Tag Archives: cannabis

Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Endocannabinoids and Cannabis at the Intersection of Stress and Reward.

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“Cannabis enables and enhances the subjective sense of well-being by stimulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a key role in modulating the response to stress, reward, and their interactions.

The recent shift toward legalization of medical or recreational cannabis has renewed interest in investigating the physiological role of the ECS as well as the potential health effects, both adverse and beneficial, of cannabis.

Here we review our current understanding of the ECS and its complex physiological roles.

We discuss the implications of this understanding vis-á-vis the ECS’s modulation of stress and reward and its relevance to mental disorders in which these processes are disrupted (i.e., addiction, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia), along with the therapeutic potential of strategies to manipulate the ECS for these conditions.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27618739

Evaluation of Two Commercially Available Cannabidiol Formulations for Use in Electronic Cigarettes.

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“Since 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana in some form, suppliers of legal marijuana have developed Cannabis sativa products for use in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

Personal battery powered vaporizers, or e-cigarettes, were developed to deliver a nicotine vapor such that smokers could simulate smoking tobacco without the inherent pathology of inhaled tobacco smoke. The liquid formulations used in these devices are comprised of an active ingredient such as nicotine mixed with vegetable glycerin (VG) and/or propylene glycol (PG) and flavorings.

A significant active ingredient of C. sativa, cannabidiol (CBD), has been purported to have anti-convulsant, anti-nociceptive, and anti-psychotic properties. These properties have potential medical therapies such as intervention of addictive behaviors, treatments for epilepsy, management of pain for cancer patients, and treatments for schizophrenia.

However, CBD extracted from C. sativa remains a DEA Schedule I drug since it has not been approved by the FDA for medical purposes.

Two commercially available e-cigarette liquid formulations reported to contain 3.3 mg/mL of CBD as the active ingredient were evaluated. These products are not regulated by the FDA in manufacturing or in labeling of the products and were found to contain 6.5 and 7.6 mg/mL of CBD in VG and PG with a variety of flavoring agents. Presently, while labeled as to content, the quality control of manufacturers and the relative safety of these products is uncertain.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27621706

pain in Extrapyramidal Neurodegenerative Diseases.

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“Pain is one of the most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) and other Parkinson plus syndromes, with a major effect on quality of life.

The aims of the study were to examine the prevalence and characteristics of pain in PD and other Parkinson plus syndromes and patient use and response to pain medications.

The most beneficial analgesics were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and medical cannabis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27623111

A preliminary evaluation of the relationship of cannabinoid blood concentrations with the analgesic response to vaporized cannabis.

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“A randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial utilizing vaporized cannabis containing placebo and 6.7% and 2.9% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was performed in 42 subjects with central neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injury and disease.

Dose-dependent improvement in pain score was evident across all pain scale elements.

Plans for future work are outlined to explore the relationship of plasma concentrations with the analgesic response to different cannabinoids.

Such an appraisal of descriptors might contribute to the identification of distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms and, ultimately, the development of mechanism-based treatment approaches for neuropathic pain, a condition that remains difficult to treat.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27621666

Got Munchies? Estimating the Relationship between Marijuana Use and Body Mass Index.

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“Although marijuana use is commonly associated with increased appetite and the likelihood of weight gain, research findings in this area are mixed.

Most studies, however, report cross-sectional associations and rarely control for such important predictors as physical activity, socioeconomic status, and alcohol and other drug use.

Results show that daily female marijuana users have a BMI that is approximately 3.1% (p<0.01) lower than that of non-users, whereas daily male users have a BMI that is approximately 2.7% (p<0.01) lower than that of non-users.

 

The present study indicates a negative association between marijuana use and BMI.

Uncovering a negative association between marijuana use and weight status is a valuable contribution to the literature, as this result contradicts those from some previous studies, which were unable to address time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27572145

“Daily Marijuana Use Linked to Lower BMI”           http://www.livescience.com/56068-daily-marijuana-use-linked-to-lower-bmi.html

“Marijuana Makes You Skinny? New Study Says Pot May Lead To Lower Body Mass Index” http://www.ibtimes.com/marijuana-makes-you-skinny-new-study-says-pot-may-lead-lower-body-mass-index-2414737

“Smoking marijuana can lower your BMI, study finds”  https://www.rawstory.com/2016/09/smoking-marijuana-can-lower-your-bmi-study-finds/

Maternal Marijuana Use and Adverse Neonatal Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

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“To estimate whether marijuana use in pregnancy increases risks for adverse neonatal outcomes and clarify if any increased risk is attributable to marijuana use itself or to confounding factors such as tobacco use.

