C&P#86: a coupon code! + cannabis for hospice pain + older drivers driving better with medical cannabis
C&P#86: a coupon code! + cannabis for hospice pain + older drivers driving better with medical cannabis
HHS, NCAA & NFL all moving towards the light…
This week…
Cannabis for the pain of hospice patients
We’re still grappling with the confusions around cannabis tolerance
Reviewing the nine types of cannabis vaporization devices
For asthma, public health data perhaps suggesting cannabis benefits
Older drivers scores better on simulated driving test if they began a medical cannabis regimen
CBD safe for healthy cats
An excellent analysis of the hop latent viroid
Psilocybin mushrooms evolved around the time dinosaurs died + microdosing & heart harms?
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 86th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science + assorted news & psychedelic updates.
Announcements
I’ve got my first coupon code for PlusCBD. Use the coupon “LEX” for 30% off. You’d be supporting this newsletter & getting top-notch cannabinoid products for your health. See the excellent product selection below, including CBD, THC, CBDA & PEA.
For more…
Subscribe here: upgrade to a paid subscription to support my work sharing cannabinoid science
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Buy ‘SUNset’: my Queer cannabis history graphic novel or check out the rest of my graphic novel series about cannabis & the endocannabinoid system based on Moby Dick
Free resources (my Linktree)
See the extensive cannabinoid science archive I maintain for CV Sciences at CVResearch.info
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LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, Twitter & my TikTok on books, hermeticism, science & history
As always, here’s the Glossary of Cannabinoid Terms & at the bottom is the album of the week
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.
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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)
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3 very special formulations with other ingredients:
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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 & use the coupon code “LEX” for 30% off.
My work this week:
Canna-Education for CV Sciences
(TikTok:@cvsciences or my YouTube playlist 3-minute Cannabinoid Science):
Canna-Science Digest #2 : Neuropathic Pain + Cognitive Decline + UK Medical Cannabis Registry & ADHD
My TikToks (@lexpelgerandhisbooks or on YouTube):
Ways to support this work:
A paid subscription on Substack
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PayPal: donate here
The Canna-Science Writeup:
Best 2 papers of the week, sponsored by CV Sciences
Medical Marijuana for Pain Management in Hospice Care as a Complementary Approach to Scheduled Opioids: A Single Arm Study
In hospice patients, cannabis combined well with opioids for pain management
In hospice patients dealing with cancer, a standard treatment for their pain is opioids. But the adverse effects on cognitive function and the GI tract can make them unpleasant. In this study of 66 hospice patients, they began adding medical cannabis to their opioid regimen. They found this combination caused a significant reduction in pain intensity as well as a non-significant trend towards lower opioid doses. The measurements of their well-being, appetite, nausea, and respiratory function showed non-statistically significant changes. Only three of the patients experienced minor, reversible adverse events. Overall, this ability of the cannabinoids to help with the pain at the end of life may be one of their most important functions. For more of the many studies on pain, see our archive on the Pain page of CVResearch.info.
Therapeutic Use of Palmitoylethanolamide as an Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulator
A review of using PEA for inflammation & immunomodulation
This is an excellent review on the power of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) for lowering inflammation as well as “orchestrating precise adjustments in immune responses.” An endocannabinoid-like molecule produced in all vertebrates and almost every cell type, PEA interacts with an impressive number of systems including regulating genetic transcription via the PPAR nuclear receptors (which control levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines), increasing the levels of anandamide, and binding to the TRPV1 receptor (key for pain transmission) where PEA acts as an endovanilloid similar to anandamide. This paper reviews how PEA moves through our body as well as its therapeutic potential for:
· Central nervous system disorders including…
o Ischemia (loss of blood flow to the brain)
o Neuroinflammation and anxiety
o Vascular dementia (the second most common dementia after Alzheimer’s)
o Multiple sclerosis (MS)
o Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – case report
o Acute mania – double-blind trial
· Pain and immunomodulation
o Anti-inflammation (many of these)
o Pain-killing – including postoperative pain as well as combining well with paracetamol and acetyl-l-carnitine
· Gastrointestinal disorders
o Colitis (intestinal inflammation)
· Respiratory disorders include acute lung injury and COVID-19
· Glaucoma
· Eczema
For more research, see the Palmitoylethanolamide page on CVResearch.info or my PlusCBD post about the history and science of PEA.
Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
Clinical
An editorial on how seizures induced by fever may be treated by CBD via the FKBP51 protein (a stress regulator)
Cannabidiol for functional seizures (psychogenic nonepileptic seizures/attacks) and other stress-associated disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37565519/
In patients with schizophrenia, those using cannabis performed better on tests of working memory, visual memory & emotional recognition but worse on tests of psychomotor function, attention & verbal memory with no cannabis effects on executive function found
Does cannabis affect cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215001323000227
A review of the effects of cannabis on motivation found that while it may lower motivation acutely, it does not seem to cause amotivational syndrome in chronic cannabis users (though there may be a link between cannabis use disorder & apathy)
Is Cannabis Use Associated with Motivation? A Review of Recent Acute and Non-Acute Studies
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40473-023-00268-1
Public Health Data
On why older adults in the US are using cannabis
PATTERNS OF MARIJUANA USE IN THE US OLDER ADULT POPULATION
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10735769/
“Multivariable regression analyses show that marijuana use declines with age (p<.001) and is lower among women (p<.001). Marijuana use among older adults is slightly lower in states where it is illegal compared to states that have legalized (4.6% vs. 7.1%, p<.001). Use of marijuana for medical reasons increases with age; nearly two-thirds of adults 80+ who use marijuana report doing so for medical reasons. Adults 80+ also report the highest frequency of use, likely reflecting greater medical need. The most common conditions reported among adults 50+ who use marijuana for medical reasons are arthritis (61%), depression (36%), asthma (20%), and COPD (18%).”
An analysis of the Reddit discussion on delta-8 THC
Using Transformer-Based Topic Modeling to Examine Discussions of Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol: Content Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38127427/
Ingestion Methods
A review of the nine types of cannabis vaporization devices
Cannabis vaporisation: Understanding products, devices and risks
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38124429/
In a sample of edibles, the other byproducts produced when using an acid to convert CBD to delta-8 THC
Comprehensive cannabinoid profiling of acid-treated CBD samples and Δ8-THC-infused edibles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38134831/
In a survey of US cannabis consumers, most of them stored their cannabis in a locked location or in an unlocked but not visible location
Cannabinoid home storage practices among a national Qualtrics panel of adult users of cannabinoid products in the USA
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38124000/
Harms
In public health data, cannabis use was not associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (an irregular, often rapid heartbeat)
Cannabis Use and Incident Atrial Fibrillation in a Longitudinal Cohort
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38142832/
A case report of someone who seemed to have an episode of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome after anesthesia with propofol
Propofol-THC Interaction and Symptomatic Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Case Report and Review
https://iaapartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Propofol-THC-Interaction-and-Symptomatic-Cannabis-Hyperemesis-Syndrome.pdf
A case report of cannabis causing someone to have superficial vein thrombosis (inflammation & clot in a vein near the skin’s surface that can lead to pain & discomfort)
Cannabis Arteritis and Recurrent Phlebitis
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(23)00295-1/fulltext
“Although a lifelong nonuser of tobacco, he smoked marijuana daily for 20 years. With abstinence, the frequency of recurrent SVT resolved. Upon re-exposure, SVT recurred. Neither deep venous thrombosis nor pulmonary embolism was observed.”
In Israel, an outbreak of synthetic cannabinoids adulterated with the long-acting anticoagulant brodifacoum leading to hemorrhages
Radiological findings in poisoning by synthetic cannabinoids adulterated with brodifacoum
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38127072/
Animals
Cats well tolerated daily feeding of CBD at a dosage of 4 mg/kg
Healthy Cats Tolerate Long Term Daily Feeding of Cannabidiol
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1324622/abstract
Reviews
A review of CBD for brain function & brain diseases
Cannabidiol and brain function: current knowledge and future perspectives
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1328885/full
“The potential effectiveness of CBD in reducing chronic pain is considered but also in reducing the symptoms of various brain disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, the implications of using CBD to manage psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, anxiety and fear, depression, and substance use disorders are explored. An overview of the beneficial effects of CBD on aspects of human behavior, such as sleep, motor control, cognition and memory, is then provided.”
For Parkinson's disease, a review of 95 articles on the use of cannabinoids
Beyond conventional therapy: cannabinoids as an alternative in parkinson's disease
https://ojs.observatoriolatinoamericano.com/ojs/index.php/olel/article/view/2313
“As for the administration, the oral route was the most common and several symptoms showed improvement after the use of cannabinoids, highlighting: rest tremor, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, dyskinesia, pain, insomnia, and anxiety. The most common undesirable effects were: dizziness, drowsiness, hallucinations, and xerostomia [oral dryness from diminished saliva production].”
