C&P#73: cannabis for HIV + stoners have more heavy metals + CBD for canine osteoarthritis
C&P#73: cannabis for HIV + stoners have more heavy metals + CBD for canine osteoarthritis
NCAA might finally get their heads on straight
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 73rd 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.
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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.
Announcements:
On the banking side, for any canna-businesses that aren’t plant touching, I had a good call with Aaron Kagchelland of First Citizens Bank & they are eagerly seeking to work with businesses that can’t get banking elsewhere. Reach out to him if interested. (this is not sponsored, I just like what they’re doing)
I’ll be heading to the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin this April & they made me an official media sponsor. So if you’d like to attend their upcoming Berlin or Barcelona events, here’s a coupon for 25% off:
25% off Barcelona B2B (or coupon code "LexPelgerBarca25")
25% off Berlin B2B (or coupon code "LexPelgerBerlin25")
This week…
People with HIV who use cannabis have better stronger T cells
Stoners have more heavy metals in their blood (such as lead, cadmium & Iron Maiden)
CBD for your dog’s osteoarthritis
How many “cannabis-years” do you have?
Public health data saying that cannabis doesn’t increase heart attack risk while a series of autopsies claims the opposite
A new molecule found in cannabis during a hunt for anti cancer agents: meet methoxy canniprene
A rare case of acute paralysis from cannabis use
A Deep Dive on pharmacology & cannabinoid therapeutics from the ASPET 2023 conference
Change your female cannabis plants to males!
On the rise & fall & potential rise of Rimonabant (the notorious first pharmaceutical drug to block the CB1 receptor)
A request to spread the word
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth,
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My work this week:
Canna-Education for CV Sciences
(TikTok:@cvsciences or my YouTube playlist 3-minute Cannabinoid Science):
Microdosing THC & CBD for Chronic Pain
Cannabis & Sex
How to use topicals to see God
Epilepsy & the Cannabinoids
Cannabis, Depression & Addiction
My TikToks (@lexpelgerandhisbooks or on YouTube):
My 3 books of the fall: Memory, Self-Therapy & the Emotion Code
Queer History Audiobook 'The Story of Peter Wells'
Tupac’s Killer at FBI HQ Still At Large
An Embarrassing Moment Life Lesson on the Road to Tibet
Memory Palaces:
How to build a memory palace
Memory Palaces in your Room
Sciencemancy:
Sciencemancy! new thread
Sciencemancy: Vascular Invasives Take Over North America, Darwin on the Scene
Roots & Leaves: the metaphor
Books:
Philip K Dick, AI & the loss of orality
PKD's 'The Eyes Have It' – I read a short story
Amy Kurzweil's 'Flying Couch' – Holocaust graphic novel
'Little Big' by John Crowley
'Lud in the Mist' by Hope Mirrlees
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:
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Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
‘Women Pioneers in Cannabinoid Science’ by ProjectCBD
https://projectcbd.org/science/women-pioneers-in-cannabinoid-science/
Clinical
In Australian patients with chronic health conditions, three months of medical cannabis caused meaningful improvements in overall quality of life as well as better scores for anxiety, depression & pain
Health-related quality of life in patients accessing medicinal cannabis in Australia: The QUEST initiative results of a 3-month follow-up observational study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37672515/
Cannabis smokers had significantly higher levels of the toxic metals cadmium & lead in their blood
Blood and Urinary Metal Levels among Exclusive Marijuana Users in NHANES (2005-2018)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37646523/
OK. I believe this to be true, but the whole Roman Empire had lead in their blood – and people are still thinking about them all the time. IFYKYK
In people with HIV taking antiretrovirals, cannabis use was associated with an increased abundance of T cells, a reduction of effector T cells (which promote inflammation) & lessened markers of activation, exhaustion & senescence
Impact of cannabis use on immune cell populations and the viral reservoir in people with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37606598/
“This analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that CB use reduces activation, exhaustion and senescence in the T cells of PWH [people with HIV], and does not impair HIV-specific CD8 T cell responses.”
In a study of differences from long term cannabis use, more “cannabis-years” resulted in worse verbal memory in men but not in women
Sex Differences in the Association Between Cumulative Use of Cannabis and Cognitive Function in Middle Age: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37594767/
“We computed categories of cumulative exposure in "cannabis-years" (1 cannabis-year=365 days of use) from self-reported use every 2 to 5 years over 30 years.”
