Cannabinoids & the People #62: MS & Tourette + #entourageeffect + FAAH making you immune to pain
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the 62nd edition of Cannabinoids & the People, a weekly newsletter where I collect all the new cannabinoid science. You can check out last week’s issue here & if you haven’t subscribed yet, please do. Paid subscriptions are here. There’s no extra content with a paid subscription, but as I balance consulting work, kid time & creating free content for the community, your support allows me to produce more educational content for everyone.
This a free offering from my company White Whale Creations. I produce educational content for cannabis & psychedelic companies: writing, science archives, social media content, newsletters & podcasts. Here’s my portfolio. Reach out about working together.
I also give one-on-one Cannabinoid Education Sessions with advice about using the cannabinoids for your health. Read my free How-To Guides, watch my One-Minute Cannabinoid Science videos or book a session with me here.
As always, here’s the Living Glossary of Cannabinoid Terms & at the bottom is the album of the week.
Big news this week!
My TikTok video on cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome blew up & it led CV Sciences to put me in charge of their TikTok account to start sharing canna-education. So if you wanted to help me out, follow the CV Sciences account because I want to get over 1k followers fast. And use the comments to #AskMeAnything.
Thanks & here’s to more canna-education!
This week…
- CBD & THC for Tourette Syndrome & MS
- 2x #entourageeffect
- Probiotics also improve the gut endocannabinoidome
- Case report of a fatal heart attack linked to cannabis
- Conference Corner: 2023 American Thoracic Society International on the lungs, the cannabinoids & the ups & downs of combining with nicotine
- & the 37th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies on cannabis for insomnia & the sleep of cancer survivors
- Electron microscope scans of hemp seed shells!
- Psychedelics for eating disorders & quitting smoking
- Mules being forced to smoke pot?
A request to spread the word
This newsletter only spreads by word of mouth – so please forward to colleagues & tell your friends & relatives.
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My work this week:
My 1 Minute Cannabinoid Science series:
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome + Cannabis & Psychosis + More on Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
CVSciences Canna-Education on TikTok:
Definitions of the cannabinoids & the ECS + Cannabinoids & our Metabolic Hormones + Why Did Humans Start Using Cannabis? + First Records of Humans Using Cannabis
My platforms: Linktree
YouTube for educational videos, lectures & shorts on new cannabinoid science
My podcasts
Anandamide; or, the People: my graphic novel series on cannabis, the endocannabinoid system & the War on Drugs based on Moby-Dick
LinkedIn, Twitter & my TikTok on books, hermeticism, science & history
Best Of Cannabinoid Science...
Clinical
In patients with severe Tourette syndrome, treatment with THC & CBD reduced tics as well as impairments due to tics, anxiety & obsessive compulsive disorder
Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol in Tourette Syndrome
https://evidence.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/EVIDoa2300012
In two clinical trials of people with multiple sclerosis, nabiximol sprays (1:1 THC:CBD) improved their spasticity scores over 12 weeks
Efficacy of nabiximols oromucosal spray on spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis: Treatment effects on Spasticity Numeric Rating Scale, muscle spasm count, and spastic muscle tone in two randomized clinical trials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37209500/
In public health data on children whose mothers use cannabis prenatally, they had no differences in their neuropsychological scores or autistic traits from those whose mothers did not use cannabis
Neurodevelopmental outcomes in children after prenatal marijuana exposure
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37283466/
An editorial against the link between smoking cannabis & male gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue)
Causal Relationship between Smoking Marijuana and Gynecomastia Remains Unproven
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37278632/
Dr. Marsha Schuchard, a rather dark part of the Parent’s Movement of the ‘80s under Reagan, was notorious for going to high schools & during her anti-pot lectures, pick out the outcast overweight Grateful Dead looking kid, make them lift up their shirt & then say, “That’s what smoking pot does to you”.
To learn more about her, see my Queer cannabis history graphic novel, ‘SUNset’.
