C&P#68: vets & vets for cannabis + MS, ALS & acne + bad for kidneys & suicidality
World Doping Agency stays backwards + FDA keeps screwing the pooch
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 68th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, a weekly newsletter where I collect all the new cannabinoid science. You can check out last week’s issue here & if you haven’t subscribed yet, please do.
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This week…
Over 500 veterans agree: cannabis works for us
MS, ALS & the benefits of the cannabinoids
Results from a veterinarian’s conference
Cannabis to reduce opioid usage
Topical CBD for acne & hair growth
Cannabis use linked to suicidality
THC may be bad for kidney disease
Hemp essential oil as an insecticide
A request to spread the word
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth,
so please forward to colleagues & tell your friends & relatives.
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My work this week:
Canna-Education for CV Sciences (TikTok:@cvsciences):
[if you’re not into TikTok, these videos are also on my YouTube playlist 3-minute Cannabinoid Science]
The Top 6 Negatives of Cannabis (1.6M views)
Harms from Cannabis 2: Pregnancy et al
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
Limonene: the Citrus Terp of Benefits
From NYC: Teens, Pot & Learning
My European Cannabis Report for Pro Cannabis Media:
Germany moves towards legalization + UK win for hemp CBD retailers + Switzerland decriminalizes small amounts of cannabis
My TikToks: (@lexpelgerandhisbooks) [also viewable on my YouTube]
Hi, I'm Lex (a summary of me)
A Superpower from Books: Memoirs & Autobiographies
Queer History: Peter Wells & the UK's Gay Age of Consent
Therapies for Trauma
Books on the Brain & Our Mental Life
Lexomancy
Alchemy & Hermeticism
'The Art of Memory' by Dame Frances Yates
Books of Alchemical Images
Alchemical Hyperfixation Time
Number 2
Gold: Israel Regardie's Lost Book of Alchemy
Scienicemancy
'Women in Science' by Rachel Ignotofsky
Horny Woolly Mammoths: Musth & Paleoendocrinology
My platforms: Linktree
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Anandamide; or, the People: my graphic novel series on cannabis, the endocannabinoid system & the War on Drugs based on Moby-Dick
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LinkedIn, Twitter & my TikTok on books, hermeticism, science & history
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Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
Clinical
A survey of 500+ US veterans finds that the most common uses are for chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety & depression, that it allows them to reduce their medication usage (including opioids) & over 90% report that cannabis gives them a greater quality of life
Self-reported Medicinal Cannabis Use as an Alternative to Prescription and Over-the-counter Medication Use Among US Military Veterans
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37414507/
In patients with gastroparesis (slowed or stopped movement of food from the stomach to the intestines), a double-blind trial of CBD found that it improved their gastroparesis scores & symptom severity as well as lowering the number of vomiting episodes
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol in Idiopathic and Diabetic Gastroparesis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37482172/
Plus a review on CBD & intestinal motility as well as the help for diseases such as colitis
Cannabidiol and Intestinal Motility: a Systematic Review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2475299123247952
A survey of ALS patients on how they find cannabis & CBD to be helpful
Cannabis for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: What is the patients' view?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37460332/
“Participants mostly reported the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil and cannabis weed and declared benefits both on motor (rigidity, cramps, fasciculations) and non-motor (sleep quality, pain, emotional state, quality of life, depression) symptoms and only eight reported minor adverse reactions (drowsiness, euphoria and dry mouth).”
A survey of people who use opioids find that they feel cannabis is helpful for reducing their opioid usage
Cannabis use to manage opioid cravings among people who use unregulated opioids during a drug toxicity crisis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37481875/
Measurements of how much cannabis smoke you're exposed to on golf courses
PM2.5 exposure to marijuana smoke on golf courses and other public outdoor locations: A pilot observational study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37392887/
I was not aware of the prevalence of cannabis at the golf course but I guess it makes sense. Except for the fact that cannabis tends to lower your motor coordination…
But hell, if you're really there for the business deals, I'm sure it can be a lubricant.
