Researchers are Developing Methods to Produce Medicinal Cannabis, Minus the Psychoactive Effects
In a groundbreaking scientific discovery, a research team led by Dr. Peter McCormick from the University of East Anglia has made significant strides in separating the healing properties of cannabis from its psychological effects. This breakthrough involves advanced THC-free extraction and purification techniques, paving the way for medical treatments that leverage cannabis's therapeutic benefits without the mind-altering effects typical of THC.
The key to this discovery lies in the development of methods that can extract non-psychoactive cannabinoids or compounds, responsible for healing. This development could potentially revolutionise how we understand and use cannabis for medical treatment.
The specific serotonin receptor focused on by the team is 5HT2AR. By blocking this receptor, the team was able to eliminate psychological side effects, while maintaining the pain-relieving and anti-tumor capabilities of THC. In mouse studies, the results showed reduced pain, tumor growth inhibition, no memory loss, and no mood swings.
This research is a testament to human curiosity, scientific precision, challenging existing assumptions, precise molecular investigation, and patient-focused innovation. Dr. McCormick's work has created a "Chinese wall" between different brain receptors, potentially transforming medical treatment.
The breakthrough offers hope to cancer patients seeking pain relief, chronic pain sufferers, and individuals avoiding marijuana due to psychological side effects. More research is needed, including human trials, verifying molecular mechanisms, and developing targeted treatments.
Dr. McCormick envisions a drug that doesn't recognise THC receptors near serotonin and a companion drug that creates a molecular barrier between receptors. This could change medical treatment forever, providing safer and more targeted applications of cannabis's healing properties.
In summary, the breakthrough is a novel THC-free extraction process that yields purified materials from cannabis, isolating therapeutic components while excluding the psychoactive THC. This discovery could potentially revolutionise how we understand and use cannabis for medical treatment.
This novel THC-free extraction process, a result of Dr. McCormick's scientific research, could revolutionize health-and-wellness by providing medical treatments that leverage science, specifically cannabis's healing properties in dealing with medical-conditions such as chronic pain and cancer, without the associated psychological effects. This advancement in medical-conditions treatment is achievable through the development of methods to extract non-psychoactive cannabinoids, potentially changing future medical treatment for the better.