C&P#148: neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal injury repair & heart arrhythmias
Albania goes medical, German prisoners now allowed 50g in their cells & Canada allows a CHS class action lawsuit
🌟 This week 🌟
For neuropathic pain from your chemo, combine CBD & exercise
Cannabinoids for musculoskeletal injury repair
Cannabis use linked to a 71% increased risk of atrial arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
Another secret buyer analysis of CBD gummies with terrible results
Preclinical: PEA for Alzheimer’s + cannabis oil for kidney damage + CBD for lowering opioid respiratory depression
In the War on Drugs, India uses ‘bulldozer justice’, Georgia (country) plants drugs on activists, Oregon spends harm reduction money on police tech & California sheriffs destroy thousands of sacred plants at a Native American Church
On harm reduction, US guts, Canada struggles but leads while France ends its SIF experiment
CBD & CBDV as fungus killers
Cannabis stems for brightening your skin
Hemp fibers for better dentistry prosthetics
Brain scans of the shamanic state of consciousness
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 148th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science, canna-news, War on Drugs coverage, harm reduction & psychedelic updates. Upgrade to a paid subscription here to support my work sharing canna-science. As always, ask me anything.
(this week’s numbers: 7,100 words, ~17 minutes reading time, 141 papers)
📌 Editor’s note:
Next Monday, I’ll be leaving for Cannabis Europa in London. Hope to see you all there.
🤝 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 ($100!). Join now to share your experience & contribute valuable data that could revolutionize healthcare for many patients nationwide. To learn more & sign up, visit:
https://ncs.cannabisandhealth.org/
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🧰 Free resources
CVResearch.info: the extensive cannabinoid science archive I maintain for CV Sciences
Canna-edu videos: on YouTube @CVScienceInc & on TikTok @pluscbd
My Free How-To Guides on cannabinoids for different conditions. #AMAGlossary of Cannabinoid Terms (& my Neural Ocean metaphor)
And as always, at the bottom is the album of the week.
💖 Ways to support this work 💖
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🐋 For more from Lex… (my Linktree)
My canna-graphic novel series based on Moby Dick, ‘‘Anandamide; or, the Cannabinoid’ to explain endocannabinoid science, the darkness of the War on Drugs & the long human history with our favorite plant.
See the volumes ‘SUNset’ (Queer canna-history from the AIDS crisis) & ‘The CROWN’ (the story of the hunt for the chemical structure of CBN, the first fully-solved cannabinoid in the 1940s). To see more about this ongoing series, see lexpelger.comThe first 2 seasons of my podcast ‘The Lex Files’ on cannabinoids, psychedelics & spirituality
Work with my company White Whale Creations to produce content for cannabis & psychedelic companies: writing, science archives, social media content, newsletters & podcasts: my portfolio
📣 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)
It’s done! I finished backing up all of my earliest TikTok book videos to YouTube. Here’s the very first ones I ever created:
'The Histories' by Herodotus (my first video)
poetry: 'The Voice That Is Great Within Us' by Hayden Carruth + the second video I made accidentally
my marriage poem: A Pretty How Town by ee cummings
Graphic Witness with woodcut graphic novels from 4 of the greats
Barabbas by Pär Lagerkvist (Nobel Prize winner)
target audience (#nogodissobeneficentastopromiseyoutomorrow) (why I did these almost 1,000 book videos)
🍃 Best Of (Phyto)Cannabinoid Science 🍃
⚕️ Clinical ⚕️
For pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy, an observational study across 19 Thai hospitals found that CBD reduced seizure rates
National Multicenter Cohort Study: Adjunctive Cannabidiol-Enriched Cannabis Oil for Pediatric Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Treatment in Thailand
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40460512/
In people with neuropathic pain from their chemotherapy cancer treatments, the combination of CBD & exercise lowered neurotoxic symptoms & improved handgrip strength, gait speed, manual dexterity & perceived physical function
Cannabidiol and multi-modal exercise for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer survivors
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-025-09553-z
In Minnesota's obstructive sleep apnea program, a survey found that almost 40% of patients experienced significant improvements within four months of starting medical cannabis
Sleep Apnea Report Medical Cannabis Program / Division of Medical Cannabis
https://mn.gov/ocm/dmc/data-reports/special-reports/sleepapnea.jsp
In tests of sleep latency (time until falling asleep), there was a non-significant trend of cannabis users falling asleep faster but having a greater rate of severe sleepiness & narcolepsy
Impact of Cannabis Smoking on Multiple Sleep Latency Test Outcomes
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jsr.70107
In people living with HIV, regular cannabis use had a normalizing effect on their neural oscillations involved with motor control, suggesting therapeutic utility
Motor-Related Neural Dynamics are Modulated by Regular Cannabis Use Among People with HIV
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11481-025-10219-0
In neuroimaging of cannabis users, the high-potency users had less blood flow to the prefrontal areas of their brain
Differences in brain dysfunction between regular users of low- and high-potency legal cannabis.
