A healthy skin with… Cannabis

A group of scientists from Hungary, Germany and the U.K. have discovered that our body produces chemical compounds that are similar to the active ingredient in marijuana (THC), and also these play an important part in maintaining a healthy skin.

The findings on “endocannabinoids” will be published in the FASEB Journal (October 2008 issue) and the discovery could lead to a new drug that treat skin conditions from acne to dry skin, and even skin-related tumors:

“Our preclinical data encourage one to explore whether endocannabinoid system-acting agents can be exploited in the management of common skin disorders,” (Tamás Biró, MD, PhD, senior scientist involved in the research). ” It is also suggested that these agents can be efficiently applied locally to the skin in the form of a cream.”

Afterwards they measured the production of lipids (fat cells, such as those in skin oil), cell survival and death, and changes in gene expression and compared these outcomes to those in an untreated control group.

“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.”

Source: Faseb

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