Cannabis contains over 500 chemicals, of which over 80 are cannabinoids (a 21-carbon molecule). Many of the over 500 compounds have medicinal value. Research continues to gain more knowledge about these molecules.

How does cannabis exert its medicinal effects? The medicinal effects of cannabis are mediated by the endocannabinoid system. This system includes two neurotransmitters, anandamine and 2AG, two receptors CB1 and CB2 and two enzymes MYGL and FAAH. It is responsible for modulating neurotransmission. An increase in cannabinoids either endogenous or exogenous, increases the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain.

We know that the endocannabinoids act in a different way from any other neurotransmitter. Instead of stimulating the next neuron on the pathway up the CNS, the endocannabinoids actually double back and de-polarize the neuron that was just stimulated (the presynaptic nerve). This occurs by causing release of dopamine. Dopamine reverses the concentration of sodium and potassium inside and outside the cell. The effect of this is that it slows down neurotransmission.

So, if a person is having migraines caused by an overload of the electrical circuits in a certain part of the brain, slowing down the speed of neurotransmission, leads to fewer neural impulses, which in turn, decreases the likelihood or severity of a migraine. The same thing is true of people that have panic attacks, if you have negative thoughts that are moving at warp speed to the midbrain, you are overwhelming the emotional control center of the brain, the limbic system.

Cannabis slows down the speed of neurotransmission exposing the cerebral cortex to fewer slower moving neural stimuli. This allows the higher centers of the brain to have time to more rationally assess the relative danger or the negativity and put a more rational point of view on that sensory input and often taking the edge off anxiety or preventing a panic attack.

We were all taught in medical school that 70% of the brain is there to turn off the other 30% - dopamine is one of the “off switches” that helps modulate sensory input. One suggestion is that cannabis and cannabinoids increase the amount of free dopamine in the brain by competing with dopamine from binding to another neurochemical, dopamine transporter. The dopamine transporter and dopamine form an electrochemical bond. This ties up the dopamine so the dopamine is not free to act as one of the brain’s “off switches”. The cannabinoids replace the dopamine and the amount of free dopamine increases.

All human characteristics are distributed on a bell shape curve so some of us will have less natural occurring cannabinoids than others. There are a host of conditions that appear to be tied to an endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome It is not clear why, so if there is not a lower amount of free dopamine present in the brain, neural impulses move more rapidly. This mechanism contributes to the treatment of many conditions (e.g. Crohn’s, migraine, seizures, etc) that can respond to cannabis or cannabinoids.

What's New

Wisconsin: Considering a medical marijuana law.
   The Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act



Featured Recipe - The Green Peril

A Pasta Recipe to delight all

The Green Peril was invented in sunny left coast Southern California. The author had recently returned from a better bud butter seminar and was anxious to test cook the goods. The Canny Bus was left at the airport Sports Bar while the author flew home in all speed.

Dr. Jay was ably assisted in the development of this classic by none other than his Nancy wife. Together this adventurous pair provides the reader a big clue that improvisation is the key to fun and frugal cooking.

Having arrived back in Los Angeles, author and wife made a quick grocery trip and were determined to clear out the refrigerator. The beauty of pasta is that you can make it different every time. Remember. Don't forget to substitute what you have on hand, what your budget will bear, and just what kinky tastes fit your fancy. A note of caution about this recipe: Do not serve to airplane pilots, other users of heavy machinery, nor practicing health care workers. Avoid sharp objects after eating (no knife is necessary in preparation or eating).

Green Peril is delicate, creamy, and moderately dangerous

Ingredients:

One-package spinach/ricotta cheese raviolis (dairy section)
1\4 Cup extra virgin olive oil
1\4 Cup Chardonnay
3-4 tablespoons of bud butter
1\2 mini tub of fresh artichoke/pesto sauce (dairy section)
2 grams crushed and powdered bud (White Widow or Blueberry preferred)
1-tablespoon basil
1-teaspoon coarse black pepper
3 medium shallots-chopped
3 cloves of garlic-crushed
1-teaspoon sea salt

Green Peril

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet while setting one liter slightly salted water up to boil.

Sauté garlic and shallots until the shallots are just clear. Add pepper, basil, and bud to skillet. Pour in wine and bring back to medium heat. Incorporate the artichoke/pesto sauce. Bring to heat and simmer.

Add pasta to boiling water and cook until firm but tender (al dente). Drain cooked pasta and set aside.

Add bud butter to simmering sauce blending in carefully. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and gently blend. Serve in large bowls with Pecarrino Romano cheese (go easy), fresh basil, and bud as garnish.

Side dishes may include a fresh garden salad and hot buttered toast (you must make sure all excess sauce is soaked up).

Recommended Wine: Any decent Beaujolais