https://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/66/supplement_1/252261.abstract
In US adults using delta-8-THC, a survey found they were more likely to be dealing with a chronic medical condition, especially diabetes, heart disease & cancer
The association between chronic medical health conditions and Delta-8 THC use among U.S. Adults
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14659891.2025.2512507
🩺 Case Reports 🩺
In a case report of post-operative neuropathic pain, 75 mg of CBG, 60 mg of CBD & 3 mg of THC reduced pain & improved mobility
Cannabinoids for treatment of postoperative neuropathic pain: a case report
https://jbmps.com.br/jbmps/article/view/4
A case report of acute confusion & mobility loss potentially from the combination of gabapentin, cannabis & a bunch of alcohol & other drugs
Cannabis and Polypharmacy Leading to Hospitalization for Acute Confusion and Inability to Ambulate
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40225514/
A case report of a young adult with cannabis use linked to a heart attack & loss of blood to a lower limb
Cannabis triggered acute myocardial infarction leading to acute limb ischemia: A case report
https://jcimcr.org/pdfs/JCIMCR-v6-3580.pdf
In a paywalled case report, cardiac arrest potentially from a fatal synergy of cannabis & SSRIs
Cardiac arrest in a young female: the potentially fatal synergy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and recreational marijuana use
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00015385.2025.2500889
📑 Reviews 📑
For rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injury, a systematic review of 24 studies found that cannabis had a moderate painkilling effect & CBD reduced inflammation with overall improvements found in mobility & therapy adherence
Cannabis in Acute Injury Rehabilitation: Analgesic Efficacy, Functional Outcomes and Dependency Risks
https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60152
For motor neuron diseases (a group of rare neurodegenerative disorders with muscle weakness), a literature review on the benefits of CBD
Study of the Relationship between Cannabidiol and Motor Neuron Disease
https://www.kspublisher.com/media/articles/MERJMS_53_259-268c.pdf
For orofacial pain, this systematic review found cannabinoids helped with pain, oral inflammation & bone growth
Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Perspectives for Management of Orofacial Pain, Oral Inflammation and Bone Healing—A Systematic Review
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/8/3766
For gastrointestinal cancers, a review of CBD's efficacy & molecular pathways for anticancer effects
Targeting Gastrointestinal Cancers with Cannabidiol: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Therapeutic Implications
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12032-025-02790-6
For the agitation of Alzheimer's disease, this review looked at how low levels of CB1 receptors are linked to neurobehavioral alterations & the potential therapeutic benefits of activating the CB1 receptor
Dysregulated Neurotransmitters and CB1 Receptor Dysfunction and Their Roles in Agitation Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
https://www.mdpi.com/3042-4518/2/2/15
For anti-seizure activity, a review of CBD & the potential interaction with microRNA (aka miRNA, regulators of genetic transcription)
Cannabidiol and microRNAs: shared cellular targets and new insights for developing anti-seizure modalities
https://academic.oup.com/jpp/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jpp/rgaf039/8156016
For cannabis delivery systems, a review of 99 patents from the last 18 years included microneedles, emulsions & extracellular vesicles
Innovations in Cannabis Delivery Systems: A Patent Review (2012-2024)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40454502/
In veterinary medicine, a review of its therapeutic use & cardiovascular effects [Spanish]
Therapeutic use and cardiovascular effects of Cannabis spp. in veterinary medicine
https://revistamvz.unicordoba.edu.co/article/view/3459
⚠️ Harms ⚠️
For cannabis use & atrial arrhythmias (an irregular heartbeat usually leading to poor blood flow), a meta-analysis of 14 studies found cannabis use linked to a 71% increased risk of atrial arrhythmias
Cannabis Use and Atrial Arrhythmias: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Large Populational Studies
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1547527125025238
In public health data on people having an operation, those with a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder had an increased risk of a major cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event (heart attack or stroke) while the recreational users had an increased risk if they were already in the high cardiac risk category
Association of cannabis use with major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events after surgery or interventional procedures
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40204668/
In brain scans of people with cannabis use disorders as well as those with first-episode schizophrenia, their increased psychosis risk centered on dysregulated dopamine signaling
Convergence of Cannabis and Psychosis on the Dopamine System
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40202728/
For prenatal cannabis use, a review & meta-analysis of 51 studies found cannabis use in pregnancy associated with increased odds of low birth weight, preterm birth & small-for-gestational-age as well as low certainty evidence for greater odds of perinatal mortality
Prenatal Cannabis Use and Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://www.cannabisevidence.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/JAMA-Peds-Accepted-Version-CUP-2025.pdf
In public health data on infants, prenatal cannabis exposure was associated with fewer primary care visits but an increased risk of visiting a healthcare specialist & in the highest income brackets, a 2x increase in outpatient psychiatrist visits
Association Between Prenatal Cannabis Exposure and Child Health Care Use: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Ontario, Canada
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950541025000134
For adults with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, guidelines for emergency departments on pharmaceutical treatments
Managing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in adult patients in the emergency department
https://academic.oup.com/ajhp/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/ajhp/zxaf125/8155679
“Common therapies for CHS include dopamine antagonists such as haloperidol and droperidol, conventional antiemetics such as ondansetron and metoclopramide, and topical capsaicin. Opioids and benzodiazepines should not be used as first-line therapy for CHS.”
In a mouse model of adolescent THC exposure, they had enrichment in genes associated with human psychiatric disorders, especially in those related to GABA (the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter)
Single-Nucleus Transcriptomics Identifies Neuroblast Migration Programs Sensitive to Reelin and Cannabis in the Adolescent Nucleus Accumbens
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40236084/
🐁 Preclinical 🐁
In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, PEA restored metabolic changes including the rebalancing of lactate-glutamate metabolism, increased taurine synthesis & transport, upregulated receptor expression & mitigated neurodegenerative processes
Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide restores astrocyte-neuron metabolic coupling and Klotho/FGF21 signaling in a triple-transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6758412/v1
In a rat model of kidney damage, Lebanese cannabis oil extract decreased biomarkers of kidney toxicity, reduced renal vascular dilation & protected against kidney damage
Therapeutic Effect of Lebanese Cannabis Oil Extract in the Management of Sodium Orthovanadate-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/9/4142
In a rat model of buprenorphine-induced respiratory depression, CBD increased the painkilling power & attenuated the respiratory depression
Combination of Cannabidiol and Low-Dose Buprenorphine Suggests Synergistic Analgesia and Attenuates Buprenorphine-Induced Respiratory Depression
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/can.2025.0004
In a rat model of obesity & insulin resistance, CBG reduced excessive levels of ceramide & helped with homeostasis in skeletal muscle
Cannabigerol – A potent regulator of insulin sensitivity in rat’s skeletal muscle via targeting the sphingolipid metabolism and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1357272525000871
Against the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, CBD & CBDV acted as a fungicide & prevented formation of biofilm (a city-like assembly of microorganisms that make them harder to treat)
Uncovering the antifungal potential of Cannabidiol and Cannabidivarin
https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013081
In E. coli bacteria, CBD had antimicrobial & anti-biofilm properties
Cannabidiol as a potential anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing agent against Escherichia coli O157:H7
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0254629925003060
In cannabis stems, an analysis of their anti-inflammatory & skin brightening effects
Exploring Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Tyrosinase Potentials and Phytochemical Profiling of Cannabis sativa Stems Byproducts
https://www.mdpi.com/2413-4155/7/2/77
🧬 Novel Studies 🧬
(my grab bag section for intriguing studies or stuff I haven’t quite seen before)
In CBD gummies, an analysis of 56 products found 70% contained CBD levels that differed by 10% from the packaging, 39% had highly variable levels of THC & 16% contained greater than 0.4 mg THC per gummy
Cannabidiol Gummy Products: LC-MS/MS Assessment of Cannabinoid Concentrations
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/can.2024.0167
In human hair, an analysis found that exposure to cannabis smoke in small environments for just 15 minutes can result in detectable THC levels
Analysis of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on hair after single and repeated short in vivo passive exposures to low- and high-Δ9-THC-cannabis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073825001537
Establishing a standardized mouse model of cannabis distillate vaporization
Development of a Preclinical Inhalation Model to Test Vaporized Cannabis Distillates
https://app.jove.com/t/68094/development-preclinical-inhalation-model-to-test-vaporized-cannabis
📰 US Headlines & Fav Articles 📰
The US Dept of Agriculture sent a letter warning retailers that it's illegal to use SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for products containing cannabis
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/feds-warn-retailers-that-accepting-welfare-benefits-for-marijuana-or-cbd-could-result-in-criminal-prosecution/
In Texas, reporter John Schroyer reports that the Texas hemp ban is a Shakespearean power move of the lieutenant governor against the governor
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7337941792018833408/
And in the favorite LinkedIn comment I’ve posted in months, I said: “If this is Shakespearean, I hope it ends with a bed trick where they wind up sleeping with each other & being forced to marry.”