This makes me wonder how many cannabis-years I have under my belt?
A thesis project finds cannabis combines well with yoga
Cannabis under the influence of yoga : the impact of mindful movement on well-being outcomes after cannabis use
https://open.library.ubc.ca/soa/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0435753
A rare case study of cannabis causing acute paralysis via hypokalemia (severely low potassium levels)
Cannabis Use: An Uncommon Cause of Hypokalemia-Induced Acute Paralysis
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/case_report/pdf/174455/20230830-20852-fiylen.pdf
And a case where the rare Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease (a multisystem autoimmune inflammatory disorder) may have been caused by cannabis use
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease with a unilateral presentation in a patient with marijuana overuse: Role of multimodal imaging in suspected patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37675413/
Reviews
For canine osteoarthritis, a meta-analysis of five studies found CBD caused a reduction in pain severity
Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal intervention studies
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1248417/full
A review of 61 studies on the positives of CBD
THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CANNABIDIOL: THE MOST IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENTS ON THE WAY TO A NEW ERA
https://msu-journal.com/index.php/journal/article/view/513
“Based on the analysis of experimental and clinical studies, it was established that cannabidiol has various properties, including antiapoptotic [anti cellular suicide], antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic and neuroprotective. In addition, basic and clinical studies of the effects of cannabidiol have been conducted in the context of many other health conditions, including its potential use in epilepsy, depression, neurodystrophic diseases, schizophrenia, and social phobia.”
A big review on how cannabis alters your perception of time
Clinical, Cognitive, and Neurobiological Correlates of Impaired Timing Abilities Associate to Cannabis Use: a Systematic Review
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-023-01125-8
Look, every stoner knows that time is an illusion.
For psychiatric diseases, a review on targeting the endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system as a putative target for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37671673/
And in cannabis induced psychosis, a review of the part played by the neutrophic factors (regulators of neuronal survival, plasticity & growth)
Neurotrophic Factors In Cannabis-Induced Psychosis: An Update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37644743/
A review of cannabinoids & the GI tract
Cannabinoids and the GI Tract
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37678488/
A rather poetic take on the rise & fall & potential rise of Rimonabant (the notorious first pharmaceutical drug to block the CB1 receptor)
Requiem for Rimonabant: Therapeutic Potential for Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Antagonists after the Fall
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2998/2/3/35
Preclinical
In a rat model of chemotherapy treatment, CBD protected the liver via anti-inflammatory & antioxidant effects
Prospective Affirmative Therapeutics of Cannabidiol Oil Mitigates Doxorubicin-Induced Abnormalities in Kidney Function, Inflammation, and Renal Tissue Changes
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3278591/v1/d8fb50af-513e-4706-8de8-c7951b5bc2be.pdf?c=1693613478
In immune cells, CBD lowered the production of inflammatory agents (eicosanoids) & stimulated the production of anti-inflammatory agents (specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs))
Cannabidiol acts as molecular switch in innate immune cells to promote the biosynthesis of inflammation-resolving lipid mediators
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37647900/
In gum tissue stem cells, CBD promoted proliferation & migration & caused no toxicity
Proliferative effect of cannabidiol in human gingival fibroblasts via the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) ½
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37641169/
In a tissue model of type 2 diabetes, CBD, CBG, BN & THC all inhibited the dipeptidyl peptidase IV enzymes (related to glucose homeostasis)
Inhibitory Effects of Selected Cannabinoids Against Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV, an Enzyme Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4528268
In a rat model of depression, PEA increased neuroplasticity in the hippocampus (memory center of the brain), reduced apoptosis (cellular suicide) & increased neurogenesis (the production of new neurons)
N-palmitoylethanolamine modulates hippocampal neuroplasticity in rats with stress-induced depressive behavior phenotype
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299923005538
In mice, the CB1 receptor might be acting as a mechanosensor for modulating blood pressure & plaque formation
Endothelial cannabinoid receptor 1 upregulation by pro-atherogenic shear stress promotes vascular inflammation
https://www.atherosclerosis-journal.com/article/S0021-9150(23)04989-4/fulltext
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
