C&P#136: pain, pain & weaker sperm
Duterte flying to face justice
This week…
CBD for chronic pain + In a chronic pain center, a synthetic THC shortage led to shooting levels of pain
For severe childhood epilepsy, CBD cost-effective
(2x) Cannabis use = weaker sperm & less of them
Truly: CBD-coated pillow covers for better sleep
In Mexico, on the outlaw resistance of cannabis activists
Thesaurus Corner: “limbic capitalism”
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 136th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science, canna-news, War on Drugs coverage, psychedelic updates & ~2.2 jokes per newsletter. Upgrade to a paid subscription here to support my work sharing canna-science. As always, ask me anything.
(newsletter length: ~6200 words, reading time: ~15 minutes)
Sponsor: The Cannabis & Health Research Initiative
Want to help expand the knowledge of medical cannabis use in the real world & get paid 100 bucks to do so?
Johns Hopkins University, with support from Realm of Caring, is spearheading the groundbreaking National Cannabis Study to evaluate the benefits, risks & overall outcomes of using cannabis for conditions like pain, insomnia, anxiety & more. If you are an adult in the U.S. considering starting cannabis for health reasons, this is your chance to help shape the future of cannabis research — and get compensated for your time. Join now to share your experience & contribute valuable data that could revolutionize healthcare for many patients nationwide. To learn more & sign up, visit:
https://www.cannabisandhealth.org/national-cannabis-study/
Or follow along on Instagram to keep on learning:
https://www.instagram.com/cannabisandhealthresearch/
Free resources
CVResearch.info: the extensive cannabinoid science archive I maintain for CV Sciences & our new canna-edu video series on YouTube @CVScienceInc & on TikTok @pluscbd
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 from Lex… (my Linktree)
Work with my company White Whale Creations to produce content for cannabis & psychedelic companies: writing, science archives, social media content, newsletters & podcasts: my portfolio
My canna-graphic novels based on Moby Dick: On Amazon, check out ‘SUNset’, my Queer cannabis history graphic novel or ‘The CROWN’, the story of the hunt for the structure of CBN. To see more about this continuing series, see lexpelger.com
Listen to the first 2 seasons of my podcast ‘The Lex Files’ on cannabinoids, psychedelics & spirituality
A request to spread the word
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth,
so please forward to colleagues & tell your friends & relatives.
My work this week:
Canna-Edu Vids for CV Sciences:
(on YT @CVSciencesInc & TT @pluscbd)
My Vids:
(on TT @lexpelgerandhisbooks or on YouTube)
I’m backing up the earliest videos from my first days on TikTok to my YouTube account (mostly because these are records for my kids in case I get hit by a bus & I trust YT to stick around more than TT). Here’s some of the recent ones:
'The Alexandria Quartet' by Lawrence Durrell (one of the best series of writing I’ve ever experienced)
Reincarnation & 'Children Who Remember Previous Lives' by Dr. Ian Stevenson
'UFOs' by Leslie Kean (a good journalistic take)
'Stoner' by John Williams (this was a remarkably well-written book)
Ways to support this work:
A paid subscription on Substack
Buy Me a Coffee
Venmo: @Lex-Pelger
PayPal: donate here
Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
Clinical
In people with chronic pain, a survey of CBD users found it associated with decreased pain- even at low dosages (<100 mg)
A Survey on the Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) Isolate, Its Perceived Benefits, and Associated Side Effects Among Subjects With Chronic Pain
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/original_article/pdf/343272/20250307-207987-3yycqf.pdf
In chronic pain patients, a shortage of dronabinol (synthetic THC) significantly increased their pain intensity, disrupted their sleep & raised the level of pain interference with their daily lives
[Impact of dronabinol shortage on a population of chronic pain patients: A retrospective observational study]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39824703/
“The number of patients with permanent pain increased 5-fold (n=2 at M0 and n=10 at M3). The number of patients with more than 20 painful attacks per 24 hours increased 2-fold”.
In people with frontotemporal dementia, the combination of PEA & luteoline showed less cognitive & functional decline
Phase 2 study of palmitoylethanolamide combined with luteoline in frontotemporal dementia patients
https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/7/2/fcaf080/8052642
For Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a severe childhood epilepsy), a cost-effectiveness analysis found CBD be cost-effective compared with usual care
Value of cannabidiol as adjunctive treatment for Lennox Gastaut syndrome: cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis
https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-025-03972-9
For the heart & stroke risk factor known as cartoid artery calcification, there was no association with cannabis use but the regular cannabis users were found to have a lower prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension & diabetes in this multi-ethnic study
Regular cannabis smoking and carotid artery calcification in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1062030325000056
In a measure of human eye reactivity, cannabis inhalation caused redness, a reduced eye response to light & miosis (excessive constriction of the pupil)
Eye reactions under the influence of drugs of abuse as measured by smartphones: a controlled clinical study in healthy volunteers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39840007/
In nurses working shifts, CBD-coated pillow covers improved their sleep quality along with a significant reduction in anxiety levels
Pilot Study on the Effect of Cannabidiol-Coated Fabric for Pillow Covers Improves the Sleep Quality of Shift Nurses
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/13/6/585
And if you’re in the UK, Aldi just started CBD-infused pillows!