#MeasureForMeasure #AllsWellThatEndsWell
(it’s funny that I happen to study back to back, the only two Shakespeare plays with a “bed trick” (where, because of a secret swap, you end up sleeping with someone other than who you thought))
In Alabama, smokable hemp products will become illegal to sell or possess on July 1st
https://www.al.com/politics/2025/06/ag-answers-burning-question-at-center-of-alabamas-controversial-new-thc-law.html
In Connecticut, police are now allowed to pull over drivers if they observe suspected cannabis consumption & detect the odor of burnt cannabis
https://portal.ct.gov/governor/-/media/office-of-the-governor/bill-notifications/2025/bill-notification-2025-11.pdf
Easy to imagine how racistly this will be applied…
In Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore proudly mentioned his "largest mass pardon in the history of the United States of America for misdemeanor cannabis convictions"
https://www.semafor.com/article/06/05/2025/wes-moore-i-dont-need-studies-just-do-the-work
In South Carolina, agricultural data suggests many farmers are turning away from hemp because of an oversaturated market
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/south-carolina-farmers-once-hopeful-about-hemps-economic-potential-are-turning-away-from-the-crop/
This was always going to be the case. Before the Farm Bill, anyone who could run the numbers would see that to supply the entire CBD needs of the nation, you'd only need a couple of big hemp farms in the Midwest. This was never going to be a boon for small farmers. It just ended up being a false promise that led to a lot of wasted efforts by farmers & hemp harvests being stuck in storage with nowhere to go.
Wild story & good reporting: ‘How a former lawmaker grew weed with alleged Chinese crime groups in rural Main’
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/06/04/how-a-former-lawmaker-grew-weed-with-alleged-chinese-crime-groups-in-rural-maine/
In memory of Wade Laughter, ‘the unsung hero of CBD’ & discoverer of the CBD-rich Harlequin cultivar
https://projectcbd.org/health/remembering-wade-laughter-the-unsung-hero-of-cbd/
On the 1976 cannabis arrest of Gilberto Gil, the influential Brazilian musician, activist & later politician
“Quando nós chegamos no hospício”: a prisão de Gilberto Gil por posse de maconha em Florianópolis em 1976
https://www.scielo.br/j/rdp/a/GBBW7bWhrDDwvfnX8tLQy5b/abstract/?lang=en
A 5th century Iranian manuscript’s paper found to be made from hemp & flax
The structural and appearance characteristics investigation of two manuscripts from the 5th century AH belonging to Malek National Library and Museum Institute
https://jra-tabriziau.ir/browse.php?a_id=408&sid=1&slc_lang=en&ftxt=0
Instagram post of the week: stoned Army pilot
I have a whole treasure trove of every cannabis-related Postsecret post I've ever seen.
Grand Theft Auto 5 clip of the week: Chop the dog getting stoned
🌐 International News 🌐
Release of the European Drug Report 2025 by the EU Drugs Agency found more cathinones, semi-synthetic cannabinoids & nitazenes (a novel synthetic opioid)
https://www.euda.europa.eu/news/2025/rapid-drug-market-shifts-create-new-risks-and-challenge-europe-preparedness_en
In Albania, the government has approved the cultivation of cannabis for medical & industrial purposes, despite fears of state capture by organized crime
https://www.tiranatimes.com/albania-legalizes-cannabis-amid-crime-and-state-capture-fears/
For France, a report soon to be released on the state of medical cannabis
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/benjaminalexandrejeanroy_report-france-cannabis-activity-7338595900904091649-7W73/
In Canada, a class-action lawsuit was certified against Aurora Cannabis for not warning about the potential of developing cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/aurora-cannabis-chs-class-action-certified-821318916.html
Whew. They do have a point with that one. It's certainly not a common negative side effect, but it does occur. If this was happening with any other drug or intoxicant, you would be required to warn about the possibility.
In Germany, a court ruled prisoners are allowed to possess up to 50 grams of cannabis in their cells
https://www.lto.de/recht/nachrichten/n/5ors1725121srs3125-kammergericht-cannabis-in-haft-erlaubt-strafvollzug
Love this.
In Italy, the battle continues as a court ruled that hemp flowers & their derivatives are legal under EU law
https://www.newsweed.fr/tribunal-italien-meloni-chanvre/
In Pakistan, government funds allocated to support medical cannabis & hemp cultivation
https://propakistani.pk/2025/06/08/govt-to-spend-nearly-rs-2-billion-on-producing-cannabis-and-hemp/
In Switzerland, interviewing stakeholders in Swiss cannabis policy
Negotiating the divide: Science, politics, and institutional boundaries in Swiss cannabis regulation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395925001653
In South Korea, a sharp rise in synthetic cannabis use among adolescents
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/south-korea-sees-sharp-rise-in-synthetic-cannabis-use-among-teenagers
⚖️ Business, Laws & Education ⚖️
On the failure of social equity in cannabis by Marc Hauser
https://cannabismusings.substack.com/p/cannabis-musings-june-11-2025
It’s true. It all comes down to money & in almost every state, social equity was a sham.
