C&P#50: pain, super-reviews & your guts + THC & the mood for love
C&P#50: pain, super-reviews & your guts + THC & the mood for love
Labor laws, self-certifying palliative care patients & military popping positive
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 50th edition of Cannabinoids & the People. This newsletter collects all the new cannabinoid science each week. You can check out last week’s issue here & if you haven’t subscribed yet, please do.
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This week…
The cannabinoids for pain: an astonishingly large body of research
A week of big beautiful reviews
Cannabinoids for your guts, your inflamed bowels & your microbiome
THC puts female rats more in the mood for love
Cannabis sativa is a much much older species than Homo sapiens
A cannabis patch for psoriasis
This month’s best paper title is nuclear
Why are people in the EU going to the ER for cannabis?
Case studies of treating Lyme & bipolar with psychedelics
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Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
On cancer and the CB2 receptor by Nate Seltenrich
https://www.projectcbd.org/cancer-cb2-receptor
Clinical
In the US, the number of people using cannabis for medical purposes was 1% in 2013 & in 2020, 13%
Increasing Use of Cannabis for Medical Purposes among US Residents, 2013-2020
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36918131/
A case report of a chronic neuropathic pain patient who lessened her pregabalin use (& its negative side effects) with a THC/CBD oil
Medication sparing after medical cannabis initiation: A case study of a chronic pain patient in Project Twenty21
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20503245231157489
“As a result, the patient managed to reduce her pregabalin down to 37.5 mg total daily dose. The patient now feels she has ‘been given a second chance at life’ and her husband describes her as ‘a new woman’. This patient feels that she is in a position to finally stop treatment with pregabalin, as a result of medical cannabis controlling her pain.”
A case study of treating COVID-19-related nerve injuries in the arm with a combination of PEA & luteolin (a flavonoid commonly paired with PEA)
Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide and Luteolin: Drug Candidates in Post-COVID-19 Critical Illness Neuropathy and Positioning-Related Peripheral Nerve Injury of the Upper Extremity
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0043-1764161
The co-use of alcohol & cannabis linked to increased intimate partner aggression
The effects of alcohol and marijuana co-use patterns on intimate partner aggression perpetration
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36996723/
Reviews
The winner of this month's best paper title...
Cannabidiol goes nuclear: The role of PPARγ
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36965374/
But seriously, the ability of CBD to turn on & off genes is surely a huge piece of its medicinal power.
A review of 77 studies on using cannabis for chronic pain
Medical Cannabis for Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Management
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36897501/
And a review of 11 studies on using PEA for chronic pain
Palmitoylethanolamide in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36986081/
A review on CBD's neuroprotective powers & its potential as a treatment for traumatic brain injuries
Cannabidiol's neuroprotective properties and potential treatment of traumatic brain injuries
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36816569/
A review on using the cannabinoids to treat inflammatory bowel disease
The Use of Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): A Review of the Literature
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/review_article/pdf/141323/20230314-23951-1nwbqyc.pdf
And a survey of inflammatory bowel disease patients find that 85% of them report it improves their symptoms
A Survey of Cannabis Use among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36982049/
How the gut microbiome plays a role in the cannabinoid’s ability to lower inflammation
Role of Gut Microbiota in Cannabinoid-Mediated Suppression of Inflammation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36776218/
and a review of the gut microbiome-endocannabinoidome axis
The Gut Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis: A New Way of Controlling Metabolism, Inflammation, and Behavior
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36778747/
A review of 39 studies on how CBD moves through the human body
Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36778355/
A love letter to the complexity of the cannabis plant
The Cannabis Plant as a Complex System: Interrelationships between Cannabinoid Compositions, Morphological, Physiological and Phenological Traits
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36771577/
And a big review on its ethnobotany, medicinal uses & molecular docking
A Comprehensive Review on Cannabis sativa Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Molecular Docking and Biological Activities
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36986932/
And the history of its use in Ayurveda
Cannabis sativa: Industrial hemp (fiber type) -An Ayurvedic Traditional Herbal Medicine
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369142499_Cannabis_sativa_Industrial_hemp_fiber_type_-An_Ayurvedic_Traditional_Herbal_Medicine
Preach it! My book series on cannabis is based on the 135 chapters of Moby Dick, and I’m not sure that’s going to be long enough to handle it all.