https://cannabislaw.report/aldi-uk-press-release-aldi-to-sell-cbd-infused-pillow-to-help-shoppers-snooze/
In a survey of communication & relationship satisfaction in couples, this thesis found the lowest levels of satisfaction in couples where one used cannabis & the other did not while the highest levels of communication & relationship satisfaction were in couples who both abstained
Patterns of Cannabis Use and Impacts on Communication and Relationship Satisfaction
https://www.proquest.com/openview/20c0c92991126644106d37fdf26daf7e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
In humans, the pharmacokinetics of full-spectrum hemp products with a focus on CBD, CBDA, THC & THCA
The Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of a Hemp-Derived “Full-Spectrum” Oral Cannabinoid Product with a 1:1 Ratio of Cannabidiol to Cannabidiolic Acid and Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol to Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/can.2024.0187
Harms
For cannabis use disorder, a review of the European interventions
Cannabis use disorder: an overview of treatment approaches in Europe
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00406-025-01964-7
In people who gamble, those who use cannabis heavily had more problem gambling severity
Relation of Cannabis Use Frequency and Gambling Behavior in Individuals Who Gamble Under the Influence of Cannabis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10899-025-10381-3
In brain scans of regular cannabis users related to cognitive flexibility, they had slower reaction times during switch trials & altered associations in functional activity & behavioral switch costs
Altered Functional Connectivity Dynamics Serving Cognitive Flexibility in Regular Cannabis Users
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/adb.70023
In a 10-year study of the sperm of men in a Midwestern city, cannabis use (along with tobacco or alcohol) was associated with lower sperm concentrations & lower sperm motility
A 10-year longitudinal analysis of the impact of demographic, lifestyle, and medical factors on semen qualities in men in a city in the midwestern region of the United States of America
https://journals.lww.com/ajandrology/fulltext/9900/a_10_year_longitudinal_analysis_of_the_impact_of.291.aspx
In semen samples, the tobacco & cannabis smokers had reductions in normal sperm morphology & non-progressive motility
Effects of marijuana and tobacco on male fertility and their relationship to genetic variation of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase genes
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-91894-0
In an Egyptian Poison Control Center, on the pediatric & adult cases of natural & synthetic cannabinoid toxicity
Comparison between pediatric and adult acute natural cannabinoids toxicity: A 5-year retrospective study with special consideration of acute synthetic cannabinoids toxicity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750025001040
And in Tunisia, 3 pediatric case reports of accidental cannabis ingestion + a review of the literature
Accidental ingestion of cannabis in two infants and a preschool child reported by the Tunisian poison control center: Three case reports and review of literature
https://old.latunisiemedicale.com/index.php/tunismed/article/view/5452
A case report on recognizing cannabis hyperemesis syndrome in pediatric patients
Recognizing Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome in Pediatric Patients: Insights From a Case Report
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/case_report/pdf/344348/20250302-625277-7f352i.pdf
In lung cells, cannabis vapor altered genes related to cancer, oxidative stress & the immune response without being associated with a DNA damage response
Transcriptomic changes in oxidative stress, immunity, and cancer pathways caused by cannabis vapor on alveolar epithelial cells
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10565-025-09997-3
In human liver cells, the two main CBD metabolites 7-hydroxy- & 7-carboxy-cannabidiol caused toxicity via disturbances to the cell cycle, stress to the endoplasmic reticulum (protein processing center), & apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide)
7-Hydroxycannabidiol and 7-carboxycannabidiol induced cytotoxicity via apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in human hepatic cells
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-025-04001-7
Reviews
A book chapter on the cannabinoid receptors
Canonical Cannabinoid Receptors
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/7854_2024_556
A review of computational methods for studying the endocannabinoid system
An Overview on Computational Methods Targeting the Endocannabinoid System
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-76718-0_17
Preclinical
(basically, the phytocannabinoid research goes here & the ECS research goes below)
In a mouse model of dermatitis (inflamed & itchy skin), a cannabis topical lessened inflammation & the levels of mast cells (immune cells carrying histamine)
Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cannabis sativa L. Extract in 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Dermatitis in Rats
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/3/370
In the hearts of diabetic rats, THC improved cardiac function & reduced markers of cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease) via the SIRT3/FOXO1 mitochondrial & TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathways
Involvement of SIRT3/FOXO1 and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathways in protective effects of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol on diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/tjb-2024-0258/html
In a rat model of pregnancy inflammation & preterm labor, CBD decreased inflammation levels & oxidative stress parameters
Investigation of the Protective Effects of Cannabidiol on Rat Maternal and Fetal Brain Tissues in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Pregnancy Inflammation Model
https://namikkemalmedj.com/pdf/4615d177-864c-42ed-adf7-32226220a22b/issues/2025-013-001.pdf#page=19
In adolescent mice with CBD exposure, they had less locomotion & exploration in adulthood, reduced social & anxiety-like behaviors & were more susceptible to THC effects
Persistent behavioural consequences of chronic adolescent cannabidiol (CBD) in a mouse model with increased susceptibility to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and schizophrenia
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278584625000600
Novel Studies
(my new grab bag section for stuff I haven’t quite seen before)
A molecular analysis of the “staggering” amount of the new synthetic cannabinoids since the Chinese generic ban of 2021
Are new compounds spicing up the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist market?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352007825000113
On β-caryophyllene’s extraction & insecticidal activity
Ultrasound-assisted extraction and RP-HPLC quantification of β-caryophyllene in plant essential oils: separation efficiency and insecticidal activity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002228602500568X
Molecular analysis on how the cannabinoids act as antioxidants & gobble up those naughty free radicals
Kinetic studies of the rich interaction of cannabinoids with oxygen-centered radicals and excited carbonyl compounds
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891584925001364
the Headlines & Fav Articles
US National Cancer Institute included “marijuana” on a list of “controversial topics” where researchers will need to ask for special permission before publishing
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-memo-from-national-cancer-institute-lists-marijuana-as-controversial-topic-that-needs-special-approval-before-publication/
And DOGE canceled a NIH grant to study cannabis use among sexual minority gender diverse individuals