An analysis of the investment relationship between five cannabis companies & companies from the alcohol, tobacco & pharmaceutical sectors
Like birds of a feather? A multi-case study on the connections between cannabis, tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceutical companies in legalized cannabis markets
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095539592500163X
“Some cannabis companies have secured substantial investments from alcohol and tobacco firms, which view cannabis as both a competitor and an opportunity for market expansion. These investments often come with influence, allowing industries to shape the cannabis market. Additionally, employee flows indicate cross-industry expertise transfer, particularly in management, finance, and strategy.”
The cannabis policies of tribal communities in the US & Native American use
Marijuana policy and tribal communities in the United States
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41271-025-00572-y
In Kentucky, an analysis of local cannabis policies based on their size & type of government
Kentucky’s city and county bans on medical marijuana businesses: determinants of mixed policy environments
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/dhs-02-2025-0006/full/html
In Indonesia, a legal analysis of the medical use of cannabis by its citizens outside Indonesia
LEGAL ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA AGAINST INDONESIAN CITIZENS UNDERGOING MARIJUANA TREATMENT OUTSIDE INDONESIA
https://journal.unesa.ac.id/index.php/ijcl/article/view/40940
🚓 The War on Drugs 🚓
On the checkered career of Ghada Waly, the outgoing director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
https://idpc.net/blog/2025/06/when-the-going-gets-tough-leadership-change-at-unodc-amidst-global-turmoil-un-reforms-and-drug
US & the DEA
A new Cartel Task Force under the House Intelligence Committee on improving intelligence collection against drug cartels
https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/04/house-intel-committee-cartel-fentanyl-task-force/84032721007/
Along US coastlines, on the challenges of detecting & intercepting narcotics
MARITIME DRUG TRAFFICKING ON UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COASTS: CHALLENGES IN DETECTING AND INTERCEPTING NARCOTICS
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ayoola-Fadola/publication/392311874_MARITIME_DRUG_TRAFFICKING_ON_UNITED_STATES_OF_AMERICA_COASTS_CHALLENGES_IN_DETECTING_AND_INTERCEPTING_NARCOTICS/links/683cd36c8a76251f22ead91d/MARITIME-DRUG-TRAFFICKING-ON-UNITED-STATES-OF-AMERICA-COASTS-CHALLENGES-IN-DETECTING-AND-INTERCEPTING-NARCOTICS.pdf
In Oregon, funds meant for addiction services instead spent on prosecutors & police tech
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/19/oregon-addiction-spending
In police officers in the northeast US, a survey of their perception on the severity of drug-related corruption
A serious high? Police perceptions of drug-related corruption in the northeastern United States
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/pijpsm-03-2025-0045/full/html
Latin America
An anthology on the recent period of Latin American gangs & cartels with 40+ contributors
Third Generation Gangs and Transnational Cartels
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/05/25/third-generation-gangs-and-transnational-cartels/
‘The Rise and Fall of the Choneros, Ecuador’s Drug Trafficking Opportunists’
https://insightcrime.org/news/rise-fall-choneros-ecuador-drug-trafficking-pioneers/
In Guyana, how drug trafficking took root in the disputed Essequibo region
https://insightcrime.org/investigations/drug-trafficking-disputed-essequibo/
In Argentina, a policeman was fired after he claimed 500+ kilograms of cannabis were eaten by rats
https://cannabislaw.report/argentina-policemen-fired-for-claiming-missing-540kg-of-seized-cannabis-was-eaten-by-rats/
In Brazilian drug trafficking cases, on how the judge's background & career profile significantly influenced sentencing length
The Effect of Judges’ Profiles on Sentencing Drug Trafficking
https://www.scielo.br/j/rdgv/a/bfq6KZBGSYYy3vQyKZ7k8yg/
In Honduras, a thesis fieldwork analysis of conditions before & after narco-trafficking intrusion
Effects of Narco-Trafficking: A Study on Pre - and Post - Narco Trafficking Intrusion in La Moskitia
https://www.proquest.com/openview/7d90e2168b5557350901046c64e5e024/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Europe
In Georgia, NGOs claim fake drug charges used to arrest protesters
https://www.talkingdrugs.org/fake-drug-charges-used-to-arrest-georgian-protestors-claims-watchdog-ngo/
A businessman & secret drug kingpin caught after informing on the shipments of his rivals
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14jpymxrkno
Asia & Middle East
In Afghanistan, an analysis of the last 40+ years of opium production & the influence of war
War, opium and economic growth in Afghanistan
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02634937.2025.2498951
And on the Taliban's recent opium ban
https://trt.global/world/article/dd19720c8f11
In India, 'bulldozer justice' is used against alleged drug consumers where their houses are leveled before trial or conviction
https://www.talkingdrugs.org/bulldozer-justice-unleashed-on-indias-alleged-drug-consumers/
In Malaysia, the rising drug mule crisis
https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/05/31/malaysias-rising-drug-mule-crisis/
An Indonesian legal analysis of the restorative justice framework for drug offenses
LEGAL ANALYSIS OF DRUG ABUSE LAW TREATMENT THROUGH A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE APPROACH TO THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392390522_LEGAL_ANALYSIS_OF_DRUG_ABUSE_LAW_TREATMENT_THROUGH_A_RESTORATIVE_JUSTICE_APPROACH_TO_THE_COUNTRY'S_ECONOMY
🛡️ Harm Reduction News 🛡️
As Trump guts harm reduction programs, activists fight back
https://www.salon.com/2025/05/24/only-the-people-can-save-the-people-as-guts-harm-reduction-programs-activists-fight-back/
#CANADA
Under a proposed Quebec law, a safe consumption site might have to move 7 meters at the cost of millions to be slightly farther away from a school
https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/article/maison-benoit-labre-may-have-to-move-safe-consumption-site-7-metres-under-proposed-quebec-law/
https://www.montrealgazette.com/news/provincial-news/provincial-politics/article969909.html
And the closing of an Ottawa safer supply clinic
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/controversial-safer-supply-clinic-closing-its-doors-next-week-1.7541136
And In Alberta, Canada, clean drug inhalation supplies are being throttled back with negative consequences for people who use drugs
https://drugdatadecoded.ca/recovery-alberta-is-choking-off-inhalation-supplies-2/
And in some Winnipeg schools, naloxone kits to be available
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-naloxone-opioid-overdose-school-1.7556509
And a study on homicide rates found no increases near supervised consumption services
Investigating the spatial association between supervised consumption services and homicide rates in Toronto, Canada, 2010–2023: an ecological analysis
