C&P#110: CBD for the brain, the skin & the anxiety

Teen use down

Aug 15, 2024

CBD for acne scarring & anxiety
Vitamin B12 & CBD for neurodegeneration + CBD & exercise for the neuropathic pain of chemo treatments
In obese mice, THC’s weight reductions can be predicted by the microbiome changes it causes
Cannabis with three copies of its genome much less likely to be fertilized by pollen
On the many cute bugs living around your hemp plants: butterflies, crickets & jewel bugs, oh my
Hemp hurds into biogas, hemp stems into aerogels & silver nanoparticles created with cannabis

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the 110^th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science + assorted canna-news & psychedelic updates. On the cannabinoids, ask me anything.

Editor’s note:
I’m now back full-time after summer vacations but my Google Scholar Alerts are now 700 emails deep, so the next few newsletters will be extra full with new science as I catch up. Enjoy!

Free resources

CVResearch.info: the extensive cannabinoid science archive I maintain for CV Sciences
Read my free How-To Guides or watch my 3-Minute Cannabinoid Science videos on YouTube or read my canna-science journalism here
As always, here’s the Glossary of Cannabinoid Terms & at the bottom is the album of the week

For more… (my Linktree)

Subscribe here: upgrade to a paid subscription to support my work sharing cannabinoid science
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Sponsor: ReShape, a new solution to weight management

PlusCBD just came out with a cool product for balancing your metabolism called ReShape. The three active ingredients are…

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) – the endocannabinoid known as your body’s ‘signal of satiation’
Cinnamon – a long history of help with blood sugar & insulin sensitivity
Berberine – the active ingredient of berberis shrubs for managing fat metabolism

I covered the science of OEA last week so I’ll share the science of cinnamon & berberine this week.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia bark)

Considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine and often referred to as ‘the eternal tree of tropical medicine’, cinnamon has traditionally been used to treat respiratory illnesses, gynecological problems, and digestive issues. In modern times, this meta-analysis of 12 trials found cinnamon to significantly reduce fat mass, waist circumference, and body weight. However, one thing to note is that with cinnamon research, the 4 main species and several sub-species are often lumped together. Our products use the well-known Cinnamomum cassia (aka Chinese cinnamon or C. aromaticaum) instead of the equally well-known Cinnamomum verum (aka C. zeylanicum, an older botanical name). So the data below has been curated to be Cinnamomum cassia alone, so that’s what we mean there when we say cinnamon.

You have a clinical study in overweight people showing 12 weeks of cinnamon lowering weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (confirmed by a mouse study that saw cinnamon lower blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while raising HDL cholesterol levels). Also, eating cinnamon with a meal reduced post-eating insulin levels and increased GLP-1 levels (the target of the hot new obesity drugs like Ozempic). In the first clinical trial of cinnamon in people with type 2 diabetes, taking it for 40 days reduced fasting glucose levels as well as the levels of triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol. A large number of trials in Type 2 diabetes followed with results showing cinnamon to…

Improve insulin sensitivity and total antioxidant capacity as well as reducing insulin resistance
Reduce fasting blood glucose levels and post-eating blood sugar levels
Reduce blood pressure and hemoglobin levels (a glucose marker) as well as improve blood glucose and lipid profiles
Combine well with the treatment drug metformin to improve glycemia as well as ghrelin and adiponectin levels

Cinnamon also acts as an anti-inflammatory and one study found it to be a stronger antioxidant than alpha tocopherol.

Berberine (as berberine hydrochloride)

Berbeine is an alkaloid from the berberis plant with a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials found that berberine significantly decreased body weight, body-mass-index (BMI), and waist circumference. For instance, one clinical trial found that 1500 mg of berberine per day caused an average of 5 pounds of weight loss and a loss of 3.6% of body fat. Another meta-analysis of 46 trials on the effects in people with type-2 diabetes found that berberine decreased insulin resistance, increased glycolysis (your body’s breakdown of sugars), decreased the liver’s production of sugar, slowed carbohydrate breakdown in the guts, and increased the beneficial gut bacteria. A meta-analysis of 16 trials on the cholesterol effects from berberine found that it decreased total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and blood triglycerides as well as increased HDL (good) cholesterol. Preclinical studies also suggest help for depressive behaviors, oxidative stress and inflammation, and liver health. Finally on safety, a meta-analysis of 18 clinical trials found berberine to be “significantly safe” with only a few patients mentioning occasional abdominal pain.

We’ve also heard concerns about the sustainability of this ingredient. Our berberine comes from Berberis aristate (aka Indian barberry or tree turmeric) and even though you sometimes see it referred to as endangered in pop science articles, when you actually look up its status on sites dedicated to plant conservation, they either say it's common or list it as a species of 'least concern'.

My work this week:

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Best Of Cannabinoid Science...

