Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 71st 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. Paid subscriptions are here.
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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As always, here’s the Glossary of Cannabinoid Terms & at the bottom is the album of the week.
Announcements:
On cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, still on the lookout to interview more healthcare professionals for my AJEM article if you have anyone to recommend…
But I already had an excellent talk with Dr. Codi Peterson (one of the best cannabinoid cats to follow on LinkedIn) & I’ll be posting a summary of his CHS insights on the CVSciences TikTok tomorrow.
This week…
CBD-rich hemp extracts for less daytime sleepiness & more testosterone
CBD & CBG to heal your broken bones
Cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain
How cannabinoids can lead to premature aging & pro-cancer effects
Cannabis helps healing from one type of surgery & hinders another type
Queer kids vape more
Plus, a bounty of research on adolescent use
A request to spread the word
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth,
so please forward to colleagues & tell your friends & relatives.
Sponsor: PlusCBD & a commitment to quality
I’m proud to promote the CBD-rich hemp extracts of PlusCBD because I know from the inside about their commitment to quality.
They start with agricultural non-GMO hemp grown with no pesticides: only water, soil & sunlight.
Then they use the clean, safe method CO2 extraction to get out all of the terpenes, minor cannabinoids & fatty acids that go into a quality hemp extract.
And finally, they test their products at least 3 times internally & once externally by third-party labs before it ever goes out the doors.
The result is an excellent CBD-rich hemp extract product that changes people’s lives.
Buy your CBD from PlusCBD today.
My work this week:
Canna-Education for CV Sciences (TikTok:@cvsciences):
[if you’re not into TikTok, see them on my YouTube playlist 3-minute Cannabinoid Science]
THCV: the Creative Cannabinoid - this one is blowing up. I just posted it & it’s already hitting 15k
My Germany Lecture: Effects of the Cannabinoids & Terpenes – a summary of my talk last weekend at CBExpo
The Cannabinoid Receptors on Your Organs – a review of a very sexy ECS chart
Cannabinoids in Your Skin – and another sexy chart
Psoriasis & the Cannabinoids
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...
CBN for Sleep: Fact or Fiction?
https://projectcbd.org/health/cbn-sleep/
Clinical
In 99 patients with chronic neuropathic pain, medical cannabis caused significant decreases of severe pain & sleep disturbances with no severe adverse events
Medical Cannabis Alleviates Chronic Neuropathic Pain Effectively and Sustainably without Severe Adverse Effect: A Retrospective Study on 99 Cases
https://karger.com/mca/article/6/1/89/860557
In patients with gynecological cancer, 1:1 THC:CBD oil reduced the nausea effects of chemotherapy
Oral Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):Cannabinoid (CBD) Cannabis Extract Adjuvant for Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV): A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37608911/
In an observational study, people taking CBD for long periods of time had significant decreases in daytime drowsiness & in older men, higher testosterone levels
The Effects of Long-Term Self-Dosing of Cannabidiol on Drowsiness, Testosterone Levels, and Liver Function
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36968131/
And in a clinical study of people with worry & anxiety, an acute dose of 300 milligrams of CBD did not lower their symptoms but taking it for two weeks reduced their anxiety
The effects of cannabidiol on worry and anxiety among high trait worriers: a double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37552290/
For epilepsy, an analysis of potential drug interactions between isolated CBD & anti-seizure medications
Final analysis of potential drug-drug interactions between highly purified cannabidiol and anti-seizure medications in an open-label expanded access program
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37593907/
“In 169 participants (80 adults), with increasing weight-based CBD dose, there were associated increases in serum levels of clobazam and N-desmethylclobazam, free valproate, felbamate, and topiramate in the adult and pediatric arms combined, levetiracetam in the pediatric arm only, and permapanel in the adult arm only.”
In those using methamphetamine, cannabis may be protective from the worsened neurocognitive outcomes
Cannabis use may attenuate neurocognitive performance deficits resulting from methamphetamine use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37553288/
In states that pass medical cannabis laws, the health insurance premiums drop
Medical cannabis laws lower individual market health insurance premiums
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37572391/
In tracking youth at a clinical high risk of psychosis for two years, those who continuously use cannabis had higher neurocognition & social functioning & decreased medication usage
Recreational cannabis use over time in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis: Lack of associations with symptom, neurocognitive, functioning, and treatment patterns
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37657201/
This study has big in the popular press with headlines about this disproving the schizophrenia connection for at risk youth. But this is just a study of two years and schizophrenia can take much longer than that to emerge. The public health data consistently shows a real, albeit moderate, link.
