C&P#75: CBD for bones & THC for dementia + cannabinoids for skin & hair diseases
C&P#75: CBD for bones & THC for dementia + cannabinoids for skin & hair diseases
The plant continues to be overtaxed to death
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 75th 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. Sign up for a paid subscription to support my work disseminating all of the cannabinoid science.
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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.
This week…
CBD for postmenopausal bones & THC for dementia
Gender differences: they are so real
Cannabinoids for many diseases of the skin & hair
The negatives of cannabis smoking on the lungs
CBD gels for painkilling & CBD sponges for wound healing
In dogs with arthritis, even one injection of CBD helps for weeks
On the minor cannabinoids, a host of toxicity & pharmacokinetics studies
Acupuncture & the ECS
On psychedelic harms
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’s unparalleled product selection
I spent 3 years working full-time for PlusCBD before I launched my consulting business so I know from the inside about their commitment to making quality CBD products. But that’s not the most special thing about them. What they do better than any other company in the industry is create a wide range of products.
Nobody else has this much…
Oils, capsules & gummies of course, including Max Strength
Topicals that come as balms, creams, roll-ons & special formulations for arthritis or athletes that contain menthol & camphor
The Reserve Collection! Oils, capsules & gummies containing from 2.5 mg to 5 mg of THC per serving (I’m constantly being asked how people in non-medical can get THC-rich products & this is always what I recommend to them. Especially because it’s an easy-to-use standard serving size that’s just the right amount for people new to THC)
A Reserve Sleep gummy with 25 mg CBD, 2.5 mg THC, 3 mg melatonin & 5 mg CBN
Excellent pet products in a range of flavors
THC-free CBD softgels & gummies
3 very special formulations with other ingredients:
Sleep gummies: Includes 3 mg of melatonin + extract of lemon balm & magnolia bark (two old plants for inducing sleep)
Calm gummies: Includes 5-HTP (the serotonin precursor) & L-theanine (from tea)
Relief capsules: Includes PEA + CBDA (see the Living Glossary for why I think these are the ingredients of the future for immune health & gut health)
This is why I recommend PlusCBD to so many of the clients I consult with: they offer an array of products like no other.
Buy their excellent products today at PlusCBDoil.com.
My work this week:
Canna-Education for CV Sciences
(TikTok:@cvsciences or my YouTube playlist 3-minute Cannabinoid Science):
How to Reintroduce Cannabis After a Bad Experience
CBD for Sports & Exercise
PTSD & the Cannabinoids
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases & Cannabinoids
CBD's Antiviral Power
Cannabis & Long-term Memory
Cannabis & Microamnesia: Di Marzo & Robert Anton Wilson
Dr. Melanie Dreher's Jamaican Pregnant Women Study
My TikToks (@lexpelgerandhisbooks or on YouTube):
How to Put the Tarot in the Tree of Life Formation
4 Books on Giordano Bruno
Bruno was thinking of the Roman Empire
'Why I Am Not A Feminist' by Jessa Crispin
Sciencemancy: A Volume Knob for Aggression in the Hypothalamus
History Wall: 1150 to 1200
IFS, Parts Work & Relationships
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
PayPal: donate here
Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
Indigenous conversations about cannabis & mental health from 2SLGTBQQIA+ people in Canada
Conversations on Cannabis and Mental Health: Recommendations for Health and Social Care Providers from Indigenous 2SLGTBQQIA+ People in Canada
https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/ijih/article/view/39270
On the potential advantages of whole cannabis extracts over individual ingredients
Medicinal cannabis: Would using the plant have advantages over using the individual ingredients?
https://www.fundacion-canna.es/en/medicinal-cannabis-would-using-plant-have-advantages-over-using-individual-ingredients
For long COVID, the potential of cannabinoid medicines
Long COVID: Can Cannabinoid-Based Therapy Support the Post-COVID Endocannabinoid System?
