C&P#156: CBD for blood pressure & cannabinoids for so many diseases
Dying cannabis workers + Thailand arrests 200k for drugs
🌟 This week 🌟
CBD for blood pressure
Cannabis for pancreatitis + treatment-resistant diabetic neuropathy + fibromyalgia
Cannabinoids for insomnia + the spasticity of spinal cord injuries
On the sex-specific effects of cannabis
For cannabis workers, asthma rates on the rise, with 2 already dead
4x: harms of prenatal cannabinoid exposure + prolactin suppression
Prenatal THC made dominant mice more jittery & submissive mice more social
Preclinical: for ulcerative colitis, both CBG/CBD & hemp seed oil
Cannabinoids against MRSA (deadly drug-resistant staph infection)
On how undergrads compensate for the munchies with their eating behaviors
(this week’s numbers: ~6k words, ~16 minutes reading time, 120 papers)
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 156th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science, assorted canna-news & coverage of psychedelics, the War on Drugs & harm reduction. Support this work sharing canna-science with a paid subscription here. As always, ask me anything.
#FreePalestine
📌 Editor’s note:
Still catching up from vacation. Only ~700 emails to go…
Also, happy 3-year anniversary to this newsletter. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
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My Free How-To Guides on cannabinoids for different conditions. #AMAMy glossary of cannabinoid terms (& my Neural Ocean metaphor)
And as always, at the bottom is the album of the week: Lateef’s flute!
💖 Ways to support this work 💖
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🐋 For more from Lex… 🐋 | my Linktree |
My canna-graphic novel series (based on Moby Dick) is called ‘Anandamide; or, the Cannabinoid’:
- ‘SUNset’: Queer canna-history from the AIDS crisis
- ‘The CROWN’: the hunt for the chemical structure of CBN, the first fully-solved cannabinoidFirst 2 seasons of my podcast ‘The Lex Files’ on cannabinoids, psychedelics & spirituality
Work with my company White Whale Creations to produce cannabis content: writing, science archives, social media, 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 & on TT @pluscbd)
My 📚 Vids:
(@LexPelgerAndHisBooks on TikTok, YouTube & Instagram)
I want to be an AJ! (animation jockey. a man can dream can’t he?)
My favs in the Western Canon (first half) (in these videos, when I say ‘my kids’, it means I’m actually addressing my kids in 20 to 40 years. They’re the real reason for all these videos)
The 5 Sons of King Pandu (The Mahabharata retold by Elizabeth Seeger & illustrated by Gordon Laite) (amazing book for your kid)
'Magic & Mystery in Tibet' by Alexandra David-Neel (amazing book in general)
Hail Thoth! (what to do at Little Free Libraries)
#3 & #4 moralmancy (divination via Holy Texts)
Tao Te Ching #63 (from Henrick's translation of the Ma Wang tui texts)
🍃 BEST OF CANNABINOID SCIENCE 🍃
(most of the phytocannabinoid data is here & the ECS data is in the ‘Canna-Science Archive’ at the bottom)
⚕️ Clinical ⚕️
For blood pressure, this meta-analysis found that acute CBD reduced systolic blood pressure & chronic CBD reduced both systolic & diastolic blood pressure (at rates similar to aerobic exercise)
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Investigate the Effects of Cannabidiol on Blood Pressure: Examination of Randomized Triple- and Double-Blind Placebo Trials
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43450-025-00680-6
For people with treatment-resistant diabetic neuropathy (painful dysregulated nerve signals), long-term inhaled cannabis therapy was associated with significant reductions to pain severity, pain interference in their lives, neuropathic symptom scores & opioid usage as well as improved glycemic control
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Cannabis Therapy for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A 5-Year Longitudinal Observational Study
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/f87d716fffb3212eea9652c5a0076e2c/download_pub
In people with fibromyalgia, 6 months of Bedrocan cannabis reduced their severity scores, especially epigastric pain, abdominal pain, stomach burning & bloating
The effect of medical cannabis on gastrointestinal symptoms in fibromyalgia and disorders of gut-brain interaction: a patient-centred real-world observational study
https://www.clinexprheumatol.org/abstract.asp?a=22389
In people with pancreatitis, cannabis use was associated with decreased odds of ICU admission, embolisms, pancreatic cancer & mortality
Cannabis Use and Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis: A National Inpatient Sample Analysis
https://jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/6066
In people with spinal cord injuries, one month of Sativex (1:1 THC:CBD spray) improved spasticity
The effects of nabiximols (Sativex®) on spasticity and non-motor symptoms in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI): a longitudinal prospective study
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41394-025-00712-2
In people with insomnia, a meta-analysis of 6 trials with 1k+ patients found cannabinoids significantly improved sleep quality, especially non-CBD formulations
Effectiveness of Cannabinoids for Improving Sleep Quality in People with and without Insomnia or Poor Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Studies
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079225001091
In people with treatment-resistant focal epilepsies, CBD reduced focal seizures & total seizures
Long-term efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant focal epilepsies treated in the Expanded Access Program
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40673944/
For dermatology, a meta-analysis of 11 trials with 3,300+ participants found cannabinoids helped with itchiness, atopic dermatitis (eczema) & transepidermal water loss
Cannabis and cannabinoids in dermatology: A systematic review and metaanalysis of quantitative outcomes
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1609667/abstract
In the sleep of people with chronic pain, an in-home EEG study found a dysregulated sleep response in people using cannabis to manage their pain
Interactions Between Cannabis Use and Chronic Pain on Sleep Architecture: Findings from In-Home EEG Recordings
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.28.25334662v1
In undergraduates & the munchies, this thesis project examined their compensatory behaviors for cannabis-related eating, including enhancement, diet/exercise compensation & extreme weight loss behaviors
Making Up for the Munchies? Examining Cannabis-Related Eating and Compensatory Behaviors Among Undergraduates
https://www.proquest.com/openview/1ccaed74d27cc5700f731f9b699ede99/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
In undergraduates experiencing grief, higher levels of grief & emotional dysregulation were linked to greater cannabis use frequency & symptoms of cannabis use disorder
Mourning and Marijuana: Exploring the Relation Between Cannabis and Grief Among Colorado College Students