In a survey of people with problematic cannabis use, concentrates & flower were related to more problematic cannabis use than edibles
Distress tolerance and problematic cannabis use: does the form of cannabis matter?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37565482/
A survey finds that people increasingly consider cannabis smoke to be safer than tobacco smoke
Perceptions of Safety of Daily Cannabis vs Tobacco Smoking and Secondhand Smoke Exposure, 2017-2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37566411/
And a strange statement from the authors: “This study found that US adults increasingly perceived daily smoking and secondhand exposure to cannabis smoke as safer than tobacco smoke from 2017 to 2021. Given that these views do not reflect the existing science on cannabis and tobacco smoke…”.
What existing science has cannabis smoke being more dangerous than tobacco smoke?
A case study of cannabis causing catatonia (abnormal movements & immobility) with the eventual helpful treatment being electroconvulsive therapy
A Case of Cannabis-Induced Catatonia and Management With Electroconvulsive Therapy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37711932/
Reviews
A review of how CBD may be causing its painkilling effect
Can cannabidiol have an analgesic effect?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37584368/
And a book chapter on the painkilling effects of cannabis
The Analgesic Effects of Cannabis
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-35155-6_7
For fibromyalgia, a review of medicinal cannabis
Medicinal Cannabis for Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Review
https://ideas.repec.org/a/adm/journl/v12y2023i8p1-4.html
A review of the negative effects of the cannabinoids on DNA & epigenetics that leads to premature aging & pro-cancer effects
Perturbation of 3D nuclear architecture, epigenomic dysregulation and aging, and cannabinoid synaptopathy reconfigures conceptualization of cannabinoid pathophysiology: part 1–aging and epigenomics
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1182535/full
This team of Reece & Hulse are doing some of the best work on the negatives of the cannabinoids. I don’t love that it’s true, but you can’t ignore it.
For glaucoma, a review of the therapeutic potential of the cannabinoids
Therapeutic Potential of Cannabinoids in Glaucoma
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37631064/
A review of the cannabinoid receptors & insights into their structure & function
Structural and functional insights into the G protein-coupled receptors: CB1 and CB2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37646476/
Preclinical
In a mouse model of bone fracture, CBD & CBG reduced pain comparable to NSAIDs & promoted bone healing via multiple mechanisms
Cannabidiol and cannabigerol, non-psychotropic cannabinoids, as analgesics that effectively manage bone fracture pain and promote healing in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37597163/
In mice, CBD lowered nicotine self-administration
Cannabidiol Attenuates Nicotine Self-Administration in Mice
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8g4825wx
In myeloids (blood stem cells) infected with HIV as well as a mouse model of HIV, CBD lowered viral RNA & pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as combined well with the standard antiretroviral therapy
The Use of CBD and Its Synthetic Analog HU308 in HIV-1-Infected Myeloid Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37631062/
In mice, a study of how THC & its metabolites move through the system after smoking depending on the gender, age & mouse type
Pharmacokinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol following acute cannabis smoke exposure in mice; effects of sex, age, and strain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37701025/
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
Yes, the DEA has confirmed that they consider delta-8 THC or any other “tetrahycannabinol… produced through any chemical synthesis” to be a controlled substance
Kudos to On Drugs for digging into this reporting.
The World Anti-Doping Agency writes an unconvincing editorial about why they’re keeping cannabis on the banned list
Cannabis and sport: A World Anti-Doping perspective
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.16315
Infuriatingly, PA officials vote against allowing cannabis edibles for medical cannabis patients
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/pennsylvania-officials-wont-give-medical-marijuana-patients-access-to-edibles-for-now
New York votes to open up their adult-use market to all players, angering activists
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-to-open-adult-use-marijuana-market-to-all-businesses-including-large-multistate-operators-and-medical-cannabis-companies
NYC agreed to pay $75k to a mother who had her newborn taken away for legally smoking cannabis hours before the birth
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/07/nyregion/mother-legal-marijuana-settlement.html
Insider’s secret: Ina May Gaskin, aka the “mother of American midwifery”, doesn’t often talk about it publicly but she saw great efficacy with using cannabis for the process of childbirth.
