C&P#69: cannabis for autism + CBD for chemo + carcinogenic cannabis
C&P#69: cannabis for autism + CBD for chemo + carcinogenic cannabis
the big Schedule III move
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 69th 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.
There’s no extra content with a paid subscription, but as I balance creating free content, consulting work & papa time, your support allows me to produce more educational content for the community.
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I also give one-on-one Cannabinoid Education Sessions with advice about using the cannabinoids for your health.
Read my free How-To Guides, watch my Three-Minute Cannabinoid Science videos or book a session with me here.As always, here’s the Glossary of Cannabinoid Terms & at the bottom is the album of the week.
This week…
Full-spectrum extracts for autism!!!
In chemo patients, CBD to improve their taste dysfunctions
At the public health level, cannabis use seems to increase cancer occurrence for 25 different cancers
How to use CBD& THC to detox from opioids
The terpenes are also cancer fighters
Lots on gender differences in response to the cannabinoids
Does cannabis use lead to eczema?
For depression, psilocybin made it worse for 10% of the participants
One hidden song from Blossom Dearie
Announcements:
My first feature for AJEM just dropped: Physician Substance Use Disorder: The Silent Epidemic.
My next piece will be on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. If you’re a healthcare provider who works with CHS patients, I’d love to talk to you.
If you’re interested in the data, I collected the CHS research on CVResearch.info & my latest video on the subject generated 700+ comments that are quite worth reading.
Also, hello to the hundreds of new people here from the Top 6 Negatives of Cannabis video. I’m glad to have you here & I pledge that this newsletter will always contain every scrap of negative data that I came across on the cannabinoids.
Especially because they’re quite outweighed by the positives…
Finally, I made my first ever TikTok skit – but because it’s about Queers & cannabis, it got shadowbanned like it was an ad for YouTube. But I’m quite proud of it, so check it out.
(sidenote: the new house rule is that I must ask before borrowing my wife’s dresses)
A request to spread the word
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth,
so please forward to colleagues & tell your friends & relatives.
Sponsor: New Sleep Gummies with CBN & Melatonin!
The new Reserve Sleep Gummies from PlusCBD just dropped & they look great. Each gummy contains…
- 25 mg of CBD
- 2.5 mg of THC
- 3 mg melatonin
- 5 mg CBN
To learn more about science of CBN, see my newest CBN TikTok video.
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]
Cannabis & Addiction
Cannabis & Sudden Flareups of Anxiety
CBN: Cannabinol, the sleepy cannabinoid
Anecdotes are Science
My TikToks: (@lexpelgerandhisbooks) [also viewable on my YouTube]
'SUNset' – the skit
My 3 books of the fall: Memory, Self-Therapy & the Emotion Code
An Embarrassing Moment Life Lesson on the Road to Tibet
Roots & Leaves: the metaphor
Amy Kurzweil's 'Flying Couch' – Holocaust memoir
My platforms: Linktree
YouTube for educational videos, lectures & shorts on new cannabinoid science
Anandamide; or, the People: my graphic novel series on cannabis, the endocannabinoid system & the War on Drugs based on Moby-Dick
My podcasts
LinkedIn, Twitter & my TikTok on books, hermeticism, science & history
Ways to support this work:
Subscribe on Substack
Buy Me a Coffee
Venmo: @Lex-Pelger
Zelle: pelger@gmail.com
PayPal: donate here
Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
A tribute by Dr. Nutt et al. to Sir Michael Rawlins for his contributions on using real-world data as evidence for drug approval with a focus on cannabis & psilocybin
Bayesian analysis of real-world data as evidence for drug approval: Remembering Sir Michael Rawlins
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37455605/
Clinical
In autistic patients using full-spectrum cannabis extracts for six months, detailed surveys found improvements in most core & comorbid symptoms as well as increased quality of life with mild & and frequent side effects
Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1210155/full
“Additionally, we show, for the first time, that allotriophagy (Pica [a desire to eat things that are not food]) can be treated by FCEs [full-spectrum cannabis extracts].”