https://www.proquest.com/openview/ccfaa5d353f517b84aaa2e973a199b89/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
📑 Reviews 📑
A review on the sex-specific effects of cannabis (with a good chart)
Sex-Specific Responses to Cannabis Exposure: Implications for Behavior and Beyond
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923025003429
In epilepsy, a review of endocannabinoid signaling (nice charts)
Endocannabinoid signaling in epilepsy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996125002918
For lung cancer, a review on using Halloysite nanotubes for drug delivery of cannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids and Nanotechnology in Lung Cancer: A Review of Therapeutic Strategies with a Focus on Halloysite Nanotubes
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/9/1244
For dermatology, a review of the cannabinoids for atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis & acne
Therapeutic potential of Cannabis sativa L. in dermatological applications
https://herbapolonica.pl/article/552304/en
For eye diseases, a review of the potential of targeting the endocannabinoid system
The Endocannabinoid System: Role in Ocular Physiology and Therapeutic Potential in Eye Diseases: A Narrative Review
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10807683251368650
For canine epilepsy, a review of using CBD [Spanish]
Uso del cbd como terapia adyuvante en la epilepsia canina: revisión bibliográfica de los estudios
https://www.polodelconocimiento.com/ojs/index.php/es/article/view/9543
⚠️ Harms ⚠️
A case report of medical cannabis identified as the source of an infection by Cryptococcus neoformans (a deadly yeast/fungi infection), though many cannabis researchers pushed back & said that the researchers didn’t even check the patient’s house for other potential contamination sources
Medical Cannabis as the Source of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection
https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaf431/8221744
In people having spinal fusion surgery, cannabis users reported more pain, required more opioids & had more surgical site infections
Medical and recreational cannabis use in patients undergoing one- or two-level lumbar spine fusion correlated with postoperative outcomes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666548425001933
A case report of cannabis inducing Wellens syndrome (a rare acute coronary syndrome)
Cannabis-Induced Wellens Syndrome: A Rising Cardiovascular Risk
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/case_report/pdf/372385/20250816-273889-h29q8a.pdf
For prolactin (a hormone critical to lactation & maternal health), this review found inconsistent human data, but animal models showed that THC often suppressed prolactin levels, especially during key reproductive stages
The Effect of Cannabis on Prolactin: A Scoping Review of Endocrine Implications for Maternal and Fetal Health
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7403198/v1
On the prenatal co-exposure to nicotine & cannabis, this review found poorer outcomes for the offspring than with either substance alone
A Systematic Review Investigating Prenatal Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Exposure: Impacts on Neonatal, Behavioral, Cognitive and Physiological Outcomes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772724625000599
For perinatal cannabis exposure (the weeks before & after birth), this review found links to a higher ADHD risk, more cognitive & behavioral deficits & in males, increased aggression
Neurodevelopmental effects of perinatal exposure to cannabis on progeny: A narrative review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772724625000551
In a rat model of prenatal THC exposure, the pups had deficits in object recognition memory & sociability
499. EFFECTS OF PRENATAL CANNABINOIDS EXPOSURE: ASSESSING THE ROLE OF THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM IN A NEURODEVELOPMENTAL ANIMAL MODEL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12359610/
In rats with prenatal THC exposure, their placenta had altered expression of genes related to schizophrenia
Identifying Established Human Placental Markers of Schizophrenia in Rodents after Gestational Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure
https://academic.oup.com/biolreprod/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biolre/ioaf191/8237913
🐁 Preclinical 🐁
In dominant & submissive mice, prenatal THC exposure increased the anxiety-like behaviors in the dominant pups but enhanced sociability & reduced anxiety-like behaviors in the submissive pups via changes to the endocannabinoid & dopamine systems
Personality-based intergenerational effects of prenatal THC exposure in an inherited mouse model of social dominance and submissiveness
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-15528-1
In rat brain blood flow, THC increased functional connectivity & cerebral blood flow while CBD decreased functional connectivity without altering cerebral blood flow, with the combination of THC & CBD causing moderate increases to both functional connectivity & cerebral blood flow
Acute cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and their mixture (THC:CBD) exert differential effects on brain activity and blood flow in rats: A translational neuroimaging study
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/02698811251360745
In a mouse model of ulcerative colitis, oral CBD/CBG hemp extract reduced pain & damage
Orally Administered CBD/CBG Hemp Extract Reduces Severity of Ulcerative Colitis and Pain in a Murine Model
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/17/6095
In a mouse model of ulcerative colitis, hemp seed oil alleviated symptoms, repaired damage to the intestinal barrier & restored gut microbiota dysbiosis
Hemp seed oil ameliorates ulcerative colitis in connection with tryptophan metabolism driven by gut microbiota
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464625003044
In a mouse model of fibromyalgia, electroacupuncture helped with pain via increased levels of the CB1 receptor as well as reduced astrocyte & microglial activation in pain pathways
Electroacupuncture Relieves Fibromyalgia Pain in a Female Mouse Model by Augmenting Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Expression and Suppressing Astrocyte and Microglial Activation in Nociceptive Pathways
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/9/2112
In the mouse olfactory circuit for smell, the terpene beta-caryophyllene improved anosmia (loss of smell), reduced inflammation & lowered cell death via the renin-angiotensin system
β-Caryophyllene's potential modulation of the renin-angiotensin system: Implications for anosmia and neuroinflammation in the olfactory circuitry
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576925013645
In a tissue model of atopic dermatitis (eczema), cannabis extracts suppressed genes related to inflammation while upregulating skin moisturizing factors in keratinocytes (skin stem cells)
