C&P#96: Parkinson’s, severe skin disorders & COVID
C&P#96: Parkinson’s, severe skin disorders & COVID
A special feature on France
This week…
Nabilone for Parkinson’s
With COVID, cannabis users have better recovery
On cannabis benefits for the severe skin disorder hidradenitis suppurativa
On structural brain changes in heavy cannabis users
A special feature on France & its mincing steps forward
On how breast cancer may be one of the types where you shouldn't use cannabinoids
Cannabis as a molluscicidal (did you know that word?)
An old Thai cannabis prescription
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 96th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science + assorted canna-news & psychedelic updates. On the cannabinoids, ask me anything.
Editor’s note: I’ll be at ICBC in Berlin next week, so no newsletter. Let me know if I’ll see you there.
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Sponsor: The Award-Winning CV Sciences
CV Sciences produces products that have consistently won industry awards in the 7 years that I worked with them (including almost always being the #1 selling CBD brand according to SPINS industry data, which is a coup in itself). Today I’m highlighting their wins at the Natural Choice Awards of WholeFoods Magazine, probably the biggest & most prestigious awards of the natural products/dietary supplements community.
This year, they won in the Sleep/Stress category with the new Reserve Collection Sleep Gummies. And I can see why. My wife has tried all kinds of things to help with sleep after 6 years of children stealing our slumber, but nothing was really worth continuing to use. But when I got a bottle of these Sleep Gummies to use visuals in my videos, she gave them a try & they changed everything. She takes one 30 minutes before sleep, and we don’t know if it’s the CBN or the melatonin or the THC or the CBD, but they put her straight into a wonderful deep sleep.
They’re so helpful to her that even though we can’t buy them here in France, we’re going to get a buttload of them & have the parents cart them over for us the next time they come. That’s how much they help with sleep.
The other award this year was in the Bone & Joint category for the Relief softgels. And this makes so much sense to me. I don’t know anyone else who combines the incredible power of PEA (see the data here) and CBDA (see the data here) for inflammation & repair. But this product became a hit as soon as it was released and that’s always for one reason: it works.
To try these products today, go to 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)
My TikToks:
(@lexpelgerandhisbooks or on YouTube)
Thar she blows! (the review copy of my book arrives…)
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The Canna-Science Writeup:
Analysis of the week's best papers, sponsored by CV Sciences
#PARKINSONS
In patients with Parkinson's disease, six months of treatment with nabilone (a synthetic mimic of THC) improved overall sleep, nighttime sleep problems & overall pain
Long-term safety and efficacy of open-label nabilone on sleep and pain in Parkinson´s Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38491070/
Here's another study on Parkinson's disease but this one uses nabilone, a synthetic analog to THC. I’m including it because it has similar effects to the THC of the Reserve products “with identical pharmacological properties” (according to the authors) and is used to treat many of the same conditions, most especially pain, the spasticity of multiple sclerosis, the nausea of cancer treatments, and the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
In this study, the researchers went back to the 38 patients who completed their previous study of using nabilone for the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. That was a double-blind placebo trial lasting for one month that found help for sleep and anxiety. Out of those participants, 22 were still eligible and interested to participate. This time, instead of receiving a set dosage of nabilone for a month, they could experiment with their own dosage over the course of 6 months and the researchers could look for safety problems. For the results, nabilone
· improved overall non-motor symptom burden
· improved overall sleep
· reduced night-time sleep problems
· reduced overall pain
On the safety side, “nabilone was well tolerated during the 6-months of open-label use” and the most common negative adverse reaction was difficulty with concentration. For more data, check out the Parkinson’s & Dyskinesia page of CVResearch.info.
#SKINDISORDERS
A scoping review of patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (an inflammatory skin condition of painful nodules, abscesses & deep scarring) found its widespread use for pain management
Cannabis Usage Among Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Scoping Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38462895/
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease of inflamed and swollen lumps often around the underarms, the groin, the buttocks, and under the breasts. These lumps are usually painful and when they break open, they release a pus and leave scar tissue. The disease may significantly limit activities such as walking, hugging, moving, and sitting. Nobody knows the cause but it seems to involve both genetics and environment that lead to blockages of the deep roots of hair follicles. Treatments are limited to proper wound care, immunosuppressive medication, and for severe cases, laser therapy or surgery to remove the affected skin.