Plus a related survey on where people tend to smoke that calls for indoor cannabis smoking bans
Location and home rules of cannabis use - Findings from marijuana use and environmental survey 2020, a nationally representative survey in the United States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37408996/
In dogs, an in-depth study on how CBD, CBDA & hemp extracts alter the CYP liver enzymes that mediate drug metabolism
Cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid: Preliminary in vitro evaluation of metabolism and drug-drug interactions involving canine cytochrome P-450, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, and P-glycoprotein
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37469115/
Reviews
A nice review of the history & science of cannabis with some great charts
Cannabis: Drug of Abuse and Therapeutic Agent, Two Sides of the Same Coin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37441766/
A gigantic meta-analysis of the benefits & risks of cannabis in humans
Balancing risks and benefits of cannabis on humans: umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and observational studies
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/balancing-risks-and-benefits-of-cannabis-on-humans-umbrella-revie
“Convincing or converging evidence prompts to avoid cannabis during adolescence and early adulthood, in people prone to/with mental disorders, in pregnancy and before/while driving. Cannabidiol is effective for epilepsy, notably in children, while CBM can be effective in multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and palliative care, not without adverse events.”
A review of why CBD seems to help for hair loss & alopecia
CBD: A Potential Lead against Hair Loss, Alopecia, and its Potential Mechanisms
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37475557/
In diabetes, a review of the therapeutic potential of CBD
The pharmacology and therapeutic role of cannabidiol in diabetes
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/EXP.20230047
In this review of cannabinoids in the kidneys, they point out that activating the CB1 receptor has been shown to contribute to both diabetic & non-diabetic chronic kidneys
Cannabinoid Signaling in Kidney Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37408253/
A review of the role of the CB1 receptors in the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's & Huntington's disease
An enquiry to the role of CB1 receptors in neurodegeneration
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37481040/
A review of 25 studies finds a link between cannabis use & suicidality
Suicidality risk after using cannabis and cannabinoids: An umbrella review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37427882/
“Evidence generally showed a positive association between cannabis use and suicidal ideation and attempt among the general population, military veterans, and bipolar or major depression patients. A bidirectional causal association between cannabis and suicidal ideation was also mentioned. Moreover, a younger age of initiation, long-term use, and heavy consumption were reported to be associated with even worse suicidal outcomes.”
A review of whether the cannabinoids enhance or inhibit the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis)
Unveiling the angiogenic effects of cannabinoids: Enhancers or inhibitors?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37463627/
A review of the crosstalk between the neuroendocrine system & bone homeostasis
Crosstalk between the neuroendocrine system and bone homeostasis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37459436/
A brave review from a Russian military medical academy on the potential uses of medical cannabis
On the possible prospects for the use of cannabis for medical purposes
https://journals.eco-vector.com/RMMArep/article/view/340773
A review of the negatives of cannabis use on anesthesia
Does medicinal cannabis or cannabis consumption have an influence on the perioperative anesthesiological management?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37439805/
“Patients who regularly consume high doses of cannabis show an increased risk of cardiovascular and respiratory complications as well as the postoperative nausea and vomitting (PONV) associated with anesthesia. This also applies to relatively young patients. Moreover, the requirements for general anesthetics and analgesics seem to be increased in the context of cannabis consumption, e.g., these patients may require additional efforts when it comes to monitoring the depth of anesthesia and providing a personalized multimodal postoperative pain therapy.”