Hybrid Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences exert an anti-inflammatory effect through the modulation of MAPK/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome and JAK1/STAT6 pathway in HaCaT cells
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1617180/full
For skin cells that produce melanin, a terpene extract significantly decreased melanin content
Characterization of terpene extract from Cannabis sativa flower and evaluation of its anti-melanogenetic effect in melan-a cells
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-10820-6
Against MRSA (the deadly drug-resistant staph infection haunting hospitals), the cannabinoids CBD, THC, CBN, CBG, & CBC demonstrated anti-biofilm activity, with CBN being the strongest & CBD being the weakest, yet the CBD caused the greatest membrane damage
The anti-biofilm activity of cannabinoids against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
https://academic.oup.com/jambio/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jambio/lxaf214/8239790
In Streptococcus mutans (the oral bacteria that cause cavities), the endocannabinoid anandamide disturbed their glycolytic flux & impacted energy production, redox balance & biosynthetic pathways, leading to metabolic stress & impaired cellular function
Anandamide Alters Glycolytic Activity in Streptococcus mutans: Metabolomics and Stable Isotope Labeling Study
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/17/8401
📰 US Headlines & Fav Articles 📰
In 4 cannabis states, 30 cases of work-related asthma were found in the cannabis industry, with 2 fatalities
Work-related asthma in the cannabis industry: Findings from California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington
https://journals.lww.com/joem/abstract/9900/work_related_asthma_in_the_cannabis_industry_.901.aspx
For guns & cannabis, a US appeals court ruled the government must prove cannabis users "pose a risk of future danger" to ban them from owning firearms
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-appeals-court-says-government-must-prove-marijuana-users-pose-a-risk-of-danger-to-justify-gun-ban/
The US military will now include drug testing for the psychedelic psilocin (an active ingredient in psilocybin mushrooms)
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/military-to-start-testing-service-members-for-the-psychedelic-psilocin-memo-shows/
“LA’s legal cannabis owners say multi-million dollar program to give them a hand up, instead left ‘complete debt and devastation’”
https://laist.com/news/legal-cannabis-business-city-los-angeles-social-equity-department-of-cannabis-regulation
In New York, a federal appeals court declared unconstitutional the social equity priority for people with previous cannabis convictions
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/nyregion/new-york-cannabis-licensing-unconstitutional.html
The assholes at Meta suspended the Instagram accounts of the companies involved in the (state-legal) California Cannabis Awards just a day after the show
https://cannabislaw.report/meta-spy-on-california-cannabis-awards-a-state-sanctioned-competition-then-close-accounts-of-winners-competitors/
A major medical equipment manufacturer is being sued by more than two dozen cannabis testing labs for allegedly selling them faulty equipment
https://mjbizdaily.com/marijuana-testing-laboratories-sue-equipment-maker-alleging-fraud/
In Boston, a sheriff extorted a social equity cannabis company for $50k in stock
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/08/metro/suffolk-sheriff-steve-tompkins-indicted/
On the history of Marinol (pharmaceutical THC) by Alice O'Leary Randall
https://aliceolearyrandall.substack.com/p/the-making-of-marinol
The DEA is selling their book about the agency's history over the last 50 years
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOJDEA/bulletins/3e9e738
Oh man, I don't want to support this regime, but I'm fascinated to see what kind of whitewashing makes up this book.
A literary analysis of the opioid epidemic through Walker’s 'Cherry' & Kingsolver’s 'Demon Copperhead'
The American Opioid Epidemic's Industrial Legacy of Trauma: How Pain Is Killed in Nico Walker’s 'Cherry' and Barbara Kingsolver’s 'Demon Copperhead'
https://www.proquest.com/openview/29d0099b2724fbc2adec8a8e247a296d/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
🌐 International Updates 🌐
In Mexico, the first Indigenous community has been allowed to cultivate cannabis
https://www.france24.com/es/video/20250811-en-m%C3%A9xico-una-comunidad-ind%C3%ADgena-da-un-paso-hist%C3%B3rico-al-cultivar-cannabis-legalmente
In the Netherlands, their regulated cannabis supply trial now expanding to include hashish
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/09/dutch-hashish-only-in-10-towns-as-legal-marijuana-trial-moves-on/
In Germany, the health insurance companies push back against covering the cost of cannabis flower, alleging higher costs from the increases of anxiety, depression & schizophrenia
https://businessofcannabis.com/german-health-insurance-companies-no-longer-want-to-cover-the-costs-of-cannabis-flower/
⚖️ Business, Laws & Education ⚖️
On the death of Ayr
https://cannabismusings.substack.com/p/cannabis-musings-august-5-2025
For accidental pediatric THC ingestions, on the need for packaging regulations
Packaging Regulations Needed to Mitigate THC Ingestions in Children
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2836778
For airports, a guide to the legal impacts of state cannabis legalization
Legal Impacts to Airports from State Legalization of Cannabis
https://trid.trb.org/View/2593739
🚓 The War on Drugs 🚓
Trump secret directive authorizing military action against cartels has been called a “dangerous escalation”
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/us-force-used-against-drug-171108289.html
And the US Attorney General announced a $50M reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for working with cartels
https://www.aol.com/ag-bondi-offers-50m-arrest-224250853.html
‘Bombs Won’t Win the War on Drugs’ by Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling
https://www.thebulwark.com/p/bombs-wont-win-the-war-on-drugs
And in Texas, on how militarization failed to stop the modern drug smuggling industry
https://www.texasobserver.org/border-security-fentanyl-cartels-trump-mexico/
Indonesia & Peru agreed to wage war on narcotics
https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-major-coca-producer-peru-agree-to-wage-war-on-narcotics
On the Mexican cartel's adoption of drones, IEDs & other arms of modern war
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/world/americas/mexico-cartel-weapons.html
And a book chapter on the history of the Mexican cartels
Criminal Groups in Mexico
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-96074-1_2
And on the Mexican dilemma of spending more on social programs vs. security
Reducing Cartel Violence: The Mexican Dilemma Between Social and Security Spending
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2508.06509
In Brazil, a thesis project on the girls criminalized by the war on drugs.