For neuromuscular disorders, a review of the potential of the cannabinoids
Cannabinoids, Endocannabinoids, and Synthetic Cannabimimetic Molecules in Neuromuscular Disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38203407/
A review of cannabis for the treatment of headaches
Cannabis Use in Headache Treatment: A Literature Review
https://headachemedicine.com.br/index.php/hm/article/view/872
A review of using cannabinoids both for the symptoms of chemotherapy treatment & tumor growth itself
Cannabinoids in Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting, Cancer-Associated Pain, and Tumor Growth
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38203245/
A review of CBD for opioid use disorder
The Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol in Revolutionising Opioid Use Disorder Management
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38226097/
A review of the cannabinoids for mental health
Prospects for the Use of Cannabinoids in Mental Health
https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO202332671354450.pdf
“The use of medical cannabis for mental illness has shown promise in treating anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, and substance use disorders.”
A review of targeting the endocannabinoid system in kidney disease highlight the distinct differences between CB1 & CB2 receptors
Exploring the Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Chronic Kidney Disease: Implications for Therapeutic Interventions
http://stm.e4journal.com/id/eprint/2371/1/Fernandes35242023JAMMR110461.pdf
A review of the confusing scientific studies around cannabis tolerance
Cannabis Tolerance: A Scope Review
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376754318_Cannabis_Tolerance_A_Scope_Review
Preclinical
In a mouse model, the anti-arthritic & anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis essential oil
Antiarthritic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabis sativa Essential Oil in an Animal Model
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/1/20
In a rat model of anxiety, CBG modulated both a serotonin receptor & a noradrenaline receptor
Cannabigerol modulates α2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor-mediated electrophysiological effects on dorsal raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus neurons and anxiety behavior in rat
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37305529/
In a mouse model of depression caused by unpredictable chronic stress, cannabis essential oil reduced their anxiety & depression-related behaviors
Anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of the essential oil of Moroccan Cannabis sativa in mice exposed to unpredictable chronic mild stress: Behavioral and biochemical evidences
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0254629923007500
In a mouse model of stroke, CBD’s anti-inflammatory & neuroprotective benefits involved the cyclin-dependent kinase regulatory subunit 1B (CKS1B)
Involvement of CKS1B in the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol in experimental stroke models
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38104887/
In a rat model of cognitive function loss from aging, cannabis both helped & harmed different types of memory in different age groups
EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC CANNABIS/CANNABINOIDS ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10735522/
“Both acute smoke (males only) and chronic THC (both sexes) enhanced working memory in aged rats, but neither affected young adults. In contrast, both regimens tended to impair performance on tests of spatial/episodic memory in an age-independent manner. Results suggest that although cannabis has potential for cognitive benefits in aging, its effects likely depend on both the cognitive domain tested and the manner in which it is administered.”
For SARS-CoV-2, a computer investigation of the cannflavins as a treatment
Isolation and in silico investigation of cannflavins from Cannabis sativa leaves as potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents targeting the Papain-Like Protease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100380/
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
For your best daily cannabis news source: Marijuana Moment
Lawyer Matt Zorn gets the HHS to release their 250+ pages on why they recommend moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III
And the American Nurses Association is cheering (nurses are always at the forefront of smart change)
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/american-nurses-association-cheers-federal-health-agencys-marijuana-rescheduling-recommendation/
But the Congressional Research Service about the downsides of this rescheduling move:
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/congressional-researchers-detail-limitations-of-marijuana-rescheduling-for-state-markets-and-criminal-justice-reform/
- state programs remain illegal
- medical cannabis could not be dispensed by doctors until the FDA approves the plant (which it doesn’t do for plants)
- mandatory minimum sentencing would not change
- deportation of noncitizens
- denial of federal benefits like housing & food
- no expungements & prisoners stay in jail
On the positive side, cannabis businesses would no longer be subject to the onerous 280E tax clause.
NCAA Division I to vote in June on removing cannabis from its banned substances list
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ncaa-division-i-to-vote-on-removing-marijuana-from-banned-substances-list-for-student-athletes/
The National Football League cartel is investing in a small study of 35 people on the pain management & neuroprotective benefits of CBD-rich cannabis
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nfl-partnering-on-new-study-using-cbd-to-treat-pain-and-protect-from-concussions/
These addiction specialists argue against a mandated insurance coverage of medical cannabis
Mandating reimbursement for non-FDA-regulated cannabis is bad public policy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38115193/
On Mike Tyson’s hard work on his cannabis business (hattip to my father who says, “That Mike Bites gummy shaped like Evander Holyfield’s ear is the best weed marketing scheme I've seen.”)
