Marijuana can heal broken bones, might cure osteoporosis too: Researchers
It’s true that researchers at Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University have claimed to have made this breakthrough discovery regarding another medical use of Marijuana.Earlier, scientists had found therapeutic use of cannabis in alleviation symptoms of diseases such as Parkinson’s, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
First of all it’s not about smoking Marijuana to heal broken bones. Rather, it’s more about a component found in Cannabis that stimulate bone growth and inhibit further fractures. This component is called cannabinoid (CBD) and it can be separated from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – psychoactive component, responsible for getting people high. So seriously, it’s not about the fun part, rather, it’s about amazing biological factors.
A new study, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research explains the findings of the researchers. The researchers tested both compounds on rats with broken leg bones.
The study was led by Yankel Gabet of Tel Aviv’s Bone Research laboratory. According to Gabet the CBD enhances the maturation of collagen, thus, enhancing the healing. In Gabet’s words:
“The clinical potential of cannabinoid-related compounds is simply undeniable at this point. While there is still a lot of work to be done to develop appropriate therapies, it is clear that it is possible to detach a clinical therapy objective from the psychoactivity of cannabis. CBD, the principal agent in our study, is primarily anti-inflammatory and has no psychoactivity.”
The subjects were injected with both TCH and CBD separately as well as simultaneously. The result showed that CBD worked better in isolation from TCH.
“We found CBD alone to be sufficiently effective in enhancing fracture healing. Other studies have also shown CBD to be a safe agent, that leads us to believe we should continue this line of study in clinical trials to assess its usefulness in improving human fracture healing,”
said Gabet.
Explaining the biological factors responsible for making CBD as a catalyst in collagen maturation, Gabet further added,
“ We only respond to cannabis because we are built with intrinsic compounds and receptors that can also be activated by compounds in the cannabis plant.”
The findings hold a great value for people seeking treatment for osteoporosis and other-bone related diseases.
Cannabis has always been around human civilization around the world. It was banned in most countries in the 1930s and ‘40s due to growing awareness of the dangers of addiction.
In some part of the world, marijuana is prescribed for medical use. For instance, medical use is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia. The nation is further looking at the prospects of acknowledging marijuana’s medical benefits.
Via: Times of Israel