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/musks-doge-touts-cancellation-of-marijuana-research-grant-from-federal-health-agency/
In Idaho, lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to be put on 2026 ballot that would block voters from being able to legalize cannabis via a ballot initiative
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/idaho-voters-will-be-asked-to-block-themselves-from-legalizing-marijuana-under-measure-lawmakers-approved-for-2026-ballot
#dinosaursgottadinosaur
On hemp/THC drinks, Marc Hauser splashing around cold water (& his signature Yiddish phrases)
https://cannabismusings.substack.com/p/cannabis-musings-march-12-2025
History Corners: On the story of MOMMS (Mothers of Medical Marijuana Smokers) by Alice O’Leary Randall
https://aliceolearyrandall.substack.com/p/momms-and-pomms
International
Canadians say that Trudeau's greatest accomplishment was legalizing cannabis (his only policy to receive majority support)
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/legalizing-marijuana-was-justin-trudeaus-greatest-accomplishment-poll-of-canadians-finds/
And the government reports that tax intake from cannabis is rising as alcohol sales experience a “historic drop”
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/250307/dq250307b-eng.htm
In Mexico, the cannabis activism strategy of noncompliance & the characteristics of ‘dissenting implementation’
Dissenting Implementation of Cannabis Policies in Mexico: A Strategy of Outlaw Resistance
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/blar.70000
In Bangladesh, on the opportunities & challenges of reviving industrial hemp
Reviving industrial hemp in Bangladesh: Opportunity, challenges, and prospects
https://or.niscpr.res.in/index.php/IJNPR/article/view/13163
The War on Drugs
Against my expectations, Duterte was flown to the International Criminal Court in the Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity in his ghastly drug war
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/world/asia/icc-philippines-rodrigo-duterte.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/world/asia/philippines-duterte-arrest-marcos.html
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/03/10/2427280/duterte-denies-involvement-drug-war-icc-warrant-rumors-circulate
And a photo essay of the killings in 2016
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/07/world/asia/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-drugs-killings.html
And an analysis of the violence of his campaign & the democratic backsliding it caused
Violence and Democratic Backsliding in the Philippines under Duterte
https://journal.sepaham.or.id/index.php/HRGS/article/view/108
A report on the history of the US opioid/fentanyl crisis by Brookings
THE FENTANYL CRISIS: FROM NALOXONE TO TARIFFS
https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/trump-fentanyl-felbab-brown-final.pdf
The BBC traces the sources of fentanyl
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5ng663d1wo
https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cx20y477yrwo
Changes in global cocaine trafficking
(I)llicit Chains: Some New Hypotheses Regarding a Changing Global Cocaine Market
https://jied.lse.ac.uk/articles/10.31389/jied.274
The DEA & the Cartels
A new report on synthetic drugs in Latin America & greater collaboration between worldwide criminal networks
3 Key Findings on Synthetic Drugs in Latin America and the Caribbean From the INCB
https://insightcrime.org/news/3-key-findings-synthetic-drugs-latin-america-caribbean-from-the-incb/
In Latin America, an analysis of cocaine’s environmental footprint
Footprints of cocaine: a bibliometric analysis and systematic review of the environmental impacts of the cocaine value chain in Latin America
https://www.proquest.com/openview/50c42df028e639085a324971ad81ef0e/1
A map of Colombia’s cocaine production
Crop to coke: a script of the cocaine trade within Colombian borders
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6113201/v1
On the coordinated activism of coca, poppy & marijuana growers in Norte de Santander, Colombia
The National Coordination of Coca, Poppy, and Marijuana Growers (COCCAM) of Norte de Santander: An Experience in Territorial Defense and Development
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?pid=S1657-80312024000200503&script=sci_abstract&tlng=en
Worldwide
In Afghanistan, the collapse of the state & the role of organized crime & drug trafficking
Transnational Crime and the Collapse of State in Afghanistan
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43576-025-00159-3
And an article on the eradication efforts of the Taliban
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/the-fraying-of-the-talibans-counternarcotics-efforts/
A report on lowering violence in Latin American drug trafficking hotspots
Curbing Violence in Latin America’s Drug Trafficking Hotspots
https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/colombia-ecuador-guatemala-honduras-mexico/108-curbing-violence-latin-america-drug-trafficking-hotspots
Myanmar’s problems from being a major hub of methamphetamine production
https://www.eurasiareview.com/28022025-myanmar-a-nation-drowning-in-drugs-crisis-analysis/
In New Zealand, methamphetamine use hit a record high according to wastewater testing
https://www.crisisgroup.org/latin-america-caribbean/colombia-ecuador-guatemala-honduras-mexico/108-curbing-violence-latin-america-drug-trafficking-hotspots
In South Africa, analyzing the synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends
Serial identification and structural analysis of synthetic cannabinoids found in herbal mixtures in South Africa
https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/124728/records/6765a37efccf879925c1216e
In France, 200 of their most high-level imprisoned drug traffickers will be sent to 2 high-security “completely hermetic” prisons
https://cannabislaw.report/france-to-send-200-drug-traffickers-to-completely-hermetic-prisons
#Cannabis
Czech President granted pardons to 4 cannabis prisoners
https://cannabislaw.report/czech-president-petr-pavel-grants-the-first-four-pardons-to-cannabis-prisoners/
In the UK, a string of 100 cannabis farms busted
https://cannabislaw.report/uk-true-scale-of-massive-100-farm-cannabis-conspiracy-emerges-after-raids-on-bangor-high-street/
And also in the UK, Operation Mille seized £48M of cannabis & found 19 people in modern slavery
https://cannabislaw.report/uk-over-48-million-worth-of-drugs-seized-in-cannabis-crackdown/
And also in the UK, on behalf of Albanian gangsters, men posed as utility company workers to create legal electrical hookups for cannabis grows
https://cannabislaw.report/uk-cannabis-crims-used-registered-utility-company-as-cover-to-dig-up-the-streets-and-supply-electricity-to-cannabis-farms-on-behalf-of-albanian-gangsters/
And in Abu Dhabi, 184 kg of hash found in marble pillars
https://cannabislaw.report/abu-dhabi-police-seize-184kg-of-hashish-hidden-in-marble-pillars-in-major-drug-bust/
And in Texas, a couple arrested in their own driveway over a legal THC product
https://cannabislaw.report/texas-san-antonio-couple-arrested-in-own-driveway-despite-possessing-legal-thc-product/
Harm Reduction
On the perceived impacts of Vancouver’s “Compassion Club” of safer supply by the Drug User Liberation Front
Perceived impacts of North Americas first de-medicalized safer supply program
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40065329/
“Applicable responses reported benefits from membership in the Compassion Club, including reduced drug use (64.3%), decreased reliance on illicit markets (86.7%), lowered risk of overdose (90.0%), and increased likelihood of using sterile equipment (84.6%). Mental health (74.2%), physical health (63.3%), and overall well-being (70.0%) were also noted improvements. Suggestions for club improvement included extended operating hours, broader substance selection, and improved accessibility.”
