C&P#99: CBD for Alzheimer’s & cannabis for fibro + less COVID deaths in cannabis users + a cat with cancer
NM gov offended by Border agents + Supreme Court takes a case
Note on timing:
From now, I aim to have this email waiting for you every Thursday morning.
That leaves me Mon & Tue for science processing, Wed nights to get creative with “basement thoughts” followed by editing them down Thu morning (French time) so it’ll be waiting for all you US readers to enjoy with your coffee.
This week…
CBD for Alzheimer’s symptoms + cannabis for fibro
Less COVID deaths in cannabis users
Cannabinoids for a cat with cancer
For long-term cannabis users, four negative brain scan & sensory studies
Preclinical work on CBD against migraines, Fragile X Syndrome & diabetic Parkinson’s disease
Cannabinoids for oral health, gingivitis & cavities
What happens when you mix cannabinoids with opioids?
Reviews of CBD for schizophrenia & the complications of cardiac surgery
A breakout epilepsy section
Maybe cannabis causing strokes but cannabinoids helping to heal from them
Posters of new data from the 2024 Neurology meeting (*neurology.org)
A 7-year-old accidentally eating 75 milligrams of delta-8 THC gummies
For all you astronauts, what does microgravity do to your endocannabinoids?
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 99th 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:
Well, Instagram banned my new @cannabinoidsandthepeople account within a week. So fuck Meta.
I’m sticking to a focus on my YT account @cannabinoidsandthepeople (where I’m still in the process of organizing the 250+ videos) & on building up the new @PlusCBD account on TikTok. Also, I’m going to post all new canna-edu videos to my LinkedIn as well because they’re the most pro-cannabis platform out there.
If you wanted to help me out by interacting with & reposting or sharing those videos, it would mean a lot to me as I rebuild.
#phoenixtime
For more…
Subscribe here: upgrade to a paid subscription to support my work sharing cannabinoid science
Work with my company White Whale Creations to produce content for cannabis & psychedelic companies: writing, science archives, social media content, newsletters & podcasts: My portfolio
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
Read my free How-To Guides or watch my 3-Minute Cannabinoid Science videos on YouTube / TikTok / Instagram or read my canna-science journalism here
Socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads & Twitter & my personal 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.
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, including new Pet Chews!
THC-free CBD softgels & gummies
3 very special formulations with other ingredients:
o Sleep gummies: Includes 3 mg of melatonin + extract of lemon balm & magnolia bark (two old plants for inducing sleep)
o Calm gummies: Includes 5-HTP (the serotonin precursor) & L-theanine (from tea)
o 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:
My TikToks:
(@lexpelgerandhisbooks or on YouTube)
Best Blake Books & Making Your Own System (I’m particularly proud of this one, but no one saw it)
Kid’s Books Corner: Sibylle von Olfers 'The Princess in the Forest'
Ways to support this work:
A paid subscription on Substack
Buy Me a Coffee
Venmo: @Lex-Pelger
PayPal: donate here
The Canna-Science Writeup:
Analysis of the week's best papers, sponsored by CV Sciences
#ALZHEIMERS
In people with Alzheimer's disease, a double-blind placebo trial of CBD improved their behavioral symptoms
Cannabidiol for behavior symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (CANBiS-AD): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38584388/
In this double-blind trial of CBD for Alzheimer's disease, 8 of the 15 patients received CBD & the other 7 received a placebo. The dose began at one 200 mg capsule of CBD isolate once a day & this could be titrated upwards to three capsules per day. The adherence & retention rate of this study was excellent, almost 100%.
Those receiving CBD scored significantly better on the clinician measurements of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory including scores for hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, apathy/indifference & irritability as well as caregiver distress. The only domain with no observed effect was for delusions, “perhaps because severity of delusions was lower in CBD-treated patients to start with”. The researchers reported the tolerability & safety profile to be consistent with previous reports & saw only mild & transient treatment-related dizziness, somnolence & increases in liver enzymes. They now plan to expand this trial to one of greater size to further demonstrate the advisability of giving CBD a try to help with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. For more research, see the Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia page of CVResearch.info.
#FIBRO
For fibromyalgia, a survey found cannabis to be commonly used for pain, fatigue, insomnia, stress, anxiety & depression
A Cross-Sectional Survey Study of Cannabis Use for Fibromyalgia Symptom Management
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38569809/
In a survey from the Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota, over 1300 fibromyalgia patients responded about their use of cannabis. Nearly half reported cannabis use since their diagnosis & the “most common symptoms for which respondents reported using cannabis were pain (98.9%, n=654); fatigue (96.2%; n=636); stress, anxiety, or depression (93.9%; n=621); and insomnia (93.6%; n=619). Improvement in pain symptoms with cannabis use was reported by 82.0% (n=536).” The majority of cannabis users also reported cannabis improving their symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression & insomnia.
As always, I think surveys are one of the most important tools for understanding what really helps for understudied & neglected conditions such as fibromyalgia. See more fibromyalgia studies on the Immune system page of CVResearch.info or try a Reserve gummy with a mix of THC & CBD.
#CATSWITHCANCER
In a cat with advanced cancer, a full-spectrum cannabis product relieved their symptoms & gave them six more months of happy life
The Use of Medical Cannabis as Palliative Care in a Feline With Advanced Cancer
https://greennile.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Vol-74-Medical-Cannabis.Feline.copyright-LR.pdf
From the excellent veterinarian & animal cannabis advocate Dr. Trina Hazzah of Green Nile out of Los Angeles, a case report about cannabis giving more life to a cat with advanced cancer.
