Move Over Mary Jane, UCI May Unlock the 'Bliss Molecule' NBP / Nisha Guiterrez / 11,28,2011 UC Irvine Researchers have found clues to harnessing the body's natural pain killer, a development that could push addictive pain killers to the sidelines. No inhaling necessary-your brain produces a marijuana-like chemical with the ability to reduce pain, anxiety, and depression, and scientists are uncovering more about how this neurotransmitter works. Sometimes called “the bliss molecule,†the brain chemical anandamide is one of the compounds produced by the endocannabinoid system. These compounds are very similar to the active ingredient in marijuana, THC. A new study by UC Irvine researchers reveals that a protein in the brain ferries anandamide to sites in brain cells where enzymes break down and inactivate the “bliss†chemical. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, shows that blocking this protein increases the potency of anandamide, and may unlock new possibilities in pain control. The revelation about anandamide transport and breakdown opens up the potential to develop pain medications that don't produce sedation, addiction, or other central nervous system effects associated with opiates, which are often used to control severe and chronic pain. UCI professor of pharmacology Daniele Piomelli led the team that interpreted how the protein, called FLAT, binds with anandamide and escorts it to cell sites where it is broken down by fatty acid amide hydrolase, or FAAH, enzymes. This process inactivates the “bliss†effect of anandamide. The new insight into these complex brain pathways has implications not only for pain control, but also holds potential for curbing addiction to cocaine and nicotine, the researchers say. Amplifying the effects of anandamide allows for its analgesic properties to work, but without the “high†produced by marijuana. In addition, this new understanding of how the FLAT protein leads to anandamide breakdown may also result in breakthroughs in regulating food consumption. Piomelli and his team are collaborating with Italian researchers to produce specific drug compounds to boost the effects of anandamide. In another study published earlier this year in Nature Neuroscience, a drug created by Piomelli and his team was shown to increase the effects of anandamide at the site of an injury, reducing pain at the peripheral tissue level. This discovery was another important piece of the anandamide puzzle, because it was previously believed that the chemical worked only in the brain. The knowledge that anandamide can reduce pain at the site of an injury without entering the central nervous system creates the possibility for targeted new pain relief medications. The UCI research on anandamide is still at the animal and computational level, and scientists haven't yet determined how their findings may apply to specific conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. However, if the findings are confirmed in human studies, the ability to harness the benefits of the brain's “bliss†compound could bring life-changing relief for millions who suffer from pain-related disability. According to current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 50 million U.S. adults, or about one in five, has arthritis. This number is expected to climb sharply as baby boomers age, meaning that regulating the body's own marijuana-like substances could become increasingly important. HMMM,,,since it isn't ready yet,,can I use Gods pharmacy brand?
My comment at the post: Since this has not even been tested on humans yet,which will take several years,,then several more years for FDA approval,,I think I will use the natural form of this medicine,,until they can make it safer than the one God made.
I thought the bliss molecule was called MDMA? Maybe I'm just confused. I agree though completely with sticking to the natural variety of medications where ever possible. I, personally, don't care as much about personal safety. My decision pertains mostly to keeping Pharma from forcing me to fork out on a 10,000% markup on their medications. If you look at several of the recent synth canns (the URB line comes to mind) that have been adopted by Big Pharma, there is literally a 7,000 - 10,000% markup, mg for mg, once they get their greedy paws on them. That's the cost of their patents and their regulatory framework. I'll pass.
you obviously dont know much about motivated FDA processes lol. i dont know though, i mean, great for medicine and all, research is important. but they act like this is some great breakthrough. we've known for years weed doesnt act JUST on the CNS. the PNS is the other side of it - the reason there is no LD50 of weed is because theres no part that effects the brain stem (like every other synthetic) we've known about anandamide in the ECS. they even mentioned the ECS which means they know the locations of it. PNS and CNS and most other prescription pain pills and anti depressants are based off neurotransmission that we know occurs naturally in the body in the first place. thats why theyre called synthetics. because theyre synthesized versions of natural substances. this part got me though: if you relate that to other types of drugs its basically an "Anandamide Re-uptake Inhibitor" no? the whole reason SSRIs work (albeit in the CNS) is because of the exact same mechanism as this so called FLAT. and now we all know the dangers of that right? well no shit you wont get high...it effects the PNS only apparently. which just goes back to the prescription addiction again... if it amplifies the effects synthetically how is that not going to end up creating an addiction problem? even if you wont feel any effects in your CNS creating a PNS addiction is no better. it will end up killing off the anandamide receptors in the ECS in the PNS at least MDMA doesnt actually kill brain cells. there is no research to support it. yet MDMA acts on serotonergic systems just like SSRI's. they both effect serotonin but through different mechanisms and THAT is the important part - the way the drug acts. SSRI's do kill brain cells - theres a plethora of data to support that because of the mechanism it uses. which by the way we arent even 100% sure how the fuck they work. i dont know, it just doesnt seem any better than oxy/roxy/perc/vic really. /rant
I don't know about FDA approval procedures for sure,,but I do know that they are selling drugs that can kill a few thousand people and still be listed as acceptable losses,,,no thanks,,I will stick to natures remedy.