An NCAA committee tells them to get cannabis off the banned substances list
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ncaa-panel-formally-recommends-removing-marijuana-from-banned-substances-list-for-college-athletes/
In Michigan, the former chair of the Medical Marijuana Licensing Board got 55 months in prison for accepting bribes (cash, flights & commercial sex)
https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2023_0928_Rick_Johnson_Sentencing
Veterans of the Ukrainian war using cannabis as a treatment
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66877717
Box Brown with a cartoon on METRC as cannabis security theater
https://cannabislaw.report/box-brown-insta-account-cartoonist-legal-cannabis-is-plagued-by-metrc-mandatory-useless-tracking-software/
International
An excellent history article on the history of how Jamaica is getting left behind in cannabis legalization
The Predatory Perils of Cannabis Legalization in Jamaica
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10714839.2023.2247762
On how to unlock the socioeconomic advantages of cannabis for African countries
Unlocking the Socioeconomic Advantages of Cannabis Sativa L. Legalization in African Countries: An In-Depth Review
https://tudr.org/id/eprint/2155/
The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
In an analysis of public health data, the legalization of cannabis is associated with a decline of young adult criminal justice referrals to treatment for cannabis use disorder
Criminal Justice Referrals to Cannabis Use Disorder Treatment among Adolescents and Young Adults following Recreational Cannabis Legalization in the United States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37647126/
An analysis of how many countries & jurisdictions vary on their legal limits for driving under the influence of illicit drugs
Legal limits for driving under the influence of illicit drugs: Large variations between jurisdictions
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910723000312
A study of traffic data in Ontario finds that after the legalization of cannabis, there were large increases in cannabis involvement in emergency department visits for traffic injuries
Cannabis-Involved Traffic Injury Emergency Department Visits After Cannabis Legalization and Commercialization
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37672273/
A survey of Australian medical cannabis patients find that they consider driving after cannabis use to be relatively low risk
Driving-related behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions among Australian medical cannabis users: results from the CAMS 20 survey
https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-023-00202-y
This survey finds that most people from Israel & the US consider the DUI risk worse with alcohol than with cannabis
Driving under the influence of cannabis versus alcohol: A mixed-methods study examining perceptions and related risk behaviors among US and Israeli adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37660497/
Business & Law
Europe’s first medical cannabis Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) to be merged as it is ‘no longer viable’
https://businessofcannabis.com/mgc-pharma-in-critical-financial-juncture-as-it-launches-restructuring-plan-europes-first-cannabis-etf-to-be-merged-as-no-longer-viable-more-from-akanda/
Bankruptcy not available to most US cannabis businesses
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
ICEERS presents their research on the where, who & whys of people going to ayahuasca centers around the world
https://www.iceers.org/ayahuasca-tourism-who-how-where/
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]
A Phase 2 clinical trial of psilocybin for depression
Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37651119/
A review of using MDMA for PTSD
The use of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – review
https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/45017
A review of using ketamine for depression
Ketamine for the treatment of major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37593223/
Three cases of classic psychedelics helping to restore a loss of smell
Three Cases of Reported Improvement in Microsmia and Anosmia Following Naturalistic Use of Psilocybin and LSD
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37650700/
Possible serotonin syndrome for people with spinal cord injuries who use psychedelics
Persons With Spinal Cord Injury Report Peripherally Dominant Serotonin-Like Syndrome After Use of Serotonergic Psychedelics
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37636336/
How LSD travels through the body
Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and urinary recovery of oral lysergic acid diethylamide administration in healthy participants
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37596682/
A Reddit analysis of what people see when they look in the mirror on psilocybin
Self-perception and self-recognition while looking in the mirror on psilocybin
https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2054/7/2/article-p129.xml
The Plant & the History
Two articles on the importance of hemp fiber in Korean Buddhism & culture
The Buddhist Projects of the Pyeonyang Monastic Sub-lineage and the Artistic Activities of Monk Artisans during the Late Joseon Dynasty
https://www.ijkaa.org/v.17/0/68/55