This paper reviews all the data for the use of cannabis that could be found after reviewing the main scientific databases. For pain control, cannabis in smoked and edible form was the most effective, more so than acetaminophen and even slightly better than opioids. Patients also cited its use for the stress and anxiety of the condition. A survey of 210 patients found the majority reported topical cannabinoids to improve their skin’s condition. An analysis of the HS Reddit page found the community talking about using cannabis for pain management, mental health, and improvements in clinical presentation. As the authors summarize, “this scoping review provides a summation of evidence suggesting that cannabis is widely used by HS patients and might provide benefits for managing pain.” See more about topical cannabinoids on the Skin page of CVResearch.info.
#COVID
In patients with COVID-19, a retrospective analysis found that cannabis users had better clinical outcomes compared with non-users including a decreased need for ICU admission or mechanical ventilation
Cannabis consumption is associated with lower COVID-19 severity among hospitalized patients: a retrospective cohort analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35932069/
We don't need to go crazy with these results and start waving them around on social media, but I wanted to share one paper that represents a trend I've seen over the last year or two: cannabis users having better outcomes with COVID-19. None of these studies are ever definitive but enough of them have pointed in the same direction that we should keep it in mind.
In this analysis of 1831 COVID-19 patients admitted to two Southern California medical centers, those who were active cannabis users had lower levels of inflammatory markers upon admission and throughout their hospital stay (the general ability of cannabinoids to suppress the immune system makes them useful for autoimmune diseases like MS and arthritis, and perhaps for avoiding the overactive immune response generated by COVID). After admission, the cannabis users had shorter hospitalizations, lower ICU admission rates, less need for oxygenation or mechanical ventilation, and were less likely to be given systemic steroids, remdesivir, and antibiotics. There was also a trend towards improved overall survival in cannabis users but it did not reach a level of statistical significance.
Of course, one argument is that cannabis users tend to be younger, but these results remain the same even when adjusted for age.
Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
Clinical
In patients with Parkinson's disease, two weeks of a high CBD/low THC oil improved motor scores but perhaps worsened cognition & sleep
Short-Term Cannabidiol with Δ-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38487964/
A double-blind test of a cannabis oil with 100 milligrams of CBD & 5 milligrams of THC showed people to do worse on memory tests but better on happiness tests
A randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover trial on the effect of a 20:1 cannabidiol: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol medical cannabis product on neurocognition, attention, and mood
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X24000373
Vaping limonene lowers the anxiety effects of THC in infrequent cannabis users
Vaporized D-limonene selectively mitigates the acute anxiogenic effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in healthy adults who intermittently use cannabis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38498958/
In dogs, giving them CBD rich extracts reduced their necessary anesthetic dosage of propofol by 23%
Full spectrum cannabidiol-rich extract reduced propofol dosage required for anesthetic induction in dogs—a pilot study
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1352314/full
Harms
In breast cancer, a review of the potentially negative effects of cannabinoids
The role of the key endocannabinoids and their receptros in breast cancer
https://journals.eco-vector.com/RCF/article/view/623144
A large review of the effects of prenatal cannabinoid exposure
Influence of prenatal cannabinoid exposure on early development and beyond
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38389825/
And a study in macaques showed prenatal THC exposure to cause changes to microRNA (regulators of gene expression) associated with dysregulated axonal guidance & netrin signaling (key aspects of brain development)
Prenatal delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exposure alters fetal neurodevelopment in rhesus macaques
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38461359/
A case study of a breastfed infant positive for THC with apneic episodes (pauses in their breathing of over 20 seconds)
Association of Cannabis with Apneic Episodes in a Breastfed Infant: A Case Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38469628/
For children & edibles, strategies for lowering the risk
Cannabis and children: risk mitigation strategies for edibles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38380122/
Reviews