In this case report, a 10-year-old male presented with a history of dyspnea (shortness of breath), coughing & lethargy. An examination revealed skeletal abnormalities, severe clouding of the eyes & advanced arthritis. Then X-rays discovered a large tumor. “A grave to poor prognosis was given, with estimated survival time of days to weeks”. The owner decided to keep the cat comfortable with steroids but just two doses of prednisolone caused sleepiness & urinary accidents. Together, they decided to switch to a full-spectrum cannabis product. Their initial formulation was a 4:1 CBD:THC oil that also contained minor cannabinoids as well as the terpenes beta-caryophyllene, alpha-pinene & linalool (included for their anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory & calming effects). They commenced at 2 mg/kg per day which worked out to 4.25 mg of CBD, 0.94 mg of THC, 0.9 mg of THCA, 0.5 mg of CBG & 0.06 of CBN served in wet food once a day.
Within a week, the coughing & lack of appetite resolved completely. The cat was obviously tolerating the medicine well & they increased the dose to twice per day. “After 1 month of receiving the cannabis product twice daily, the owner described the cat’s energy as being better than it had been for most of his life. He was able to run up and down stairs with the other animals in the household and had no clinical signs associated with the thoracic tumor” including no negative effects except for polyphagia, the cat version of the munchies. They continued to increase the dose by a few drops every two weeks while also somewhat increasing the levels of minor cannabinoids & terpenes. No adverse effects were observed besides some weight loss despite eating more food. A round of testing at 5 months returned unremarkable results.
After 6 months of good living, the owner came home to find the cat yowling, circling & distressed. An ophthalmological exam revealed that the cornea had become clouded to the point of complete vision loss. “Due to the blindness causing a decreased quality of life, the owner elected to have the pet euthanized. Even so, on the day of euthanasia the cat was still breathing normally and had a ravenous appetite.”
As someone with a cat, I’m pleased to say that a combination of our pet CBD oil & Reserve oil would be an excellent analog of the formulation above as a way to help our animal companions with end-of-life care. For all the research ever done on animal companions, see the Dogs & Cats page of CVResearch.info.
Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
An MD on using cannabis for sleep disorders
The Morpheus Paradox: Cannabis and Sleep Disorders
https://www.fundacion-canna.es/en/morpheus-paradox-cannabis-and-sleep-disorders
Clinical
In patients with neuropathic pain, a double-blind placebo trial of oral THC (at 0.2mg/kg) caused significant improvements to inhibitory pain mechanisms & parasympathetic tone
Oral Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Increases Parasympathetic Activity and Supraspinal Conditioned Pain Modulation in Chronic Neuropathic Pain Male Patients: A Crossover, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38597988/
In people with crack use disorder, ten weeks of CBD helped to reduce crack use with less clinical & psychiatric complaints
Cannabidiol Compared to Pharmacological Treatment as Usual for Crack Use Disorder: A Feasibility, Preliminary Efficacy, Parallel, Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11469-024-01287-z
In public health data of people presenting with a traumatic brain injury, those who tested positive for cannabis had a higher rate of discharge, shorter hospital stays & better recovery scores
Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes After Recreational Cannabis Use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38586307/
“This study adds evidence about the potentially neuroprotective effects of recreational cannabis for short- and long-term post-TBI outcomes.”
For COVID, another cohort study found that those using cannabis had an 84% lower odds of death compared to non-users
Cannabis use associated with lower mortality among hospitalized Covid-19 patients using the national inpatient sample: an epidemiological study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38582889/
In babies born preterm, their placentas had lower levels of cannabinoid receptors & this may serve as a predictor of preterm birth risk
Placental cannabinoid receptor expression in preterm birth
https://d197for5662m48.cloudfront.net/documents/publicationstatus/201249/preprint_pdf/f153912498cf1dd256b8841c66e01837.pdf
In oral CBG, eating a high-fat meal before ingestion helped improve bioavailability
Impact of Dietary Fat and Oral Delivery System on Cannabigerol Pharmacokinetics in Adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38574248/
In a cat with advanced cancer, a full spectrum cannabis product (4:1 CBD:CBD) relieved their symptoms within a week & gave them six more months of good health & energy until ultimately euthanized for blindness
The Use of Medical Cannabis as Palliative Care in a Feline With Advanced Cancer
https://greennile.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Vol-74-Medical-Cannabis.Feline.copyright-LR.pdf
Harms
The global epidemiological data of cannabis use disorder over the last ~30 years
Global epidemiology of cannabis use disorders and its trend from 1990 to 2019: Benchmarking analysis of the global burden of disease study
https://journals.lww.com/jfmpc/fulltext/2024/13030/global_epidemiology_of_cannabis_use_disorders_and.14.aspx
In people frequently using cannabis, they had impaired sensory gating (the brain showing reduced response to repeated stimuli)
Alterations in self-reported sensory gating and interoception in individuals frequently using cannabis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38563523/
And brain scans of people with cannabis use disorder showed alterations to their white matter & structural networks
White matter alterations associated with chronic cannabis use disorder: a structural network and fixel-based analysis
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3999378/v1
And brain scans of young adults with recent cannabis use showed abnormal structural networks
Abnormal structural covariance networks in young adults with recent cannabis use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38593597/
And public health data from the UK found that long-term cannabis users may have smaller gray & white matter volumes in their brains
The association between cannabis use and neuroimaging measures in older adults: findings from the UK biobank
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600850/
For major cardiac events in young people, an analysis of public health data found cannabis use disorder as a risk factor that increased the rate by 1.7%
TRENDS AND ODDS OF IN-HOSPITAL MACCE IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH SOLE TOBACCO USE DISORDER (TUD), SOLE CANNABIS USE DISORDER (CUD) AND COMBINED USAGE: INSIGHTS FROM NATIONAL INPATIENT SAMPLE, 2016-2019
https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/S0735-1097%2824%2904051-8
And a review of how cannabis use alters cardiac rhythms & the potential links to strokes & heart attacks
Cannabinoids and Cardiac Rhythms: Unveiling the Relationship between Cannabis Use, ECG Changes, and Arrhythmias
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379746125_Cannabinoids_and_Cardiac_Rhythms_Unveiling_the_Relationship_between_Cannabis_Use_ECG_Changes_and_Arrhythmias
