Category Archives: THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Patterns of Use and Patient-Reported Effects of Cannabinoids in People With PD: A Nationwide Survey

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“Background: People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may use cannabis-based products for symptom management. In France, products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are prohibited, while cannabidiol (CBD)-products are readily available. However, data on cannabinoid use in French people with PD are lacking. 

Objectives: To identify correlates of the use of cannabis-based products and to document their patterns of use and perceived effects. Methods: A French nationwide online survey was conducted from May to July 2023. Regression analyses helped identify factors associated with current cannabis and CBD use (regardless of their form). Patterns of use and self-reported effects were also documented. 

Results: The study sample comprised 1136 participants, with a median age of 68 years. Six percent (5.9%) and 17.9% reported using cannabis and CBD, respectively. Both substances were associated with better knowledge of cannabinoids and a poor self-perceived household economic situation. The most common routes of cannabis administration were oral ingestion (44.8%) and smoking (41.4%); for CBD, they were oral ingestion (82.8%) and smoking (6.4%). Users reported that cannabis and CBD were very effective for sleep disorders, pain, and rigidity/cramps. The satisfaction level for both substances was also high. 

Conclusion: Cannabis and CBD use among people with PD was associated with better knowledge about cannabinoids and a poor self-perceived household economic situation. Furthermore, users reported high levels of satisfaction for both substances. An enhanced communication with healthcare providers and facilitated access to safe cannabis/CBD products are needed in France to enable people with PD to maximize the benefits of cannabinoids when clinically appropriate.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40470397/

“Users commonly reported improvements in sleep disorders, pain, and rigidity/cramps. An enhanced communication with healthcare providers and facilitated access to safe products are needed in France so that people with PD can maximize the benefits of cannabinoids when clinically appropriate.”

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/padi/2979089

Innovations in Cannabis Delivery Systems: A Patent Review (2012-2024)

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“Introduction: Cannabis sativa has been cultivated for over 11,700 years, originating in Central and Southeast Asia, and has been used for medical, recreational, and religious purposes. Among its therapeutic potentials, it is notable for its capacity to alleviate pain, nausea, anxiety, and more. The plant’s primary secondary metabolites are cannabinoids, which interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce these effects. However, due to the dosage variability and the secondary effects associated with a lack of targeted action, their medical use is limited, creating the need for effective delivery systems.

Methodology: This systematic patent review on cannabis drug delivery systems was conducted using patents retrieved from the Espacenet database. The search employed the keywords “Cannabis” and “Delivery,” along with the IPC classification code A61, to filter patents filed between 2012 and 2024. This initial search yielded 99 patents, which were further screened to identify 15 patents that met the inclusion criteria.

Results: Of the selected patents, most originated from the United States, followed by Canada, international patents (WIPO), and China. A notable increase in patent filings occurred in 2022, coinciding with the peak in scientific publications on the topic. This trend indicates a growing interest in the design of cannabis delivery systems.

Discussion: The historical importance and therapeutic potential of Cannabis sativa are welldocumented, yet modern medical use remains restricted due to pharmacokinetic limitations. Delivery systems such as extracellular vesicles, microneedles, and emulsions have been developed to improve the bioavailability and stability of cannabinoids. Extracellular vesicles facilitate targeted, noninvasive delivery of cannabinoids to the central nervous system. Microneedles offer a painless method for transdermal administration, overcoming skin barrier limitations. Emulsions improve the solubility and bioavailability of lipophilic cannabinoids, making them suitable for various administration routes.

Conclusion: Since 2012, there has been considerable growth in patents and publications related to cannabis drug delivery systems, driven by the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids. Innovations in delivery systems like emulsions, microneedles, and extracellular vesicles aim to improve the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of cannabis-derived compounds, representing a shift towards medical cannabis applications.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40454502/

https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/148648

19 patients report seizure freedom with medical cannabis oil treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy: a case series

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“Purpose: Seizure freedom (SF) is the primary goal of epilepsy treatment. More treatments that produce SF in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) are needed. Cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) containing cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), administered as oils, have been shown to induce SF in DRE. However, there remains a paucity of published real-world evidence in both pediatrics and adults on SF resulting from CBPM therapy.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series at an outpatient neurology clinic in Toronto, Canada, on patients with DRE who experienced significant SF during CBPM treatment. All patients were treated via the clinic’s stepwise treatment protocol with CBPM oils only. The study describes clinical features of patients and their CBPM-related SF.

