C&P#178: cannabis for lower back pain, cancer & orofacial pain + OEA for obesity
Germany cannabis opposition heats up
Cannabinoids & The People,
or; Drugs & Drug Wars
(buy my canna-graphic novels based on ‘Moby Dick, or; The Whale’ & proceeds go to Americans for Safe Access to support medical cannabis patients)
🌟 This week 🌟
Cannabis for chronic lower back pain & cancer
THC & CBD for orofacial pain
Oleoylethanolamide for the inflammation of obesity
Stoners sit down less!
Ha! Cannabis users have higher levels of both anti-inflammatory & pro-inflammatory cytokines
CHS on the rise in Canada
Treating CUD with transcranial magnetic stimulation
German driving data: half of impaired drivers under THC blood limit & half of unimpaired drivers over it
Preclinical: CBD for blunt force chest trauma, neuropathic pain & heart inflammation
(this week’s numbers: 6.5~k words, ~17 minutes reading time, 139 papers)
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 178th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science, assorted canna-news as well as coverage of other psychoactives, the War on Drugs & harm reduction. Support this work with a paid subscription or by buying me a coffee.
For producing cannabinoid content, work with my company White Whale Creations: writing, science archives, social media, newsletters & podcasts (especially podcasts).
As always, ask me anything!
📌 Editor’s note 📌:
For a great French cannabis gathering, Science in the City is moving to Paris for this year’s September meeting.
Here’s all the info & hope to see you there!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/science-in-the-city-international-2026-paris-france-tickets-1980808467448
And here’s their LinkedIn for more info:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/medical-resource-association/posts/
🤝 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/
Follow along on Instagram to keep on learning or sign up for the monthly CHRI email (curated by me) to get just the best of clinical research & new reviews twice a month.
🎥 Lex’s new work 🎤
@CannabinoidsAndThe People vids sponsored by CHRI & the National Cannabis Study:
Canna-Edu Vids for CV Sciences:
(on YT @CVSciencesInc & on TT @pluscbd)
My 📚 Book Vids:
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the Tibetan folk tale ‘The Prayer That Was Answered’ (the Tibetans have the funniest (and darkest) humor on the planet)
And as always, at the bottom is the album of the week: a hero of the Piedmont blues
🧰 Free resources 🧰
CVResearch.info: the cannabinoid science archive I maintain for CV Sciences
My glossary of cannabinoid terms (& containing the legend for my Neural Ocean metaphor with endocannabinoid whales)
Roundup of fav newsletters:
#Canna: Marijuana Moment, Cannabis Law Report, Cultivated, Cannabis Musings (oy vey), Talking Joints Memo, Sticky Bits, Highly Objective, Cannabitch, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, Dr. Peter Grinspoon, Doctor Approved, Medical Marijuana Memory Blog (by Dame Alice O’Leary Randall)
#DrugWar: InSight Crime, Marshall Project, Students for Sensible Drug Policy
#HarmReduction: Filter, Drug Data Decoded, International Drug Policy Consortium, National Harm Reduction Coalition, Canadian Drug Policy Coalition
#Psychoactives: Psychedelic Alpha, Ecstatic Integration, ICEERS, Substance, The Microdose
📣 A request to spread the word 📣
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth, so please forward to friends & colleagues.
🍃 BEST OF CANNABINOID SCIENCE 🍃
(most of the phytocannabinoid data is here & most of the ECS data is in the ‘Canna-Science Archive’ at the bottom)
⚕️ Clinical ⚕️
For chronic lower back, a center’s analysis of 10 years of data found that cannabis reduced pain intensity, functional disability & opioid use
Ten-Year Outcomes of Medical Cannabis for Chronic Low Back Pain: Opioid Reduction, Pain Relief, and Functional Improvement in 1,000 Patients
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8584281/v1
In cancer patients, 12 weeks of guided cannabis care caused significant improvements to pain, sleep, anxiety & GI symptoms
Guided cannabis care and improvements in PROMIS metrics among cancer patients: a prospective assessment
https://aacrjournals.org/clincancerres/article/32/4_Supplement/PS1-01-27/773909
In people with chronic orofacial pain from temporomandibular disorder (a cluster of jaw problems), a 1:1 THC:CBD extract improved pain, muscle sensitivity & mouth function
Effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol on myofascial pain modulation in patients with temporomandibular disorder: a prospective crossover study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1807593226000268
But in people with pain in their jaw region (myofascial pain disorder of the temporomandibular region), CBD & hemp seed oil appeared to improve jaw function, but neither treatment improved pain
Oral Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Disorder of the Temporomandibular Region: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
https://karger.com/mca/article-pdf/doi/10.1159/000551040/4509514/000551040.pdf
For inflammation in cannabis users, a meta-analysis of 46 studies found higher levels of both anti- & pro-inflammatory biomarkers
Regular cannabinoid use and inflammatory biomarkers: Systematic review and hierarchical meta-analysis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159126002655
Well if that ain’t the most cannabinoid study I’ve ever cannabinoided.