And a case report of someone using alcohol & cannabis after a sudden cardiac arrest revealed coronary artery vasospasm (constriction of blood arteries, sometimes with chest pains)
LETHAL VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIAS AND RECURRENT CORONARY VASOSPASM IN A PATIENT WITH DAILY MARIJUANA USE
https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/S0735-1097%2824%2904881-2
And a case report a young person with inflammation of the heart that seemed due to cannabis use
FROM PUFF TO PAIN: A MYOCARDITIS CONUNDRUM TRIGGERED BY MARIJUANA USE
https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/S0735-1097%2824%2906111-4
For prenatal cannabis exposure, a link found between mother’s with cannabis use disorder & infants with the birth defect gastroschisis (a hole in the belly that allows the intestines to extend outside the body)
Prenatal cannabis use disorder and gastroschisis in California, 2007-19
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38503548/
And in mice, fetal exposure to cannabis (or alcohol) linked to decreased cerebral blood flow
Reduced fetal cerebral blood flow predicts perinatal mortality in a mouse model of prenatal alcohol and cannabinoid exposure
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38605299/
And a thesis project on rats being exposed in utero to THC & links to later symptoms of ADHD
Impulsivity and Motivational Deficits in Rats Perinatally Exposed to Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/3466/
Three case reports of cannabis withdrawal potentially being a trigger for the manic episodes of bipolar disorder
Cannabis withdrawal and manic episodes: Three cases of an unknown trigger for bipolar disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38508861/
A 7-year-old accidentally consumed 75 milligrams of delta-8 THC gummies that caused a cardiac arrest
Asystole in a Young Child with Tetrahydrocannabinol Overdose: A Case Report and Review of Literature
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ftox.2024.1371651/abstract
“The typical recommended observation time after potential toxicity is 3-6 hours after children have returned to their physiological and behavioral baseline. Our patient was clinically stable with no concern for respiratory depression or cardiac dysrhythmia yet experienced an asystolic pause [heart stopped beating] with apnea 7 hours after initial ingestion.”
A case report of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome leading to a severe thiamine deficiency & neurological symptoms
Severe Thiamine Deficiency with Wernicke’s Encephalopathy, Wet Beri Beri, Dry Beri Beri Secondary to Cannabinoid Induced Hyperemesis Syndrome
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000204542
Two case reports of cannabis users who developed thromboangiitis obliterans (or Buerger's Disease, blocked small to medium-sized arteries) who lost blood flow to parts of their feet
DISTAL LOWER EXTREMITY ISCHEMIA: A RARE COMPLICATION OF CANNABIS USE
https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/S0735-1097%2824%2906142-4
A case report of someone in a car accident who had been using synthetic cannabinoids contaminated with the anticoagulant brodifacoum which led to difficulties in controlling hemorrhaging & to brain death “render[ing] her otherwise potentially survivable injuries fatal”
Brodifacoum contamination of synthetic cannabinoid causing unexplained coagulopathy in multiple trauma: A case report
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38590923/
Epilepsy
In people with epilepsy, a review of how CBD moves in adults versus children finds that while it moves through their systems similarly, it's more effective at seizure control in pediatric patients
Decoding epilepsy treatment: A comparative evaluation contrasting cannabidiol pharmacokinetics in adult and paediatric populations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38574834/
A review of medical cannabis for children focuses on rare epilepsies
Medical cannabis for children: Evidence and recommendations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38586483/
For epilepsy, the associated genetic variants of the endocannabinoid system
Association Between the Endocannabinoid System-Related Gene Variants and Epilepsy
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38578355/
A useful plain language industry summary of the benefits of using CBD for rare childhood epilepsies
Nonseizure- and seizure-related benefits of cannabidiol treatment in the real world: plain language summary of the results from a caregiver survey
https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/pdf/10.2217/fnl-2023-0033
In people with focal-onset seizures resistant to treatment, CBD reduced seizures with an acceptable safety profile
Long-term Effectiveness of Cannabidiol (CBD) Against Focal-onset Seizures in Treatment-resistant Epilepsies (TRE): Experience from the Expanded Access Program (EAP)
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000206336
In people with treatment-resistant epilepsy, adding CBD to their current treatment was associated with seizure reduction over the long term
Real-world Safety and Effectiveness of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Adults with Treatment-resistant Epilepsies (TREs): Long-term Results from the United States Expanded Access Program (EAP)
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000206370
In people with tuberous sclerosis complex (benign tumor growths that often lead to seizures), caregivers who gave CBD reported improvements in seizure frequency & severity as well as better memory, responsiveness & ability to be happy, but definite worsening in two patients
Caregiver-reported Seizure Outcomes with Real-world Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC): Interim Results From the BECOME-TSC Survey
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000206231
Caregiver-reported Nonseizure Outcomes with Real-world Use of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC): Interim Results from the BECOME-TSC Survey
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000206298
In a review of severe childhood epilepsies, CBD worked roughly as well as vaginal nerve stimulation
VNS Treatment Compared to Cannabidiol and Fenfluramine for Severe Refractory Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome: A Systematic Review
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000208308
A case report of a pregnant woman with epilepsy whose blood levels of CBD changed over the course of her pregnancy
Highly Purified Cannabidiol (CBD) Use and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Pregnancy: A Case Report
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000205765
Reviews
A review on cannabinoids & healthy aging (hattip to Stuart Tomc)
Cannabinoids and healthy ageing: the potential for extending healthspan and lifespan in preclinical models with an emphasis on Caenorhabditis elegans
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38696056/
#liveforeverwithCBD&THC! # struldbrugs
For schizophrenia, a review of THC exacerbating & CBD potentially treating
Differential effects of cannabis constituents on schizophrenia-related psychosis: a rationale for incorporating cannabidiol into a schizophrenia therapeutic regimen
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1386263/full
For cardiac surgery, a review of using CBD to help with the complications
Exploring the Possible Role of Cannabinoids in Managing Post-Cardiac Surgery Complications: A Narrative Review of Preclinical Evidence and a Call for Future Research Directions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38498618/