Results: We report 19 DRE cases that experienced SF; 15 pediatric, 4 adults. The median cumulative SF duration was 245 days, split between continuous SF periods lasting at least 90 days. Five patients had continuous SF periods lasting ≥ 1 year. Most patients used CBD+THC regimens. Three patients weaned all concomitant ASMs. Adverse events (AEs) were reported by half of the patients.

Conclusion: The results of the study support prioritizing CBPMs in cases of DRE. It also supports research into identifying clinical and biological biomarkers for DRE cases that may achieve SF under CBPM treatment. Lastly, the study supports improving the accessibility of CBPMs, using SF as a primary outcome in future CBPM epilepsy trials, and assessing the role of THC in reducing seizures.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40458487/

“A promising treatment for DRE are cannabis-based products for medicinal use (CBPMs) containing variations of cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabis plant products in an oil formulation.”

“This study reports Real World Evidence from 19 patients with Drug Resistant Epilepsy who experienced Seizure Freedom due to Cannabis based medicinal products therapy. The SF rates observed in this study complement existing literature that reports rates of at least 4%, higher than the 1% observed with established ASMs.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1570531/full

Cannabidiol and microRNAs: shared cellular targets and new insights for developing anti-seizure modalities

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“Cannabidiol (CBD) and 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the two main components of cannabis that provide its therapeutic benefits.

CBD has been extensively studied for its role in reducing seizures, among its many other uses. While the exact mechanisms by which CBD works to relieve seizures have not yet been fully determined, it is evident that CBD effectively diminishes seizure activity and is now being used as an approved treatment for severe forms of non-responsive epilepsy.

As essential components of several biological processes, microRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial for achieving optimal cellular functioning. During the past few years, there has been an increasing interest in elucidating the functional significance of microRNAs in epilepsy. Yet, there is still considerable ambiguity regarding the precise mechanisms by which miRNAs are involved in seizure disorders and also their direct interaction with CBD.

Herein, we seek to present an overview of the varying mechanisms by which CBD offers therapeutic benefits concerning seizures. Accordingly, we highlighted the shared molecular targets between microRNAs and CBD in alleviating seizure symptoms to shed light on the ways in which new therapeutic and diagnostic modalities could be shaped in the future.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40461016/

https://academic.oup.com/jpp/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jpp/rgaf039/8156016?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false

Beyond Cannabidiol: The Contribution of Cannabis sativa Phytocomplex to Skin Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Human Skin Keratinocytes

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“Background:Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) has a long history of medicinal use. Its inflorescences contain bioactive compounds like non-psychotropic cannabidiol (CBD), which is well known for its anti-inflammatory potential in skin conditions such as psoriasis, and psychotropic Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Keratinocytes, the main cells in the epidermis, are crucial for regulating skin inflammation by producing mediators like IL-8 when stimulated by agents like TNFα. 

Methods: This study explores the anti-inflammatory effects of a standardized C. sativa extract (CSE) with 5% CBD and less than 0.2% THC in human keratinocytes challenged by TNFα. The aim of this study is to analyze the specific contributions of the main constituents of CSE to inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes by fractionating the extract and examining the effects of its individual components. 

Results: MTT assays showed that CSE was non-toxic to HaCaT cells up to 50 μg/mL. CSE inhibited NF-κB activity and reduced IL-8 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, with mean IC50 values of 28.94 ± 10.40 μg/mL and 20.06 ± 2.78 μg/mL (mean ± SEM), respectively. Fractionation of CSE into four subfractions revealed that the more lipophilic fractions (A and B) were the most effective in inhibiting NF-κB, indicating that cannabinoids and cannflavins are key contributors. Pure CBD is one of the most active cannabinoids in reducing NF-κB-driven transcription (together with THC and cannabigerol), and due to its abundance in CSE, it is primarily responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity. 

Conclusions: This study highlights CBD’s significant role in reducing inflammation in human keratinocytes and underscores the need to consider the synergistic interactions of several molecules within C. sativa extracts for maximum efficacy. Standardized extracts are essential for reproducible results due to the variability in responses.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40430467/

“In conclusion, the results of this study on CSE underscore the significant role of CBD in exerting anti-inflammatory effects in human keratinocytes.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/647

Role of Endocannabinoids in Glaucoma: A Review

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“Aims: A review of the published literature was done to understand the role of endocannabinoids in glaucoma.

Background: As evidence mounts that intraocular pressure (IOP) is not the only factor in the pathogenesis and progression of glaucoma, a look into other aspects is the need of the hour. From the first instance of a drop in IOP linked to marijuana in the 1970s to the present, research has been ongoing, mostly in animals and in vitro models, with a scarcity of human studies, to delve into the world of the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were searched for studies relating to endocannabinoids and their role in glaucoma.