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanam/article/PIIS2667-193X(25)00032-8/fulltext
In France, the government will end their five-year experiment with “salles de shoot sont-elles” (“shooting galleries” aka safe consumption sites) in Paris & Strasbourg
https://www.lepoint.fr/societe/salles-de-shoot-l-echec-d-une-ideologie-14-05-2025-2589600_23.php
Among black Kentuckians, overdose deaths dropped thanks to harm reduction efforts
https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2025-06-04/alcohol-and-drug-abuse-prevention/harm-reduction-efforts-led-to-drop-in-overdose-deaths-among-black-kentuckians/a97071-1
In Scotland, an increase in drug deaths despite the opening of the UK's first safe drugs consumption room, the Thistle
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/shocking-rise-suspected-drugs-deaths-35367508
In New Zealand, safer smoking kits would improve public health but they are illegal
https://theconversation.com/providing-safe-smoking-kits-could-reduce-harm-from-meth-use-but-nz-law-wont-allow-it-254695
Harm Reduction Research
On the links between overdoses & brain injuries by Filter
https://filtermag.org/overdose-brain-injury-crisis/
In 23 countries, a survey about their opioid agonist treatment practices & policies
Policy and Practice of Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) in 23 Countries
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40444786/
I consider methadone, buprenorphine & naloxone to be a basic human right for treatment of opioid use disorders. And the next step as well: opioid safe supply programs. Switzerland showed us that if you give people unlimited amounts of clean heroin, not only do they not overdose, but the majority gradually taper their use off to nothing, and the rest taper off to a daily moderate dose. In a generation or two, we will look back on how we treated people with opioid use disorders with the same horror as we now do for lobotomy treatments for the mentally ill.
In Alberta, Canada, the greater availability of take-home naloxone kits was associated with a reduction in opioid-related deaths
The effect of take-home naloxone kits on opioid-related deaths in Alberta, Canada: An ecological analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40459670/
For recovery community centers in the US, a systematic review on improvements to substance use, recovery & psychosocial functioning
One-stop shopping for recovery? A systematic review of the evidence on U.S. recovery community centers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40447107/
An editorial against the “Goldilocks” naloxone dosing of trying to be precise with the amount of naloxone being administered
You have to be alive to enjoy the porridge: The role of Goldilocks naloxone dosing in a world of hungry bears
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40458977/
In emergency departments dealing with illicit drug overdoses, a retrospective study on the best practice recommendations
Emergency Department-Initiated Interventions for Illicit Drug Overdose: Retrospective Study Findings and Best Practice Recommendations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40455629/
A pragmatic lens on countering the stagnation as harm reduction goes from a grassroots approach to an institutional one
Countering the institutionalization of harm reduction through critical pragmatism
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395925001720
A US survey on what the public wants to know about addiction
What does the American public want to know about addiction? A national systematic qualitative investigation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40193447/
In Norwegian harm reduction, an analysis of their distribution of supplies found a steady increase since 2016
Trends in distribution of harm-reduction equipment for persons who use drugs in Norway, 2016-2022. Archival analysis based on nationwide data collections
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40448244/
“This positive trend demonstrates progress in addressing the negative consequences of drug use and aligns with Norwegian national strategies to mitigate drug-related harms.”
For the tranquilizer xylazine (increasingly found as an adulterant in fentanyl), on the harm reduction practices among people receiving treatment for substance use disorders
'Tranq': perceptions of xylazine and harm reduction practices among people receiving treatment for substance use disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40448143/
On youth in the legal system with substance use disorders, an economic analysis of their unmet needs
Addressing unmet need for substance use disorder treatment among youth in the legal system (YLS): Costs of structured implementation interventions with juvenile justice agencies in seven states
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40447111/
For women with substance use disorders during their reproductive years, a pilot test of a model to promote reproductive autonomy in a recovery community center
Championing reproductive and perinatal health with the recovery community: improving access to healthcare and health promotion resources to support recovery
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40438077/
In Durban, South Africa, interviews of people working on harm reduction programs
Harm reduction in substance use: perspectives and experiences of community volunteers and student interns in Durban, South Africa
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40442799/
For naloxone videos on TikTok, an analysis of their accuracy & the information offered
A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Analysis of Naloxone-Related Content on the Social Media Platform TikTok
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40447453/
🍄 Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives 🍄
On the new journal ‘Psychedelics’, edited by friend of the newsletter Tehseen Noorani
A new season, a new Psychedelics journal
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950484825000013
Results from the embattled study of psilocybin in religious leaders deepening their spirituality
Effects of Psilocybin on Religious and Spiritual Attitudes and Behaviors in Clergy from Various Major World Religions
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/psymed.2023.0044
And Michael Pollan’s coverage in the New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/05/26/this-is-your-priest-on-drugs
A Native American church was raided by a sheriff who destroyed thousands of sacred psychoactive plants
https://cannabislaw.report/california-evergreen-farms-native-american-church-says-a-sheriffs-department-seized-and-destroyed-thousands-of-psychoactive-plants-revered-as-sacred/
Kratom criminalized in Louisiana
https://x.com/HaddowMac/status/1931032892278251819
The last legal plant painkiller has been under attack. It's certainly true that there are addiction risks with kratom, but there's a reason for the strong pushback against criminalization by activists & patient advocates. Instead of opioids, many people use kratom tea or powder as a safer form of pain control.
