Researcher Working On Medical Patch To Deliver Marijuana-Like Chemicals (LEXINGTON, Ky., August 20th, 2003, 11 a.m.) -- A University of Kentucky pharmacy researcher is working to create a prescription patch to deliver marijuana-like chemicals to ease nausea and stimulate appetite in people with AIDS and cancer. The patch would be a breakthrough because it could administer beneficial marijuana chemicals without inhaling the illegal plant. Most states outlaw smoking marijuana for medicinal purposes. Audra Stinchcomb's patch idea received $361,000 in funding three years ago by the American Cancer Society. "This is pioneering work," said David Ringer, scientific program director for the American Cancer Society. "It's a very novel use of cannabinoids." Stinchcomb has applied for a patent related to the technology. Her patch will use synthetic cannabinoids -- active marijuana compounds created in a chemist's lab -- not stuff directly extracted from the illicit plant. "It's a very hot area of drug development," said Peter Crooks, a UK pharmacy professor who specializes in new drug discovery. "The potential is enormous." Human testing could follow once initial studies are complete. If all goes well, the patch could be commercially available in five years. Cannabinoids have significant potential for pain treatment related to neuropathy, a common type of nerve damage, which isn't well controlled with current medications, Crooks said. The compounds also could be used for treatment of depression, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and more. "They're much safer as drugs," said Stinchcomb, 37, who arrived at UK in 2001 from the Albany College of Pharmacy in New York. "You never hear of people being stoned to death." Researchers think cannabinoids don't have the significant side effects -- dependency, nausea, vomiting -- that occur with morphine-based drugs now common in pain treatment. Though not well known, a cannabis-based prescription capsule has been available in the United States for more than 15 years. Marinol (dronabinol), approved by the FDA in 1985, treats nausea, vomiting and severe loss of appetite from chemotherapy or AIDS. Research with marijuana-related compounds or any drug classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance requires a government permit, inspection by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, security checks of the facility and lab staff and other requirements. The red tape involved also discourages some researchers, said Mary Lynn Mathre, a registered nurse, addictions specialist and organizer of the National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics. Still, cannabinoid research is becoming more common. A THC-based rectal suppository is in development at the University of Mississippi. THC, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a main intoxicating chemical in marijuana. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University are looking into THC's potential to reduce dependence for people on long-term morphine therapy. Other researchers are developing inhalers, vaporizers and lozenges that are placed under the tongue.
Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Soon your going to see teens walking the street 'patched up' on stolen(or home manufactured) THC patches. Whole bodies just coverd in loads and loads of THC patches. lmao Probably not, but it's a funny concept.
I would believe that if the researchers name wasn't Stinchcomb...is that really a real name? What does it mean? My associations fly away to a smelly comb....
I don't see the fascination with THC only based medicines. Haven't people learned from Marinol? You can't just take the strongest most intoxicating substance and expect it to work miracles. Cannabis has many other interesting compounds in it that may be beneficial. And maybe only several cannabinoids (sp?) in conjuction are desirable. Would you drink if it was only pure ethanol, and nothing else, not even water and flavouring? Would you live if you just ate the most plentiful and important nutients? No you wouldn't.
The use of THC pills with Gloucoma patients has shown that THC alone is not the way to go. Nuasea, headaches, a fast, short high, etc. THC refined is not a fun substance.
in all seriousness..... I have had some stomach viruses before where I could not force myself to eat b/c I would immediatly puke it back up, that is, until I figured out that a small bowl of the KB would do wonders for my appitite and relieve the puking thing..........and its much more confortable than coaxing a torpedo-shaped pill up your ass.
