In research, this compound shows the ability to work as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. This might sound familiar, as a major class of antidepressant drugs, is called ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors;’ which indicates the plant might have some of the same benefits. Common SSRIs include the heavily prescribed Zoloft and Prozac. As kanna has been used traditionally to combat stress and depression, this connection makes sense. It also makes it a natural version of what pharmaceutical companies produce.

Beyond this, mesembrine has also shown some ability as a weak inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase 4. Such drugs are associated with memory improvement, anti-inflammatory effects, increased wakefulness, and neuroprotective qualities. They’re thought to be possibly beneficial for a range of disorders, from depression, to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, to multiple sclerosis, autism, strokes, and more.

All together, this indicates (along with recent research), that mesembrine, and the kanna plant as a whole, might be able to offer some solid benefits in terms of depression and anxiety management, as well as a treatment (whether alone or in conjunction with other compounds) for a range of other neurological impairments, pain issues, and inflammatory problems.

The plant contains another alkaloid called mesembrenone, which is thought to produce similar effects to mesembrine; and which is also thought to promote adaptogenic and antimicrobrial properties. Most plants that cause psychoactive effects (or really any medical effect), generally do so as a combination of compounds, not just one. In the world of cannabis, we specifically call this the entourage effect, but in general medicine its known as a synergistic effect.

What about pain?

Right now, pain is a particularly big topic in the US, as the desire to reduce it, led to what is one of the worst drug epidemics (essentially the worst) to befall civilization. Opioids certainly have a large recreational-only following, but they’re primarily pain medications. And it was their prescription for pain, that led to the mess we’re in. As such, pretty much anything that can help the pain issue, without causing the same problems of addiction, is greatly needed.

Another interesting compound in the plant is mesembrenol. This compound is associated with analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. Both this compound and mesembrine are thought to aid in pain reduction; and with none of the addictive side effects as synthetic opioid medications.

Traditionally, these pain-killing benefits were used mainly by native South Africans to treat headache pressure, abdominal pain, toothaches, for pain in the respiratory tract, and as a local anesthetic. In 2014 mesembrine’s analgesic properties were tested in rats, which were given up to 5000 mg/kg per day, with no adverse reactions. Investigators concluded that mesembrine “appears to have analgesic properties without abuse liabilities or ataxia.”

Human research into kanna safety

Before the rat study in 2014, a study came out in 2013, which investigated how safe and tolerable two different doses of kanna are for humans. The study, called A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Extract Sceletium tortuosum (Zembrin) in Healthy Adults used doses of 8mg and 25mg, which were given to participants once a day. The study lasted three months, and used all healthy adults. 37 people participated in the study.

The investigation was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, single center study. Let’s break this down. First off, there was a placebo group, which means some participants were given the kanna, and some were given an inactive compound. The randomized part means participants were randomly picked for the kanna or placebo groupings; and the double-blind part means neither the researchers nor participants knew which group they were in.

In terms of the parallel group part, this refers to some in the kanna group getting a smaller dose, and some getting a bigger dose; and that individual participants were given the same amount throughout the study. The last part, single center, refers to the study being conducted in only one location. 12 participants received 8mg kanna daily, 12 received 25 mg kanna daily, and 13 received the placebo daily.

Researchers found both doses of kanna to be tolerable. The most complained about adverse response was headache, followed by abdominal pain, and infections in the upper respiratory tract. However, more complaints came from the placebo group than either kanna group; indicating the complaints had little-to-nothing to do with the kanna.

In terms of unsolicited positive benefits (written in the journals of some participants taking kanna), these indicate increased feelings of wellbeing, and an improved ability to manage stress and sleep. As the study didn’t technically look into the effects or benefits of the drug, these unsolicited journal responses are the most that the study can show on the therapeutic front. Otherwise, it was mainly to assess safety and tolerability.

In terms of other physiological aspects, the kanna groups showed no difference in ECG, body weight, or in their physical examinations, which were all taken in the beginning and the end of the study. There were also no changes in hematology or biochemistry metrics, indicating the drug did little to change the body physiologically. Overall, kanna showed to be a physically safe drug at doses up to 25mg a day, regardless of therapeutic ability.

Conclusion

Kanna seems to offer a multitude of benefits to humans, like help with stress and depression, assisting in pain management, anti-inflammation benefits, and as an anti-microbial. Perhaps in the future we’ll see more of it; and perhaps big pharma will ensure that never happens.

Luckily, for those in the US who want to use this plant to help with a mental or physical issue, kanna, and its compounds, are currently perfectly legal. It can already be found in smart shops around the country; and as with anything else, interested users, should go at it responsibly.