Dr. Ben Caplan: “Will a Low Dosage of THC (2.5 mg) with CBD Trigger a Fast Heart Rate?”
https://benjamincaplan.com/question/low-dose-thc-and-heart-rate
“In the simplest answer, a low dose of THC (like 2.5 mg) combined with CBD is likely to cause only a mild increase in heart rate, if any, and CBD might even help balance it out.”

For both scientist & sellers, it should be noted that CBD binds to borosilicate glass (9%) & polyethylene plastics (15%)
Non-linear plasma protein binding of cannabidiol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38902820/

Safety tests of 19 commercial CBD oils found concentrations different from the label ranging from 81 to 226%
Comprehensive analysis of 19 cannabinoids in commercial CBD oils: concentrations, profiles, and safety implications
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00003-024-01513-9

An analysis of the evolutionary history of the cannabinoid receptors
Exploring the evolutionary trajectory and functional landscape of cannabinoid receptors: A comprehensive bioinformatic analysis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1476927124001269

Clinical

In older adults, an assessment of medical cannabis use found a decline in all symptoms including negative affect, pain & nausea
Effects of medical cannabis use on physical and psychiatric symptoms across the day among older adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38924900/

In a case report of neuropathic pain from chemotherapy treatment, CBD & exercise improved pain symptoms, mobility, hand & finger dexterity, upper & lower body strength, beneficial gut bacteria & quality of life
Impact of Cannabidiol and Exercise on Clinical Outcomes and Gut Microbiota for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors: A Case Report
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/7/834

In a double-blind placebo trial of hemp-derived CBD in healthy adults, those taking the CBD had lower pain scores
The effects of a brand-specific, hemp-derived cannabidiol product on physiological, biochemical, and psychometric outcomes in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38904150/

In adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a childhood-onset epilepsy), CBD as an add-on treatment reduced the frequency of both focal & generalized seizures & was well tolerated with 94% of the cohort continuing on the drug
Is adjunctive Cannabidiol effective in controlling seizures for adult patients with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome? - A single centre long term follow up study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38908033/
And in two case reports of difficult-to-treat status epilepticus (seizures that last more than 5 minutes), treatment with CBD via a gastric tube reduced seizures
Effectiveness of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Refractory and Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Case Series
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38910424/

For ADHD, a thesis project interviewing people on the effects of acute & chronic cannabis use
CHRONIC AND ACUTE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS ON COGNITION AND SYMPTOMS OF ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
https://rex.libraries.wsu.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/CHRONIC-AND-ACUTE-EFFECTS-OF-CANNABIS/99901121130101842

In young adults who regularly use cannabis, acute administration reduced the amount of mitochondrial DNA in their blood for the next hour
Acute Cannabis Administration Transiently Reduces Mitochondrial DNA in Young Adults: Findings from a Secondary Analysis of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/can.2023.0282

A thesis project on cannabis altering the cortisol rhythms in chronic users
TRANSLATIONAL EXAMINATION OF CANNABIS-RELATED CHANGES IN DIURNAL STRESS RHYTHMS
https://rex.libraries.wsu.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/TRANSLATIONAL-EXAMINATION-OF-CANNABIS-RELATED-CHANGES-IN/99901121534801842

In a trial of muscle fatigue & soreness, a formulation of beta-caryophyllene for 30 days significantly improved muscle fatigue, aerobic function & endurance as well as a significant reduction in pain
Effect of a Phytochemical formulation on Muscle fatigue, Energy, Recovery in Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), inflammation and Stress in Healthy Subjects: Results from a Randomized Placebo Controlled Study
https://fortuneonline.org/articles/effect-of-a-phytochemical-formulation-on-muscle-fatigue-energy-recovery.pdf

In horses, CBDA seemed to be more bioavailable in the GI tract than CBD
Plasma exposure of cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid after oral administration to the horse
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/jvp.13374

HCP Corner: for docs, nurses & health workers

For pharmacists, an excellent guide to potential drug interactions with cannabis
Navigating Cannabis: Understanding Its Clinical Significance and Drug Interactions for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
https://pharmtrue.care/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Navigating-Cannabis_-Understanding-Its-Clinical-Significance-and-Drug-Interactions-for-Pharmacists-and-Pharmacy-Technicians.pdf

For anesthesiologists, a new tool for providing a framework for a pre-anesthesia cannabis use assessment
Enhancing the Preanesthesia Evaluation: Consensus Development of the Cannabis Use and Behaviors Assessment Tool (CUBAT)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1089947224001096

Harms

A review of harm reduction strategies for cannabis-related problems
Harm reduction strategies for cannabis-related problems: a literature review and typology
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00406-024-01839-3

A review of the potential neurological complications from cannabinoids
Neurological Complications of Cannabinoids
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38914126/
“Acute cannabinoid exposure can cause neuropsychiatric symptoms in addition to altering cerebral blood flow, leading to cerebrovascular complications such as ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Chronic use, particularly among adolescents, may be associated with increased risk of long-term cognitive deficits, schizophrenia, and other neuropsychiatric effects. Synthetic cannabinoids have increased potency, with reports of causing profound neurological complications including coma, seizures, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and RCVS [Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome – “thunderclap” headaches].”

