Cannabis can slow narrowing of arteries

[emad]

April 07, 2005

Guardian
By Nigel Hawkes


THE active ingredient in cannabis protects arteries against harmful changes that lead to strokes and heart attacks, new research suggests.

THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is known to affect the brain and make cannabis-users “high”. The new research shows that it also has an influence on blood vessels.

A study of mice revealed that the compound blocks the process of inflammation, which is largely responsible for the narrowing of arteries.

Inflammation combines with fatty deposits to produce obstructive “plaques”, a condition known as atherosclerosis. These can block arteries to the heart, causing angina and heart attacks, or to the brain, leading to strokes. Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke in the Western world, accounting for up to half the deaths from both conditions.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-1557993,00.html

[sui generis]

1. so can eating right and exercising

... not that there's anything wrong with a bit of relaxation.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

2. I love to smoke a joint and go for a run

:thumbsup:

[sui generis]

4. I'd just take a nap

or run to the fridge. A lot.

[emad]

7. Glad to see that's not 'take a nap in the fridge'.......

and get the runs....

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. get the runs alot

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

8. It has the opposite effect for me

:shrug:

[vptpt]

3. Of course!

As any pot-head migraine-sufferer can tell you, a big fat spliff can ward off any headache as long as you catch it at the start. Viva marijuana!

[emad]

13. So is having a cannabis-deficiency reason enough for a script

from the cardio-docs?

[Paranoid_Portlander]

5. Are there THC receptors in the brain?

I could be wrong about that, but if it's true, that would be interesting. Maybe the receptors are for other purposes, but will accept THC anyway.

[emad]

6. I thought it was the Serotonin receptors that mimicked THC....

??

[Dez]

9. There's a reason

why the drug companies lobby against cannabis.. They're afraid of their profits dropping if it were legalized. the drug war is all about corporate profits.

[BOHICA06]

11. Not really ...

its because you're high that the narrowing seems slower!!;)

[emad]

12. THC is a muscle relaxant. Maybe it relaxes them arteries and

fools them into thinking they're not too clogged up....