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/16/nyregion/mike-tyson-weed-cannabis-nyc.html
Wiz Khalifa goes to parent-teacher conferences on cannabis: “And yeah I’m pulling up stoned, I’m pulling up high because I want them to connect with the real me”
https://pagesix.com/2024/01/10/parents/wiz-khalifa-shows-up-to-sons-parent-teacher-conferences-high/
Makes sense. The only reason I don’t do it is because it makes my French disappear.
History Corner: how the 0.3% THC limit for hemp got set
As a Justice Department researcher reiterated in a recent podcast, “It’s sort of fascinating where that 0.3 percent came from, too. It seems to have come from, like, one mention hypothetically in an article from the 1950s, and kind of got picked up and run with”.
What he’s referring to is the work of Dr. Ernest Small, a Canadian botanist, who in this interview talks about setting the THC limit at 0.3% THC as a useful way to delineate between hemp and “drug-type” cannabis. He had not intended for this to become an international standard and even cautioned, “As a specialist in plant classification, it has been extremely gratifying to have so much of the world apply our simple classification in a practical way. But I would caution that 100% separation of groupings within species is rarely achievable, and this is the case for Cannabis sativa. Because of seasonal and diurnal fluctuations in THC content, a given plant could have more or less THC than 0.3% at different times. There are also minor environmental influences on THC content, and variations and errors in sampling method will also influence reported THC levels. In Canada common sense has been exercised by the authorities when levels slightly exceeding 0.3% have been found (by law, hemp fields must be eradicated if the level is higher than 0.3%). It should also be appreciated that the level of 0.3% is well under the concentration of 0.9% THC considered minimal for psychotropic effects by some authorities.”
Unfortunately, common sense has not been exercised by some US authorities & the stories are rife of farmers who had to destroy their entire hemp crop at the end of the season after it came in at 0.4% THC.
International
Nepal finalizing cannabis legalization legislation
https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/cm-pandey-emphasizes-to-legalize-marijuana-and-domestic-liquor-for-economic-growth/
After a long series of delays, Spain gets back to reviewing its medical cannabis regulation proposals
https://internationalcbc.com/spain-resumes-reviewing-medical-cannabis-regulation-proposals/
A review in French of Canada's five years of legalization
Résultats associés à la politique canadienne de légalisation du cannabis pour usage à des fins récréatives: bilan après 5 ans
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38049164/
An analysis of medical cannabis in Thailand, Malaysia & Singapore
Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Indonesia from the Human Rights Perspectives: Lessons Learned from Three ASEAN Countries
https://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/index.php/lslr/article/view/77670
The Laws, The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
A study finds that people are using Telegram to sell cannabis
Identification and Characterization of Illegal Sales of Cannabis and Nicotine Delivery Products on Telegram Messaging Platform
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38097394/
Only about 7 years behind the times on this one…
A review of the US evolution of state & federal medical cannabis laws
Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Medical Cannabis in the United States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100798/
Driving
Haha. In a test of drivers over 50, those who began using medical cannabis performed better on a simulated driving performance task, with the best scores in the moderate to heavy users
THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE AND DIVIDED ATTENTION ON A SIMULATED DRIVING PERFORMANCE TASK
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10735463/
For driving, a review of 20 articles on the effects of cannabis on eye/motor control
A systematic review of oculomotor deficits associated with acute and chronic cannabis use
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/adb.13359
“Acute THC consumption selectively impacts oculomotor control, notably increasing saccadic latency and inaccuracy and impairing inhibitory control. Chronic cannabis users, especially those with early age of use onset, display enduring oculomotor deficits that affect visual scanning efficiency. The presence of eyelid tremors appears to be a reliable indicator of cannabis consumption while remaining distinct from direct impairment associated with visual attention and motor control.”
In Ontario in the year following the legalization of cannabis, surveys showed increased driving under the influence of cannabis among adults over 55
Cannabis legalization and driving under the influence of cannabis and driving under the influence of alcohol among adult and adolescent drivers in Ontario, Canada (2001-2019)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38181618/
On creating a breathalyzer for cannabinoid levels
An analytical approach for on-site analysis of breath samples for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38108556/
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
For my favorite newsletter on this topic, Psychedelic Alpha.
The Dutch to provide €1.6 million for psychedelic research
https://open-foundation.org/funding-for-psychedelic-research/
On the new darling LSD derivative: 1V-LSD, aka Valerie
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]
The first psilocybin mushrooms evolved around the time the dinosaurs died out
Phylogenomics of the psychoactive mushroom genus Psilocybe and evolution of the psilocybin biosynthetic gene cluster
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2311245121
It's possible that microdosing psychedelics may harm the heart
Microdosing psychedelics and the risk of cardiac fibrosis and valvulopathy: Comparison to known cardiotoxins
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/02698811231225609
A review finds that psychedelics have not been tested clinically in many older people
Older adults in psychedelic-assisted therapy trials: A systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38240068/
In a mouse model of despair, the psychedelic DOI did not help with depression in mice that had no 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, but psilocybin did
Antidepressant-like effects of psychedelics in a chronic despair mouse model: is the 5-HT2A receptor the unique player?