Preclinical
In adolescent rats prenatally exposed to THC, CBD enhanced their cognitive scores & fine-tuned the plasticity in their hippocampus (memory center of the brain)
CBD enhances the cognitive score of adolescent rats prenatally exposed to THC and fine-tunes relevant effectors of hippocampal plasticity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37583903/
In rats with chronic nerve pain, CBD reduced hyperactivity of the pain neurons as well as activation in the corticolimbic system
Cannabidiol modulates chronic neuropathic pain aversion behavior by attenuation of neuroinflammation markers and neuronal activity in the corticolimbic circuit in male Wistar rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37474023/
In a thesis project using a mouse model of autism, CBD helped to lessen the social deficits
Pharmacotherapeutic effects of cannabidiol in autism spectrum disorders
https://repository.library.carleton.ca/concern/etds/2z10wr268
In roundworms, the flavonoids of cannabis impede their response to noxious heat
Cannflavins isolated from Cannabis sativa impede Caenorhabditis elegans response to noxious heat
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37480489/
In urine tests, delta-8 THC metabolites might be interfering with the readings for delta-9 metabolites
Δ8-THC-COOH cross-reactivity with cannabinoid immunoassay kits and interference in chromatographic testing methods
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37405696/
How to extract from cannabis policosanols (long-chain alcohols investigated as a cholesterol-lowering product as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory & anti-proliferative agents)
An innovative method for the extraction and HPLC analysis of bioactive policosanols from non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa L
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37413918/
15th International Congress of the European Association for Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology
In dogs with osteoarthritis, injections of CBD reduced pain & increased well-being
Pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of liposomal cannabidiol (CBD) injection: A pilot clinical study in dogs with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvp.13257
In eight chronically lame horses, CBDA, but not CBD, had a modest but significant effect on lameness 2 hours after treatment
Possible reduction in lameness after oral administration of cannabinoids to chronically lame horses
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvp.13259
In horses, a dose escalation pharmacokinetics study finds that CBD distributed widely to the various tissues
Pharmacokinetic modeling of orally administered cannabidiol and implications for medication control in horses
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvp.13227
In horses, the future of injections of liposomal CBD
Liposomal cannabidiol (CBD) injection: A novel therapeutic formulation is on the horizon
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvp.13258
In horses, a study of how CBD & CBDA move through the body finds CBDA to have greater penetration to the GI tract
Plasma exposure of cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid after oral administration to the horse
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvp.13374
And a bonus not from the conference: A veterinarian's review of CBD
Cannabidiol, from Past to Present: a Review
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373257590_Cannabidiol_from_Past_to_Present_a_Review
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.
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 Congressional Research Service offers an analysis of why the FDA’s inaction on hemp & CBD have harmed the industry
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/congressional-research-service-notes-hemp-industrys-recent-decline-amid-fda-inaction-on-cbd-rules/
The World Anti-Doping Agency explains why they’re continuing their regressive ban on cannabis use by athletes
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/world-anti-doping-agency-experts-say-marijuana-use-violates-the-spirit-of-sport-and-makes-athletes-unfit-role-models/
The USDA wants you to know how to collect hemp pollen while looking like one of the Ghostbusters
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/usda-teaches-hemp-farmers-how-to-use-ghostbusters-like-device-to-collect-cannabis-pollen/
Californian police trespassed on native land & destroyed $100,000 worth of cannabis according to a lawsuit
https://www.sfgate.com/cannabis/article/calif-cops-accused-illegally-destroying-100-000-18274636.php
Dozens in horrible working conditions at an illegal California cannabis plant
https://cannabislaw.report/dozens-of-smuggled-people-found-working-in-horrible-conditions-at-illegal-california-cannabis-plant/
International
In Brazil, a review of the history of medical cannabis
Current legislation on medical cannabis. History, movements, trends and counter-tendencies, in the Brazilian territory
https://www.scielo.br/j/brjp/a/MfJFNtDgvpXHrFpxnFLkCgv/?lang=en
The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
On potential fatigue with drug decriminalization in Portugal (but if anybody was going to write a negative report like this, you knew it’d have to be WaPo)
How is Portuguese drug decriminalization going?
https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2023/07/how-is-portuguese-drug-decriminalization-going.html
Oral fluid testing does not compare well to urine testing for cannabinoids
Validity and reliability of in-person and remote oral fluids drug testing compared to urine drug testing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37429052/
Florida’s “Operation Kandy Krush” is a statewide dragnet for hemp operators
https://cannabusiness.law/floridas-operation-kandy-krush-is-a-statewide-dragnet-for-hemp-operators/
A postal worker stealing cannabis packages & reselling them
https://www.yahoo.com/news/postal-worker-stole-packages-weed-172807774.html
#lowkeyjealous
Business & Law
According to a report, less than 25% of U.S. plant-touching cannabis businesses are profitable
https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/news/whitney-economics-report-business-conditions-market
The AdvisorShares Poseidon Dynamic Cannabis ETF is shutting down less than two years after launching
https://mjbizdaily.com/poseidon-dynamic-cannabis-exchange-traded-fund-shut-down/
The text message-based advertising company Twilio now refuses to work with any cannabis company, regardless of state or federal laws
https://mjbizdaily.com/text-messaging-provider-twilio-cuts-service-to-cannabis-industry/
From RAND, 9 insights from 10 years of legal cannabis
Nine Insights From 10 Years of Legal Cannabis for Nonmedical Purposes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37414499/
“This commentary offers 9 insights from the first 10 years of legal cannabis for nonmedical purposes, with the goal of informing policy discussions in places considering, implementing, or revising their approach to cannabis legalization: (1) cannabis prices are declining in places with commercial regimes and this matters for several outcomes; (2) noncommercial models are being implemented and seriously considered in some places; (3) policy discussions about cannabis taxes are evolving; (4) the number of cannabis products available in commercial regimes is proliferating; (5) emerging research on higher potency cannabis products raises some public health concerns, but there is still a lot to learn; (6) social equity is playing a larger role in many legalization debates; (7) it takes time to move consumers to the legal market; (8) data collection about cannabis consumption is getting better, but there is much work to do; and (9) ongoing methodological advances should improve our understanding of cannabis policy changes.”