In imprisoned people, the prevalence of oral lesions & oral disorders among drug users
Oral lesions and disorders and their prevalence arising from the use of illicit drugs in a prison population
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39834209/
Business, Laws & Education
On the effects of workplace complexity & cannabis use on career outcomes
Up in Smoke: Reciprocal Effects of Cannabis Use and Job Complexity on Extrinsic Career Outcomes
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/hrm.22296
In Canada, an analysis found that their large cannabis retail expansion was accompanied by only modest changes in cannabis usage, with this strongest association being with falling prices & not rising store counts
Exploring Associations between Cannabis Prices, Stores, and Usage after Recreational Legalization
https://karger.com/ear/article-pdf/doi/10.1159/000544104/4349127/000544104.pdf
In Massachusetts, a report on the adult & medical cannabis market by the Cannabis Control Commission
Review and Assessment of the Massachusetts Adult- and Medical-use Cannabis Industries
https://masscannabiscontrol.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Review-and-Assessment-of-the-Massachusetts-Adult-and-Medical-Use-Cannabis-Industries.pdf
A proposal to protect small cannabis businesses with municipal “cannabonds”
State-Powered Acceleration of Cannabis Economy Growth Engines
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2110&context=plr
An analysis of the practice of cannabis law & its practitioners
Cannabis Law Practice: Lessons for the Legal Profession in the Twenty-First Century
https://digitalcommons.law.utulsa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3340&context=tlr
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
The Psychoactive Research
In people with depression, 25 mg of psilocybin from Compass Pathways caused a longer maintenance of antidepressant effects than smaller doses
Results From a Long-Term Observational Follow-Up Study of a Single Dose of Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depressive Disorder
https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/long-term-follow-up-study-single-dose-psilocybin-treatment-resistant-episode-major-depressive-disorder/
For depression, a review of psychedelic trials with a European regulatory perspective
A review of psychedelics trials completed in depression, informed by European regulatory perspectives
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772408525001085?via%3Dihub
For depression, LSD as an add-on to the SSRI paroxetine (Paxil) seemed to cause no negative interactions
Acute Effects and Pharmacokinetics of LSD after Paroxetine or Placebo Pre-Administration in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Phase I Trial
https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpt.3618
In brain scans, how psilocybin altered visual perception computations in the brain
Psilocybin alters visual contextual computations
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.06.636848v1
In brain blood flow, psilocin (an active metabolite of psilocybin from mushrooms) decreased blood flow via the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor
Acute psilocybin and ketanserin effects on cerebral blood flow: 5-HT2AR neuromodulation in healthy humans
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0271678X251323364
The Plant & the History
In the Latin American capitals of the 20th century, a thesis project looking at their vice enterprises including drugs
Risky Spaces: A History of Leisure and Vice Enterprise in Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Rio De Janeiro, and Havana, 1910s-1950s
https://www.proquest.com/openview/2303ad97331468218dd3375bd50aaf3e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Thesaurus Corner: David Courtwright’s concept of “limbic capitalism” - economic systems that exploit human neurobiology by promoting addictive behaviors
In northern Morocco, on the different ethnobotanical uses of cannabis
Ethnobotanical study on the different use forms of Cannabis sativa L. in the provinces of Al-Hoceima and Chefchaouen (Northern Morocco)
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/6648
In Himachal Pradesh, India, an ethnobotanical survey includes the use of cannabis
Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants used by Native Inhabitants of Protected Area of District Solan, Himachal Pradesh
https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ije1&volume=51&issue=1&article=006
Growing & Processing
On improving seed germination by a 30-minute soak in hot water
EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TIME IN HOT WATER ON GERMINATION OF CANNABIS SEED
https://theprj.org/index.php/1/article/view/336
On methods of using vegetative stem cuttings on female cannabis & obtaining resin from their inflorescences
Vegetative Propagation of Cannabis sativa and Resin Obtained From its Female Inflorescences
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40028027/
On hemp's damage from various herbicides
Selectivity of herbicides applied in the post-emergence of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03601234.2025.2475647
The first discovered amalgavirus infecting cannabis
In silico description of a new Amalgavirus in the Cannabis sativa transcriptome
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.27.640618v1.full.pdf
In late flowering hemp exposed to abscisic acid or water stress, drought increased CBGA levels in the trichomes while abscisic acid increased terpene levels
Regulation of secondary metabolism in Cannabis sativa glandular trichomes by abscisic acid and water deficit stress during late flowering development
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667064X25000648
Raw spectral data - SWATH-MS of Cannabis sativa glandular trichomes in response to abscisic acid and drought stress
https://researchportal.scu.edu.au/esploro/outputs/dataset/Raw-spectral-data---SWATH-MS-of/991013240313402368
For Indian hemp, the effects of different fertilizer types & environment on yield
Physiology, yield, and nutritional contribution of Indian Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) grown under different fertilizer types and environment
https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/124731/records/67654330fccf879925c0f171
On finding the optimal drying mode for cannabis extract
Quality Assessment of Sublimation of Hemp Extract
https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122282/records/671b4ec9c5fef4778da870b7
On the greenhouse gas patterns of industrial hemp farming
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Greenhouse Gases in Industrial Hemp Farming System