#DoubleEdgedSwordsAbound
In people with mutations in their syntaxin-binding protein-1 (STXBP1, which leads to a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders), CBD lowered seizure levels & helped with movement disorders
STXBP1 encephalopathy: Cannabidiol as a treatment option and expansion of the genotype-phenotype spectrum- Case reports
https://karger.com/msy/article-abstract/doi/10.1159/000550657/945087/STXBP1-encephalopathy-Cannabidiol-as-a-treatment
In people with obesity, oleoylethanolamide (the endocannabinoid of satiation) altered the gut microbiome, improved the intestinal barrier & reduced inflammation
Oleoylethanolamide supplementation enriches Akkermansia muciniphila and modulates intestinal barrier in adults with obesity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/29933935.2026.2622259
In men with a swollen prostate & chronic pelvic pain syndrome, the combination of CBD & hyaluronic acid suppositories reduced pain & improved urination
Cannabidiol-hyaluronic acid combination delivered rectally for attenuating abacterial prostatitis symptoms: Single-arm open-label pilot clinical trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41709732/
In veterans enrolled in a substance use disorder treatment program, those using cannabis did so to alleviate pain, pain-related anxiety & poor sleep quality, “viewing cannabis as a harm reducing therapeutic”
A qualitative study on cannabis use for harm reduction and pain among veterans enrolled in an SUD treatment program
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12954-026-01412-2
For sedentary behavior, cannabis use was associated with less sitting time
Ethnic variations in sedentary behavior and marijuana use among U.S. adults: A cross-sectional analysis
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2025/12260/ethnic_variations_in_sedentary_behavior_and.18.aspx
For cannabis withdrawal, aerobic exercise or stretching did not cause any benefits
The effect of daily aerobic cycling exercise on cannabis withdrawal: An inpatient randomised controlled trial
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-40468-9_reference.pdf
In infants with prenatal cannabis exposure, they had no later differences in well-childcare attendance or emergency department visits, as well as a decreased odds of a diagnosis of developmental delay at 2 years old
Health Care Utilization and Developmental Delay Among Infants Exposed to Cannabis In Utero
https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(26)00006-9/fulltext
For the pharmacokinetics of THC (how they move through the body), a model based on an analysis of 16 studies & various routes of ingestion
A Multi-route, Multi-formulation Population Pharmacokinetic Framework for THC and 11-OH-THC Reflecting Real-World Use
https://www.scienceopen.com/document_file/98b3a61a-a89e-45aa-9a41-9d51be01c0c8/API/T-109-Shenkoya.pdf
📑 Reviews 📑
For neuropathic pain from diabetes, a review of 4 studies found pain relief from rather small amounts of THC (16 to 18 mg)
Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy due to Diabetes: A Systematic Review
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/25785125261425444
In ovarian cancer, a review found both CBD & THC demonstrated robust anti-proliferative effects, with more cell-cycle arrest & apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide)
Cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in ovarian cancer: A systematic review and Meta-analysis of anticancer efficacy
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/400985590_Cannabidiol_and_tetrahydrocannabinol_in_ovarian_cancer_A_systematic_review_and_Meta-analysis_of_anticancer_efficacy
For less common disorders, a review of the efficacy of the cannabinoids
Cannabinoid Therapies in Less-Common Disorders: Clinical Evidence and Formulation Strategies
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/14/2/83
For oral medicine, a review of the cannabinoids (with a nice timeline of historical cannabis use)
Cannabis in oral medicine: what should we know? -a narrative review
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/401009097_Cannabis_in_oral_medicine_what_should_we_know_-a_narrative_review
For the endocannabinoids in saliva, a review found that their levels can be influenced by fear, stress & exercise, as well as longer-term traits such as metabolic status or as biomarkers for conditions like orofacial pain
Endocannabinoids in Saliva: Origins, Significance, and Research Directions
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/25785125261423034
⚠️ Harms ⚠️
For sleep, greater cannabis dependence was linked with worse sleep quality & greater sleepiness, with effects worsened by polysubstance use
Associations of cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco use combinations with sleep health
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853226000167
In sexual minority men, there was a significant association between erectile dysfunction & cannabis use
Association between marijuana use and erectile dysfunction in a sample of sexual minority men: a cross-sectional analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41703639/
In US adults with chronic conditions, those co-using opioids & cannabis had higher odds of depression
Association of Combined Marijuana and Opioid Use with Major Depressive Disorder Among Adults with Chronic Conditions in the United States
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/29768357261423812
For adults with cannabis use disorder (CUD), transcranial magnetic stimulation caused significant reductions in THC consumption, CUD symptoms, cravings & symptoms of depression & anxiety
Phase 1 Open-Label Pilot Trial of H4 Deep Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Adults With Moderate-to-Severe Cannabis Use Disorder
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1094715926000085
For cannabis use disorder, a review of 57 studies found the best evidence for “dialectical behavioural/acceptance and commitment therapies, contingency management alone or with cognitive-behavioural therapy with motivation enhancement, N-acetylcysteine, cannabidiol or varenicline”
Comparative effectiveness, safety and acceptability of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for the treatment of cannabis use disorder: a network meta-analysis
https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/comparative-effectiveness-safety-and-acceptability-of-pharmacolog/
For E-cigarette or Vaping product use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), a review of the effects & treatment
EVALI: Current Understanding of Its Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management
https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/68480
In a cohort study of adolescents, past-year cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of psychotic, bipolar, depressive & anxiety disorders by the age of 26
Adolescent Cannabis Use and Risk of Psychotic, Bipolar, Depressive, and Anxiety Disorders
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2845356
As always, these kind of studies are about correlation but not causation. I do believe that the early use of cannabis will exacerbate symptoms in some kids with predispositions, but that in others, some level of moderate cannabis use will help to treat their emerging mental health issue. With something so complex as mental health & cannabis, there’s surely a double-edged sword.