For pain, a review of nine recent randomized clinical trials using cannabis
The clinical use of cannabinoids for pain
https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2024-0754.pdf
For cannabinoid oral health products, a review of 15 articles on their anti-cavity & anti-gingivitis properties
Anticaries and Antigingivitis Properties of Cannabinoid-Containing Oral Health Products: A Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38593455/
And in mouth cells, CBD & CBG improved their viability, increased anti-inflammatory mediators & acted as an antibiotic against the S. mutans bacteria that contributes to tooth decay
Antibiofilm and Immune-Modulatory Activity of Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol in Oral Environments-In Vitro Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38667018/
A review of the potential drug-drug interactions in special populations such as pregnant & lactating people, pediatrics, older adults or patients with liver or kidney impairments
CBD and THC in Special Populations: Pharmacokinetics and Drug-Drug Interactions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38675145/
A review of 10 studies using transcranial magnets for reducing cannabis cravings found that if they work, they probably don't work that well
Neuromodulation for Cannabis Use: A Scoping Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38672008/
For Alzheimer's disease, a review of endocannabinoid targets to modulate the disease (good charts)
Potential Therapeutic Targets to Modulate the Endocannabinoid System in Alzheimer's Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38612861/
And in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, CBD improved cognitive function via the microbiome & gut-brain axis
Cannabidiol improves the cognitive function of SAMP8 AD model mice involving the microbiota-gut-brain axis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38590254/
For strokes, a review of cannabis potentially increasing the risk but also cannabinoids potentially helping mitigate the damage
Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Stroke: Increased Risk or Potential for Protection-A Narrative Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38666926/
And for strokes, a review of 26 studies covering 13k+ patients found cannabis use significantly associated with ischemic stroke (but this disappeared when combining all of the subgroups)
Marijuana Use and Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000208240
A review of 10 studies on the effects of mixing THC or CBD with opioids
Pharmacodynamic effects following co-administration of cannabinoids and opioids: A scoping review of human experimental studies
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38561178/
“Co-administration of cannabinoids and opioids did not consistently improve pain outcomes; however, sleep and mood benefits were observed in chronic pain patients. Increased somnolence, memory and attention impairment, dizziness, gait disturbance, and nauseousness and vomiting were noted with co-administration of cannabinoids and opioids.”
In people living with HIV, a review found little evidence for cannabis use causing harmful cognitive effects
The Impact of Cannabis Use on Cognition in People with HIV: Evidence of Function-Dependent Effects and Mechanisms from Clinical and Preclinical Studies
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38602558/
For nutrition, a review of the effects of cannabis & endocannabinoids
Nutrition, endocannabinoids, and the use of cannabis: An overview for the nutrition clinician
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38555505/
For life in microgravity, a review of how it alters your bioactive lipids like the endocannabinoids
Cellular and Molecular Effects of Microgravity on the Immune System: A Focus on Bioactive Lipids
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38672462/
Preclinical
In a rat model of migraines, CBD worked roughly as well as the pharmaceutical treatment drugs sumatriptan & cafiaspirin
Study on the Effects of Isolated Cannabidiol on Vascular Cephalalgia in an Experimental Model of Induced Migraine in Wistar Rats
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000205743
In a mouse model of fragile X syndrome, the beneficial effects of CBD for rescuing cognitive deficits seem to be mediated by the GPR55 receptor (which may one day be known as CB3) as well as competition for the fatty acid binding protein (FABP1, a (putative) transporter of endocannabinoids)
Cannabidiol and positive effects on object recognition memory in an in vivo model of Fragile X Syndrome: Obligatory role of hippocampal GPR55 receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38583687/
In a rat model of diabetic Parkinson's disease, CBD nanoparticles lessened metabolic & memory impairments via the modulation of dopamine levels & changes to the hippocampus (memory center of the brain)
Assessing the Safety and Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabidiol Lipid Nanoparticles in Alleviating Metabolic and Memory Impairments and Hippocampal Histopathological Changes in Diabetic Parkinson's Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38675175/
In juvenile rats born to obese mothers, CBD protected against the behavioral, neuroinflammatory & neurochemical dysfunctions that arose in their juvenile years
Cannabidiol improves maternal obesity-induced behavioral, neuroinflammatory and neurochemical dysfunctions in the juvenile offspring
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38608740/
In a skin stem cell model of inflammation, CBD & beta-caryophyllene acted as anti-inflammatory agents with more efficacy when administered together, acting via the regulation of genetic expression
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol and Beta-Caryophyllene Alone or Combined in an In Vitro Inflammation Model
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38675427/
Cannabis extracts as an antimicrobial against MRSA (the treatment-resistant staph infection that haunts hospitals & kills more people than HIV)
Antimicrobial and antibiofilm effect of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causing bovine mastitis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38568425/
And on using CBD as an antibiotic against Staphylococcus aureus
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CANNABIDIOL ON BACTERIA CAPABLE OF FORMING BIOFILM
https://berkeleypublications.com/bjhmns/article/view/128
On the liver enzymes that metabolize THC & the effects of the human liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1)
CYP2C9, CYP3A and CYP2C19 metabolize Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol to multiple metabolites but metabolism is affected by human liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38583809/
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 leaked audio, the governor of New Mexico said she was offended by the response of a Border agent who replied to her about the cannabis seizures across her state with “Who cares? They make a lot of money” #whatadick
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-mexico-governor-offended-by-top-biden-officials-reaction-to-marijuana-business-seizure-concerns-leaked-audio-shows
The numbers are now hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of state-legal cannabis seized in just a few weeks. The governor was recorded saying, “Well first of all, it’s patients’ medicine… Shame on him.” The Customs & Border Protection agents have also been detaining workers doing deliveries & going about their business.