There’s a famous patient with an insensitivity to pain linked to her FAAH enzyme & here's a molecular analysis of how that works
Molecular basis of FAAH-OUT-associated human pain insensitivity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37222214/
37th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies
In insomnia patients, a single dose of 10 mg THC/200 mg CBD significantly decreased the time to sleep & time spent in REM sleep, increased the time until REM sleep occurred, caused changes in brain scan patterns & resulted in no negative next day effects
Acute effects of cannabinoids in insomnia disorder: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial using high-density EEG
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/Supplement_1/A164/7182109
In a survey of cancer survivors, one in four report regularly using cannabis to improve their sleep
A Cross-Sectional Survey of Cannabis as a Sleep Aid in Canadian Cancer Survivors
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/Supplement_1/A374/7182321
In humans who received 10 milligrams of THC before sleep, while it did not alter their sleep, it did significantly reduce vagal-cardiac modulation of the heart
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) ingestion before bedtime reduces nocturnal parasympathetic control of the heart
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/Supplement_1/A59/7181640
In a survey of young urban African Americans, cannabis did not appear to have improved sleep
A Naturalistic within and between Subjects Comparison of the effects of Cannabis on Sleep among Young Adult, African Americans
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/46/Supplement_1/A150/7181676
Reviews
A review of the clinical data for CBD
Current state of knowledge on the use of cannabidiol (CBD) in various medical conditions
https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/43910
“CBD is an effective novel treatment option in Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex and Dravet syndrome. Data supporting CBD’s applicability in anxiety, Parkinson’s Disease, schizophrenia, insomnia, pain, autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis and as an anti-aging agent”
For multiple sclerosis, a review of the data from preclinical to clinical
Cannabis and Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis: From Experimental Models to Clinical Practice-A Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37278703/
“Evidence from preclinical studies showed that cannabinoids can limit the demyelination process, promote remyelination, and have anti-inflammatory properties by reducing immune cell infiltration of the central nervous system in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Moreover, it has been established that experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice treated with cannabinoids experienced a significant reduction of symptoms and slowing of the disease progression. Given the complexity of human immune and nervous systems, cannabinoids did not have the anticipated effects on human subjects. However, data obtained from clinical trials showed some beneficial results of cannabinoids as a single or as add-on therapy in reducing the spasticity and pain related to MS.”
A review of 23 studies on how the cannabinoids alter the output of the spinal motor neurons
The effects of cannabinoids on spinal motor neuron output
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37283484/
“This synthesis of evidence suggests that CB1 agonists can increase the frequency of cyclical patterns of motoneuron output (i.e. fictive locomotion). Furthermore, a majority of the evidence indicates that activating CB1 receptors at motoneuron synapses promotes excitation of motoneurons by enhancing excitatory synaptic transmission and depressing inhibitory synaptic transmission. This review reveals equivocal effects of cannabinoids on acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction was largely equivocal, and the influence of cannabinoids in this area remains unclear. Altogether, these reports indicate that the endocannabinoid system is integral within the final common pathway and can impact motor output.”
A roundup of how the cannabinoids interact with the ion channels & receptors of the cellular membrane
Editorial: Cannabinoid interactions with ion channels, receptors, and the bio-membrane
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37228821/
Cannabis: a multifaceted plant with endless potentials
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37397476/
Preclinical
In white blood cells, treatment with CBD plus terpenes from the hops plant (the closest relative of cannabis) caused additive anti-inflammatory effect, similar to hydrocortisone
Effects of combined cannabidiol (CBD) and hops (Humulus lupulus) terpene extract treatment on RAW 264.7 macrophage viability and inflammatory markers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37284961/
#entourageeffect
In a mouse model of Dravet syndrome (a severe childhood epilepsy), superior results were obtained when combining CBD & β-caryophyllene (one of the most cannabis terpenes) then when using them separately in terms of inflammation, behavioral disturbances & brain immune cell reactivities
Disease-modifying effects of cannabidiol, β-caryophyllene and their combination in Syn1-Cre/Scn1aWT/A1783V mice, a preclinical model of Dravet syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37290534/
#entourageeffect
In hamsters, using probiotics improve the gut microbiota & the endocannabinoidome
Probiotic interventions promote metabolic health in high fat-fed hamsters in association with gut microbiota and endocannabinoidome alterations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37282555/
An evergreen note on reading restricted papers:
First stop for seeing if there’s a free version of a paper, use the Google Scholar Chrome extension (Mac version), Google Scholar itself or try ResearchGate.