For Canadian cannabinoid hyperemesis, public health data showed a significant rise over the last 10 years
Trends in hospitalizations for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome in Canada, 2016–17 to 2024–25
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1740300/abstract
For cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a case report of an adolescent with 7 hospitalizations & 9 emergency department visits in 17 months
Just a Band-Aid: The Inadequate Response to Cannabis Use Disorder in Youth
https://publications.aap.org/hospitalpediatrics/article-abstract/doi/10.1542/hpeds.2025-008804/206444/Just-a-Band-Aid-The-Inadequate-Response-to
On the potential of propofol to induce cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, this poster reviewed the literature & looked at potential mechanisms
Propofol in Chronic Cannabis Users: A Mechanistic Link to Cannabinoid hyperemesis?
https://ecommons.roseman.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1740&context=researchsymposium
In a rat model of male fertility, THC exposure significantly reduced sperm motility & vitality, decreased testosterone & increased the hormones FSH & LH, with CBD causing no differences
Differential Effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Sperm Quality and Reproductive Hormones in Male Rats: A Comparative Experimental Study
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1155/and/4514624
🐁 Preclinical 🐁
In a female rat model of blunt force trauma to the chest, CBD lowered inflammation & lessened the injuries to the heart & reproductive tissue
Cannabidiol mitigates secondary genital injury after thoracic trauma by regulating systemic inflammation and hormone receptor signaling
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-39310-z_reference.pdf
In a rat model of neuropathic pain, CBD reduced the self-administration of oxycodone
Cannabidiol reduces oxycodone self-administration while preserving its analgesic efficacy in a rat model of neuropathic pain
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-31828-y
In a tissue model of myocarditis (heart inflammation), CBD lowered inflammatory cytokines at low doses but increased them at high doses
The Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Cannabidiol in Autoimmune Myocarditis
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0046-1817367
In 2 mouse models of epilepsy, Colombian cannabis extracts of 1:1: THC:CBD prevented seizures & mortality in one model, but in the other model, higher doses increased seizures
Characterization and Anticonvulsant Effects of a Colombian Cannabis sativa Extract: A Preclinical Study in Murine Models of Epilepsy
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/401196159_Characterization_and_Anticonvulsant_Effects_of_a_Colombian_Cannabis_sativa_Extract_A_Preclinical_Study_in_Murine_Models_of_Epilepsy
In a rat model of diet-induced obesity, the combination of CBD & aerobic exercise protected the insulin-producing beta-cells
Aerobic training and cannabidiol activate the PI3K/AKT/PDX1 axis to ameliorate beta-cell dysfunction in a rat model of diet-induced obesity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41721911/
In a mouse model of pancreatitis, dietary cannabis seeds lessened disease severity, reduced inflammation & alleviated the associated acute lung injury
Dietary Cannabis Seed Supplementation Attenuates Inflammation and Pancreatic Injury in a Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis Mouse Model
https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/48/2/221
In a mouse model of fertility damage due to the chemotherapy treatment paclitaxel, the terpene beta caryophyllene restored antioxidant capacity, suppressed inflammation & apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide) & protected testicular architecture & reproductive function
β-Caryophyllene Protects Male Fertility and Testicular Function Against Paclitaxel-Induced Damage in a Murine Model
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8844033/v1/da956a13-0047-49a0-bd19-17e171abd888.pdf
In a mouse model of depression from chronic stress, electroacupuncture worked via the CB1 receptor to restore excitatory signaling in the prefrontal cortex
Electroacupuncture alleviates chronic stress-induced anxiety via excitatory neuron CB1 receptor-dependent suppression of GR/SGK1 signaling in the mPFC
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032726000935
There is a small but robust literature on how the benefits of acupuncture, often called the most proven of the alternative treatment modalities, works, at least partially, via the endocannabinoid system.
For inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels (vital for the brain’s action potentials & excitability), on the mechanisms of how CBD stabilizes them in their inactive state, thereby suppressing high-frequency firing
From cannabis to conductance: Cannabinoid-inspired strategies for state-selective Nav inhibition
https://www.cell.com/biophysj/abstract/S0006-3495(25)02909-1
In a neural tissue model of alcohol use disorder, CBD analogues performed even better than CBD at protecting from ethanol damage
Synthetic cannabidiol analogues exhibit lower toxicity than cannabidiol and protect against ethanol-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0161813X2600032X
In bone cells, CBD enhanced their differentiation & mineralization
Involvement of AKT/β-catenin in Enhanced Osteogenesis by Cannabidiol in Bone Stromal Cells Harvested from Human Tori
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-03763-5_reference.pdf
In a mouse model of pain treated with the traditional Amazonian medicine of the Cissus gongylodes (Baker) Planch vine, the active ingredient L-malic acid caused a potent painkilling effect that worked partially via CB1 & anandamide signaling
L-Malic acid from Cissus gongylodes induces cannabinoid-mediated antinociception in mice
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874126001571
One more for our list of traditional medicines that work by the endocannabinoid system…
🆕 Novel Studies 🆕
(a grab bag section for cool & new stuff)
In Canadian illicit versus illicit cannabis, the illicit cannabis performed worse on microbial, mold, heavy metal tests & especially bad on pesticide levels
Comparative analysis of metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, microbial contaminants and THC potency in illicit and regulated cannabis inflorescences in Canada
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00414-y
In mothers, fathers & children in the 2 years after birth, hair endocannabinoid analysis found depressive symptoms may be associated with anandamide signaling
Associations between hair endocannabinoid concentrations and parental depressive symptoms: A longitudinal study of mothers, fathers, and their offspring up to two years postpartum
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027858462600045X
🌐 International Updates 🌐
In Germany, the Christian Democratic Union party adopted a motion to repeal the 2024 cannabis legalization law
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/cdu-fordert-ruecknahme-der-cannabis-legalisierung-100.html