In people with schizophrenia & cannabis use disorder, “a modest single dose of oral THC was associated with worse cognitive functioning [for] several hours… and a THC dose-response effect was seen for negative symptoms”
Randomized Laboratory Study of Single-Dose Cannabis, Dronabinol, and Placebo in Patients With Schizophrenia and Cannabis Use Disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38900958/
And in adults with cannabis use disorder, those with greater sleep difficulties also had worse memory performance
The role of sleep in the link between cannabis use and memory function: evidence from a crosssectional study
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00952990.2024.2362832

In European hospitals, an analysis of 500 cases of synthetic cannabinoid visits
Clinical effects of cannabis compared to synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs): a retrospective cohort study of presentations with acute toxicity to European hospitals between 2013 and 2020
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/15563650.2024.2346125

In São Paulo's open-air drug scene known as Crackland, 20% of the people reported consuming synthetic cannabinoids
Two in ten patients seeking addiction treatment within São Paulo's Crackland report recent use of Synthetic Cannabinoids
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38904450/

In Russia, a report on the mental health effects of synthetic cannabinoids
Deformation of mental disorders in the misuse of synthetic cannabinoids
https://new.vestnik-surgery.com/index.php/2415-7805/article/view/9232

In a rodent model of prenatal vaporized THC exposure, the adolescent offspring had decreased object exploration (especially in females) which is an indicator of attention
Vaporized Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in utero has negative effects on attention in a dose- and sex-dependent manner
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38914267/

Reviews

For neurological diseases, a book chapter on the use of cannabinoids
Cannabis Compounds: Potential Therapy for Neurological Disease
https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/1186209

And for neurodegenerative disorders, on the synergistic therapeutic benefits of CBD with vitamin B12
Cannabinoids: Potential for Modulation and Enhancement When Combined with Vitamin B12 in Case of Neurodegenerative Disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38931480/

For pediatric dentistry with autism spectrum disorder, a review of using CBD
THE USE OF CANNABIDIOL IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY PATIENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381525540_THE_USE_OF_CANNABIDIOL_IN_PEDIATRIC_DENTISTRY_PATIENTS_WITH_AUTISM_SPECTRUM_DISORDER_INTEGRATIVE_REVIEW

For anxiety, a meta-analysis of eight studies showed CBD to have a considerable effect size
Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38924898/
And a review on whether the serotonin & BDNF-TrkB signaling systems mediate CBD's antidepressant effects
New insights into the involvement of serotonin and BDNF-TrkB signalling in cannabidiol’s antidepressant effect
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Samia-Joca/publication/380648715_New_insights_into_the_involvement_of_serotonin_and_BDNF-TrkB_signalling_in_cannabidiol's_antidepressant_effect/links/665ebc09d59c846ad4302155/New-insights-into-the-involvement-of-serotonin-and-BDNF-TrkB-signalling-in-cannabidiols-antidepressant-effect.pdf

For cancer symptoms, a review of 40 studies on the help from cannabis
Medical marijuana in the treatment of cancer-associated symptoms
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38899936/
And a review of six studies on the use of cannabinoids for the anorexia caused by cancer treatments
The potential of cannabinoids in managing cancer-related anorexia in older adults: a systematic review of the literature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38917597/

For multiple sclerosis, a review of using the cannabinoids
Exploring the efficacy of cannabinoids in the management of multiple sclerosis
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381624416_Exploring_the_efficacy_of_cannabinoids_in_the_management_of_multiple_sclerosis

A review of CBD metabolism by the liver & the potential of liver toxicity
Metabolism and liver toxicity of cannabidiol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38904421/

Preclinical

In a skin stem cell model of acne & acne scarring, CBD “remarkably” reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased the levels of elastin & collagens, inhibited lipid synthesis & promoted apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide close parents among damaged cells
Potential of cannabidiol as acne and acne scar treatment: novel insights into molecular pathways of pathophysiological factors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38904694/

In a liver cell study of consumer exposure to cannabinoids, CBD, CBN & hemp extracts at the highest levels did not alter cell viability & had only modest effects on albumin & urea secretion as well as mitochondrial membrane potential
Examining the hepatotoxic potential of cannabidiol, cannabidiol-containing hemp extract, and cannabinol at consumer-relevant exposure concentrations in primary human hepatocytes
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/jat.4646
And in a model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a thesis project on beta-caryophyllene showed promise as a treatment via the lowered release of extracellular vesicles
BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE AS A THERAPEUTIC AGENT IN 2D AND 3D IN VITRO MODELS OF HEPATIC STEATOSIS: POTENTIAL INVOLVEMENT OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
https://iris.unito.it/handle/2318/1986690