https://www.endocannabinoidmedicine.com/reports/long-covid-can-cannabinoid-based-therapy-support-the-post-covid-endocannabinoid-system/
Clinical
For dementia, THC from the dispensary improved symptoms for 80% of patients including agitation, aggression, irritability, lability, anxiety & insomnia as well as allowing half of them taking antipsychotics to lower or discontinue those medications
The Use of Dispensary-Obtained Tetrahydrocannabinol as a Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37728481/
A survey of intensive care physicians finds the benefits of cannabinoids for critically ill patients “to reduce metabolic and psychological distress and to save medication”
Therapeutic Use of Cannabinoids in Critically Ill Patients: A Survey of Intensive Care Physicians in Germany
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37669012/
And nurses mostly like cannabis
Nurses' Attitudes Toward Patients Who Use Cannabis: Does Legal Status or Care Setting Matter?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37669337/
In two postmenopausal women with osteopenia (bone loss), 12 weeks of CBD reduced measured markers of bone turnover
Oral Cannabidiol Treatment in Two Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia: A Case Series
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721991/#
In people at clinical high risk for psychosis, even one dose of CBD helped to normalize their hippocampal blood flow
Increased Hippocampal Blood Flow in People at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis and Effects of Cannabidiol
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/increased-hippocampal-blood-flow-in-people-at-clinical-high-risk-
A clinical study on the efficacy of CBD for drug resistant epilepsy, regardless of its underlying cause or specific syndrome
Real-world evidence on the use of cannabidiol for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy not related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37769547/
But this cohort study found that people with epilepsy using CBD still had to go to the emergency department & there weren’t large changes in their usage of other medications
Therapy outcomes associated with prescription cannabidiol use at 12 months post-initiation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37666204/
In a pilot clinical study of cannabis use disorder & withdrawal, gender differences were seen as they went through abstinence
Sex differences in endocannabinoid tone in a pilot study of cannabis use disorder and acute cannabis abstinence
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/adb.13337
“As anticipated, women reported a greater increase in withdrawal symptoms during the abstinent week”
In dogs with osteoarthritis, one injection of liposomal CBD reduced pain & increased well-being for 6 weeks
Therapeutic efficacy and pharmacokinetics of liposomal-cannabidiol injection: a pilot clinical study in dogs with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37680386/
And here’s a study of how CBD moves through healthy dogs that shows how giving CBD twice a day lessens variations in CBD blood levels
Cannabidiol plasma determination and pharmacokinetics conducted at beginning, middle and end of long-term supplementation of a broad-spectrum hemp oil to healthy adult dogs
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1279926/full
Are CBD levels in food products well tested? (journalist’s hint: whenever a headline ends in a question mark, the answer to that question is no)
Are cannabidiol (CBD) levels in consumer food products well tested?—A review
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/fft2.308
On using AI, smartphones & wearable tech to detect cannabis intoxication
Towards Automated, Interpretable and Unobtrusive Detection of Acute Marijuana Intoxication in the Natural Environment: Harnessing Smartphones, Wearables, Machine Learning and Explainable AI to Empower Clinical Decision Support for Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373848479_Towards_Automated_Interpretable_and_Unobtrusive_Detection_of_Acute_Marijuana_Intoxication_in_the_Natural_Environment_Harnessing_Smartphones_Wearables_Machine_Learning_and_Explainable_AI_to_Empower_Cli
“Explainable AI (XAI) presented algorithmic decisions which revealed that self-reported moderate-intensive marijuana intoxication was associated with smartphone sensors and Fitbit features, specifically: elevated minimum heart rate, increased micro-movements, but reduced macro-movement (i.e., a smaller radius of gyration via GPS), and increased noise energy level around the participants.” Plus a spike in the frequency of the word pizza.