Welcome wellness fans! Thanks for dropping by Cannadelics.com, where we cover the most interesting stories in the general wellness space. Stop by regularly to stay up on stories; and check out our Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, for an assortment of awesome product promotions, as well.

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related

In this study from 2015, entitled Analgesic effects of topical ketamine, study authors make a few points, like that ketamine is a good option for neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome, since it doesn’t have serious side effects. They point out that clinically significant side effects are incredibly rare, even at high doses.

It seems there are no large scale studies for this, even though ketamine shows as a good (no, great) alternative to opioids, and the addiction and death issues therein. However, in this study of five patients with sympathetically maintained pain, all showed 65-100% reduction in pain scores, compared to pre-treatment levels. This study of 300 emergency room pain patients from 2021 showed that ketamine reduced pain symptoms; although it performed about the same as lidocaine.

In this 2021 review by Frontiers in Science, called Ketamine Use for Cancer and Chronic Pain Management it states, “Ketamine has repetitively been shown to reduce pain scores and subjective measures of pain. While the use of topical ketamine alone does not have strong supporting evidence, its use in multi-agent creams has been effective in some pain conditions.”

Topical ketamine for PTSD

New testing is underway to see if a topical ketamine product can help with psychological issues, like PTSD. In 2023, it was reported in Clinical Trials Arena, that the company Psycheceutical announced the start of Phase I trials into a new topical ketamine drug meant to treat PTSD, with Phase II trials already on the horizon.

The product, called NeuroDirect, is made to target nerve endings in the neck. This is meant it get around the hallucinogenic effects associated with the drug. How well it works to do so, is a big part of the current trials. They’re meant to assess how safe the drug is, how well its tolerated, and the general pharmacokinetics; all after a single dose. Only 24 patients are included in these trials, however, all are healthy patients. No PTSD in this population

This is the first set of trials that look into whether a topical version of ketamine is safe for a consumer population. Prior to these trials, investigators’ pre-clinical observational results, showed that approximately 80% of participants gained a benefit for their PTSD, from the topical ketamine.

So far, the Phase I participants were all successfully dosed, and the dosing was tolerated fine. Should subsequent trials also go well, this new medication would make ketamine administration easier and safer, since it wouldn’t involve directly entering anything into the bloodstream. Oral use is also an option, but is hard to predict outcomes with, as different patients absorb it quite differently.

Psycheceutical’s CEO Chad Harman, had this to say about the undertaking: “With our goal of a non-systemic treatment for PTSD using legal ketamine, we are attempting to pave the way for our future drug candidates to treat other mental health disorders.”

In terms of the intention for Phase II trials, these would revolve around using the NeuroDirect on PTSD patients. As per an announcement in February of last year, the company is looking to enlist 115 study participants with PTSD, to assess how effective the drug is in reducing PTSD symptoms.

Main benefits of topical ketamine

There are several benefits to using a topical version of ketamine over injected versions or oral versions. For one, its easy to use, and requires nothing more than applying to the skin. It’s just as easy to take a pill, of course, but pills come with the detraction of not knowing how a specific person’s body will break it down and respond.

The topical ketamine is put directly on the back of the neck, because this puts it close to the brainstem. Here, a drug can enter the body without going through the blood-brain barrier. This direct approach is meant to bring down unwanted side effects related to nausea, dizziness, or hallucinations. It does not have to be processed through the digestive tract, like a pill does.

Since the drug uses such a direct application, it can be with a low dose, which brings down any risk of addiction. Realistically, ketamine is rarely spoken about as an addictive drug, except when it comes to companies or governments telling you what product to buy. However, if this idea satiates those entities, all the better.

The simple application method means that patients don’t have to be in a hospital setting, and essentially gives another option for at-home ketamine use. It’s hoped this will bring down costs both for individuals and insurance companies; and allow more people access to these treatments.

Conclusion

For whatever reason we don’t see many topical ketamine products; it seems this is about to change. In the next few years, I expect this product will come to market, as well as plenty of others, as ketamine only grows in popularity. Both for pain issues (particularly as a way to avoid opioids) and the treatment of mental health disorders.

Hello all! We welcome you to Cannadelics.com, an independent rag in the wellness space, here with the best stories of today. Come by daily to be a part of everything; and subscribe to the Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, for all the best news and product promos.

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related

• It’s last point is that it (the FDA), is not aware of any benefit of unapproved ketamine products, that make them better than FDA approved medications. I assume it means either its version of ketamine, or standard anti-depressants.

Does this make sense?