Preclinical
In female rat sexual behavior, THC increased their proceptivity (a series of behaviors ranging from courting to copulation)
The effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol administration in the regulation of female rat sociosexual behaviour
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36796802/
In a rat model of spinal cord injury, a combination of CBD & β-caryophyllene (one of the most common cannabis terpenes) reduced chronic pain
Combined non-psychoactive Cannabis components cannabidiol and β-caryophyllene reduce chronic pain via CB1 interaction in a rat spinal cord injury model
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36913400/
In a mouse model of pain, PEA synergized with morphine & gabapentin to lower pain via the opioid receptors & the PPARα nuclear receptors (that regulate genetic transcription)
N-palmitoylethanolamide synergizes the antinociception of morphine and gabapentin in the formalin test in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36905375/
In a rat model of Parkinson's disease, chronic cannabis administration decreased CB1 levels, increased CB2 levels & may be helpful for learning & memory disorders via the dopamine & cannabinoid receptors
The Effects of Chronic Marijuana Administration on 6-OHDA-Induced Learning & Memory Impairment and Hippocampal Dopamine and Cannabinoid Receptors Interaction in Male Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36894794/
In treating cancer, CBD is potent at enhancing the killing power of radiation therapy
Phytoradiotherapy to enhance cancer treatment outcomes with cannabidiol, bitter melon juice, and plant hemoglobin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36776362/
An evergreen note on reading restricted papers:
First stop for seeing if there’s a free version of a paper, use the Google Scholar Chrome extension (Mac version), Google Scholar itself or try ResearchGate.
Three other helpful browser extensions are: Unpaywall, Open Access Button & PaperPanda
For the infamous backdoor, use Sci-Hub – the pirated papers repository (Chrome extension here). This works better for older paper than the stuff that just came out.
For Twitter users, send a Tweet of the paper’s title with the hashtag #icanhazpdf. It works because people are beautiful(ish).
Finally, email the author. They’re almost always happy to oblige because, thanks to the predatory academic publishing system, they don’t make a dollar off of their papers.
the Headlines & Fav Articles
The US Department of Defense reports that the most common drugs to appear on their screenings are THC & delta-8 THC
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-is-most-prevalent-drug-in-military-drug-tests-department-of-defense-tells-senators-with-delta-8-thc-second
Love this. North Dakota passes a law allowing people in hospice to self-certify as medical cannabis patients
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/north-dakota-governor-signs-bill-letting-people-in-hospice-care-self-certify-as-medical-marijuana-patients
Cannabis companies joining fake unions to get around state labor laws
https://mjbizdaily.com/suspect-unions-effort-to-evade-state-law-could-hurt-cannabis-workers
A study of occupational health in the Northern California cannabis industry
Occupational health and safety in the California, USA Cannabis (Marijuana) industry
https://oem.bmj.com/content/80/Suppl_1/A11.1.abstract
“They were exposed to physiological hazards including respiratory and dermal exposures, 10–12 hour work shifts of repetitive tasks at uncomfortable workstations, and substandard worker housing. Immigrant workers reported experiences of discrimination and violence due to immigration documentation status, race, and gender. Psychosocial stress due to production pressure and geographic and social isolation was common… Work-related symptoms of any type were reported by 38% of participants, and 38% reported symptoms suggestive of asthma.”
In France, their medical cannabis experiment faces a shortage of CBD oil after the primary provider pulled out
https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2023/03/28/frances-medical-cannabis-experiment-facing-shortage-of-cbd22/
“Yann Bisiou, a specialist in drug law, expresses it head-on. ‘There are CBD shops on every street corner and the DGS is not able to find pharmaceutical CBD … The legal fragility of the system chosen by the DGS was clearly constituted and a source of litigation. Either they are incompetent, or they want to ruin the experiment.’”