And for German soldiers, the federal government maintained a comprehensive cannabis ban
https://cannabislaw.report/germany-bundeswehr-maintains-comprehensive-cannabis-bans-for-soldiers/
And in Bavaria (known for their cannabis opposition), Bavarian public parks continue their public smoking ban despite a court saying the bans are invalid
https://cannabislaw.report/legal-kerfuffle-continues-about-smoking-cannabis-in-bavarian-public-parks-courts-say-bans-invalid-but-bavarian-administration-of-state-palaces-gardens-and-lakes-continues-bans/
For the famous cannabis social clubs of Spain, a history of their rise & their subsequent struggles since 2015
Contentious legality in decentralized governance: The rise and decline of cannabis social clubs in Spain
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955395926000575
In Latin American, support of drug legalization is generally low but this analysis found that citizen support was associated with higher legislator support & vice versa
Who Influences Whom? Elite and Citizen Preferences Regarding Marijuana and Drug Legalisation in Latin America
https://www.proquest.com/openview/2f96b84f136d233d55d62b5e29b242d6/1
In Poland, a survey found that ~30% supported legalization of cannabis, ~40% supported depenalization & ~30% thought medical cannabis legalization might lead to increased recreational use
A 2025 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey on Public Attitudes Toward the Legalization and Depenalization of Recreational Cannabis in Poland
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41715907/
In Maltese hemp products, a secret buyer survey found one-third to be more than 10% from their labeled CBD content & a few to be above the regulated THC levels
Declared vs determined: Analysis of cannabinoids in commercially available products on the Maltese market
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874390026000261
⚖️ Business, Laws & Education ⚖️
For the cost of bank loans to cannabis companies, on the effects of labor conditions
High Times, Lower Spreads: Marijuana Legalization and the Cost of Bank Loans
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5974863
For cannabis R&D, a country’s regulatory framework can mute the benefits
When regulation meets innovation: A contingent institutional model of cannabis legalization
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2199853126000326
For cannabis & gambling, an analysis of laws & business structures with a focus on Nevada
Integrating cannabis and gaming: re-evaluating their business intersection
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s42238-025-00382-9_reference.pdf
For US universities, liberalized cannabis laws had little effect on enrollments in STEM majors
Budding enrollment: the impact of cannabis policy on US colleges and universities
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/400908414_Budding_enrollment_the_impact_of_cannabis_policy_on_US_colleges_and_universities
🚓 The War on Drugs 🚓
In Mexico, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed by government forces, leading to an outbreak of violence across the country
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/world/americas/el-mencho-mexico-what-we-know.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/world/americas/jalisco-new-generation-cartel-leader-killed.html
And his wife, niece of a powerful gang leader, was arrested as well
https://dbonello.substack.com/p/husband-of-rosalinda-gonzalez-valencia
In Mexico, an analysis of how the War on Drugs led to every generation of cartels being more violent than the one before
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/world/americas/mexico-war-on-drugs.html
In Maine, on the big cannabis grows linked to Chinese criminal networks
https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/china/criminal-networks-grow-houses-maine/
In Afghanistan, the methamphetamine industry is being suppressed by the Taliban
https://cannabislaw.report/article-the-methamphetamine-industry-is-metastasizing-in-response-to-the-taliban-drugs-ban/
In the EU, a bust of a synthetic drug network arrested 103 people & seized hundreds of kilos of drugs, including alpha-PVP, mephedrone, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA & cannabis
https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/103-arrests-and-36-labs-dismantled-in-strike-against-synthetic-drug-network
In El Salvador & Mexico, their navies announced seizures of 10+ tons of cocaine
https://www.aol.com/articles/mexico-el-salvador-big-cocaine-221518674.html
In Detroit, a bust of 11k cannabis plants
https://cannabislaw.report/over-11000-plants-found-in-multi-million-dollar-metro-detroit-marijuana-bust/
In New York, a Chinese national convicted for possession of 207 pounds of cannabis
https://cannabislaw.report/chinese-national-found-guilty-of-smuggling-207-pounds-of-marijuana-into-the-united-states/
In Asia, a book on their capital drug laws
Capital drug laws in Asia
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10192557.2026.2629718
🚗 Driving 🚗
In an analysis of German road traffic data after legalization, almost half of the unimpaired drivers exceeded the 3.5 ng/ml THC blood limit while half of the impaired drivers remain below it
Partial cannabis legalization and the increase of the THC threshold in road traffic: a statistical analysis of traffic cases before and after legal changes
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15389588.2026.2616385
In Australian people who use drugs & have been prescribed cannabis, the majority have driven within 3 hours of ingesting cannabis
Prescribed cannabis and driving behaviours among two samples of people who regularly use illicit drugs, 2025
https://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/entities/publication/8ef1323b-0a3c-44f7-b201-788c4d4f2dae
🛡️ Harm Reduction News 🛡️
Harm Reduction Research
In the Swiss heroin-assisted treatment program, a survey of the medical heads of the centers found few treatment barriers & that overdoses & seizures were very rare
Operational and clinical procedures of heroin-assisted treatment in Switzerland: a nation-wide survey study
https://idpc.net/publications/2025/12/operational-and-clinical-procedures-of-heroin-assisted-treatment-in-switzerland-a-nation-wide
For drug checking at an outdoor music festival, a New Zealand survey on how people used it
Recreational Drug Use and Drug Checking in Outdoor Music Festival: Implications for Mass Gathering Health
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S3050456226000040
For people in Puerto Rico who inject drugs, an ethnographic study of how they sustain their drug consumption while “navigating a failing neoliberal development model”
Hustlers and tricksters: Colonialism, the war on drugs, and survival strategies of people who inject drugs
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953626001838
In Colombia, on direct violence as a drug-related harm for those using basuco (a form of smokable cocaine)
Direct violence as drug-related harm: Basuco and harm reduction in Bogotá, Colombia
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395926000605
For opioid harm reduction in US higher education, a review of 46 studies for best practices