Oddly, adult use in New Mexico started two years ago but these enforcement problems only began two months ago. Plus, no such seizures are occurring in other border areas of California or Arizona. Why just here & now?
Finally, who the fuck is making a lot of money in cannabis?
It’s the best recent way to lose your shirt in a crapshoot.
The American Banking Association says despite rescheduling, they still need cannabis banking legislation
https://twitter.com/ABABankers/status/1785441889602142587
And a poll by the Independent Community Bankers of America found that 64% support a cannabis banking bill
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/majority-of-americans-say-marijuana-banking-bill-would-promote-public-safety-and-help-underserved-communities-financial-association-poll-finds
US Supreme Court agrees to take the case of a trucker fired over a positive THC test after taking a “0% THC” hemp product & who then sued Medical Marijuana Inc for racketeering
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/u-s-supreme-court-takes-up-case-of-trucker-fired-over-thc-test-he-says-was-caused-by-cbd-product
“While RICO [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations] cases are generally associated with large-scale prosecutions of criminal organizations, the statute can be applied in civil matters as well. In this instance, Horn claims to have been “injured in his business or property” because his employment was terminated due to the positive THC test. He alleges that Medical Marijuana, Inc. committed mail and wire fraud.
Horn’s “termination cost him current and future wages and his insurance and pension benefits–all of which were tied to his employment,” the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said. And that injury falls under the plain meaning of the word “business” in the RICO statute.”
Meanwhile in New York, a judge orders a wastewater treatment worker to be awarded $191k for being fired over medical cannabis use
https://www.timesunion.com/capitol/article/worker-fired-positive-cannabis-test-wins-another-19429082.php
In my home state of Pennsylvania, a Commonwealth judge reversed a lower ruling & declared it's appropriate for an employer to pay for medical cannabis treatments for an injured employee through worker’s comp & that this wouldn’t subject them to federal prosecution (plus, the lower judge had already approved ketamine treatments)
https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20240426/NEWS08/912364106/Ketamine,-medical-marijuana-appropriate-injured-worker-treatments-Court-Fegley-
The issue of insurance finally covering our cannabis medicine like any other medicine is inevitable, but it’s going to be a long weird path.
North Dakota clears a legalization ballot measure for signature collection
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/north-dakota-secretary-of-state-approves-marijuana-legalization-ballot-measure-for-signature-collection
And Arkansas’s medical cannabis ballot initiative looks like it will get enough signatures for this November election
https://arkansasadvocate.com/2024/05/02/indivisible-arkansas-garners-1800-signatures-on-ballot-initiatives-for-november-election
Auditor KPMG drops cannabis clients because of the “elevated risk” #cowards
https://mjbizdaily.com/auditor-kpmg-dumping-cannabis-clients-over-elevated-risk
It's not only banking services that are difficult for cannabis businesses to get.
If you think bankers are risk averse, wait until you get to accountants...
International
Swiss activists launched a ballot initiative for adult-use cannabis
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/democracy/initiative-launched-to-legalise-commercial-growing-and-selling-of-cannabis/76713058
Morocco issues 2,900+ cannabis production permits plus 60+ to operators in the pharmaceutical world & they already sent 65 kilos to Switzerland
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2024/04/362283/legalized-cannabis-morocco-issues-2-905-permits-for-legal-cannabis-production
I love their new logo.
In Thailand, a public health directive allows for the medical use of psilocybin mushrooms & opium
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40037499
A breakdown of Thailand’s cannabis cultivation industry
MARKET STRUCTURE AND COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR OF THAILAND'S CANNABIS CULTIVATION INDUSTRY
https://so09.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PMR/article/view/4061
The Laws, The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition
I’m more & more fascinated by the Chinese grow-ops of the US & here’s a report from a Maine electrician who acted as both a frontman & an electrician to these underground grows & who stayed with a family as payment, apparently liking everyone he met
https://www.themainewire.com/2024/04/chinese-marijuana-weed-cannabis-maine-cbs-triad
“They hurt no one,” said Vachon.
“These Chinese people are hardworking people, they saw an opportunity to make a buck and they’re trying to, okay, but they’re not hurting anybody,” Vachon said.