The Plant & the History
On using the cannabis plastids (organelles embedded in the membrane) to study the plant’s evolution history
Cannabaceae comparative analysis based on plastid genome evolution
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12892-023-00217-0
On the various chemotypes of cannabis, especially those available in Europe
Chemotypes of cannabis
https://glocalqualitycannabis.com/blog/chemotypes-of-cannabis/
Growing & Farming
On how the various growth substrates affect yield
Aquaporins-mediated water availability in substrates for cannabis cultivation in relation to CBD yield
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3112122/v1/fe699093-9c08-44cc-bf16-ff7e8f33b18a.pdf?c=1689888504
How phosphorus fertilization influences hemp growth
Phosphorus fertilisation differentially influences growth, morpho-physiological adaptations and nutrient uptake of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11104-023-06171-8
Effects of nitrogen on hemp growth
Effect of nitrogen application rate and harvesting stage on yield and agronomic parameters of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/csc2.21057
The effects of spacing & nutrition on hemp yield
Comparing the economics of hemp (Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa) cultivation for fiber and seed yield as influenced by spacing and nutrition
https://journal.environcj.in/index.php/ecj/onlinefirst/view/1661
UV lights appear to not be an effective way to increase cannabinoid concentrations
Elevated UV photon fluxes minimally affected cannabinoid concentration in a high-CBD cultivar
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1220585/full
In young cannabis plants, their early cannabinoid biosynthesis
Phytocannabinoids biosynthesis during early stages of development of young Cannabis sativa L. seedlings: Integrating biochemical and transcription data
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37479208/
In Florida cannabis grows, parasitic roundworms
Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Cannabis sativa in Florida
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37426723/
In New Mexico, the beet leafhopper, the beet curly top virus & hemp
Interactions of beet leafhopper (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vector of beet curly top virus, and hemp in New Mexico
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37478402/
An analysis of the fungus that causes Bipolaris leaf spot
Seeing double on Cannabis: Haploids and heteroploids of Bipolaris gigantea on hemp and other dicots
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37463242/
During field retting, an examination of the microbial communities
Exploring the dynamics of microbial communities during field retting of hemp "Cannabis Sativa L."