https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2024am/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/162110
Formulating & Analyzing
A CBD self-nanoemulsifying system for enhanced solubility & bioavailability
Formulation and Evaluation of Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System of Cannabidiol for Enhanced Solubility and Bioavailability
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/17/3/340
A liquid crystal delivery of cannabinoids using lipid-based FluidCrystal® formulations
Evaluation of compatibility of FluidCrystal® formulations with fibre-type hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) extracts
https://lmaleidykla.lt/ojs/index.php/chemija/article/view/6204
On measuring terpenes in hydrodistilled cannabis using a GC‐MS method
A Validated GC‐MS Method for Major Terpenes Quantification in Hydrodistilled Cannabis sativa Essential oil
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/pca.3526
On determining terpene levels in cannabis using a GC–MS/GC–FID method
Development of GC–MS coupled to GC–FID method for the quantification of cannabis terpenes and terpenoids
https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122439/records/671262707f591113e2a630cd
For forensic analysis of cannabis, a 13-loci short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex system worked well despite sample degradation
Leveraging Genetics to Support Forensic Toxicology Analysis: Demonstrating Concordance Among Marijuana Samples
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385361449_Leveraging_Genetics_to_Support_Forensic_Toxicology_Analysis_Demonstrating_Concordance_Among_Marijuana_Samples
Food & Nutrition & Hemp Seeds
A nutritional analysis of hemp seed-based foods as a rich source of nutrients & metabolites
Hemp Seed-Based Foods and Processing By-Products Are Sustainable Rich Sources of Nutrients and Plant Metabolites Supporting Dietary Biodiversity, Health, and Nutritional Needs
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/5/875
In food, analyzing cannabinoid levels with an LC-MS/MS method
Validated LC-MS/MS methodology for the quantification of CBD, trace level THCA and UK controlled cannabinoids (Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC, CBN and THCV) in food samples
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39832132/
For the peptides of hemp seeds, finding their immunomodulatory properties through molecular docking studies
Identification, characterization, and molecular docking of immunomodulatory oligopeptides from bioavailable hempseed protein hydrolysates
https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/125077/records/67bd84087a9727816ad34827
In broiler chickens fed with hemp residue, it improved flavor & nutritional value of the meat & had no negative effects on growth performance or survival rates
Effect of Dietary Cannabis sativa L. Residue Supplementation on Meat Quality and Flavor-Enhancing Free Amino Acids in Broiler Chickens
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/5/759
Industrial Uses & Fiber
On making leather from hemp
Industrial Cannabis sativa (Fiber or Hemp): Hemp made Leather
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389429606_Industrial_Cannabis_sativa_Fiber_or_Hemp_Hemp_made_Leather
On the many uses of cannabis biochar including fertilizer, cleaning water & battery electrodes
Cannabis sativa biochar: characterization and preliminary application in plant growth, adsorption and as electrode material
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00829d
In hemp tea waste, using the enzyme lipase to synthesize alkyl oleates
Hemp tea waste-immobilized lipase for the synthesis of alkyl oleates in solvent free systems
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39842612/
On processing hemp hurds into carbon materials for high electrical conductivity
Hemp Hurd Derived Biocarbon Materials: Investigating the Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on the Physicochemical Properties towards High Electrical Conductivity
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12649-025-02940-x
On using hemp shives to remove dye from water
Hemp Shives: A Sustainable Biosorbent for Water Purification by Dye Removal
https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1007.73
Comparing hemp fibers from monoecious vs. dioecious cultivars
Characterization of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) raw bast fibers of monoecious versus dioecious cultivars from flowering to senescence
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813025024031
For the water capillary absorption of hemp concretes, a new testing protocol confirmed by interlaboratory testing
RILEM TC 275-HDB: results of interlaboratory testing for determining capillarity properties of hemp concrete
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1617/s11527-025-02609-w
On using hemp fiber-reinforced composite mortar to strengthen masonry for better seismic resistance
Hemp FRCM as bio-based technique for seismic consolidation of existing masonry buildings
https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJMRI.2025.144887
On how acid casein admixtures affect hemp concrete’s hygrothermal & mechanical performance
Hygrothermal and Mechanical Characterization of Hemp Concrete Modified with Acid Casein Admixture
https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-18900
Hemp clay walls & their thermal performance
Thermal performance of hemp clay walls
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780443328008000056
& hemp-filled bricks
Thermal performance and cost efficiency of hemp filled bricks
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780443328008000238
3D printing with hempcrete
Industrial Cannabis sativa (Fiber or Hemp): 3D printing-Hempcrete-A sustainable building material
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389428200_Industrial_Cannabis_sativa_Fiber_or_Hemp_3D_printing-Hempcrete-A_sustainable_building_material
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
Of high-altitude deaths in the French Alps, 5% of them had cannabis in their system
Fatal accidents at high altitude and cannabis use: A 10-year retrospective study in the French Alps
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352007825000253
Public Health & Driving
In Australia, a review of access to medicinal cannabis through general practitioners
Exploring access to medicinal cannabis through general practitioners in Australia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40043285/
“Living rurally and earning less money were barriers to patients' ability to seek MC. Telehealth cannabis clinics lessened geographical barriers, but not financial barriers.”
