fibro, pain, pain, hormone alterations, reproductive harms & metabolic helps
Mauritius makes moves + HHC scheduled
Cannabinoids & The People,
or; Drugs & Drug Wars
🌟 #ThisWeek 🌟
(#hashtags for jumping to articles by searching for them with your browser)
Cannabinoids for fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain & chronic pain
Vape Week! (hint: increase your THC vape potency by adding CBD)
Hormone levels altered by cannabinoids (#hormones)
Reproductive harms: prenatal cannabis use linked to birth defects, preterm delivery, NICU admission & decreased fertility
Less metabolic diseases in cannabis users (#metabolism)
Preclinical: CBD for menopausal hot flashes + CBD & THC for traumatic brain injuries
War on Drugs: more (abhorrent) boat strikes + analysis of Mexico’s ‘kingpin’ strategy
Psychedelics: Shipibo ayahuasca retreats linked to long-term benefits
[numbers for C&P#186: ~7k words, ~18 minutes reading time, 154 papers]
📌 Editor’s notes 📌:
Female Health:
On LinkedIn, I started a group called ‘Canna-Female Health Club’. I’m going to post everything related to female health or gendered responses to cannabinoids there. Plus, for the strong human studies, I’ll post them publicly on LinkedIn, with everyone tagged, for greater visibility. If anyone wants to join the LinkedIn group chat, just send me a DM on my LinkedIn.
Greetings!
Hello to all the new subscribers. The Substack app appears to be featuring me somewhere, because the flood continues. As always, if anyone needs the data on cannabinoids for any medical conditions, shoot me a message & I’ll send my archives on any of these topics.
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 186th edition of Cannabinoids & the People, Lex Pelger’s free weekly digest of all the new cannabinoid science, assorted canna-news + the War on Drugs, harm reduction & other psychoactives. Support this work with a paid subscription or by buying me a coffee.
If you purchase one of my canna-graphic novels based on Moby Dick, proceeds go to Americans for Safe Access to support medical cannabis patients.
For producing cannabinoid content, work with my company White Whale Creations: writing, science archives, social media, newsletters & podcasts.
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Pythagoras, Desire & Food (or why I’m glad I never was a foodie)
Russell Hoban’s ‘Soonchild’ & ‘Riddley Walker’ (best kid’s book on shamanism I’ve ever found)
And as always, at the bottom is the album of the week: the Hammond organ of Brother Jack
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🍃 BEST OF CANNABINOID SCIENCE 🍃
(most of the phytocannabinoid data is here & most of the ECS data is in the ‘Canna-Science Archive’ at the bottom)
⚕️ Clinical ⚕️
For fibromyalgia, a meta-analysis of 12 clinical studies found cannabinoids reduced pain intensity & were linked to significant improvements in sleep quality, anxiety, depression & quality of life
Analgesic Effect of Cannabinoids for Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42013320/
In people with chronic pain, medical cannabis caused a 65% reduction in the use of opioids with an increase in physical functioning scores
Medical Cannabis as an Opiate Alternative: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/original_article/pdf/432327/20260417-149789-1jln6n.pdf
In 2 people with chronic neuropathic pain, case studies of 1:1 THC:CBD reducing pain intensity, lowering painkilling medications & improving multiple areas of health-related quality of life, especially social functioning & perceived health
Integrating Oral THC:CBD Into Chronic Neuropathic Pain Management in Primary Care: A Two-Patient Observational Case Series
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi
In children with rare epilepsy disorders, CBD improved seizures (sometimes greatly) as well as sleep, behavior & attention
Real-world effectiveness of highly purified cannabidiol in epilepsy associated with 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication and deletion syndromes: A multicenter study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41992447/
And in children with developmental & epileptic encephalopathies (severe, early-onset brain disorders), CBD isolate reduced seizures & was well-tolerated
Real-world effectiveness and tolerability of highly purified cannabidiol in patients with monogenic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies with highly active epilepsy
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505026001575
In the hormones of people given high levels of CBD (1500 mg/day for 3.5 days), cortisol & corticosterone levels increased consistently, the precursor steroid 21-OH-progesterone decreased & testosterone levels rose in male subjects (#hormones)
Steroid Hormone Changes After Short-term High-Dose Exposure to Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects: An Exploratory Study
https://karger.com/mca/article-pdf/doi/10.1159/000552140/4530347/000552140.pdf
And in the steroids of young men, cannabis users had higher levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone & androstenedione, suggesting direct effects on the testes or disruption of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis
Cannabis consumption is associated with altered steroid metabolism in young men
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-026-01469-x
In midlife women with menopause, a survey found that cannabis use was higher in those with mood swings, irritability, anxiety & depression, but also higher odds of cannabis use disorder
Menopause Symptoms and Cannabis Use in a Nationally Representative Sample of Midlife Women
https://www.ovid.com/jnls/greenjournal/abstract/10.1097/aog.0000000000006268.23~menopause-symptoms-and-cannabis-use-in-a-nationally
For metabolic diseases, cannabis use was associated with modestly lower risks of metabolic diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes & obesity, especially among people with a lower body-mass index (#metabolism)
Association between Cannabis use and risk of Metabolic disease in UK Biobank
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0939475326002243
For US trends of parental cannabis use & cannabis use disorder, 8% of parents living with children use cannabis on most days & 6% met the criteria for cannabis use disorder
Trends in Daily Cannabis Use and Cannabis Use Disorder Among Parents in the U.S., 2012-2024
https://europepmc.org/article/ppr/ppr1151930
Vapes
In a Canadian survey of cannabis vaping, use increased since 2020, especially among youth
Exploring Age and Sex Differences in the Use of Cannabis Vaping Products: Results From the Canadian Cannabis Survey 2020–2023
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/dar.70155
When vaping THC, adding CBD increased the THC blood levels
Plasma cannabinoid pharmacokinetics following the inhalation of vaporised cannabis with and without cannabidiol
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871626001419
In lung cells, cannabis vapor activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptors & altered transcriptional responses related to cancer signaling
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor orchestrates transcriptomic, non-coding and splicing programs that drive human lung epithelial responses to vaporized cannabis in vitro
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-026-04362-7
In young adults, on the effects of their exposures to vaping ads & warnings
Perceptions of Cannabis Vaping Advertising Messages and Warnings Among US Young Adults
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/29767342261429618
📑 Reviews 📑
On CBD, 2 experts on both its potential as a therapeutic agent & its limits, risks & misapplications
Cannabidiol at the crossroads: panacea, placebo, or problem?
