“This study aimed to design a THC-rich hydrogel to deliver cannabis derivatives topically. We developed hydrogels using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) mixed with propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), or both to facilitate the dissolution of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

The hydrogels showed a brown color, confirming the presence of the cannabinoid. They exhibit a porous structure and better mechanical properties than PVA alone. Indeed, the hydrogel containing PG, VG, or both showed elastic deformation behaviors with lower water content. FTIR analysis demonstrated the presence of THC with two specific peaks at 1,575 and 1,619 cm^-1, confirming the presence of THC in the hydrogels.

Human dermal fibroblast cultures onto the surface of all hydrogels confirmed the safety of the THC-rich hydrogel as the cell adhesion was comparable to the control (no THC). Furthermore, cells adhering to the hydrogels could proliferate, showing increased cell viability at 48 and 72 h, with a higher proliferation obtained with the THC-rich PVA-PG-VG hydrogels.

Such cell behavior could be due to the release of the THC in the culture medium, as demonstrated by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), showing the presence of THC in the culture medium, ranging from 203 to 290 μg after 24 h of incubation of the hydrogels containing PG and VG or both. In comparison, the released THC from the PVA hydrogel was higher, reaching 852 μg. It is interesting to note that the THC release at 24, 48, and 72 h was slower with the hydrogels containing PG, VG, and both, compared to PVA alone.

Overall, the present study has designed safe THC-rich PVA-PG-VG hydrogels as a functional delivery system for the topical use of cannabinoids to control tissue diseases, such as inflammation.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40836986/

“Cannabis has long been used to relieve symptoms such as pain, fever, anxiety, and diarrhea in the context of numerous diseases. Furthermore, cannabis products were reported to reduce inflammatory diseases. Over the past decades, it has been demonstrated that cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory effects, as ascertained by the decrease in the secretion of inflammatory mediators. The human body is subjected to various conditions (stress, autocrine/endocrine changes, exposure to exogenous stimuli, etc.) leading to organ and tissue inflammatory disorders, such as those in the skin and the oral cavity. Such tissue inflammation could be controlled using cannabis products.”

“Altogether, our results demonstrated the possible combination of PVA with PG and VG to generate useful THC-rich hydrogels for cannabinoid delivery. Because THC is lipophilic, our study suggests the possible delivery of THC when in topical contact with the tissues, including skin and oral mucosa, as the cells have lipid-rich membranes. Our THC-rich PVA-PG-VG hydrogels, therefore, may have the potential as a drug carrier for topical use to treat tissue inflammation.”

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/drug-delivery/articles/10.3389/fddev.2024.1303812/full

“This review aims to assess the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids as complementary treatments for atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease characterized by the loss of skin barrier function that promotes subsequent symptoms such as intense itching, xerosis and inflammation. Several treatments are available, particularly topical approaches, which are crucial for both acute and chronic management of the disease.

The main objectives of topical treatments are to promote skin hydration and reduce itching and immune responses, typically through lotions and topical medications such as glucocorticoids. However, the long-term use of glucocorticoids presents certain disadvantages, highlighting the need for new therapeutic options to minimize adverse effects and providing a broader range of choices for both physicians and patients to find the best alternative for each case.

Research involving cannabinoids, which can be endogenous, plant-based or synthetic, has intensified in recent years to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these compounds for skin conditions, including AD. Studies suggest that phytocannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), along with endogenous and synthetic compounds such as palmitoyletanolamide (PEA) and dronabinol, can improve AD symptoms, primarily because of their anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antioxidant properties. Additionally, some cannabinoids exhibit antimicrobial effects.

Despite these promising results, the use of cannabinoids in AD treatment requires further investigation to better understand their efficiency and safety, necessitating high-accuracy clinical and preclinical trials.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40818974/

“Cannabinoids, whether of plant, endogenous, or synthetic origin, clearly possess significant therapeutic potential and should be further explored as complementary treatments for AD. The development of cannabinoid-based formulations for skin conditions is not limited to products classified as medicines by pharmaceutical regulatory agencies, but also includes their use as active ingredients in cosmetic formulations, such as soaps, shampoos, and especially moisturizing lotions and creams, for individuals with AD and other conditions requiring enhanced skin hydration.

Beyond the therapeutical potential of the classical phytocannabinoids CBD and THC, other components such as CBG and CBC have also been investigated for their dermatological benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that may contribute to skin health and the treatment of various skin disorders, including AD .”

https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-025-00317-4

“Background: Cannabis is increasingly recommended to treat female orgasmic disorder/difficulty (FOD/difficulty), a condition that affects up to 41% of women worldwide with no conventional medications.

Aim: To systematically review the existing literature on cannabis and its impact on female orgasm function.

Methods: A systematic review based on the PRISMA model evaluated the effects of cannabis on orgasm function in females with or without FOD/difficulty. Risk of bias was assessed for randomized and nonrandomized studies. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Embase.

Outcomes: Primary outcomes focused on the impact of cannabis on female orgasm function.

Results: Sixteen studies met inclusion criteria: 1 randomized controlled trial and 15 observational studies, including data from 8849 females. Most were nonrandomized designs without comparator groups and high risk of bias. Most included both sexes and reported dichotomized outcomes by sex. None excluded females with self-reported orgasm difficulty; 1 controlled for its prevalence; 1 dichotomized females by the presence or absence of orgasm difficulty; and no studies used a clinical diagnosis of FOD. Nine studies investigated cannabis use prior to sexual activity. All 9 studies cited improvements in female orgasm function, including increases in frequency, ease, intensity, quality, and/or multiorgasmic capacity. However, 1 study found cases of situational anorgasmia, and 1 reported that women had more difficulty with focus, potentially leading to orgasm difficulty. Two studies assessed general cannabis use and sexual function: 1 found no association between the frequency of cannabis use and female sexual problems, while the other noted improved orgasm and reduced dysfunction with more frequent use. Five studies examined cannabis alongside other substances, before sex or not: 1 linked inhibited orgasm to combined cannabis and alcohol use, 1 to noncannabis substances, 2 found improved orgasm function with cannabis, and 1 reported improved orgasm function and cases of inability to orgasm due to a lack of focus.

Clinical implications: Cannabis appears to be a promising treatment option for FOD/difficulty.

Strengths and limitations: This review found consistent evidence that cannabis improves orgasm function in females with or without FOD/difficulty. Limitations include insufficient high-quality studies and limited reporting on cannabis dosage and timing.

Conclusion: FOD/difficulty should be recognized as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis use. Given the existing evidence supporting its potential efficacy, medical cannabis warrants consideration as a first-line treatment. More randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify optimal dosing, routes of administration, strain specificity, timing of use, and differential effects across FOD subtypes.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40808870/

“Cannabis appears to be a promising treatment for FOD/difficulty, with the majority of studies reviewed reporting improvements in orgasm function and satisfaction among women who use cannabis. These benefits were observed across diverse study designs, populations, and cannabis use contexts. Given this growing body of evidence, FOD/difficulty should be considered a qualifying condition for medical cannabis, and medical cannabis should be evaluated as a potential first-line treatment. These findings suggest a strong association between cannabis use and improved orgasm function, but further RCTs are needed to establish causality and better define key parameters, such as dosage, route of administration, timing of use, strain specificity, and the differential effects on FOD subtypes.”

https://academic.oup.com/smoa/article/13/4/qfaf061/8232583?login=false