On people losing out on mortgages & other financial services because they work for cannabis companies: Treated ‘Like a Coke Dealer’
https://www.greenmarketreport.com/treated-like-a-coke-dealer-cannabis-workers-lose-out-on-mortgages-loans/
In fact, I think those pigfuckers at Chase just closed my bank account of 20 years without warning because of the cannabis stuff. #cowards
After strong industry pushback, Oregon is suspending their rules for aspergillus testing
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORHA/bulletins/36f5512
The Las Vegas scams of selling fake weed
https://www.dailydot.com/news/las-vegas-strip-fake-weed-stores-psa/
On sex & cannabis by Lifehacker
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-bring-weed-into-the-bedroom-1850565448
A new song from Paul McCartney & Jimmy Buffett called "My Gummie Just Kicked In"
https://ew.com/music/jimmy-buffett-weed-anthem-final-album-paul-mccartney/
RIP Mayor of Margaritaville
International
Ever since Amsterdam banned public cannabis consumption on the streets of the Red Light District, no fines have been issued
https://cannabislaw.report/holland-no-fines-issued-since-amsterdam-banned-smoking-cannabis-on-red-light-district-streets/
I talked to a number of Dutch people about this at my conference this weekend as well as during my visit there last month. I wager that the Red Light District will be moved to outside the city center within two years.
And I get it. It’s no longer a livable neighborhood for the residents.
Will France include medical cannabis in its next budget?
https://businessofcannabis.com/will-the-legalisation-of-medical-cannabis-in-france-be-included-in-the-annual-budget-for-2024/
The old rule of thumb in journalism is that when a headline ends in a question mark, the answer to that question is no.
This country <shakes head>… biggest consumers of grass on the continent – but a government who dislikes CBD & can barely tolerate the tiniest medical cannabis pilot program.
In Christiania, Copenhagen’s fabled hippy community & open-air drug market, the residents are calling for an end to the drug trade due to rising violence
https://cannabislaw.report/residents-of-danish-hippie-enclave-christiania-call-for-end-of-cannabis-sales-amid-rising-violence/
This is why we can’t have nice things. I mean, this is why all drugs must be legalized.
Polynesia set to legalize CBD & is considering medical cannabis
https://businessofcannabis.com/polynesia-set-to-legalise-cbd-and-eyes-medical-cannabis-roll-out/
The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
In good news, the chief prosecutor of Scotland said they will not arrest anyone for drug possession within Glasgow’s pilot safer drug consumption facility
https://www.copfs.gov.uk/about-copfs/news/lord-advocate-s-statement-on-pilot-safer-drug-consumption-facility/
O ye'll tak' the high road, and I'll tak' the low road,
And I'll be in Scotland afore ye
(despite what a sad song it is & the underlying dark history, my kids love ‘The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond’)
Colombia seeing record-high levels of coca growing & cocaine production
https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-09-12/colombia-sets-new-records-for-coca-crops-and-cocaine-production.html
And in Afghanistan, meth production is booming after the Taliban ban on opium
https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/briefs/Methamphetamine_Manufacture_in_Afghanistan.pdf
Business & Law
Dr. Jeffrey Miron et al. on legalizing & deregulating for more innovation
Legalize and Deregulate for Innovation
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-32890-9_14
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
10 key women in psychedelic history
When psychedelics trigger visions of childhood abuse
And Encounters with negative entities
On an end-of-life mushroom trip by someone with metastatic breast cancer
https://proto.life/2023/07/my-end-of-life-mushroom-trip/
On how Fellini’s LSD therapy affected his creativity
A phenomenological analysis of Fellini's films to understand the effect of LSD therapy on his creativity
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20503245231186723
On the “other God molecule”: 5-MeO-MALT
And 5-MeO-DiPT: the raver’s friend
On the many natural sources of DMT
A history of Woodstock’s brown acid scare
And a history of the Microdot LSD Gang of the ‘70s
https://www.lucid.news/gratefully-remembering-microdot-lsd-in-the-seventies/
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]
On how people respond to GHB overdoses
Understandings, attitudes, practices and responses to GHB overdose among GHB consumers
https://harmreductionjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12954-023-00857-z
A review of psychedelics for migraines
The Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of Episodic Migraine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37540398/
A review of psilocybin for depression that covers 7 studies & 489 participants
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of human studies
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37557019/