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-026-02415-0
On the emotional brain, a new book about the cannabinoids’ effects on emotion, memory & motivation
Cannabinoid Modulation of Emotion, Memory, and Motivation
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4939-2294-9
For the benefits of cannabis on sleep, this review of 20 studies found that it was more effective in people with anxiety or depression
Joint Relations Among Cannabis, Sleep, and Affective Symptomatology: A Scoping Review
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40429-026-00735-1
For aging, a review on the importance of dosing THC & CBD
Navigating Dose-Effect Complexities and Challenges in Cannabinoid Therapy for Aging-Related Neurobiological Changes
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1794928/abstract
In neurology, a review on the use of CBD
Cannabidiol in Neurology: Current Insights and Translational Perspectives
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41754870/
For central nervous system disorders, a review of cannabinoids with a focus on redox tone, glial state programs, circuit stability & autophagy (cellular recycling) or unfolded protein response signaling
Phytocannabinoids in Central Nervous System Disorders and Frameworks for Cellular Stress Adaptation: A Comprehensive Review
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s44424-026-00052-4
On Alzheimer’s disease (sometimes referred to as type-3 diabetes), a review on the paradox of how the CB1 receptor is essential for normal energy homeostasis but can become a pathological driver & conditions of chronic metabolic access
The Neuro-Metabolic Epidemic and the CB1R Paradox
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471489226000275
On oleoylethanolamide (the endocannabinoid of satiation) for alcohol use disorder, a review of its mechanisms of action
Molecular targets of oleoylethanolamide in the pathogenesis of alcohol use disorder: Mechanisms of central and peripheral action
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0741832926001916
For endometriosis, a review of the preclinical evidence found cannabinoids reduced pain via lowering the release of inflammatory mediators, inhibiting signals of the nociceptors (pain receptors), modulation of neuroinflammation & on the lesions themselves, anti-proliferation & apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide)
Insights Into the Role of Cannabinoids in the Management of Endometriosis-Associated Pain
https://www.ovid.com/jnls/greenjournal/abstract/10.1097/aog.0000000000006265.28~insights-into-the-role-of-cannabinoids-in-the-management-of
For wound healing, a review of hydrogels loaded with CBD
Cannabidiol-Loaded Smart Hydrogels for Advanced Wound Healing: Drug Delivery Innovations and Therapeutic Perspectives
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42003194/
In mesenchymal stem cells (multipotent adult stem cells), a review on the benefits of cannabinoids for priming (activating) & differentiation (transformation to a specific cell type)
Phytocannabinoid-induced priming and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells: Therapeutic potential
https://www.wjgnet.com/1948-0210/full/v18/i4/116829.htm
For schizophrenia, a review of targeting the CB1 receptor
Envisioning Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Biased Signaling as a Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.20250886
For cannabinoids & pain, a review of their effects on the sodium channels
Electrophysiological modulation of pain-related sodium channels by cannabinoids: a systematic review
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00436-6
For the gut-liver axis, a review of the potential benefits of CBD
Cannabidiol as a Modulator of the Gut-Liver Axis: Clinical and Pharmacological Insights into Hepatic and Metabolic Disorder Therapies
https://europepmc.org/article/med/41935387
In cancer & diabetes, a review on the effects of terpenoids
Exploring Terpenoids as Dual-Action Agents in Diabetes and Cancer: A Review of Their Anti-Hyperglycemic, Anti-Glycolytic Actions, and Combination Therapy Potential
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41988874/
⚠️ Harms ⚠️
For atrial septal birth defects, public health data showed higher rates in states with legal cannabis
Space-Time Analysis of Burgeoning US Atrial Septal Defect Rates Driven by Cannabis
https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4713/16/2/68
This is another piece in a birth defects series by Reece & Hulse & here, they suggest “data show that cannabis, including cannabis legalization, is driving the US ASD [atrial septal defect] epidemic”
For pediatric exposure to THC & hemp-derived cannabinoid, the National Poison Data System reported that hemp-derived cannabinoids had a greater association with respiratory depression, low blood pressure & critical care admission
Pediatric Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid and Δ9-THC Exposures: A National Poison Data Study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022347626001411
In people who used cannabis during pregnancy, they had higher rates of preterm delivery, NICU admission & low birth weight
Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Effect on Maternal and Fetal Health Outcomes: A Retrospective Chart Review
https://www.ovid.com/jnls/greenjournal/abstract/10.1097/aog.0000000000006268.08~cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-and-effect-on-maternal-and
And in female rats, cannabis prolonged their dioestrous phase (longest phase of cycle where the uterus prepares for a potential pregnancy) & significantly reduced implantation sites, especially with alcohol extracts
Impact of Cannabis sativa on Reproductive Cycling and Fertility Success in Female Albino Rats: A Functional Study
https://hal.science/hal-05596062/
In people with first-episode psychosis, practitioners reported that cannabis users had higher positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech & disorganized behavior)
The Impact of Co-occurring Cannabis Use Disorder on Treatment Outcomes in First-Episode Psychosis: A Mixed- Methods Survey of Mental Health Practitioners
https://metroworks.metrostate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1040&context=student-scholarship
In people with cannabis use disorder, they had higher odds of suicidal ideation
Cannabis Use Disorder and Suicidal Ideation in the United States: Persistent Risk and Stable Trends, 2014–2023
https://www.jsad.com/doi/abs/10.15288/jsad.25-00481
In a young person using CBD for neuropathic pain, a case report of escalating use (400 mg/day) associated with severe mania (irritability, reduced need for sleep, pressured speech, grandiose ideas, heightened activity & aggression)
Mania in a patient using cannabidiol for neuropathic pain
https://journals.lww.com/inpj/fulltext/9900/mania_in_a_patient_using_cannabidiol_for.156.aspx
A case report of a young man with bladder incontinence that resolved after abstinence from his heavy cannabis use
Reversible detrusor acontractility associated with heavy cannabis use: A case report
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214442026001142
For the adolescent use of cannabis, a review found that memory-related impairments were the most consistent findings & that neurocognitive differences detected more in adolescent samples than in young adult samples, with differences between studies in the Americas & Europe
Neuropsychological Effects of Cannabis Use by Continent and Age: A Systematic Review
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1728743/abstract
🐁 Preclinical 🐁
In chickens exposed to avian infectious bronchitis virus (a coronavirus), CBD suppressed viral replication & markedly alleviated clinical symptoms
