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Researchers Develop Drug to Help Cannabis Consumers Quit

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap] team of researchers at Yale University developed an experimental drug to treat cannabis “withdrawal” symptoms for heavy consumers. Published on Dec. 6 in The Lancetthe new study demonstrates the efficacy of PF-04457845, the new experimental drug.

The drug works by preventing the breakdown of anandamide, a chemical called an endocannabinoid that attaches to the same receptors in the brain as cannabis. Specifically, the drug blocks the enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase. Think of it as “Chantix for cannabis.” Data suggests that the drug reduces sleep disruption, anxiety and irritability due to the cessation of cannabis consumption.

For the study, 46 men were given 4mg per day of PF-04457845 and 24 were given a placebo. “Relative to placebo,” the study’s findings read, “treatment with PF-04457845 was associated with reduced symptoms of cannabis withdrawal.” During the abstinence period, patients who took the placebo immediately began to get significantly less deep sleep at night, while the group that took treatment improved. The group members who took the treatment also reported less anxiety upon cannabis cessation.

“With an increase of marijuana legalization efforts, it is reasonable to expect an increase in demand for treatment, and right now we don’t have any medications to help individuals trying to quit,” Prof. Deepak Cyril D’Souza, one of the study’s authors, told The Independent. “A lot of other drugs have been tested for their ability to reduce cannabis use and withdrawal, but until now none have been consistently shown to work against both withdrawal symptoms and relapse.”

Prof. D’Souza also pointed out that “anandamide is to cannabis as endorphins are to heroin.” The development of PF-04457845 represents a much larger trend—of replacing one substance with another. And typically, it’s a pharmaceutical drug with side effects.

The American Psychiatric Association uses the word “cannabis dependence disorder” which it defines as cannabis use leading to risky behavior, withdrawal and functional or social impairment. Others don’t see cannabis as a negative influence upon their ability to function in everyday life.

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