have seen it on other TBI patients also.

   Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this