Category Archives: Uncategorized

Sativex Associated With Behavioral-Relapse Prevention Strategy as Treatment for Cannabis Dependence: A Case Series.

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“The current lack of pharmacological treatments for cannabis dependence warrants the use of novel approaches and further investigation of promising pharmacotherapy.

In this case series, we assessed the use of self-titrated dosages of Sativex (1:1, Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]/cannabidiol [CBD] combination) and motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (MET/CBT) for the treatment of cannabis dependence among 5 treatment-seeking community-recruited cannabis-dependent subjects.

THC/CBD metabolite concentration indicated reduced cannabis use and compliance with medication.

CONCLUSIONS:

In summary, this pilot study found that with Sativex in combination with MET/CBT reduced cannabis use while preventing increases in craving and withdrawal in the 4 participants completing the study. Further systematic exploration of Sativex as a pharmacological treatment option for cannabis dependence should be performed.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27261670

Cannabinoid receptor-2 stimulation suppresses neuroinflammation by regulating microglial M1/M2 polarization through the cAMP/PKA pathway in an experimental GMH rat model.

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“Excessive inflammatory responses are involved in secondary brain injury during germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH). The process of microglial polarization to the pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes is considered to occur in a major immunomodulatory manner during brain inflammation.

We previously found that cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2R) stimulation attenuated microglial accumulation and brain injury following experimental GMH.

Herein, we investigated the effects of CB2R stimulation on neuroinflammation after experimental GMH and the potential mechanisms that mediate M1/M2 microglial phenotype regulation.

This is the first study to propose that promotion of microglial M2 polarization through the cAMP/PKA pathway participates in the CB2R-mediated anti-inflammatory effects after GMH induction.

The results will help to further understand the mechanisms that underlie neuroprotection by CB2R in GMH and promote clinical translational research for CB2R agonists.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27261088

Inhaled delivery of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to rats by e-cigarette vapor technology.

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“Most human Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use is via inhalation, and yet few animal studies of inhalation exposure are available. Popularization of non-combusted methods for the inhalation of psychoactive drugs (Volcano®, e-cigarettes) further stimulates a need for rodent models of this route of administration.

This study was designed to develop and validate a rodent chamber suitable for controlled exposure to vaporized THC in a polyethylene glycol vehicle, using an e-cigarette delivery system adapted to standard size, sealed rat housing chambers.

The in vivo efficacy of inhaled THC was validated using radiotelemetry to assess body temperature and locomotor responses, a tail-flick assay for nociception and plasma analysis to verify exposure levels.

This approach is flexible, robust and effective for use in laboratory rats and will be of increasing utility as users continue to adopt “vaping” for the administration of cannabis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27256501

Clinical Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Compared with Marijuana in Emergency Department Patients with Acute Drug Overdose.

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“Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are heterogeneous compounds originally intended as probes of the endogenous cannabinoid system or as potential therapeutic agents.

In the first clinical study comparing the adverse effects of SCRA overdose vs. marijuana controls in an ED population, we found that SCRA overdoses had significantly pronounced neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity compared with marijuana.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27255136

Are medical marijuana users different from recreational users? The view from primary care.

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“Marijuana is currently approved for medical use in 23 states. Both clinicians and the lay public have questioned whether users of marijuana for medical purposes are different from users of marijuana for recreational purposes.

This study examined similarities and differences in important clinical characteristics between users of medical marijuana and users of recreational marijuana.

There was no significant difference between medical and recreational users in the percentage using marijuana with at least two additional substances.

CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE:

Although our results suggest that there are few distinct differences between medical and recreational users of marijuana, the differences observed, while mostly very small in effect size, are consistent with at least some medical users employing marijuana to relieve symptoms and distress associated with medical illness.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26337603

Activation of endocannabinoid system in the rat basolateral amygdala improved scopolamine-induced memory consolidation impairment.