A review of studies on heavy cannabis use & the associated structural brain changes & alterations to resting state functional connectivity
Recent Evidence on the Relation Between Cannabis Use, Brain Structure, and Function: Highlights and Challenges
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40429-024-00557-z
For cancer, a review of 35 studies on the utility of the cannabinoids
Medical cannabis use in oncology and associated outcomes: A scoping review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38477532/
And for bone pain caused by cancer, a review of 35 human & 29 animal studies about targeting the cannabinoid receptors
Classical cannabinoid receptors as target in cancer-induced bone pain: a systematic review, meta-analysis and bioinformatics validation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38461339/
A review of using CBD & the other cannabinoids for epilepsy MS, & Parkinson's disease as well as the psychiatric disorders that go with them
Therapeutic applicability of cannabidiol and other phytocannabinoids in epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease and in comorbidity with psychiatric disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38477419/
A review of the topical use of cannabinoids for humans & animals
An Insight into the Use of Cannabis in Medical and Veterinary Dermatological Applications and its Legal Regulation
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marko-Jeran/publication/378842280_An_Insight_into_the_Use_of_Cannabis_in_Medical_and_Veterinary_Dermatological_Applications_and_its_Legal_Regulation/links/65ecb639b7819b433bf20c55/An-Insight-into-the-Use-of-Cannabis-in-Medical-and-Veterinary-Dermatological-Applications-and-its-Legal-Regulation.pdf
For patients with epilepsy, a review of how CBD moves through their system & how well it works
Cannabidiol: metabolism and clinical efficacy in epileptic patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38465404/
“As a promising therapeutic option, cannabidiol not only demonstrates efficacy in seizure control but also holds the potential for broader enhancements in the quality of life, especially for patients with epileptic encephalopathies.”
Two review articles on how cannabinoids alter the microbiome
Editorial: Substance abuse and the microbiome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38511163/
A review of the terpene beta-caryophyllene for emotional & cognitive disorders
Beta-Caryophyllene, a Cannabinoid Receptor Type 2 Selective Agonist, in Emotional and Cognitive Disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38542177/
Preclinical
In mouse models, CBD caused anti-anxiety (apparently mediated by the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor) & antipsychotic-like effects (apparently mediated by norepinephrine & GABA)
Cannabidiol exhibits anxiolytic-like effects and antipsychotic-like effects in mice models
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38467272/
In the heart tissue of rats with too much insulin (hyperinsulinemia), THC protected against oxidative stress, inflammation & apoptosis (program cellular suicide)
Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol protects cardiac tissue against endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stresses, apoptosis, and inflammation in rats with hyperinsulinemia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38470215/
In a skin tissue model of psoriasis, CBD shifted the immune system to a less inflammatory response
Cannabidiol exerts multitarget immunomodulatory effects on PBMCs from individuals with psoriasis vulgaris
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1373435/full
How CBC is metabolized by the liver enzymes
Elucidating the Mechanism of Metabolism of Cannabichromene by Human Cytochrome P450s
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38477310/
For killing undesired freshwater snails, cannabis extract acted as a molluscicidal (mollusk unaliver – what a cool new word!)
Laboratory Assessment of Molluscicidal Activities of Cannabis sativa, Acacia nilotica, and Tinospora cordifolia Against Snail Host of Fasciola spp
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38364187/
The effects of the old Thai prescription Suk-Saiyasna (which includes cannabis as an ingredient & is used for sleep, pain & appetite) on the CB1 receptor & GABA receptor (the most common inhibitory neurotransmitter & a common target for anti-anxiety drugs)
The interaction of Suk-Saiyasna remedy with GABAA and CB1 receptor-targeting drugs: Enhancing hypnotic and sedative effects in in vivo models
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38389972/
“Suk-Saiyasna remedies were formulated through consequently grinding and blending of camphor (25 g), Azadirachta indica A. Juss. Leaf (50 g), Clausena excavate BURM. f. wood (75 g), Cinnamomum bejolghota (Buch.-Ham.) Sweet bark (100 g), Nigella sativa L. fruit (125 g), Aucklandia lappa Dence root (150 g), Myristica fragrans Houtt. fruit (175 g), Mesua ferrea L. flower (200 g), Piper nigrum L. seed (225 g), Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizome (250 g), Piper retrofractum Vahl fruit (275 g), and C. sativa L. leaf (300 g).”