Between Survival and Sacrifice: Narratives of Criminalized Girls in Brazil’s War on Drugs
https://utoronto.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/e75cd19b-6301-4c26-b759-91dd8247a852/content
In Central America, drug-related violence is fueling emigration to the US
Is Drug-Related Violence Fueling Emigration from Central America?
https://docs.iza.org/dp18028.pdf
For UK illegal cannabis grows in rented houses, interviews on why this is so common
Plausibly deniable - Domestic cannabis cultivation and the private rented sector in the UK
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12117-025-09571-7
And on gangs using drones to assist with grow-up robberies
https://cannabislaw.report/only-in-the-uk-gang-members-jailed-after-using-drones-to-assist-with-grow-op-robberies/
And 298 people were arrested in the UK for smuggling cannabis by air so far this year, with the major source being Thailand
https://slguardian.org/british-students-caught-in-global-drug-mule-crisis-linked-to-thailands-cannabis-boom/
Such as this law student with £150k of cannabis from NYC
https://cannabislaw.report/uk-law-student-jailed-for-smuggling-150k-of-cannabis-at-edinburgh-airport-coming-from-jfk/
On how the UN is trying to prevent synthetic drug distribution in Southeast Asia
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's Efforts to Prevent the Distribution of Synthetic Drugs in Southeast Asia
https://jurnalfisip.uinsa.ac.id/index.php/siyar/article/view/820
In Thailand, a 10-month crackdown led to the arrest of 200k suspects & the seizure of 41 tons of meth, 1.2 tons of heroin, 5 tons of ketamine & ~384M USD
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40053324
And soldiers killed five smugglers & seized 1.3M meth pills
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3080393/thai-soldiers-kill-5-drug-smugglers-seize-1-35m-meth-pills-in-chiang-mai
And police raided a Queer party & arrested for drugs
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3076044/bangkok-police-raid-lgbtq-drug-party
In Indonesia, 2.1 tons of meth seized amidst the discovery of a maritime drug route from Myanmar through Southeast Asia
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-seizes-590m-worth-of-drugs-so-far-in-2025-a-six-year-record-haul
With reports from Myanmar saying their war makes it more difficult to stop the meth trade
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/meth-drugs-southeast-asia-myanmar-shan-state-military-coup-5243146
In Malaysia, a death sentence for 3 people for trafficking 1.5 tons of meth
https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/08/12/death-sentence-for-trio-guilty-of-trafficking-1-5-tonnes-of-meth
And 36 others imprisoned for drug-related offenses
https://www.scoop.my/news/266479/36-malaysians-including-eight-women-imprisoned-in-narathiwat-for-drug-related-offences/
In Sri Lanka, 123k+ arrested for drug offenses so far this year
https://www.dailymirror.lk/news/Over-123-000-arrested-for-drug-offences-in-Sri-Lanka-so-far-in-2025/239-315706
With 1,400 arrests in just one week
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/G8TByqs4A6ksw08OS68v
And the prisons are now overwhelmed
https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Sri-Lankas-prisons-overwhelmed-by-drug-addicts/108-316085
In Korea, the amount of drug seizures reached an all-time high with 600+ cases & a combined 2,780 kilograms of drugs seized
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20250729/amount-of-confiscated-drugs-hits-all-time-high-in-h1-customs-agency
In Amritsar, India, 4 kg of heroin were seized from a Pakistani cross-border smuggling group
https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/India/punjab-police-bust-cross-border-heroin-smuggling-module-four-held-with-pakistan-links/ar-AA1JkMXl
In Azerbaijan, 100+ kg of cannabis seized at the Iranian border
https://cannabislaw.report/azerbaijan-seizes-large-amount-of-marijuana-at-iran-border/
A Florida U-Haul with a mobile cannabis farm & 89 pounds of magic mushrooms
https://cw34.com/news/local/florida-u-haul-stop-reveals-mobile-marijuana-farm-and-89-pounds-of-magic-mushroom-i-275-north-florida-pistol-fertilizer-august-9-2025
In Indonesia, on the law enforcement efforts against maritime narcotics smuggling
Law Enforcement in Criminal Acts of Narcotics Smuggling in Maritime Areas
https://www.legal.isha.or.id/index.php/legal/article/view/1331
And on the transnational security concerns of kratom
State Intelligence Strategy in Facing Transnational Threats from Kratom Plant Abuse in Indonesia
https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/article?articleId=4568530
In Vietnam, the prime minister said drug addicts should be treated as criminals
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/drug-addicts-should-be-treated-as-criminals-vietnam-pm-says-4918146.html
#WrongSideOfHistory
In Singapore, a crackdown on vaping, especially of etomidate (which feels similar to ketamine)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz60z98nzx7o
In Spain, an analysis of seized cannabis/tobacco joints
Cannabinoids in cannabis resin joints seized in Castile and León
https://recyt.fecyt.es/index.php/ASSN/article/view/115270
In Nigeria, a study of drug traffic between 1989 & 2022
Drug Crime and Societal Instability in Nigeria: A Historical Examination of the Relationship Between Drug Trafficking and Social Disorder, 1989- 2022
https://www.acjol.org/index.php/ohazurume/article/view/7374
🛡️ Harm Reduction News 🛡️
“Trump’s “Sick” Executive Order Targets Unhoused People and Harm Reduction”
https://filtermag.org/trumps-executive-order-homelessness-harm-reduction/amp/
And “This is how addiction science is saving lives”
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/opinion/20250814/this-is-how-addiction-science-is-saving-lives
US drug overdose deaths rising again, according to a new CDC report
https://www.kqed.org/news/12045107/new-report-shows-us-drug-overdose-deaths-rising-again-after-hopeful-decline
From loss of funding for drugs for opioid use disorder, an analysis estimated 156k people to lose coverage & an additional 1,000 fatal overdoses each year
Estimated Overdose Deaths Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
https://ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/research-updates/estimated-overdose-deaths-due-to-the-loss-of-moud-in-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-act/?emci=65708c7c-d867-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&emdi=87ebd7a5-166e-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&ceid=9896925
In Colombia, the first safe injection sites of South America open
https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/colombia-opens-south-americas-first-safe-injection-sites
“Nitazenes, the New Synthetic Opioids, Aren’t “More Deadly Than Fentanyl””
https://filtermag.org/nitazenes-synthetic-opioids-fentanyl/
And “The Case for Higher-Dose Buprenorphine”
https://filtermag.org/high-dose-buprenorphine/
Oregon & Washington's drug decriminalization laws may be linked to increases in serious violent property crime
The Unintended Consequences of State-Level Drug Decriminalization Laws: Implications for Arrest and Crime Rates