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“The current study was designed to examine the involvement of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in scopolamine-induced memory impairment in adult male Wistar rats.

In view of the known actions of the drugs used, the present data pointed to the involvement of the BLA CB1 receptors in scopolamine-induced memory consolidation impairment.

Furthermore, it seems that a functional interaction between the BLA endocannabinoid and cholinergic muscarinic systems may be critical for memory formation.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27230394

“The most dangerous drug in the world: ‘Devil’s Breath’ chemical from Colombia can block free will, wipe memory and even kill. Scopolamine often blown into faces of victims or added to drinks. Within minutes, victims are like ‘zombies’ – coherent, but with no free will. Drug is made from borrachero tree, which is common in Colombia”  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2143584/Scopolamine-Powerful-drug-growing-forests-Colombia-ELIMINATES-free-will.html

“Activation of endocannabinoid system in the rat basolateral amygdala improved scopolamine-induced memory consolidation impairment.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27230394

Cannabinoids inhibit fibrogenesis in diffuse systemic sclerosis fibroblasts.

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Rheumatology

“Recently, it has also been demonstrated that the pleiotropic cannabinoid system is involved in both liver and pancreatic fibrosis. Furthermore, cannabinoids may play a pro- or anti-fibrogenic role depending on their interaction with CB1r or CB2r.

This raises the possibility that pharmacologic modulation of the endocannabinoid system could be a target to limit tissue damage in pathologic fibrosis.

It has been demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system is up-regulated in pathologic fibrosis and that modulation of the cannabinoid receptors might limit the progression of uncontrolled fibrogenesis.

Both CB1 and CB2 receptors were over-expressed in dcSSc fibroblasts compared with healthy controls.

Our preliminary findings suggest that cannabinoids are provided with an anti-fibrotic activity, thereby possibly representing a new class of agents targeting fibrosis diseases.”

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/48/9/1050.long

Can Cannabinoids Modulate Fibrotic Progression in Systemic Sclerosis?

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“Since ancient times, plants have been used for therapeutic purposes.

Cannabis sativa has been widely used as a medicinal herb by Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

According to our in vitro and in vivo experimental models, cannabinoids are able to modulate fibrosis.

The exact mechanism underlying this effect requires further investigation, but it seems to go beyond their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Based on the above observations, we aimed to investigate the role of cannabinoids in systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disease characterized by diffuse fibrosis.

Since preclinical data on cannabinoids show their capability to modulate fibrosis, inflammation and vasodilatation, these molecules could be ideal drugs for targeting SSc.”

http://www.ima.org.il/FilesUpload/IMAJ/0/193/96907.pdf

Drug vaping applied to cannabis: Is “Cannavaping” a therapeutic alternative to marijuana?

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“Therapeutic cannabis administration is increasingly used in Western countries due to its positive role in several pathologies. Dronabinol or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) pills, ethanolic cannabis tinctures, oromucosal sprays or table vaporizing devices are available but other cannabinoid forms can be used.

Inspired by the illegal practice of dabbing of butane hashish oil (BHO), cannabinoids from cannabis were extracted with butane gas, and the resulting concentrate (BHO) was atomized with specific vaporizing devices. The efficiency of “cannavaping,” defined as the “vaping” of liquid refills for e-cigarettes enriched with cannabinoids, including BHO, was studied as an alternative route of administration for therapeutic cannabinoids.

The results showed that illegal cannavaping would be subjected to marginal development due to the poor solubility of BHO in commercial liquid refills (especially those with high glycerin content). This prevents the manufacture of liquid refills with high BHO concentrations adopted by most recreational users of cannabis to feel the psychoactive effects more rapidly and extensively.

Conversely, “therapeutic cannavaping” could be an efficient route for cannabinoids administration because less concentrated cannabinoids-enriched liquid refills are required. However, the electronic device marketed for therapeutic cannavaping should be carefully designed to minimize potential overheating and contaminant generation.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27228348