[ShepherdsDog]

http://metronews.ca/news/ottawa/1304884 ... ke-effect/

$1:

Ottawa researchers accidentally backed up into a “promising” discovery that an appetite suppressant can be used to regulate the brain’s own calming, marijuana-like compound.

That compound, endocannabinoid, acts like a thermostat in the body, controlling how anxious or calm a person is.

Dr. Hsiao-Huei Chen, a neuroscientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa associate professor, and her research team found that a drug used to inhibit the production of a certain enzyme lowers both anxiety and obesity in mice.

The discovery was an accident because the team at the time was examining a gene’s effect on brain development. Tests showed the mice lacked the gene LMO4 and became obese and anxious.

That’s when they discovered the enzyme PTP1B blocked the brain’s natural marijuana or endocannabinoids.

“It’s like a thermostat. This enzyme will control how much marijuana is made,” said Chen.

So the team repurposed an appetite suppressant drug called Trodusquemine and found it allowed for the so-called brain marijuana to regulate mood or anxiety disorders.

“Since there is a link between diabetes and anxiety we could target two different diseases at the same time,” said Chen.

“It’s a very unconventional approach.”

What sets this drug apart from others to treat anxiety, like Benzodiazepine, is there are no side effects like addiction or possible memory loss, according to Chen.

“You don’t have to give too much and it will have a long-lasting effect.”

Results from the OHRI study were published Thursday in Neuron.

Now that it’s been tested in mice in Ottawa, Chen is looking to start clinical trials.

“It’s a very, very new angle to treat anxiety,” said Chen. “It’s very safe and very effective.”

Mildly stoned but not interested in food?

[Freakinoldguy]

If I was to hazard a guess it'd be that the snack food industry will fight the findings of this study, tooth and nail.

[andyt]

metro news, really? Pretty ignorant article.

[stratos]

First thought is on an add campaign slogan.

Get stoned without the munchies.

[andyt]

Except you wouldn't get stoned, either. These are chemicals floating around your brain all the time - do you feel stoned? More than likely, these are chemicals mimicked by:

$1:

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of at least 85 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis.[4] Cannabidiol has also been shown to reduce anxiety in social anxiety disorder.[16][17]

$1:

In November 2012, Tikun Olam, an Israeli medical cannabis facility announced a new strain of the plant which has only cannabidiol as an active ingredient, and virtually no THC, providing some of the medicinal benefits of cannabis without the euphoria.[29][30] The researchers said the cannabis plant, enriched with CBD, "can be used for treating diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, colitis, liver inflammation, heart disease and diabetes".

AS for munchies and pot,

$1:

A new study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology finds an intriguing connection between marijuana use and body weight, showing that rates of obesity are lower by roughly a third in people who smoke pot at least three times a week, compared with those who don’t use marijuana at all.

[DrCaleb]

stratos stratos:

Get stoned without the munchies.

And where would be the fun in that? Munchies are the mother of inventions!

{looks in fridge} "Oh, duuuude! Brownies with cheese and gravy!"

Ever had Tikka Masala Chicken Poutine? Try it!

[stratos]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

stratos stratos:

Get stoned without the munchies.

And where would be the fun in that? Munchies are the mother of inventions!

{looks in fridge} "Oh, duuuude! Brownies with cheese and gravy!"

Ever had Tikka Masala Chicken Poutine? Try it!

Sad thing is I just had a Brownie before I read this. Now I'm feeling like I missed half my snack.

[BartSimpson]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

Ever had Tikka Masala Chicken Poutine? Try it!

My only thought in response to this is....

[stratos]

[DrCaleb]

http://munchies.vice.com/recipes/chicken-tikka-poutine

You might be surprised!

[ShepherdsDog]

It actually sounds tasteee.....the chicken tikka poutine , not the brownie poutine

[DrCaleb]

Yea, the Brownie sounded like a good idea at the time. But that is invention! Sometimes you get an Antikythera, sometimes a Hindenberg!

[Zipperfish]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

Ever had Tikka Masala Chicken Poutine? Try it!

My only thought in response to this is....