In cancer patients with taste alterations from chemotherapy, 8 days of 300 milligrams of CBD helped to improve their ability to differentiate between various taste strengths
Prevention of Taste Alterations in Patients with Cancer Receiving Paclitaxel- or Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy-A Pilot Trial of Cannabidiol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37447339/
In people with dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions), medical cannabis use caused significant subjective improvements in symptoms, pain & quality of life
A single-center real-life study on the use of medical cannabis in patients with dystonia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37456642/
But meanwhile, this trial of neuropathic pain & spasticity found no help from either THC or CBD (though the doses were fairly low – 22.5 mg THC & 45 mg CBD per day max)
Cannabis-Based Medicine for Neuropathic Pain and Spasticity-A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37630995/
In AJEM, a case report of a patient with opioid use disorder who greatly lowered their medication usage, including prescription opioids, using a combination of CBD & THC
Case Report: Cannabis Substitution Therapy for Prescription Opioid Detoxification
https://www.endocannabinoidmedicine.com/academicarticle/case-report-cannabis-substitution-therapy-for-prescription-opioid-detoxification/
In brain scans of people at risk for psychosis, the lower levels of glutamate in their hippocampus were partially normalized by treatment with 600 milligrams of CBD
Hippocampal Glutamate, Resting Perfusion and the Effects of Cannabidiol in Psychosis Risk
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.03.02.23286709v1
In post-menopausal women with knee osteoarthritis, on how Tai Chi alters their endocannabinoids & oxylipins & what this means for their pain
Tai Chi exercise reduces circulating levels of inflammatory oxylipins in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: results from a pilot study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37654656/
A survey of sports medicine orthopedic surgeons found that a majority believe CBD has a role in post-operative pain management & for managing acute pain & inflammation after an injury
Perceptions & Opinions on Cannabidiol Among Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgeons
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2325967123S00336
In horses, an analysis of how CBD moves through their body
Pharmacokinetic modelling of orally administered cannabidiol and implications for medication control in horses
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37621871/
In dogs, the benefits of feeding them fish oil (building blocks of the endocannabinoids)
Feeding of fish oil and medium-chain triglycerides to canines impacts circulating structural and energetic lipids, endocannabinoids, and non-lipid metabolite profiles
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1168703/full
Reviews
A review of using CBD for treating skin diseases
Cannabidiol as a Novel Therapeutic for Skin Treatments
https://www.cientperiodique.com/article/CPQME-15-1-438.pdf
And a review of the application of cannabinoids to skin diseases
The Skin and Natural Cannabinoids-Topical and Transdermal Applications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37513960/
For migraines, a review of using the cannabinoids
The Exploration of Cannabis and Cannabinoid Therapies for Migraine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37515745/
And a review of 64 studies on using them for chronic headaches
Chronic headache and cannabinoids use: myths and truths
https://www.scielo.br/j/brjp/a/h9zH8fRP6JM33JVJnkwhdCd/?lang=en
A review of how cannabinoids regulate anxiety, fear & trauma
Cannabinoid Regulation of Fear and Anxiety: an Update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31030284/
A review of public health data on how cannabis increases the occurrence in 25 of the 41 cancers examined
Cannabis- and Substance-Related Carcinogenesis in Europe: A Lagged Causal Inferential Panel Regression Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37489337/
On a harm reduction approach to cannabis
Is it time for a cannabis harm reduction approach? Commentary on Sherman et al. (2022) and Borodovsky et al. (2022)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37523304/
A review of how cannabinoids affect your motor neurons
A systematic review of how cannabinoids affect motoneuron output
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37283484/
A glorious review of how the CB1 receptors manage the brain energy processes (with great charts)
Type-1 cannabinoid receptors and their ever-expanding roles in brain energy processes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37515372/
And a deep dive on how the cannabinoids regulate (& dysregulate) cellular growth
The Implications of Cannabinoid-Induced Metabolic Dysregulation for Cellular Differentiation and Growth
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37446181/
A review of the widespread use of the zebrafish as an animal model for cannabinoid research
Zebrafish as an Animal Model in Cannabinoid Research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37445631/
Preclinical
Another toxicity report on hemp extracts found no genetic toxicity & nothing considered toxicologically relevant
An evaluation of the genotoxicity and 90-day repeated-dose toxicity of a CBD-rich hemp oil
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37501578/
In a mouse model of diabetes, CBD lowered the inflammatory response via the control of genetic transcription
Cannabidiol ameliorates inflammatory response partly by AGE-RAGE pathway in diabetic mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37486107/
And in a rat model of diabetes, cannabis seeds caused significant improvements to all metabolic factors measured
Biochemical Changes Induced by the Administration of Cannabis sativa Seeds in Diabetic Wistar Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37447270/
In mice, the gender differences between their acute responses to THC
Sex differences in acute delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) response and tolerance as a function of mouse strain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37516707/
In a tissue model of Parkinson's disease, CBN caused changes to gene expression that helped to protect the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
Transcriptome Highlights Cannabinol Modulation of Mitophagy in a Parkinson's Disease In Vitro Model
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37627228/
Under resting conditions, the endocannabinoid restricts the stress response via lowering activation of the HPA axis through the control of hormone releasing neurons in the hypothalamus
Disruption of tonic endocannabinoid signalling triggers cellular, behavioural and neuroendocrine responses consistent with a stress response
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37482931/
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 US Department of Health & Human Services recommends moving cannabis to Schedule III
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/top-federal-health-agency-says-marijuana-should-be-moved-to-schedule-iii-in-historic-recommendation-to-dea
And every online response I see says, “Bullshit. This should be descheduled.”
