Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis Oil for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: An-Open Label, Add-On, Pilot Study.

Posted on January 13, 2016 by David

“Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

OBJECTIVE:

To measure efficacy and safety of medical cannabis oil (MCO) containing THC as an add-on to pharmacotherapy, in relieving behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Eleven AD patients were recruited to an open label, 4 weeks, prospective trial.

RESULTS:

Ten patients completed the trial. Significant reduction in CGI severity score and NPI score were recorded. NPI domains of significant decrease were: Delusions, agitation/aggression, irritability, apathy, and sleep and caregiver distress.

CONCLUSION:

Adding MCO to AD patients’ pharmacotherapy is safe and a promising treatment option.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26757043

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/alzheimers-disease-ad/

A cost-effectiveness model for the use of a cannabis-derived oromucosal spray for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

Posted on January 12, 2016 by David

“Severity of spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) directly correlates with the level and cost of care required.

This study assessed whether a tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray for treatment of moderate-severe MS spasticity is a cost-effective use of healthcare resources in Wales.

The THC/CBD spray was found to be cost-effective for the treatment of spasticity in MS, and dominant, if home carer costs were included.

Use of THC/CBD has the potential to generate cost savings by significantly improving the symptoms of moderate to severe MS spasticity”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26750641

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/multiple-sclerosis-ms/

The Use of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Headache

Posted on January 11, 2016 by David

“Although marijuana is principally used as a psychoactive substance, it has also been used for medical and religious purposes for over 2000 years.

This review concluded that there was evidence of a positive and moderate short-term trend toward a reduction of pain.

There are a number of reasons why naturally occurring cannabis or cannabinoid drugs might have a pharmacologic effect on headache..

It has been suggested that one explanation for migraine and other headache disorders may be an underlying endocannabinoid deficiency.

…cluster headache attacks were relieved within 5 minutes by the inhalation of marijuana.

Subsequent treatment with dronabinol (THC) 5 mg orally also provided the patient relief within 15 minutes.”

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/738529_2

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/headachemigraine/

The effect of cannabis on regular cannabis consumers’ ability to ride a bicycle.

Posted on January 8, 2016 by David

“To assess the effects of cannabis on the ability required to ride a bicycle, repetitive practical cycling tests and medical examinations were carried out before and after inhalative consumption of cannabis.

A maximum of three joints with body weight-adapted THC content (300 μg THC per kg body weight) could be consumed by each test subject.

Fourteen regular cannabis-consuming test subjects were studied (12 males, 2 females).

In summary, only a few driving faults were observed even under the influence of very high THC concentrations. A defined THC concentration that leads to an inability to ride a bicycle cannot be presented.

The test subjects showed only slight distinctive features that can be documented using a medical test routinely run for persons under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26739323

“Alcohol-related deficits were already identifiable at very low blood alcohol concentrations (BAC)s. A significant increase in gross motoric disturbances compared to the soberness state did not regularly occur until a BAC of at least 0.8 g/kg was reached. At the BAC of 1.4 g/kg and above, no test subjects were able to achieve or surpass their sober driving results.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25428289

“The practical ability to ride a bicycle was significantly reduced in the postalcoholic state… The relative cycling performance in the postalcoholic state was comparable to the rides under the influence of BAC of around 0.30 g/kg… it can be assumed that the direct influence of residual blood alcohol levels plays a minor role for the ability to ride a bicycle in the postalcoholic state. Instead, the side effects of the high amounts of alcohol that were consumed the night before are crucial.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25940454

“A defined THC concentration that leads to an inability to ride a bicycle cannot be presented.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26739323

An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System.

Posted on December 25, 2015 by David

“The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a widespread neuromodulatory system that plays important roles in central nervous system development, synaptic plasticity, and the response to endogenous and environmental insults.

The ECS comprises cannabinoid receptors, endogenouscannabinoids (endocannabinoids), and the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of the endocannabinoids.

The most abundant cannabinoid receptors are the CB1 cannabinoid receptors; however, CB2 cannabinoid receptors, transient receptor potential channels, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptors are also engaged by some cannabinoids.

Exogenous cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol, produce their biological effects through their interactions with cannabinoid receptors.

The best-studied endogenous cannabinoids are 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide). Despite similarities in chemical structure, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and anandamide are synthesized and degraded by distinct enzymatic pathways, which impart fundamentally different physiologic and pathophysiologic roles to these two endocannabinoids.

As a result of the pervasive social use of cannabis and the involvement of endocannabinoids in a multitude of biological processes, much has been learned about the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of the ECS.

This review provides an introduction to the ECS with an emphasis on its role in synaptic plasticity and how the ECS is perturbed in schizophrenia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26698193

Small Molecules from Nature Targeting G-Protein Coupled Cannabinoid Receptors: Potential Leads for Drug Discovery and Development.

Posted on December 15, 2015 by David

“The cannabinoid molecules are derived from Cannabis sativa plant which acts on the cannabinoid receptors types 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) which have been explored as potential therapeutic targets for drug discovery and development.

Currently, there are numerous cannabinoid based synthetic drugs used in clinical practice like the popular ones such as nabilone, dronabinol, and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol mediates its action through CB1/CB2receptors.

In recent years, many phytocannabinoids have been isolated from plants other than Cannabis. Several studies have shown that these phytocannabinoids show affinity, potency, selectivity, and efficacy towards cannabinoid receptors and inhibit endocannabinoid metabolizing enzymes, thus reducing hyperactivity of endocannabinoid systems.