Exploring Joseon-Era Korean Attire Through the Novel 'Kingdom of a Thousand Years'
https://ijsshr.in/v6i8/Doc/64.pdf
Growing & Farming
Using a model to predict non-ionizing radiation levels for indoor cannabis farm workers
Non-ionizing radiation modeling to predict ambient irradiance in work areas at an indoor cannabis farm
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37665647/
On how to treat female cannabis plants with chemicals to cause male flowers & pollen production
Sex reversal in female cannabis plants as a in response to male flowering promoters
https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/refame/article/view/102852
On the beneficial soil bacteria for cannabis
Beneficial properties of soil bacteria from Cannabis sativa L.: Seed germination, phosphorus solubilization and mycelial growth inhibition of Fusarium sp.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452219823001192
On hemp’s reaction to heavy metals & the best chelators to stimulate growth
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Tolerates Chelator Stress Showing Varietal Differences and Concentration Dependence
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/13/9/2325
A genetic analysis of the heat shock transcription factors (which play a crucial role in plant growth, development and defense) & the effects of different light treatments
Genome-wide identification of HSF gene family and their expression analysis in vegetative tissue of young seedlings of hemp under different light treatments
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669023011408
A thesis project on using intercropping to help pollinators & crop yield
Morphological Characteristics of Industrial Hemp and the Effect of Intercropping Industrial Hemp-Cowpea and a Pollinator-Dependent-Crop on Crop Yield
https://www.proquest.com/openview/862d5cc1b9551415d5140f9c2ec048dd/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
An easy method for removing residual hydrocarbons from crystallized CBG & CBD
An easy way for the removal of residual hydrocarbon fractions from crystallized cannabigerol and cannabidiol
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960308523001049
On using small RNA sequencing to look at the viruses of cannabis & the plant’s antiviral (RNAi) activity
Cannabis virome reconstruction and antiviral rnai characterization by small rna sequencing
https://agritrop.cirad.fr/606129/
On using two electrochemical sensors for the fast screening of cannabinoid content
An electrochemical approach for the prediction of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and total cannabinoid content in Cannabis sativa L
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37602722/
A comparison of the water footprints between fiber hemp & cotton
Comparative study of water requirements and water footprints of fibre crops hemp (Cannabis sativa) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373573092_Comparative_study_of_water_requirements_and_water_footprints_of_fibre_crops_hemp_Cannabis_sativa_and_cotton_Gossypium_hirsutum_L
Hemp as food
India’s historic cannabis cuisine
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/marijuana-edibles-in-india
Industrial Use
On how to treat hemp textiles from plants grown on contaminated soils for the removal of cadmium & lead
The potential to produce safe textiles in a phytoattenuation strategy: The fate of Cd and Pb during industrial treatments on contaminated hemp fibers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669023011731
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
A comprehensive review from Morocco on cannabis
Cannabis sativa L.: A comprehensive review on legislation, decriminalization, phytochemistry, antimicrobial activity, and safety
https://www.jfda-online.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3471&context=journal
A review from India on the “saintly herb” cannabis
CONSECUTIVE REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMICROBIAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON SAINTLY HERB INDIAN HEMP (CANNABIS SATIVA)
http://pragyana.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Pragyana_4.pdf
Posters & Data from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 2023 Conference
On the different neuronal effects of THC versus THCA
Comparison of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A) and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in neuronal cell functions
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/551.abstract
In a mouse model of chronic pain, different strains of mice had different painkilling effects from THC, but in general, females were faster to develop tolerance
Sex-differences in acute Δ9-THC-induced antinociception are strain-specific
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/474.abstract
And in a rat model of thermal pain, THC & one other activator of the CB1 receptor significantly reduced thermal pain stimuli
Effects of Cannabinoids and a Cannabinoid Extract on Thermal Nociception and Conditioned Behavior
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/267.abstract
In a mice being given fentanyl, activation of the CB1 receptor increased the painkilling properties
Effects of Cannabinoids on Fentanyl Antinociception
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/205.abstract
And in a rat model of pain, THC seemed to help the fentanyl work better