Which is correct.
International
The Bahamas plans to legalize cannabis for medical, religious & scientific use
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/bahamas-government-unveils-proposal-to-legalize-marijuana-for-medical-religious-and-scientific-use
An analysis of the Australian news coverage of cannabis
“Political Cannabis” or “Medicinal Cannabis?”: An Australian News Framing Analysis
https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/21124/4277
The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
Happy to see that a coalition of 35 Jewish & Christian leaders wrote a brief supporting a safe drug consumption facility in Philadelphia
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/religious-leaders-ask-federal-court-to-keep-drug-overdose-prevention-center-lawsuit-alive-amid-doj-opposition
What would Jesus do?
He’d be passing out clean needles & hanging out at harm reduction facilities.
The DPA on drug testing
PUTTING AN END TO DRUG TESTING
https://drugpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Putting_an_End_To_Drug_Testing.pdf
In US jails, the range of substance use screening procedures
Characteristics of Substance Use Screening at Intake in a Sample of U.S. Jails
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37464488/
A review of 30 studies finds the legalization of medical or recreational cannabis to lead to a rise in cannabis poisonings
The impact of cannabis legalization and decriminalization on acute poisoning: A systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37496145/
A legal case for regulating the other intoxicating cannabinoids from hemp
Legal High? The High Stakes Regulatory Questions About Delta-8 THC & Other Emerging Psychoactive Cannabinoids
https://journals.library.wustl.edu/lawpolicy/article/id/8809/
Canada's legalization was not associated any significant changes in violent crime or property crime levels
Canada's cannabis legalization and adult crime patterns, 2015-2021: A time series study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37515896/
For driving, a review of 20 studies finds that people using alcohol tend to underestimate their impairment while people using cannabis tend to overestimate their impairment
Alignment of subjective and objective driving impairment following alcohol and cannabis use: A systematic review
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/acp.4111
Among young cannabis users, 25% of them report driving after using cannabis
Driving under the influence of cannabis and alcohol: Evidence from a national sample of young drivers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37572491/
Business & Law
An analysis of Canadian workers finds no difference in workplace injuries between cannabis users & non-users – but workplace use doubled the chance of workplace injuries
Workplace and non-workplace cannabis use and the risk of workplace injury: Findings from a longitudinal study of Canadian workers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37523062/
And an analysis of workers using cannabis for their work-related injuries
Cannabis use among workers with work-related injuries and illnesses: results from a cross-sectional study of workers' compensation claimants in Ontario, Canada
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37463805/
An analysis of THC levels in regulated Michigan products
Potency levels of regulated cannabis products in Michigan 2021-2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37501559/
A secret buyer study of hemp THC products
Potency and safety analysis of hemp delta-9 products: the hemp vs. cannabis demarcation problem
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37496090/
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
Estrogen Impacts the Effects of Psilocybin for Women
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/estrogen-impacts-the-effects-of-psilocybin-for-women
The Psychoactive Research
[This isn’t a deep dive into the science of psychedelics & other psychoactives like I do for the cannabinoids. If your organization would be interested in a breakdown of all the new psychedelic science, reach out to me]
For obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a survey found psychedelics to be helpful
Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics: a retrospective online survey
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37591906/