In a mouse model of memory loss induced by scopolamine, CBD protected from the memory loss & produced synergistic protection effects when combined with rivastigmine (a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat mild Alzheimer's disease)
The Influence of an Acute Administration of Cannabidiol or Rivastigmine, Alone and in Combination, on Scopolamine-Provoked Memory Impairment in the Passive Avoidance Test in Mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38931476/
Ugh. Those poor mice. Scopolamine comes from the datura plant & it's classified as a deliriant. When you look up the clinical test of this drug from places like Edgewood in the 1950s, you see how scary it is to take something that causes you to experience intense hallucinations that you perceive to be very real.

In obese mice, the weight reductions caused by THC can be predicted by the variations it causes in the microbiome
Microbiome Variations Induced by delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Predicts Weight Reduction in Obese Mice
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiomes/articles/10.3389/frmbi.2024.1412468/abstract

In a model of colitis, CBD reduced intestinal damage & cell death
Cannabidiol decreases histological intestinal injury in a neonatal experimental model of necrotizing enterocolitis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42826-024-00211-9

In a tissue model of atherosclerosis (hardened arteries), CBD modulated cholesterol levels in the macrophages (immune cells) via ceramide levels & ABCA1 & ABCG1 expression controlled by the nuclear PPAR receptors (regulators of genetic expression)
Cannabidiol (CBD) Inhibits Foam Cell Formation via Regulating Cholesterol Homeostasis and Lipid Metabolism
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mnfr.202400154

In a rat model of high blood pressure in the lungs, a pharmaceutical CBD drug significantly reduced pulmonary arterial pressure & hypertrophy of the right ventricles as well as reversing pulmonary vascular remodeling via the reduction of pyroptosis (inflammatory cell death) using inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway
DYZY01 alleviates pulmonary hypertension via inhibiting endothelial cell pyroptosis and rescuing endothelial dysfunction
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299924004734

Another toxicity analysis of CBD found it to be non-mutagenic & non-genotoxic
Exploring the safety of cannabidiol (CBD): A comprehensive in vitro evaluation of the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of a CBD isolate and extract from Cannabis sativa L
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38908200/
Well, I guess I’ll have to get my mutant powers some other way. Where did I leave my radioactive bookworm?

In a snail model of different stress conditions (predator scent, food deprivation, acute heat shock, bacterial inflammation), different effects were observed on the endocannabinoid enzymes & their inflammation & anxiety responses
Different stressors uniquely affect the expression of endocannabinoid-metabolizing enzymes in the central ring ganglia of Lymnaea stagnalis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38922726/

A spider toxin that reduces pain via the endocannabinoid system
The synthetic peptide, PnPP-15, derived from the PnTx2-6 toxin of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer, induces peripheral antinociception involving neprilysin, opioid, and cannabinoid systems
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950200424000120

In a rat model of radiation causing small intestine inflammation, the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of Kushen Injection reduced inflammation via the CB1 receptor
Compound Kushen Injection improves radiation enteritis via cannabinoid receptor 1 in rats
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4513715/v1/a42486fb-3016-49a4-ad83-a85a603699f0.pdf?c=1719252440
One more for our list of traditional medicines utilizing the endocannabinoid system...

the Headlines & Fav Articles

A US Health & Human Services report says federal cannabis prohibition “hinder our ability to fully understand” its therapeutic potential
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-prohibition-hinders-ability-to-fully-understand-its-effects-top-federal-health-agency-says-in-new-report

For adolescents, a study from the US Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration finds teen consumption of cannabis dropping in states that legalized
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/teen-marijuana-use-is-lower-now-than-before-states-started-legalizing-it-for-adults-federal-report-shows
And similar findings from the CDC
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/teen-marijuana-use-has-fallen-over-the-past-decade-as-more-states-enacted-legalization-new-cdc-report-shows

For female orgasmic disorder, more states considering adding it as a qualifying condition for cannabis
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/more-states-consider-adding-female-orgasm-disorder-as-a-medical-marijuana-qualifying-condition

International

On cannabis use around the world, a review of 39 studies gave an international average of 12% In legal countries & 5% in non-legal countries
Prevalence of Cannabis Use around the World: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, 2000-2024
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38933041/
“The prevalence of cannabis use varied between 0.42% and 43.90% across 33 European countries, 1.40% to 38.12% across 15 North and South American countries, 0.30% to 19.10% across 16 Asian countries, and 1.30% to 48.70% across 18 Oceania and African countries.”

