Tag Archives: Cannabinoids

The effect of cannabis on regular cannabis consumers’ ability to ride a bicycle.

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“To assess the effects of cannabis on the ability required to ride a bicycle, repetitive practical cycling tests and medical examinations were carried out before and after inhalative consumption of cannabis.

A maximum of three joints with body weight-adapted THC content (300 μg THC per kg body weight) could be consumed by each test subject.

Fourteen regular cannabis-consuming test subjects were studied (12 males, 2 females).

In summary, only a few driving faults were observed even under the influence of very high THC concentrations. A defined THC concentration that leads to an inability to ride a bicycle cannot be presented.

The test subjects showed only slight distinctive features that can be documented using a medical test routinely run for persons under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26739323

“Alcohol-related deficits were already identifiable at very low blood alcohol concentrations (BAC)s. A significant increase in gross motoric disturbances compared to the soberness state did not regularly occur until a BAC of at least 0.8 g/kg was reached. At the BAC of 1.4 g/kg and above, no test subjects were able to achieve or surpass their sober driving results.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25428289

“The practical ability to ride a bicycle was significantly reduced in the postalcoholic state… The relative cycling performance in the postalcoholic state was comparable to the rides under the influence of BAC of around 0.30 g/kg… it can be assumed that the direct influence of residual blood alcohol levels plays a minor role for the ability to ride a bicycle in the postalcoholic state. Instead, the side effects of the high amounts of alcohol that were consumed the night before are crucial.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25940454

“A defined THC concentration that leads to an inability to ride a bicycle cannot be presented.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26739323

Alcohol and Cannabinoids Differentially Affect HIV Infection and Function of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells (MDDC).

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“During human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, alcohol has been known to induce inflammation while cannabinoids have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory role.

For instance cannabinoids have been shown to reduce susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and attenuate HIV replication in macrophages.

Recently, we demonstrated that alcohol induces cannabinoid receptors and regulates cytokine production by monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC).

Our results show a differential effect of alcohol and cannabinoids, which may provide insights into the divergent inflammatory role of alcohol and cannabinoids to modulate MDDC function in the context of HIV infection.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26733986

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/hivaids/

Interactions between the endocannabinoid and nicotinic cholinergic systems: preclinical evidence and therapeutic perspectives.

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“Many behavioral and neurochemical effects of nicotine that are related to its addictive potential are reduced by pharmacological blockade or genetic deletion of type-1 cannabinoid receptors, inhibition of endocannabinoid uptake or metabolic degradation, and activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor-α. On the other hand, cholinergic antagonists at α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors as well as endogenous negative allosteric modulators of these receptors are effective in blocking dependence-related effects of cannabinoids.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pharmacological manipulation of the endocannabinoid system and endocannabinoid-like neuromodulators shows promise in the treatment of nicotine dependence and in relapse prevention. Likewise, drugs acting at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors might prove useful in the therapy of cannabinoid dependence.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26728894

Marijuana extract slashes pediatric seizures, landmark study confirms

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Cannabis extract Epidiolex slashes seizures, a new study confirms. (Photo by GW Pharmaceuticals)

“A batch of studies further confirms medical cannabis patients are right to try cannabidiol-rich marijuana products to treat intractable seizure disorders.

Three studies presented at the American Epilepsy Society’s 69th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia Dec. 7th found a marijuana-derived extract slashed pediatric seizures in half, and completely stopped seizures in nine percent of cases.”  http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2015/12/15/marijuana-extract-slashes-pediatric-seizures-landmark-study-confirms/

“Study: marijuana medicine is safe, very effective on epilepsy” http://blog.sfgate.com/smellthetruth/2015/05/12/study-marijuana-medicine-is-safe-very-effective-on-epilepsy/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/

Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial.

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“Cannabis-based treatments for epilepsy have generated much interest…

We aimed to establish whether addition of cannabidiol to existing anti-epileptic regimens would be safe, tolerated, and efficacious in children and young adults with treatment-resistant epilepsy…

Our findings suggest that cannabidiol might reduce seizure frequency and might have an adequate safety profile in children and young adults with highly treatment-resistant epilepsy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26724101

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(15)00379-8/fulltext

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/

Cannabis to lower blood pressure!

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News Medical - Life Sciences & Medicine

“A new method for lowering blood pressure (hypertension) through use of a compound that synthesizes a cannabis (hashish) plant component has been developed by a pharmacology Ph.D. student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem School of Pharmacy.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for about one-third of all deaths in industrialized countries, and is the leading reason for visits there to physicians as well as for drug prescriptions. However, not all patients respond well to the drugs available. There is no “ideal’ hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) drug.