The growing Chinese involvement in illicit cannabis
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/21/illicit-cannabis-china-00086125
Great Moments in Weed History: Yippie & cannabis activist Ben Masel smokes a joint in a polling booth because of a law prohibiting arrest while voting
The War on Drugs & Prohibition
Federal report shows a decline in cannabis trafficking cases
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-marijuana-trafficking-cases-declined-again-in-2022-amid-legalization-movement-federal-report-shows
Finally. The FDA approves over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray for use against opioid overdoses
https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-over-counter-naloxone-nasal-spray
Lawmakers in many US states want to ban kratom, the last helpful legally available plant painkiller
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/lawmakers-in-dozens-of-states-are-weighing-bills-to-regulate-or-ban-kratom
In drivers, those using cannabis were more likely to be involved in multi-vehicle, daytime or weekday collisions than those using alcohol
High-'n'-dry? A comparison of cannabis and alcohol use in drivers presenting to hospital after a vehicular collision
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36898848/
On drugs, Portugal vs the US
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
‘First Nations researcher exploring psychedelics as healing tool for intergenerational trauma’
https://www-cbc-ca.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.6775313
‘Field Trip’s Downfall: Too Early, Too Aggressive, Too Extravagant?’ by PsychedelicAlpha
https://psychedelicalpha.com/news/field-trips-downfall-too-early-too-aggressive-too-extravagant
On Sidney Gottlieb, the CIA’s Poisoner-In-Chief’ by Maria Holyanova
https://psychedelicspotlight.com/poisoner-in-chief-mind-control-how-the-cia-brought-lsd-to-america
The book to read is Kinzer’s ‘Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control’.
The Psychoactive Research
[This isn’t a deep dive into all of the science of psychedelics & other psychoactives like I do for the cannabinoids. If a newsletter with all that new science would be of interest to your company or organization, reach out to me]
Interviews about DMT & the Self
An Encounter With the Other: A Thematic and Content Analysis of DMT Experiences From a Naturalistic Field Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34975614/
A case study of treating bipolar disorder with ayahuasca
Ayahuasca in the treatment of bipolar disorder with psychotic features–A retrospective case study
https://psyarxiv.com/65se9/
A case study of treating Lyme disease with microdosed psilocybin
The Effectiveness of Microdosed Psilocybin in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease: A Case Study
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/IMCRJ.S395342
A review of the antidepressant effects of medicinal mushrooms
Discovering the Potential Mechanisms of Medicinal Mushrooms Antidepressant Activity: A Review
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/3/623
The Plant & the History
A new genome of hops readjusts its divergence from cannabis to 16 million years ago
An improved assembly of the "Cascade" hop ( Humulus lupulus) genome uncovers signatures of molecular evolution and refines time of divergence estimates for the Cannabaceae family
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36818366/
For context, anatomically modern humans didn’t appear until 300,000 years ago. In primate history, 16M years ago, great apes were just starting to diverge from monkeys.