Inhibitory effect of cannabidiol on infectious bronchitis virus in chickens in vitro and in vivo
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00203-026-04886-7
In a rat model of menopause, CBD completely prevented hot flashes but did not alter uterine atrophy
Cannabidiol Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Thermoregulatory Dysfunction in Rats: A Preclinical Study on Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms
https://www.mdpi.com/2813-2998/5/2/26
In a rat model of traumatic brain injury, an analysis found both CBD & THC were required for restored learning & memory as well as neuroprotection, with the superior dose ratio being CBD:THC at 300:1 to 10:1
The cannabidiol (CBD): Tetrahydrocanabinol (THC) concentration ratio is critical for neuroprotection and recovery following traumatic brain injury
https://pdf.sciencedirectassets.com/272536/1-s2.0-S0014488626X20039/1-s2.0-S0014488626001196/main.pdf
In a rat model of traumatic brain injury, after one hit, the males had significantly more changes in their endocannabinoid precursors eicosapentaenoic acid & docosapentaenoic acid than females, but females had greater changes after an additional head injury on the following day, suggesting that these endolipids are protective
Sex differences in plasma levels of endocannabinoids and related lipids before and after single and repeated mTBI: an exploratory examination for acute endolipid plasma biomarkers
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/molecular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2026.1707732/abstract
In a mouse model of diabetes, hemp seed hull–derived cannabisins A, B & F suppressed sugar spikes after eating
Early-stage antidiabetic potential of hemp seed hull-derived Cannabisins A, B, and F: Integrated computational and experimental evidence for intestinal α-glucosidase inhibition and incretin modulation
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S075333222600435X
In bacteria resistant to treatment, the combination of silver, CBC & CBG caused antibacterial activity & lowered the formation of biofilms (slimy aggregations that resist treatment)
Broad-spectrum bactericidal synergy of silver-cannabichromene-cannabigerol triple combinations against healthcare-associated pathogens
https://watermark02.silverchair.com/lxag092.pdf
For the forever chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its bone loss effects were linked to reduced levels of the CB1 & CB2 receptor
PFOA effects on osteoblast differentiation: Involvement of oxidative stress and endocannabinoid receptors
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016648026000596
On the prenylated flavonoids of cannabis & their anti-inflammatory effects
Prenylated apigenin derivatives from Cannabis sativa L.: isolation, biosynthesis, and anti-inflammatory properties
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00438-4
🆕 Novel Studies 🆕
(a grab bag section for cool & new stuff)
For the effects of rarely used drugs on predicting arrest, PCP was strongly associated with violent offending but mixed findings for the psychedelics
Substance use predictors of arrest and self-reported criminal behavior in the United States: The role of psychedelics and rarely used drugs
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02698811261436577
Lex’s roundup of fav newsletters:
#Canna: Marijuana Moment, Cannabis Law Report, Cultivated, Cannabis Musings (oy vey), Talking Joints Memo, Sticky Bits, Highly Objective, Cannabitch, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, Dr. Peter Grinspoon, Doctor Approved, Medical Marijuana Memory Blog (by Dame Alice O’Leary Randall)
#DrugWar: InSight Crime, Marshall Project, Students for Sensible Drug Policy
#HarmReduction: Filter, Drug Data Decoded, International Drug Policy Consortium, National Harm Reduction Coalition, Canadian Drug Policy Coalition
#Psychoactives: Psychedelic Alpha, Ecstatic Integration, ICEERS, Substance, The Microdose
📰 US Headlines & Fav Articles
The new US National Drug Control Strategy report contains concerns about increased youth cannabis use amidst commercialization & link to psychosis & CUD
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/white-house-raises-alarm-about-high-potency-marijuana-and-its-marketing-in-new-national-drug-strategy/
Relatedly, here’s the winners of the ‘Youth THC Prevention Video PSA Contest’
https://www.justthinktwice.gov/media/check-out-winners-youth-thc-prevention-video-psa-contest
The DEA defines HHC as Schedule I
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/dea-clarifies-that-the-synthetic-cannabis-compound-hhc-is-federally-banned-and-doesnt-count-as-legal-hemp/
🌐 International Updates 🌐
An analysis of Europe’s medical cannabis laws & their ambiguities
Prescribed Ambiguity: Medical Cannabis in Europe
https://narkotikapolitisktcenter.se/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NPC_rapport_mc_ny-1.pdf
In Mauritius, a technical committee formed to examine the various options related to cannabis, ranging from decriminalization to regulated legalization
https://www.cannabiz-africa.com/blog/breakthrough-in-mauritius-as-govt-looks-at-legalization-options-and-calls-for-public-input
A loving history of cannabis in Madagascar
https://stephaniewriter.substack.com/p/the-early-history-of-cannabis-in
A despairing history of the Canadian cannabis industry
https://wtfcanada.substack.com/p/the-canadian-cannabis-industry-is
⚖️ Business, Laws & Education ⚖️
In an analysis of mental health & labor markets, adult-use cannabis laws were linked to young adults reporting more poor mental health days, less exercise & more long-term unemployment while adults over 50 report less joint pain, more exercise & more income gains
Asymmetric Effects of Recreational Marijuana Laws on Mental Health and Labor Markets
https://jonathan-norris.github.io/files/rml_paper_draft.pdf
On Nabis, a California success story in the business of cannabis fulfillment
https://www.sfgate.com/cannabis/article/nabis-california-cannabis-distributor-22192035.php
In US public health data, medical cannabis laws were associated with a 2% greater rate of cannabis use & a small increased rate of cannabis use disorder (0.3%) & driving under the influence of cannabis (0.4%)
Medical Cannabis Legalization and its Association with Cannabis use, Cannabis use Disorder, and Intoxicated Driving: Findings from the National Survey on Drug use and Health, 2016-2019
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10597-026-01626-5
As states legalize, on how consumers transition between illicit & legal cannabis
How Consumers Transition Between Illicit and Legal Cannabis Markets in Early Legalization Periods? Evidence from a National Panel with a Recent Policy Shock
https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9381647/v1_covered_40c96d7d-ad38-48cb-8a8d-f6c3160de9bf.pdf
🚓 The War on Drugs 🚓
On May 4, another US strike in the Caribbean on a suspected drug vessel killed 2 people
https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-kills-2-suspected-drug-traffickers-boat-strike
And another one in the eastern Pacific killed 3 people
https://www.foxnews.com/world/three-suspected-narco-terrorists-killed-us-military-strike-drug-trafficking-vessel-eastern-pacific
And on how Trump’s boat strikes aren’t actually stopping the flow of drugs & the human rights horror show of murdering low-level laborers in the drug trade
https://theintercept.com/2026/05/04/trump-boat-strikes-fentanyl-cocaine-drug-supply/
““These are extrajudicial executions, or even just murders — something similar to a cop shooting a fleeing suspect in the back when there is no self-defense justification,” said Adam Isacson, the director for defense oversight at Washington Office on Latin America, a human rights group. He called the growing death toll “a gross human rights violation.””