The Plant & the History
Growing & Farming
A guide for growing hemp by the Textile Exchange
Growing Hemp for the Future
http://textileexchange.org/app/uploads/2023/04/Growing-Hemp-for-the-Future-1.pdf
On using microbials to enhance cannabinoid production
Enhanced production of select phytocannabinoids in medical Cannabis cultivars using microbial consortia
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1219836/full
On the impact of organic & mineral fertilizers on yield
Cannabis Hunger Games: Nutrient stress induction in flowering stage - impact of organic and mineral fertilizer levels on biomass, cannabidiol (CBD) yield and nutrient use efficiency
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1233232/abstract
In California, the wildfire smoke had a significant impact on the cannabis industry (“predicted crop losses between 4.54% and 21.61% statewide, and between 9.09% and 42.83% in the northernmost counties” – “Estimated potential economic losses in 2020 and 2021 were as high as $1.44 billion and $970.04 million”
Wildfire smoke exposure has significant economic impacts on California’s licensed cannabis industry
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/acef3e/pdf
In northeast Germany, the water usage of industrial hemp
Water consumption of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) during dry growing seasons (2018–2022) in NE Germany
https://ojs.openagrar.de/volltexte/Kulturpflanzenjournal/2023/Heft07-08/17052_jfk_2023_07-08_thevs-and-nowotny/17052_jfk_2023_07-08_thevs-and-nowotny.html
On managing hemp pests by Purdue’s Ag Extension
Pest Management of Hemp
https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/HO/HO-339-W.pdf
In Kentucky, first report of a fungus that infects the hemp russet mite
First report of Hirsutella thompsonii as an entomopathogenic fungus of hemp russet mite (Aculops cannabicola Farkas) in Kentucky
https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/abs/10.1094/PHP-04-23-0035-BR
On methods for doubling the chromosomes of hemp (a common technique for increasing yield)
In Vivo and In Vitro Chromosome Doubling of ‘I3’ Hemp
https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/58/9/article-p1018.xml
On using a hyperspectral light scanner for determining the sex & cultivar of cannabis
Non-invasive assessment of cultivar and sex of Cannabis sativa L. by means of hyperspectral measurement
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/pei3.10116
An analysis of cannabinoid levels in Thai cultivars
Cannabidiol, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabinol contents of Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences claimed to be Hang Kra Rog Phu Phan cultivar cultivated outdoors in various locations of Thailand
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1874390023001532
Detection & Analysis Techniques
A method for detecting cannflavins in hemp extracts
A validated method for detection of cannflavins in hemp extracts
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37586306/
Hemp as food
For hemp seeds, an analysis of their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory & antioxidant effects
Investigating the Biological Activities of Moroccan Cannabis Sativa L Seed Extracts: Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, and Antioxidant Effects with Molecular Docking Analysis
https://revues.imist.ma/index.php/morjchem/article/view/42100
On feeding hemp seeds to adult dogs
Effect of hulled Cannabis sativa L. seeds in a homemade diet for adult dogs
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/1828051X.2023.2241489
Hempseed meal for goats
Hempseed Meal as a Feed Ingredient for Intact Male Goats: Evaluating Effects on Feed Intake, Growth Performance, Growth Efficiency, Serum Biochemistry, Rumen Fermentation, Rumen Papillae Morphology, and Carcass Traits
https://www.proquest.com/openview/300a5289d56ddde1311232d8fcc43e2d/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
The properties of hemp protein gels
Effect of protein concentration on the structural, functional properties, linear and nonlinear rheological behaviors of thermally induced hemp protein gels
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0260877423002923
Industrial Use
On cannabis-based biofuels
Cannabis-based biofuels in a biorefinery approach
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669023009901
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
A review on the adverse health effects of cannabis
Adverse Impact of Cannabis on Human Health
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37582489/
Clinical Use, Surveys & Ingestions Methods
Interviews with the medical cannabis doctors of Pennsylvania find their problems with the system
Physicians' Perspectives on Their Training for and Role Within Pennsylvania's Medical Cannabis Program
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37562842/
“Participants also noted system-level factors that prohibited treating cannabis as a traditional medical therapy, including communication barriers between physicians and dispensaries and confusion about insurance coverage for certification exams.”
