I did a terrible job explaining things. What I meant to say is that the same receptors(CB1) that are activated by marijuana are also activated by stress (and by interferon)…and chronic activation of the receptors reduces the number of receptors and that can cause stress intolerance.

I did NOT mean to imply anything else and I’m very sorry if it sounded that way. The last thing I wanted to do was upset anybody.

P

It was hell. First we had Rebetron with 3 weekly injections and only 800mg of Ribavirin for everybody. Viral loads that measured down to 600 and we checked viral loads at 24 and 48 weeks.

Many GPs knew nothing about HCV or treating and lowered doses as soon as the white cells (not neutrophils) decreased. When people got anemic they checked the stool for bleeding and prescribed iron. When patients had severe side effects, they gave them 2 week “vacations” off meds. There were lots of serious side effects….hearing loss, retinal bleed, new onset diabetes, arthritis, depression and more.

When PegIntron came along, their supply was low so patients had to be put on a waiting list. The injection came in powder form and we had to teach people how to mix it and draw up the correct dose.

And the forums were a total nightmare . Lots of trolls and you could get banned for just about anything. Doctors told people to stay out of forums.
We’ve come a long way.

PP

“Inflammation, gut dysbiosis persist despite SVR after HCV therapy”

http://www.healio.com/hepatology/hepatitis-c/news/online/%7B41fa3456-1c53-4b39-857b-4614610da1a4%7D/inflammation-gut-dysbiosis-persist-despite-svr-after-hcv-therapy

Have you heard of anybody having cardiac problems AFTER they finish treating with Harvoni?

P.

Marinol is used for nausea. That’s a synthetic cannabinoid.

Interferon activates CB1 and studies have shown that PTSD is associated with an increase in CB1 receptors in the brain.

I find it interesting that so many different illnesses are associated with receptor imbalances.

I’ll take some splashes, I should be drinking more water

P.

It’s not about the receptors but the signaling (or lack of) from the receptors.

Receptor expression is usually dynamic – chronic stimulation of receptors often results in decreased numbers of receptors, while under- stimulation causes an increase in the number of receptors. Activation of receptors may also cause modification of receptors to a point where even mild stimuli cause substantial responses. Such changes are not necessarily just alterations in numbers of receptors – types and activities of receptors may also change. Over- or under-stimulation of one receptor can also have profound effects on other receptors.

Things that activate CB1 receptors:
1. Endocannabinoids produced by your own body.
2. Synthetic man-made cannabinoids (like some meds)
3. Plant cannabinoids like marijuana.

“up regulation of CB1 is mediated by increased interferon (IFN) signalling in HCV-infected cells.”
https://sydney.edu.au/mbi/PDFs/Shahidi_SEIB%202011.pdf

Endocannabinoid system activation contributes to glucose metabolism disorders of hepatocytes and promotes hepatitis C virus replication.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Endocannabinoid+system+activation+contributes+to+glucose+metabolism+disorders+of+hepatocytes+and+promotes+hepatitis+C+virus+replication.

Elevated Levels of Endocannabinoids in Chronic Hepatitis C May Modulate Cellular Immune Response and Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425004/

Recent studies have confirmed the links between the downgrading of cannabinoid receptors in the brain and regular cannabis use. In short, introducing external THC creates changes in the brain. As the body loses CB1 receptors, more THC is needed to create the desired effect.

Cannabis harms the brain. It has a negative impact on dopamine.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/846094?src=trendmd_pilot&faf=1

High-potency cannabis damages key brain structure
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303279.php

Cannabis use affects processing of emotions.
“Cannabis appears to have a significant impact on the recognition and processing of human emotions like happiness, sadness and anger”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/307249.php

Ariel:
I am a big believer in prevention and maximizing success. The bad thing is that usually nobody listens to me

Re : anxiety and stress
Someone very dear to me treated with interferon three times and ended up with severe stress intolerance and anxiety. He avoids anything that may be stressful. He no longer reads threads that may be upsetting and avoids people that create stress for him. Since I’m an advocate and I’m often involved in drama, I belong in that group. So I do understand.

I’m going after the answers. I’ve been researching the topic for months, Want to hear what I found out so far? Don’t worry, it’s optimistic!

Tomorrow I’ll start a separate thread so I can tell you.

P.