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
In the US, 3/5 of adults believe we should have the right to grow our own cannabis
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/three-in-five-americans-say-adults-should-have-a-right-to-grow-their-own-marijuana-plants-poll-finds
On treating zoo animals with cannabinoids: CBD to calm elephants
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/science/animals-veterinary-cannabis-marijuana-cbd.html
In Denver, 2% of the rise in the value of single-family homes is attributed to cannabis legalization
https://api.mountainscholar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/d9ca9de5-c5e4-401c-b0af-0ad2192220ad/content
Using seized cannabis to analyze the accuracy of dispensary flowers, only about a third fell within 20% of the THC content of their label
Evaluation of dispensaries' cannabis flowers for accuracy of labeling of cannabinoids content
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38461280/
Spanish media allege that the country’s drug lords are working directly with the Royal Moroccan Navy to smuggle in hashish & other drugs
https://www.echoroukonline.com/moroccan-authorities-involved-with-drug-lords
An analysis of Zimbabwe’s emerging cannabis sector
Business as usual? Cannabis legalisation and agrarian change in Zimbabwe
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03066150.2024.2326568
History Corner: When Louis Armstrong, adamant lifelong smoker, got arrested at the LA Cotton Club in 1930
https://cannabislaw.report/louis-armstrong-arrested-for-cannabis-la-cotton-club-november-1930
The French Connection
In France, after the success of its initial medical cannabis pilot program, it's closing the trial to new participants as the health ministry readies a full medical cannabis program
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240330-medical-cannabis-could-soon-get-green-light-in-france-after-unprecedented-trial
“France launched a nationwide experiment to test the use of medical cannabis for patients with serious illnesses three years ago… The first results of the trial came trickling in two years later, in 2023. Patients felt their symptoms had improved significantly, with no unexpected side effects. No cases of substance abuse or addiction had been reported. “Our evaluations show that between 30 and 40 percent of symptoms like pain, spasms, quality of life or epileptic seizures for example, have improved significantly,” says Nicolas Authier, a doctor specialised in pharmacology, addiction and pain who is also the president of the scientific committee tasked with monitoring the medical cannabis trial. Preparations to make prescribed cannabis-based medicines more readily available, including in pharmacies, are now under way for 2025.
A total of 3,035 people took part in the unprecedented experiment and 1,842 are still receiving treatment today…. Health authorities then allowed limited prescriptions for people suffering from five specific conditions: neuropathic pain, some drug-resistant forms of epilepsy, intense oncology symptoms related to cancer or cancer treatment, palliative situations and pathologies that affect the nervous system, like multiple sclerosis.
Despite France being one of the biggest cannabis consumers in Europe, it also has some of the toughest laws against the drug…. There is still a lot of stigma around cannabis in France, even though public opinion on its medical use is hugely encouraging. According to a 2019 survey by the national Observatory for Drugs and Addictive Tendencies, 91 percent of French people say they are in favour of doctors prescribing cannabis-based medicines “for certain serious or chronic illnesses”.
Meanwhile, the mayor Strasbourg suggests starting a pilot cannabis legalization program
https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/french-mayor-suggests-testing-legalisation-of-cannabis/652380
And the mayor of Reims wants to open up the cannabis legalization debate
https://www.newsweed.fr/arnaud-robinet-maire-de-reims-appelle-a-un-debat-sur-la-legalisation-du-cannabis
And the Spectator says “the French want weed, not wine”
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-french-want-weed-not-wine
The Laws, The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
In California, cannabis legalization was associated with a decrease in cannabis use disorder treatment admissions
Adult use cannabis legalization and cannabis use disorder treatment in California, 2010-2021
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38494048/
For foster care, cannabis legalization seems slightly associated with less children being removed from the home
Marijuana legalization and drug abuse as a cause for entry into foster care
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11150-024-09704-x
In Israel, 60% of medical cannabis license holders divert their product, but they are primarily driven by altruistic motives
Explaining Medical Cannabis Diversion Among Medical Cannabis License Holders: A Moderation Model
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/00111287241237980
On how a cannabis breathalyzer would work
Chemical Foundations for a Cannabis Breathalyzer
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/308643.pdf
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
The Psychoactive Research
A review of psychedelics for managing chronic pain
Scoping Review: The Role of Psychedelics in the Management of Chronic Pain
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2147/JPR.S439348
