Author Archives: David Worrell

The association between cannabis use and suicidal behavior in patients with psychiatric disorders: an analysis of sex differences.

Posted on by

“Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug. In the general population, its use has been linked to a heightened propensity for suicidal behavior (SB). We hypothesize that this association varies in patients with psychiatric disorders. SB is known to vary by sex and therefore an investigation of cannabis‘ association with SB must consider sex differences. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between cannabis use and suicide attempts in men and women with psychiatric disorders.

We found no significant association between suicide attempts and cannabis use in men or women.

Our findings indicate that there is no association between cannabis use and suicidal behavior in men or women with psychiatric disorders unlike what was reported for the general population, though the heaviness of cannabis use may have an effect in men. The impact of cannabis use in psychiatric disorders needs ongoing examination in light of its common use, impending legalization with expected increased access and the uncertainty about cannabis‘ effects on prognosis of psychiatric disorders. In addition, research should continue to investigate modifiable risk factors of SB in this population of which cannabis is not a significant factor based on this study.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29891008 https://bsd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13293-018-0182-x
“Cannabis Does Not Increase Suicidal Behavior in Psychiatric Patients” https://neurosciencenews.com/psychiatry-cannabis-suicide-9330/
“Researchers Find That Cannabis Does Not Increase Suicidal Behavior in Psychiatric Patients” https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/news/2018/06/researchers-find-cannabis-does-not-increase-suicidal-behavior-psychiatric-patients
“Cannabis does not increase suicidal behavior in psychiatric patients: McMaster” https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-06/mu-cdn061318.php

“Cannabis does not increase suicidal behavior in psychiatric patients”  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180613162658.htm

]]>

The Role of Cannabinoids in the Setting of Cirrhosis.

Posted on by

“Although the mortality rates of cirrhosis are underestimated, its socioeconomic burden has demonstrated a significant global impact. Cirrhosis is defined by the disruption of normal liver architecture after years of chronic insult by different etiologies. Treatment modalities are recommended primarily in decompensated cirrhosis and specifically tailored to the different manifestations of hepatic decompensation. Antifibrogenic therapies are within an active area of investigation. The endocannabinoid system has been shown to play a role in liver disease, and cirrhosis specifically, with intriguing possible therapeutic benefits. The endocannabinoid system comprises cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) and their ligands, endocannabinoids and exocannabinoids. CB1 activation enhances fibrogenesis, whereas CB2 activation counteracts progression to fibrosis. Conversely, deletion of CB1 is associated with an improvement of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis, and deletion of CB2 results in increased collagen deposition, steatosis, and enhanced inflammation. CB1 antagonism has also demonstrated vascular effects in patients with cirrhosis, causing an increase in arterial pressure and vascular resistance as well as a decrease in mesenteric blood flow and portal pressure, thereby preventing ascites. In mice with hepatic encephalopathy, CB1 blockade and activation of CB2 demonstrated improved neurologic score and cognitive function. Endocannabinoids, themselves also have mechanistic roles in cirrhosis. Arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA) exhibits antifibrogenic properties by inhibition of HSC proliferation and induction of necrotic death. AEA induces mesenteric vasodilation and hypotension via CB1 induction. 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) is a fibrogenic mediator independent of CB receptors, but in higher doses induces apoptosis of HSCs, which may actually show antifibrotic properties. 2-AG has also demonstrated growth-inhibitory and cytotoxic effects. The exocannabinoid, THC, suppresses proliferation of hepatic myofibroblasts and stellate cells and induces apoptosis, which may reveal antifibrotic and hepatoprotective mechanisms. Thus, several components of the endocannabinoid system have therapeutic potential in cirrhosis.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29890719 http://www.mdpi.com/2305-6320/5/2/52]]>

Betacaryophyllene – A phytocannabinoid as potential therapeutic modality for human sepsis?

Posted on by

Medical Hypotheses Home “Sepsis is a clinical condition resulting from a dysregulated immune response to an infection that leads to organ dysfunction. Despite numerous efforts to optimize treatment, sepsis remains to be the main cause of death in most intensive care units. The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in inflammation. Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2R) activation is immunosuppressive, which might be beneficial during the hyper-inflammatory phase of sepsis. Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a non-psychoactive natural cannabinoid (phytocannabinoid) found in Cannabis sativa and in essential oils of spices and food plants, that acts as a selective agonist of CB2R. We propose BCP administration as novel treatment to reduce hyper-inflammation in human sepsis.”
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29317072
https://www.medical-hypotheses.com/article/S0306-9877(17)30861-7/fulltext
]]>