Oh man. I could really go for a pizza…
Reviews
An overall review of the cannabinoids in medicine
Cannabinoids in Medicine: A Multifaceted Exploration of Types, Therapeutic Applications, and Emerging Opportunities in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer Therapy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37759788/
And a narrative review of older adults using cannabis
Older Adults’ Experience of Using Cannabis
https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ns/article/view/261122
A review of 18 studies on the topical use of cannabinoids for atopic dermatitis (eczema), dermatomyositis (muscle weakness & skin rash), psoriasis & systemic sclerosis (autoimmune connective tissue disorder) plus lower quality evidence for alopecia areata (hair loss from autoimmune attack against hair follicles), epidermolysis bullosa (fragile blistery skin), hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), seborrheic dermatitis (scaly skin patches) & pruritus (itchiness)
Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Hair, Scalp, and Skin Disorders: A Systematic Review
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/10/5/129
A review of 55 studies on the effects of smoked cannabis on the respiratory system (when they use marijuana in the title, you know it’s going to skew negative, and they sure did)
Effects of Smoking Marijuana on the Respiratory System: A Systematic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37728136/
“Current literature demonstrates that marijuana use negatively impacts lung function, triggering symptoms like chronic cough, sputum production, and wheezing, and diminishing FEV1/FVC ratio in spirometry tests. Moreover, prolonged or chronic marijuana use augments the risk of respiratory function impairment. While the carcinogenic effects of marijuana are still contested, a weak correlation between marijuana use and lung cancer has been observed in some studies. Additionally, instances of other pathologies linked to marijuana use have been reported, including the development of COPD, pulmonary bullae, spontaneous pneumothorax, pleuritic pain, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, hemoptysis, and pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis.”
A summary of how acupuncture works via the endocannabinoid system
Research progress of acupuncture mediated analgesia via regulating the function of endocannabinoid system
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37730267/
A review of pain studies for bias found that one in five papers gave an incorrect impression of efficacy or safety if you only read the title & abstract
Narrative bias (‘spin’) is common in randomised trials and systematic reviews of cannabinoids for pain
https://researchportal.bath.ac.uk/en/publications/narrative-bias-spin-is-common-in-randomised-trials-and-systematic
On the potential of using CBG as a treatment
Is there a place for cannabigerol in symptomatic treatment?
https://www.termedia.pl/Is-there-a-place-for-cannabigerol-in-symptomatic-treatment-,59,51464,0,1.html
Preclinical
In mice, the gender difference is between the behavioral effects & pharmacokinetics of cannabis oil
Sex differences in plasma, adipose tissue, and central accumulation of cannabinoids, and behavioural effects of oral cannabis consumption in male and female C57BL/6 mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37715955/
“We also found sex differences in the cannabis tetrad: (1) female mice had a delayed hypothermic effect 6 hours post-consumption, which was not present in males; (2) females had stronger catalepsy than males; (3) males were less mobile following cannabis exposure, whereas female mice showed no difference in locomotion but an anxiogenic effect at 3h post exposure; and (4) male mice displayed a longer lasting antinociceptive effect of oral cannabis.”
In mice of both genders, the changes to heart rate & respiration from different routes of administration
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Effects on Respiration and Heart Rate Across Route of Administration in Female and Male Mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37728714/
And gender & brain regional differences from the effects of the FAAH inhibitor URB597 in chronically stressed rats
Sex-Related and Brain Regional Differences of URB597 Effects on Modulation of MAPK/PI3K Signaling in Chronically Stressed Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37725215/
In β-cells (the synthesizers of insulin in the pancreas), the damaging exposure to high glucose & lipid levels were reduced by CBD, THCV, CBC & CBN, with CBD being the most effective
Effect of THC, CBD, THCV, CBC and CBN Cannabinoids on β-Cells Exposed to High Glucose—High Lipids
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202309.0973/v1
In a mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders, CBD helped to restore the balance of excitation & inhibition in the prefrontal cortex via glutamate, GABA & the GPR55 receptors
Restoring prefrontal cortical excitation-inhibition balance with cannabidiol ameliorates neurobehavioral abnormalities in a mouse model of neurodevelopmental disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37716533/
In 2 mouse models of a mitochondrial diseases (the powerhouse of the cell), CBD delayed their motor decline & neurodegenerative signs, improved social deficits & breathing abnormalities, decreased thermally induced seizures & improved neuropathology
Cannabidiol ameliorates mitochondrial disease via PPARγ activation
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3231021/v1_covered_e0002203-4440-4ae9-9067-f52a2363c44f.pdf?c=1695142938
A 90-day rat toxicity study of a CBD isolate
Subchronic oral toxicity assessment of a cannabis extract
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37734651/
This is like the third study like this that I’ve seen this year – and CV Sciences already did this 5 years ago. I don’t know why this same bit of research keeps getting repeated.
