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| Ganja Girl Charli - http://cloudmagazine.tv |
POT AND THE PERFECT COMPLEXION
Acne, the scourge of many a high school class picture, may have a new enemy -- cannabis. Acne results from the overproduction of a lipid (oily substance) from sebaceous glands that waterproof the skin. The cells that make up these glands are
sebocytes. The
sebaceous glands, like many parts of the human body, also have endocannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoids are substances (including lipids) from within the body that activate cannabinoid receptors; receptors are protein molecules that trigger a reaction/change within cells. This means that certain
cannabis compounds can manipulate sebocytes to prevent pimples and zap zits.
As reported by the
medical cannabis journal O'Shaughnessy's, Hungarian scientist Tamas Biro has done extensive research into the subject. By applying endocannabinoids to the sebocytes, he observed
CB2 receptors increasing lipid production. (CB2 receptors are cannabinoid receptors with medicinal value, they don't get you high). Conversely, blocking the
endocannabinoids with an agonist drug cuts off the oil well. (Agonists are the chemicals that bind to receptors in order to change cells).
Dr. Biro has experimented with CBD (
cannabidiol, a pot compound that doesn't get you high), which is legal in Hungary as opposed to the outlawed psychoactive THC. While CBD prevents lipid creation it doesn't compromise the viability of cells, as opposed to mainstream medications that kill the sebocytes. Biro also intends to conduct a study into the anti-acne properties that THC may have.