Dr Frankel talks about his experience with prostate cancer therapies that have reduced his testosterone and the effect it has had on his life.
We’ve all noticed the recent news headline shown above from a clinical trial in France. First, let me be clear. The molecule that killed one patient and left several others in a coma, is a non-cannabis based molecule that acts on the Endocannabinoid System.
This new group of drugs that are molecular “pieces” of cannabinoid molecules are developed to activate or suppress a cannabinoid receptor.
You might ask, why use pieces or “ligands” of molecules when we have the whole plant version already growing everywhere? Plants are tough to patent and make into medications; ligands or little pieces of molecules can be patented and turned into pharmaceuticals.
This is not the first time this has happened. There is a drug called rimonabant, which blocks the CB-1 receptor, was used nine years ago as an appetite suppressant. The idea being, CB-1 receptor activation gives us the “munchies” so if we block the receptor, appetite should be repressed. Well, it was, but the side effect was severe depression and a number of suicides. This was in theory predictable and a handful of cannabis physicians sent warnings regarding it’s release.
The Endocannabinoid system is complex and connects virtually every cell in our body. It is incredibly complex and we are still in the very early stage of understanding, despite our knowing about the ECS since 1990.
This all makes me very sad. People are dying from cannabis based molecular “bath salts”.
I am certain that science and pharmaceutical companies will in fact develop many great cannabinoid based molecules that treat patients in ways that the plant perhaps cannot. At the same time, this is a reminder that we have a very, very safe complex and multi-molecular medicine – Whole Plant Cannabis medicine grown in the ground.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Dr Frankel talks about his experience with prostate cancer therapies that have reduced his testosterone and the effect it has had on his life.
With COVID, we have never been more aware of critical shortages of masks, ventilators, hospital beds, etc., all leading to rationing. In this BLOG, Dr Frankel, examines how rationing in our medical care is a much bigger problem than just face masks.
There are "acid" and "neutral" forms of every cannabinoid molecule. Early man knew the difference and would either just eat the cannabis raw, or heat it to convert to the neutral or "active" forms of the cannabinoids.
Cookie Bekkar is a cancer survivor and patient of Dr Frankel's. She has created a website to share her story, what worked well for her and as a resource help inspire/educate other patients.
Early studies in both Israel and Canada show findings consistent with CBD's effect on COVID-19's ability to take hold in the lungs or the gastrointestinal tract. If the receptors are reduced, the viral infection and pulmonary toxicity should be reduced.
CBD has recently been studied to help with Graft Versus Host Disease which can occur after an organ transplant. Dr Frankel also highlights potential dosing with whole plant cannabis and why whole plant cannabis is more beneficial to single molecule CBD.