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May 17, 2007: Now, those who desire to
enjoy a drag of the 'divine weed' without taking
in harmful smoke seem to have a way. Inhaling
vapours of cannabis leaves instead of burning can
avoid all the toxins that can cause lung cancer
and heart disease entering your system.
Traditionally, marijuana has been found useful in
many disease conditions. For instance, as a pain
reliever for multiple-sclerosis sufferers; an
anti-nausea agent for cancer patients undergoing
chemo sessions; as an appetite stimulant for AIDS
patients; treatment for glaucoma and so on.
However, the mode of delivery—via smoking—has been
considered to be surpassing these benefits. The
new vaporisation method is found to release the
'active ingredient' just as effectively and at the
same time averts risks associated with burning of
hazardous substances, according to a pilot study.
Marijuana contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC ) as
active ingredient. Studies have shown that harmful
toxins such as carbon monoxide, benzene and a host
of compounds known as polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (many of which are known carcinogens)
are released through smoking cannabis.
Studies highlighting the advantages of using
vaporizers for cannabis are around for quite some
time. There is only one source of
research-approved marijuana in the United States —
the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). A
legal ruling this February recommended that the US
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) end NIDA's
monopoly on the production of marijuana for
research approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration and by the DEA.
Cannabis leaf is not the only substrate suited to
a vaporizer. Other herbal preparations, such as
eucalyptus and chamomile can also be used, or any
plant with medicinal properties in the volatile
compounds of its leaves.
BY OUR PHARMA CORRESPONDENT
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