The Laws, The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition

In California, a look at the effects of policies such as banning storefront adult-use cannabis businesses as well as specific restrictions on product types, potency, packaging, labeling or server training requirements
Associations of Local Cannabis Control Policies With Harmful Cannabis Exposures Reported to the California Poison Control System
https://journals.lww.com/epidem/fulltext/2024/07000/associations_of_local_cannabis_control_policies.4.aspx
“Localities that ultimately banned storefront recreational retail cannabis businesses had fewer harmful cannabis exposures for children aged <13 years … but not for people aged >13 years … Of 167 localities ultimately permitting recreational cannabis sales, overall restrictiveness was not associated with harmful cannabis exposures among children aged <13 years, but for people aged >13 years, a 1-standard deviation increase in ultimate restrictiveness was associated with fewer harmful cannabis exposures… Bans on storefront retail and other restrictive approaches to regulating recreational cannabis may be associated with fewer harmful cannabis exposures for some age groups following statewide commercialization.”

In Canada during the years of legalization, medical cannabis use increased from 4% to 11% & recreational cannabis use increased from 9% to 15%
Changes in medical cannabis use in Ontario, Canada (2014 to 2019): Trajectory of trends, medical authorization patterns and association with recreational cannabis legalization
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335524002201

In northern Canadian territories, only modest effects found for cannabis education campaigns
Associations between noticing public health education campaigns about cannabis and risk perceptions in the northern Canadian territories: a cross-sectional study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38905013/

Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives

For South by Southwest psychedelic panels, here’s two you should upvote:
Queer Visions of Our Psychedelic Future + Behind the Scenes of the "Psychedelic Renaissance" (which includes Josh Hardman of Psychedelic Alpha, see below)

The FDA rejected the MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD application from Lykos & reportedly requested another Phase III study of safety & efficacy
https://psychedelicalpha.com/news/breaking-fda-rejects-lykos-therapeutics-mdma-assisted-therapy-for-ptsd
(Psychedelic Alpha is absolutely one of the top resources for news & analysis in the psychedelic space)
And here’s Lucid News on the response from Lykos
https://www.lucid.news/maps-responds-to-fda-advisors-and-sets-future-goals/
And a report on how 3 of Lykos’ MDMA papers are being retracted
https://www.psychedelicweek.com/p/mdma-maps-lykos-doblin-retract-trial-fda-ptsd

The Psychoactive Research

A survey of experts on how MDMA therapy might be implemented in Europe
Expert opinions on implementation of MDMA-assisted therapy in Europe: critical appraisal towards training, clinical practice, and regulation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39113624/

How false insights & beliefs can originate under psychedelic influence
An Integrated theory of false insights and beliefs under psychedelics
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-024-00120-6

A survey of people with psychotic experiences & their thoughts on their use of psychedelics
Experiences of psychedelic drug use among people with psychotic symptoms and disorders: Personal growth and mystical experiences
https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2054/aop/article-10.1556-2054.2024.00348/article-10.1556-2054.2024.00348.xml
“Most respondents (n = 88) stated that their psychedelic experience resulted in some degree of personal growth. Many also described mystical-type experiences, increased levels of contemplation and spirituality, improved insight, symptomatic improvements, and feelings of love and appreciation following the experience. Most described overall positive experiences, however, 11% (n = 11) described overall negative experiences, which included symptom exacerbation, dysphoria, and terror, and a slightly larger portion described mixed-type experiences.”

For HIV-related shame, a clinical trial of using psilocybin-assisted therapy
Psilocybin-assisted therapy and HIV-related shame
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39095420/

For developmental stuttering, on the potential of using psychedelics
Psychedelics in developmental stuttering to modulate brain functioning: a new therapeutic perspective?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38962146/

A survey on the musical preferences of people using psychedelics
Preferences and Attitudes Toward Music in Nonclinical Uses of Psychedelics
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/psymed.2024.0003

The Plant & the History

Growing, Farming & Processing

On the perspective of Black farmers on social equity in the hemp industry
Black Farmers' Perspectives on Social Equity Within the United States Hemp Industry
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI31140901/
“Twenty current and former Black hemp farmers from Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Missouri participated in semi-structured interviews, which produced the following emerging themes: a lack of education provided to Black hemp farmers; a lack of financial resources; and policy implementation irregularities.”

Triploid cannabis plants (3 copies of their genome) far less likely to be fertilized by pollen
Characterization of agronomic performance and sterility in triploid and diploid cannabinoid hemp
https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/agj2.21618
“Though not completely pollen-insensitive, triploidy is an effective means to reduce seed production and improve yields and quality in cannabinoid hemp in the presence of pollen.”