Of course not. An FDA approval means the government decided something is safe, with the implication that without this approval, something is not safe. But this is massively antithetical considering the ketamine industry is not associated with death or injury rates; while FDA-approved medications like fentanyl (and other synthetic opioids), are.

Beyond the FDA offering up such synthetic opioids, it also offers a host of benzodiazepines, and tons of other pharmaceuticals; like Tylenol, blood pressure medication, and antidepressants; which are fingered for their danger. Tons of FDA products are constantly recalled after approval, because of how not safe they are. Let’s be honest, the FDA still holds cannabis as Schedule I; which really speaks to the lack of logic and medical backing, of any of this.

The warning letter speaks of the ketamine industry as if its illicit; but its most certainly not. In fact, it’s a medical industry that requires prescription, and is overseen by medical professionals. This makes the bulk of the letter pretty useless; since its warning against non-medical use, in what is a medical industry. It warns of needing doctor supervision; but that’s a standard aspect of the industry, creating another moot point. Perhaps the FDA assumes you don’t know it’s a medical industry.

Beyond that, ketamine simply isn’t associated with all the issues the FDA warns about; or at least, not in any kind of detrimental way. It’s not a drug of high abuse; it has no death toll attached; and the reason it originally came into view, is because of its ability for use as an anesthesia, without causing major impact to functions like blood pressure. And the FDA knows all this, because there is a wealth of information on ketamine; starting with prisoner studies from the 1960’s, where it was first discovered to affect mood, and to anesthetize safely.

It’s last point, that ketamine hasn’t shown to be more effective than approved medications, is funny at best. For one thing, the letter pushes the government approved version of ketamine; which means it does see a benefit in it. And if it really wants to compare ketamine to antidepressants, well, ketamine routinely shows direct positive effects, whereas after all these years, no one can say anything definitive about the usefulness of antidepressants. In fact, there are plenty of concerns that they can cause mood disturbances.

The ketamine loophole

Why does this warning letter about ketamine really exist? Because the bulk of the ketamine industry, is not government regulated. It is medical, but it exists outside of the standard medical system. Ketamine stands as one of the few drugs capable of doing this; and has created a loophole for medical use beyond what its approved for.

The reason is that ketamine isn’t a Schedule I drug. It’s a Schedule III drug which is clear for medical use as an anesthesia. The thing is, the FDA allows off-label prescribing of any authorized drug. This means “the use of pharmaceutical drugs for an unapproved indication or in an unapproved age group, dosage, or route of administration. Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) can be used in off-label ways, although most studies of off-label use focus on prescription drugs.”

The way it works is that “Once the FDA approves a drug, healthcare providers generally may prescribe the drug for an unapproved use when they judge that it is medically appropriate for their patient.” As it can only be prescribed by a doctor, the current FDA letter is essentially trying to tell doctors, what they should and should not prescribe. In fact, its attempting to tell medical professionals, what is safe and what is not.

Ketamine clinics function as legal medical clinics; that’s why this is not a cease and desist letter. All warnings within are fear warnings over safety, with no evidence offered to back anything up; and no warning of punishment. It does not include anything about legal backlash. It’s more like an attempt to put pressure on doctors to stop prescribing, and to get consumers afraid of going to ketamine clinics.

This is likely because the US government isn’t regulating the industry, which also means it can’t attach extra taxes, or regulatory fees. Much like with the vape industry, and the weed industry; no government wants products out there that it can’t collect on. While standard taxes are paid by ketamine providers, there is nothing supplemental attached for the use of ketamine, like sin taxes; and no specific costly regulatory fees to collect. And let’s be honest, considering the government approved version requires the user be on standard antidepressant to access it; few people are likely to care about it.

Is a letter like this likely to change anything? Not really. It only exists as a means of reigning in something that is already popular; and for which enough people have found benefit, to keep it going. These letters have done nothing to stop vape manufactures, cannabinoid manufacturers, or providers of these products; and that’s with cease and desist letters. A simple request with no threat? It’s like it didn’t happen at all.

Conclusion

Ketamine therapy might not be right for everyone; but there’s plenty of evidence of its usefulness; and it certainly isn’t associated with death or destruction, with addiction, or with bad behavior. The biggest negative of the ketamine industry is that its high pricing often rules out clientele; something which is most certainly an issue in the burgeoning mushroom industry as well.

Welcome to the publication. You’ve arrived at Cannadelics.com; an independent news source in the general drug space, here to bring you the lowdown on the most interesting stories going on. Come around daily to catch your updates; and sign up for our Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter; to access prime product promotions, along with the news.

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related