Antinociceptive Effects of Fentanyl and Non-opioid Drugs in Methocinnamox-treated Rats
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/411
In a rabbit model of psoriasis, cannabis oil significantly lowered inflammation & dermal alterations
Effect of Topical Application of cannabis fixed Oil on Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Lesions in the Thin Skin of Adult Male Albino rabbits
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/295
In a rat model of Alzheimer's disease, the researchers created different versions of a drug to target both the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide) & soluble epoxide hydrolase (which breaks down epoxy fatty acids)
Multi-Target Directed Ligands for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/491
And the same drugs seemed effective in a rat model of inflammatory pain
Effects of Simultaneous Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase on Acute and Persistent Pain in Male Rats
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/512.abstract
As well as being a generally useful treatment for chronic pain
Dual sEH/FAAH Inhibitors as a Promising Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/90.abstract
In a tissue model of Fragile X syndrome, macamides (endocannabinoid-like molecules) helped with the dysfunction of the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
Therapeutic Efficacy of Macamides on Fragile X Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXT/AS)
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/342
In a mouse model of heart damage from diabetes, beta caryophyllene (a common terpene in cannabis) reduced oxidative damage, scar tissue formation & activation of the inflammasome via the CB2 receptor & PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling
β-caryophyllene, a CB2 Receptor Agonist Alleviates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via Inhibiting AGE/RAGE-Induced Oxidative Stress, Fibrosis, and Inflammasome Activation
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/303.abstract
In mouse nucleus accumbens (a key brain region related to addiction), activation of the CB1 receptor increased levels of dopamine
Effects of Cannabinoid CB1 agonists on extracellular levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens shell of male mice
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/274
In neurons from a mouse striatum & hippocampus, FABP5 (a modulator of endocannabinoid transport & tone) increased anandamide & 2-AG levels
Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 Modulates Brain Endocannabinoid Tone and Retrograde Signaling in the Striatum and Hippocampus
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/170.abstract
And tests of how FABP1 alter the liver enzyme CYP2C9 & its metabolism of diclofenac (an NSAID)
Characterization of Drug Binding to Liver Fatty Acid Binding Protein (FABP1) and Its Effect on Diclofenac Metabolism by CYP2C9
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/589
A look at how the cannabinoid receptor interacting protein 1a (CRIP1a) alters the binding & downstream effects of the CB1 receptor
Cannabinoid Receptor Interacting Protein 1a (CRIP1a) Associates with Gαi in a GTPγS or Agonist Dependent Manner
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/568.abstract
In mice, the CB1 receptor allosteric modulator GAT211 caused increased exploration in males but not females
The Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Allosteric Modulator GAT211 Impacts Behavior in a Sex-Dependent Manner
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/345.abstract
In chickens fed cannabis, they still had detectable levels of THC metabolites in them even after cooking
Metabolism of (-)-∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in Chicken and Potential Exposure of THC and Its Metabolites to Humans
https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/385/S3/176.abstract
Clinical Use, Surveys & Ingestions Methods
A survey of which parents are being open with their children about their cannabis & alcohol use
Parental openness and communication regarding cannabis and alcohol use with their children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37644672/
In my house, we call it papa smell…
A diary study finds little correlation between cannabis use & exercise but the cannabis users did score slightly lower on the Healthy Eating Index
A daily diary investigation of cannabis use and its diet and exercise correlates
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37599724/
Of nurses in Manitoba, Canada, only 37% of them received any education on cannabis in their nursing program
Baccalaureate nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, educational needs, and use of medical and non-medical cannabis at five institutions in Manitoba, Canada: A cross-sectional analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37677985/
Adolescents & Young People
From an international toxicology surveillance registry, the severe outcomes of 138 pediatric patients who presented to the emergency department with cannabis intoxication
Severe outcomes following pediatric cannabis intoxication: a prospective cohort study of an international toxicology surveillance registry
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37603042/
The trends in why teens are using cannabis