And here’s a timeline & map of the strikes by Insight Crime
https://insightcrime.org/news/timeline-us-strikes-against-alleged-drug-boats/
The Secretary of State announced visa bans on 75 family members & associates tied to the Sinaloa cartel
https://www.aol.com/narco-terrorist-family-members-targeted-174726376.html
On the global failures of drug prohibition, a new book with human rights-centered alternatives
Criminal Drug Policy: From Prohibition to Regulation
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-14702-8
In Mexico, on a history of how the “kingpin strategy has created leadership vacuums, generating the atomization of Mexico’s criminal landscape and more than 100 horizontally integrated networks that operate in nearly every corner of the country”
https://insightcrime.org/news/is-mexico-running-out-of-kingpins/
On the US War on Drugs, an Algerian study concluded that enforcement produced only short-term reductions in drug use, while prevention, treatment & harm reduction measures were more cost-effective
An Anatomy of a Successful Strategy for Objective Fulfillment: The Case of the U.S. War on Drugs
https://asjp.cerist.dz/en/article/290564
For Vietnam & China, an analysis of their cross-border drug trafficking
Cross-border drug trafficking between Vietnam and China: asymmetries, opportunities, and regulatory responses
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43545-026-01445-1
‘Just How Many Kilos of Contraband Cannabis can a [Toyota] Quantum Carry?’
https://www.cannabiz-africa.com/blog/just-how-many-kilos-of-contraband-cannabis-can-a-quantum-carry
Apparently, an impressive 1,025 kg.
🛡️ Harm Reduction News 🛡️
In Vancouver, the mayor is pushing an “urgent” motion to block an overdose prevention site
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/05/05/vancouver-proposed-overdose-prevention-site-mayor-motion/
In Winnipeg, a moving account of the drug overdose crisis & the importance of harm reduction
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/05/07/the-thousand-yard-stares-of-winnipegs-drug-crisis
Harm Reduction Research
In Indigenous communities, a review of their harm reduction approaches
Harm reduction approaches within Indigenous communities across Turtle Island: A scoping review of peer-reviewed and grey literature
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12954-026-01434-w
For syringe services programs, on how legal restrictions like local authorization & a “one for one” exchange model impair public health
Syringe Services Program Legal Restrictions Are Counter to Public Health and the Experience of People Who Use Drugs
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/43E3C1F44176A5F302F5029C77AAE9EA/S1073110526102332a.pdf/syringe_services_program_legal_restrictions_are_counter_to_public_health_and_the_experience_of_people_who_use_drugs.pdf
For syringe service programs in the US, a map found limited availability, especially for walking & in rural areas
A geospatial analysis of access to syringe services programs in the United States, 2023
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871626001493
In providing medication for opioid use disorder in jails, on the barriers & facilitators to implementation
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder in Jail Settings: Barriers and Facilitators to Implementation
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/26320770261441800
Lessons on installing naloxone vending machines in rural communities
Distributing intranasal naloxone in rural communities: Implementation of a novel approach
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/26320770261434033
For harm reduction vending machines, an analysis of social media discussions on them
Harm reduction vending machines in the digital sphere: Social media discourse, misinformation, and health promotion implications
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10550887.2026.2658657
🍄 Psychoactives, Psychedelics & Plant Medicines 🍄
Gabon declared iboga & ibogaine to be part of the country’s national strategic heritage & created a sovereign fund to developing it
https://www.ecofinagency.com/news-finances/0505-55250-gabon-creates-sovereign-fund-to-control-and-develop-iboga-industry
On the birth of psychedelic harm reduction & the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic
https://www.ecstaticintegration.org/p/david-e-smith-on-the-haight-free
Psychedelics & MDMA
For Shipibo-led ayahuasca retreats at the Temple of the Way of Light in the Peruvian Amazon, follow-up studies found quality of life improvements across all measured domains, primarily in spiritual well-being, mental health & personal growth
Symmetrical Global Mental Health (Sym-GMH): Ayahuasca and shipibo traditional medicine for lasting changes in personality and quality of life
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950484826000111
For Oregon’s psilocybin services, an analysis of licensing, manufacturing rules, labeling guidelines & pricing information
Oregon’s Psilocybin Services: A Summary and Public Health Commentary
https://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1377&context=hbr
On psilocybin for depression, a meta-analysis of 13 clinical trials found no statistically significant overall antidepressant effect
The efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder: a meta-analytic review of clinical outcomes
https://www.mental-wellness-journal.net/mw/article/view/40
In older adults, a review on psilocybin for mental health & neurodegenerative disorders
Psilocybin in Older Adults: Therapeutic Opportunities in Inflammation-Driven Disorders of Aging—From Depression to Neurodegeneration
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/4eacc0678ac8fe46d3aeecb9393ece49/download_pub
On psychedelics for autism, a review of the studies
Psychedelics and Autism Therapy: A Review of Current Research and Future Directions
https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/48/4/417
For female rats in estrus, psilocybin increased anxiety-like behavior in any stage of their cycle, but for those in estrus, both psilocybin & norbaeocystin (a psilocybin analog aka 4-phosphoryloxytryptamine (4-PO-T)) lessened their startle response to a stimulus more quickly, suggesting norbaeocystin for reducing symptoms of hyperarousal
Role of estrus in the acute anxiogenic effects of psilocybin and the related tryptamine, norbaeocystin
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/4/
Ketamine
For youth using ketamine, interviews on the life transitions & accessibility that shape their use
Understanding ketamine use in Blackpool: A qualitative study of life transitions and social contexts
https://openjournals.ljmu.ac.uk/PHIJ/article/view/3561
In people with bipolar disorder, intravenous ketamine produced significant & sustained antidepressant effects