https://www.crimrxiv.com/pub/heej971d/release/1
On how San Francisco is changing its response to homelessness & addiction
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2025/08/the-48-hour-fentanyl-clock/683698/
In Victoria, Australia, fatal drug overdoses are at a 10-year high
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-12/fatal-drug-overdoses-reach-10-year-high-in-victoria/105638016
In Canada, on reasons why the British Columbia safer supply program is shrinking
https://www.todayville.com/why-is-b-c-s-safer-supply-program-shrinking/
And a group of drug users there will fight drug recriminalization
https://filtermag.org/drug-user-groups-bc-decriminalization-court/
And in Nanaimo, B.C., a motion is expected to ask for closure of a safe injection site
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/motion-expected-nanaimo-b-c-080018030.html
And in Toronto, on the help & controversy from the vending machines for drug users
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/these-toronto-vending-machines-are-a-possible-lifesaver-for-drug-users-and-a-flashpoint-of/article_d3d44ec7-8151-47b9-a817-52d3077095c9.html
As well as the big jump in overdoses following the closure of supervised consumption sites
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/overdoses-increasing-safe-consumption-site-closures-ontario-1.7603288
And a profile of a very rural overdose prevention center
https://filtermag.org/sudbury-overdose-prevention-center-the-spot/
On Skid Row Campus, Los Angeles, the “nation's first community-designed homeless services campus”
https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/skid-row-care-campus-harm-reduction-drugs-community-services
In Burlington, Vermont, the city now has enough insurance coverage to open a safe injection site
https://vermontdailychronicle.com/burlington-has-enough-insurance-coverage-for-safe-injection-site-sov-says/
And what it's like inside a Rhode Island safe injection site
https://ctmirror.org/2025/08/05/overdose-prevention-center-safe-injection-site-rhode-island-photos/
And in Madison, Wisconsin, a syringe exchange program was approved
https://www.madisoncourier.com/news/carroll-oks-syringe-exchange-program/article_fc7ec3a1-91ff-5134-a3a2-4deeca3b0689.html
And Eagle County, Colorado approved a half-million-dollar funding initiative for harm reduction
https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/womens-desk/2025-08-07/eagle-county-approves-new-funding-for-overdose-prevention
In New Zealand, “people who inject drugs demand a say in needle exchange services”
In Tel Aviv, Israel, a pilot program for a supervised drug injection facility is being considered
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/rjjlfgsuex
In Sheffield, England, in favor of opening a legal consumption room
https://nowthenmagazine.com/articles/drug-death-epidemic-is-it-time-to-bring-legal-consumption-rooms-to-sheffield-heroin-synthetic-opioids-the-thistle-glasgow
A review of ‘Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs’ by Garth Mullins
https://springmag.ca/crackdown-a-revolutionary-testament-from-the-frontlines-of-the-drug-war
Harm Reduction Research
On quetiapine, a novel adulterant in the Los Angeles heroin supply
Quetiapine: A Novel Additive to the Illicit Heroin Supply in Los Angeles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40709772/
In the US, a review on harm reduction policy barriers & opportunities
U.S. substance use harm reduction efforts: a review of the current state of policy, policy barriers, and recommendations
https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01238-4?emci=65708c7c-d867-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&emdi=87ebd7a5-166e-f011-8dc9-6045bda9d96b&ceid=9896925
And on the harm reduction strategies of people who inject drugs navigating the US drug market volatility
Navigating US illicit drug market volatility: harm reduction strategies employed by people who inject drugs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40702968/
And for US syringe services, an analysis found them mostly concentrated in urban counties & not rural
An analysis of syringe service programs across the rural-urban continuum in the United States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40757541/
Lessons on post-overdose care from survivors & professionals
Building connection: overdose survivors' and professional service providers' perspectives on immediate post-overdose care
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40784254/
For recovery community centers, a survey of directors on the best ways to measure success
How to measure the effectiveness of recovery community centers: insights gained from a nationwide survey of directors of RCCs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40771233/
On the benefits of low-threshold shelters for people with substance use disorders & homelessness
"From Homelessness to Safety": Short-Term Outcomes of Low-Threshold Shelter on Individuals Experiencing Substance Use Disorder and Unsheltered Homelessness
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40704588/
For substance use disorder treatment, perceived stigma lessened the completion rates of programs
Perceived stigma and its role in substance use disorder treatment completion
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40743445/
Large language models showed stigmatizing language around substance use disorders
Stigmatizing Language in Large Language Models for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders: A Multimodel Evaluation and Prompt Engineering Approach
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40705021/
For young people with opioid use disorder, on the themes for closing gaps in their treatments
Perspectives from Systems-Level Key Informants on Optimizing Opioid Use Disorder Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40723069/
On the family-focused CRAFT-based intervention for supporting loved ones of people in opioid treatment
"All I want is the best for my brother": interest in a Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)-based group intervention among concerned significant others of individuals on office-based medications for opioid use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40745287/
In Brazil, their PROMUD program demonstrated gender-sensitive substance use disorder treatment models
Expanding gender-sensitive and equitable substance use care models: treatment retention analysis of the women's drug dependent treatment program (PROMUD) replication in psychosocial units in Brazil
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40782139/
On using the HeartMath program for substance use disorder
Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led HeartMath Training Program on Resilience, Emotional Adjustment, and Treatment Motivation Among Patients With Substance Use Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40708166/
And a review of using positive psychology for substance use treatment
Positive psychology interventions applied to the treatment of substance use disorder: A systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40720911/