Trends in coping reasons for marijuana use among U.S. adolescents from 2016 to 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37696065/
In adolescent monkeys & rats, chronic THC administration caused different changes to their dopamine heteromers (joined complexes of receptors) than in adults
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol does not upregulate an aversive dopamine receptor mechanism in adolescent brain unlike in adults
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665945X23000359
In a birth cohort study from Finland, cannabis use in adolescence is associated in females with an elevated risk for traumatic brain injury
Adolescent alcohol and cannabis use as risk factors for head trauma in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort study 1986
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37616019/
For middle schoolers, a novel tool to measure cannabis knowledge
The development of a Cannabis Knowledge Assessment Tool (CKAT)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37656712/
In the youth alcohol & cannabis prevention program Reptes, this descriptive cross-sectional study found that to have high implementation fidelity & satisfaction
Fidelity of implementation of Reptes, an alcohol and cannabis selective prevention program for youngsters
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37598579/
Neurology & Brain Diseases
In an Italian center, all 18 of their epilepsy patients in this study experienced quality of life improvements from isolated CBD with no negative effects on daytime sleepiness
Highly purified cannabidiol in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies: A real-life impact on seizure frequency, quality of life, behavior, and sleep patterns from a single Italian center
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37677907/
In a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, a CBG derivative improved their neurological status & preserved neurons
The Cannabigerol Derivative VCE-003.2 Exerts Therapeutic Effects in 6-Hydroxydopamine-Lesioned Mice: Comparison with The Classic Dopaminergic Replacement Therapy
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/9/1272
In brain cells, the synthetic cannabinoid AB-CHMINACA promoted the growth of new blood vessels
The Effect of the Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-CHMINACA on the Roles of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Angiopoietin-1, and Angiopoietin-2 in Brain Angiogenesis
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/aivt.2023.0003
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
In a survey studying the prevalence of cannabis use disorder, 20% of all users were deemed to have cannabis use disorder & the prevalence of moderate to severe cannabis use disorder was higher for people with non-medical use
Prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder and Reasons for Use Among Adults in a US State Where Recreational Cannabis Use Is Legal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37642968/
“The prevalence of CUD was 21.3% (95% CI, 15.4%-28.6%) and did not vary across groups. The prevalence of moderate to severe CUD was 6.5% (95% CI, 5.0%-8.6%) and differed across groups: 1.3% (95% CI, 0.0%-2.8%) for medical use, 7.2% (95% CI, 3.9%-10.4%) for nonmedical use, and 7.5% (95% CI, 5.7%-9.4%) for both reasons for use (P = .01).”
In people with cannabis use disorder, low doses of nabiximols (1:1 THC:CBD extracts) caused no notable changes to various biomarkers collected during the 12 week time frame, even at daily doses as high as 113 milligrams of THC
Effects of sub-chronic nabiximols on biological markers of individuals undergoing a clinical trial for the treatment of cannabis use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37692969/
In people with cannabis use disorder, they had decreased early neural error processing
Neurophysiological error processing and addiction self-awareness correlates of reduced insight in cannabis use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37612599/
In a mouse model of trauma, CBD caused long-term protection against fear relapse after a successful extinction of the memory as well as causing less stress induced impairments
Cannabidiol regulation of extinction and relapse of learned fear
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/73041/
In rats, the mix of cannabis, tramadol & codeine caused neurotoxicity & cognitive deficits via the cholinergic, purinergic & antioxidant enzymes
Modulatory effects of Cannabis sativa co-administration with tramadol and codeine on cognitive function in male rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37652187/
Apparently this is a cocktail enjoyed by teenagers & it looks like a pretty good time.
Female-specific, Reproduction & Hormones
In the placentas of pregnant rats, CBD downregulated genes related to tube & blood formation as well as upregulating metabolic processes
Transcriptomic Analysis of CBD-Exposed Rat Placentae Reveals Down-Regulated Angiogenic Pathways and Up-Regulated Metabolic Processes
https://ojs.library.queensu.ca/index.php/inquiryatqueens/article/view/16682
“The placenta facilitates the exchange of gas, nutrients and waste between the fetus and mother. Our group has recently identified altered placental morphology and reduced fetal growth after in utero CBD exposure in rats.”