The Plant & the History
Growing, Farming & Processing
On CBD as a plant growth stimulator
Exploring the Diverse Biological Properties of Cannabidiol: A Focus on Plant Growth Stimulation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38466647/
On young hemp's reaction to different light & root fungus applications
Antioxidative Response and Phenolic Content of Young Industrial Hemp Leaves at Different Light and Mycorrhiza
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/6/840
On growing better cannabis using biorefinery methods
Optimizing medicinal hemp production with synergistic light-enhanced technologies and organic biorefinery approaches
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38507943/
On New York’s testing standards for the fungus Aspergillus
Aspergillus sp. testing in the emerging Cannabis sativa industry in New York State
https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/b8a9d0ef-b629-4749-b525-8acf5e3e29f3/content
On using infrared to analyze cannabis flower cannabinoid content
Non-Destructive Near-Infrared Technology for Efficient Cannabinoid Analysis in Cannabis Inflorescences
https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/6/833
When using hemp to remediate toxic soil, biochar can increase the yield
Using biochar for environmental recovery and boosting the yield of valuable non-food crops: The case of hemp in a soil contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTEs)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38509955/
A thesis project on using hemp to remediate soils contaminated with forever chemicals (perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS))
Assessing the Potential for Hemp to be Used in the Bioremediation of Soils Containing Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
https://repository.arizona.edu/handle/10150/671259
A comparison of solvents for cannabinoid extraction
Comparison of the Efficiency of Deep Eutectic and Organic Solvents in the Extraction of Phytochemicals from Cannabis sativa L.
https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/11/4/106
Analyzing the genetic families of cannabis
Examining population structure across multiple collections of Cannabis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10722-024-01928-1
Analyzing the expression of the terpene synthase genes
Identification and expression analysis of TPS family gene in Cannabis sativa L
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38545150/
Industrial Use
On feeding black soldier fly larvae with hemp
Black Soldier Fly Larvae Grown on Hemp Fiber: Nutritional Composition and Production of Potential Bioactive Peptides
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6209/4/1/7
On turning waste cannabis biomass into useful medium chain length sugars
Production of Medium Chain Length Polyhydroxyalkanoate from Waste Cannabis sativa Biomass
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12649-024-02431-5
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
How the cannabinoids interact with the autotaxin-LPA axis (a regulator of cell growth, inflammation & wound healing)
Linking the Autotaxin-LPA Axis to Medicinal Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38542186/
On the power of GPR18, a receptor that may one day be classified as a cannabinoid receptor
Uncovering the Power of GPR18 Signalling: How RvD2 and Other Ligands Could Have the Potential to Modulate and Resolve Inflammation in Various Health Disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38542895/
Public Health
The demographics of middle-aged & older adults using cannabis
Sociodemographic and health correlates of cannabis use among middle-aged and older adults: Findings from NESARC-III
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38362926/
“With respect to health conditions, middle-aged adults with digestive disease, musculoskeletal disease, and nerve pain, as well as older adults with digestive disease, had higher odds of reporting past-year cannabis use. To our knowledge, these physical health correlates have not been previously reported using nationally representative data. Additionally, consistent with previous studies, all mental health variables were associated with higher odds of cannabis use among middle-aged and older adults”
Adolescents & Young Adults
More adolescents are using delta-8 THC, especially in states without cannabis legalization
Adolescent Δ8-THC and Marijuana Use in the US
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38470384/
In brain scans of adolescents, while tobacco users had changes to the white matter integrity of their brain, cannabis users did not
Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) of Brain Microstructure in Adolescent Cannabis and Nicotine Use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38540534/
An analysis of brief interventions for lowering adolescent cannabis use
Identifying brief intervention factors to improve cannabis related outcomes in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review of sample characteristics and intervention components
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S294987592400047X
The Brain & Neurological Disorders
In elderly people, a white mold containing oleamide enhanced cognitive function
Milk-based culture of Penicillium camemberti and its component oleamide affect cognitive function in healthy elderly Japanese individuals: a multi-arm randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1357920/full
