Tel Aviv, Israel: Low doses of THC are cardioprotective in mice, according to preclinical data to be published online in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology.

Israeli scientists assessed in impact of a single ‘ultra-low’ injection of THC in mice prior to ischemia (the restriction of blood supply to tissues). Investigators reported that THC "is a safe and effective treatment that reduces myocardial ischemic (heart attack) damage."

They concluded: "[O]ur study provides novel evidence for the beneficial use of extremely low doses of THC, doses that do not elicit any psychoactive side effects, in order to protect the heart from ischemic insults. THC can be used as a pre-conditioning drug in cases in which ischemic insult to the heart is anticipated, such as during cardiac surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention. If post-conditioning with THC will be found effective, it could also be used following myocardial infarction."

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, at: paul@norml.org. Full text of the study, "An ultra-low dose of tetrahydrocannabinol provides cardioprotection," appears in Biochemical Pharmacology.

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