Pain, Inflammation & Surgeries
For oral surgery patients, cannabis use had non-significant effects on the amount of sedation they needed
Marijuana’s Effect on Dosage Requirements During Sedation in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
https://www.joms.org/article/S0278-2391(23)00810-8/fulltext
In a rat model of inflammation, the best carrier for CBD was beta cyclodextrin
Experimental acute anti-inflammatory activity of preparations with complexed cannabidiol in carriers
https://www.scielo.br/j/bjps/a/G98WxKnptz9PnzMQYhBRs5D/
The Immune System
A book chapter on using terpenes & terpenoids against the virus that causes COVID-19
Terpenes and Terpenoids Potent Antiviral Agents Against SARS-CoV-2
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003323884-8/terpenes-terpenoids-dwaipayan-sinha-moumita-chatterjee-srijonee-choudhury-sanchita-seal-tapas-das-shilpi-sharma-swastika-banerjee-shahana-chowdhury
The Guts, Oral Health & CHS
A molecular analysis of how cannabis helps with type 2 diabetes
Molecular Docking Integrated with Network Pharmacology Explores the Therapeutic Mechanism of Cannabis sativa against Type 2 Diabetes
https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/45/9/457
A thesis project on how in rats, eating comfort food reduces HPA axis stress via the CB1 receptor
Palatable “comfort” food intake reduces HPA axis stress reactivity via cannabinoid receptor 1 signaling and is prevented by diet-induced obesity
https://etd.ohiolink.edu/acprod/odb_etd/etd/r/1501/10?clear=10&p10_accession_num=ucin1692286129770472
The Heart
A series of autopsies identified a significant association between cannabis use & the presence of advanced coronary heart disease
Evaluation of the cardiovascular risk induced by cannabis use from a series of 43 autopsy cases
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37650902/
In public health data on middle-aged adults, the use of cannabis for one year was not associated with a heart attack (except oddly, if don't smoke in the past month, you had a three times greater chance of a heart attack)
Associations Between Monthly Cannabis Use and Myocardial Infarction in Middle-Aged Adults: NHANES 2009 to 2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37556891/
Cancer & Chemotherapy
In lung cancer cells, combining CBD & aloe vera caused cell death, probably via the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
Cannabidiol and Aloe vera Extract to Human Cells: Bioactive Molecules as a Promising Anti-Lung Cancer Drug
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Cruz-Rodriguez-Luis/publication/373654665_Issue_2_1_of_13/links/64f6656e48c07f3da3d88241/Issue-2-1-of-13.pdf
A review of the mechanisms cannabinoids use to destroy gliomas (the most aggressive brain cancer)
Mechanisms Involved in the Therapeutic Effect of Cannabinoid Compounds on Gliomas: A Review with Experimental Approach
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37649287/
A study of the many antiproliferative activities of cannabinoids against cancer cells led to the discovery of a new compound: meet Methoxy Canniprene (methoxy isoprenyl bibenzyl)
Phytochemical investigation of anti-proliferative active fractions of Cannabis sativa leads to isolate a new Compound Canniprene A and other bioactive compounds through bioassay guided fractionation and HPLC assisted purification
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3282427/v1/aad2b656-012a-482f-9f35-38e61322e561.pdf?c=1693405151
Synthetic Cannabinoids
On how to test for HHC in drivers
Quantification of (9R)- and (9S)-hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) via GC-MS in serum/plasma samples from drivers suspected of cannabis consumption and immunological detection of HHC and related substances in serum, urine, and saliva
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37652872/
Cool Chemistry
A review of creating fluorescent drugs to bind the CB2 receptor for live cell imaging
Rational Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Fluorescent CB2 Receptor Ligands for Live-Cell Imaging: A Comprehensive Review
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/9/1235
How is THC binding to the cannabinoid receptors?
The Leu/Val6.51 Side Chain of Cannabinoid Receptors Regulates the Binding Mode of the Alkyl Chain of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37644761/
A computer study of how the structure of the synthetic cannabinoids of the JWH family alter their binding to the CB1 receptor
Influence of structural characteristics on the binding of synthetic cannabinoids from the JWH family to the CB1 receptor: A computational study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37722351/
The diversity of bioactivity among the CBD semisynthetic analogs
Diversity and bioactivity of semisynthetic cannabidiol analogs
https://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/eq/v34n2/0187-893X-eq-34-02-195.pdf
On making new CBD & CBG derivatives
Mannich-Type Modifications Of (-)-Cannabidiol And (-)-Cannabigerol Leading To New, Bioactive Derivatives
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3269604/v1/f68ffb27-088c-4abd-a9e6-fdc2cb8f73c8.pdf?c=1693579522
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For today’s album, the great classical guitarist Luciano Tortorelli covers an array of the best solo guitar music from the last two centuries in his ‘Latin Latitudes’. The site BrilliantClassics says, “This is a highly personal project for Tortorelli, who has not only carefully selected each piece to reflect the crossover between Spain, Italy and Latin America, but has also examined each manuscript to ensure he is performing the most authentic edition possible.”
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