On the best methods for drying cannabis without altering total THC
THC Content on a Dry Weight Basis: Implications for Hemp Legality
https://academic.oup.com/jaoac/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jaoacint/qsae048/7698044?redirectedFrom=fulltext

In Romania, an analysis of the many bugs living around hemp plants
RESEARCH ON THE ENTOMOFAUNA STRUCTURE FROM THE MONOECIOUS HEMP CROP, CULTIVATED IN AN ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM AT A.R.D.S. SECUIENI
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381887824_RESEARCH_ON_THE_ENTOMOFAUNA_STRUCTURE_FROM_THE_MONOECIOUS_HEMP_CROP_CULTIVATED_IN_AN_ECOLOGICAL_SYSTEM_AT_ARDS_SECUIENI
“423 specimens were collected, belonging to 4 orders, 11 families, 12 subfamilies, 13 genera and 15 species. The order Coleoptera [beetles] had the maximum weight by the number of specimens collected (48.70%), while the order Lepidoptera [butterflies & moths] recorded a weight of only 0.24%. The Gryllidae [crickets] family had the maximum weight by the number of specimens collected (36.88%), while the Noctuidae [owlet moths] and Scutelleridae [jewel bugs] families have 0.24% each.”

In the Czech Republic, two species of powdery mildew
The co-occurrence of two powdery mildew species on Cannabis sativa in the Czech Republic
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jph.13348

A thesis project analyzing the impact of cannabis cultivation in Humboldt
Impacts of Cannabis Cultivation in Humboldt County
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1024&context=chanterelle

Identifying varieties using AI & spectral signatures
Hyperspectral reflectance for classification of medicinal Cannabis varieties using machine learning algorithms
https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/optical-engineering/volume-63/issue-6/064103/Hyperspectral-reflectance-for-classification-of-medicinal-Cannabis-varieties-using-machine/10.1117/1.OE.63.6.064103.short#_=_

On using liquid-liquid chromatography to separate cannabinoids from hemp extracts
Modeling the liquid-liquid chromatography separation of cannabinoids from hemp extracts
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/jssc.202400239

Food & Nutrition

For hemp seeds, a comparison of the various extraction methods
Comparison of physicochemical characteristics, functional properties and biological activities of hemp seed proteins by different extraction methods
http://he.tinsun.hk/assets/HE-20240001.pdf

In olives, fermentation & alkalization increased the formation of endocannabinoid-like compounds
Effects of fermentation and alkalisation on the formation of endocannabinoid-like compounds in olives
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38909454/
“While N-oleoylethanolamide, N-palmitoylethanolamide, N-linoleoylethanolamide, 1- and 2-oleoylglycerol, 1- and 2-linoleoylglycerol, and oleoylphenylalanine were initially absent or present in trace amounts, their levels significantly rose during fermentation. The formation rate of these compounds was higher in olives fermented in water than those in brine.”
Olives are already known to be neuroprotective, partially via their effects on the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide).

For broiler chickens, consumers had a positive impact about them when they learned they were fed CBD extracted from hemp
The Role of Consumer Knowledge in Purchase Intention of Broiler Feed with Hemp through Trust : A Multi-group Analysis of Gender
https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/journalmbsmut/article/view/273388

In pigs, a thesis project on using hemp seed meal as an alternative protein source
HEMP SEED MEAL AS AN ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SOURCE IN GROWING PIGS DIET: A PILOT STUDY
https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/6695f72e-3c57-4c73-9382-f8cb2bcc14fd/content

Industrial Use

On creating aerogels from hemp stems
Multifunctional aerogels with thermal insulation, elasticity, and hydrophobicity derived from hemp stems
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669024009099

For the processing of hemp hurds into biogas, an analysis of pretreatment methods (acid, alkali & thermal)
Effect of various thermochemical pretreatment methods on the biomethanisation of hemp (Cannabis sativa) hurd and kinetic analysis
https://rhodes2024.uest.gr/files/proceedings/XIII/284.Rhodes24_18.45-19.00.pdf

On using hemp to clean lead from the soil & to produce bioenergy
Utilization of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in a circular economy model: investigating the use of hemp for phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated soils and bioenergy production
https://rhodes2024.uest.gr/files/proceedings/XIV/222.Rhodes24_19.15-19.30.pdf

On creating silver nanoparticles from cannabis
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Cannabis sativa: Properties, Synthesis, Mechanistic Aspects, and Applications
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/8/4/64
Silver nanoparticles have therapeutic applications that include cancer treatment, skin burns & antiviral activity. “Silver nanoparticles, in particular, have garnered significant attention due to their exceptional effectiveness, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) has emerged as a promising candidate for aiding in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles.”

