Australian Scientists Create Cannabis-Based Drug to Prevent Brain Cell Degeneration
The Australian pharmaceutical company Impression Healthcare (IHL) has developed a cannabis-based medication, codenamed IHL-216A, designed to prevent brain cell degeneration caused by multiple head injuries. The drug will become available for sale after the completion of clinical trials.
Cannabis May Help Protect Athletes’ Brain Health
Dr. Sud Agarwal, head of IHL’s medical department, discussed the practical application of cannabis: “Scientific research shows that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) develops as a result of repeated head injuries over several years. Our company has created a plan to prevent the development of this disease by treating the consequences of concussions. In the short term, cannabinoids reduce the negative effects of head injuries, and in the long term, they lower the risk of developing CTE.”
CTE is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the destruction of brain cells due to repeated blows and head trauma. This condition often affects military veterans and athletes in contact sports such as MMA, boxing, and American football. The disease cannot be diagnosed during a person’s lifetime. However, autopsies of NFL players revealed CTE in 110 out of 111 football players examined. Medical experts estimate that about 3% of people who have suffered multiple concussions may develop the disease.
Clinical Trials to Be Conducted on MMA Fighters
Given the specifics of the disease, IHL plans to conduct clinical trials of IHL-216A on 50 mixed martial arts fighters who have recently suffered concussions. The athletes will take the medication twice a day. To assess the volunteers’ condition, scientists plan to use MRI scans, neurocognitive tests, and other evaluation tools.
Independent scientific studies have shown that cannabis has neuroprotective properties. Phytocannabinoids help alleviate symptoms of various neurodegenerative diseases by stimulating the endocannabinoid system and reducing oxidative stress. According to medical professionals, cannabis may not only slow the progression of such diseases but also help prevent their onset.
In January 2020, the American company Primative partnered with Harvard University to test the effectiveness of cannabis in treating CTE. The company’s director, former Detroit Lions player Calvin Johnson, stated that football players who use CBD confirm the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. As a result, experts are now tasked with studying how cannabis affects the brain in order to develop plant-based medications.