Also, kudos to the Maine Wire for this reporting! #gumshoework
States with adult use cannabis laws tended to deport less immigrants (ie: cannabis laws were less weaponized against them)
Recreational cannabis legalization and immigration enforcement: a state-level analysis of arrests and deportations in the United States, 2009-2020
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38561706/
One third of fatally injured drivers tested positive for cannabis with significantly more likelihood to test positive in states with adult-use laws
State cannabis laws and cannabis positivity among fatally injured drivers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38605393/
In the rural parts of Canada, legalization led to an increased rate of driving after using cannabis
Examining the impact of legalization on the prevalence of driving after using cannabis: A comparison of rural and non-rural parts of Canada
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38572920/
People perceive the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or delta-8 THC to be roughly similar but the delta-8 THC users tend to do it the most
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Cannabis, and Delta-8 THC: Perceived Likelihood, Risk Perceptions, and Behaviors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38590250/
In a study of harms in Thai cannabis users, the most common harm was riding a motorcycle after using cannabis (although virtually no participants reported road accidents after same-day cannabis use)
Cannabis Use Behaviors and Related Harms among Adults in Thailand by Sex Assigned at Birth and Age Groups
https://jhsmr.org/index.php/jhsmr/article/view/1052
In DUID cases, analyzing the blood levels of HHC
Quantitation of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and metabolites in blood from DUID-cases
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38581662/
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
NIH funds a $8M project to support clinical trials on psychedelics for chronic pain in older adults
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/feds-announce-plan-to-fund-research-on-using-psychedelics-to-treat-chronic-pain-in-older-adults
A federal settlement with the Church of the Eagle and the Condor will allow them to import & use ayahuasca
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-settlement-will-allow-arizona-church-to-import-process-and-use-ayahuasca-as-religious-sacrament
The Psychoactive Research
On whether the inner healer is a myth or a mechanism
Psychedelics and the 'inner healer': Myth or mechanism?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38605658/
During the attack on the Supernova music festival, the participants on MDMA had improved outcomes compared to others
Trauma Under Psychedelics: MDMA Shows Protective Effects During the Peritraumatic Period
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.03.28.587237v1
For cluster headaches, psilocybin caused a significant reduction in frequency
Psilocybin pulse regimen reduces cluster headache attack frequency in the blinded extension phase of a randomized controlled trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38581739/
For alcohol use disorder, a review of using 5-MeO-DMT & how it might work
The potential of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A first look at therapeutic mechanisms of action
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600715/
And a phase 1 study of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT
Phase 1, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose trial to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics and effect on altered states of consciousness of intranasal BPL-003 (5-methoxy- N,N-dimethyltryptamine benzoate) in healthy participants
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38616411/
In psilocybin biosynthesis, how the methyl transfer happens
Methyl transfer in psilocybin biosynthesis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38548735/
The Plant & the History
Growing, Farming & Processing
Field experiments of how cannabis responds to herbicides & weed control
Response of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) to Herbicides and Weed Control
https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/15/2/24
“This study showed that pendimethalin, s-metolachlor and aclonifen can be regarded as potential pre-emergence options with precautions in wet and light soils.”
On the responsiveness of cannabis to nitrogen fertilization
Hemp Seed Yield Responses to Nitrogen Fertility Rates
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7655/4/2/11
On cultivar-specific drying approaches
In Pursuit of Optimal Quality: Cultivar-Specific Drying Approaches for Medicinal Cannabis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38611577/
An analysis of how the acidic cannabinoids degrade during storage
Decarboxylation of acidic cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa during storage period
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-4078895/v1
A review of atmospheric packaging & its potential effects for oxygen-induced degradation
Modified Atmospheric Packaging and Its Effect on Postharvest Cannabis Quality
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=132207
Assessing cannabis quality with hyperspectral imaging & AI
Non-destructive assessment of cannabis quality during drying process using hyperspectral imaging and machine learning
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2024.1365298/full
Beet curly top virus found on Utah cannabis
Detection of Beet curly top virus in Solanum jamesii, Artemisia tridentata, Helianthus annuus, and Cannabis sativa in Utah
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38595057/
Genetic variability in the cannabis of Punjab Pakistan
Assessing Intraspecific Genetic Variability in Cannabis sativa Populations of Punjab Pakistan Using RAPD and DNA Barcode Markers
https://societyfia.org/upload/PDC/issue/Assessing-Intraspecific-Genetic-Variability-in-Cannabis-sativa-Populations-of-Punjab-Pakistan-Using-RAPD-and--DNA-Barcode-Markers_PDC.pdf
A map of the variability of cultivated hemp in Greece
Uncovering the metabolite complexity and variability of cultivated hemp (Cannabis sativa L.): A first phytochemical diversity mapping in Greece
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38570005/
Food & Nutrition
Measuring the levels of 16 cannabinoids in hemp seed edible oils
Quantification of sixteen cannabinoids in hemp seed edible oils and the influence of thermal processing on cannabinoid contents and profiles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38588664/
Analysis of the health-promoting metabolites of cannabis seeds from the Bama region of China
Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses Provide New Insights into Health-Promoting Metabolites from Cannabis Seeds Growing in the Bama Region of China
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/4/787
In broiler chickens, dried cannabis leaves as feed stimulated the immune system, acted as an antibiotic, reduced stress & improved health & welfare
Immunostimulatory and Antibacterial Effects of Cannabis sativa L. Leaves on Broilers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38672306/
For poultry chicken in inflammatory stressed conditions, adding a cannabis/CBD mix to their feed increased body weight without adverse effects
Effects of Cannabis sativa extract on growth performance, meat physicochemical properties, and oxidative status in chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens and lipopolysaccharide
https://intapi.sciendo.com/pdf/10.2478/aspr-2023-0024
Two new amides identified in cannabis seeds & they appear to be somewhat toxic
Cytotoxicity phenylpropanoid amides from the seed of Cannabis sativa L
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38587148/
Industrial Use
A review of hempcrete for sustainable construction
Sustainable construction: unveiling the potential of hempcrete in the modern era
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42107-024-01038-4
Hemp concrete for a building envelope compared favorably to more traditional wall materials for regulating interior temperature & humidity
Hygrothermal Performance of the Hemp Concrete Building Envelope
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/7/1740
On the moisture buffering capacity of hemp lime concrete
Sorption and moisture buffering capacities of hemp lime concrete embedded with phase change materials (PCM) for buildings
https://hal.science/hal-04528952/file/Hygrothermal%20performance%20of%20hemps%20lime%20concrete%20embedded%20with%20phase%20change%20materials-8pages_VF%20resubmit.pdf
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
A review of the therapeutic use of the cannabinoids (with a nice CBD binding chart)
Phytocannabinoids: Exploring Pharmacological Profiles and Their Impact on Therapeutical Use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38673788/
Public Health
In US public health data, enrollment in medical cannabis programs increased overall but generally decreased in places with adult-use laws
Trends in U.S. Medical Cannabis Registrations, Authorizing Clinicians, and Reasons for Use From 2020 to 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38588545/
“Chronic pain was the most common patient-reported qualifying condition in 2022 (48.4%), followed by anxiety (14.2%) and posttraumatic stress disorder (13.0%). In 2022, the United States had 29 500 authorizing clinicians (7.7 per 1000 patients), 53.5% of whom were physicians. The most common specialties reported were internal or family medicine (63.4%), physical medicine and rehabilitation (9.1%), and anesthesia or pain (7.9%).”
