Brain's Pot Clones: Good for Parkinson's, But Not if You Smoke It

Researchers have spent a long time trying to figure out the mysteries of cannabinoids, brain chemicals similar to those in marijuana. Now there’s word that they could help Parkinson’s patients — at least if they’re mice: But smoking pot probably wouldn’t work (sorry, readers!): "When you smoke a joint, you activate cannabinoid receptors all overthe […]

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Researchers have spent a long time trying to figure out the mysteries of cannabinoids, brain chemicals similar to those in marijuana. Now there's word that they could help Parkinson's patients -- at least if they're mice:

But smoking pot probably wouldn't work (sorry, readers!):

"When you smoke a joint, you activate cannabinoid receptors all overthe brain," explained [a study author]... "That is indiscriminate,"
[he said]. "In general, you need more specific signaling. Ourapproach involved only regions of the brain or cells that releasedopamine."...

The mice were given both dopamine and a drug being developed fortreatment of anxiety, which acts by slowing the breakdown of braincannabinoids. "The animals started walking around immediately," [he said]. "There was a five- or sixfold increase in motoractivity. If you inhibit the breakdown of these endocannabinoids, youenhance activity even in mice that lack dopamine."

Marijuana-Like Brain Chemicals Ease Parkinson's Symptoms in Mice [HealthDay]