Snouter
09-04-2001, 04:57 PM
Tuesday September 4 1:29 PM ET
Cannabis Spray Helps Ease Chronic Pain: Study
GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) - A cannabis spray used under the tongue helps to relieve the suffering of multiple sclerosis patients and people with chronic pain, a British doctor said Monday.
The spray contains extracts from the drug and allows doctors to control dosage effectively and measure the effects.
So far, preliminary results have been encouraging.
``We are finding it is useful for a lot of patients,'' Dr. William Notcutt of James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth in eastern England told a science conference here.
An estimated one person in 12 experiences some form of chronic pain.
Notcutt tested the spray, which was developed and supplied by the British company GW Pharmaceuticals, among patients with experience in using cannabis and those who were not familiar with the drug.
The spray totally relieved pain in some patients, while it helped others get a good night's sleep, which Notcutt said is a blessed event for many chronic pain sufferers.
In addition to providing valuable information about the effectiveness of the drug in easing chronic pain, Notcutt told the British Association for the Advancement of Science Conference that the study was also providing data on the best dosage and side effects.
``We need much more basic information on how to use this,'' he said.
Although the use of cannabis is illegal in most countries, patients with diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis have been lobbying to use cannabis for medicinal purposes.
In this study, only three patients out of the 23 in the two groups said they received no benefit from the spray. Side effects included a high level of euphoria--or a ``high''--panic attacks and fainting.
Notcutt refused to discuss whether his research would provide further support to those seeking to legalese cannabis.
``Our goal has been to return people to an active life,'' he said, adding that one patient had returned to work and others had resumed driving.
GW Pharmaceuticals, set up in 1997, operates under licenses from the British Home Office, or interior ministry, to cultivate, possess and supply cannabis for medical research.
It grows cannabis in secure, computer-controlled greenhouses in southern England. The plants used in the trials were grown to maximize the benefits of the active ingredients in cannabis.
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Computer controlled greenhouse. Awesome use of technology! http://discussanything.com/Ubb/wink.gif Nature's remedies keep proving themselves they are the best, while the USA continues messing around with stem cells and other expensive, controversial experiments that usually prove themselves to make people worse off.
Cannabis Spray Helps Ease Chronic Pain: Study
GLASGOW, Scotland (Reuters) - A cannabis spray used under the tongue helps to relieve the suffering of multiple sclerosis patients and people with chronic pain, a British doctor said Monday.
The spray contains extracts from the drug and allows doctors to control dosage effectively and measure the effects.
So far, preliminary results have been encouraging.
``We are finding it is useful for a lot of patients,'' Dr. William Notcutt of James Paget Hospital in Great Yarmouth in eastern England told a science conference here.
An estimated one person in 12 experiences some form of chronic pain.
Notcutt tested the spray, which was developed and supplied by the British company GW Pharmaceuticals, among patients with experience in using cannabis and those who were not familiar with the drug.
The spray totally relieved pain in some patients, while it helped others get a good night's sleep, which Notcutt said is a blessed event for many chronic pain sufferers.
In addition to providing valuable information about the effectiveness of the drug in easing chronic pain, Notcutt told the British Association for the Advancement of Science Conference that the study was also providing data on the best dosage and side effects.
``We need much more basic information on how to use this,'' he said.
Although the use of cannabis is illegal in most countries, patients with diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis have been lobbying to use cannabis for medicinal purposes.
In this study, only three patients out of the 23 in the two groups said they received no benefit from the spray. Side effects included a high level of euphoria--or a ``high''--panic attacks and fainting.
Notcutt refused to discuss whether his research would provide further support to those seeking to legalese cannabis.
``Our goal has been to return people to an active life,'' he said, adding that one patient had returned to work and others had resumed driving.
GW Pharmaceuticals, set up in 1997, operates under licenses from the British Home Office, or interior ministry, to cultivate, possess and supply cannabis for medical research.
It grows cannabis in secure, computer-controlled greenhouses in southern England. The plants used in the trials were grown to maximize the benefits of the active ingredients in cannabis.
------------------------------------
Computer controlled greenhouse. Awesome use of technology! http://discussanything.com/Ubb/wink.gif Nature's remedies keep proving themselves they are the best, while the USA continues messing around with stem cells and other expensive, controversial experiments that usually prove themselves to make people worse off.