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What is Asthma?

Asthma is a common chronic lung disease. It has been defined by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institutebronchospasm), and an underlying inflammation. The interaction of these features of asthma determines the clinical manifestations and severity of asthma and the response to treatment.^[1] as a common chronic disorder of the airways that is complex and characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness ( Public attention in the developed world has recently focused on asthma because of its rapidly increasing prevalence, affecting up to one in four urban children.^[2]

(Wikipedia)

Marijuana Facts and Resources:

• The Cannabinergic System as a Target for Anti-inflammatory Therapies
  “Several of these compounds were tested for their effects on immune function, and the results suggest therapeutic opportunities for a variety of inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, allergic asthma, and autoimmune diabetes through modulation of the endocannabinoid system.”
• Acute and subacute bronchial effects of oral cannabinoids.
  “We conclude that delta 9-THC and, to a lesser extent, delta 8-THC, have acute bronchodilator activity but that CBN, CBD, and their combinations do not provide effective bronchodilation. The daily use of delta 9-THC was not associated with clinical tolerance.”
• Bronchial effects of aerosolized delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol
  “THC effective in healthy subjects and 3 asthmatic subjects”
• Bronchodilator effect of delta1-tetrahydrocannabinol administered by aerosol
  “Maximal bronchodilatation was achieved more rapidly with salbutamol, but at 1 hour both drugs were equally effective. No cardiovascular or mood disturbance was detected, and plasma total cannabinoids at 15 minutes were undectable by radioimmunoassay. The mode of action of THC differs from that of sympathomimetic drugs, and it or a derivative may make a suitable adjuvant in the treatment of selected asthmatics.”
• Marijuana and oral delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on specific airway conductance
  “Smoked marijuana and oral THC caused significant bronchodilation of at least 2 hours duration.”
• New Synthetic Delta-9-THC Inhaler Offers Safe, Rapid Delivery
  “Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc announced the results of a Phase I study evaluating the safety and tolerability of pulmonary dronabinol administered in a one-time dose using a pressurized metered dose inhaler. Dronabinol is a synthetic version of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is one of more than 400 compounds found in the marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa L).”
• Smoked marijuana and oral delta-9-THC on specific airway conductance in asthmatic subjects
  “After smoked marijuana, SGaw increased immediately and remained significantly elevated (33 to 48 per cent above initial control values) for at least 2 hours, whereas Sgaw did not change after placebo. The peak bronchodilator effect of 1,250 mcg of isoproterenol was more pronounced than that of marijuana, but the effect of marijuana lasted longer.”
• Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity of constituents of cannabis sativa l.
  “Two extracts of Cannabis sativa herb, one being cannabinoid–free (ethanol) and the other containing the cannabinoids (petroleum), were shown to inhibit PBQ- induced writhing in mouse when given orally and also to antagonize tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) -induced erythema of mouse skin when applied topically.”