Tag Archives: THC

Cannabinoids and Schizophrenia: Risks and Therapeutic Potential.

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“The endocannabinoid system has been implicated in psychosis both related and unrelated to cannabis exposure, and studying this system holds potential to increase understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Anandamide signaling in the central nervous system may be particularly important.

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis can cause symptoms of schizophrenia when acutely administered, and cannabidiol (CBD), another compound in cannabis, can counter many of these effects.

CBD may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of psychosis following cannabis use, as well as schizophrenia, possibly with better tolerability than current antipsychotic treatments. CBD may also have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

Establishing the role of CBD and other CBD-based compounds in treating psychotic disorders will require further human research.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26311150

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

The Genetic Structure of Marijuana and Hemp.

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“Despite its cultivation as a source of food, fibre and medicine, and its global status as the most used illicit drug, the genus Cannabis has an inconclusive taxonomic organization and evolutionary history.

Drug types of Cannabis (marijuana), which contain high amounts of the psychoactivecannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are used for medical purposes and as a recreational drug.

Hemp types are grown for the production of seed and fibre, and contain low amounts of THC.

Two species or gene pools (C. sativa and C. indica) are widely used in describing the pedigree or appearance of cultivated Cannabis plants.

Using 14,031 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyped in 81 marijuana and 43 hemp samples, we show that marijuana and hemp are significantly differentiated at a genome-wide level, demonstrating that the distinction between these populations is not limited to genes underlying THC production.

We find a moderate correlation between the genetic structure of marijuana strains and their reported C. sativa and C. indica ancestry and show that marijuana strain names often do not reflect a meaningful genetic identity.

We also provide evidence that hemp is genetically more similar to C. indica type marijuana than to C. sativa strains.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26308334

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0133292

Pregnenolone can protect the brain from cannabis intoxication.

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“Pregnenolone is considered the inactive precursor of all steroid hormones, and its potential functional effects have been largely uninvestigated.

The administration of the main active principle of Cannabis sativa (marijuana), Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), substantially increases the synthesis of pregnenolone in the brain via activation of the type-1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptor.

Pregnenolone then, acting as a signaling-specific inhibitor of the CB1 receptor, reduces several effects of THC.

This negative feedback mediated by pregnenolone reveals a previously unknown paracrine/autocrine loop protecting the brain from CB1 receptor overactivation that could open an unforeseen approach for the treatment of cannabis intoxication and addiction.

These data indicate that THC increases pregnenolone through activation of the CB1 receptor…

In conclusion, this new understanding of the role of pregnenolone has the potential to generate new therapies for cannabis dependence.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4057431/

Enhancing Brain Pregnenolone May Protect Cannabis Intoxication but Should Not Be Considered as an Anti-addiction Therapeutic: Hypothesizing Dopaminergic Blockade and Promoting Anti-Reward.

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“Pregnenolone considered the inactive precursor of all steroid hormones, has recently been shown to protect the brain from Cannabis intoxication.

The major active ingredient of Cannabis sativa (marijuana), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enhances Pregnenolone synthesis in the brain via stimulation of the type-1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptor.

This steroid has been shown to inhibit the activity of the CB1 receptor thereby reducing many of the effects of THC.

While this mechanism seems correct, in our opinion, Vallee et al., incorrectly suggest that blocking CB1 receptors could open unforeseen approaches to the treatment of cannabis intoxication and addiction.

In this hypothesis, we caution the scientific community that, other CB1 receptor blockers, such as, Rimonabant (SR141718) have been pulled off the market in Europe. In addition, CB1 receptor blockers were rejected by the FDA due to mood changes including suicide ideation.

Blocking CB1 receptors would result in reduced neuronal release of Dopamine by disinhibition of GABA signaling.

Long-term blockade of cannabinoid receptors could occur with raising Pregnenolone brain levels…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26306328

Marijuana Use in Epilepsy: The Myth and the Reality.

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“Marijuana has been utilized as a medicinal plant to treat a variety of conditions for nearly five millennia.

Over the past few years, there has been an unprecedented interest in using cannabis extracts to treat epilepsy, spurred on by a few refractory pediatric cases featured in the media that had an almost miraculous response to cannabidiol-enriched marijuana extracts.

This review attempts to answer the most important questions a clinician may have regarding the use of marijuana in epilepsy. First, we review the preclinical and human evidences for the anticonvulsant properties of the different cannabinoids, mainly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Then, we explore the safety data from animal and human studies. Lastly, we attempt to reconcile the controversy regarding physicians’ and patients’ opinions about whether the available evidence is sufficient to recommend the use of marijuana to treat epilepsy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26299273

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

Sativex® and clinical-neurophysiological measures of spasticity in progressive multiple sclerosis.

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“Despite the proven efficacy of Sativex® (9-delta-tetrahydrocannabinol plus cannabidiol) oromucosal spray in reducing spasticity symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS), little is known about the neurophysiological correlates of such effects.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Sativex on neurophysiological measures of spasticity (H/M ratio) and corticospinal excitability in patients with progressive MS.

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study…

Our findings confirm the clinical benefit of Sativex on MS spasticity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26289497

[CANNABIS AND GLAUCOMA: AN ANCIENT LEGEND OR A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC HORIZON?].

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“Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve and compromises the visual field. The main risk factor of the disease is the level of the intra-ocular pressure. Therapeutic options include medical and surgical treatment, aimed to lower the intra-ocular pressure.

Consumption of the cannabis plant (Cannabis Satival has been known since ancient times. It can be consumed orally, topically, intra-venous or by inhalation.

The main active ingredient of cannabis is THC (Tetra-Hydro-Cannabinol). One of THC’s reported effects is the reduction of intra-ocular pressure.

Several studies have demonstrated temporary intra-ocular pressure decrease in both healthy subjects and glaucoma patients following topical application or systemic consumption.

Cannabis may be considered as a therapeutic option in glaucoma.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26281086

Cannabinoids and Epilepsy.

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“Cannabis has been used for centuries to treat seizures.

Recent anecdotal reports, accumulating animal model data, and mechanistic insights have raised interest in cannabis-based antiepileptic therapies.

In this study, we review current understanding of the endocannabinoid system, characterize the pro- and anticonvulsive effects of cannabinoids [e.g., Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (CBD)], and highlight scientific evidence from pre-clinical and clinical trials of cannabinoids in epilepsy.

These studies suggest that CBD avoids the psychoactive effects of the endocannabinoid system to provide a well-tolerated, promising therapeutic for the treatment of seizures, while whole-plant cannabis can both contribute to and reduce seizures.

Finally, we discuss results from a new multicenter, open-label study using CBD in a population with treatment-resistant epilepsy. In all, we seek to evaluate our current understanding of cannabinoids in epilepsy and guide future basic science and clinical studies.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26282273

A 4-Week Pilot Study With the Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist Dronabinol and Its Effect on Metabolic Parameters in a Randomized Trial.

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“Dronabinol (synthetic Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol) is used in patients with nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and in AIDS patients for appetite stimulation.

Recently, dronabinol was used to successfully treat visceral hypersensitivity causing noncardiac chest pain. With widening uses of this medication, we aim to explore its effects on metabolic parameters in long-term dosing and hypothesize that it will not affect major metabolic parameters.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, 28-day trial was performed with patients 18 to 75 years old without cardiac disease…

Dronabinol administration does not significantly affect basic metabolic components after a period of 28 days.

The implications of these findings are important because dronabinol may be able to be used in patients with metabolic disorders. The favorable trends observed here warrant further exploration into its long-term effects.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26283236