Faster and greater antidepressant response to intravenous ketamine in bipolar compared with unipolar treatment-resistant depression: Diagnostic and sex-related findings from a naturalistic study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178126002453
In children with psychiatric conditions, a review on the use of ketamine
Use of Ketamine and Esketamine in the Pediatric Population: Current Evidence and Clinical Applications
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.focus.20250040
When using ketamine for mood & anxiety disorders, a review of the potential liver toxicity
Evaluating the potential risk of ketamine-induced hepatotoxicity in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders: A systematic review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163834326000769
For obsessive-compulsive disorder, a review of 21 studies on ketamine & esketamine
Ketamine and Esketamine in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: A Scoping Review of Clinical and Mechanistic Evidence
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/19/4/628
In people with treatment-resistant depression, a review of ketamine
Ketamine or Esketamine in Special Populations of Patients With Treatment-Resistant Depression
https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc13064306
For ketamine versus electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression, a review on time to relapse found ECT potentially causing longer remission
Comparison of average time-to-relapse following ECT versus ketamine – A systematic review
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02698811261430502
Kratom
In people with opioid use disorder & kratom use, their rates of serious mental illness more than doubled over a three-year period
Co-occurring substance use disorders and the compounding effect of kratom on serious mental illness, US, 2021–2023
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00952990.2026.2646242
For people who use drugs in Malaysia, on how they view kratom as a harm reduction tool
The perceive utility of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) as a harm reduction agent among people who use drugs (PWUDs) in Malaysia
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14659891.2026.2658809
In states that had bans on kratom, they had slower increases to their kratom reports to poison centers
Association between state-level kratom regulations and poison center-reported severe medical outcomes and healthcare use: A United States national analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42015466/
For analyzing the interstate commerce of kratom brands, these researchers called 600+ stores
Kratom Brands in Vape Shops Across the US
https://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1350&context=hbr
On the molecular & epigenetic effects of kratom, a review of 20 studies
Decoding kratom: molecular mechanisms and epigenetic factors in use and dependence
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-026-04022-5_reference.pdf
Cathinones
A fatal case report of metaphedrone (3-MMC)
Toxicological and forensic aspects of a fatal 3-methylmethcathinone intoxication: A case report
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1752928X26000831
🍃 The Plant & its Products 🍃
🌱 Growing 🌱
For hemp under drought conditions, on optimizing fertilization for yield
Optimizing hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) physiology and cannabidiol content through integrated chemical and bio-nitrogen fertilization under drought
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03650340.2026.2657117
For micropropagation, development of a novel medium for improved explant performance
Biotecnologie e Genomica Funzionale per il Miglioramento Genetico di Cannabis sativa L.: dai Sistemi In vitro alla Mutagenesi per la Validazione Funzionale dei Geni
https://tesidottorato.depositolegale.it/handle/20.500.14242/364448
In cannabis infected with hop latent viroid, it was more susceptible to infection by Fusarium & powdery mildew
Hop latent viroid-infected cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) plants show enhanced susceptibility to Fusarium root and stem rot and powdery mildew infection
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/07060661.2026.2649769
On the effects of cannabis extracts on parasitic nematodes & cannabinoid & terpene profiles
Cannabis flower crude extracts as belowground infochemicals shaping the chemotactic responses of parasitic nematodes
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-49877-2_reference.pdf
For 2 drug-type cannabis chemotypes, a transcriptional analysis
Transcriptome assemblies for two drug‐type cannabis chemotypes by long‐read RNA sequencing
https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/tpg2.70240
For synthesis of THCV, a computational mapping of the involved metabolic networks
THCV Biosynthesis Pathway Identification: Computational Validation of Novel Candidate Genes
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403809172_THCV_Biosynthesis_Pathway_Identification_Computational_Validation_of_Novel_Candidate_Genes
For the flowering of cannabis, a thesis project genetically analyzing the traits in different environments
Genetic analysis of Cannabis flowering traits in differential environments
https://scholar.sun.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/86bd6a18-b25f-492f-a31d-1d6c618676b1/content
In hemp’s BES1 transcription factor family, a genetic analysis of its regulation of the alkali stress response
Genome-wide identification and functional dissection of the BES1 family reveals key regulators of alkali stress response in hemp
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1819515/full
Upon infection by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, on the genetic & cellular response of cannabis
Dual RNA sequencing reveals the transcriptomic and cellular response of Cannabis sativa to infection by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-47998-2_reference.pdf
For the fungal pathogen Golovinomyces ambrosiae, a genetic analysis
Hybrid genome assembly of the cannabis powdery mildew agent Golovinomyces ambrosiae uncovers important resources for deciphering virulence factors
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-9162455/v1
⚙️ Extracting, Analyzing & Formulating ⚙️
For measuring cannabinoid levels, on the challenges of cannabis-based products
Analytical challenges in cannabinoid quantification of cannabis based products
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145539
On quantifying THC & CBD using dielectric barrier discharge ionization
Direct Chromatography-Free Quantification of THC and CBD in Cannabis by CID and EI-Like Fragmentation Enabled by Dielectric Barrier Discharge Ionization
https://chemrxiv.org/doi/pdf/10.26434/chemrxiv.15002048/v1