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-024-01794-6
The Plant & the History
On the factors in the Himalayas affecting cannabis as an invasive weed
Distribution of the Cannabis sativa L. in the Western Himalayas: A tale of the ecological factors behind its continuous invasiveness
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989423004146
Growing & Farming
An excellent analysis of the hop latent viroid (HLVd)
New Insights into Hop Latent Viroid Detection, Infectivity, Host Range, and Transmission
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/1/30
“During flowering, HLVd-infected plants show reduced levels of valuable metabolites… HLVd was infectious through successive passage assays using a crude sap or total RNA extract derived from infected hemp. HLVd was also highly transmissible through hemp seeds at rates of 58 to 80%. Host range assays revealed new hosts for HLVd: tomato, cucumber, chrysanthemum, Nicotiana benthamiana, and Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0).”
A new e-book on diagnosing cannabis diseases
Diagnosing Hemp and Cannabis Crop Diseases
https://www.everand.com/book/520881737/Diagnosing-Hemp-and-Cannabis-Crop-Diseases
On the effects of granite dust on cannabis growth
Granite dust application to hemp - variety-specific impacts on growth and cannabinoid production
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38097701/
Cannabis seed germination responses to various pretreatments
Seed dormancy and germination responses of cannabis landraces to various pre-treatments
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629923007597
“In summary, GA3 [gibberellic acid], KNO3 [potassium nitrate] and prechilling [if these seeds got any more chill, they’d be frozen] were the most effective pre-treatments to improve the germination and seedling growth of cannabis genotypes and breaking seed dormancy.”
In cannabis leaves, an analysis of four processing methods
Comparative evaluation of physicochemical, qualitative and chromatographic profile of unprocessed and processed Cannabis sativa L (Bhanga) leaves
https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2023-16-11-59
A thesis project on genetic diversity among cloned cannabis plants
Genome Sequencing Reveals Intra-Plant and Clonal Genetic Diversity in Cannabis
https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/d3c86c45-6922-45f8-b388-cc6350b7b280/content
Hemp as food
A review of hemp products for farm animals
Review: Nutritional aspects of hemp-based products and their effects on health and performance of monogastric animals
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38211413/
An analysis of hempseed cake or animal nutrition
NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISATION OF HEMP SEEDS AND CAKE AS FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENTS IN RUMINANTS’ NUTRITION
https://www.scientificbulletin.upb.ro/rev_docs_arhiva/reze8e_544962.pdf
And a chemical characterization
Chemical Characterization of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)-Derived Products and Potential for Animal Feed
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00391
A thesis project of dietary hempseed meal for yearling bulls
Effect of Dietary Hempseed Meal on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and Blood Parameters in Yearling Rough Stock Bulls
https://www.proquest.com/openview/466f7c3c42a28890e9280222a027f2f2/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
A profiling of 12 hemp seed extracts
A Comparative Study of Chemical Profiling and Bioactivities between Thai and Foreign Hemp Seed Species ( Cannabis sativa L.) Plus an In-Silico Investigation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38201083/
Industrial Use
On how to grow hemp on heavy metal-contaminated soil to produce jet fuel
Plant testing with hemp and miscanthus to assess phytomanagement options including biostimulants and mycorrhizae on a metal-contaminated soil to provide biomass for sustainable biofuel production
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38135075/
On hemp as a sustainable fiber for garments
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE USE OF HEMP AS A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION IN GARMENT MAKING
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376559060_A_CRITICAL_EVALUATION_OF_THE_USE_OF_HEMP_AS_A_SUSTAINABLE_SOLUTION_IN_GARMENT_MAKING
On the properties of hemp limecrete
Experimental investigation on the physical, microstructural, and mechanical properties of hemp limecrete
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38114537/
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
A review of 17 studies on cannabis health warning labels
A systematic review of cannabis health warning research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38222305/
“Evidence indicated mandated cannabis health warnings improved noticing and recall of health warning content. Cannabis health warnings describing risks of addiction were consistently rated the least effective. Pictorial cannabis health warnings generally outperformed text-only warnings when displayed on their own, while experiments with warnings on products had mixed results.”
An overview of CBD...