In Iron Age Arabia, first evidence of the psychoactive Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala) being burned in rituals
Metabolic profiling reveals first evidence of fumigating drug plant Peganum harmala in Iron Age Arabia
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-08096-7
The Psychoactive Research
Brain scans of the shamanic state of consciousness
Neural Correlates of the Shamanic State of Consciousness
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33815077/
For spiritual health practitioners who use psychedelics for therapy, a survey of their motivations
What motivates spiritual health practitioners in psychedelic-assisted therapy? A qualitative study and implications for facilitator training practices
https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/psychedelics/1/2/article-p31.xml
For psychedelic users, they were more likely to not be affiliated with a religion, but did not have changes to their religiosity or spirituality
How Does Psychedelic Use Relate to Aspects of Religiosity/Spirituality? Preregistered Report From a Birth Cohort Study and a Prospective Longitudinal Study
https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-13123-001.html
In the US, the geographic variability of recent drug use
Geographical Differences in Self-Reported Past 12-Month Drug Use: Results from the NDEWS Rapid Street Reporting, 2021–2023
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10826084.2025.2511242
“While there were no regional differences in the prevalence of recreational cannabis use, psilocybin, and cocaine use were more commonly reported by people in the West versus the Midwest… We also found a higher prevalence of cocaine use reported by participants in the Northeast compared to participants in the Midwest.”
For ketamine & treatment-resistant depression, a cost-utility analysis showed significant utility gains & higher quality-adjusted life years
Economic evaluation of subcutaneous ketamine injections for treatment resistant depression: A randomised, double-blind, active-controlled trial – The KADS study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032725009449
For hallucinogen use & prescription drug misuse, a US survey found those who used hallucinogens to be more likely to misuse prescription drugs & to use illicit drugs
Hallucinogen Use and Associated Illicit Drug Use and Prescription Drug Misuse Among Adults in the USA: Results from a National Survey
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-025-01506-1
For psychedelic trials, a systematic review evaluating the evidence
From Efficacy to Effectiveness: Evaluating Psychedelic Randomized Controlled Trials for Trustworthy Evidence-Based Policy and Practice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40230191/
For the reporting of setting in psychedelic trials, a Delphi consensus (a method of reaching consensus among experts) on the most important items to be noted
An international Delphi consensus for reporting of setting in psychedelic clinical trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40461819/
🍃 The Plant & its Products 🍃
A lab report on terpene profiles & benefits
Terpenes in Cannabis: Review of therapeutic benefits and application to Distillate and Decarboxylated Rosin products
https://geslabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Terpenes-Report.pdf
🌱 Growing & Extracting 🌱
In South African landraces (cannabis cultivar specific to a certain region), seed aging significantly reduced germination, viability & performance
Germination response of South African cannabis landraces to accelerated aging: Implications for seed storage
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878818125001446
For outdoor irrigated hemp in Utah, hemp requires only as much nitrogen & phosphorus fertilizer as corn
Response of floral hemp production to fertilizer nitrogen and phosphorus rates
https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/agg2.70124
In Thailand, plants fertilized with inorganic NPK or vermicompost yielded the highest levels of CBD
Organic nutrients and their potential to enhance agronomic performance measures and cannabinoid levels in cultivated Cannabis sativa L.
https://www.cropj.com/Sungthongwisesa_15_05_2025_557_566.pdf
In a Vermont field trial, on the effects of seeding rates
2024 Industrial Hemp Fiber Seeding Rate Trial
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1615&context=nwcsp
On a PCR test for sexing cannabis seedlings
Promising high fidelity genetic markers for sexing Cannabis sativa seedlings
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40203194/
On the best media for repeated cannabis cutting cycles
Modified Media for Repeated In Vitro Cutting Cycles of Cannabis sativa Without the Use of Cytokinin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40219207/
In Washington State cannabis production, a thesis project on environmental impacts
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Cannabis Production Systems in the state of Washington
https://cedar.wwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2416&context=wwuet
For the changes in cannabis genetics since the easing of prohibition, a thesis project interviewing cannabis breeders around the world
Post-Prohibition Changes in Cannabis Genetics
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3379&context=etd
On the genetic history of the Y chromosome of cannabis
Haplotype-resolved genome assembly of seed hemp (Cannabis sativa) revealed molecular divergence of Y chromosome evolution
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6374740/v1
⚙️ Formulating & Analyzing ⚙️
On analyzing cannabinoid levels in plants & oils using a liquid chromatographic method
Development and validation of a liquid chromatographic method to analyze cannabinoids in plants and oils
https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=10212254
In ionic liquids, a thesis project on measuring CBD levels
A Chemical Investigation: Monitoring Cannabidiol Concentration in the Presence of Ionic Liquids
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4482&context=hon_thesis
🍞 Food, Nutrition & Hemp Seeds 🍞
In broiler chickens, supplementing their diets with cannabis residue improved meat quality & antioxidant capacity
Effect of Cannabis sativa residue supplementation on meat quality, antioxidative capacity, and immune response in 34-day-old broiler chickens
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/1828051X.2025.2511270
For hemp seeds, a review of their preparation, use in foods & health effects
Preparation, Modification, Food Application, and Health Effects of Protein and Peptide from Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seed: A Review of the Recent Literature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40238243/
On the nutritional composition of Northern Morocco hemp seeds & oil
Nutritional Composition and Functional Properties of ‘Beldiya’ Hemp Seed and Oil: A Sustainable Local Resource from Northern Morocco for Health and Nutrition
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jos/74/6/74_ess25015/_pdf
Hempseed protein hydrolysates showed strong antioxidant activity
Hempseed Hydrolysates Exhibit Antioxidant Activity in Model and Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsion Systems
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.5c00106
On preparing fractionated extractions of hemp seed proteins
Preparation and functional properties of hemp seed fractionated protein
https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A10%3A2751898/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A184851089
🏗️ Industrial Uses & Fiber 🏗️
For PMMA (common prosthetic material in dentistry), the addition of hemp fibers increased roughness, potentially reducing microbial adhesion & improving overall oral hygiene
Effect of addition of hemp fiber and lignin-pectin-free hemp fiber to poly(methyl methacrylate) on surface roughness property
https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-025-06321-7
On the thermal resistance of biocomposite films from starch, agar & hemp fiber powder
Mechanical and Thermal Behavior of Hemp-Reinforced Starch/Agar Biocomposites: Insights from Finite Element Simulation and Machine Learning Models
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40219246/
On reinforcing a biocomposite with hemp & flax fibers for improved strength
Investigation of Hemp and Flax Fiber-Reinforced EcoPoxy Matrix Biocomposites
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-93144-4_6
On the thermal comforts of hemp/PLA knitted fabrics
Thermal Comfort Properties of Biodegradable Hemp and Polylactide Fiber Knitted Fabrics
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40219296/
🌿 THE CANNA-SCIENCE ARCHIVE 🌿
🏥 Public Health & Effects of Legalization 🏥
In daily cannabis users, higher subjective drug-effect ratings predicted more cannabis use
Subjective drug-effect ratings predict cannabis self-administration in people who use cannabis daily
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/article/S0022-3565(25)39835-6/abstract
In Australia, a rather negative take on the use of medicinal cannabis
Medicinal cannabis: is current use clinically justified?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40462510/