In the physicians of Uruguay, surveys of who's prescribing CBD & medical cannabis
Who prescribe medical cannabis in Uruguay?: attitudes and knowledge of prescribers: a preliminar study
http://www.scielo.edu.uy/scielo.php?pid=S2301-12542025000101205&script=sci_abstract&tlng=en
“The most reported therapeutic uses of medicinal cannabis is the treatment of pain, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and spasticity, most of them off label uses. The prescribers reported improvement in their patients and mild adverse reactions… For the most part, the indication arises at the initiative of the patients, and the most frequent was the treatment of pain, followed by neurodegenerative and oncological diseases.”
In Arkansas, on how medical cannabis patients are being certified
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Certifications: Higher-Volume Physicians Associated With Less Evidence Of Care Coordination
https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.00380
“Posttraumatic stress disorder and four pain diagnoses were the most frequent qualifying conditions. We observed care coordination among low-volume certifying physicians, with a majority having both seen and diagnosed the adult with the qualifying conditions. Conversely, seven high-volume certifying physicians, each with more than 1,000 certifications, demonstrated limited contact with those they certified.”
In Wales, on the knowledge of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among emergency department staff
Awareness and management of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome among staff in emergency departments in Wales
https://emj.bmj.com/content/early/2025/03/02/emermed-2024-214519
In US women with HIV, an analysis of their cannabis usage
Patterns of Cannabis Use among Women With HIV in the United States
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10461-025-04669-z
For cannabis edibles on Instagram, a content analysis about their benefits & health claims
#natural, #vegan, #healing: A Content Analysis of Health Content Among Instagram Posts Focused on Cannabis Edibles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39829008/
Adolescents & Young Adults
Using a citizen science platform, cannabis use by youth was associated with more hours of sedentary behavior & screen time
The Association Between Recreational Cannabis Use and 24-hour Movement Behaviours: Perceptions of Youth Citizen Scientists
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40038866/
In young adults with early psychosis, a thesis project of a new app for helping with cannabis use disorder: iCanChange
Expanding e-Mental Health Services : using a person-based approach in developing and testing of iCanChange, a Novel App-based psychological intervention for cannabis use disorder in young adults with early psychosis
https://umontreal.scholaris.ca/items/5f137472-f248-457f-8ca3-c4f26db91084
In Black male college students, increased cannabis use was associated with severe depression
Associations Between Moderately Severe to Severe Depression and Marijuana Usage Among Black Male Collegians: Results from the Healthy Minds Study
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19371918.2025.2475035
In adolescents with depression, a thesis project with a gendered analysis of the effects of alcohol & cannabis use on neurocognitive functioning
Sex Differences in Associations of Neurocognitive Functioning and Depression with Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Adolescents
https://umontreal.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/6a64192f-8199-44f6-8228-e2ae281e2eb0/content
In US youth, increased blunt use was associated with higher levels of anxiety & depression
Psychological Distress is Associated with Blunt Use Among Youth in the US
https://academic.oup.com/ntr/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/ntr/ntaf049/8051064
In adolescents, childhood hopelessness, depression & suicidal behavior were predictors of an earlier initiation of cannabis & tobacco use
Childhood Depression, Hopelessness, and Suicidal Attempt Predict Earlier Tobacco and Marijuana Use Initiation During Adolescence
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40027157/
In the adolescent theory of dual systems imbalance, greater sensation-seeking & lower impulse control was associated with an increased chance of cannabis use, with this relationship moderated significantly by parental monitoring
Dual Systems Imbalance as a Predictor of Marijuana Use Risk: Examining Parental Monitoring as a Moderator
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00220426251326168
In Indian college students, an analysis of their cannabis knowledge & use
Study of Prevalence and Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Beliefs of Cannabis Use in College Students
https://journals.lww.com/aips/fulltext/9900/study_of_prevalence_and_assessment_of_knowledge,.60.aspx
In young adults with problematic cannabis use, a rather uninformative biopsychosocial analysis
Examining dynamic patterns of problematic cannabis use: Results from a multilevel network analysis.