An Overview of Cannabidiol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38108806/
And the cannabinoid science
The Basic Science of Cannabinoids
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100799/
Let me just say, with a headline like that, nuts to these cats
Cannabis as a Therapeutic or Snake Oil? A Desperate Call for Critical Appraisal of the Literature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100796/
Surveys, Public Health Data & Ingestion Methods
These researchers are obviously disturbed that a bunch of Australian parents are interested in trying cannabis
Prevalence and correlates of positive parental attitudes towards cannabis use and use intention in Australia during 2016 and 2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38043472/
The US public health data on cannabis use by pregnant & nonpregnant women
Marijuana Use among Pregnant and Nonpregnant Women of Reproductive Age, 2013-2019
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38132561/
In Croatia, healthcare practitioners are generally favorable towards CBD, especially for reducing the use of opioids for chronic pain
Knowledge and Attitudes of Cannabidiol in Croatia among Students, Physicians, and Pharmacists
https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/12/1/2
A Finnish AI with 96% accuracy for predicting cannabis use by analyzing 60 variables found the most important to be the “social settings of individuals”
Risk prediction model for cannabis use with artificial intelligence approach
https://repository.effatuniversity.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14131/1188
Adolescents & Young Adults
Despite trying to spin the data, use of cannabis by adolescents is down since the 70s, even among at-risk youth
Gone with the weed: incidents of adolescent marijuana use in the United States, 1976-2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37839727/
In adolescence, there seems to be a link between cannabis use & trouble sleeping
A test of competing mediators linking trouble sleeping to cannabis use in adolescents and emerging adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38127518/
I know it's certainly true for me. If I consume after 8:30 PM, I'll find myself in bed unable to sleep & rolling around with the same thoughts I had all day, mostly TikTok ideas.
Survey data finds a relationship in adolescents between aggressive behaviors & both cannabis use & affiliation with delinquent peers
The company you keep: The neglected role of affiliating with delinquent friends in the development of the cannabis-violence link
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38141319/
Public health data finds a nuanced & gendered relationship between anxiety & cannabis use among young people
Directional associations between cannabis use and anxiety symptoms from late adolescence through young adulthood
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36434880/
In young adults, symptoms of anxiety mediate the association between their cannabis use frequency & psychotic-like experiences
Do Anxiety Symptoms Mediate the Association Between Cannabis Use Frequency and Psychotic-Like Experiences in Emerging Adult Undergraduates?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37194263/
In California, adolescents near cannabis dispensaries more likely to be using cannabis
Proximity to Cannabis Retailers and Recent Cannabis Use among a Diverse Sample of California Adolescents
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38115623/
“For every additional 5 driving miles to the nearest cannabis retailer, the risk of past 30-day cannabis use was reduced by 3.6%.”
The Brain & Neurological Disorders
On how 2-AG is involved in eye function
The Metabolism of 2-arachidonoylglycerol in Rod Outer Segments Is Modulated by Proteins Involved in the Phototransduction Process
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38109005/
Epilepsy & Seizures
A review of the mechanisms that CBD uses in epilepsy to protect the brain
Enlightening Pharmacological Mechanisms of Cannabidiol in Epilepsy: A Comprehensive Review on their Neuroprotective Potential
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376757720_Enlightening_Pharmacological_Mechanisms_of_Cannabidiol_in_Epilepsy_A_Comprehensive_Review_on_their_Neuroprotective_Potential
Mental Health
A review of fMRI studies on differences in brain reward functions in chronic cannabis users
Brain Reward Function in People Who Use Cannabis: A Systematic Review
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1323609/abstract
“The fMRI literature to date led to largely non-significant group differences. A few studies reported group differences in the ventral striatum while participants anticipated rewards and losses; and in the caudate while participants received neutral outcomes. A few studies examined correlations between brain function and withdrawal, dosage, and age of onset; and reported inconsistent findings.”