This group considers that some of the CBD food supplements in Europe contain unsafe levels
Does Cannabidiol (CBD) in Food Supplements Pose a Serious Health Risk? Consequences of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Clock Stop Regarding Novel Food Authorisation
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-1851/2/1/5
Growing & Farming
A study on the best parts of the plant to use for micropropagation
Effect of Explant Source on Phenotypic Changes of In Vitro Grown Cannabis Plantlets over Multiple Subcultures
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36979133/
A genetic splice in cannabis that makes it lose its sensitivity to photoperiods (autoflowering)
Loss of day length sensitivity by splice site mutation in Cannabis
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.03.10.532103v1.full.pdf
How these Iranian cannabis plants responded to drought conditions
Agronomic, phytochemical and drought tolerance evaluation of Iranian cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) ecotypes under different soil moisture levels: a step towards identifying pharmaceutical and industrial population
https://www.publish.csiro.au/CP/justaccepted/CP22212
On the cannabis bacteria Xanthomonas
Spots on Pot: How Xanthomonas cannabis causes disease and triggers defense responses on non-host plants
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369067106_Spots_on_Pot_How_Xanthomonas_cannabis_causes_disease_and_triggers_defense_responses_on_non-host_plants
A new test kit for detecting cannabis pathogens
PathogenDx DetectX Combined Demonstrates Equivalent Performance in Comparison to Four AOAC Certified Methods for the Detection of Aspergillus species, Salmonella species, and STEC in Dried Hemp Flower
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36821430/
Veterinarian Uses & Animal Feed
In dairy cows, replacing alfalfa hay with hemp had no negative effects on the milk & reduced the costs of dairy farming
Replacing alfalfa hay with industrial hemp ethanol extraction byproduct and Chinese wildrye hay: Effects on lactation performance, plasma metabolites, and bacterial communities in Holstein cows
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36777679/
In dairy cows, the effects of CB1 activation on their lipids & fats
Cannabinoid-1 receptor activation modulates lipid mobilization and adipogenesis in the adipose tissue of dairy cows
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36907764/
In beef cattle fed hempseed cake for 100+ days, the levels of CBD & THC in their fat suggest it’s unlikely for a person to consume a significant dose of those cannabinoids
Excretion and residue depletion of cannabinoids in beef cattle fed hempseed cake for 111 days
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36897320/
Industrial Uses
On using hemp plants to clean up heavy metal-contaminated soil & then turning those plants into textiles
The potential of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in a phytoattenuation strategy : combining gradual soil remediation with clean fiber production for the textile industry
https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/01GV3H9JVF4BKT3K817XX2J674
For hemp packaging, how to refine it & recycle it
Valorization of Hemp-Based Packaging Waste with One-Pot Ionic Liquid Technology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36771097/
On making aerogels from hemp microfibers
Superelastic and Ultralight Aerogel Assembled from Hemp Microfibers
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/adfm.202300893
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
A review of the many traditional & medicinal uses of cannabis
Cannabis sativa L.: A Review on Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369067510_Cannabis_sativa_L_A_Review_on_Traditional_Uses_Botany_Phytochemistry_and_Pharmacological_Aspects
On the complexities of lipid signaling by the endocannabinoid giant Dr. Mauro Maccarrone
Deciphering Complex Interactions in Bioactive Lipid Signaling
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36985594/
Clinical Studies & Surveys
On measuring cannabinoids in hair & their association with self-reported use & mental health
Quantifying cannabinoids in hair: associations with self-reported use, mental health, and cognitive outcomes
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369370657_Quantifying_cannabinoids_in_hair_associations_with_self-reported_use_mental_health_and_cognitive_outcomes
A web platform for screening for potential drug interactions with THC or CBD
CANNabinoid Drug Interaction Review (CANN-DIR™)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36814686/
Adolescents & Children
In vape products, flavors increase the willingness of adolescents to try them
Flavors increase adolescents' willingness to try nicotine and cannabis vape products
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36963159/
A survey of how young adults are consuming cannabis
A Better High? Understanding Mode Preferences Among Young Adult Cannabis Users
https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2023-53289-001.pdf
“It was found that bongs and joints were the preferred modes of use (i.e., more than 50% of the time). Reasons for favouring bongs included convenience, cost-effectiveness, and a better or more intense high. Reasons for preferring joints included convenience, smooth(or less harsh), and easier to control either the high or the amount of weed used.”