Three other helpful browser extensions are: Unpaywall, Open Access Button & PaperPanda
For the infamous backdoor, use Sci-Hub – the pirated papers repository (Chrome extension here). This works better for older paper than the stuff that just came out.
For Twitter users, send a Tweet of the paper’s title with the hashtag #icanhazpdf. It works because people are beautiful(ish).
Finally, email the author. They’re almost always happy to oblige because, thanks to the predatory academic publishing system, they don’t make a dollar off of their papers.
the Headlines & Fav Articles
UN experts from the Human Rights Council & the independent Global Commission on Drug Policy called for an end to the global war on drugs
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/united-nations-experts-and-global-leaders-call-for-international-drug-decriminalization-on-world-drug-day/
NBA officially allows players to use cannabis & to invest in cannabis companies
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/nba-officially-signs-contract-removing-marijuana-from-banned-substances-list-and-allowing-players-to-invest-in-cannabis-companies/
Meanwhile, an NFL player estimates that 50% to 80% of NFL players use cannabis
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/06/travis-kelce-is-going-for-it
But the ogres running the NFL cartel will surely be the last to legalize it.
On the dumpster fire of California cannabis
https://projectcbd.org/policy/dumpster-fire-what-went-wrong-with-ca-cannabis/
Missouri to soon require plain packaging for cannabis products
https://www.kcur.org/health/2023-06-25/legal-weed-missouri-recreational-marijuana-edibles-cannabis-packaging
This one seems reasonable to me.
International
Luxembourg Parliament votes to legalize cannabis possession & cultivation
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/luxembourg-parliament-votes-to-legalize-marijuana-possession-and-cultivation-making-it-second-eu-country-to-end-prohibition/
Ukraine’s Zelensky calls on lawmakers to legalize medical cannabis to help people with the pain & stress of the Russian invasion
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ukraines-president-says-legalizing-medical-marijuana-can-help-people-impacted-by-trauma-of-war-with-russia/
Spain’s ‘unfulfilled promise’ of medical cannabis
https://cannabishealthnews.co.uk/2023/07/03/spain-unfulfilled-promises-leave-regulation-of-medical-cannabis-in-jeopardy
It’s funny. Spain is famous for its tolerated but illegal network of cannabis social clubs, but they try to create a regulated medicine & they get hornswoggled like a bull by Bugs.
In Switzerland, a survey of what consumers would like to see in a regulated cannabis market
Cannabis Consumers' View of Regulated Access to Recreational Cannabis: A Multisite Survey in Switzerland
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37231849/
In Taiwan, a man sentenced to 5.5 years in prison for growing cannabis
https://cannabislaw.report/taiwan-man-sentenced-to-5-5-years-in-prison-for-growing-cannabis/
Are mules in India being forced to smoke cannabis so that they can work harder & longer?
