GorillaOffTopic, Everything But Gorilla Trades

Every day a new study reveals some new and interesting data about the many uses of marijuana (besides the obvious) and this one is no exception. Apparently, early results of the newest study reveal that marijuana can reduce the effects of acne. Wow! Careful now. Teens and acne are like peanut butter and jelly, now throw in some pot and you have a hormonal, acne-prone teen with the munchies!  But yes, it is very true. Scientists have discovered that our own body not only makes chemical compounds similar to the active ingredient in marijuana (THC), but these play an important part in maintaining healthy skin. So yes, marijuana is said to have chemicals that can clear up some forms of acne in people, but Dr. Rob Ashton says that since there are already endogenous cannabanoids present in our bodies, there is no need to smoke the drug. (Tell that one to the potheads!) The question is, can it work in our body, and can we teach our bodies to make more?  That is exactly what researchers are trying to figure out. However, the studies are in the earliest stages of research, so scientists are trying to find a way to break it down and produce it in a way that people can actually use it in a practical form. However, researchers warn that people should not go out and try smoking Marijuana to try and clear up their acne. In addition to its hallucinogen effects, marijuana can cause lung cancer and health problems. They are simply saying that there are properties in the cannabis plant that may be beneficial in treating some forms of acne once they find a pharmaceutical company that can break it down properly so it can be used in a practical way; i:e: topical or oral.  “This research shows that we may have something in common with the marijuana plant,” said Gerald Weissmann, MD. “Just as THC is believed to protect the marijuana plants from pathogens, our own cannabinoids may be necessary for us to maintain healthy skin and to protect us from pathogens.”  As many already know, cannabis has been used for years to relieve pain symptoms in those patients suffering from Glaucoma, and in cancer patients to relieve nausea and other symptoms. Many of our everyday drugs come from plants and plant derivatives, so this is really no surprise to the Gorilla. But this may all sound a bit ironic or unusual since most of the potheads we all knew in college seemed to have bad skin! I guess we have to just trust those smart researchers since they know better than we do.