In a mouse model of schizophrenia, an interaction between CB2 receptors in the brain & methamphetamine increased the risk of schizophrenia
Cannabinoid CB2 receptors and hypersensitivity to methamphetamine: Vulnerability to schizophrenia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38135096/
For treating depression & anxiety, a drug that binds both the CB2 & 5-HT1A serotonin receptor
Discovery of a CB2 and 5-HT1A receptor dual agonist for the treatment of depression and anxiety
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38150961/
Cannabis Use Disorder
A review of the relationship between the gut microbiome, the CNS & cannabis use disorder
Educational Review Gut bacteria, endocannabinoid system, and marijuana addiction: Novel therapeutic implications
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376455105_Educational_Review_Gut_bacteria_endocannabinoid_system_and_marijuana_addiction_Novel_therapeutic_implications
Military veterans with psychiatric disorders are more likely to be diagnosed with cannabis use disorder
Veterans with psychiatric disorders more prone to cannabis use disorder
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/adaw.33968
Reproduction & Hormones
In California, prenatal cannabis exposure broken down by race
Prenatal Exposure to Tobacco and Cannabis in Six Race/Ethnicity Groups during the First Three Years after Legalization of Cannabis for Recreational Use in California
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/1/11
A review of the ECS in human reproduction
The Endocannabinoid System and Its Relationship to Human Reproduction
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38116770/
A thesis project in a mouse model of morning sickness found that high doses of fetal CBD exposure sensitized male offspring to thermal pain & decreased female offspring cognition as well as in all genders, leading to systemic glucose intolerance, insulin resistance & insufficient pancreatic insulin release
CBD for Morning Sickness: Defining the Effects of Cannabidiol Consumption During Pregnancy on Offspring Neurodevelopment, Behavior, and Diabetes Risk
https://www.proquest.com/openview/20ca0a271bafe10a83c5ad571fc0fa80/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
On the feasibility of collecting umbilical cord tissue for analyzing cannabis use during pregnancy
Feasibility and acceptability of collecting umbilical cord tissue for prenatal cannabis research: A mixed-methods research study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38130079/
The Immune System & Microbial
A thesis project on the effects of THC on resistance to infection by Candida albicans
THE EFFECT OF THC AND THE ROLE OF CB2R ON RESISTANCE TO SYSTEMIC CANDIDA ALBICANS INFECTION IN IMMUNE SUPPRESSED AND IMMUNE COMPETENT FEMALE AND MALE MICE
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/downloads/rv043221q
Pain & Surgeries
A review on integrating cannabis products in the chronic pain treatment
Thoughtfully Integrating Cannabis Products Into Chronic Pain Treatment
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100797/
And a review of four studies on cannabis for chronic pain
Use of cannabis and its derivates in chronic pain management: systematic review
https://www.scielo.br/j/brjp/a/bFhM4PqJ8MtKf3N8FQ8zDfz/?lang=en
Somehow this living review of cannabis for pain found no new studies in the last two years (they should have been reading this newsletter)
Living Systematic Review on Cannabis and Other Plant-Based Treatments for Chronic Pain: Surveillance Report 3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589236/
Living Systematic Review on Cannabis and Other Plant-Based Treatments for Chronic Pain: Surveillance Report 4: Literature Update Period: Mid-January 2022 Through March 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36795908/
In rats, different cannabinoids had different pain effects
Distinct antinociceptive and conditioned behavioral effects are produced by individual cannabinoids and a cannabis-derived mixture
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38128766/
On how pain response is regulated by the DAGL enzyme (which produces 2-AG)
Endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes regulate pain response via LKB1-AMPK signaling
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38109529/
Using copolymers to combine fatty acid derivatives with THC for making painkilling pills
Amphiphilic block copolymers bearing fatty acid derivatives as vehicles for THC in the development of analgesic oral formulations
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1381514823003140
The Guts, Metabolism, Oral Health & CHS
In a review of 28 studies, a variant of the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide) was related to obesity
Association between the FAAH C385A variant (rs324420) and obesity-related traits: a systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38114812/
In people following an experimental diet to improve obesity, they had lower levels of arachidonic acid (an anandamide precursor)
Correlation between food addiction and arachidonic acid levels in obese adults following nutritional interventions
http://www.scielo.org.co/scielo.php?pid=S0121-08072023000100056&script=sci_abstract&tlng=en
In overweight women, dietary linoleic acid did not lower their levels of endocannabinoids or arachidonic acid (a precursor to anandamide)
Dietary linoleic acid lowering alone does not lower arachidonic acid or endocannabinoids among women with overweight and obesity: A randomized, controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100748/
A review on pain in acute pancreatitis includes a focus on targeting the endocannabinoid system
Molecular mechanisms of pain in acute pancreatitis: recent basic research advances and therapeutic implications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38188196/
On how a mouth pathogen becomes resistant to cannabinoids
The transcriptomic response to cannabidiol of Treponema denticola, a phytocannabinoid-resistant periodontal pathogen