https://imt-mines-ales.hal.science/hal-04157870/
A new portable rapid scanning tool to differentiate CBD-type & THC-type cannabis
Cloud-Enabled Handheld NIR Spectroscopy: A Transformative Approach for Real-Time Forensic Analysis of Cannabis Specimens
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/hlca.202300052
Animal feed
On the effects of anandamide on lactating dairy cows
The effect of N-arachidonoylethanolamide administration on energy and fat metabolism of early lactating dairy cows
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3139206/v1/a33fadec-80e5-42ef-98e9-d5dba6d1cf6f.pdf?c=1689604365
On using hemp as chicken food
Emergence of hemp as feed for poultry
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00439339.2023.2234871
Feeding hemp seed meal to goats does not alter the tenderness of their meat
The Influence of Hemp Seed Meal on Tenderness and Shelf Stability on Goat Steaks
https://etd.auburn.edu/bitstream/handle/10415/8779/HSM_influence_on_goat_steaks_V.Zorn.pdf?sequence=2
Industrial Use
An analysis of hemp essential oils as an insecticide
Hemp (Cannabis sativa cv. Kompolti) essential oil and its nanoemulsion: Prospects for insecticide development and impact on non-target microcrustaceans
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669023009263
For sodium-ion batteries, gathering hard carbons from waste hemp
Hard carbons from waste hemp via hydrothermal carbonization with mil chemical activation for sodium–ion batteries
https://papiro.unizar.es/ojs/index.php/jji3a/article/view/9012
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
Clinical Use
Gender differences in cannabis cravings & motives in young adults
Sex differences in the relationship between cannabis use motives and cannabis craving in daily life in emerging adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37471012/
In the unsurprising sociological study of the week, teens are more likely to use cannabis if their adolescent siblings also use it
Research Review: Siblings matter. A multi-level meta-analysis on the association between cannabis use among adolescent siblings
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37402604/
An analysis of plastic surgeon data finds that cannabis users had significantly higher odds of undergoing mandibular fracture repair (jaw fractures)
Operative Facial Fracture Patterns in Cannabis Users: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/27325016231186304
Neurology & Brain Diseases
Interviews of caregivers for childhood epilepsies find CBD to have a wide range of beneficial effects beyond seizure control
Caregivers' Perspectives on the Impact of Cannabidiol (CBD) Treatment for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndromes: A Multinational Qualitative Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37455396/
In multiple sclerosis, a review of 25 studies on the effects of the cannabinoids
Cannabis and cannabinoids for symptomatic treatment for people with multiple sclerosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35510826/
For the pain of multiple sclerosis, the different routes of administration for cannabinoids
Cannabis-based products and multiple sclerosis-related pain: The role of routes of administration
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37437309/
And in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, low doses of beta caryophyllene reduced inflammation & boosted the immune system, probably via the CB2 receptor
Low Doses of β-Caryophyllene Reduced Clinical and Paraclinical Parameters of an Autoimmune Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis: Investigating the Role of CB2 Receptors in Inflammation by Lymphocytes and Microglial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37509022/
A new book on the neurobiology of the endocannabinoid system
Neurobiology and Physiology of the Endocannabinoid System
https://oars.uos.ac.uk/3190/
A commentary on how CBD lowers hyperactivity in the hippocampus, perhaps by the LPI-GPR55 signaling pathway (an understudied component of the endocannabinoid system)
Cannabidiol Keeps Hippocampal Hyperactivity in Check
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15357597231186917
For fear extinction, using endocannabinoids on the neurons connecting the amygdala to the cortex
A cortico-amygdala neural substrate for endocannabinoid modulation of fear extinction
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37480845/
In a female mouse model of mild traumatic brain injury, a drug that inhibits MAGL (& thus raises the levels of 2-AG) caused increased anxiety & did not reduce alcohol consumption
JZL184 increases anxiety-like behavior and does not reduce alcohol consumption in female rats after repeated mild traumatic brain injury
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37398130/
In a rat model of neurodegeneration, inhibition of the MAGL enzyme (which raises the levels of 2-AG) lowered oxidative stress, protected the lipids & reduced dysfunction of the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition Prevents Short-Term Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Oxidative Damage in Rat Brain Synaptosomal/Mitochondrial Fractions and Cortical Slices: Role of Cannabinoid Receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37458923/
Blocking the CB2 receptor in mice did not alter the activation of the microglia (guardian immune cells of the brain)
Pharmacological blockade of cannabinoid receptor 2 signaling does not affect LPS/IFN-γ-induced microglial activation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37429837/
The nuclear receptors expressed in the midbrains of mice that modulate dopamine & cannabinoid-mediated behaviors
PPARα and PPARγ are expressed in midbrain dopamine neurons and modulate dopamine- and cannabinoid-mediated behavior in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37479780/
In rats, THC self-administration changed neurons in the nucleus accumbens (a brain region associated with addiction)
Δ9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol self-administration induces cell type-specific adaptations in the nucleus accumbens core
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37500492/
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
In cannabis-dependent patients, an analysis of their withdrawal symptoms during detoxification
Exploratory Growth Mixture Modeling of Cannabis-Withdrawal Syndrome Trajectories of Adult Pure Cannabis Dependents During Detoxification: Two Subtypes?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37462539/
On treating cannabis use disorder
Treating cannabis use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37400710/
An analysis of your genetic variants & their relationship to treating you for cannabis use disorder
Exploring opportunities for drug repurposing and precision medicine in cannabis use disorder using genetics
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37500481/
In two rat models of anxiety & depression, the effects on the endocannabinoid system
Wistar-Kyoto rats and chronically stressed Wistar rats present similar depression- and anxiety-like behaviors but different corticosterone and endocannabinoid system modulation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37437836/
In adolescent rats exposed to synthetic THC, this altered the effects of alcohol in a variety of ways
Experience with dronabinol consumption facilitated a stimulant effect of alcohol and affected alcohol-related changes in frontal cortical endocannabinoid levels in male rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37467963/
“The results showed that experience with edible THC facilitated the occurrence of increased moving speed on the maze induced by repeated alcohol administration. However, contrasting to the hypothesis, the combined THC and alcohol exposure did not lead to additive deficits in learning and memory on the Barnes maze. While little effect on endocannabinoid levels was observed in the hippocampus, acute abstinence from alcohol significantly reduced endocannabinoid levels in the frontal cortex. In particular, reduction of N-oleoyl ethanolamine (OEA) and N-stearoyl ethanolamine (SEA) were robust and had an interactive effect with discontinuation from edible THC.”