But here’s those same toxicity tests for CBC, CBN, THCV & delta-8 THC, which is new & helpful
Toxicological Evaluation and Pain Assessment of Four Minor Cannabinoids Following 14-Day Oral Administration in Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721989/
Plus an in-depth toxicity study on CBG
Toxicity of Cannabigerol: Examination of Long-Term Toxicity and Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans and 14-Day Study in Sprague Dawley Rats
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/pdf/10.1089/can.2023.0035
And how those minor cannabinoids move through the body & brain
Pharmacokinetics of Oral Minor Cannabinoids in Blood and Brain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721988/
In a rat model of anxiety, some of the terpenes & minor cannabinoids showed anti-anxiety effects
Evaluating Potential Anxiolytic Effects of Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes After Acute and Chronic Oral Administration in Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721993/
“When compared to vehicle, acute administration of bisabolol and D-limonene increased the amount of food consumed and bisabolol-, D-limonene-, ⍺-pinene-, and β-caryophyllene decreased percent time spent in the outer zone in the novelty-induced hypophagia test, suggestive of an anxiolytic effect. Only ethanol increased social interaction. After acute administration, anxiogenic effects in the marble burying test were observed for D8-THC, but not for other minor cannabinoids and terpenes. Throughout chronic administration, only D8-THC displayed anxiogenic effects in the novelty-induced hypophagia test.”
In rats trained to detect THC, the minor cannabinoids & terpenes CBG, CBDV, CBC, THCV, CBGA, CBDA, beta-caryophyllene & linalool did not alter their ability to detect THC
Evaluation of the Modulatory Effects of Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes on Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Discrimination in Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721992/
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 pencil pushers at the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) clarified federal employment rules to say that a positive THC test is not excused by having a medical cannabis recommendation from a doctor in a legal state
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/feds-clarify-that-doctor-recommended-medical-marijuana-is-no-excuse-for-a-positive-thc-test-under-new-workplace-guidelines/
The US Census published its first data on state revenue from cannabis showed $5.7B raised over an 18-month period
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/states-made-more-than-5-7-billion-in-marijuana-tax-revenue-over-18-month-period-new-federal-census-bureau-report-shows/
I still don’t celebrate these kind of numbers. It’s easy to generate a lot of money when you overtax a product to death & make it deathly hard for a new industry to thrive after a century of Prohibition.
For instance, some states have become reliant on cannabis taxes according to this interactive census map. In Oregon, cannabis is 5% of the total tax income
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-interactive-federal-map-shows-how-states-rely-on-marijuana-tax-revenue-to-fund-public-services/
An investigative report in Arizona highlights a nationwide problem: of the 26 cannabis social equity lottery winners, only 4 still have any ownership stake in the business under their license
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/marijuana-companies-and-investors-make-grab-for-arizonas-social-equity-licenses-ahead-of-retail-launch-deadline/
My home state of Pennsylvania acts with sanity & decouples their tax code from the onerous 280E clause of the IRS that doesn’t allow cannabis companies to take any normal business tax deductions
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/pennsylvania-house-approves-280e-tax-cut-for-marijuana-businesses-over-gop-objections/
And California blocks most employers from asking about past cannabis use
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-governor-signs-bill-blocking-most-employers-from-asking-about-past-marijuana-use-during-interview-process/
But vetoes cannabis cafes
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/california-governor-vetoes-cannabis-cafe-and-marijuana-labeling-bills-but-signs-others-into-law/
International
The UK reduced the amount of maximum recommended daily food intake of CBD from 70 mg to 10 mg
https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/food-standards-agency-and-food-standards-scotland-update-consumer-advice-for-cbd
That is the most conservative take I’ve ever seen on daily CBD levels. In pregnant women & kids, sure. But it seems to go quite beyond the toxicology studies to claim that a healthy adult risks long-term liver & thyroid damage.