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38105008/
The Musculoskeletal System & Exercise
On bone mineral density, a review of four studies found that half of them showed cannabis users to have lower bone mineral density while the other half showed no alteration
Effect of recreational cannabis use on bone mineral density: a systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38141142/
In people doing resistance exercises, they had significant decreases in their anandamide, PEA & oleamide levels as well as displaying increased vigor & lower levels of depressive symptoms, anger, confusion & total mood disturbances
Endocannabinoid and psychological responses to acute resistance exercise in trained and untrained adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38039265/
An editorial on bone healing with CBG & CBG [paywall]
Therapeutic Potential of Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol in Fracture Healing
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37975545/
The Heart
In fish, activating the CB2 receptor improved their cardiac contractile performance
Activation of the cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor improves cardiac contractile performance in fish, Brycon amazonicus
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38113964/
The Lungs
Public health data found that people with asthma were more likely to be using cannabis
Cannabis use and the prevalence of current asthma among adolescents and adults in the United States
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38128769/
In a survey of Mexican patients with allergic respiratory diseases, the ones inhaling cannabis had less asthma
Cannabis use preferences among adult Mexican with allergic respiratory diseases: A cross-sectional study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38060851/
https://saludpublica.mx/index.php/spm/article/view/14292/12373
The Liver
In a mouse model of liver scarring, activating the CB2 receptor lowered the scarring via downregulation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway
A CB2 Agonist Alleviates Liver Fibrosis by Downregulating the ERK1/2 Signalling Pathway in Mouse Hepatic Fibrosis Model
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3705753/v1
The Skin
Developing a test for skin sensitivity to CBD
Utilizing integrated testing strategy (ITSv1) defined approach and read across to predict skin sensitization of cannabidiol
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468111323000385
Cancer & Chemotherapy
For ovarian cancer cells, the ability of cannabinoids to cause them toxicity
Investigation of the cytotoxicity induced by cannabinoids on human ovarian carcinoma cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38100640/
In brain cells, the synthetic cannabinoid JWH182 (which activates the CB1 & CB2 receptors) protected from the neurotoxicity of the cancer treatment drug paclitaxel
Preliminary Insights into JWH182: a Synthetic Cannabinoid’s Neuroprotective Role Against Paclitaxel-Induced Neuronal Toxicity
https://ijms.pitt.edu/IJMS/article/view/2236
Cool Chemistry & Tools
On 3 articles about cannabinoid & terpene chemistry:
Editorial: From chemistry to therapeutics: exploring the universe of cannabinoids and related meroterpenoids
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fntpr.2023.1338469/full
Isomers of the acidic cannabinoids…
Synthesis and biological evaluation of hydroxamate isosteres of acidic cannabinoids
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fntpr.2023.1190053/full
CB1 probes…
Recent advances in the development of CB1R selective probes
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fntpr.2023.1196321/full
And making new drugs based on THC
Synthetic approaches to cis-THC, a promising scaffold in medicinal chemistry
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fntpr.2023.1225627/full
A high resolution snapshot of how binding the CB1 receptor passes on the signal via β-arrestin
Snapshot of the cannabinoid receptor 1-arrestin complex unravels the biased signaling mechanism
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38101408/
And imaging of the structure of the CB1/arrestin complex
Cryo-EM structure of cannabinoid receptor CB1-β-arrestin complex
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38102480/
On producing the cannabinoid metabolites ajulemic acid & HU-210
Syntheses of Cannabinoid Metabolites: Ajulemic Acid and HU-210
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/2/526
A radioactive tracer that binds to the MAGL enzyme (breaks down 2-AG)
Identification of (R)-[18F]YH134 for Monoacylglycerol Lipase Neuroimaging and Exploration of Its Use for Central Nervous System and Peripheral Drug Development
https://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/early/2023/12/21/jnumed.123.266426.abstract
A thesis project on a novel production platform involving olivetolic acid for studying cannabinoids
Development of a Novel Olivetolic Acid Production Platform for the Further Study of the Therapeutic/Pharmacological Effects of Cannabinoids
https://escholarship.org/content/qt9k0056gv/qt9k0056gv_noSplash_99665184c57b5db3baa25e76084f8ef1.pdf
Thanks.
- lex
PS: Today’s album comes from the great Brazilian mandolin player Jacob Do Bandolim & it’s his ‘Original Classic Recordings Vol. I’ (I’ve been listening to this all week on loop with the kids). One of the first names in the chora tradition (a style of fast, happy songs coming out of Brazil’s urban life), Jacob do Bandolim disliked the stereotype of the “disheveled, drunk folk musician" & to honor the music, he demanded high-quality musicality & impeccable dress from his band. Though he died young of a heart attack at 51, he left a large body of recordings & a legacy as one of the most important mandolin players in Brazilian history & an inspiration to other musicians for decades to come.
This newsletter is the backbone of my work & I hope it brings you a measure of value. If so, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription & support my sharing all of the new cannabinoid science each week.