A review of 11 studies on the fuzzy relationship between cannabis use & the important brain growth factors BDNF & NGF
Effect of cannabis use on blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF): A systematic review and meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38376038/
A deep dive in how the endocannabinoids help to control adolescent brain development of the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus & amygdala as well as this impact on fear conditioning behavior
Late-adolescent onset of prefrontal endocannabinoid control of hippocampal and amygdalar inputs and its impact on trace-fear conditioning behavior
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38467844/
In Pakistan, on the ethics of using cannabis for multiple sclerosis
Ethical Dilemmas Revolving Around the use of Medical Cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis in Pakistan
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379067076_Ethical_Dilemmas_Revolving_Around_the_use_of_Medical_Cannabis_for_Multiple_Sclerosis_in_Pakistan
In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, activating the CB1 receptor helped raise cortical acetylcholine levels (linked to memory improvements)
Cortical lipids containing choline mediate cannabinoid2 induced cognitive improvement
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2024/03/12/2024.03.07.583670.full.pdf
In the mouse medial prefrontal cortex (a place of working memory), the adenosine receptors seemed to act as an on/off switch for the cannabinoids of the astrocytes & their control of synaptic plasticity
Adenosine receptors are the on-and-off switch of astrocytic cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor effect upon synaptic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/glia.24518
On synaptic plasticity, anandamide & the pannexin gates
The Pannexin-1 N-terminal Helix Gates a Switch between Ion Conductance and Anandamide Transport
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/biorxiv/early/2024/03/13/2024.03.11.584466.full.pdf
In mice, the anesthetic etomidate increased synaptic plasticity via the CB1 receptors & protein kinase A
Etomidate enhances cerebellar CF-PC synaptic plasticity through CB1 receptor/PKA cascade in vitro in mice
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304394024001101
Computer modeling of how drugs to activate the CB2 receptor can be used against neuroinflammatory conditions
In silico exploration of CB2 receptor agonist in the management of neuroinflammatory conditions by pharmacophore modeling
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38507844/
In this thesis project, they created a mouse with no CB2 receptors on their microglia (guardian immune cells of the brain)
A Novel Microglial Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Knockout Mouse Line: Relevance For Parkinson's Disease & L-DOPA Induced Dyskinesia
https://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/entities/publication/80b1f79b-9f16-4f22-8e0e-d5bcac3d2dec/full
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
In Quebec public health data, for psychosis episodes at the ER that include cannabis, no difference before & after legalization
Effect of Cannabis Legalization in Canada on the Incidence of Psychosis Consultations in Quebec City's Psychiatric Emergency Services
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38380880/
In people being treated with semaglutide drugs (ie. ozempic & wegovy), a retrospective cohort study found it may have also been helping their cannabis use disorder
Association of semaglutide with reduced incidence and relapse of cannabis use disorder in real-world populations: a retrospective cohort study
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02498-5
On using terpenoids to treat cannabis addiction
Terpenoid Synergy: Unveiling the Therapeutic Mosaic in the Treatment of Cannabinoid Addiction
https://onlinescientificresearch.com/articles/terpenoid-synergy-unveiling-the-therapeutic-mosaic-in-the-treatment-of-cannabinoid-addiction.pdf
In people calling a hotline to quit tobacco, those who also use cannabis were less likely to succeed in quitting
Tobacco Quitline Callers Who Use Cannabis and Their Likelihood of Quitting Cigarette Smoking
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38484902/
And unsurprisingly, people smoke more cigarettes on the days they also use alcohol or cannabis
Quantity of cigarettes smoked when co-used with alcohol and cannabis: Consideration of different definitions of co-use based on daily diary data
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38547786/
And both of these things were also true in a Queer population
Effects of cannabis use on cigarette smoking cessation in LGBTQ+ individuals
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2024-62327-001
For cannabis use disorder, a review of the predictors of effective therapy
Predictors of effective therapy among individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder: a review of the literature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38493284/
And how cannabis use disorder is being treated in Europe
Cannabis use and cannabis use disorders and their treatment in the Europe
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38489067/
In blood samples from people with & without a psychotic disorder, their levels of 2AG had an inverse association with the levels of glutamate & GABA (the most common excitatory & inhibitory neurotransmitter respectively) in their anterior singular cortex (a center of fundamental cognitive processes, including motivation, decision making, learning & cost-benefit calculation)