Adolescents & Young People
A survey finds parents giving unlicensed CBD products to their kids with ADHD, autism & especially generalized anxiety disorder
Parental Perceptions and Usage of Unlicensed Cannabidiol Products in Children With Anxiety and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
https://meridian.allenpress.com/jppt/article/28/4/323/494868
A survey of how gender-diverse adults are consuming cannabis
Extending Gender- and Sex-Based Analyses in Cannabis Research: Findings from an Online Sample of Gender Diverse Young Adult Consumers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37594777/
And how young Queer kids more likely to be vaping cannabinoids
Vaping of Cannabis, Cannabidiol, and Synthetic Cannabis Among US Sexual Minority Youths
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37581889/
And on the demographics of the young people who are vaping CBD (more Queers again)
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Vaping Cannabidiol Among US Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37585202/
A review of the effects of chronic cannabis use on adolescents
Effects of Chronic Cannabis Use on Adolescents
https://scholar.utc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1608&context=mps
Among North American College students, the use of cannabis was associated with a range of adverse psychosocial functionings
Cannabis Use Associations with Adverse Psychosocial Functioning among North American College Students
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37584421/
And another survey of young adults finding similar results
Association of self-reported use of cannabis for the purpose of improving physical, mental, and sleep health with problematic cannabis use risk
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37587415/
The young people rapidly increasing their use of vaping & smoking cannabis had the highest levels of anxiety & depressive symptoms
Parallel trajectories of vaping and smoking cannabis and their associations with mental and physical well-being among young adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37611482/
In a large cohort of young adults, higher levels of THC in their hair was associated with higher levels of cortisol as well as with lower levels of testosterone
Associations of psychoactive substances and steroid hormones in hair: Findings relevant to stress research from a large cohort of young adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37639800/
In Finland, on why young adults use cannabis for self-medication versus recreation
Sociodemographic differences and experienced effects of young adults who use cannabis mainly for self-medication versus recreationally in Finland
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/DHS-05-2023-0017/full/html
On social media platforms serving cannabis content & the intent of adolescents to try cannabis
Does the Platform Matter? Exploring the Relationship Between Cannabis-Related Content on Social Media, Sensation Seeking, and the Intention to Try Cannabis
https://ejhc.org/article/view/3613
“Results suggest a positive link between exposure to cannabis-related content on Instagram and the intention to consume cannabis. No such link emerged regarding Snapchat or TikTok.”
A review of interventions to prevent adolescents from substance use
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Evaluating the Efficacy of Stand-Alone Digital Interventions to Prevent Substance Use Among Adolescents
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40429-023-00508-0
And among the young adults who come to the emergency room because of cannabis, the efficacy of a combination of a brief intervention with social media messaging
A remote brief intervention plus social media messaging for cannabis use among emerging adults: A pilot randomized controlled trial in emergency department patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37598642/
Neurology & Brain Diseases
In brain scans, a certain variant of their catechol-methyl-transferase (COMT – an enzyme that degrades dopamine, epinephrine & norepinephrine which may be relevant to cannabis processing) altered how THC caused decreased connectivity in the salience network (a collection of regions for helping to select which stimuli we focus our attention on, a network relevant to THC psychosis & schizophrenia)
Acute effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on resting state connectivity networks and impact of COMT genotype: A multi-site pharmacological fMRI study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37598453/
In a mouse model of stroke, inhibition of the FAAH enzyme improved neurological function & reduced brain swelling & death 24 hours after the insult partially via the nuclear receptor PPARα (which alters genetic transcription)
URB597 exerts neuroprotective effects against transient brain ischemia injury in mice by regulating autophagic flux and necroptosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37572942/
In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, oleoylethanolamide (an analog of anandamide) increased the clearance of Aβ plaques & rescued cognitive impairments via the PPARα nuclear receptors that control genetic transcription
Oleoylethanolamide facilitates PPARa and TFEB signaling and attenuates Ab pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36711875/
How the ECS regulates stress-induced neuroplasticity in the nucleus accumbens (a brain center interface between motivation & action)
Synaptic and cellular endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms regulate stress-induced plasticity of nucleus accumbens somatostatin neurons