In face cream, on quantifying CBC levels with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet detection
Quantification of Cannabichromene In Hemp-Infused Face Cream Using Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography With Ultraviolet Detection
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393985640_Quantification_of_Cannabichromene_In_Hemp-Infused_Face_Cream_Using_Ultrahigh-Performance_Liquid_Chromatography_With_Ultraviolet_Detection
🍞 Food & Nutrition 🍞
In online sentiment about cannabis-infused foods in the Netherlands, text mining found predominantly positive sentiment, but concerns on dosage, first-time experiences & panic responses
Going to space with transformers: a RoBERTa- and BERTopic-powered exploration of sentiment and themes in cannabis-infused food and beverage discourse in the Netherlands
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10548408.2026.2639330
On improving prebiotic functionality with a conjugate of hemp protein & chito-oligosaccharides
Hemp protein functional properties, amino acid profile, and growth promotion of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum via ultrasound-induced Maillard reaction with Chito-oligosaccharides
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814626014573
For ruminant feed, hemp hulls caused cannabinoids to be detected in animal by-products, suggesting the need for a withdrawal feeding period
Evaluation of hemp hulls and screenings as alternative feed ingredients for ruminants
https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/cjas-2025-0117
🏗️ Industrial Uses & Fiber 🏗️
On burning sewage sludge with oak bark & hemp hurd for enhanced biochar properties
Co-pyrolysis of municipal sewage sludge with oak bark and hemp hurd to tailor biochar stability, carbon sequestration and heavy metal immobilization
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956053X2600190X
On the potential of using hemp degumming waste liquid as a source of carbon for bacterial cellulose fermentation
From Hemp Degumming Waste Liquid to a Functional Carbon Source: Bacterial Cellulose Composites with Sustained Release
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00222348.2026.2656191
For a protein emulsion gel, on combining resveratrol with soybean protein isolate & hemp protein isolate
Structural properties, rheological characteristics, and drug delivery efficiency of resveratrol-loaded soybean protein isolate and hemp protein isolate emulsion gels: Synergistic effects of carboxymethyl cellulose incorporation and ultrasound treatment
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590157526003986
For storing pork, on a hemp seed protein-based film
Hemp Seed Protein-Based Emulsion Films Containing Propolis Flavonoids: Enhanced Physicochemical Properties and Preservation of Chilled Pork
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6412/16/4/489
For biodegradable packaging film, on combining polyvinyl alcohol with microcrystalline cellulose from hemp waste
Hydrophobic Polyvinyl Alcohol and Microcrystalline Cellulose From Hemp Waste Composite Films by Using Alkyl Ketene Dimer Wax for Packaging Applications
https://4spepublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pen.70535
On creating microfibrillated cellulose from hemp hurds for packaging materials
Carboxymethyl and dialdehyde microfibrillated cellulose from hemp hurds: Role of fibrillation energy in chemical reactivity and functional properties
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352940726001526
In foams, testing their stability with hemp proteins & hemp protein-pectin complexes
Correlating surface rheology with bulk rheology in foams stabilized by hemp proteins and hemp protein-pectin complexes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021979726007411
For the deformation of a hemp biopolymer, on creating a micromechanical model for testing
A Compact Micromechanical Model for the Elastic-Viscoplastic Deformability of PLA-Hemp Biocomposites
https://www.scientific.net/SSP.390.197.pdf
For analyzing the water absorption properties of building materials, a test for concrete & hemp concrete
Development of an inverse method for identifying the hygric properties of hysteretic building materials: Application on cellular concrete and hemp-concrete
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710226009228
🌿 THE CANNA-SCIENCE ARCHIVE 🌿
For CBD, an Iranian review of its targets & therapeutic effects
Cannabidiol: Pharmaceutical formulations and biomedical applications
https://ijbms.mums.ac.ir/article_27439_10f104cb197570bd7b4127799188c374.pdf
🏥 Public Health & Bioassays 🏥
For cannabis use among BIPOC women during COVID, they had lower rates of using cannabis to manage chronic health conditions
Cannabis Use and Mental Health Coping Behavior among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40615-026-02937-9
And on the Queer use of cannabis during COVID
Exploring How Cannabis Use Featured in the Mental Health Experiences and Daily Lives of Queer, Non-Binary, and Trans Youth in the Early Phases of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Study in Canada
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2026.2654058
For people detecting cannabis intoxication, they found it much more difficult than detecting alcohol intoxication
What Cues Do Laypeople Use to Detect Alcohol and Cannabis Intoxication?
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13096672/
On cannabis consumption & the fading affect bias (the faster fading of unpleasant than pleasant affect)
Marijuana Consumption and Reactivity Are Positively Associated with the Fading Affect Bias for Marijuana Events in Person and Online
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/403996843_Marijuana_Consumption_and_Reactivity_Are_Positively_Associated_with_the_Fading_Affect_Bias_for_Marijuana_Events_in_Person_and_Online
For tobacco & cannabis use, on the interactions of smoking versus vaping each substance
A cross-sectional analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data to determine if tobacco and cannabis methods of administration are likely to be consistent across products
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12931-026-03638-x
During storage of plasma samples in gel separation tubes, on how the cannabinoids get absorbed by the tubes
Adsorption of Tetrahydrocannabinol, Metabolites, and Related Compounds During Storage of Plasma Samples in Gel Separation Tubes
https://www.ovid.com/journals/joat/abstract/10.1093/jat/bkag001~adsorption-of-tetrahydrocannabinol-metabolites-and-related
“Over a three-month period, concentrations in PSTs [plasma separation tubes] decreased for THC by 83% and 81%, THC-OH by 66% and 63%, CBD by 69% and 62%, and CBN by 75% and 70% in LP [low concentration] and HP [high concentration] samples, respectively.”