Approaches to preventing opioid-related harms in US higher education: A PRISMA-guided scoping review
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07448481.2026.2626148
For academic research into substance use, a blueprint for integrating a community advisory board of people with lived experience
“Being treated as the expert:” A blueprint for a community advisory board approach to elevate the voice of people with living experience with substance use in academic research
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/E6D8A5EDA0834488DC814C96ABD82406/S2059866126102428a.pdf/div-class-title-being-treated-as-the-expert-a-blueprint-for-a-community-advisory-board-approach-to-elevate-the-voice-of-people-with-living-experience-with-substance-use-in-academic-research-div.pdf
🍄 Psychoactives, Psychedelics & Plant Medicines 🍄
The Psychoactive Research
In chemsex, a French survey found the most frequent substances to be synthetic cathinone, GHB/GBL & stimulants, with a high prevalence of addictive disorders
Addictive disorders and correlates in the context of chemsex practices: A French online survey
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352853226000155
For salvia, the active ingredient salvinorin A modulated the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine & endorphins
Opioid Receptors in Psychedelia: Indirect Serotonergic Modulation of Direct KOR Activation by Salvinorin A
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/14/2/476
Psychedelics & MDMA
In veterans with blast-induced traumatic brain injuries, treatment with magnesium & ibogaine increased cortical thickness, expanded the subcortex & reduced brain age
Increased cortical thickness and decreased brain age among special operations veterans with blast TBI after a magnesium-ibogaine protocol
https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(26)00496-7
In psilocybin for treatment-resistant OCD, mystical experiences predicted symptom improvement but challenging experiences did not
Mystical but Not Challenging Experiences Predict Symptom Improvement After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant OCD
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terence-Ching/publication/400684485_Mystical_but_Not_Challenging_Experiences_Predict_Symptom_Improvement_After_Psilocybin_for_Treatment-Resistant_OCD/links/6993b8a412f837212a1b6733/Mystical-but-Not-Challenging-Experiences-Predict-Symptom-Improvement-After-Psilocybin-for-Treatment-Resistant-OCD.pdf
In psychedelic experiences, depression & anxiety predicted more challenging experiences while well-being predicted more mystical experiences, with social connectedness & mindfulness linked to less challenging experiences
Baseline Mood and “Relational Triad” Predict Acute Qualities of Psychedelic Experience
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/16/2/310
In the model of internal family systems, interviews on how people integrate their psychedelic experiences
How does the internal family systems model of psychotherapy support clients in the integration of their psychedelic experiences? An interpretative phenomenological analysis of clients’ testimonies
https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2054/aop/article-10.1556-2054.2026.00475/article-10.1556-2054.2026.00475.xml
Also, it’s worth noting that there’s a bit of a crusade against IFS now & their belief in “unattached burdens” (entities). For an example, here’s a recent LinkedIn post from Jules Evans as well & his Substack post from last year.
Personally, I do think these kind of entities exist, but I get where he’s coming from that people should know from the beginning that this model contains something pretty far outside the bounds of normal Western psychotherapy.
(Disclosure: my wife is an IFS practitioner & trainer-in-training)
In eating disorders, a review found that MDMA-assisted therapy may hold promise as an adjunctive treatment
Exploring MDMA assisted therapy in eating disorders: mechanisms, clinical evidence, and future directions
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40337-025-01409-5
For the cognitive & psychological effects of psychedelics, this review of 32 studies found enhanced emotional empathy, mixed effects on memory & dose-dependent impairments on reaction time, attention & inhibition tasks
Effects of LSD, DMT and psilocybin on cognitive and psychological functions: A systematic review of the literature
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/02698811251412012
For people with stress from advanced cancer, a review found psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to be a compelling therapeutic option
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psycho-existential distress in advanced cancer: a narrative review
https://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2026/02/18/spcare-2025-005689
For Alzheimer’s disease, a review of how hallucinogens (who calls them that anymore?) may help via the membranes of the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
Hallucinogenic Therapy in Alzheimer’s Disease targeting Mitochondria-Associated Membranes
https://www.ibroneuroscience.org/article/S0306-4522(26)00125-9/abstract
In juvenile primates, ayahuasca reduced stress-induced brain atrophy
Preliminary analysis of ayahuasca-induced anatomical alterations in the somatosensory cortex of juvenile non-human primates (Callithrix jacchus) subjected to chronic stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41714608/
In a rat model of repeated traumatic brain injury, psilocybin recovered behavioral deficits, enhanced neurogenesis in the hippocampus (a memory center of the brain) & reduced density of the microglia (guardian immune cells of the brain)
Delayed psilocybin treatment after repeated mild traumatic brain injury recovers chronic behavioural deficits, reduces microglial density, and enhances hippocampal neurogenesis in rats
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8555503/v1/ebdd0ab1-2b25-4d6c-b131-124070c91b83.pdf
Ketamine
In French ketamine use, an analysis of the public health toxicity data on adverse effects
Health risks associated with non-medical use of ketamine in France: National surveillance insights from the French Addictovigilance Network, 2019–2023
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02698811261420018
In people using ketamine for antidepressant effects, higher blood pressure was linked to better antidepressant outcomes, “supporting the hypothesis concerning sympathetic activation”
Sympathetic activation but not dissociation linked to ketamine’s sustained antidepressant effect
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20451253261419636
In people using IV ketamine for alcohol use disorder, they experienced strong psychoactive effects, though these didn’t predict treatment efficacy
The psychoactive effects of repeated ketamine infusions and their mechanistic role in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/add.70320
On using ketamine for schizophrenia, a review on the potential advantages & risks
KETAMINE FOR NEGATIVE AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: THE EVIDENCE SO FAR
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1766485/abstract