On why this CEO would go short on EU cannabis (from The Cannabis Insider newsletter)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/european-cannabis-market-go-long-start-shorting-now-curt-dalton-fsxqc/
The International Coalition on Drug Policy Reform & Environmental Justice releases a report on how drug prohibition undermines environmental justice
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/the-war-on-drugs-undermines-climate-efforts-and-environmental-justice-new-report-from-international-coalition-says/
A new cannabis pharmacopoeia monograph from the European Pharmacopoeia Commission
https://www.edqm.eu/en/-/ph.-eur.-pre-publishes-cannabis-flower-monograph-on-the-edqm-website
A pharmacopoeia is a technical book on how & why to use a drug or plant medicine.
The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
Haha. On using drug seizures to grow cannabis seeds & add to your nation’s genetics
Cannabis sativa L. from Seized Drug Material: In Vitro Germination and Establishment
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37729052/
A multi-part series on DUIs & cannabis
https://psych-neuro.com/2023/05/11/are-all-duis-made-equal-part-1-the-world-of-cannabis-tolerance/
Business & Law
Truelieve’s kickback allegations in Arizona
https://www.greenmarketreport.com/trulieve-kickback-allegations-highlight-systemic-problems-in-arizona/
In Denver, cannabis tourism may have increased short-term rentals
Short-term Rentals and Disorder in a Cannabis Tourism Destination
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/07340168231201798
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
RIP Roland Griffiths: a last interview with Ann Harrison
https://www.lucid.news/roland-griffiths-reflects-on-scientific-investigations-of-psychedelic-awakening/
An interview on psychedelic feminism by friend of the newsletter Dr. Kim Hewitt
On how there’s more data on psychedelics in Reddit forums than the peer-reviewed literature
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 veterans of special operations forces, positive mental health data from a Mexican clinical program on the use of ibogaine & 5-MeO-DMT
Open-label study of consecutive ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted-therapy for trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces Veterans: prospective data from a clinical program in Mexico
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37734158/
On the importance of studying psychedelic harms
Studying Harms Is Key to Improving Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy-Participants Call for Changes to Research Landscape
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36988924/
And an analysis of 32 cases of negative long term psychological responses to psychedelics
Case analysis of long-term negative psychological responses to psychedelics
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37749109/
A review of using psilocybin for palliative care authored by friend of the newsletter & hero of the palliative care psilocybin lawsuit Dr. Sunil Aggarwal
Psilocybin in Palliative Care: An Update
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37305379/
A series of 11 interdisciplinary articles on the use of ketamine for psychiatric disorders
Bridging the Gap: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Ketamine in Psychiatric Disorders
https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/33524/bridging-the-gap-an-interdisciplinary-perspective-on-ketamine-in-psychiatric-disorders#articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37645640/
The Plant & the History
Growing & Farming
A phenotypic characterization of 176 cannabis accessions
Phenotypic Characterization of a Diverse Population of Cannabis sativa for Agronomic, Morphological, and Biochemical Traits
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202309.1295/v1
On the response of cannabis to cadmium toxicity & the foliar application of molybdenum
Expression analysis of transcription factor (CBF/DREB) gene and biochemical response of Cannabis sativa to cadmium toxicity and foliar application of molybdenum
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0254629923005367
Hemp as food
In broiler chickens, hemp seed cake improved the lipid profile of the meat as well as the bird’s oxidative status & gut health
Hemp seed ( Cannabis sativa L.) cake as sustainable dietary additive in slow-growing broilers: effects on performance, meat quality, oxidative stability and gut health
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37715944/
Industrial Use
Hemp's value as a fashion textile
Hemp Fiber: The Textile Material as a Fashion Value
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-43937-7_43
Using hemp for 3D printing
Hemp hurd filled PLA-PBAT blend biocomposites compatible with additive manufacturing processes: Fabrication, rheology, and material property investigations
https://4spepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/pc.27749
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
An investigation into the typical amount of cannabis used in a joint or blunt
How much cannabis is used in a joint in Australia? An experimental investigation into use by potency and frequency
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37717253/
This study got a lot of flack for being a waste of time & money, but this is an important question when trying to figure out how much cannabis people are actually consuming in the real world.