In veterans with housing instability, on the benefits of overdose education & naloxone distribution
Longitudinal evaluation examining implementation and sustainment of an opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution among veterans who are unstably housed
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40770670/
For people in prison, this review found strong evidence for supporting opioid maintenance treatment
Efficacy of opioid maintenance in prison settings—how strong is the evidence? A narrative review
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394165726_Efficacy_of_opioid_maintenance_in_prison_settings-how_strong_is_the_evidence_A_narrative_review
And the lessons from a Malaysian prison on methadone maintenance therapy
Facilitators and barriers to scaling up methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysian prisons: using nominal group technique with custodial staff
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40787851/
On using transcranial direct current stimulation for substance use disorders, a review of the neurobiology
Neurobiological Mechanisms of Action of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)-A Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40725591/
Test of a wearable overdose detection sensor
Use of a Shoulder-Mounted Wearable Sensor Prototype Designed to Detect Opioid-Related Overdose: A Qualitative User Experience Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40720874/
And in rural Appalachia, the majority of people who use drugs reported a willingness to wear a wristband that detected overdoses & either called emergency services or injected naloxone
Willingness to Use Wearable Devices for Overdose Detection and Response: A Cross-Sectional Survey of People Who Use Drugs in Rural Appalachian Kentucky
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40760774/
On the lack of evidence for incorporating nalmefene (a stronger version of naloxone with a longer half-life & higher opioid receptor affinity)
Stronger isn't always better: Nalmefene in community overdose response and the false promise of quick-fix public health solutions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40784253/
On harm reduction vending machines & their added convenience
Harm reduction self-efficacy and motivations for contactless supply access among a sample of syringe services program participants
https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01288-8
And in Appalachia, harm reduction vending machines helped to reach people not currently reached by syringe service programs
Acceptability and Appropriateness of Harm Reduction Vending Machines Compared to Syringe Service Programs in Appalachian Kentucky
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40748271/
On using wastewater analysis to correlate syringe distribution data
Correlation between wastewater-based substance use prevalence and syringe distribution in a harm reduction program in the United States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40773805/
🍄 Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives 🍄
The Psychoactive Research
For psychedelic care, experts call for better standards
Building standards of psychedelic care: Qualitative examination of expert perspectives on safety, inclusion, and accountability
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40803962/
Psilocybin for alcohol use disorder & co-morbid depression
Psilocybin in alcohol use disorder and comorbid depressive symptoms: Results from a feasibility randomized clinical trial
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70152
For 5-MeO-DMT, sublingual microdoses for depression & anxiety
Safety and tolerability of multiple sublingual microdoses of 5-MeO-DMT in adults with moderate symptoms of depression and/or anxiety: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02167-3
In aged mice, psilocybin extended their cellular lifespan & improved survival
Psilocybin treatment extends cellular lifespan and improves survival of aged mice
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41514-025-00244-x
🍃 The Plant & its Products 🍃
On the difficulties of measuring the environmental impact of cannabis
The Blind Men and the Elephant: Measuring the Environmental Impact of Cannabis
https://jied.lse.ac.uk/articles/10.31389/jied.277
And the need for sustainable regulations & cannabis environmental policy harmonization
Harmonizing cannabis and environmental policy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095539592500221X
On cannabis farming in Malana (a Himalayan Indian village)
“Cannabis Farming In Malana: A Socio-Legal Study Of Culture, Environment, And Law With A Comparative Perspective From Canada”
https://theaspd.com/index.php/ijes/article/view/3644
For Moroccan cannabis, a review of its cultivation, phytochemistry & uses
Review of Moroccan Cannabis sativa L.: Cultivation, phytochemistry, therapeutic uses, and biological activities in in-vitro, in-vivo and in-silico assays
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/6975
🌱 Growing & Extracting 🌱
Zinc oxide nanoparticles boosted cannabinoid biosynthesis by upregulating THCA & CBDA synthase genes
Foliar Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Enhanced Cannabinoid Biosynthesis Via Thca and Cbda Synthase Gene Upregulation in Cannabis
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5397091
In field-grown hemp, treatment with jasmonate & chitosan nanoparticles raised the levels of cannabinoids & terpenes via changes to the transcriptional network
Effects of methyl jasmonate and chitosan nanoparticle treatments on field-grown hemp inflorescences: Integrating transcriptomic and secondary metabolite insights
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669025012956
For fan leaves, hyperspectral measurements in the early floral period predicted final cannabinoid yield
Hyperspectral measurements of Cannabis sativa fan leaves during early floral development predict final cannabinoid yield
https://www.academia.edu/143140248/Hyperspectral_measurements_of_Cannabis_sativa_fan_leaves_during_early_floral_development_predict_final_cannabinoid_yield
For water activity from drying & curing, a study on the effects on the subjective quality of cannabis smoking
Impact of Water Activity on the Chemical Composition and Smoking Quality of Cannabis Flower: The Science of Smokability Phase
https://www.cannabisrc.org/post/new-research-impact-of-water-activity-on-the-chemical-composition-and-smoking-quality-of-cannabis-f
For drying, an analysis of different methods & the effects on bioactive compounds and & antioxidant activity
EFFECT OF DRYING METHODS OF CANNABIS AND PROPORTIONS OF HERBAL TEAS CONTAINING CANNABIS ON BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS, AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
https://ph01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/Scipsru/article/view/258153
In cannabis flowers infected with Fusarium species (pathogenic plant fungi), they produced detectable levels of mycotoxins
Fusarium Species Infecting Greenhouse-Grown Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) Plants Show Potential for Mycotoxin Production in Inoculated Inflorescences and from Natural Inoculum Sources
