From the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Marijuana Component May Protect Brain Cells Without Side Effects
Scientists at the National Institutes of Mental Health have discovered that natural constituents of the marijuana plant, known as cannabinoids, are powerful antioxidants which can prevent brain cell death in an animal model of stroke. While some cannabinoids, such as THC, have mind-altering effects, others like cannabidiol, do not. The authors demonstrate that THC and cannabidiol were equally effective in blocking the destructive effects of excessive amounts of glutamate, a major chemical messenger in the brain that is released in massive quantities during a stroke. Previous studies have shown that antioxidant vitamins C and E can prevent brain cell damage by neutralizing the damaging oxidizing molecules produced by the overstimulation of glutamate receptors. The current research shows that cannabinoids such as cannabidiol and THC also prevent cell death in this way and may be more protective than either of the vitamins. Cannabidiol is of particular interest since it appears to have few side effects in humans even at high doses. These findings suggest that cannabidiol may be a promising treatment for stroke and other neurological disorders including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, also thought to involve oxidative damage. For further information, contact Aidan Hampson at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda at
NOTE: This research is being published in the July 7 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The embargo for this paper lifted at 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday, July 2. For more information, contact Aidan Hampson via e-mail at