A review of THC & CBD exposure in adolescence
THC and CBD: Villain versus Hero? Insights into Adolescent Exposure
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36982327/
An association study found that postnatal exposure to cannabis is linked to later behavioral & cognitive problems
Associations between Prenatal and Postnatal Exposure to Cannabis with Cognition and Behavior at Age 5 Years: The Healthy Start Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36981794/
For children & teens with ADHD, what to consider about their stimulant prescriptions if they also use cannabis
Prescribing Stimulants for Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Co-occurring Cannabis Use: Considerations for Managing a Clinical Dilemma
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36773700/
Mental Health, Sleep & Addiction
Using public health data, these researchers suggest legalized medical cannabis is associated with higher opioid mortality
Marijuana legalization and opioid deaths
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36808015/
Tests of hair endocannabinoid levels do not seem to correlate well to the levels in the blood, but they might be helpful for stress level tests
Endocannabinoid and perceived stress: Association analysis of endocannabinoid levels in hair versus levels in plasma and urine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36918140/
In a mouse model of chronic stress, 2-AG levels were significantly altered in several brain regions
Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Levels in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Caudate Putamen, Nucleus Accumbens, and Piriform Cortex Were Upregulated by Chronic Restraint Stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36766735/
“The results showed that from the forebrain to the cerebellum, 2-AG levels were highest in the hypothalamus and lowest in the hippocampal region. 2-AG levels were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated and 2-AG precursors levels were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in the ACC [anterior cingulate cortex], CP [caudate putamen], NAc [nucleus accumbens], and PIR [piriform cortex] of stressed mice compared with control mice.”
In mice, the combination of moderate doses of alcohol combined with THC had no significant impact on memory or behavioral flexibility
Effects of combined use of alcohol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol on working memory in Long Evans rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36778500/
In mice addicted to cocaine, blocking the FAAH enzyme (an activity of CBD) reduced their addictive behaviors via the nucleus accumbens
The FAAH inhibitor URB597 reduces cocaine seeking during conditioned punishment and withdrawal
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.03.13.532386v1
In zebrafish, anandamide increased their physical activity levels
Anandamide increases the physical activity of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)
https://bioone.org/journals/bios/volume-94/issue-1/BIOS-D-20-00004/Anandamide-increases-the-physical-activity-of-adult-zebrafish-Danio-rerio/10.1893/BIOS-D-20-00004.short
The Brain & its Diseases
A review on the neural effects of cannabis
Brain and behaviour: understanding the neural effects of cannabis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36797516/
A review of the cannabinoids for neuroinflammation
Cannabinoids and neuroinflammation: Therapeutic implications
https://openaccess.marmara.edu.tr/entities/publication/c8ac4771-ed2d-4aed-83b6-d15ca4ac25c1/full
The effects of CBC on neuronal stem cells
Cannabichromene Induces Neuronal Differentiation in NSC-34 Cells: Insights from Transcriptomic Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36983897/
Harms, Cannabis Use Disorder & Street Synthetics
In Europe, the reasons people show up to the ER for cannabis
Differences in clinical features associated with cannabis intoxication in presentations to European emergency departments according to patient age and sex
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35404194/
Out of the 4,200 cases, 70% were male & half had been drinking alcohol as well. “The frequency of clinical features was: anxiety 28%, vomiting 24%, agitation 23%, palpitations 14%, reduced consciousness 13%, acute psychosis 9%, hallucinations 9%, chest pain 7%, headache 6%, hypotension 4%, hypertension 3% and seizures 2%. Patients younger than 20 years more frequently had vomiting (34.7% of cases), reduced consciousness (21.5%), and headache (10.8%); and less frequently acute psychosis (5.5%). Patients older than 49 years more often had hypotension (6.5%) and less frequently vomiting (20%), anxiety (14%), agitation (14%) and reduced consciousness (10%).”