https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/11/7/528
For detecting microbial pathogens in dried cannabis flower, on using a modified D3 array
Modification of the D3 Array Combined (Formerly the DetectX Combined) for the Detection of Aspergillus, Salmonella, and Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Dried Cannabis Flower with Optional Enrichment: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 012201
https://academic.oup.com/jaoac/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jaoacint/qsaf080/8242772
In a South African field study, on the water use & crop yield of hemp
Water use and productivity of Cannabis sativa L., KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa
https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-025-00325-4
The residues from hemp hydro-distillation contained some surprisingly high levels of useful extractives
Industrial hemp solid hydro-distillation residue-properties and diversity
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669025013469
⚙️ Formulating & Analyzing ⚙️
On creating an amorphous CBD powder for improved bioavailability
Enhancing Cannabidiol Bioavailability: Development and Evaluation of an Amorphous Cannabidiol Powder Formulation
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jnsv/71/4/71_312/_article/-char/ja/
On saponin as a permeabilizer for anandamide delivery in extracellular vesicles
Critical evaluation of saponin as a permeabilizer for anandamide encapsulation in extracellular vesicles
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13346-025-01951-4
For cannabinoid elution in nonlinear chromatography, a model of the influence of operating parameters
Nonlinear liquid-liquid chromatography: Modeling of the influence of the operating parameters on the elution profiles of cannabinoids
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967325006491
🍞 Food, Nutrition & Hemp Seeds 🍞
For hemp flour muffins, on their nutritional & sensory characteristics
Nutritional, Sensory and Functional Characteristics of Hemp Flour – Enriched Muffins
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/bc6b0d1086840a023e66b1413454bb49/download_pub
On hemp seeds, a review of them as nutritious functional ingredients
Hemp seed as an emerging source of nutritious functional ingredients
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2025.2534839#abstract
A book chapter on hemp seeds as a novel protein source
Hemp Seed as a Novel Protein Source
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003597926-37/hemp-seed-novel-protein-source-vermont-dia
🏗️ Industrial Uses & Fiber 🏗️
In Sweden, on the potential of hemp lime as a sustainable construction material
Hemp matters; exploring the architectural potential of hemp and lime materials in Sweden
https://odr.chalmers.se/items/ed4fda9d-74a7-4a24-9f23-cc4187ff3d16
On combining biochar & hemp fiber to improve recycled concrete durability & carbon sequestration
From waste to worth: Biochar-hemp fiber synergy for carbon-sequestering, ultra-durable recycled aggregate concrete
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666916125000775
On improving green fly ash concrete with hemp fibers
Mechanical properties of novel green high-strength fly ash concrete incorporating hemp fibers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352710225017371
On using AI to optimize hempcrete
Predictive Modeling and Mechanical Characteristics Optimization of Sustainable Hemp Concrete using Neural Networks
https://wseas.com/journals/ead/2025/b365115-028(2025).pdf
🌿 THE CANNA-SCIENCE ARCHIVE 🌿
For cannabis use at different ages, a review of evidence for prenatal exposure, adolescence & late adulthood
Age-Related Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids on Brain and Behavior
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40876704/
🏥 Public Health, Legalization Effects & Clinical Work 🏥
In California, liberalized cannabis laws were associated with reduced alcohol use, particularly among middle-aged adults
Are cannabis policy changes associated with alcohol use patterns? Evidence for age‐group differences based on primary care screening data
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70134
In France with COVID, cannabis use was linked to reduced adherence to public health measures
The association between cannabis use and adherence to COVID-19 public health guidelines: prospective analyses from the French CONSTANCES cohort and SAPRIS survey
https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-025-01278-w
On detecting cannabinoids in hair with a LC-MS-MS
Detection of Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC, Δ10-THC and CBD in Hair Specimens
https://academic.oup.com/jat/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jat/bkaf079/8238166
🧒 Adolescents & Young Adults 🧒
At a Massachusetts psychiatric emergency service, cannabis legalization was linked to increased levels of adolescents with psychiatric illnesses or vulnerabilities
Effects of legalizing recreational cannabis sales on cannabis use and cannabis-related disorder among presentations to a psychiatric emergency service
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-7068790/v1
In adolescents, same-day nicotine & cannabis co-use was associated with greater dependence symptoms
Assessment of nicotine and cannabis co-use among adolescents and the association with nicotine and cannabis dependence symptoms
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460325002321
In adolescents, a review of the effects of cannabis
Cannabis Use in Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40875257/
For adolescent primates, chronic exposure to THC caused later changes to the effects of THC on attentional processes & psychomotor tasks
Chronic Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol exposure during adolescence is associated with persistent behavioural tolerance in adult nonhuman primates
https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bph.70179
🧠 The Brain & Neurological Disorders 🧠
In mice with no CB1 receptors in their dopamine-producing brain cells, they had normal anxiety-like behavior, more depressive-like behavior, reduced avoidance after acute stress, increased escape behavior & reduced exploration
Stress reactivity is modulated by cannabinoid type-1 receptors in norepinephrine and epinephrine neurons in a context-dependent manner
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452225008942
In the central synapses of the brain, this thesis project found that the fatty acid transporter FABP5 regulated the transport of endocannabinoids
Astrocytic FABP5 Modulates Retrograde Endocannabinoid Transport at Central Synapses of the Brain
https://www.proquest.com/openview/cbc2690bef352d7ccbd21321672f1566/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
💭 Mental Health, Addiction & Cannabis Use Disorder 💭
If a person’s reason to initiate cannabis use is self-medication, their later use is associated with higher average THC levels as well as increased anxiety, depression & paranoia
Are reasons for first using cannabis associated with subsequent cannabis consumption (standard THC units) and psychopathology?