For chronic pain patients, a survey found full doses & microdoses of psychedelics to “hold value in the treatment of some specific chronic pain conditions”
Potential analgesic effects of psychedelics on select chronic pain conditions: A survey study
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ejp.2171
A case report of using ketamine infusions to treat nerve-induced skin itching
Ketamine Infusions for Treatment-Resistant Neuropathic Pruritus
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37531125/
An anthropological review on how psychedelic trials may be affected by 'chemosociality' (forms of sociality born of shared chemical exposure)
Dark loops: contagion effects, consistency and chemosocial matrices in psychedelic-assisted therapy trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37466178/
On using psychedelics (and/or meditation) to be a better leader
Altered states of leadership: mindfulness meditation, psychedelic use, and leadership development
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37476092/
An analysis of psilocybin therapy found that it worsened depression symptoms for 10% of the participants
Assessing the risk of symptom worsening in psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37523886/
For ketamine & depression, a review of 27 studies found intranasal esketamine to successfully augment antidepressants
Rapidity of Symptom Improvement With Intranasal Esketamine for Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36516320/
A review of preclinical studies on psychedelics causing neurogenesis (the birth of new brain cells)
Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis: A systematic review of pre-clinical studies
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.07.19.549676v1
The Plant & the History
On the genetic diversity of cannabis in India
The genetic diversity and chemical profiling of natural populations of Indian Cannabis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669023009524
Growing & Farming
In greenhouses, the effects of different growing media
Growth dynamics and yield formation of Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) cultivated in differing growing media under semi-controlled greenhouse conditions
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669023009378
The utility of polyploidy (multiple copies of the chromosomes – a common agricultural technique for increasing yield)
Cultivar-dependent phenotypic and chemotypic responses of drug-type Cannabis sativa L. to polyploidization
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37636092/
On the utility of the terpenes in cannabis roots
Elicitation enhances the production of friedelin and epifriedelanol in hairy root cultures of Cannabis sativa L
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37636107/
A review of the molecular tools used by cannabis against various pathogens
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Potential Pathogen Resistance in Cannabis sativa
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37570918/
On the pests plaguing Nevada hemp
Hemp abnormal growth is attributed to mono-, di-, or tri-infections of Spiroplasma citri, Candidatus Phytoplasma trifolii, and Beet curly top virus
https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/pdf/10.1094/PHYTOFR-05-23-0064-SC
A thesis on managing the hemp pest corn earworm
Identifying Integrated Pest Management Strategies for corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, in Hemp
https://etd.auburn.edu/bitstream/handle/10415/8819/MSThesis2023_AVelezChavez.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
And another thesis on integrated pest management strategies for hemp in the southeast
Exploring IPM Strategies in Southeastern Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
https://etd.auburn.edu/bitstream/handle/10415/8833/Thweatt%20MS%20Thesis%202023%203.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
On the pollen & bee preference for four industrial hemp cultivars
Chemical Composition of Four Industrial Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) Pollen and Bee Preference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37623378/
Evaluation of the cannabis genes related to the synthesis of THCA & CBDA
Evaluation of SNP markers linked to the THCA and CBDA synthase gene for varietal improvement of Cannabis sativa L.