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2025-87915-001
The Brain & Neurological Disorders
In a case study & computer analysis of stroke after cannabis & opioid use, THC showed both neuroprotective & destructive properties via the JAK/STAT3 & IL-6 pathways
Δ 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol and Morphine as Potential Modulators of STAT3 and IL-6 in Ischemic Stroke: A Case Study and In Silico Approaches
https://www.fmjpublishing.com/index.php/JNESMP/article/view/39
In a tissue model of Alzheimer's disease, THC & CBD did not change mRNA expression levels related to BACE1 & DNA methylation
Elucidating the Cytoprotective Effects of Cannabinoids in the SH-SY5Y Cell Line
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/389621179_P1-C-79_Elucidating_the_Cytoprotective_Effects_of_Cannabinoids_in_the_SH-SY5Y_Cell_Line
Mental Health, Addiction & Cannabis Use Disorder
In Zimbabwe’s Shona culture, on mental illness framings around cannabis use
Smoked or Bewitched? The Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Mental Illness Among the Shona Persons in Zimbabwe
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11013-025-09898-4
In people with serious psychological distress, an analysis of their cannabis use trends broken down by race/ethnicity
U.S. Cannabis Use Trends at the Intersection of Serious Psychological Distress and Race/Ethnicity, 2008–2019
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-025-02360-6
For PTSD visits to the emergency department, this public health data from Ontario reported the rates of cannabis involvement to increase 151% after legalization
Cannabis involvement in posttraumatic stress disorder emergency department visits after cannabis legalization
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/ajad.70014
In veterans with PTSD, infrequent and/or recreational cannabis use did not meaningfully impact treatment outcomes
Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2025-88932-001.pdf
In people with PTSD using benzodiazepines & cannabis, on using AI to predict who will stop using the benzos found the strongest predictor to be not currently receiving psychiatric care followed by the self-reported efficacy of medical cannabis in the relieving of PTSD symptoms
Identifying Predictors of Benzodiazepine Discontinuation in Medical Cannabis Patients with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Using a Machine Learning Approach
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/medrxiv/early/2025/03/06/2025.03.05.25323416.full.pdf
On attention, a review of the interactions between THC & nicotine
The Effects of THC and Nicotine on Attention: A Narrative Review
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/7854_2024_568
Validation of the Chinese version of the cannabis dependency scale
Determining the diagnostic cut-off on the Chinese version of severity of dependence scale for cannabis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39839131/
In a rat model of acute stress, the levels of the endocannabinoid 2-AG in the insular cortex inhibited cardiac & anxiety effects
Role of endocannabinoid neurotransmission in the insular cortex on cardiovascular, autonomic and behavioral responses evoked by acute restraint stress in rats
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390825001108
In a rodent model of anxiety & depression, inhibition of FABP5 (an endocannabinoid transporter) “strongly prevented” anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors & potently blocked stress-induced reductions in the hippocampus (memory center of the brain) via the GF-1, CB2 & GPR55 receptors as well as by altered phosphorylation of the Erk1/2, Akt & p70S6 kinase pathways
FABP5 inhibition prevents anxiogenic and depressive-like symptoms through modulation of hippocampal neurogenesis, cannabinoid and neurotrophic signaling
https://www.authorea.com/doi/full/10.22541/au.174060448.80873392
Reproduction & Hormones
A case report of an unexpected birth & then death after prenatal cannabinoid exposure
In utero cannabis exposure and pregnancy denial: A case report on unexpected neonatal death
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352007825000629
An editorial on prenatal cannabis use & the adverse neonatal and early childhood outcomes
Prenatal cannabis use and adverse health outcomes in neonates and early childhood
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39828503/
In a cow model of endometriosis, hemp extracts caused anti-inflammatory effects
Characterisation of components of an extract of hemp and preliminary assessment of anti-inflammatory activity in an ex vivo model of bovine endometritis
https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/publications/characterisation-of-components-of-an-extract-of-hemp-and-prelimin
On creating a rodent prenatal THC exposure model to study neurodevelopmental outcomes
Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
https://app.jove.com/t/68119/preclinical-model-prenatal-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-exposure-to
Pain, Musculoskeletal & Surgeries
In dogs undergoing anesthesia, they had lower levels of anandamide in their blood
Premedication and general anesthetic agents decrease plasma concentration of the endocannabinoid anandamide in dogs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40014917/
In a mouse model of inflammatory & neuropathic pain, electroacupuncture reduced pain via the CB1 receptor’s inhibition of neurons producing GABA (the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter) in the rostral ventromedial medulla (a key pain processing center)
Electroacupuncture produces analgesic effects via cannabinoid CB1 receptor-mediated GABAergic neuronal inhibition in the rostral ventromedial medulla
https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13020-025-01083-4
For pain & inflammation, a computational & preclinical study on cannabis gels
Evaluation of cannabis-derived anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment in animals and identification of cannabinoid-based effective inhibition of prostaglandin through computational studies
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07391102.2025.2472180
How the cetylated fatty acids (important for joint & muscle health) may act through an endocannabinoid-like mechanism
Identification of a Possible Endocannabinoid-Mediated Mechanism of Action of Cetylated Fatty Acids
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/3/363
The Guts, Metabolism & Oral Health
For cyclic vomiting syndrome, the efficacy of a low‐dose of amitriptyline may be boosted by stopping the consumption of opioids & cannabis
Impact of Opioid and Cannabis Use on Low‐Dose Amitriptyline Efficacy in Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome: A Real‐World Study in the United Kingdom
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nmo.70007
In type 1 diabetes, on differentiating diabetic gastroparesis from cannabis hyperemesis syndrome
Differentiating Diabetic Gastroparesis and Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome in People With Type 1 Diabetes
https://diabetesjournals.org/clinical/article-abstract/doi/10.2337/cd24-0096/157950/Differentiating-Diabetic-Gastroparesis-and
A case report of regenerative mouth surgery for a frequent cannabis user
Regenerative surgical therapy in a frequent cannabis consumer: A case study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39826110/
In a rat model of severe pancreatitis, inhibition of the MAGL enzyme (which breaks down 2-AG) protected from damage to lung & pancreas tissue, possibly via the NO/cGMP/ PDE pathway
Protective Effects of Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition in Rats with Severe Acute Pancreatitis and Its Possible Mechanism
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39835571/
In a rat model of obesity due to a high-fat high-fructose diet, the combination of a CB1 antagonist/PPARα agonist/novel amide derivative of oleic acid & tyrosol (oleyl hydroxytyrosol ether) with a GLP-1 agonist (similar to Ozempic) was effective for reducing weight & ameliorating the changes to the brain & guts
A Combined GLP-1/PPARa/CB1-Based Therapy to Restore the Central and Peripheral Metabolic Dysregulation Induced by a High-Fructose High-Fat Diet
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/6/2420
In a mouse model of obesity, how the microbiome & epigenome influence inflammation through regulation of the endocannabinoid system
THE ROLE OF EPIGENOME AND MICROBIOME IN ENDOCRINOID-MEDIATED INFLAMMATION REGULATION IN DIET-INDUCED OBESITY
https://prestieesci.com/journal/index.php/prr/article/view/158
The Immune System & Microbes
In the spleens of rats, CBD decreased the number of some immune cells, at least partially via the CB2 receptor
Repeated administration of cannabidiol decreases splenic lymphocyte numbers in rats: involvement of CB2 receptors
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.24.639985v1.full.pdf
In macrophages of the immune system, cannabis root extract caused anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of nitric oxide production & suppression of proinflammatory factors via the NF-κB, MAPKs & TLR4 pathways
Anti-inflammatory Effects of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Ethanol Extract of Cannabis sativa L. Root in Proinflammatory Macrophages
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/su/d4su00829d
In stem cell therapy, a comparison of cold-pressed vs. supercritical-CO2-extracted hemp seed oil found cold-pressed to have stronger effects
Hemp Seed Oils in Stem Cell Therapy: Cold Pressed vs. Supercritical CO2 Extraction?
