Marijuana may help prevent nausea in certain situations -- relief many cancer chemotherapy patients can't obtain from existing drugs, says a University of Guelph psychology professor.

Linda Parker's research was published in recent issues of the journal Physiology and Behavior.

Many chemotherapy patients vomit walking into clinics in anticipation of treatment. The symptoms can deter some patients from continuing with recommended treatment, said Parker, a behaviour neuroscientist.

"Known antiemetic drugs aren't effective in treating this learned nausea," she said.

Medication can control vomiting in 60 to 70 per cent of chemotherapy patients, but many still suffer from nausea.

Using rats and shrews, Parker has been able to determine how two compounds found in marijuana -- THC (the chemical that makes people feel high) and cannabidiol (CBD) -- can treat vomiting and nausea.

"People report that if they smoke marijuana before they go for chemotherapy treatment, they don't experience the anticipatory nausea or vomiting," Parker says.

She's been collaborating with THC discoverer, Raphael Mechoulam, at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Mechoulam also discovered the natural chemical in the body that acts on the same brain receptor (cannabinoid receptors) responsible for marijuana making people high - the equivalent of endorphins for morphine. It's called anandamide, known as "the brain's own THC," and Parker is looking at the role it plays in nausea and vomiting.

Newshawk: CMAP http://www.mapinc.org/cmap
Pubdate: Thu, 24 Aug 2006
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Windsor Star
Contact: letters@thestar.canwest.com
Website: http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501