Research into the healing effects of cannabis extracts is growing around the globe. Over the past year, a variety of medicinal effects of cannabinoids have been confirmed:
? A pharmacologist at the University of Texas has shown that injecting small amounts of cannabinoids directly into the site of an injury will relieve pain and swelling.

? Scientists at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego have shown that cannabinoids block the formation of memories in animal brain tissue. This might keep the brain from getting overwhelmed with unimportant memories.

? Research by the US Institute of Mental Health has shown that cannabinoids protect brain cells from stroke or trauma damage.

? University of Buffalo researchers have reported that cannabinoids help regulate the timing of human reproduction, by slowing sperm that approach an egg before it's ready for fertilization.

? The British Heart Foundation is funding research into how cannabinoids reduce blood pressure and the risk of stroke through "vaso-relaxation".

? The University of Madrid completed studies this year, showing that high concentrations of THC kills brain tumour cells while leaving normal brain cells unharmed.

? An Italian study published in the July 1998 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that cannabinoids can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.