For hair analysis of cannabinoid metabolites, on the effects of different washing protocols
Influence of Different Washing Hair Procedures in the Quantitative Determination of THC and THCCOOH
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/dta.70073
And for hair analysis of the cannabinoid metabolite THC-COOH, on the challenges of interpretation
Challenges in the Interpretation of Isolated THC‐COOH Detection in Hair: Forensic and Clinical Implications
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/dta.70072
🧒 Adolescents & Young Adults 🧒
For California adolescent cannabis use, it increased following legalization & decreased following COVID
Adolescent Cannabis Use After Cannabis Legalization and the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41996112/
For social media influencers’ effects on youth cigar & cannabis use, cigar marketing was associated with increased cannabis use
The role of social media influencer promotion in initiation and use of cigar, little cigar, cigarillo, and cannabis products among US youth and young adults: Using exogenous marketing exposure measures
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953626003928
In Lebanon youth, on the factors associated with their opposition or support for cannabis legalization
Factors associated with youth opposition or support for cannabis legalization in Lebanon
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00426-8
In young adults co-using alcohol & cannabis, their expectancies of stimulant effects or relaxing effects were moderately associated with their subjective responses
Real-time discrepancies between simultaneous alcohol and cannabis expectancies and subjective responses
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871626001444
For adolescents co-using nicotine & cannabis, a survey on their range of co-use behaviors
Patterns in methods, timing, and sequence of nicotine and cannabis co-use among adolescents
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871626001432
🧠 The Brain & Neurological Disorders 🧠
In epilepsy, an industry review on the interactions of cannabinoids & terpenes
Modulating Neural Excitability in Epilepsy: A Systems-Level Perspective on Cannabinoid–Terpene Signaling
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/6334546e8973ab11bc56b239f999c429/download_pub
For a mouse model of the behavior of dopamine-based active avoidance, retrograde release of the endocannabinoid 2-AG from the ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons worked via the CB1 receptors
Midbrain endocannabinoids actuate dopamine-based action selection
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(26)00376-1
For anxiety drugs, on how a receptor for GABA (the brain’s most common inhibitory neurotransmitter) is modulated by the endocannabinoid 2-AG
Direct Modulation of Human GABA-A α1β2γ2 Receptors by the Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol: Implications for Cannabinoid-Related Ligands and Limitations for Anxiolytic Drug Development
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2026.1813618/abstract
In brain slices of the hippocampus (a memory center of the brain), cannabinoids did not cause strong changes to sharp wave-ripples (network events essential for information processing)
Robust Intrinsic Dorsoventral Organization of Hippocampal Sharp Wave–Ripples Persists During Cannabinoid Modulation
https://www.preprints.org/frontend/manuscript/8d6c19382cdb9f13d7a91915090e200d/download_pub
In rat brain tissue, blocking the CB1 receptor disrupted key epigenetic regulatory mechanisms
Therapeutically relevant rimonabant exposure drives epigenetic remodeling in neuronal cells and rat brain tissue
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00204-026-04369-0
In the microglia (guardian immune cells of the brain), the endocannabinoid transporter ABHD12 acts as an opposing enzyme to DAGLβ (which synthesizes the endocannabinoid 2-AG) to modulate microglial immune function
Stimulus-Driven Remodeling of Microglial Endocannabinoid Metabolism Illuminates ABHD12 Function in Immunity
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acschemneuro.5c00985
In a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, on determining brain levels of anandamide & 2-AG via solid-phase microextraction
In Vivo Negligible Depletion SPME for the Determination of Free and Total Concentrations of Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in the Brain of a Parkinson’s Disease Rat Model
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.analchem.5c07902
For brain delivery, on optimizing CBD lipid nanocapsules
Improved drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier through post-insertion functionalization of lipid nanocapsules with cannabidiol using click chemistry
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927776526003243
For neuroprotection against stroke, nanoparticles with CBD, apigenin & polysaccharides
Multifunctional Cannabidiol-Loaded Nanoparticles Based on Herbal-Derived Bioactive Materials Provide Enhanced Neuroprotection against Ischemic Stroke
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6c00054
For Dravet syndrome, nanostructured lipid carriers with CBD & stiripentol (an antiseizure medication)
Lipid Nanoparticles with Stiripentol and Cannabidiol Oil: From Rational Optimization to Preclinical Characterization
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/18/4/503
💭 Mental Health, Addiction & Cannabis Use Disorder 💭
For emotional disorders, cannabis use was associated with an increased risk that was stronger in females
Positive emotional dysregulation as a mediator between cannabis use and emotional disorder risk: Sex-specific pathways
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178126002416
For reducing the use of cannabis and/or tobacco, a review of 32 studies on interventions found the best evidence for motivational interventions
Health education interventions to reduce cannabis and tobacco smoking-related harms among people who use cannabis: a systematic review
https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/health-education-interventions-to-reduce-cannabis-and-tobacco-smo/
On the challenges of recruiting people with heavy cannabis use into online interventions
Lessons learned: challenges in recruiting and engaging people with heavy cannabis use for online interventions in Canada
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00425-9
In an adult test of memories of stress, THC did not dampen most of the subjective or physiological responses to images eliciting stressful memories
Acute and delayed effects of THC on memories of stress in healthy adults
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-026-07064-1
In people at high risk for psychosis, the co-use of cannabis & tobacco was associated with lower neurocognitive performance
Cannabis and Tobacco Co-Use is Associated with Impaired Neurocognitive Performance in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451902226001199
🦠 The Immune System & Microbial 🦠
On the antibiotic effects of a structural polymer loaded with phytocannabinoids & hemp fiber
Chemical characterization and in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of phytocannabinoid-loaded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) reinforced with natural fibers
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352492826005945
🧬 Reproduction & Hormones 🧬
In women who had their first baby, cannabis exposure 2-7 years after pregnancy was not associated with hypertension
Cannabis Exposure After Pregnancy and Development of Hypertension in the nuMoM2b Heart Health Study
https://journals.lww.com/ogopen/fulltext/2026/04000/cannabis_exposure_after_pregnancy_and_development.13.aspx
🦴 Pain, Musculoskeletal, Inflammation & Surgeries 🦴
After a spinal surgery, those with cannabis use disorder had higher rates of mental health service engagement but lower rates of opioid use, with no differences at the 1 or 2-year follow-up