Clinical Use, Surveys & Ingestions Methods
Surveys of dispensary staff find that they consider cannabis to be beneficial & low risk
Dispensary Staff Perceptions About the Benefits, Risks, and Safety of Cannabis for Medical Purposes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37706479/
“Over 80% of participants perceived cannabis as helpful for post-traumatic stress disorder (88.7%), epilepsy (85.3%) and cancer (83.4%). Generally, participants were not concerned about potential cannabis risks, including increased use of illicit drugs (76.3%), decreases in intelligence (74.4%), disrupted sleep (71.7%), and new/worsening health problems from medical cannabis use (70.7%). Cannabis was considered safe in older adults by 81.3% of participants, though there was much less consensus on safety in pregnancy.”
Using AI to predict the amount of daily cannabis smoked
Predicting quantity of cannabis smoked in daily life: An exploratory study using machine learning
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37748423/
Adolescents & Young People
In Hispanic youth of LA, concerns for police brutality, societal discrimination & school shootings were associated with cannabis use
Concern for Police Brutality, Societal Discrimination, and School Shootings and Subsequent Cigarette and Cannabis Use in Los Angeles County Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Youth: a Longitudinal Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37725252/
On the ability of Instagram posts to make young people scared of EVALI from vaping cannabis
Young Adults' Perceptions of and Intentions to Use Nicotine and Cannabis Vaporizers in Response to e-Cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury Instagram Posts: Experimental Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37552552/
Neurology & Brain Diseases
In a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, blocking the degradation of 2-AG lessened the clinical signs of the disease as well as neuroinflammation & the synaptic alterations
Pharmacological blockade of 2-AG degradation ameliorates clinical, neuroinflammatory and synaptic alterations in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3334131/v1/11869520-2767-481f-a63b-6163eb1c7933.pdf?c=1695055605
In mice, the importance of fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) for mediating the cognitive effects of THC
FABP5 is important for cognitive function and is an important regulator of the physiological effects and pharmacokinetics of acute Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol inhalation in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37716413/
And on the FABPs as regulators of neuroactive lipids in the brain
Fatty acid binding proteins are novel modulators of synaptic epoxyeicosatrienoic acid signaling in the brain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37709856/
And a thesis project on ABHD6 regulating 2-AG
Stimulus-Dependent Regulation of 2-Arachidonoyl Glycerol Signaling and the Mechanism of its Hydrolysis by ABHD6
https://www.proquest.com/openview/1436fe6cd4b6e57553d69c49855eda27/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
In a young zebrafish model of seizures, CBD, CBC & CBN reduced seizures at low doses via the GPR55 receptors as well as regulating the expression of endocannabinoids
Phytocannabinoids Reduce Seizures in Larval Zebrafish and Affect Endocannabinoid Gene Expression
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37759798/
In brain cells, the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-FUBINACA greatly increased blood vessel growth factors, tube formation & angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels)
MDMB-FUBINACA Influences Brain Angiogenesis and the Expression of VEGF, ANG-1, and ANG-2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37711102/
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
In people with psychiatric disorders, those who had the parasite Toxoplasma gondii had more negative symptoms after the cessation of cannabis
The Modulated Role of Toxoplasma Gondii on Eosinophils in Psychiatric Disorders after Cannabis Cessation
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202309.1091/v1
In healthy humans, CBD did not lessen the attentional bias effects of THC towards cannabis cues
Cannabidiol does not attenuate acute delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced attentional bias in healthy volunteers: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37821096/