Consumers seem to have little preference regarding the hemp flower drying processes used or the CBD concentrations in their CBD oil
CBD Oil Concentration and Hemp Flower Drying Preferences of U.S. Consumers
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379450258_CBD_Oil_Concentration_and_Hemp_Flower_Drying_Preferences_of_US_Consumers
A review of 53 studies of what patients with chronic conditions think about medical cannabis
Perceptions and engagement of patients with chronic conditions on the use of medical cannabis: a scoping review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38561859/
A survey of French festival attendees found over 60% to be dependent on cannabis
Cannabis use and dependence among festival attendees: results from the French OCTOPUS survey
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38594675/
In France, a telephone survey found that 70% had heard of CBD & 10% used it in the last year (with 50+% smoking it)
Cannabidiol use in France in 2022: Results from a nationwide representative sample of adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38561958/
In France, a cohort study of why people self-medicated with cannabis
Factors associated with the use of cannabis for self-medication by adults: data from the French TEMPO cohort study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38600591/
A survey of older Canadians found that the majority have a positive view of using cannabis medically
Older Canadians' Perceptions of the Safety, Effectiveness and Accessibility of Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38502303/
Adolescents & Young Adults
In college students with ADHD, sleep-related problems from alcohol but not cannabis
Sleep, Alcohol and Cannabis Use in College Students With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38555872/
The Brain & Neurological Disorders
In people with multiple sclerosis, they had increased heteromers (joined receptors) of GPR55 with CB1 or CB21
Heteromers Formed by GPR55 and Either Cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 Receptors Are Upregulated in the Prefrontal Cortex of Multiple Sclerosis Patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38673761/
In people with concussions, the prior use of cannabis, tobacco or antidepressants were associated with an increased risk of depression after the concussion
Tobacco, Marijuana, and Antidepressant Use Prior to Concussion Are Associated with Increased Depression Risk in Post-concussive Syndrome Patients
https://www.neurology.org/doi/abs/10.1212/WNL.0000000000205409
A review of the TRPV1 receptor as a key bridge between the brain & the immune system
TRPV1: The key bridge in neuroimmune interactions
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667100X2400032X
Anandamide is not only an endocannabinoid, but also an endovanilloid. Many of the benefits of this neurotransmitter (as well as CBD) are thought to be linked to effects on the TRPV1 receptor.
In mice with no CB2 receptor, an analysis of the changes in their brain including decreased short-term plasticity & long-term potentiation, impaired neural network synchronization & elevated synaptic transmission in their hippocampus (memory center of the brain)
Electrophysiological Phenotypes of Hippocampal Synaptic and Network Functions in Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Knockout Mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38502778/
In mice with no CB1 receptor versus mice taking the CB1 inverse agonist drug rimonabant, they had subtle differences in brain rewiring, suggesting a difference between the chronic loss of receptor versus short-term suppression
Resting State Brain Networks under Inverse Agonist versus Complete Knockout of the Cannabinoid Receptor 1
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38575140/
In a rat model of chronic unpredictable stress, they had decreased levels of CB1 in regions of their hippocampus (memory center of the brain) though this was protected against by being in enriched environment
Sex-Specific Differences and the Role of Environmental Enrichment in the Expression of Hippocampal CB1 Receptors following Chronic Unpredictable Stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38672009/
The mechanisms of how increased levels of ATP (the energy molecule) outside the cell is detected by the P2X7 receptor to increase levels of 2-AG (the endocannabinoid that modulates neurotransmission)
P2X7 receptor-dependent increase in endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol production by neuronal cells in culture: Dynamics and mechanism
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38581262/
On creating CBD amide derivatives for treating Alzheimer's disease via inhibition of the enzyme cholinesterase
Synthesis and evaluation of a highly selective cannabidiol amide cholinesterase inhibitor
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715624001887
New drugs to activate the CB2 receptor & reveal insights into the regulation of neurotransmitter tone
Novel pyrrole based CB2 agonists: New insights on CB2 receptor role in regulating neurotransmitters' tone
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38493727/
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
In people with schizophrenia related to cannabis, they used significantly less antipsychotics & benzodiazepines (after propensity-score matching)
Use of antipsychotic medication, benzodiazepines, and psychiatric hospitalization in cannabis-related versus cannabis-unrelated schizophrenia - a nationwide, register-based cohort study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38571303/
The cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) seemed to track well when being used in Morocco
Psychometric properties of the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) in a sample of Moroccans with cannabis use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38570799/
In PTSD, cannabis use seemed to be largely connected to alcohol use
Mapping the Pathways Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Alcohol and Cannabis Use: A Network Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38555875/
In animal models of PTSD (predator odor stress reactivity), a review on the effects of alcohol drinking & the endocannabinoid system
Predator odor stress reactivity, alcohol drinking and the endocannabinoid system
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38623398/
In mice previously exposed to cocaine, CBD disrupted the brain glucose metabolism & energy consumption changes
Impact of cannabidiol on brain glucose metabolism of C57Bl/6 male mice previously exposed to cocaine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38588037/