In US adults, those using cannabis had greater odds of food insecurity
Cannabis use & food insecurity risk among U.S. adults with & without children
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749379725002326
🧒 Adolescents & Young Adults 🧒
In adolescents, more frequent social media use was associated with greater pro-cannabis attitudes as well as more past-month cannabis use
Social media use, cannabis attitudes, and cannabis use among adolescents: An observational study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525001652
In a German study of young adults, on the characteristics linked to increased problematic cannabis use (mostly being male, trying it before & “mother-reported externalizing behavior problems”)
[Development of cannabis use from adolescence to young adulthood and risk and protective factors for problematic use-results of a longitudinal study]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40232407/
In the students of Pakistan, those who used cannabis regularly had lower exam scores as well as more social issues such as disputes with friends & teachers
The Effects of Marijuana Use on Student’s Academic Performance: A Case Study of Pakistan
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=143079
In Ogun, Nigeria, a survey of youth cannabis use & knowledge
Knowledge and Prevalence of Marijuana Usage Among Youths in Ilishan Community, Ogun State
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jeremiah-Eleagu/publication/392402862_Knowledge_and_Prevalence_of_Marijuana_Usage_Among_Youths_in_Ilishan_Community_Ogun_State/links/6840b66ec33afe388aca2c03/Knowledge-and-Prevalence-of-Marijuana-Usage-Among-Youths-in-Ilishan-Community-Ogun-State.pdf
In an evaluation of the ARGOS school program to reduce alcohol, tobacco & cannabis use in adolescence, any impacts on resistance to peer pressure to consume cannabis were gone within the year
[Evaluation of results from the ARGOS Program: prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use in adolescents]
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40199146/
On teen cannabis prevention activities for community-based coalitions
Review of Cannabis-Related Programmatic Activities for Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program Coalitions
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10900-025-01477-3
🧠 The Brain & Neurological Disorders 🧠
In older adults attending a cognitive clinic, the cannabis users had similar cognitive test scores & proportions of people with dementia
Cannabis Use Prevalence and Correlates in Patients Attending a Canadian Cognitive Clinic
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40207445/
In neuroimaging of people with Alzheimer's disease, there is some effect on endocannabinoids that’s not covered in the abstract
Metabolic Alteration in Oxylipins and Endocannabinoids Point to an Important Role for Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase and Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease - Finding from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40236050/
In a roundworm model of Parkinson's disease, anandamide itself had no effect but inhibition of the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide) protected dopamine-producing neurons, improved food detection behaviors & increased worm survival
The Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase-4 Affords Neuroprotection in a Toxic Model Induced by 6-Hydroxydopamine in Caenorhabditis elegans Nematodes
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12035-025-05104-z
In neuronal cells, activating the CB1 receptor protected them from apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide) & reduced stress on the endoplasmic reticulum (protein processing center) via the TRPV ion channels
CB1 Receptor Agonist ACEA Resists ER Stress-Mediated Apoptosis via CB1R-Independent Mechanism
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/48/6/48_b25-00023/_pdf
💭 Mental Health, Addiction & Cannabis Use Disorder 💭
For mood & anxiety disorders, a systematic review of 47 studies found “that cannabis use is linked to the onset and poorer clinical course in bipolar disorder and PTSD, but this finding is not as clear in depression and anxiety disorders”
Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Impact on Illness Onset and Course, and Assessment of Therapeutic Potential
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40235611/
In people with anxiety, high CBD products produced more consistent improvements to their inflammation than THC products
Inflammatory State Moderates Response to Cannabis on Negative Affect and Sleep Quality in Individuals with Anxiety
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1549311/abstract
In adults with a history of childhood trauma, a PET scan found they had lower availability of CB1 receptors in their hippocampus (memory center of the brain) & amygdala (processing center of memory, decision-making & emotional responses, especially fear & aggression) but not the prefrontal cortex
Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Availability in Individuals with a History of Childhood Trauma: A Positron Emission Tomography Study
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6536815/v1
On a new version of the test for cannabis use disorder
Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test – Revised (CUDIT-R): Clinical Utility Education for Psychiatric Providers
https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/677620
In a mouse model of responsiveness to oxycodone, those without NAPE-PLD (one of the enzymes that synthesizes anandamide) had a gendered response to oxycodone, with more impact in females
Mice lacking the endocannabinoid-synthesizing enzyme NAPE-PLD exhibit sex-dependent dysregulations in responsiveness to oxycodone and a natural reward
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40236045/
🦴 Pain, Musculoskeletal, Inflammation & Surgeries 🦴
In older adults with chronic pain, those with THC in their system had less pain & those with CBD had lower inflammatory markers
Impact of Inflammasome Activation in Chronic Pain Patients by Medical Marijuana (MM)
https://ccorc.mmjoutcomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CCORC-ANMcMahon-052025-.pdf
In adults with depression, low blood levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide & 2-AG were associated with better exercise performance
Associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular fitness with plasma levels of endocannabinoids and their analogues in adults with diagnosed depression: SONRIE study
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00406-025-02032-w
In people administered intravenous anesthetics, a thesis project on the changes to pharmacodynamics in cannabis users
Biochemical interactions and pharmacodynamic effects of intravenous anesthetic agents in cannabis users
https://baylor-ir.tdl.org/items/9c49ee78-8078-4c69-a6e5-05b2a274d318
In dogs with pain from a hysterectomy, the painkilling effects of CBD & meloxicam are hidden behind a paywall…
Facial action units as biomarkers of postoperative pain in ovariohysterectomized bitches treated with cannabidiol and meloxicam
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034528825002085
❤️ The Heart ❤️
For the heart, a review of the yin & yang effects of CBD & THC
Phyto Cannabinoids and The Cardiovascular System
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rehan-Naqvi-3/publication/392433507_Phyto_Cannabinoids_and_The_Cardiovascular_System/links/684194d66b5a287c304970cc/Phyto-Cannabinoids-and-The-Cardiovascular-System.pdf
In rats, a drug that activates both the CB1 & CB2 receptors caused significant cardiovascular risks including heart rate dysregulation, low blood pressure, arrhythmias & ischemic damage
Acute and subacute cardiovascular effects of synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 in rat
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40240703/
In normal rats & those with heart arrhythmias from epinephrine, cannabis extracts decreased the arrhythmias of epinephrine mice but caused disorganized cardiac dynamics indicative of loss of blood flow to the heart
The effect of repeated administration of cannabis on the electrocardiogram and cardiac histology in normal and epinephrine-treated rats
https://wseas.com/journals/msa/2025/a08msa-004(2025).pdf
🍽️ The Guts & the Microbiome 🍽️
In California public health data on diabetes, a thesis project found cannabis use associated with lower odds of a diabetes diagnosis
From Green to Glucose: Investigating the Relationship Between Marijuana Usage and the Risk of Developing Diabetes in California Adults
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/v118rq01j
In public health data of people with gastroparesis (stomach muscles not properly emptying the stomach), those who use cannabis had higher rates of emergency department visits & hospitalizations but reduced endoscopy into their GI tract
The Impact of Cannabis Use in Gastroparesis: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of 41,374 Gastroparesis Patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40197432/
As we often see, those with the highest symptom burden are the most likely to be using cannabis for relief.