http://www.ijat-aatsea.com/pdf/v19_n4_2023_July/35_IJAT_19(4)_2023_Tawinchure,%20T.(46).pdf
Hemp as a food
Using hemp seed waste to make bread
Functional End-Use of Hemp Seed Waste: Technological, Qualitative, Nutritional, and Sensorial Characterization of Fortified Bread
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/17/12899
A chapter on nutritional value & potential health benefits of hempseed oil
Bioactive Phytochemicals from Hemp (Cannabis sativa) Seed Oil Processing By-products
https://gcris.ege.edu.tr/handle/11454/90059
An analysis of the metabolic diversity within hemp seeds
Mining the chemical diversity of the hemp seed ( Cannabis sativa L.) metabolome: discovery of a new molecular family widely distributed across hemp
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37636102/
Industrial Use
On using hemp seed nanoparticles as a remover of industrial contaminants as well as an antibiotic
Hemp seed nanoparticle composites for removing lead, methylene blue, and ibuprofen from an aqueous solution and their antimicrobial towards Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266601642300141X
On coating urinary catheters with oleamide
Oleamide–PDMS copolymer for coating urinary catheters with anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm properties
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13273-023-00380-z
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
A review of the history of cannabis, the biosynthesis of the cannabinoids & the utilization of novel cannabis varieties
Cannabis sativa: origin and history, glandular trichome development, and cannabinoid biosynthesis
https://www.x-mol.net/paper/article/1684221192467890176
Clinical Use, Surveys & Ingestions Methods
On yet another system for trying to standardize cannabis consumption in terms of milligrams of THC
Self-report methodology for quantifying standardized cannabis consumption in milligrams delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37506343/
In Canada, cannabis consumption increasing
Changes in Quantity Measures of Various Forms of Cannabis Consumption among Emerging Adults in Canada in Relation to Policy and Public Health Developments
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37444061/
In low- & middle-income countries, the characteristics of adolescent cannabis users
Cannabis and tobacco use among adolescents aged 12-17 years from 16 low- and middle-income countries
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37499128/
How people are vaping in Rhode Island
A preliminary characterization of cannabis oil use and vaporization among individuals who use for medical purposes: A pilot study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37523300/
Neurology & Brain Diseases
In people with drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy, CBD improved their seizures & quality of life
The effect of cannabidiol on seizure features and quality of life in drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy patients: a triple-blind controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37470002/
And in people with epilepsy from Rett syndrome, CBD reduced their number of seizures as well as improving spasticity, agitation & anxiety attacks
Efficacy and tolerance of cannabidiol in the treatment of epilepsy in patients with Rett syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37485779/
In a small pilot study of people with Parkinson's using CBD & THC, some had lower cognition scores & more non-motor symptoms while others reported improved pain, sleep & anxiety levels
Cannabidiol and Tetrahydrocannabinol Use in Parkinson's Disease: An Observational Pilot Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37621812/
In young adults with stroke, those with cannabis use disorder had significantly more frequent strokes in the posterior rather than the anterior circulation
Substance use disorder in young adults with stroke: clinical characteristics and outcome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37454034/
A review of CBD for Alzheimer's disease
CANNABIDIOL AS A NOVEL THERAPY FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
https://periodicojs.com.br/index.php/hs/article/view/1466
And a chapter on using cannabis for Alzheimer's
Cannabis & Alzheimer's: From adjunctive use in symptoms to neuromodulatory therapy
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372730869_Cannabis_Alzheimer's_From_adjunctive_use_in_symptoms_to_neuromodulatory_therapy
In a rat model of repeated mild traumatic brain injuries, a drug that inhibits the MAGL enzyme (which breaks down 2-AG) did not alter their alcohol intake but did increase anxiety behaviors in males, but not females
Repeated mild traumatic brain injury and JZL184 produce sex-specific increases in anxiety-like behavior and alcohol consumption in Wistar rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37503666/
In a rat model of absence epilepsy, an analysis of the changes in endocannabinoids across various brain regions
Investigation of the endocannabinoids in absence epilepsy : therapeutic implications for comorbid anxiety
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111987
In a roundworm model of Alzheimer's disease, CBD combined well with β-asarone (a molecule from calamus) to lower Aβ plaque aggregations
Synergetic effect of β-asarone and cannabidiol against Aβ aggregation in vitro and in vivo
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37602231/
A thesis project in obese mice on the gut-brain endocannabinoid axis & the control of anxiety & metabolism
Gut-Brain Endocannabinoid Control of Obesity and Anxiety
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/45b21497
A thesis project on CBD & turning off genes related to the brain
CBD and CpGs: Cannabidiol Neuroepigenetics and a Novel Allele-Specific DNA Methylation Pipeline
