Some of THC's effects are useful in the world of medicine—like preventing nausea and blocking pain. The trick is for scientists to get these results without the harmful effects.
Researchers recently found out the brain makes a chemical—anandamide—that attaches to the same receptors as THC. This discovery may lead to the development of medications that are chemically similar to THC but less harmful, and they may be used for treating nausea and pain.
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Mind Over Matter is produced by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health. These materials are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Citation of the source is appreciated. NIH Publication No. 03-3859. Printed 1997. Reprinted 1998, 2000, 2003.