Tag Archives: THC

Successful cannabis derivatives oromucosal spray therapy for a seronegative stiff-person syndrome: a case report.

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“Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is an uncommon and disabling disorder characterised by progressive rigidity and episodic painful spasms involving axial and limb musculature.

The authors report a patient with seronegative SPS successfully treated with THC-CBD oromucosal spray.

In conclusion cannabinoids can be a therapeutic option to treat spasticity associated with neurological diseases such as stiff-person syndrome.

Our patient’s quality of life has improved remarkably although more information is needed about this particular use.”

https://ejhp.bmj.com/content/19/2/219.2?fbclid=IwAR0PVg0GRQDmu_tXu_vYJmmKHo2MGnJ_EsnkdsR4HE7deFVUtqhAxziHQBc

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ejhpharm-2012-000074.352

Adenosine A2A-Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Heteromers in the Hippocampus: Cannabidiol Blunts Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Induced Cognitive Impairment

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“At present, clinical interest in the plant-derived cannabinoid compound cannabidiol (CBD) is rising exponentially, since it displays multiple therapeutic properties. In addition, CBD can counteract the undesirable effects of the psychoactive cannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) that hinder clinical development of cannabis-based therapies. Here, by combining in vivo and complementary molecular techniques, we demonstrate for the first time that CBD blunts the Δ9-THC-induced cognitive impairment in an adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-dependent manner. Overall, these data provide new evidence regarding the mechanisms of action of CBD and the nature of A2AR-CB1R interactions in the brain.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30610611

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12035-018-1456-3

Theoretical Explanation for Reduced Body Mass Index and Obesity Rates in Cannabis Users

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“Obesity is treatment-resistant, and is linked with a number of serious, chronic diseases. Adult obesity rates in the United States have tripled since the early 1960s.

Recent reviews show that an increased ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids contributes to obesity rates by increasing levels of the endocannabinoid signals AEA and 2-AG, overstimulating CB1R and leading to increased caloric intake, reduced metabolic rates, and weight gain.

Cannabis, or THC, also stimulates CB1R and increases caloric intake during acute exposures.

The present meta-analysis reveals significantly reduced body mass index and rates of obesity in Cannabis users, in conjunction with increased caloric intake.

We provide for the first time a causative explanation for this paradox, in which rapid and long-lasting downregulation of CB1R following acute Cannabis consumption reduces energy storage and increases metabolic rates, thus reversing the impact on body mass index of elevated dietary omega-6/omega-3 ratios.

Evidence suggests that, in the United States, many people may actually achieve net health benefits from moderate Cannabis use, due to reduced risk of obesity and associated diseases.”

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2018.0045?_ga=2.221453528.1791159238.1546024140-1083808004.1546024140

“Reduced Body Mass Index and Obesity Rates in Cannabis Users”  https://www.genengnews.com/insights/reduced-body-mass-index-and-obesity-rates-in-cannabis-users/?fbclid=IwAR3a0wbfGoPwAR-pYQGCeLz-KYUFdiLJoj6Ja7rTTNGBYwkjIGw1fUjf5LI

 

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Cannabinoids in the Dermatology Community

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“Recent research has identified potential uses of cannabinoids in dermatology, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and wound healing.

This study examined dermatology providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions on therapeutic cannabinoids using a 20-question online survey.

The response rate was 21% (n=531). Most responders thought cannabinoids should be legal for medical treatment (86%). Nearly all (94%) believed it is worthwhile to research dermatologic uses of cannabinoids. 55% reported at least one patient-initiated discussion about cannabinoids in the last year. Yet, 48% were concerned about a negative stigma when proposing cannabinoid therapies to patients. While most responders (86%) were willing to prescribe an FDA-approved cannabinoid as a topical treatment, fewer (71%) were willing to prescribe an oral form. 64% of respondents did not know that cannabidiol is not psychoactive and 29% did not know that tetrahydrocannabinol is psychoactive.

 

CONCLUSIONS:

Dermatology providers are interested in prescribing cannabinoids and patients are speaking about cannabinoids with their dermatologists. However, providers’ fund of knowledge on this subject is lacking. These results highlight the need for further education and research to detangle the dermatologic benefits and risks of cannabinoids.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30586258

“Cannabinoid system in the skin – a possible target for future therapies in dermatology.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19664006

An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia.

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“In this experimental randomized placebo-controlled 4-way crossover trial, we explored the analgesic effects of inhaled pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in twenty chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia.

We tested four different cannabis varieties with exact knowledge on their [INCREMENT]-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and cannabidiol (CBD) content: Bedrocan® (22.4 mg THC, < 1 mg CBD), Bediol® (13.4 mg THC, 17.8 mg CBD), Bedrolite® (18.4 mg CBD, < 1 mg THC) and a placebo variety without any THC or CBD.