Results: The ECS comprises ligands, receptors, and the synthesizing and degrading enzymes and is ubiquitous throughout the human body, including the visual system, from the eye to the occipital lobe. Apart from the IOP-lowering effect of the system, another property being investigated and implicated as an attribute of its receptors is neuroprotection. This neuroprotection seems to be mediated by excitotoxicity reduction and changes in vascular tone by acting on cannabinoid receptors.

Conclusion: The possibilities are indeed immense, and further research into the complex relationship between ECS and glaucoma is imperative to enable us to develop therapies for this otherwise chronic, progressive neuropathy, where the only armament in our hands is early diagnosis and maintenance therapy.

Clinical significance: We still do not have drugs for the prevention of retinal ganglion cell loss and for neuroprotection in glaucoma. Drugs that target cannabinoid receptors can revolutionize glaucoma management owing to their IOP-lowering action and neuroprotective effects. Based on the findings, we argue that further studies on the ECS and its implications in glaucoma are warranted to develop newer, effective, and better-targeted treatment strategies.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40417140/

“Currently, no drugs can target the loss of RGCs in glaucoma.
Therefore, drugs that can target CB1 receptors can change the
course of glaucoma treatment, as they can exert hypotensive
and neuroprotective effects in conjunction.”

https://www.jocgp.com/doi/pdf/10.5005/jp-journals-10078-1467

Cannabis- and HIV-related perturbations to the cortical gamma dynamics supporting inhibitory processing

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“The main psychoactive component in cannabis-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and to alter gamma oscillations, pointing to its potential as a therapeutic agent for people with HIV (PWH). However, it remains unknown how cannabis use among PWH interacts with the neural circuitry underlying inhibitory processing.

Herein, using a cross-sectional study design, we collected data from 108 cannabis users and non-users with and without HIV. Participants were interviewed regarding their substance use history and completed a paired-pulse somatosensory stimulation paradigm during magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG data were imaged using a beamformer and peak voxel time series data were extracted to examine neural oscillations in response to the stimulation and the strength of spontaneous activity in the same tissue during the baseline period. Across all participants, we observed robust gamma oscillations following stimulation in the left primary somatosensory cortices, with responses to the second stimulation being strongly attenuated relative to the first, thus demonstrating somatosensory gating.

PWH who used cannabis exhibited stronger oscillatory gamma activity compared with non-users with HIV, while the latter group also exhibited elevated spontaneous gamma activity relative to all other groups. Finally, we found that a longer duration of time since HIV diagnosis was associated with less efficient inhibitory processing among PWH who did not use cannabis, but not among PWH who regularly use cannabis.

These findings provide new evidence that cannabis use may mitigate the harmful effects of HIV on oscillatory and spontaneous gamma activity serving inhibitory processing.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40421314/

“Taken together, these findings suggest that regular cannabis use may have a neuroprotective effect on inhibitory processing in PWH by normalising spontaneous gamma activity and enhancing gamma oscillatory responses during sensory gating. This pattern indicates that cannabis use could potentially mitigate some of the neural disruptions associated with HIV, highlighting a promising target for future interventions aimed at preserving cognitive function in this population. Importantly, the capacity of cannabis to influence gamma dynamics underscores the broader role of the endocannabinoid system in shaping neural function in the context of HIV-related neuropathology.”

https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/7/3/fcaf190/8132827?login=false

Quantitative and qualitative imaging in marijuana users and smokers

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“Objective: To evaluate the effect of marijuana use compared to cigarette smoking on imaging findings in the lungs.

Methods: By searching the electronic medical record, we identified patients who were marijuana users who never smoked; current smokers; and non-marijuana never smokers, who underwent chest CT in our healthcare system in 2019. We generated a random sample of 100 marijuana users as well as 100 each age- and sex-matched controls from the current smoker and never-smoker groups. Patients with extensive airspace disease on CT were excluded. Quantitative CT analysis was performed to measure total lung volume (TLV). A thoracic radiologist reviewed chest CTs in a blinded fashion for the presence of emphysema, centrilobular ground glass opacities, mosaic attenuation, bronchial wall thickening, and coronary calcification.

Results: Our study included 285 participants, comprising 89 non-smokers, 97 smokers, and 99 marijuana users. Despite propensity score matching, the marijuana user group was slightly younger than the smokers and non-smokers (mean age 59 versus 62 and 64 years, respectively, p = 0.04), with similar sex distribution across all groups. TLV was higher in smokers than marijuana users and non-smokers (p<.01 for both).

