The Mary Jane Society Podcast

106_Cannabis as a Treatment for Cancer with Prof. Dedi Meiri

Episode Notes

Prof. Dedi Meiri heads the Laboratory of Cancer and Cannabinoid Research at Technion, Israel's highly regarded Institute of Technology. He comes from a highly diverse scientific background in biochemistry, plant biotechnology, and cancer and has about 50 research scientists working under him. 

We discuss the complexities of the endocannabinoid system and Dr. Meiri's painstaking work to document numerous combinations of cannabinoids to determine which ones unlock specific receptors to treat diseases like cancer. Does the endocannabinoid system hold the answers to understanding how cancer works in the body and how to destroy it? 

Key Talking Points:

• Research Focus: Dr. Dmeiri's lab specializes in drug discovery, primarily focusing on cancer and other indications using medicinal plants.
• Precision Medicine: By understanding which receptors cannabinoids bind to and their specific effects on different cells and tissues, personalized medicine approaches can be developed.
  • Identified specific cannabis strains and molecules that work synergistically with immunotherapy, enhancing its effectiveness without compromising it. Emphasizes the importance of matching the right cannabis strain to the patient and their treatment regimen.
• Examples of Applications: The research has identified cannabinoids that affect conditions like sleep disorders and specific cancers by modulating receptors and biological pathways.
• Clinical Trials: Conducted four clinical trials to understand how cannabis interacts with immunotherapy. Found that cannabis can either reduce or not affect the effectiveness of immunotherapy, depending on the specific strain and cannabinoids present.
  • Ongoing research is needed to identify which plant combinations are most effective for treating specific diseases.
  • In various studies on conditions like inflammation, cancer, and migraines, THC was rarely the primary active component; other cannabinoids like CBD or minor cannabinoids were more effective.
• Future Directions in Personalized Medicine: The potential to identify deficiencies in the endocannabinoid system through blood samples is still far off.