https://mentalhealth.bmj.com/content/28/1/e301810
From an Australian psychiatric unit, on the cannabis use levels before patient admission
147. MEDICINAL CANNABIS AN MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALISATION: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12359592/
In people with PTSD, those with symptoms of emotional numbing had lower levels of CB1 receptor availability
Cannabinoid 1 receptor availability in posttraumatic stress disorder: A positron emission tomography study
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-025-03519-9
In a human study of intrusive memories after violent imagery, lower levels of anandamide (as well as a genetic variants linked to lower levels of anandamide) were associated with higher levels of explicit & intrusive memories
681. ENDOCANNABINOIDS AND INTRUSIVE MEMORIES: EVIDENCE FOR A ROLE OF ANANDAMIDE FROM TWO EXPERIMENTAL HUMAN STUDIES
https://academic.oup.com/ijnp/article/28/Supplement_2/ii49/8236737
For alcohol use disorder, a thesis project on targeting the endocannabinoid & inflammatory systems
Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Novel Pharmacological Targets for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders: Focus on Endocannabinoid and Inflammatory System
https://iris.uniroma1.it/handle/11573/1740484
🦠 The Immune System & Microbial 🦠
In people on antiretroviral therapy for HIV, oral THC & CBD altered their gut microbiome & decreased blood levels of the endocannabinoids monoacylglycerols 2-eicosapentaenoylglycerol (2-EPG) & 2-oleoylglycerol (2-OG)
Impact of Oral Cannabinoids on the Endocannabinoidome and Gut Microbiome in People with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy (CTN PT028 Pilot Clinical Trial)
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/25785125251366052
🦴 Pain, Musculoskeletal, Inflammation & Surgeries
In adults experiencing pain, their endocannabinoid levels & the genetic variant of their FAAH enzyme were not a good predictor of their pain levels (except for one FAAH variant associated with changes to pressure pain thresholds)
The Contribution of Baseline Circulating Endocannabinoids to Individual Differences in Human Pain Sensitivity: A Quantitative Sensory Testing Study
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.22.671762v1.abstract
For pain, a book chapter on THC & CBD
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol for Pain: Preclinical and Clinical Models
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/7854_2025_604
In mice with muscle wasting from immobilization, Rimonabant (the pharmaceutical blocker of the CB1 receptor) decreased muscle loss but, surprisingly, amplified the decrease in muscle protein synthesis, with changes to the enzyme levels of FAAH (which breaks down anandamide) & NAPE-PLD (which synthesizes anandamide)
Rimonabant treatment partly attenuates skeletal muscle loss following immobilization in young and in old, sarcopenic male mice
https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/gerona/glaf189/8242768
🍽️ The Guts, Metabolism & the Microbiome 🍽️
In a mouse model of obesity, suppressing ABHD6 (an endocannabinoid transporter) lowered inflammation & promoted better fat remodeling
Suppression of adipocyte ABHD6 favors anti-inflammatory and adipogenic programs to preserve adipose tissue fitness in obesity
https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/282671/AIP/1-s2.0-S2212877825001486/main.pdf
💨 The Lungs 💨
In a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring), 3 probiotics from the Lactiplantibacillus family elevated levels of PEA & helped with inflammation, lung health & mortality
Lactiplantibacillus sp. LP03 Alleviates Pulmonary Fibrosis by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Elevating Host Palmitoylethanolamide to Suppress TGF-β1/Smad2/3-Mediated EMT
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1659142/abstract
🎗️ Cancer & Chemotherapy 🎗️
For cancer, a thesis project on the non-psychoactive cannabis compounds for reducing tumor cell proliferation, inflammation & neurodegeneration [Italian]
Composti bioattivi di Cannabis sativa L. non psicoattiva come agenti terapeutici innovativi contro la proliferazione delle cellule tumorali, l’infiammazione e la neurodegenerazione
https://tesidottorato.depositolegale.it/handle/20.500.14242/215231
💊 Synthetic Cannabinoids & Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids 💊
On screening for synthetic cannabinoids in herbal samples using 3D voltammetry & PARAFAC
Screening of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal samples through three-dimensional voltammetry and PARAFAC
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0026265X25024695
🔬 Biochemical Discoveries & Detection Tools 🔬
For new CB1 antagonists, on the effects in mice
Pharmacological characterization of a new synthesis compound with antagonistic action on CB1 receptors: Evidence from the animal experimental model
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299925007277
On how certain triterpenes inhibit the MAGL enzyme (which breaks down 2-AG)
Correlation Between In Silico Docking/Simulation Results and In Vitro MAGL Inhibition Potency of Selected Triterpenes
https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/9/691
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For this week’s post-bop flute, Yusef Lateef’s ‘The Golden Flute’. Also a superior player on the saxophone, the oboe, the bassoon, the bamboo flute & even more rare instruments like the argol (a double clarinet) & the shanai (a type of oboe), Lateef learned from the greats of Detroit before he even finished high school. After graduation, he hit the road to play saxophone for a number of swing bands & soon the great Dizzy Gillespie invited him on a tour. Lateef then went to university to study composition & flute. It was during this time that he converted to Islam, later making two pilgrimages to Mecca. He branched out into the study of instruments from around the world & it was said he “played world music before world music had a name”. And as he said, “my attempts to experiment with new instruments grew out of the monotony of hearing the same old sounds played by the same old horns,… When I looked into those other cultures, I found that good instruments existed there.” He became one of the early leaders of blending jazz with Eastern music & he didn't limit himself to music, but also wrote two novellas, a short story collection & an autobiography. And finally, even though he never liked the terms “jazz” or “jazz musician”, the National Endowment for the Arts recognized him as a Jazz Master just a few years before his death at 93.
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.