For reducing suicidality in major depressive disorder, a review of ketamine, ECT & rTMS
The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), ketamine, and esketamine in reducing suicidality in major depressive disorder: A comprehensive narrative review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178126000971
Kratom
In a rat model of methamphetamine use disorder, kratom’s active ingredient mitragynine reduced methamphetamine use
Preclinical assessment of mitragynine as a treatment for methamphetamine use disorder
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8690159/v1
🍃 The Plant & its Products 🍃
For carbon accounting for hemp, on combining LiDAR & hyperspectral data
A novel approach to estimate total carbon accounting for below and above-ground carbon content of industrial hemp with UAV LiDAR and hyperspectral data fusion
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375526001218
🌱 Growing 🌱
For cannabis stability & post-harvest quality across the production chain, a review of the conditions & practices
Cannabis: from crop to shop—some insights about stability to access quality control
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00409-9
On using a fungus to enhance the synthesis of flavonoids, phenolics & CBD
Optimization of in vitro culture conditions for Cannabis sativa L. adventitious roots and enhancement of flavonoid, phenolic, and cannabidiol accumulation by endophytic fungus RF-1
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11240-026-03378-2
For rotating hemp & barley, on the effects on yield, nitrogen use & soil health
Tillage and cover cropping enhanced yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and soil health in organic industrial hemp–barley rotations
https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/agj2.70306
In cannabis stressed by spider mites, an analysis of the shifts in their root microbiomes
Bacterial microbiota dynamics of Cannabis sativa L. under biotic stress induced by Tetranychus urticae
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00709-026-02171-4
On using single-seed descent to produce uniform F1 hybrids
Weeding out variability: A proof-of-concept for producing uniform F1 hybrid Cannabis sativa L. using single seed descent
https://watermark02.silverchair.com/uhag038.pdf
For producing calluses, on the effects of plant growth regulators
Impact of Plant Growth Regulators on Callus Induction in Cannabis sativa L.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/15/4/385
For the smell of cannabis, an EU regulatory assessment of the volatile fraction
Pharmacognostic and regulatory assessment of the volatile fraction of Cannabis sativa L.: Narrative review and pharmacopoeial blueprint for a Cannabis aetheroleum
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Phil-Kaeding-2/publication/401049760_Pharmacognostic_and_regulatory_assessment_of_the_volatile_fraction_of_Cannabis_sativa_L_Narrative_review_and_pharmacopoeial_blueprint_for_a_Cannabis_aetheroleum/links/699b4b5864ca8a38209028b3/Pharmacognostic-and-regulatory-assessment-of-the-volatile-fraction-of-Cannabis-sativa-L-Narrative-review-and-pharmacopoeial-blueprint-for-a-Cannabis-aetheroleum.pdf
For the synthesis of propyl cannabinoids (shorter 3-carbon tails), a genetic transcription analysis found the most important gene to be beta-ketoacyl-reductase
Transcriptomic analysis of fatty acid and cannabinoid synthases in an S1 cannabis progeny segregating for propyl cannabinoid biosynthesis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11103-026-01690-1
⚙️ Extracting, Analyzing & Formulating ⚙️
For analyzing THC & CBD, on creating a rapid & portable voltammetric method
Portable voltammetric method for the simultaneous determination of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol in alkaline medium using unmodified screen-printed carbon electrodes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039914026002171
For analyzing terpene & cannabinoid levels in hemp extracts, on the development of a rapid GC-MS workflow
Development of a Rapid GC-MS Workflow for Simultaneous Quantification of Volatile Terpenes and Cannabinoids in Industrial Hemp Extracts
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joshua-Animasaun-2/publication/400854348_International_Journal_of_Innovative_Science_and_Research_Technology_How_to_Cite_Joshua_Blessing_Animasaun_Onuh_Matthew_Ijiga_Victoria_Bukky_Ayoola_Lawrence_Anebi_Enyejo_2026_Development_of_a_Rapid_GC-/links/6993c26642f94d1212ab534b/International-Journal-of-Innovative-Science-and-Research-Technology-How-to-Cite-Joshua-Blessing-Animasaun-Onuh-Matthew-Ijiga-Victoria-Bukky-Ayoola-Lawrence-Anebi-Enyejo-2026-Development-of-a-Rapid-GC.pdf
🍞 Food & Nutrition 🍞
For cannabis as a food ingredient, a review of the history, the current markets & the patents
Potential use of Cannabis sativa L. as a food ingredient: Technological prospecting and patent landscape
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950199726000790
For cannabis in beverages, a review of the methods, the stability & the sensory data
Cannabis sativa in beverages: incorporation methods, bioactive stability and sensory impact – a critical review
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2026.2629026
For hemp seed oil, on the effects of thermal processing on their cannabinoid levels
Influence of thermal processing on cannabinoids contents and profiles in hemp seed oil
https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/125099/records/6970b02cbd789e57df2cd1f1
For European perch fish, adding hemp meal to their diet enhanced growth, gut health & feed utilization
Hemp Meal (Cannabis sativa) as an Alternative Dietary Protein Source for European Perch (Perca fluviatilis)
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/16/4/649
🏗️ Industrial Uses & Fiber 🏗️
On 3D printing hemp fiber with a thermoset resin
3D Printing of Continuous Hemp Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Composites
https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/IMECE/proceedings-abstract/IMECE2025/89404/V009T16A006/1231513
On synthesizing titanium dioxide nanoparticles with hemp leaf extract
Environmentally friendly synthesis and biological activity assessment of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) leaf extract
https://acikerisim.uludag.edu.tr/server/api/core/bitstreams/efd242cf-fe20-41b3-858c-1639503a49fa/content
On producing biochar from hemp hurd using a microwave
Optimization and life-cycle assessment of biochar production through microwave–assisted pyrolysis of industrial hemp hurd
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8918479/v1
On making an epoxy resin composite reinforced with long hemp fibers
Characterization and FEM Orthotropic Modeling of Hemp Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composite Material
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-13577-3_9
On making a hemp-bamboo epoxy composite with microcrystalline cellulose
Enhancing the mechanical performance of sustainable hemp–bamboo hybrid epoxy composites reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15376494.2026.2625363
On creating a composite fiber from flax, hemp & sugarcane bagasse