Also, these naturally derived molecules possess the least adverse effects opposed to the synthetically derived cannabinoids. Therefore, the plant based cannabinoid molecules proved to be promising and emerging therapeutic alternative.

The present review provides an overview of therapeutic potential of ligands and plants modulating cannabinoid receptors that may be of interest to pharmaceutical industry in search of new and safer drug discovery and development for future therapeutics.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26664449

Endocannabinoid Regulation of Neuroendocrine Systems.

Posted on December 8, 2015 by David

“The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that is critical for sustaining life through its homeostatic control and integrative regulation of the autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine systems. Neuroendocrine function in mammals is mediated mainly through the control of pituitary hormone secretion by diverse neuroendocrine cell groups in the hypothalamus.

Cannabinoid receptors are expressed throughout the hypothalamus, and endocannabinoids have been found to exert pronounced regulatory effects on neuroendocrine function via modulation of the outputs of several neuroendocrine systems.

Here, we review the physiological regulation of neuroendocrine function by endocannabinoids, focusing on the role of endocannabinoids in the neuroendocrine regulation of the stress response, food intake, fluid homeostasis, and reproductive function.

Cannabis sativa (marijuana) has a long history of recreational and/or medicinal use dating back to ancient times. It was used as an analgesic, anesthetic, and antianxiety herb as early as 2600 B.C.

The hedonic, anxiolytic, and mood-elevating properties of cannabis have also been cited in ancient records from different cultures. However, it was not until 1964 that the psychoactive constituent of cannabis, Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, was isolated and its chemical structure determined (Gaoni & Mechoulam, 1964).”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26638767

Endocannabinoid Mechanisms Influencing Nausea.

Posted on December 8, 2015 by David

“One of the first recognized medical uses of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol was treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Although vomiting is well controlled with the currently available non-cannabinoid antiemetics, nausea continues to be a distressing side effect of chemotherapy and other disorders.

Indeed, when nausea becomes conditionally elicited by the cues associated with chemotherapy treatment, known as anticipatory nausea (AN), currently available antiemetics are largely ineffective.

Considerable evidence demonstrates that the endocannabinoid system regulates nausea in humans and other animals.

In this review, we describe recent evidence suggesting that cannabinoids and manipulations that enhance the functioning of the natural endocannabinoid system are promising treatments for both acute nausea and AN.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26638766

Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Monoacylglycerol Lipase: New Targets for Future Antidepressants.

Posted on December 8, 2015 by David

“Cannabis and analogs of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol have been used for therapeutic purposes…

Endogenous cannabinoids have been discovered, and dysregulation of endocannabinoid signaling is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Recently, endocannabinoid hydrolytic enzymes such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) have become new therapeutic targets in the treatment of MDD.

Several FAAH or MAGL inhibitors are reported to have no cannabimimetic side effects and, therefore, are new potential therapeutic options for patients with MDD who are resistant to first-line antidepressants (selective serotonin and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

In this review, we focus on the possible relationships between MDD and the endocannabinoid system as well as the inhibitors’ therapeutic potential.

MAGL inhibitors may reduce inflammatory responses through activation of cannabinoid receptor type 2.

In the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, repeated FAAH inhibitor administration may be beneficial for reducing circulating glucocorticoid levels. Both FAAH and MAGL inhibitors may contribute to dopaminergic system regulation. Recently, several new inhibitors have been developed with strong potency and selectivity. FAAH inhibitor, MAGL inhibitor, or dual blocker use would be promising new treatments for MDD. Further pre-clinical studies and clinical trials using these inhibitors are warranted.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26630956

Prevention of Diet-Induced Obesity Effects on Body Weight and Gut Microbiota in Mice Treated Chronically with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol.

Posted on December 4, 2015 by David

“Acute administration of cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists, or the ingestion of cannabis, induces short-term hyperphagia. However, the incidence of obesity is lower in frequent cannabis users compared to non-users.

Gut microbiota affects host metabolism and altered microbial profiles are observed in obese states. Gut microbiota modifies adipogenesis through actions on the endocannabinoid system. This study investigated the effect of chronic THC administration on body weight and gut microbiota in diet-induced obese (DIO) and lean mice.

THC reduced weight gain, fat mass gain and energy intake in DIO but not lean mice. DIO-induced changes in select gut microbiota were prevented in mice chronically administered THC.

Chronic THC treatment reduced energy intake and prevented high fat diet-induced increases in body weight and adiposity; effects that were unlikely to be a result of sedation or altered gastrointestinal transit. Changes in gut microbiota potentially contribute to chronic THC-induced actions on body weight in obesity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26633823

“Prevention of Diet-Induced Obesity Effects on Body Weight and Gut Microbiota in Mice Treated Chronically with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol… To follow up on our hypothesis that exposure to THC may produce weight loss, in the current study we investigated whether chronic THC inhibits weight gain in lean and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice… We present data showing that chronic administration of the CB1/CB2 receptor partial agonist, THC, prevents weight gain in DIO mice. Furthermore, we show evidence that DIO-mediated modifications in gut microbiota are prevented in chronically THC treated mice… In conclusion, we present data showing the CB1/CB2 receptor partial agonist THC, induces hypophagia and prevents weight gain in obesity and suggest these actions may be mediated in part by modifications of the gut microbiota.” http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0144270