A big public health study of the global disease burden from cannabis use disorder
Trends of the Global Burden of Disease Attributable to Cannabis Use Disorder in 204 Countries and Territories, 1990-2019: Results from the Disease Burden Study 2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36817983/
A case report of 12 days of bleeding from using synthetic cannabinoids contaminated with anticoagulants (blood thinners)
Persistent Coagulopathy After Synthetic Cannabinoid Use
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/case_report/pdf/136350/20230315-30494-1594eje.pdf
On trying to create a rat model of accidental cannabis edible overdoses
Neural and Behavioral Correlates of Edible Cannabis-Induced Poisoning: Characterizing a Novel Preclinical Model
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.03.15.532815v1
The Immune System, Autoimmune Disorders & Pathogens
How T cells react differently to activation of the CB1 receptor versus the CB2 receptor
Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Agonist ACEA and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonist GW833972A Attenuates Cell-Mediated Immunity by Different Biological Mechanisms
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36980189/
Hormones, Reproduction & Maternal Effects
A review of cannabinoids & the placenta
Cannabinoids and the placenta: Receptors, signaling and outcomes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36965349/
A review of the endocannabinoids for a successful pregnancy
Emerging Roles of Endocannabinoids as Key Lipid Mediators for a Successful Pregnancy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36982295/
In adolescent female mice exposed to THC, they had a depleted ovarian reserve in adulthood
Adolescent exposure to low-dose Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) depletes the ovarian reserve in female mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36912754/
The effects of THC on early embryo stem cells
Metabolic memory of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure in pluripotent stem cells and primordial germ cells-like cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36993751/
The Skin
Using a cannabis patch for psoriasis symptoms
Efficacy and Safety of Cannabis Transdermal Patch for Alleviating Psoriasis Symptoms: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (CanPatch)
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/medrxiv/early/2023/03/09/2023.03.08.23286926.full.pdf
Cancer
In solid tumors in mice, the power of combining hemp seed oil & gamma radiation
Delving into the death signaling pathway of hemp oil and gamma radiation in solid tumor-bearing mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36812473/
In breast cancer cell lines, morphine altered the levels of their CB1 & CB2 receptors
Influences of Morphine on Cannabinoid Receptor 1, 2 Expression in Breast Cancer Cell Lines
http://ijwhr.net/pdf/pdf_IJWHR_681.pdf
In breast cancer cells, on using β-caryophyllene (a common cannabis terpene) to increase oxygenation & decrease membrane synthesis & cell replication
Effects of β-caryophyllene and oxygen availability on cholesterol and fatty acids in breast cancer cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36893152/
In cancer cells, targeting the GPR55 receptor (which may one day be known as CB3)
The Mechanisms of GPR55 Receptor Functional Selectivity during Apoptosis and Proliferation Regulation in Cancer Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36982628/
Guts, Metabolism, the Microbiome & Oral Health
People with eating pathologies tend to have cannabis-related problems as well
Loss-of-Control-Eating Mediates the Relationship between Cannabis-Related Problems and Eating Pathology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36921084/
Concerns around implant dentistry & cannabis use
Marijuana - Clinical Concerns for Implant Dentistry - Part 1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35503958/
In the public health data of two states who legalized cannabis, cannabis users with inflammatory bowel disease needed less nutrition & had less hospital charges
Impact of Cannabis Use on Inpatient Inflammatory Bowel Disease Outcomes in 2 States Legalizing Recreational Cannabis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36777043/
Pain, Inflammation & Surgeries
In bariatric surgeries, cannabis use caused no changes to 30-day outcomes or one-year weight loss outcomes
The Effect of Marijuana Use on Short Term Outcomes with Bariatric Surgery
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550728923001193
On treating neuropathic pain with a combination of PEA & field horsetail
Novel Approach to the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain Using a Combination with Palmitoylethanolamide and Equisetum arvense L. in an In Vitro Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36982577/
In a mouse model of opioid use disorder, blocking the CB1 receptor modulated their responses to morphine
Context-dependent effects of the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant on morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in female mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36814501/
In a rat model of osteoarthritis, the ability of ambient green light to reduce pain works via activation of the endocannabinoid system