In female rats with early life stress (maternal separation), increasing their CB2 receptor levels reduced depressive behaviors
Increasing CB2 Receptor Activity after Early Life Stress Prevents Depressive Behavior in Female Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38672480/
Immune System & Autoimmune Disorders
In people with HIV, cannabis use plus cocaine use increased HIV-specific IL-17-producing T-cells
Polarization of HIV-1- and CMV-Specific IL-17-Producing T Cells among People with HIV under Antiretroviral Therapy with Cannabis and/or Cocaine Usage
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38675425/
In a mouse model of HIV, acute CBD had no effect on their behavior or endocannabinoid system
Effects of acute cannabidiol on behavior and the endocannabinoid system in HIV-1 Tat transgenic female and male mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38505774/
Pain & Surgeries
On improving the knowledge of nurse anesthetists on the operative care of patients who use cannabis
Improving CRNAs' Confidence and Perceived Knowledge of Endosurgical Patients Who Use Marijuana: A Quality Improvement Project
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38564208/
In rats, the experience of visceral pain seemed linked to cannabinoid receptors
The role of Cannabinoid receptors in visceral pain sensation of rat: an interventional study
https://jlar.rovedar.com/index.php/JLAR/article/view/38
Guts & Metabolism
In stem cells, hemp seed oil inhibited their differentiation into fat cells via suppression of the CB1 receptor as well as CB2, TRPV1 & GPR55
Hemp Seed Oil Inhibits the Adipogenicity of the Differentiation-Induced Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells through Suppressing the Cannabinoid Type 1 (CB1)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38611847/
In dairy cows, lipolysis [lipid breakdown pathways] helped to mediate endocannabinoid biosynthesis
Lipolysis pathways modulate endocannabinoid biosynthesis and signaling networks in dairy cows’ adipocytes
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-4138963/v1
In a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, signaling from the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors increased endocannabinoid signaling which drove overeating
Cholinergic neurotransmission controls orexigenic endocannabinoid signaling in the gut in diet-induced obesity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38594069/
Musculoskeletal & Exercise
In a mouse model of muscle atrophy (induced by dexamethasone), proteins from hemp seeds had a protective effect
Production of protein hydrolysates from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed and its protective effects against dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212429224004760
The Skin
A thesis project on creating a thermoresponsive CBD gel for dermatological conditions
Formulation Development of a Thermoresponsive Topical Gel of Cannabidiol for Dermatological Conditions
https://dc.etsu.edu/asrf/2024/schedule/108/
Cancer & Chemotherapy
A review of using cannabis for cancer palliative care
Review of the Use of Medicinal Cannabis Products in Palliative Care
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38611090/
In anti-cancer drug discovery, a review of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid derived lipid mediators: a comprehensive update on their application in anti-cancer drug discovery
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38595031/
In glioblastoma cells, the mechanisms of how CBD caused cell death
Cannabidiol induces ERK activation and ROS production to promote autophagy and ferroptosis in glioblastoma cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38583854/
And the antitumor actions of endocannabinoids against glioblastomas
The antitumor action of endocannabinoids in the tumor microenvironment of glioblastoma
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1395156/full
In neuroblastoma cancer cells, the endocannabinoid-like fatty acids PEA & oleoylethanolamide caused apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide)
Oleoylethanolamide and Palmitoylethanolamide Enhance IFNβ-Induced Apoptosis in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38611871/
In colon cancer cells, water extracts from industrial hemp waste inhibited their adhesion & development of biofilms
Water Extracts from Industrial Hemp Waste Inhibit the Adhesion and Development of Candida Biofilm and Showed Antioxidant Activity on HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38612793/
For breast cancer, using nanoparticles that contain CBD & paclitaxel
Leucocyte membrane camouflaged poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles containing cannabidiol and paclitaxel against breast cancer therapy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359511324001028
A thesis project in prostate cancer cells on how lactate activates their mobility via GPR55 (which may one day be known as CB3)
Stromal-derived lactate activates amoeboid motility by engaging the endocannabinoid receptor GPR55 in a prostate cancer cell model
https://usiena-air.unisi.it/handle/11365/1258878
Synthetic Cannabinoids
Synthesis & effects of ADB-HEXINACA
Synthesis and Functional Evaluation of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Related to ADB-HEXINACA
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38597712/
Cool Chemistry & Tools
A model for studying the pharmacokinetics of THC
Development of a Compartment Model to Study the Pharmacokinetics of Medical THC after Oral Administration
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202404.0699/v1
For the eye, creating nano-CBD ocular formulations
Formulation and In Vitro-Ex vivo Evaluation of Cannabidiol and Cannabidiol-Valine-Hemisuccinate Loaded Lipid-Based Nanoformulations for Ocular Applications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38604539/
On arrestin control of the CB1 receptor
GPCR kinase subtype requirements for arrestin-2 and -3 translocation to the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and the consequences on G protein signalling
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38604257/
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For today’s lovely crossover album, ‘One Night on Earth: Music from the Strings of Mali’ by Derek Gripper. This talented guitarist took untold painstaking hours to transcribe the complex compositions of the legendary kora player Toumani Diabate into musical notes for a six-string guitar, bringing together a meeting of oral West African griots & written Western classical music.
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.