“A study reported Sept. 5 by neuroscientists at Indiana University finds that a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis called cannabidiol, or CBD, appears to protect against the long-term negative psychiatric effects of THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.” https://www.news-medical.net/news/20170906/Cannabidiol-appears-to-protect-against-long-term-negative-psychiatric-effects-of-THC.aspx
Category Archives: News Stories
Adolescent cannabis use and brain systems supporting adult working memory encoding, maintenance, and retrieval
“Given prior reports of adverse effects of cannabis use on working memory, an executive function with a protracted developmental course during adolescence, we examined associations between developmental patterns of cannabis use and adult working memory (WM) processes.
Within repeated cannabis users, greater levels of total cannabis use were associated with performance-related increases in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation during maintenance. Surprisingly, however, at the group level, cannabis users generally performed better than participants who reported never using cannabis (faster RT, higher accuracy).” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29253654 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811917310637“Why Pot Smokers Scored Higher Than Nonsmokers on This Memory Test. Among a sample of 28-year-olds who took a working-memory test while undergoing an MRI brain scan, individuals who started smoking marijuana in adolescence performed just as well or even better than individuals who never smoked cannabis, the study found.” https://www.livescience.com/61574-adolescent-cannabis-use-memory-study.html
History of marijuana use does not affect outcomes on the liver transplant waitlist.
“Data are limited on marijuana use and its impact on liver transplant (LT) waitlist outcomes. We aimed to assess the risk of waitlist mortality/delisting and likelihood of LT among prior marijuana users, and to determine the prevalence and factors associated with marijuana use. Unlike illicit drug use, marijuana use was not associated with worse outcomes on the LT waitlist.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29319619 https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00007890-900000000-96711 https://journals.lww.com/transplantjournal/Abstract/onlinefirst/History_of_marijuana_use_does_not_affect_outcomes.96711.aspx
Provider Perspectives on Use of Medical Marijuana in Children With Cancer.

“Although medical marijuana (MM) may have utility in the supportive care of children with serious illness, it remains controversial.
We investigated interdisciplinary provider perspectives on legal MM use in children with cancer.
Most pediatric oncology providers are willing to consider MM use in children with cancer and receive frequent inquiries.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29233937
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2017/12/08/peds.2017-0559.long
“Medical Marijuana For Children With Cancer Broadly Supported By Doctors. An overwhelming majority of health care professionals who care for children with cancer would be willing to help those children get medical marijuana” https://www.forbes.com/sites/tarahaelle/2017/12/12/medical-marijuana-for-children-with-cancer-broadly-supported-by-doctors/#3d31cf08795d
“Most doctors would allow medical marijuana for children with cancer, study finds. A considerable majority of medical physicians would help children treat cancer with medical cannabis, a new study suggests.” http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2017/12/12/most-doctors-would-allow-medical-marijuana-for-children-with-cancer-study-finds/
“Clinicians Support Medical Marijuana Use in Children With Cancer, But Lack Knowledge” https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2672986
Study finds medical cannabis is effective at reducing opioid addiction

“A new study conducted by researchers at The University of New Mexico, involving medical cannabis and prescription opioid use among chronic pain patients, found a distinct connection between having the legal ability to use cannabis and significant reductions in opioid use.
The study titled, “Associations between Medical Cannabis and Prescription Opioid Use in Chronic Pain Patients: A Preliminary Cohort Study,” and published in the open access journal PLOS ONE, was conducted by Drs. Jacob Miguel Vigil, associate professor, Department of Psychology and Sarah See Stith, assistant professor, Department of Economics.
The results from this preliminary study showed a strong correlation between enrollment in the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program (MCP) and cessation or reduction of opioid use, and that whole, natural Cannabis sativa and extracts made from the plant may serve as an alternative to opioid-based medications for treating chronic pain.
“If cannabis can serve as an alternative to prescription opioids for at least some patients, legislators and the medical community may want to consider medical cannabis programs as a potential tool for combating the current opioid epidemic,””
http://news.unm.edu/news/study-finds-medical-cannabis-is-effective-at-reducing-opioid-addiction
“Associations between medical cannabis and prescription opioid use in chronic pain patients: A preliminary cohort study.” http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0187795
Association Between Marijuana Use and Sexual Frequency in the United States: A Population-Based Study