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37590414/
In brain cell cultures, CBD was neurotoxic at higher levels
High doses of cannabidiol induce neurotoxicity in cell culture systems
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3243068/v1/83c2fa58-011a-40b0-a265-710df463e178.pdf?c=1692241211
On using a FAAH inhibitor in the brainstem
Investigating the effects of a FAAH inhibitor in the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus using a new ex vivo mouse preparation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772417423000110
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
On using mindfulness-based interventions for cannabis use disorder
A call for mindfulness-based interventions for cannabis-use disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37604715/
In a mouse model of schizophrenia, the stable version of CBDA (HU-580) caused therapeutic effects via the CB1 & serotonin-1A receptors
Therapeutic-like activity of cannabidiolic acid methyl ester (HU-580) in the MK-801 mouse model of schizophrenia: role for cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin-1A receptors
https://d197for5662m48.cloudfront.net/documents/publicationstatus/145863/preprint_pdf/86e9d7aa1c26672aac3fa205d0aaec27.pdf
Female-specific, Reproduction & Hormones
A review of cannabis for endometriosis by Helius (a leading medical cannabis producer of New Zealand)
Overview of Medicinal Cannabis as a treatment for Endometriosis associated symptoms
https://c2852a77-6c61-4e7b-8813-b350941ce4c2.usrfiles.com/ugd/c2852a_a16e652aac064fbab5169ce0504ee0d9.pdf
In tissue cultures of reproductive cells, THC & CBD interfered with key processes related to formation of the placenta
Effects of a combination of cannabidiol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on key biological functions of HTR-8/SVneo extravillous trophoblast cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37567336/
In male rats poisoned by the toxic metal cadmium, the combination of CBD oil & prednisone altered their reproductive hormones & their teste tissue
Impact of Cannabidiol Oil and Prednisolone on Sex Hormones, Oxidative Stress Markers, Lipid Profile, and Testes Histology on Cadmium Induced Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372909359_Impact_of_Cannabidiol_Oil_and_Prednisolone_on_Sex_Hormones_Oxidative_Stress_Markers_Lipid_Profile_and_Testes_Histology_on_Cadmium_Induced_Toxicity_in_Male_Wistar_Rats
Pain, Inflammation & Surgeries
In public health data on spine surgery patients, those using cannabis had increased blood clots, hypoxia, heart attacks & arrhythmia
The effect of cannabis use on postoperative complications in patients undergoing spine surgery: A national database study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666548423000677
In colitis patients with an artificial pouch from surgery, the use of cannabis decreased their disease activity scores & increased their average bowel movements per day as well as quality of life
Cannabis Improves Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Pouchitis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37601299/
In patients with arthritis, PeaNoc tablets (palmitoylethanolamide + astaxanthin) reduced inflammatory cytokine levels, joint stiffness & pain scores
A randomized interventional clinical trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of PeaNoc XL tablets in managing joint pain and inflammation in arthritis patients
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372697958_A_randomized_interventional_clinical_trial_assessing_the_safety_and_effectiveness_of_PeaNoc_XL_tablets_in_managing_joint_pain_and_inflammation_in_arthritis_patients
A review of using cannabis for chronic back pain
Is Cannabis Effective in the Treatment of Chronic Back Pain?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37692601/
On the antioxidant properties of cannabis leaf extracts
Phytochemistry and Antiperoxidative Potential of Cannabis sativa L. Leaves Methanol Extracts: An In Vitro Study
https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/6176/5568
The Guts
In a retrospective study of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, the cannabis users had an increased risk for corticosteroid use, emergency room visit, hospitalization, & opioid use but not an increased risk for surgery or death
The Impact of Cannabis Use on Clinical Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-based Longitudinal Cohort Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37580878/
In a study of painful versus painless diabetic neuropathy, those with pain had higher blood levels of anandamide
Serum levels of endocannabinoids and related lipids in painful vs painless diabetic neuropathy: results from the Pain in Neuropathy Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37578507/
A case study of someone with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome helped by hot baths
Shower power: a case report of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
https://repository.rcsi.com/articles/journal_contribution/Shower_power_a_case_report_of_cannabinoid_hyperemesis_syndrome/23822292?backTo=/collections/RCSIsmj_2016-17/6781224
In patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome, they had a higher baseline levels of 2AG & 2-oleoylglycerol (2-OG) as well as other alterations to their endocannabinoids & related lipids
Plasma endocannabinoids and cannabimimetic fatty acid derivatives are altered in cyclic vomiting syndrome: the effects of sham feeding
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37572030/
In the aging gut, CB1 regulates the mucosal permeability via microRNA (regulators of genetic transcription)
