Category Archives: Uncategorized

Cannabinoids produce neuroprotection by reducing intracellular calcium release from ryanodine-sensitive stores.

Posted on by

“Exogenously administered cannabinoids are neuroprotective in several different cellular and animal models.

In the current study, two cannabinoid CB1 receptor ligands (WIN 55,212-2, CP 55,940) markedly reduced hippocampal cell death, in a time-dependent manner, in cultured neurons subjected to high levels of NMDA…

The results suggest that cannabinoids prevent cell death by initiating a time and dose dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, that outlasts direct action at the CB1 receptor and is capable of reducing [Ca2+](i) via a cAMP/PKA-dependent process during the neurotoxic event.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15910885

Polypharmacology Shakes Hands with Complex Aetiopathology.

Posted on by

“Chronic diseases are due to deviations of fundamental physiological systems, with different pathologies being characterised by similar malfunctioning biological networks.

The ensuing compensatory mechanisms may weaken the body’s dynamic ability to respond to further insults and reduce the efficacy of conventional single target treatments.

The multitarget, systemic, and prohomeostatic actions emerging for plant cannabinoids exemplify what might be needed for future medicines.

Indeed, two combined cannabis extracts were approved as a single medicine (Sativex®), while pure cannabidiol, a multitarget cannabinoid, is emerging as a treatment for paediatric drug-resistant epilepsy.

Using emerging cannabinoid medicines as an example, we revisit the concept of polypharmacology and describe a new empirical model, the ‘therapeutic handshake’, to predict efficacy/safety of compound combinations of either natural or synthetic origin.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26434643

A runner’s high depends on cannabinoid receptors in mice.

Posted on by

“Exercise is rewarding, and long-distance runners have described a runner’s high as a sudden pleasant feeling of euphoria, anxiolysis, sedation, and analgesia.

A popular belief has been that endogenous endorphins mediate these beneficial effects. However, running exercise increases blood levels of both β-endorphin (an opioid) and anandamide (an endocannabinoid).

Using a combination of pharmacologic, molecular genetic, and behavioral studies in mice, we demonstrate that cannabinoid receptors mediate acute anxiolysis and analgesia after running.

We show that anxiolysis depends on intact cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) receptors on forebrain GABAergic neurons and pain reduction on activation of peripheral CB1 and CB2 receptors.

We thus demonstrate that the endocannabinoid system is crucial for two main aspects of a runner’s high. Sedation, in contrast, was not influenced by cannabinoid or opioid receptor blockage, and euphoria cannot be studied in mouse models.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26438875

“Wired to run: exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling in humans and cursorial mammals with implications for the ‘runner’s high’”  http://jeb.biologists.org/content/215/8/1331.long

Cannabis – the Israeli perspective.

Posted on by

“Short overviews are presented on the historical uses of cannabis in the Middle East and on the more recent scientific and medical research on phytocannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, with emphasis on research contributions from Israel. These are followed by examples of research projects and clinical trials with cannabinoids and by a short report on the regulation of medical marijuana in Israel, which at present is administered to over 22,000 patients.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26426888

Medical Cannabis Effective for Chronic Pain, Other Indications

Posted on by

“According to this study:

* Moderate-quality evidence supports the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain and for the spasticity related to multiple sclerosis.

* Low-quality evidence suggests that cannabinoids may be effective for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and other indications.”

http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Abstract/2015/10000/Medical_Cannabis_Effective_for_Chronic_Pain,_Other.31.aspx

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282153137_Medical_Cannabis_Effective_for_Chronic_Pain_Other_Indications

“Medical Cannabis Effective for Chronic Pain, Other Indications. According to this study.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26402288

“Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”  http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2338251

Neural correlates of cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol interactions in mice: implications for medical cannabis.

Posted on by

“It has been proposed that medicinal strains of cannabis and therapeutic preparations would be safer with a more balanced concentration ratio of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cannabidiol (CBD), as CBD reduces the adverse psychotropic effects of THC.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether CBD modulates THC-induced functional effects and c-Fos expression in a 1:1 dose ratio that approximates therapeutic strains of cannabis and nabiximols.

These data re-affirm that CBD modulates the pharmacological actions of THC and provide information regarding brain regions involved in the interaction between CBD and THC.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26377899

The adverse effects of cannabinoids: implications for use of medical marijuana

Posted on by

Logo of cmaj

“Wang and colleagues present a systematic review of the research on adverse effects of medical cannabis use.

The authors found that most of the adverse events reported in the randomized clinical trials were not serious; dizziness was the most common.

These findings support the conclusions of the Institute of Medicine, that short-term use of cannabinoids for medical purposes has an acceptable safety profile.

This provides reassurance on the safety of prescribing cannabinoids and the newer cannabis extract for the short-term symptomatic relief…” 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2413322/

Past 15-year trends in adolescent marijuana use: Differences by race/ethnicity and sex.

Posted on by

“The potential for increases in adolescent marijuana use is an important concern given recent changes in marijuana policy.

The purpose of this study was to estimate trends in marijuana use from 1999 to 2013 among a national sample of US high school students…

Despite considerable changes in state marijuana policies over the past 15 years, marijuana use among high school students has largely declined. ”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26361714

Assessment of Israeli Physicians’ Knowledge, Experience and Attitudes towards Medical Cannabis: A Pilot Study.

Posted on by

“Cannabis has been used throughout history for different purposes but was outlawed in the United States in 1937; many countries followed suit. Although recently reintroduced as a medical treatment in several countries, the use of cannabis in Israel is permitted for some medical purposes but is still controversial, eliciting heated public and professional debate. The few published studies on physicians’ attitudes to medical cannabis found them to be generally unsupportive.

OBJECTIVES:

To examine, for the first time, the experience, knowledge and attitudes of Israeli physicians towards medical cannabis (MC)…

Physicians generally agreed that MC treatment could be helpful for chronic and for terminally ill patients. Oncologists and pain specialists did not agree unanimously that MC can undermine mental health, whereas other physicians did. Physicians who recommended MC in the past (once or more) agreed, more than physicians who did not, with the statement “MC treatment in Israel is accessible to patients who need it”.

CONCLUSIONS:

In contrast to other studies we found partial acceptance of MC as a therapeutic agent. Further in-depth studies are needed to address regulatory and educational needs.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26357721