In patients with schizophrenia, those with tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement resulting from the antipsychotic medications) tended to have certain variants of the CB1 receptor & those variants were also associated with the severity of the involuntary movements as well as cognitive impairments
Associations between polymorphisms in the cannabinoid receptor 1 gene, cognitive impairments and tardive dyskinesia in a Chinese population with schizophrenia
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006899323003505
In a mouse model of PTSD, knocking out the CB1 receptors of the amygdala (a fear center of the brain) helped to eliminate social fear memory
Basolateral Amygdala Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Controls Formation and Elimination of Social Fear Memory
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00297#
Female-specific, Reproduction & Hormones
A review on why pregnant people should take a pause from cannabinoids
Prenatal cannabinoid exposure: why expecting individuals should take a pregnancy pause from using cannabinoid products
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2023.1278227/full
A survey of hospital practices around cannabis use in pregnancy & lactation
Variation in Hospital Practices Regarding Marijuana Use in Pregnancy and Lactation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37729034/
In California, the fears of Black & Latina mothers experiences of using cannabis during their healthcare before & after the birth
"They might take my baby away:" Black and Latina peoples' experiences of using cannabis during pregnancy in California while engaged in perinatal care
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37731045/
In pregnant mothers, those with 4+ adverse childhood experiences were more likely to use cannabinoids
The Effect of Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Substance Use During Pregnancy
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10995-023-03768-4
A thesis project finds no association between prenatal cannabis exposure & later autism (though they seem like they wanted to)
Maternal cannabis use and associations with Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis in Californian children using data from CHARGE
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0497k8fp
Pain, Inflammation & Surgeries
A review of using cannabinoids to help with spinal surgery recovery
Cannabinoids in Spine Surgery: A Comprehensive Review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1048666623000459
In patients who had a lumbar decompression surgery on their back, the cannabis users had no differences in medical complications or opioid consumption but it did predict future postoperative reoperations
Effect of Preoperative Marijuana on Patient Outcomes and Opioid Use after Lumbar Decompression
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37728558/
In breast reconstruction surgery, cannabis users had a significantly increased risk of surgical site infection & even worse outcomes if they also use tobacco
Analysis of Complications in Patients With a History of Cannabis Use and Tobacco Use Undergoing Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37706275/
A review of how the cholinergic circuit can relieve pain despite opioid tolerance via the cannabinoids
A cholinergic circuit that relieves pain despite opioid tolerance
https://www.cell.com/neuron/pdf/S0896-6273(23)00627-X.pdf
The Immune System
In COVID-19 patients, their extracellular vesicles carried endocannabinoids
Extracellular Vesicles and Endocannabinoid Signaling in Patients with COVID-19
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37713293/
A survey finds that many people with cystic fibrosis are using cannabis & CBD
Time To Be Blunt: Substance Use In Cystic Fibrosis
https://europepmc.org/article/ppr/ppr727603
The Guts, Oral Health & CHS
On why cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is so hard to accept for many patients & how to approach them
Why an Unusual Complication of Daily Cannabis Use is Hard to Accept for Many Patients
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=smhs_URGENT_Matters
In intestinal cells, CBD lowered inflammation & protected the intestinal barrier
Cannabidiol attenuates inflammatory impairment of intestinal cells expanding biomaterial-based therapeutic approaches
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37779918/
In a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage), inverse agonism of the CB1 receptor by the drug INV-202 reduced kidney injury & scarring