Cannabinoid receptor type 1 in the aging gut regulates the mucosal permeability via miR-191-5p
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37693348/
In rats being fed a fatty diet, the protective effects of hemp oil via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway
Effect of hemp seed oil on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet
https://www.e-jnh.org/Synapse/Data/PDFData/1124JNH/jnh-56-e27.pdf
The Heart
In French public health data, increased major adverse events in hospital cardiac units was associated with the use of cannabis (as well as cocaine & MDMA)
Prevalence and impact of recreational drug use in patients with acute cardiovascular events
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37582633/
In a mouse model of heart damage from diabetes, the terpene beta-caryophyllene caused remarkable protective effects by lowering oxidative stress & inflammation via the CB2 receptor & the TLR4/NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways
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/
The Lungs
In humans with acute lung injuries associated with sepsis, they had lower levels of CB2 receptors on their dendritic cells (immune cells) while in a mouse model, a drug that activates the CB2 receptor decreased maturation of the dendritic cells, lowered inflammatory cytokines & reduced lung injury
Cannabinoid receptor 2 alleviates sepsis-associated acute lung injury by modulating maturation of dendritic cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37582314/
The Liver & Drug-Drug Interactions
How the minor cannabinoids are transformed by the liver
Hepatic biotransformation of non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids and activity screening on cytochromes P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37574147/
In mice with liver injuries from an organic pollutant, 30 days of CBD protected the liver
Cannabidiol alleviates perfluorooctane sulfonate-induced macrophage extracellular trap mediate inflammation and fibrosis in mice liver
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37591127/
The Skin
A review of using cannabis in the cosmeceutical industry
Cannabis sativa L. in the cosmeceutical industry: prospects and biotechnological approaches for metabolite improvement
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0254629923004593
The Eyes
In a rat model of loss of blood flow, a drug that activates the CB1 receptor protected the retinal capillaries by preserving blood flow
R-(+)-WIN55212-2 protects pericytes from ischemic damage and restores retinal microcirculatory patency after ischemia/reperfusion injury
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37572634/
Cancer & Chemotherapy
On the effects of the MGL enzyme on tumor growth
Tumor microenvironment-derived monoacylglycerol lipase provokes tumor-specific immune responses and lipid profiles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37573716/
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Two deaths from the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-AKB-48
Two Fatal Cases Involving Synthetic Cannabinoid, 5F-AKB-48
https://ideas.repec.org/a/abf/journl/v49y2023i5p41018-41020.html
Here in Bordeaux, a number of cases of people buying hemp extracts - but getting HHC
Letter to the Editor: The Cannabinoid Consumed Is Not Necessarily the One Expected: Recent Experience with Hexahydrocannabinol
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2023.0154?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed
On the binding affinities of HHC
Studies Pertaining to the Emerging Cannabinoid Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37578929/
In mice, the toxic effects of the synthetic cannabinoid AB-CHMINACA on the liver & kidney
Toxic effects of AB-CHMINACA on liver and kidney and detection of its blood level in adult male mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37573525/
Cool Chemistry
On targeting the CB2 receptors of bone & fat stem cells
Effect of N-phenylbenzenesulfonamide targeting CNR2 over human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell population and osteoblast/adipocyte differentiation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359511323002696
A review of the structural requirements for targeting the cannabinoid receptors
New Cannabinoid receptor type 1 and 2 agonists and applications to understanding the endocannabinoid system: A chemical approach
https://repositorio.uc.cl/dspace/items/50c02065-c853-4c08-96b3-9f02e8c8a66c
Drugs to inhibit both the FAAH enzyme & cytosolic phospholipase A2α (splits fatty acids such as arachidonic acid – a precursor to anandamide)
Synthesis, activity and metabolic stability of propan-2-one substituted tetrazolylalkanoic acids as dual inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2α and fatty acid amide hydrolase
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/md/d3md00224a/unauth
Thanks.
- lex
PS: From the singer & satirist Juca Chaves, here’s his early album ‘As Duas Faces de Juca Chaves’. A musical force in Brazil, he began in childhood by writing poetry & composing modhinas, a type of sentimental love songs. But by the 1960, he was a fierce – if funny – critic of the Brazilian military regime. In the ‘70s, he exiled himself to Portugal but his popular satires of the fascist regime on TV & radio necessitated a move to Italy. He continued his musical career by founding his own record label & even ran for political office where his system of releasing poems as campaign advertisements set him apart from the other candidates. He lived a long life of fierce independence & musical passion.
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