“Cannabinoids have an emerging evidence base as an effective treatment option in a number of medical conditions, including anorexia and intractable vomiting. It is well known that patients with schizophrenia are more likely to use cannabis; it has also been argued that this could be a way of self-treating adverse side effects (secondary to antipsychotics) in a group of people with schizophrenia. Therefore, studies have attempted to examine the use of cannabinoids in schizophrenia. Given the recent interest in the use of cannabinoids in general and the ensuing ethical debates, we systematically review the available literature on the use of four cannabinoids, namely delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, dronabinol, rimonabant, and cannabidiol, in the management of schizophrenia. We also offer suggestions for future research in this area.” https://www.healio.com/psychiatry/journals/psycann/2018-5-48-5/%7B04639e36-7fd1-4e31-aff2-7cea85ea3bc3%7D/a-critical-systematic-review-of-evidence-for-cannabinoids-in-the-treatment-of-schizophrenia]]>
Tag Archives: tetrahydrocannabinol
Marijuana Use Is Not Associated With Progression to Advanced Liver Fibrosis in HIV/Hepatitis C Virus-coinfected Women.
“Marijuana (hereafter “tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]”) use has been associated with liver fibrosis progression in retrospective analyses of patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). We studied long-term effects of THC on fibrosis progression in women coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV enrolled in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).
CONCLUSIONS:
In this large cohort of HIV/HCV-coinfected women, THC was not associated with progression to significant liver fibrosis. Alcohol use was independently associated with liver fibrosis, and may better predict fibrosis progression in HIV/HCV-coinfected women.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4967608/ https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/63/4/512/2595097]]>The Impact of Δ9-THC on the Psychological Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study.
“Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the active compound of Cannabis sativa with appetite stimulating properties.
This study evaluated the effect of low doses of oral Δ9-THC on self-reported symptoms of patients suffering from chronic anorexia nervosa (AN).
The primary outcome was improvement in the way patients perceived their eating behavior.
Significant improvements were found in self reported body care, sense of ineffectiveness, asceticism and depression. There were no significant changes in BMI.
Δ9-THC may be an effective component in treating the psychological symptoms of AN.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29735812Antinociceptive Synergy between 9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol and Opioids after Oral Administration
“Cannabinoids and opioids have been shown to possess several similar pharmacological effects, including analgesia The analgesic effects of opioids, such as morphine and codeine, in mice are enhanced by oral administration of the cannabinoid 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (9 -THC). These findings suggest that the use of a low-dose combination of analgesics is a valid and effective approach for the treatment of pain and necessitates further study. In summary, we have observed that 9 -THC enhances the antinociceptive effects of morphine and codeine in a synergistic fashion. This is the first report of a true synergistic interaction between oral 9 -THC and morphine or codeine, since previous studies have only examined one-dose combinations. Much more work needs to be done to elucidate the mechanisms by which cannabinoids and opioids interact to produce analgesia. However, the implication that a combination of drugs may be more effective than either drug alone, and at the same time possibly reduce the occurrence of side effects, should provoke further study on analgesic drug interactions.” http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/jpet/304/3/1010.full.pdf http://healthdocbox.com/Substance_Abuse/71109245-Antinociceptive-synergy-between-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-and-opioids-after-oral-administration.html]]>
Synergistic interactions of endogenous opioids and cannabinoid systems.
“Cannabinoids and opioids are distinct drug classes historically used in combination to treat pain. Delta(9)-THC, an active constituent in marijuana, releases endogenous dynorphin A and leucine enkephalin in the production of analgesia.
The endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA), fails to release dynorphin A. The synthetic cannabinoid, CP55,940, releases dynorphin B. Neither AEA nor CP55,940 enhances morphine analgesia. The CB1 antagonist, SR141716A, differentially blocks Delta(9)-THC versus AEA. Tolerance to Delta(9)-THC, but not AEA, involves a decrease in the release of dynorphin A.
Our preclinical studies indicate that Delta(9)-THC and morphine can be useful in low dose combination as an analgesic. Such is not observed with AEA or CP55,940.
We hypothesize the existence of a new CB receptor differentially linked to endogenous opioid systems based upon data showing the stereoselectivity of endogenous opioid release. Such a receptor, due to the release of endogenous opioids, may have significant impact upon the clinical development of cannabinoid/opioid combinations for the treatment of a variety of types of pain in humans.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10612710
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899399019083?via%3Dihub
“Cannabinoids and opioids both produce analgesia through a G-protein-coupled mechanism that blocks the release of pain-propagating neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord. However, high doses of these drugs, which may be required to treat chronic, severe pain, are accompanied by undesirable side effects.
Thus, a search for a better analgesic strategy led to the discovery that delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive constituent of marijuana, enhances the potency of opioids such as morphine in animal models.
In addition, studies have determined that the analgesic effect of THC is, at least in part, mediated through delta and kappa opioid receptors, indicating an intimate connection between cannabinoid and opioid signaling pathways in the modulation of pain perception.
A host of behavioral and molecular experiments have been performed to elucidate the role of opioid receptors in cannabinoid-induced analgesia. The aim of such studies is to develop a novel analgesic regimen using low dose combinations of cannabinoids and opioids to effectively treat acute and chronic pain, especially pain that may be resistant to opioids alone.”
“The aim of this review was to assess the efficacy of cannabis preparations for relieving pain in patients with malignant diseases, through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were predominantly double-blind trials that compared cannabis preparation to a placebo.
“The therapeutic application of Cannabis is attracting substantial public and clinical interest. The Cannabis plant has been described as a veritable ‘treasure trove’, producing more than a hundred different