By visual analysis, 62 % of smokers had emphysema versus 4 % of marijuana users (p<.001). Additionally, centrilobular ground glass opacities were more prevalent in smokers (15 %) than in marijuana users (2 %) (p = 0.0008). No significant difference was noted in the occurrence of mosaic attenuation between smokers and marijuana users. In terms of coronary artery calcification, more smokers had moderate to severe coronary artery calcifications compared to marijuana users (43 % versus 25 %, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: While emphysema and hyperinflation were common in smokers, they were rare in marijuana users.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40318925/

“Visual assessment revealed a significantly higher prevalence of emphysema in smokers (62 %) compared to marijuana users”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0363018825000738

Effects of legal access versus illegal market cannabis on use and mental health: A randomized controlled trial

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“Aims: We measured the effects of public health-oriented cannabis access compared with the illegal market on cannabis use and related mental health outcomes in adult cannabis users.

Design: This was a two-arm, parallel group, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Follow-up outcome measurement took place after 6 months.

Setting: The study was conducted in Basel-Stadt, Switzerland.

Participants: A total of 378 adult (aged ≥18 years) cannabis users were enrolled and randomized between August 2022 and March 2023, although only 374 users who completed baseline measures could be included.

Intervention and comparator: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group with public health-oriented recreational cannabis access in pharmacies (regulated cannabis products, safer use information, voluntary counseling, no advertisement; 189/188) or the illegal market control group (continued illicit cannabis sourcing; 189/186).

Measurements: The primary outcome was self-reported severity of cannabis misuse after 6 months, as measured by the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test – Revised (range 0-32). Secondary outcomes involved depressive, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms, cannabis consumption amount, alcohol, and drug use.

Findings: Ten participants were not followed (2.7%). Primary analysis included those with complete data (182 vs. 182). There was some evidence of a difference in cannabis misuse between the legal cannabis intervention group (mean [M] = 10.1) and the illegal market control group (M = 10.9; β = -0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.4 to 0.0, P = 0.052). These results were supported by an intention-to-treat multiple imputation analysis (n = 374). Additional sub-group analysis by whether the participant used other drugs or not suggested that any reduction in cannabis misuse was confined to those in the legal cannabis intervention group who used other drugs (PInteraction < 0.001). We found no statistically significant changes in any of the secondary outcomes.

Conclusions: Public health-oriented recreational cannabis access may decrease cannabis use and cannabis-related harms, especially among those using other drugs.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40289676/

“Our results indicate that public health-oriented RCL could be an effective policy model to make cannabis safer without increasing cannabis use and cannabis-related harms.”

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70080

“Cannabis study finds legalization reduces problematic consumption, especially among those using other drugs”

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-cannabis-legalization-problematic-consumption-drugs.html

“Researchers uncover causal evidence that cannabis legalization reduces problematic consumption”

Researchers uncover causal evidence that cannabis legalization reduces problematic consumption

“Legal Cannabis Linked to Less Problematic Use, Better Mental Health”

Legal Cannabis Linked to Less Problematic Use, Better Mental Health

Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Perspectives for Management of Orofacial Pain, Oral Inflammation and Bone Healing-A Systematic Review

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“Cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have been increasingly studied for their therapeutic applications in various medical fields. This systematic review aims to explore their role in oral surgery, focusing on pain management, inflammation control, and bone regeneration.

A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA framework to identify relevant studies from the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases published up to November 2024. The review included clinical and preclinical studies investigating the effects of cannabinoids on orofacial pain, oral inflammation, and bone healing. Data on study design, cannabinoid types, and relevant outcomes were extracted and analyzed. CBD was the most commonly studied compound, with other studies evaluating CB1/CB2 receptor agonists, THC, and cannabis smoke.

Clinical trials showed mixed results: some studies found CBD effective in reducing dental or myofascial pain, while others found limited or non-superior outcomes compared to standard treatments (e.g., NSAIDs, corticosteroids). Among the four RCTs, three had a low risk of bias, and one moderate; all nine animal studies had a high risk of bias.

In conclusion, preclinical and clinical studies suggest that cannabinoids represent a promising non-opioid alternative for pain management and for oral inflammation.

Although some evidence suggests potential benefits of cannabinoids, particularly CBD, in oral health contexts, findings are derived from heterogeneous studies-many with high risk of bias. More high-quality, standardized clinical trials are necessary before recommending cannabinoids for routine dental practice.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40332414/

“Within the limitations of this review, cannabinoids—especially cannabidiol (CBD)—demonstrated potential in managing orofacial pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting bone healing.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/8/3766