Therapeutic potential of a novel peripherally restricted CB1R inverse agonist on the progression of diabetic nephropathy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37675364/
A thesis project on how people with dental implants who smoke cannabis had higher rates of implant diseases & increased rate of bone loss
The Effects of Marijuana Smoking on Peri-Implant Health Parameters
https://www.proquest.com/openview/82236732ab3524e6e1c12cc7a9f5779d/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
The Heart
In rats who had a heart attack, eight weeks of CBD oil & swimming increased the anandamide levels in their heart & reduced heart damage
The effect of eight weeks of cannabidiol oil consumption and swimming training on the expression of the anandamide (AEA) gene in heart tissue of rats suffering from myocardial infarction
https://journals.iau.ir/article_705955_126ad7c12ccf2686fbc2884cfc133c31.pdf
The Lungs
Among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, their use of cannabis was not associated with disease progression
Impact of Marijuana Smoking on COPD Progression in a Cohort of Middle-Aged and Older Persons
https://escholarship.org/content/qt3nq6980q/qt3nq6980q.pdf
The Skin
In animal models, the efficacy of topical 1% CBD gel for painkilling & anti-inflammation
Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 1% Topical Cannabidiol Gel in Animal Models
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37669453/
Using a CBD sponge for wound healing
Fabrication and characterization of new levan@CBD biocomposite sponges as potential materials in natural, non-toxic wound dressing applications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37722631/
In a mouse model of an autoimmune skin disease, nano-anandamide lowered inflammatory cytokines & lesion scores
Nano-encapsulated anandamide reduces inflammatory cytokines in vitro and lesion severity in a murine model of cutaneous lupus erythematosus
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37726950/
Cancer & Chemotherapy
In a mouse model of breast cancer, CBD enhanced the efficacy of the doxorubicin chemotherapy treatment
Improved Therapeutic Efficacy of Doxorubicin Chemotherapy with Cannabidiol in 4T1 Mice Breast Cancer Model
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3257947/v1/dde4e00e-4e17-4400-b9d8-3f4537fe87a2.pdf?c=1697179482
In colorectal cancer cells, the antiproliferative activities of the cannflavins
Identification of phenolic compounds from inflorescences of non-psychoactive Cannabis sativa L. by UHPLC-HRMS and in vitro assessment of the antiproliferative activity against colorectal cancer
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37748359/
In colon cancer cells, the glycosidic derivative of THC (THC-9-OG) protected from DNA damage
Tetrahydrocannabinol derivative ameliorates 5-FU mediated DNA damage propensity coupled with Vimentin suppression leading to autophagy Induction
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3266520/v1/63aa139a-2191-4de3-98b5-ed872d7337a3.pdf?c=1696947222
Synthetic Cannabinoids
On the use of synthetic cannabinoids by military personnel
Brief report: Synthetic cannabinoid use among military personnel
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37717217/
The cardiac arrhythmia risks from the new synthetic cannabinoids
New synthetic cannabinoids and the potential for cardiac arrhythmia risk
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772976123000193
How to identify HHC in urine
Identification of human hexahydrocannabinol metabolites in urine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37709263/
And advances in detecting synthetic cannabinoids in the urine
Advances in urinary biomarker research of synthetic cannabinoids
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37673518/
Cool Chemistry
Improving CBD deliverability with archaeosomes (liposomes made from the polar ether lipids derived from Archaea, the ancient single-cell microorganisms evolutionarily distinct from bacteria)
Archaeosomes facilitate storage and oral delivery of cannabidiol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37739097/
The structure & binding of delta-10 THC isomers
Chemistry, Crystal Structure, and In Vitro Receptor Binding of Δ10-THC Isomers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37721987/
Thanks.
- lex
PS: Today’s classic album of Brazil is ‘Braziliana’ by the guitarist Luiz Bonfá with singing by his wife Maria Toledo.
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