On using hemp to make anodes for sodium-ion batteries
Supplementary data for Enhancing waste hemp hurd-derived anodes for sodium-ion batteries through hydrochloric acid-mediated hydrothermal pretreatment
https://digital.csic.es/handle/10261/361155

Analysis of the strength of hemp & e-glass composites
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON FLEXURAL STRENGTH AND FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF HYBRID HEMP AND E-GLASS COMPOSITES
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ravi-Y-V-2/publication/381552816_Section_A-Research_paper_Experimental_Investigation_on_Flexural_strength_and_Fracture_Toughness_of_Hybrid_Hemp_and_E-Glass_Composites_EXPERIMENTAL_INVESTIGATION_ON_FLEXURAL_STRENGTH_AND_FRACTURE_TOUGH/links/6673fdf91dec0c3c6f940ee6/Section-A-Research-paper-Experimental-Investigation-on-Flexural-strength-and-Fracture-Toughness-of-Hybrid-Hemp-and-E-Glass-Composites-EXPERIMENTAL-INVESTIGATION-ON-FLEXURAL-STRENGTH-AND-FRACTURE-TOUGH.pdf

On creating an emulsion based on hemp seed oil stabilized by soap nuts
Characterization of hemp seed oil emulsion stabilized by soap nuts (Sapindus mukorossi) extract
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0268005X2400626X

CANNABINOID SCIENCE

A NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) paper on how to analyze cannabis samples
Characterization of Reference Material 8210: Hemp Plant
https://www.nist.gov/publications/characterization-reference-material-8210-hemp-plant

Public Health

In an analysis of the operational model of cannabis use in Thai public hospitals, cannabis was being used the most for insomnia, cancer, muscular tendon diseases, neuropathic pain & psoriasis as well as combined with Thai traditional medicine
The Operation Model Development for Medical Cannabis Using of Public Hospitals in Sukhothai Province, Thailand
https://so05.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/cmruresearch/article/view/268272

A social science analysis of Reddit cannabis posts
The Reddit cannabis subjective highness rating scale: Applying computational social science to explore psychological and environmental correlates of naturalistic cannabis use
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300290
“Posters reported greater subjective highness when using language that referred to in-person social environments and lower subjective highness when using language that referred to online social environments and positive affect psychological states.”

Adolescents & Young Adults

In young adults, risk factors for vaping cannabis & nicotine
Cannabis and vaping nicotine: An exploration of risk factors using a nationally representative sample of youth and young adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38936264/

In young adults, a behavioral economic demand study on the co-use of cannabis & alcohol
Prospective associations of behavioral economic demand for cannabis and alcohol with simultaneous cannabis and alcohol use among young adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38900508/

The Brain & Neurological Disorders

In Alzheimer's disease, the alterations to the endocannabinoid system with gendered effects
Alteration of the Endocannabinoid System in Human Alzheimer’s Disease Brain
https://usurj.journals.usask.ca/article/view/659
“Our research demonstrated that the EC is indeed altered in AD brains, with CB1R expression increasing in the hippocampus. Furthermore, we found a sex-dependent difference in the EC alteration, with females having a greater expression of CB1R in the hippocampus compared to males. Finally, a strong correlation was observed between CB1R expression and FAAH expression in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of males, but no such correlation existed in the female data… Our data suggests that CB1R expression is regulated by FAAH activity in males but not females.”

In a rat model of stress, a thesis project on how the endocannabinoids regulate the lateral habenula (a brain region relating to the stress response & cognitive performance
LATERAL HABENULA AND ENDOCANNABINOID REGULATION OF STRESS-RELATED BEHAVIOR
https://rex.libraries.wsu.edu/esploro/outputs/doctoral/LATERAL-HABENULA-AND-ENDOCANNABINOID--REGULATION/99901120940901842

Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders

In men with cannabis use disorder, their comparative coping styles depended on their level of addiction
Healthy coping styles in men with cannabis use disorder: comparative study of mild, moderate, and severe level
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14659891.2024.2372094

A small review of cannabis for mental health
Exploring the Significance of Pharmaceutical Care in Mental Health: A Spotlight on Cannabis
https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/12/4/100

Pain & Inflammation

For chronic prostatitis or pelvic pain, an enema of PEA, calendula & epilobium (willowherbs) improved several measurements
Efficacy of palmitoylethanolamide, epilobium and calendula suppositories for the treatment of patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome type III
https://www.pagepressjournals.org/aiua/article/view/12582

In people with opioid use disorder using methadone, THC altered their attention towards opioid cues
A preliminary investigation of the acute effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on pain and opioid attentional bias among persons with opioid use disorder
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022395624003765

In a mouse model of pain being treated with morphine, a negative allosteric modulator of the CB1 receptor (also a function of CBD) synergized to increase pain relief while suppressing morphine tolerance & withdrawal
Negative allosteric modulation of CB1 cannabinoid receptor signaling suppresses opioid-mediated tolerance and withdrawal without blocking opioid antinociception
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390824002211