Female-specific, Reproduction & Hormones
In public health data, prenatal cannabis exposure was associated with the children having an earlier start of cannabis use
Change in marijuana use from adolescence to young adulthood and its relation to gestational alcohol and marijuana exposure
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37437668/
In the testes of a human fetus, an analysis of the endocannabinoid levels & the deleterious effects of CBD & THC exposure
Expression of the endocannabinoid system and response to cannabinoid components by the human fetal testis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37430350/
In pregnant women, the factors affecting their preferences for different modes of cannabis consumption
Exploring preferences for different modes of cannabis use during early pregnancy: A qualitative study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37490827/
A review of studies on cannabis use in pregnancy & during lactation “support an association with increased risk of preterm birth, neonatal intensive care unit admission, low birth weight, & small-for-gestational-age infants”
Cannabis and Pregnancy: A Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37480292/
A review of prenatal cannabinoid exposure effects on placental function & fetal neurodevelopment of the respiratory system
Effects of Prenatal Cannabinoids Exposure upon Placenta and Development of Respiratory Neural Circuits
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37466775/
In male rats, both cannabis & alcohol lowered testosterone levels & produced structural abnormalities in the testicles with synergistic effects
Impact of Chronic Ethanol and Cannabis Intake on Reproductive Hormones and Associated Histopathological Changes in Adult Albino Rats
https://journals.ekb.eg/article_308210_b35b48e79b919149b0337121a683744a.pdf
Pain, Inflammation & Surgeries
In patients who had the TLIF spinal fusion surgery, those who used cannabis were more likely to experience complications as well as an 80% increase in pseudarthrosis (failure of the surgery, typically including radiating pain)
Cannabis Use is Associated with Higher Rates of Pseudarthrosis Following TLIF: A Multi-Institutional Matched-Cohort Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37417709/
In people getting the ACDF neck fusion surgery, cannabis use was associated with decreased opioid prescription fulfillments
Cannabis use is associated with decreased opioid prescription fulfillment following single level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37440986/
The Guts, the Microbiome & Oral Health
A case study of an adolescent cannabis user with cannabinoid hyperemesis that caused hypophosphatemia (low levels of the electrolyte phosphate in the blood)
Severe Hypophosphatemia in Adolescent Cannabis User
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=126320
In a genetic analysis of people's metabolism, those with a certain variant of the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide) had lower levels of cholesterol
FAAH Pro129Thr Variant Is Associated with Increased Cholesterol Levels in Normal-Weight Metabolically Unhealthy Subjects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37433211/
The circadian rhythm of glucocorticoids are related to retrograde endocannabinoid signaling
Transcriptional and cell type profiles of cortical brain regions showing ultradian cortisol rhythm dependent responses to emotional face stimulation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36660181/
The Immune System
For the virus that causes COVID, combining CBD with NSAIDs inhibited its entry into cells
Novel Molecular Consortia of Cannabidiol with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Inhibit Emerging Coronaviruses' Entry
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37513798/
One cannabis allergen identified as the cannabis nonspecific lipid transfer protein (Can s 3)
Relevance of lipid transfer protein to Cannabis sensitization in North America
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37391020/
The Heart
A review of heart emergencies from synthetic cannabinoids
Synthetic Cannabinoids-Related Cardiovascular Emergencies: A Review of the Literature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37583720/
In mouse hearts with a lack of oxygen, the levels of their CB1 receptors rose & inhibited a signaling pathway, resulting in structural damage & the disturbance of synthesis of the cardiac mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
Regulation of the CB1R/AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway in mitochondria of mouse hearts and cardiomyocytes with chronic intermittent hypoxia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37428351/