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/kedarnath-trek-mules-forced-to-smoke-weed-netizens-fume/articleshow/101248602.cms
The War on Drugs & Prohibition
People’s Action rallies outside the DEA to protest the War on Drugs ✊
https://peoplesaction.org/2023/06/peoples-action-rallies-at-dea-hq-museum-to-demand-agency-divest-from-failed-war-on-drugs-and-invest-in-care/
POS Ron Desantis calls for deadly force to be used against those suspected of smuggling drugs over the border
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/26/us/politics/ron-desantis-border-drug-traffickers.html
And he also wouldn’t decriminalize cannabis if elected President
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/ron-desantis-says-he-would-not-decriminalize-marijuana-if-elected-president/
An editorial on how cannabis use by athletes is not doping
Cannabis Is Not Doping
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37279460/
Business & Law
A map of where the MSOs are operating
https://mjbizdaily.com/where-marijuana-multistate-operators-are-located-by-state/
Asa Waldstein on the newest FDA warning letter to a CBD company
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7079790847822622720
As always, just because it’s true doesn’t mean that you can say it out loud: "REDUCES ANXIETY" "FIGHTS CANCER" "PARKINSON" "GLAUCOMA""
The drivers of purchase decisions among cannabis flower consumers
Drivers of Purchase Decisions Among Consumers of Dried Flower Cannabis Products - A Discrete Choice Experiment
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37219026/
“The … model showed that all attributes significantly influenced choice, except product recommendations. Potency and package information were most important. A three-group latent class model showed that ~30% of the sample were most concerned with potency, while two groups, jointly making up the remaining ~70% were most concerned with package type ( ~40% preferred bulk packaging, ~30% preferred pre-rolled joints).”
An analysis of the buying patterns & demographics at medical cannabis dispensaries
Analysis of Dispensing and Utilization Patterns of Medical Cannabis Products in State Licensed Cannabis Dispensaries
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37285183/
On cannabis & unreasonable searches by a law student who seems to have a background in writing
Fruit of the Poisonous Tree: Waide and the Expanding of Constitutional Protections Against Unreasonable Searches
https://kb.osu.edu/bitstream/handle/1811/103061/1/OSLJ_SCR_V84_006.pdf
Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives
Australia becomes the first country with legal psychedelics as psychiatrists can begin prescribing MDMA & psilocybin
https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-news-live-pm-welcomes-high-court-decision-on-russian-embassy-ukraine-to-receive-110m-assistance-package-amid-war-with-russia-20230626-p5djla.html
A survey from UC Berkeley's Center for the Science of Psychedelics finds 61% legalization of psychedelic therapy & 49% support decrim
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/three-in-five-american-voters-support-legalizing-psychedelic-therapy-and-half-want-to-end-criminalization-altogether-new-poll-finds/
On the psychedelic caucus in Congress
https://doubleblindmag.com/psychedelic-caucus/
Excellent interview of someone with years of problems from a DMT trip
https://www.ecstaticintegration.org/p/dmt-derealization-and-depersonalization
“If someone told me 'you could cure your anxiety or totally break your mind for four years' I would choose to stay with the anxiety.”
Recommended for You
The Psychoactive Research
[This isn’t a deep dive into the science of psychedelics & other psychoactives like I do for the cannabinoids. If your company or organization would be interested in a breakdown of all the new psychedelic science, reach out to me]
A review of using psychedelics for eating disorders
Psychedelics in the treatment of eating disorders: Rationale and potential mechanisms
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X23001098
In patients with treatment-resistant depression, 5-MeO-DMT was well tolerated & provided “ultra-rapid” antidepressant effects according to this industry sponsored study
A phase 1/2 trial to assess safety and efficacy of a vaporized 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine formulation (GH001) in patients with treatment-resistant depression https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1133414/full
In people who smoke tobacco, a psychedelic experience decreased the number of cigarettes smoked, with a stronger effect if they had a more mystical experience
Impact of a Naturalistic Psychedelic Experience on Smoking: A Retrospective Survey
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37341764/
The Plant & the History
Growing & Farming
On the use of nitrogen fertilizer for hemp in the high desert
Floral hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) responses to nitrogen fertilization under field conditions in the high desert
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37205680/
An analysis on the reintroduction of hemp into the US agricultural sector
The reintroduction of hemp in the USA: a content analysis of state and tribal hemp production plans
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37280709/
In cannabis leaves, the essential oils & bioactive compounds
Cannabis sativa leaf essential oil fractions and bioactive compounds: chemistry, functionality and health-enhancing traits
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11694-023-01963-z
A genetic analysis of Thai cannabis
Assessment of Genetic relationship among Cannabis sativa L. in Thailand based on ISSR and their Phytoconstituents properties
https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2023-16-5-20
Ingestion Methods & Extraction Techniques
For hemp protein isolates & hemp protein concentrates, the effects of high moisture processing on their composition & properties
High moisture extrusion processing of hemp protein ingredients as influenced by their composition and physicochemical properties
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772569323001251#f0010
Electron microscope scans of hemp seed shells!