In a mouse model of neuropathic pain, a drug that inhibited FAAH & MAGL (which break down anandamide & 2-AG respectively) led to increased endocannabinoid levels & the impairment of stress-induced pain
Disrupted stress-induced analgesia in a neuropathic pain state is rescued by the endocannabinoid degradation inhibitor JZL195
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38922705/

The antioxidant properties of cannabis leaves
Feature-Based Molecular Network-Assisted Cannabinoid and Flavonoid Profiling of Cannabis sativa Leaves and Their Antioxidant Properties
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38929189/

Reproduction & Hormones

In pregnant people who use cannabis, many were willing to be in a research study
A feasibility study to assess the recruitment and retention of pregnant patients who regularly use cannabis
https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13104-024-06826-4

The Skin

Assessing a hemp oil emulsfier for topical used as an anti-inflammatory, painkiller & wound healer
Formulation and Physicochemical Characterization of Terpenocannabinoid-Functionalized Hemp Oil Emulsifier: Assessment of Topical Anti-Inflammatory, Antinociceptive, Wound Healing Activity and Cutaneous Toxicity Effects
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/92/3/36

The Eyes

In animal models of the eye, an oral drug that activates the CB2 receptor reduced retinal permeability, white blood cell adhesion in eyes with uveitis (inflammation) or diabetic retinopathy & reduced lesion areas in rats with laser-induced neovascularization (new blood vessel formation reducing vision)
RG7774 (Vicasinabin), an orally bioavailable cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) agonist, decreases retinal vascular permeability, leukocyte adhesion, and ocular inflammation in animal models
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1426446/full

Developing novel cannabinoids for treating dry eye disease & chronic ocular pain
Development and screening of a novel library of synthetic endocannabinoid agonists and inhibitors to advance a potential therapy to treat dry eye disease and chronic ocular pain
https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2799176

Cancer & Chemotherapy

In uveal melanoma (a rare cancer in the pigment of the eye), a multi-pronged analysis of the endocannabinoid system in cancer cells & patients showed that a drug which activates both CB1 & CB2 receptors (HU-210 ) reduced the cancer cell’s inflammatory factor secretion, viability & proliferation as well as inducing apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide)
Targeting Uveal Melanoma with a Potent Cannabinoid:Insights from Cells, Orthotopic Patient-Derived Xenograft, and Patient Biopsies
https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2797511

In a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, hemp essential oil reduced inflammatory cytokines & pain as well as significantly inhibiting tumor growth
Chemical compounds, anti-tumor and anti-neuropathic pain effect of hemp essential oil in vivo
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38914272/

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Cancer therapy via gold nanoparticles loaded with CBD
Gold Nanoparticles Loaded with Cannabinoids for Targeted Cancer Therapy
https://proceedings.cmbes.ca/index.php/proceedings/article/view/1082

In mouse neuronal cells, the synthetic cannabinoid CP-55,940 (which activates both the CB1 & CB2 receptor) increased autophagy (cellular recycling) & cholesterol synthesis via the activation of SREBP-2
Incomplete autophagy and increased cholesterol synthesis during neuronal cell death caused by a synthetic cannabinoid, CP-55,940
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161813X24000688

A new method for detecting synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists
Chromatographic enantioresolution and stereochemical characterization of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists with Whelk-O®1 chiral stationary phases under mass spectrometry compatible reversed-phase conditions: A study case with seized samples
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003267024007025

Cool Chemistry & Tools

A patent on new inhibitors of the MGL enzyme (which breaks down 2AG) for treating diseases
Novel Heterocyclic Compounds as Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitors for Treating Multiple Diseases
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.4c00261

For the CB1 receptor, a comparison of two techniques on predicting binding affinities
A head-to-head comparison of MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA in predicting binding affinities for the CB1 cannabinoid ligands
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4539129/v1/a69fb14f-0fe6-4119-b33a-89ce0a21f488.pdf?c=1719292659

Thanks.
- lex

PS: For today’s space-age percussion album of 1957, Enoch Light & the Light Brigade’s ‘I Want to Be Happy Cha Cha’. A bandleader starting in the 1920s & popular on the hotel circuit of NYC, Enoch Light was one of the first musician/producers to create high-quality recordings that took advantage of the new high-end audio equipment of the late 1950s. He bounced sounds back & forth between the stereo channels, arranged the musicians to change the listening experience & included a long written description of the audio of each track, necessitating the doubling of the album sleeve & pioneering of the “gatefold” packaging format. His music never received much airplay because the AM transmitters of the day had no stereo capabilities but his bright minimalistic albums sold well with 2 of his 25 albums (produced over the span of only 12 years) reaching #1 on the Billboard charts. And in the legacy that we probably all want, in his birthplace of northeastern Ohio, musical events continue to be put on in his honor around his birthday.

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Cannabinoids & the People