Impact of cannabis use disorder on risk of surgical complications following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00586-026-09949-3
In people using cannabis for chronic pain, interviews using a biopsychosocial model
The greater the pleiotropic effects, the greater the benefits - cannabis as a “biopsychosocial” drug: a mixed-methods study on chronic non-cancer pain
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s42238-026-00440-w
In people with pain, abstinence from cannabis was not related to their acute pain perception, though females showed overall higher levels of anandamide, PEA & oleoylethanolamide (the endocannabinoid of satiation)
Cannabis use patterns and perception of acute pain during brief abstinence: sex-dependent associations with circulating cannabinoid levels
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-026-07063-2
For pain management, a review article of targeting the endocannabinoid transporter FABP5
Evaluating FABP5 as a Therapeutic Target for Pain Management
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ejp.70267
In a rat model of neuropathic pain, this thesis project found that environmental enrichment raised endocannabinoid levels for pain control
Investigation of the effects of environmental enrichment in a rat model of neuropathic pain and related comorbidities: role of the endocannabinoid system
https://researchrepository.universityofgalway.ie/entities/publication/107faaa0-f88f-4971-b089-0ed2aa67697c
On synapses with nociceptors (pain-detecting receptors), this thesis project found anandamide depressed synapses with nociceptors but potentiated synapses that detected pressure
Role of Concentration in Opposing Effects of Anandamide on Nociceptive Synapses versus Non-Nociceptive Synapses
https://www.eneuro.org/content/eneuro/early/2026/04/20/ENEURO.0480-25.2026.full.pdf
For osteoarthritis, screening new drugs for activating the CB2 receptor
Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonists as Drug Candidates for Osteoarthritis Therapy
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/drug-discovery/articles/10.3389/fddsv.2026.1809420/abstract
🍽️ The Guts, Nutrition & the Microbiome 🍽️
In dogs, CBD caused a downregulation of apolipoproteins (APOA4, APOC3, APOC1 & APOH) & upregulation of hemoglobin subunits (HBA and HBB), while high doses upregulated proteins involved in vascular integrity & tissue scaffolding (e.g., TGFB1, PDGFRB & VWF)
Formulation-Specific Dose-Response in the Serum Proteome of Healthy Dogs Following Cannabidiol Administration
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2026.1803263/abstract
💨 The Lungs 💨
In a mouse model of airway hyperresponsiveness & allergic asthma, activating the CB2 receptor suppressed airway hyperresponsiveness & inflammation via the CB2 & TRPV1 receptors
Targeting Cannabinoid CB2 Receptors to Attenuate Airway Inflammation and Hyperresponsiveness in Allergic Asthma: Does the TRPV1 Receptor Play a Role?
https://europepmc.org/article/med/41968554
For asthma & lung diseases, on optimizing CBD microparticles
Sodium Stearate-Assisted Optimization of a Cannabidiol Dry Powder Inhaler for Enhanced Dissolution and Aerosol Performance
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/18/4/512
💧 The Genitourinary System 💧
In people with a kidney injury, drainage led to increased levels of anandamide, N-palmitoylethanolamine & N-oleoylethanolamine
Endocannabinoid responses to relief of obstruction in acute injured kidney: a prospective observational study
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/17562872261442624
🎗️ Cancer & Chemotherapy 🎗️
In breast cancer cells, CBD decreased colony formation, inhibited cell invasion & induced apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide)
The Effect of Cannabidiol on Cancer-Pathway Genes in Doxorubicin-Sensitive and Resistant Breast Cancer Cells
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/19/4/615
In lung cancer cells, inhibiting the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide) boosted the drug cisplatin’s anti-tumor efficacy
FAAH initiates a positive feedback loop to promote lung adenocarcinoma progression through inhibition of ferroptosis
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41418-026-01742-5
In lung cancer cells, on creating nanoemulsions of CBD & THC for better bioavailability
Chemosensitizing CBD/THC nanoemulsions: Functional drug-delivery carriers for synergy, dose reduction, and apoptosis in lung cancer cells
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1773224726003667
💊 Synthetic Cannabinoids & Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids 💊
On macrophages (white blood cells), the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB 4en-PINACA stimulated the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines
Immunomodulatory Activities of Synthetic Cannabinoid MDMB 4en-PINACA on the Inflammatory Activity of Mammalian Macrophages
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1934578X261445167
In liver cells, a thesis project on the metabolism of THC analogues
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabutol (Δ9-THCB), Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabihexol (Δ9-THCH), and Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP): the Impact of Varying Alkyl Chain Length on Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) Analog Metabolism
https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/frsc_projects/132/
In flatworms, on using AI to profile the effects of synthetic cannabinoids
Artificial intelligence assisted behavioral profiling of synthetic cannabinoids in planarians
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11419-026-00769-0
🔬 Biochemical Discoveries & Research Tools 🔬
For activating the CB2 receptor, on finding 8 new drug families
Library docking for Cannabinoid-2 Receptor ligands
https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc13015411
On using AI to find new cannabinoid drugs
Leveraging machine learning for selective cannabinoid ligand discovery: methods, challenges, and opportunities
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17460441.2026.2661209
An analysis of the FAAH enzyme & its speed of breaking down anandamide
Enzyme Kinetics of FAAH
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3070&context=research_symp
On the activity of the FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide), CBC & CBG limited its activity via allosteric modulation
Analysis of the Effects of Phytocannabinoids Cannabichromene (CBC), Cannabidiol (CBD), and Cannabigerol (CBG) on the Enzyme FAAH
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3075&context=research_symp
On using tocopherols to modulate the FAAH enzyme allosterically (binding not to the main binding site, but to a side binding site that changes how other molecules bind to the main binding site)
Allosteric Modulation of FAAH by Tocopherols
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3064&context=research_symp
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For today’s jazz organ, “Brother” Jack McDuff’s ‘The Prestige Years’. Born in Illinois, McDuff began teaching himself the organ & the piano in the mid-‘50s. He came to the attention of the iconic Prestige Records & cut his first album for them in 1960. He soon formed his own band & things really took off when he hired the young but now famous guitarist George Benson, giving him his first big break. With his Hammond B-3 organ, McDuff was known for “rock-solid basslines and blues-drenched solos… balanced by clever, almost pianistic melodies”. He recorded 20+ albums with Prestige, including his biggest hit “Rock Candy” & then continued recording with Atlantic, Cadet & Blue Note across the ’60s & ’70s. As public interest in jazz waned, McDuff explored fusion & electronic keyboards. Even as his health faltered in the ‘90s, he never stopped exploring new styles & he still released 8 albums for Concord Jazz Records. In 2001, Brother Jack went to the great Sit-In in the Sky.
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