Green Light Therapy Reduces Mechanical Pain In A Rat Model Of Osteoarthritis By Activating The Endocannabinoid System
https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(23)00444-2/fulltext
New CBD nanoparticles for treating osteoarthritis
Cannabidiol-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles with improved bioavailability as a potential for osteoarthritis therapeutic
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36793188/
In a mouse model of osteoarthritis, using oils high in CBD or CBG to examine the entourage effect as well as sex-dependent outcomes
Effects Of Cannabis Extracts On Pain And Ptoa Progression In Mice, Involvement Of Entourage And Sex-Dependent Effects
https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(23)00504-6/fulltext
A new painkiller that works by inhibition of both the FAAH enzyme & MAGL enzyme (raising anandamide & 2-AG levels respectively)
Anti-nociceptive potential of an isatin-derived dual fatty acid amide hydrolase-monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36913176/
In male rats, 2-AG is involved in the ability of oxytocin to reduce pain
The role of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the in vivo spinal oxytocin-induced antinociception in male rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36921751/
The Heart
On treating vascular inflammation with a combination of vitamin D, melatonin & anandamide
Multidrug nanoformulations of vitamin D, anandamide and melatonin as a synergistic treatment for vascular inflammation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36828191/
The Lungs
On the negative lung effects of smoked cannabis
Cannabis - a Rewritten History and Its Pulmonary Consequences
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36818264/
A case study of cannabis vapor with limonene causing an allergic reaction
Perioral Contact Dermatitis Caused by Limonene Hydroperoxide in Cannabis Vaping Products
https://jofskin.org/index.php/skin/article/view/1651
Genitourinary System
A review of the effect of the endocannabinoid system on blood pressure & the kidneys
Endocannabinoid system: An untold story in hypertensive Nephropathy
https://www.ejgm.co.uk/download/endocannabinoid-system-an-untold-story-in-hypertensive-nephropathy-13055.pdf
In humans with chronic kidney disease, cannabis use caused a faster decline of their filtration rate
A Retrospective Cohort Study That Examined the Impact of Cannabis Consumption on Long-Term Kidney Outcomes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36791309/
A case study of cannabis use perhaps causing a fungal infection in a kidney transplant patient
Disseminated Mucormycosis from Marijuana Use in a Renal Transplant Patient
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36898200/
The Eyes
In a scraping of tweets, the public seems to favor cannabis for glaucoma while ophthalmologists & healthcare workers do not
Public Perception of Marijuana Use for the Treatment of Glaucoma
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36897646/
Cool Chemistry
On the degradation of CBD to THC under acidic conditions
Chemical transformation of cannabidiol into psychotropic cannabinoids under acidic reaction conditions: Identification of transformed products by GC-MS
https://www.jfda-online.com/journal/vol31/iss1/11/
The antioxidant activity of various hemp proteins
Nutritional composition, ultrastructural characterization, and peptidome profile of antioxidant hemp protein hydrolysates
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212429223002122
CB2: how do I bind thee?
Structural basis of selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor activation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36922494/
Designing drugs that can activate both the regular binding site & the allosteric binding site of the CB2 receptor
New Insights into Bitopic Orthosteric/Allosteric Ligands of Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36768458/
Testing blockers of the CB1 receptor similar to Rimonabant
Rimonabant-Based Compounds Bearing Hydrophobic Amino Acid Derivatives as Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype 1 Ligands
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00024
How to separate chiral cannabinoids
Chiral Separation of Cannabichromene, Cannabicyclol, and Their Acidic Analogs on Polysaccharide Chiral Stationary Phases
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36770831/
Chiral = handedness. Molecules, like you & elephants, can be right-handed or left-handed. But in cannabinoids, they often have several other axes that they can also have handedness around. As you can imagine, separating them is hard.
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For almost four years, I've been highlighting an album a week at the bottom of a newsletter. In that time, my greatest discovery - and the music I keep coming back to - is that of Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou. This week, she passed away at the age of 99. Known as the barefoot nun, she became Ethiopia’s piano queen.
It was an Ethiopique album created by the French musicologist Francis Falceto which brought her to a broader audience in the West. After many hardships that made her say, “Sadness was always next to me like a friend,” Emahoy’s piano somehow seems to get to the soul of what it means to be human. Of all the music I’ve ever found, this is some of the most special. Rest in Peace dear Emahoy.