The Liver & Drug Interactions
Contrary to clinical experience, liver studies of CBD combined with the epilepsy treatment valproate did not find that together they increased levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Assessing Liver Effects of Cannabidiol and Valproate Alone and in Combination Using Quantitative Systems Toxicology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37458709/
The Lungs
A case study of a heavy cannabis user with air sacs in their lungs & a collapsed lung
Spontaneous secondary pneumothorax due to cannabis-induced bullous lung disease: a case report
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37427209/
The Skin
In a study of acne, they highlight CBD as an effective drug for restoring lipid balance as well as lowering oxidative stress & inflammation
In vitro acne disease model from inertial focusing effect for studying the interactions between sebocyte glands and macrophages
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37477791/
On how to create stable topical cannabinoid preparations
Phytocannabinoid-rich galenic preparations for topical administration: extraction and stability testing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37593173/
Cancer & Chemotherapy
In a survey of cancer survivors, those with moderate pain were twice as likely to be using cannabis
Cannabis use is associated with pain severity and interference among cancer survivors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37461496/
France is such a negative place. In this survey, French oncologists interview cancer patients to find out who was using CBD & put on a frowny face about those who utilized it even those the ones that did scored higher for health literacy
Prevalence of cannabidiol (CBD) consumption and cancer patients' expectations in one oncology day-hospital: A cross-sectional study and questionnaire validation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37437182/
Cannabinoids for post-chemotherapy nerve pain
Cannabinoide gegen den Nervenschmerz nach Chemo
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37420077/
On the potential of treating leukemia by targeting the PPARA nuclear receptor (a controller of genetic transcription)
Significance of PPARA as a Treatment Target for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37404899/
Synthetic Cannabinoids
An analysis of the rising synthetic marijuana in Vietnam called American grass that contains 5-Fluoro-MDMB-PICA
Into the synthetic cannabinoid 5-Fluoro-MDMB-PICA in “American grass” illicit drug: Extraction, isolation, structure elucidation, and GC/MS determination
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666831923000668
When dabbing THC-O-Acetate, the dangers of forming toxic ketenes
Reviewing the Risk of Ketene Formation in Dabbing and Vaping Tetrahydrocannabinol-O-Acetate
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37466480/
A subtle change to a synthetic cannabinoid that greatly increases its binding strength to the CB1 receptor
A subtle structural modification of a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist drastically increases its efficacy at the CB1 receptor
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37398099/
Cool Chemistry
New oleamide analogs discovered
Discovery of Novel Oleamide Analogues as Brain-Penetrant Positive Allosteric Serotonin 5-HT2C Receptor and Dual 5-HT2C/5-HT2A Receptor Modulators
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37462530/
On using THC as a promising scaffolding to create new drugs
Synthetic approaches to cis-THC, a promising scaffold in medicinal chemistry
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fntpr.2023.1225627/full
A new method for the fluorescent labeling of CB2 receptors to study them in live cells
Platform Reagents Enable Synthesis of Ligand-Directed Covalent Probes: Study of Cannabinoid Receptor 2 in Live Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37401816/
In our Neural Ocean metaphor, this would be like sticking a glow stick onto a whale & sending it into the local gay bar.
Thanks.
- lex
PS: From this week’s music, the chanteuse of Togo, Akofa Akoussah. Growing up behind the scenes of the local orchestras around Togo, musical greats such as Bella Bellow & Ambroise Ouyi pushed her forward & recorded with her. To overcome her early shyness, she took a job as a radio & television host before her work as a singer, pianist & guitarist took up all her time. But she died too young, in her 50s, in Paris.
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