Experimental characterisation and machine learning (ML)-based tensile strength prediction of sugarcane bagasse, hemp and flax fibre hybrid composites for potential biomedical applications
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10667857.2026.2618229
For degumming hemp fibers, a review of deep eutectic solvents
Green degumming of hemp fibers: Evaluating deep eutectic solvents for sustainable industrial applications: A review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813026008329
On creating lightweight building components from hemp-mycelium composites
Optimizing growth and flexural performance of hemp-mycelium composites for construction applications using local residual feedstocks
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/400961962_Optimizing_growth_and_flexural_performance_of_hemp-mycelium_composites_for_construction_applications_using_local_residual_feedstocks
For hemp-lime composite production, a thesis project to improve consistency
Towards Sustainable Construction: Innovations in Hemp-Lime Composite Production for Carbon-Negative Building Materials
https://ruor.uottawa.ca/items/f1ab2618-4f4e-4cc1-bf06-3c69fbc69161
On improving flax-lime composites with hemp
From aggregate to composite: Design of flax-based concretes through thermal treatment and hemp synergy for controlled construction practices
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127526002741
For single-family homes, an environmental analysis of hempcrete versus concrete in non-load-bearing applications found potential for reduced global warming
Evaluating the GWP of Hempcrete vs. Concrete in Non-Load-Bearing Applications: A Case Study of a Single-Family Home
https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/9780784486610.030
🌿 THE CANNA-SCIENCE ARCHIVE 🌿
For global trends in cannabis research, a machine learning analysis
Harnessing machine learning and multivariate analysis to explore global trends in Cannabis sativa research
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00397-w
🏥 Public Health & Bioassays 🏥
In US parents, public health data found cannabis use to be more common since 2012, with daily use 4x more common than daily alcohol use
Trends in cannabis use and cannabis use disorder among parents in the U.S., 2012–2024
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030646032600064X
For child maltreatment, a public health analysis found no increased levels linked to cannabis legalization
Legalizing Cannabis: Implications for Child Maltreatment
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6063233
For CBD use in North America & Europe, a meta-analysis of 43 studies found the lifetime use in Europe to be ~13% & ~30% in North America
The prevalence of cannabidiol (CBD) use in North America and Europe: A meta‐analysis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/add.70360
In Italian medical students, a survey found overwhelmingly positive attitudes towards medical cannabis but minimal clinical exposure despite that high support
Italian Medical Students’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs about Medical Marijuana and their Implications on the Italian Medical Curriculum
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1022&context=aoa_research_symposium_posters
In Thai nursing students, a survey found they had favorable views of integrating medical cannabis into their curricula
Nursing Faculties’ Attitudes and Perceptions on Integrating Medical Cannabis Content into Undergraduate Nursing Curricula
https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ns/article/view/275470
On creating microneedles for delivering CBD to the buccal cavity (inner lining of the mouth cheek)
Development and Characterization of Dissolving Microneedles for the Buccal Delivery of Cannabidiol (CBD)
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/17/2/260
For breath analysis of cannabinoids, a LC-MS/MS for detecting THC, CBD, CBN & delta-8 THC
Simultaneous Analysis of Δ 9 -THC, Δ 8 -THC, CBD, and CBN in Breath Aerosols Collected Using Cannabix Technologies Breath Collection Unit
https://watermark02.silverchair.com/bkag016.pdf
🧒 Adolescents & Young Adults 🧒
In brain scans of young adult cannabis users, on their neural reactions to cannabis cues
Electrophysiological Correlates of Attention- and Reward-related Brain Activity in Cannabis Users: Stage II Preregistered Research Report of a Longitudinal Study
https://direct.mit.edu/jocn/article-abstract/doi/10.1162/JOCN.a.2489/135357/Electrophysiological-Correlates-of-Attention-and
In young adults who regularly use cannabis & alcohol, impaired control over substance use (a core feature of problematic use) predicted heavier cannabis consumption, the use of multiple ingestion methods & more negative consequences
Predictive and Discriminant Validity of the Impaired Control Scale – Cannabis (ICS-C): An Intensive Longitudinal Study of Daily Cannabis Use Outcomes
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-8845258/v1
In college cannabis use among LGBTQ+ people, a history of traumatic experiences was associated with hazardous cannabis use & negative cannabis consequences
LGBTQ+ Identity and College Cannabis Use: The Role of Lifetime Trauma History
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2026.2631375
Among Muslim American undergraduates, a survey found that lower religiosity or foreign-born status was associated with higher odds of use
Cannabis Use Among Muslim American Undergraduates: Private Religiosity, Normative Climates, and Campus Harm-Reduction Implications
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8208203/v1/aaa4b84f-db62-40a0-9dd8-31acc8ea8634.pdf
In Mexican-American young adults, depression symptoms predicted the start of cannabis use
Depressive Symptoms Predict Cannabis Initiation Among Mexican American Young Adults
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10826084.2026.2631797
For young adults using a digital treatment for cannabis use disorder, greater exposure to cannabis retailers was linked to reduced treatment efficacy
Cannabis retail environment and treatment for cannabis use disorder
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871626000773
Among California young adults, more dispensaries near their home was linked to higher levels of cannabis use, though this differed for different ingestion methods
Cannabis dispensary exposure and smoked, vaped and edible cannabis use among young adults: Comparison of web‐scraped and government‐maintained registries
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/add.70356
For young Black men who smoke cannabis blunts, they had considerable levels of nicotine exposure
Hidden nicotine: Cotinine levels among young adult Black men who smoke cannabis blunts
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871626000670
In college students who didn’t feel like they belonged there, they had higher levels of depression & anxiety, which was associated with higher cannabis use frequency
University belonging and college cannabis use at a northeast university: The role of depression and anxiety symptoms
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07448481.2026.2626144
On cannabis use in high schoolers in Pakistan, 5% had used cannabis