Endocannabinoid levels in plasma and neurotransmitters in the brain: a preliminary report on patients with a psychotic disorder and healthy individuals
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38389452/
In a rat model of schizophrenia, inhibiting the FAAH enzyme (and raising the levels of anandamide, a function of CBD) reversed the aberrant brain oscillations
Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase reverses aberrant prefrontal gamma oscillations in the sub-chronic PCP model for schizophrenia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38489023/
Pain & Surgeries
In a mouse model of pain & morphine tolerance being treated by a chemotherapy drug (paclitaxel), activating their CB2 receptors lessened morphine tolerance in males - but not females - & seemed to work via CB2 receptors in the primary sensory neurons
Cannabinoid CB 2 receptors in primary sensory neurons are implicated in CB 2 agonist-mediated suppression of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic nociception and sexually-dimorphic sparing of morphine tolerance
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38496640/
Hormones & Reproduction
In the formation of the placenta, CBD disrupted the differentiation of the trophoblasts & their metabolism & the respiration of the mitochondria (powerhouse of the cell)
Cannabidiol Disrupts Mitochondrial Respiration and Metabolism and Dysregulates Trophoblast Cell Differentiation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38534330/
The Lungs
In a Guinea pig model of allergic asthma, inhibiting the endocannabinoid enzymes FAAH & MAGL (to raise levels of anandamide & 2AG respectively) prevented acute lung inflammation
Endocannabinoid metabolism inhibition ameliorates ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in Guinea pigs
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35843343/
In mice, a drug that strongly activates the CB1 receptor caused acute respiratory depression
CB 1 Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Induce Acute Respiratory Depression in Awake Mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38558988/
The Skin
In Parkinson's patients with seborrheic dermatitis (flaky, scaly, greasy & itchy skin), oral CBD caused no big changes in this small study
Oral Cannabidiol for Seborrheic Dermatitis in Patients With Parkinson Disease: Randomized Clinical Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38466972/
On the properties of CBD isolate for topical formulation as well as its ability to act as an antioxidant & antimicrobial
Stability, biofunctional, and antimicrobial characteristics of cannabidiol isolate for the design of topical formulations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38372296/
Studying how different forms of CBD penetrate the skin
In vivo permeation study of nanoencapsulated cannabidiol through the human skin by confocal Raman spectroscopy
https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/12839/1283906/In-vivo-permeation-study-of-nanoencapsulated-cannabidiol-through-the-human/10.1117/12.3012540.short#_=_
Cancer & Chemotherapy
On the lack of education around cannabis for cancer education
Discussions on Medical Cannabis: Addressing Missed Opportunities in Cancer Education
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38466546/
In a model of colorectal cancer treated by 5-Fluorouracil, a drug activating the CB1 receptor increased the cancer’s DNA damage, inhibited metastasis & triggered cell death
Canonical DDR activation by EMT inducing agent 5-Fluorouracil is modulated by a cannabinoid based combinatorial approach via inducing autophagy and suppression of vimentin expression
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38490521/
Synthetic Cannabinoids
In mice, the neurobehavioral & cardiac effects of inhaling the 2 synthetic cannabinoids AB-PINACA & MDMB-4en-PINACA
Robust congregation influences of AB-PINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA inhalation on neurobehavioral and cardiac disorders in mice
https://bjbas.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43088-024-00479-9
Analyzing the metabolites of the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA
Synthesis, structural characterization, analytical profiling, and application to authentic samples of synthesized Phase I metabolites of the synthetic cannabinoid 5F-MDMB-PICA
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/dta.3680
Cool Chemistry & Tools
On delivering CBD via microneedle patches
CFD simulation of cannabidiol delivery through microneedle patches
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38461448/
Thanks.
- lex
PS: Today’s influential instrumental album is ‘Tche Belew’ by Hailu Mergia & the Walias, one of the most influential groups in Ethiopia’s ‘golden age of music’ in the ‘70s. Hailu Mergia mastered the accordion by the age of 14 but he became known for his ability to use the keyboard for “re-purposing folk songs into funkier modern melodies”. He formed the Walias band & they became darlings of the Addis Abba hotel circuit with their mix of hard funk, traditional tunes & jazz. In 1981, they became the first modern Ethiopian group to tour the US & Hailu has since settled in Washington, DC & released a trio of well-received albums over the last years.
I always said if I could time travel, I’d spend a few weeks in the hotels of Addis Abba in the ‘70s.
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