In a roundworm model of feeding, this thesis project found anandamide increased feeding via a chemosensory neuron
WORMS GET THE MUNCHIES: ENDOCANNABINOID MODULATION OF FEEDING AND CHEMOSENSATION IN C. ELEGANS
https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/items/e17e3275-3dc2-4e88-8ed5-dd1c16374b84
🩸 The Liver, Drug Interactions & Cannabinoid Metabolism 🩸
A combination of CBD & hydroxychloroquine was found to be well tolerated
An open-label phase I comparator-controlled clinical trial to assess tolerability and pharmacokinetics of IHL-675 A a fixed dose combination of cannabidiol plus hydroxychloroquine in healthy volunteers
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-04573-5
In a mouse model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (aka MASH, the new term for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease), NEPE14 (a proprietary mix of CBD, phytocannabinoids, fatty acids & low levels of THC) caused no liver toxicity but also no protective effects against MASH
Chronic administration of a cannabis-derived mixture at an antihyperalgesic dose does not significantly enhance hepatotoxicity or the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in male mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40458821/
💨 The Lungs 💨
In people with pneumonia & respiratory failure from COVID-19, they had higher blood levels of the endocannabinoids anandamide & 2-AG
Elevated blood anandamide levels in acute COVID-19 pneumonia with respiratory failure
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002962925010705
In an adolescent mouse model of binge alcohol & cannabinoids, this combination primed the lungs towards more severe inflammation in adulthood, though cannabinoid antagonists mitigated this
Cannabinoids and Alcohol Co-Exposure Modulate Pathogen-Induced Pulmonary Immune Responses
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1539813/abstract
In a mouse model of opioid-induced respiratory depression, a thesis project on the complex & gendered effects of CB2 signaling
The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Opioid-Induced Respiratory
https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/677618
💊 Synthetic Cannabinoids & Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids 💊
In brain cells, the synthetic cannabinoids ADB- & AMB-FUBINACA enhanced neuronal differentiation but disrupted function of the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
The synthetic cannabinoids ADB-FUBINACA and AMB-FUBINACA enhance in vitro neurodifferentiation of NG108-15 cells, along with PGC-1α dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300483X25001726
On identifying metabolites of the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-PB-22 using microsampling
Volumetric absorptive microsampling for in vitro metabolism of the recent synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist 5F-PB-22
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0026265X25015164
🔬 Biochemical Discoveries & Detection Tools 🔬
The first crystal structure of the enzyme for creating the terpene limonene
Structural Insights into Monoterpene Cyclisation of Limonene Synthase from Cannabis sativa
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/f6a58507a2ce6c0b3ce39b80941008cf/download_pub
On a synthesis route for producing CBC at scale
SYNTHETIC STRATEGIES FOR CANNABICHROMENE (CBC): A MINOR CANNABINOID WITH PHARMACEUTICAL POTENTIAL
https://collections.uhsp.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=student-research-symposium
On synthesizing CBG & the analog DMH-CBG
SYNTHESIS OF CANNABIGEROL AND ANALOG
https://collections.uhsp.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=student-research-symposium
A kinetic study of cannabinoids interacting with a singlet oxygen sensitizer
Kinetic studies of the interaction of cannabinoids with singlet oxygen
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40470872/
New CB1 antagonists
Synthesis and Pharmacological Characterization of a Novel Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Antagonist
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsomega.4c11355
A computer analysis found benzimidazole analogues as potential inhibitors of the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide)
INSILICO PREDICTION OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF BENZIMIDAZOLE BASED ANALOGUES AGAINST FATTY ACID AMIDE HYDROLASE
https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A15%3A17291887/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A185057037&crl=c&link_origin=scholar.google.com
On a new radioactive tracer for brain scans of the MAGL enzyme (which breaks down 2-AG)
Development of a novel 18F-labeled reversible-binding radioligand for imaging monoacylglycerol lipase with positron emission tomography
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221138352500379X
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For this week’s Tuareg rock music (based on the desert blues of the Sahara), the Nigerien guitarist Mdou Moctar’s ‘Sousoume Tamachek’. Singing in the Tamashek language of the Berber peoples, Moctar rose to prominence with his music being spread via memory cards & mobile phone Bluetooth networks across West Africa. His family initially disapproved of electric music for religious reasons & so he built his own guitar using bicycle cables for strings. But now with 7 albums & worldwide praise for his fiery psychedelic rock, Moctar & his band have taken several tours across the US & the EU. Plus some cool music videos on their site. I just signed up for alerts for the next time they come through here.
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