THC and cannabinoids are antioxidants

I was looking around on pubmed.com and was somewhat surprised to find out that THC and cannabidiol, the primary cannabis cannabinoids, are powerful neuroprotective antioxidants. I also stumbled upon an article that describes how cannabidiol is a medication-strength antipsychotic, and counteracts the anxiety or paranoia that can be caused by THC.

THC and cannabidiol are powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidants. A 2007 scientific article written in part by the National Institutes of Health states that â??cannabinoid, as components of the Cannabis sativa (marijuana) plant, are known to exert potent anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and analgesic effects...â?� â??Cannabidiol, one of the most abundant cannabinoids of Cannabis sativa with reported antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects is well tolerated without side effects when chronically administered to humans...â?� The study concluded that cannabidiol can help to protect against diabetic comlications and atherosclerosis and that â??this is particularly engouraging in light of the excellent safety and tolerability profile of cannabidiol in humansâ?�. Pubmed ID 17384130

Another study, titled â??Cannabidiol and THC are neuroprotective antioxidantsâ?� found that â??cannabidiol protected neurons to a greater extent than either of the dietary antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol or ascorbate (vitamin C).â?� And that the antioxidant effects seen in the studied cannabinoids is â??a common property of classical cannabinoid structuresâ?�. â??The psychoactive principle of Cannabis, THC, also blocked glutamate neurotoxicity with similar potency to cannabidiol.â?� Pubmed ID 9653176

An additional study, â??Comparison of cannabidiol, antioxidants, and diuretics in reversing binge ethanol-induced neurotoxicityâ?� showed that cannabidiol can indeed protect neurons from alcohol-induced damage. Pubmed ID 15878999

Another 2007 study found that THC inhibits lung cancer cell growth, migration, and metastasis. Pubmed ID 17621270

There is also the argument that cannabis causes psychosis. While pure THC has been shown to cause acute psychosis, cannabidiol is a powerful antipsychotic and negates the negative effects of THC, as stated by the 2006 article â??Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drugâ?�. Pubmed ID 16612464

Sombrero, If you like that sort of stuff, just check out my "Birthday Gift" post! (Just click on my name, then click "find all posts by"- you'll have to go down a ways, I'm a wordy old gal-lol) Or better yet, use the search function- it might be quicker. Have fun, child!- Granny:hippy:

Wow Storm Crow that's an incredible resource. I do enjoy researching health-related topics, and especially the cannabinoids because of the false information that is supplied by the media and government.

Enjoy!