Prevalence and Associated Factors Related to Cannabis abuse Among School Children in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/400863956_Prevalence_and_Associated_Factors_Related_to_Cannabis_abuse_Among_School_Children_in_Kohat_Khyber_Pakhtunkhwa
💭 Mental Health, Addiction & Cannabis Use Disorder 💭
For developing psychosis after cannabis use, on the feasibility of using the cannabis experience questionnaire 6 (CEQ-6) as a screening tool
Specific psychiatric symptoms during cannabis use and their relation to psychotic disorders
https://journals.lww.com/indianjpsychiatry/fulltext/2026/02000/specific_psychiatric_symptoms_during_cannabis_use.2.aspx
In people with dysuria (painful or problematic urination), the medical cannabis users had a ~5x increased odds of a substance use disorder
Association Between Medical Cannabis Use and Substance Use Disorder in Patients with Dysuria: A Propensity-Score Matched Cohort Study Using Federated Network of Global Real-World Data
https://www.mdpi.com/2563-6499/7/1/13
In veterans with chronic pain, their THC consumption was not associated with their symptoms of insomnia
Association between cannabis use and insomnia symptoms among Veterans with chronic pain
https://watermark02.silverchair.com/zpag026.pdf
In a mouse model of cannabis use disorder, upregulating the endocannabinoid transporter fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5) reduced stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior
Selective upregulation of fatty acid-binding protein 5 within the basolateral amygdala blunts stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in mice
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394026000571
🧬 Reproduction & Hormones 🧬
In fetal tissues, on a method for measuring CB1 levels
New approach to document cannabis toxicity during pregnancy: a low abundance molecular species detection in long-term formalin-fixed paraffin embedded fetal tissues. A technological report
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00414-026-03744-x
🦴 Pain, Musculoskeletal & Surgeries 🦴
For people with osteoarthritis, probiotics & PEA improved function & well-being
Probiotics and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) for osteoarthritic pain: individual effects in a multiple baseline design study
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12906-025-05187-0
For the TRPA1 ion channel (involved in pain & inflammation), CBD synergized with the olive oil polyphenol oleocanthal to increase binding strength
Synergistic modulation of TRPA1 ion channel by cannabidiol and oleocanthal: A pharmacological and mechanistic study
https://www.cell.com/biophysj/abstract/S0006-3495(25)02718-3
🍽️ The Guts, Nutrition & the Microbiome 🍽️
In the colon tissue of people with inflammatory bowel disease, they had downregulated levels of the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide) & the TRPV1 vanilloid receptor (the endocannabinoid anandamide is also an endovanilloid) as well as upregulated levels of the CB2 receptor & GPR55 receptor (which may one day be known as CB3)
Altered endocannabinoid system gene expression in inflammatory bowel disease mucosa: New perspectives in inflammatory bowel disease management
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41700170/
In a mouse model of obesity from a high-fat diet, treatment with taurine counteracted metabolic disturbances & fat accumulation while reducing anandamide precursors & inhibiting CB1 signaling
Taurine Attenuates Lipid Accumulation via the eCB-CB1 Axis: Evidence from Adipose Metabolomics in HFD-fed Mice and 3D Adipocyte Spheroids
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2026.1782392/abstract
In a mouse model of high cholesterol, the polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid lowered behavioral abnormalities & neuronal apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide) by inhibition of the CB1 receptor & reduced endocannabinoid levels
Docosahexaenoic Acid Ameliorates Mild Cognitive Impairment Mediated by Cannabinoid Receptor 1-Ceramide Axis
https://www.sciopen.com/local/article_pdf/10.26599/FSHW.2025.9250802.pdf
🎗️ Cancer & Chemotherapy 🎗️
In a tissue model of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity (damage to hearing or balance), the cells had downregulated levels of the CB2 receptor, the DAGL enzyme (which synthesizes the endocannabinoid 2-AG) & ABHD6 (an endocannabinoid transporter)
Unraveling Endocannabinoid Signaling Pathways in Cisplatin‐Induced Ototoxicity
https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1096/fj.202502888RR
In cancer cells, 4 neolignans from hemp roots caused toxicity
Neolignans isolated from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) roots have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-025-00316-5
🔬 Biochemical Discoveries & Research Tools 🔬
On the mechanics of oxidizing CBG & CBD
The reaction of phytocannabinoids cannabigerol and cannabidiol with single electron transfer reagents
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874390026000273
On creating a dual modulator of the CB2 receptor & muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtype 1 receptor (a modulator of neural plasticity & the binding place of the infamous red-topped amanita muscaria mushrooms)
Computational Studies toward the Identification of CB2R-M1R Dual Modulators
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsomega.5c07866
Comparing the binding of the enzymes FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide), soluble epoxide hydrolase & acetylcholinesterase
Identification of quinolinyl-containing dual soluble epoxide hydrolase/fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors with moderate potency towards acetylcholinesterase
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715626001323
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For a hero of the Piedmont blues, here’s the 1936 album ‘Presenting Blind Boy Fuller’. Born Fulton Allen in North Carolina, Blind Boy Fuller recorded his entire wide-ranging oeuvre in just 6 years. He could play his steel guitar in ragtime or slide, pop or blues. He learned to play guitar & sing as a boy, but in his teens, he was already starting to lose his eyesight due to untreated neonatal conjunctivitis. By 1928, at the age of 24, he had gone completely blind & took to playing in the streets & at house parties to make his living. In 1934, the talent scout James Baxter Long arranged a recording session for him with the American Recording Company. Over the next 5 years, Fuller recorded 120+ sides for a variety of labels & his rough singing style & uninhibited lyrics drew in fans & other blues players alike. But he was known for a fiery temper & in 1938, he went to prison for shooting his wife with a pistol & wounding her in the leg. This caused him to miss the famous “From Spirituals to Swing” concert in Carnegie Hall & his replacement, Sonny Terry, went on to a long rich career in folk music. Fuller had just two last recording sessions after his release from prison before his death in 1940 at just the age of 36, probably due to a blockage of the urethra that led to an infection & kidney failure.
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.