High Tolerance Concentrates (HTC) for Huntington’s Disease

A rare and fatal genetic disorder, marred with movement, cognitive and psychological conditions that worsen over time, Huntington’s disease (HD) typically begins around the ages of 30-40.  The disease is diagnosed in 2.7 of 100k people globally.   “Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, has the highest prevalence of Huntington’s disease;” two-times higher the occurrence (21 of every 100k) than those is Europe (10 per 100k).  It’s estimated that 3 to 7 per 100k people with European ancestry are diagnosed with the disease, leaning to the concept that inherent cultural and genetic factors dominate its origin.

Not only does the cannabis plant produce a wide range of phytocannabinoids that may help with movement disorders, these neuroactive chemicals connect with receptors that regulate cognitive and psychological disorders as well.  Most of these cannabinoids work through receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which modulates neurotransmission involved in motor function, particularly within the basal ganglia.  However, THC-A is a partial and selective PPARγ modulator and reveals powerful neuroprotective activity, especially for the treatment of HD.  It may also prove to be beneficial in treating other neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases.

What are the symptoms of HD?

The following conditions can surface through a spectrum of indicators.

Movement disorders

• Involuntary jerking or writhing movements (chorea)
• Muscle problems, such as rigidity or muscle contracture (dystonia)
• Slow or unusual eye movements
• Impaired gait, posture and balance
• Difficulty with speech or swallowing

Cognitive disorders

• Difficulty organizing, prioritizing or focusing on tasks
• Lack of flexibility or the tendency to get stuck on a thought, behavior or action (perseveration)
• Lack of impulse control that can result in outbursts, acting without thinking and sexual promiscuity
• Lack of awareness of one’s own behaviors and abilities
• Slowness in processing thoughts or ”finding” words
• Difficulty in learning new information

 Psychiatric disorders

• Depression due to brain dysfunction, specifically the basal ganglia.
• Feelings of irritability, sadness or apathy
• Social withdrawal
• Insomnia
• Fatigue and loss of energy
• Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Mania
• Bipolar disorder

Medical marijuana vape carts filled with live resin, such as Blue Dream and XJ-13 could potentially offer significant relief from movement disorders and psychological burdens, while at the same time providing better cognitive function.  Patients declare that many cannabis cultivars assist with their quality of life, the ability to work, remain functional and independent.  Weight loss is also a factor that can arise with HD as the disease progresses and patients may choose from a variety of hybrid cannabis strains for weight management.

So, what’s the connection between HD, hemp-derived cannabinoids and the basal ganglia region of the brain?

The ECS modulates neurotransmission involved in motor function, particularly within the basal ganglia, “and HD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which mainly affects the basal ganglia, leading to the decline of behavioral, cognitive, emotional and motor functions.” The activation of CB2 receptors within the ECS, leads to a slower progression of neurodegeneration and there is growing evidence that, “the ECS behaves as an inherent neuroprotective system.  In fact, findings indicate that Δ9-THCV, which has antioxidant properties and the ability to activate CB2 receptors but to block CB1, might be a promising therapy for alleviating symptoms and delaying neurodegeneration in similar neurodegenerative diseases.”

How are symptoms of HD traditionally treated?

• The drugs tetrabenazine and deuterobenzene are used to treat movement disorders
• Antipsychotic drugs to control hallucinations, delusions, and violent outbursts
• Prescriptions to treat depression and anxiety

As research for neurodegenerative diseases continues, “drugs being tested include those designed to control symptoms, slow the rate of progression of HD, block the effects of excitotoxins, provide support factors that improve neuronal health, or suppress metabolic defects that contribute to the development and progression of HD.”  Data validates that THC-A is, “capable of substantially improving…metabolic syndrome and inflammation.”

In addition to the many cannabinoids that are being studied for their pharmacological benefits, the monoterpenes found in medical marijuana, could prove to be equally beneficial.  In particular, α- and β-pinene, found in many cultivated cannabis strains, can already be found in medicines.  Pinene predominantly offers relief from things like anxiety, cell biology (chromosomes inheritance, genetic disease or condition) and also provides neuroprotective effects