The cannabis plant – also known as hashish or marijuana – through its chemical compounds — cannabinoids — has been shown to have a beneficial, hypotensive effect.”

http://www.news-medical.net/news/2006/06/19/18517.aspx

Report shows relationship between sensation seeking, reward sensitivity and cannabis use

“Lowering Of Blood Pressure Achieved Through Use Of Hashish-like Drug”  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/06/060620083025.htm

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/

Use of Cannabinoids for Spasticity and Pain Management in MS.

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“Several randomized trials have demonstrated potential benefit of cannabis derivatives in the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. These provide class 1 and 2 evidence for cannabinoid product use for spasticity and pain in these patients. The precise best ratio or doses are not yet clear. The safety and potential long-term effects of these products on cognitive function in people with MS have not been evaluated. Since short-term memory and processing speed can be significantly impaired in many people with MS, the concern of potential cognitive impairment related to cannabis products needs consideration in clinical care and should be addressed in longer, prospective studies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26705757

Cannabinoid receptor-specific mechanisms to ameliorate pain in sickle cell anemia via inhibition of mast cell activation and neurogenic inflammation.

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“Sickle cell anaemia is a manifestation of a single point mutation in haemoglobin, but inflammation and pain are the insignia of this disease which can start in infancy and continue throughout life.

Earlier studies showed that mast cell activation contributes to neurogenic inflammation and pain in sickle mice.

Morphine is the common analgesic treatment but also remains a major challenge due to the side effects and ability to activate mast cells. Therefore, we examined the cannabinoid receptor-specific mechanisms to ameliorate mast cell activation, neurogenic inflammation and hyperalgesia, using HbSS-BERK sickle and cannabinoid receptor 2 deleted sickle mice.

We show that cannabinoids ameliorate mast cell activation, inflammation and neurogenic inflammation in sickle mice via both cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2.

Thus, cannabinoids influence systemic and neural mechanisms, ameliorating the disease pathobiology and hyperalgesia in sickle mice.

This study provides a “proof of principle” for the potential of cannabinoid/cannabinoid receptor-based therapeutics to treat several manifestations of sickle cell anaemia.”

Oxyradical Stress, Endocannabinoids, and Atherosclerosis.

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“Atherosclerosis is responsible for most cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is caused by several factors including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and chronic inflammation.

Oxidants and electrophiles have roles in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the concentrations of these reactive molecules are an important factor in disease initiation and progression.

Overactive NADPH oxidase (Nox) produces excess superoxide resulting in oxidized macromolecules, which is an important factor in atherogenesis. Although superoxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have obvious toxic properties, they also have fundamental roles in signaling pathways that enable cells to adapt to stress.

In addition to inflammation and ROS, the endocannabinoid system (eCB) is also important in atherogenesis.

Linkages have been postulated between the eCB system, Nox, oxidative stress, and atherosclerosis.

For instance, CB2 receptor-evoked signaling has been shown to upregulate anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pathways, whereas CB1 signaling appears to induce opposite effects.

The second messenger lipid molecule diacylglycerol is implicated in the regulation of Nox activity and diacylglycerol lipase β (DAGLβ) is a key biosynthetic enzyme in the biosynthesis eCB ligand 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG).

Furthermore, Nrf2 is a vital transcription factor that protects against the cytotoxic effects of both oxidant and electrophile stress.

This review will highlight the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in intracellular signaling and the impact of deregulated ROS-mediated signaling in atherogenesis.

In addition, there is also emerging knowledge that the eCB system has an important role in atherogenesis.

We will attempt to integrate oxidative stress and the eCB system into a conceptual framework that provides insights into this pathology.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26702404

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/atherosclerosis-2/

An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System.

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“The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a widespread neuromodulatory system that plays important roles in central nervous system development, synaptic plasticity, and the response to endogenous and environmental insults.

The ECS comprises cannabinoid receptors, endogenouscannabinoids (endocannabinoids), and the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of the endocannabinoids.

The most abundant cannabinoid receptors are the CB1 cannabinoid receptors; however, CB2 cannabinoid receptors, transient receptor potential channels, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptors are also engaged by some cannabinoids.

Exogenous cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol, produce their biological effects through their interactions with cannabinoid receptors.

The best-studied endogenous cannabinoids are 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide). Despite similarities in chemical structure, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and anandamide are synthesized and degraded by distinct enzymatic pathways, which impart fundamentally different physiologic and pathophysiologic roles to these two endocannabinoids.

As a result of the pervasive social use of cannabis and the involvement of endocannabinoids in a multitude of biological processes, much has been learned about the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of the ECS.

This review provides an introduction to the ECS with an emphasis on its role in synaptic plasticity and how the ECS is perturbed in schizophrenia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26698193