CONCLUSION:

Maternal marijuana use during pregnancy is not an independent risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes after adjusting for confounding factors.

Thus, the association between maternal marijuana use and adverse outcomes appears attributable to concomitant tobacco use and other confounding factors.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27607879

“Using Pot While Pregnant Not Tied to Birth Risks. Smoking marijuana during pregnancy doesn’t appear to increase the risk of preterm birth or other harmful birth outcomes, a new review study suggests.” http://www.livescience.com/56036-marijuana-pregnant-preterm-birth-risk.html

“Marijuana Is Safe During pregnancy, Experts Do Not Encourage. Marijuana does not increase pregnancy risk according to new research. It does not have a negative outcome when it comes to premature birth and low birth weight. Still, experts do not encourage marijuana use during pregnancy.” http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/47194/20160910/marijuana-safe-during-pregnancy-experts-encourage.htm

Cannabis for Cognitive Enhancement as a New Coping Strategy? Results From a Survey of Students at Four Universities in Germany.

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“Cognitive Enhancement (CE) is often discussed in relation to stimulant drugs, such as amphetamines (AMPH).

However, there is some evidence that cannabis (CAN) can be used for CE.

A survey was taken of 1,538 students at four German universities.

A considerable number of students report having used CAN for CE.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27607062

Cannabidiol and Epilepsy: Sifting, Winnowing and Buzz

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“Over the past few years there has been a phenomenal resurgence in the interest in the use of Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica for the treatment of epilepsy (among many other disorders as well). Clearly, the media and the proliferation of internet sites offering advice has fueled interest not only among patients and caregivers, but clinicians as well. Mainstream and social media interest in patient testimonials have, for better or worse, created a great deal of buzz. First, to the answer of does CBD provide benefit, the answer appears to be yes. With respect to safety perspective, CBD seemed to be well tolerated in most patients. At least we can finally say with some confidence to our patients, their families, and our colleagues, that there is more to this drug than media hype, and internet buzz.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4988076/

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

Successful Treatment of Suspected Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Using Haloperidol in the Outpatient Setting.

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“Chronic use of cannabis can result in a syndrome of hyperemesis characterized by cyclical vomiting without any other identifiable causes. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is seldom responsive to traditional antiemetic therapies. Despite frequent nausea and vomiting, patients may be reluctant to discontinue use of cannabis. We report a case of severe, refractory CHS with complete resolution of nausea and vomiting after treatment with haloperidol in the outpatient setting. After review of the literature, we believe this is the first reported successful outpatient treatment of CHS and suggests a potential treatment for refractory patients.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27597918

“Haloperidol, marketed under the trade name Haldol among others, is a typical antipsychotic medication. Haloperidol is used in the treatment of schizophrenia, tics in Tourette syndrome, mania in bipolar disorder, nausea and vomiting, delirium, agitation, acutepsychosis, and hallucinations in alcohol withdrawal. It may be used by mouth, as an injection into a muscle, or intravenously.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haloperidol

 “Is haloperidol the wonder drug for cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome? The present report highlights the use of haloperidol as an agent that successfully and safely treats the unrelenting symptoms of CHS.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28052951

“Successful Treatment of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome with Topical Capsaicin.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29379817

“Capsaicin (/kæpˈseɪ.ɪsɪn/ (INN); 8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) is an active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus Capsicum.”  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capsaicin

Acute and chronic effects of cannabinoids on effort-related decision-making and reward learning: an evaluation of the cannabis ‘amotivational’ hypotheses

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“Cannabis acutely induced a transient amotivational state and CBD influenced the effects of THC on expected value. This is the first well powered, fully controlled study to objectively demonstrate the acute amotivational effects of THC.”  http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-016-4383-x

“Cannabis reduces short-term motivation to work for money”  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160901211303.htm