Tag Archives: cannabis

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

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/

NEW SLEEP APNEA PILL DERIVED FROM CANNABIS

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ABC7 Los Angeles

“Sleep apnea, a condition affecting more than 12 million Americans, can lead to a host of health problems, including heart disease, and a new treatment containing ingredients derived from cannabis is being developed to help those with the disorder.”

http://abc7.com/health/new-sleep-apnea-pill-derived-from-cannabis/1141400/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/sleep-apnea/

Cannabidiol induces rapid-acting antidepressant-like effects and enhances cortical 5-HT/glutamate neurotransmission: Role of 5-HT1A receptors.

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“Cannabidiol (CBD), the main non-psychotomimetic component of marihuana…

…we have evaluated the effects of CBD following acute and chronic administration in the olfactory bulbectomy mouse model of depression…

In conclusion, our findings indicate that CBD could represent a novel fast antidepressant drug, via enhancing both serotonergic and glutamate cortical signalling through a 5-HT1A receptor-dependent mechanism.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26711860

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

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

Human rights, public health and medicinal cannabis use.

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“This paper explores the interplay between the human rights and drug control frameworks and critiques case law on medicinal cannabis use to demonstrate that a bona fide human rights perspective allows for a broader conception of ‘health’.

This broad conception, encompassing both medicalised and social constructionist definitions, can inform public health policies relating to medicinal cannabis use.

The paper also demonstrates how a human rights lens can alleviate a core tension between the State and the individual within the drug policy field.

The leading medicinal cannabis case in the UK highlights the judiciary’s failure to engage with an individual’s human right to health as they adopt an arbitrary, externalist view, focussing on the legality of cannabis to the exclusion of other concerns.

Drawing on some international comparisons, the paper considers how a human rights perspective can lead to an approach to medicinal cannabis use which facilitates a holistic understanding of public health.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26692654