MCSocal » compazine http://www.mcsocal.com Medical Marijuana Card - Orange County Marijuana Clinic - Doctor Breen Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:54:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 Medical Marijuana, Cannabis, Endocannabinoids and Pregnancy http://www.mcsocal.com/blog/medical-marijuana-cannabis-endocannabinoids-and-pregnancy http://www.mcsocal.com/blog/medical-marijuana-cannabis-endocannabinoids-and-pregnancy#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:28:15 +0000 admin http://www.mcsocal.com/?p=1459 It really is shame that marijuana is a schedule 1 drug  and therefore under-researched in the United States.   There seems to be strong evidence for many different applications in medicine.     I was just reading research about our bodies endogenous endocannabinoid system and its affect on the uterus and implantation of the developing embryo.

So what is the endogenous endocannabinoid system?   Simply stated, it is our bodies own natural production of cannabinoids.   That is correct, our body actually makes compounds (the main one we know of is called anandamide) that are identical to some of the cannabinoids in the marijuana plant.   On top of that we have receptors in our central and peripheral nervous system (in addition to the immune system and embryo) that were specifically designed to bind these compounds.     It is irrefutable that cannabinoids play a role in regulating our physiology.  To what extent it does so is something that needs continued research.

Today I was studying our endogenous endocannabinoid system and learned that the developing embryo has cannabis receptors that regulate its ability to properly implant in the uterus.     This was shown for sure in experiments involving mice.    Researchers believe that having too much or too little cannabinoids can adversely affect pregnancy.   For example if a women has high levels of natural cannabinoids and uses marijuana it can induce a miscarriage.    However if a women does not have enough cannabinoids in her body and uses cannabis it could potentially promote implantation and a viable pregnancy.

The unfortunate thing about preliminary research is that there is no funding to take it to the next level.   The government does not allow grants for research regarding marijuana (with the exception of one poorly run study).   I personally believe that big-pharma (drug companies) have too much power and influence over our politicians.   I know that they don’t want people turning in their ambien, xanax, vicodin and compazine for 12 plants growing in the patients back yard.

 

]]> http://www.mcsocal.com/blog/medical-marijuana-cannabis-endocannabinoids-and-pregnancy/feed 0 Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Marijuana (Cannabis); An Alternative treatment approach http://www.mcsocal.com/blog/cyclic-vomiting-syndrome-and-marijuana-cannabis-an-alternative-treatment-approach http://www.mcsocal.com/blog/cyclic-vomiting-syndrome-and-marijuana-cannabis-an-alternative-treatment-approach#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:15:05 +0000 Dr. Sean Breen http://mcsocal.com/blog/?p=47 As medical director for Medical Cannabis of Southern California I have taken care of patients who have been diagnosed with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS).  Cannabis is an incredible treatment for patients who suffer from this disorder.  CVS is characterized by recurring episodes of severe nausea and vomiting which last from hours to days.  Patients typically have periods of weeks to months without an episode and then can have episodes unexpectedly.  It typically starts in children ages 3-7 and remits in early adulthood however it can persist throughout a patients life.   The medical community is unclear as to what the cause is but they seem to think to genetics on the maternal side.  Many times patients also experience migraine headaches.   This disorder can be very debilitating and lead to hospitalization if a patient becomes severely dehydrated as a result of vomiting or develops an imbalance in their electrolytes (ie. Sodium)  Typical treatments are anti-emetics (Zofran/Compazine etc), IV fluids and rest.

What I have found from evaluating patients with CVS is that they seem to do extremely well with cannabis.   Their episodes of vomiting are less frequent.  When they experience nausea and vomiting it is less intense and their appetites are greatly improved.   Many times patients will medicate with cannabis on a regular basis to keep episodes from occurring (prophylactic treatment).  Once a patient identifies the triggers for his/her vomiting they can time when they medicate.

Cannabinoids (medically active ingredient in the cannabis plant) have incredible anti-emetic(vomiting) properties.  The FDA has approved a drug called marinol which is THC (tetrahydrocannibinol) in the pill form.   THC is only one of over 70 cannabinoids that exert their effect.  The plant has all of these additional cannabinoids which make it the ideal treatment for CVS.   It is easily tolerated and does not cause any harm to the major organ systems.   It is also an incredible appetite stimulant.  Ironically this is one of the side effects of using cannabis.

If you suffer from CVS and would like more information to see if cannabis can help you reduce your episodes of CVS please visit our website at www.MCSoCal.com and pre-qualify for free online.  Dr. Sean Breen has offices in Long Beach, Irvine and Encinitas.  877-721-0047

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