Following a single vapor inhalation, THC and CBD plasma concentrations, pressure and electrical pain thresholds, spontaneous pain scores and drug high were measured for 3 hours. None of the treatments had an effect greater than placebo on spontaneous or electrical pain responses, although more subjects receiving Bediol® displayed a 30% decrease in pain scores compared to placebo (90% vs. 55% of patients, p = 0.01), with spontaneous pain scores correlating with the magnitude of drug high (ρ = -0.5, p < 0.001). Cannabis varieties containing THC caused a significant increase in pressure pain threshold relative to placebo (p < 0.01). CBD inhalation increased THC plasma concentrations but diminished THC-induced analgesic effects, indicative of a synergistic pharmacokinetic but antagonistic pharmacodynamic interactions of THC and CBD.

This experimental trial shows the complex behavior of inhaled cannabinoids in chronic pain patients with just small analgesic responses after a single inhalation. Further studies are needed to determine long-term treatment effects on spontaneous pain scores, THC-CBD interactions and the role of psychotropic symptoms on pain relief.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30585986

https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00006396-900000000-98794

Cannaboinoid Antiemetic Therapy.

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“There are currently three cannabinoids available on the pharmaceutical market.  Dronabinol and Nabilone are both synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which the FDA has approved for treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) after the failure of a trial of first-line anti-emetics.  Both are also FDA approved to treat anorexia associated with AIDS.  Recently, the FDA has also approved a cannabidiol (CBD) product to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravel Syndrome in pediatric patients. However, there is no FDA approved indication for its use as an anti-emetic.  Independently produced cannabidiol extracts are being used increasingly in the general population for many non-FDA approved indications, frequently including nausea and emesis.  In states that have decriminalized marijuana, both in recreational and medicinal contexts, products with varying ratios of cannabidiol and THC are also used for their anti-emetic properties.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30571051

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535430/

Safety and efficacy of nabiximols on spasticity symptoms in patients with motor neuron disease (CANALS): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

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The Lancet Neurology

“Spasticity is a major determinant of disability and decline in quality of life in patients with motor neuron disease.

Cannabinoids have been approved for symptomatic treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis. We investigated whether cannabinoids might also reduce spasticity in patients with motor neuron disease.

Nabiximols was well tolerated, and no participants withdrew from the double-blind phase of the study. No serious adverse effects occurred.

INTERPRETATION:

In this proof-of-concept trial, nabiximols had a positive effect on spasticity symptoms in patients with motor neuron disease and had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30554828

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(18)30406-X/fulltext

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol Differentially Regulate Intraocular Pressure.

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“It has been known for nearly 50 years that cannabis and the psychoactive constituent Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) reduce intraocular pressure (IOP).

Elevated IOP remains the chief hallmark and therapeutic target for glaucoma, a major cause of blindness.

THC likely acts via one of the known cannabinoid-related receptors (CB1, CB2, GPR18, GPR119, GPR55) but this has never been determined explicitly.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a second major constituent of cannabis that has been found to be without effect on IOP in most studies.

RESULTS:

We now report that a single topical application of THC lowered IOP substantially (∼28%) for 8 hours in male mice. This effect is due to combined activation of CB1 and GPR18 receptors each of which has been shown to lower ocular pressure when activated. We also found that the effect was sex-dependent, being stronger in male mice, and that mRNA levels of CB1 and GPR18 were higher in males. Far from inactive, CBD was found to have two opposing effects on ocular pressure, one of which involved antagonism of tonic signaling.

CBD prevents THC from lowering ocular pressure.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that THC lowers IOP by activating two receptors-CB1 and GPR18-but in a sex-dependent manner. CBD, contrary to expectation, has two opposing effects on IOP and can interfere with the effects of THC.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30550613

https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2718702

An Integrated Review of Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Adult Oncologic Pain Management.

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Pain Management Nursing

“The objective of this paper is to review the available literature regarding the use of cannabis and cannabinoids in adult oncologic pain management.

RESULTS:

The final number of articles included is nine articles. Of the nine studies reviewed, eight reviewed the effect of the cannabinoid THC on cancer pain, and one study reviewed the use of medicinally available whole plant cannabis. The following study types were included: multiple multi-center, randomized, placebo- controlled trials and two prospective observational survey studies.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS:

Of the eight studies that reviewed the effect of the cannabinoid THC, five found THC to be more effective than placebo, one found THC to be more effective than placebo in American patients but ineffective in patients from other countries, and two found THC to be no more effective than placebo. The study that reviewed the effect of the whole plant cannabis found that there was a significant decrease in pain among those patients smoking cannabis.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30527857

https://www.painmanagementnursing.org/article/S1524-9042(18)30209-1/fulltext