“Marijuana use is independently associated with increased sexual frequency and does not appear to impair sexual function. A positive association between marijuana use and sexual frequency is seen in men and women across all demographic groups.” http://www.jsm.jsexmed.org/article/S1743-6095(17)31417-0/fulltext
“Regular marijuana use linked to more sex. The first study to examine the relationship between marijuana use and frequency of sexual intercourse at the population level in the United States shows a positive correlation between the two.” http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2017/10/regular-marijuana-use-linked-to-more-sex.html
Medical Cannabinoids in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

“CONTEXT: Legalization of medical marijuana in many states has led to a widening gap between the accessibility and the evidence for cannabinoids as a medical treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review published reports to identify the evidence base of cannabinoids as a medical treatment in children and adolescents.
RESULTS: Evidence for benefit was strongest for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, with increasing evidence of benefit for epilepsy.” http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2017/10/19/peds.2017-1818
“Limited data on medical cannabis use in children. Strongest evidence supports use to reduce seizures, side effects of chemotherapy.” https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171023094606.htm
“Marijuana Can Help Children with Seizures, Cancer Nausea” https://www.healthline.com/health-news/marijuana-can-help-children-with-seizures-cancer-nausea
“Medical Marijuana Reduces CINV, Seizures in Children” https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/887616
Another Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please Be Aware.