https://www.proquest.com/openview/e4ca6bf132ba079b33a2f6caea19233e/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
On people with bipolar disorder who also have cannabis use disorder
A Prospective Comparison of Bipolar I and II Subjects with and without Comorbid Cannabis Use Disorders from the COGA Dataset
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37626487/
Cannabis legalization associated with increased emergency department visits for cannabis-induced psychosis
Association between non-medical cannabis legalization and emergency department visits for cannabis-induced psychosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37500826/
A genetic analysis finds some small genetic leads between cannabis use & opioid use disorder
Genetics of cannabis use in opioid use disorder: A genome-wide association and polygenic risk score study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37494403/
Among young adults, on the relation between anxiety, sensitivity & cannabis use
Investigating the Relation between Anxiety Sensitivity and Substance Use: What Are the Roles of Social Anxiety and Outcome Expectancies?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37466359/
And the impact of adverse life events on adolescents & their substance use
Timing and type of adverse life events: Impact on substance use among high-risk adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37519039/
For anxiety, on the role of CB1 receptors in the amygdala (an emotional & fear response center of the brain)
The role of amygdala cannabinoid type‑1 receptors in anxiety
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41684-023-01225-x
Validation of a model for predicting the risk of cannabis use disorder
Validation of a Bayesian learning model to predict the risk for cannabis use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37451153/
In a rat model of sleep apnea, THC’s ability to suppress REM sleep was potentiated by DMSO (a frequently used solution for dissolving & delivering drugs)
DMSO potentiates the suppressive effect of dronabinol on sleep apnea and REM sleep in rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37507813/
In a mouse model of alcohol use disorder, the endocannabinoid system-adjacent fatty acids N-oleoyl glycine & N-oleoyl alanine reduced alcohol consumption significantly
N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine attenuate alcohol self-administration and preference in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37524707/
In a rat model of stress & alcohol use disorder, inhibition of the MAGL enzyme (which breaks down 2-AG) lowered some stress related responses, but not involuntary alcohol drinking while between the genders, having different effects on behaviors & food consumption
Sexually dimorphic effects of monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor MJN110 on stress-related behaviour and drinking in Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37488777/
In a mouse model of cocaine use disorder, an inhibitor of the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide) reduced drug seeking behavior & reduced FAAH gene expression in certain areas of the brain
The FAAH inhibitor URB597 reduces cocaine intake during conditioned punishment and mitigates cocaine seeking during withdrawal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37499453/
A computer analysis of potential drug interactions between cannabinoids & antidepressants
In Silico Examination of Drug-Drug Interactions of Medical Cannabis and Antidepressant Drug Groups
http://www.isisn.org/BR-20-3-2023/647-656-20(3)2023BR23-136.pdf
Female-specific, Reproduction & Hormones
From public health data, prenatal exposure to cannabis was linked to turning on & off genes related to childhood & adolescent brain development & cognitive function
Prenatal cannabis exposure alters offspring DNA methylation at genes involved in neurodevelopment, across the life course
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3183028/v1_covered_63223d17-3cd6-4141-b1ac-dbbec45730af.pdf?c=1690490959
On what women were told about cannabis use during prenatal care visits in the US
Maternal report of cannabis screening and recommendations during prenatal care visits in the United States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37442248/
A review of 23 studies on prenatal cannabis use & major birth defects found inconsistent evidence to suggest a relationship
Prenatal Exposure to Cannabis and Risk of Major Structural Birth Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37473409/
In rodents, prenatal THC exposure altered their cognitive domains including brave wave oscillations as well as dysfunction of hippocampal circuits, with strong gender differences
Prenatal THC exposure induces long-term, sex-dependent cognitive dysfunction associated with lipidomic and neuronal pathology in the prefrontal cortex-hippocampal network
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37525013/
Pain, Inflammation & Surgeries
For knee osteoarthritis, on using electrical currents & lasers to stimulate the endocannabinoid system to reduce pain
The Endocannabinoid System a Turning Point in Optimizing Physiotherapy Procedures in Knee Osteoarthritis
https://lumenpublishing.com/journals/index.php/brain/article/view/6079
In people with arthritis, tablets containing PEA & astaxanthin reduced joint pain & inflammation
A randomized interventional clinical trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of PeaNoc XL tablets in managing joint pain and inflammation in arthritis patients
https://f1000research.com/articles/12-895
A review of using cannabis for rheumatic conditions in the US versus Canada
Medicinal Cannabis Use for Rheumatic Conditions in the US Versus Canada: Rationale for Use and Patient-Health Care Provider Interactions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37519131/
