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.
4 July, 2008 – 15:03
The discovery of the chemicals, named "endocannabinoids" could lead to new drugs or topical creams that treat skin conditions ranging from acne to dry skin, according to a new report scheduled for the October 2008 print issue of, The FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology)
Researchers came to this conclusion after treating cell cultures from human sebaceous glands (the glands that make the oil on our skin) with various concentrations of endocannabinoids (substances produced by the body that are similar to the active ingredient in marijuana).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.
The research showed that we may have something in common with the marijuana plant. 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 the skin from pathogens.