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“Poor diet in youth associated with increased risk for premenopausal breast cancer” http://oncologynews.com.au/poor-diet-in-youth-associated-with-increased-risk-for-premenopausal-breast-cancer/
“Fracking Linked to Breast Cancer” http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/04/1080801/-Fracking-Linked-to-Breast-Cancer “Breast cancer from fracking: Are dangerous chemicals in our drinking water?” https://www.naturalhealth365.com/fracking-chemicals-drinking-water-1498.html “Fracking Chemicals Linked to Serious Reproductive, Developmental Health Risks” http://www.ceh.org/news-events/press-releases/content/fracking-chemicals-linked-serious-reproductive-developmental-health-risks/ “Fracking produces air pollution that increases the risk of breathing problems and cancer, study claims” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3081630/Fracking-produces-air-pollution-increases-risk-breathing-problems-cancer-study-claims.html
“Scientists from the University of Missouri in Columbia claim that luteolin, which occurs naturally in herbs and vegetables, can slow the development of breast cancer.” http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/299389.php “The flavone luteolin, a constituent of C. sativa, is also found in spices and in vegetables such as celery and green pepper.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664885/
“Cannabinoids as Anticancer Drugs.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28826542
Cannabis use among patients at a comprehensive cancer center in a state with legalized medicinal and recreational use.
“Cannabis is purported to alleviate symptoms related to cancer treatment, although the patterns of use among cancer patients are not well known. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and methods of use among cancer patients, the perceived benefits, and the sources of information in a state with legalized cannabis.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional, anonymous survey of adult cancer patients was performed at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington State. Random urine samples for tetrahydrocannabinol provided survey validation.RESULTS:
Nine hundred twenty-six of 2737 eligible patients (34%) completed the survey, and the median age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR], 46-66 years). Most had a strong interest in learning about cannabis during treatment (6 on a 1-10 scale; IQR, 3-10) and wanted information from cancer providers (677 of 911 [74%]). Previous use was common (607 of 926 [66%]); 24% (222 of 926) used cannabis in the last year, and 21% (192 of 926) used cannabis in the last month. Random urine samples found similar percentages of users who reported weekly use (27 of 193 [14%] vs 164 of 926 [18%]). Active users inhaled (153 of 220 [70%]) or consumed edibles (154 of 220 [70%]); 89 (40%) used both modalities. Cannabis was used primarily for physical (165 of 219 [75%]) and neuropsychiatric symptoms (139 of 219 [63%]). Legalization significantly increased the likelihood of use in more than half of the respondents.CONCLUSIONS:
This study of cancer patients in a state with legalized cannabis found high rates of active use across broad subgroups, and legalization was reported to be important in patients’ decision to use. Cancer patients desire but are not receiving information about cannabis use during their treatment from oncology providers.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28944449 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.30879/abstract;jsessionid=793E288AAC342234D14BA7C96AEEDB74.f02t04?systemMessage=Wiley+Online+Library+will+be+unavailable+on+Saturday+7th+Oct+from+03.00+EDT+%2F+08%3A00+BST+%2F+12%3A30+IST+%2F+15.00+SGT+to+08.00+EDT+%2F+13.00+BST+%2F+17%3A30+IST+%2F+20.00+SGT+and+Sunday+8th+Oct+from+03.00+EDT+%2F+08%3A00+BST+%2F+12%3A30+IST+%2F+15.00+SGT+to+06.00+EDT+%2F+11.00+BST+%2F+15%3A30+IST+%2F+18.00+SGT+for+essential+maintenance.+Apologies+for+the+inconvenience+caused+.“Study finds up to one-quarter of cancer patients use marijuana” https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-09-one-quarter-cancer-patients-marijuana.html
“Up to one-quarter of cancer patients use marijuana” https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170925095431.htm
“Cancer Patients Want to Use Marijuana, and with Good Reason” https://www.inverse.com/article/36751-cancer-patients-want-to-use-marijuana-study-fred-hutchinson-cancer-research-center
“The use of Cannabis for medicinal purposes dates back to ancient times. Cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells in the laboratory.” http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/cannabis-pdq#section/all “Marijuana has been used in herbal remedies for centuries. More recently, scientists reported that THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD slow growth and/or cause death in certain types of cancer cells.” http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/chemotherapyeffects/marijuana-and-cancer http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/cancer/]]>Nanoparticle Drones to Target Lung Cancer with Radiosensitizers and Cannabinoids
“Nanotechnology has opened up a new, previously unimaginable world in cancer diagnosis and therapy, leading to the emergence of cancer nanomedicine and nanoparticle-aided radiotherapy. These nanoparticle drones can be programmed to deliver therapeutic payloads to tumor sites to achieve optimal therapeutic efficacy. In this article, we examine the state-of-the-art and potential of nanoparticle drones in targeting lung cancer. Inhalation (INH) (air) versus traditional intravenous (“sea”) routes of navigating physiological barriers using such drones is assessed. Results and analysis suggest that INH route may offer more promise for targeting tumor cells with radiosensitizers and cannabinoids from the perspective of maximizing damage to lung tumors cells while minimizing any collateral damage or side effects. As discussed earlier, nanoparticle drones are particularly attractive because they can also be loaded with drugs payload like cannabinoids. Cannabinoids, which are the bioactive components of Cannabis sativa and their derivatives, may exert palliative effects in cancer patients by preventing nausea, vomiting, and pain and by stimulating appetite . Furthermore, studies indicate that cannabinoids can inhibit cancer cell growth in in vitro and in vivo. A Nature Reviews Cancer article and other recently published work highlight the potential of cannabinoids for treating cancer, working in synergy with radiotherapy and serving as radiosensitzers to enhance damage to lung tumor cells in particular. Consistent with this, our own experiments have confirmed the potential of cannabinoids in treating lung cancer, with results confirming that cannabinoids can enhance damage to cancer cells. Overall, the use of nanoparticle drones administered via INH to enhance NRT, as highlighted in this article, may provide a good strategy for maximizing therapeutic efficacy in external beam NRT for lung cancer. Also there is growing evidence that cannabinoids can serve as radiosensitizers, enhance damage to tumor cells, slow tumor growth, and work synergistically with radiotherapy in cancer treatment.” http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fonc.2017.00208/full