A review of using cannabinoids for pain management
Neuropharmacology of endogenous, synthetic and phytocannabinoids for pain management
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37283484/
In a rat model of neuropathic pain, an analysis of how the endocannabinoid system regulates the descending pain pathways
Descending mechanism by which medial prefrontal cortex endocannabinoid signaling controls the development of neuropathic pain and neuronal activity of dorsal root ganglion
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37463226/
The antioxidant capabilities of various Lithuanian fiber hemp cultivars
Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Various Extracts of Fibre Hemp ( Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivated in Lithuania
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37446590/
The Heart
In a mouse model of diabetes causing heart problems, the terpene beta caryophyllene inhibited oxidative stress & inflammation with “remarkable protective effects” via the CB2 receptors & the TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK pathway
β-Caryophyllene, a Dietary Phytocannabinoid, Alleviates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Activating Cannabinoid Type-2 Receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37588762/
In mice with high blood pressure, a drug that inhibited both the FAAH & MAGL enzymes (which break down anandamide & 2-AG respectively) led to a moderate lowering of blood pressure without affecting other basal functions of the body (besides a prevention of weight gain)
Weak Hypotensive Effect of Chronic Administration of the Dual FAAH/MAGL Inhibitor JZL195 in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats as Revealed by Area under the Curve Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37446125/
The Lungs
A thesis on host-pathogen interactions & the endocannabinoids with a focus on the lungs & hookworms
The Role of Endocannabinoids in Host-Pathogen Interactions
https://escholarship.org/content/qt1n41x1x5/qt1n41x1x5.pdf
The Genitourinary System
In a mouse model of acute kidney injury, anandamide lowered inflammation & protected the kidney
Anandamide modulates WNT-5A/BCL-2, IP3/NFATc1, and HMGB1/NF-κB trajectories to protect against mercuric chloride-induced acute kidney injury
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37488162/
The Skin
The use of cannabis may be associated with atopic dermatitis (eczema)
Association of atopic dermatitis with substance use disorders: A case-control study in the All of Us research program
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37454697/
In a tissue model of psoriasis, on using the fatty acid N-eicosapentaenoyl-ethanolamine to bolster the endocannabinoid system
N-eicosapentaenoyl-ethanolamine decreases the proliferation of psoriatic keratinocytes in a reconstructed psoriatic skin model
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37495686/
CBD showed more power in changing human skin gene expression when combined with Equol (a flavonoid estrogen)
Cannabidiol (CBD) with 4',7-Isoflavandiol (Equol) Efficacy is Greater than CBD or Equol Treatment Alone via Human Skin Gene Expression Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37525926/
Cancer & Chemotherapy
A review of the anti-cancer effects of the terpenes with a focus on skin cancer
Anticancer effect of terpenes: focus on malignant melanoma
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37515699/
In lung cancer cells, a drug that blocks the MAGL enzyme (which breaks down 2-AG) led to less blood vessel growth to the tumor
Inhibition of Monoacylglycerol Lipase Decreases Angiogenic Features of Endothelial Cells via Release of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 from Lung Cancer Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37443791/
Synthetic Cannabinoids
On the activity of CH-PIATA
In vitro cannabinoid receptor activity, metabolism, and detection in seized samples of CH-PIATA, a new indole-3-acetamide synthetic cannabinoid
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37491777/
Cool Chemistry
The solubility of CBD in different solvents
Experimental Solubility of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Different Organic Solvents
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.iecr.3c01192
On making hemp essential oil nanoemulsion capsules
Encapsulation of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Essential Oils into Nanoemulsions for Potential Therapeutic Applications: Assessment of Cytotoxicological Profile
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372691825_Encapsulation_of_Hemp_Cannabis_sativa_L_Essential_Oils_into_Nanoemulsions_for_Potential_Therapeutic_Applications_Assessment_of_Cytotoxicological_Profile
A new range of compounds for targeting the CB2 receptor
Motifs in Natural Products as Useful Scaffolds to Obtain Novel Benzo[ d]imidazole-Based Cannabinoid Type 2 (CB2) Receptor Agonists
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37446093/
And another group using a different scaffold
Systematic Modification of the Substitution Pattern of the 7-Hydroxy-5-oxopyrazolo[4,3- b]pyridine-6-carboxamide Scaffold Enabled the Discovery of New Ligands with High Affinity and Selectivity for the Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptor
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37446625/
Thanks.
- lex
PS: From a hero of Sudanese jazz & funk, this week’s album is Kamal Keila’s ‘Muslims and Christians’. Sometimes called the James Brown of Sudan, his two old reel tapes were digitally rescued & turned into this powerful album where the Arabic songs focused on love & friendship while the English songs were packed with political dynamite. He calls for the union between the divisions of Muslims & Christians, “Let’s all sing a song for peace.”
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