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44411-025-00017-8
For antifungal activity, a computer analysis of the cannabinoids & stilbenoids
Exploring the antifungal potential of Cannabis sativa-derived stilbenoids and cannabinoids against novel targets through in silico protein interaction profiling
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39834844/
The Heart
A case report of the fast heart rhythm known as Torsades de Pointes potentially triggered by cannabinoid use
What we may not know: Torsades de Pointes induced by Cannabinoid Use
https://scholarlycommons.gbmc.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1468&context=jchimp
Cancer & Chemotherapy
In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, CBG, CBN, & CBC reduced cell viability, arrested the cell cycle & promoted apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide), with the strongest effects from CBN
126P Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: Involvement of aromatase and hormone receptors
https://www.esmoopen.com/article/S2059-7029(25)00156-5/pdf
The anti-cancer properties of cannabis extract & a green microwave-assisted extraction method
A Green Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Cannabis sativa L. Extract and Its Cytotoxic Activity Against Cancer Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40052396/
Synthetic Cannabinoids & Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids
In a case report of coma due to the synthetic cannabinoid 4F-MDMB-BICA, using molecular network strategy to identify it as the cause
Identification of 4F-MDMB-BICA using a molecular network strategy in a case of severe poisoning with coma
https://academic.oup.com/jat/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jat/bkaf019/8045371
Biochemical Discoveries & Tools
In the CB1 receptor, a cryptic new binding pocket
A cryptic pocket in CB1 drives peripheral and functional selectivity
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08618-7
In our Neural Ocean metaphor, this new receptor binding pocket would be like one of the secret rooms at the Kit Kat Club (IFYKYK).
Molecular docking of CBD on the TRPV3 ion channel
Exploring Cannabidiol‐ Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 3 mediated Biological activities‐Findings from Molecular Docking, Simulation, and Proteins Network Interactions
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cbdv.202403494
A virtual library for discovering new CB1 drugs with fewer side effects
Virtual library docking for cannabinoid-1 receptor agonists with reduced side effects
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57136-7
On synthesizing CBD derivatives using fluorinated alcohols
A Mild and Catalyst‐Free Synthesis of Cannabidiols and Regioisomers Mediated by Fluorinated Alcohols
https://aces.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/asia.202401648
On improving methods for detecting THC & cocaine derivatives in saliva
Detection of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cocaine derivatives in saliva samples: Impact of buccal cell content
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352007825000599
Analyzing cannabinoid metabolites in the blood with an LC-MS/MS
Analysis of Δ-8-THC, Δ-9-THC, and their metabolites in whole blood by LC-MS/MS
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352007825000903
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For today’s Jamaican musical hero, ‘Israelites’ by Desmond Dekker. Born in Kingston, his weekly trips to church & the hymns sung there led to a lifelong religious commitment. Orphaned in his teens, his co-workers in a welding shop noticed Dekker’s vocal talents & encouraged him to try recording (he later did the same for another fellow welder named Bob Marley). The hitmakers Leslie Kong & Derrick Morgan spotted Dekker’s talent but waited 2 years until the young man composed the perfect first song. With ‘Honour Your Father & Mother’, they knew they found it. The single shot to the top of the Jamaican charts & he was soon backed by 4 singing brothers known as the Aces. Their early ska hits were respectful, but in 1967, Derrick Morgan led them to a winning trio of rudeboys-go-to-court songs & the track ‘0.0.7 (Shanty Town)’ became a rudeboy anthem.
Across the pond, as the mod revolution swept the UK, they adopted Dekker as one of their own & led to his first trip to England. His songs continued to be a mix of religious & inspirational scores as well as more rudeboy hits. But it was in 1968 that his greatest hit struck the world: ‘Israelites’, the first Jamaican song ever to crack the US Top 10. Unfortunately, soon after, his great producer Leslie Kong died young in 1971 of a heart attack. It left Dekker devastated & while he continued to release hits through the ‘70s, he had less & less pulling power in the UK where he now lived. The 2-Tone movement of the late ‘70s reinvigorated his career & he signed up with a punk label to be backed by the British rock band the Rumors. His career continued to ebb & flow over the next decades, but more & more labels created compilations from his huge archive of defining songs across the ska, rocksteady & reggae eras. Dekker died in his London home in 2006 at the age of 64, leaving a legacy as one of the most wide-ranging & influential musicians of Jamaica.
This newsletter is the backbone of my work & I hope it brings you a measure of value. If so, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription & support my sharing all of the new cannabinoid science each week.