Structural Characteristics of Shells in a Fibrous Cultivar of Cannabis sativa L
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15440478.2023.2216951
If you’re heading to school & want to put something cooler on your wall than the usual Belushi College poster, might I recommend these sexy hemp seed shell scans.
Nutrition & Animal Feed
On the use of hemp seed oil as an animal fat replacement for the typical Portuguese meat dish Alheira
Alheiras with animal fat replacement: application of a gelled emulsion based on hemp oil (Cannabis sativa L.) and buckwheat
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00217-023-04295-w
In beef cows, feeding them hempseed cake altered the microbiome of their gut, respiratory system & reproductive system
Feeding hempseed cake alters the bovine gut, respiratory and reproductive microbiota
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37208436/
Industrial Use
Against a soybean fungus, using hemp leaves synthesized with zinc & copper oxide nanoparticles
Biologically synthesized zinc and copper oxide nanoparticles using Cannabis sativa L. enhance soybean (Glycine max) defense against fusarium virguliforme
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048357523001517
An overview of zero carbon hempcrete construction
Zero carbon hempcrete construction – An overview
https://pubs.aip.org/aip/acp/article-abstract/2766/1/020065/2894934/Zero-carbon-hempcrete-construction-An-overview?redirectedFrom=fulltext
On hempcrete’s mechanical & thermal properties
Mechanical and thermal properties of hempcrete
https://pubs.aip.org/aip/acp/article-abstract/2766/1/020057/2894973/Mechanical-and-thermal-properties-of-hempcrete?redirectedFrom=fulltext
On making a bioplastic by combining seaweed resin, casein (from milk) & hemp fiber
Optimization and mechanical characterization of casein and seaweed resin with hemp reinforcement: a review
https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2023/28/e3sconf_icmed-icmpc2023_01001.pdf
CANNABINOID SCIENCE
Clinical Use
A rather negative review on the clinical use of the cannabinoids
The current role of cannabis and cannabinoids in health: A comprehensive review of their therapeutic potential
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37290668/
Interviews with 14 primary care physicians find that most do not know enough about CBD to discuss it with their patients
Primary care provider attitudes, experiences and practices about cannabidiol (CBD) and barriers to patient-provider communication about CBD use: A qualitative study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37213726/
In a rather strange report, the authors lament that the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use in various states isn't backed up by evidence in the five-year-old National Academies of Sciences report
Is Medical Cannabis Evidence-Based Medicine? Concerns Based on Qualifying Conditions and the National Academy of Sciences Report
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37214833/
Adolescents & Pediatric
On the use of cannabis electronic cigarettes by youth & the risks of EVALI (electronic cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury)
Cannabis and electronic cigarette use in youths
https://www.pediatric-respiratory-journal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/PediatrRespirJ_Ferkol.pdf
In California teens, stricter policies for retailers of tobacco & vapes was associated with less use of tobacco/vape, cannabis & co-use of tobacco/vape & cannabis
Adolescent use and co-use of tobacco and cannabis in California: The roles of local policy and density of tobacco, vape, and cannabis retailers around schools
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37223551/
In California teens, a higher density of retail cannabis stores was associated with more co-use of alcohol & cannabis
Recreational Marijuana Legalization, Local Retail Availability, and Alcohol and Marijuana Use and Co-Use among California High School Students
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37219033/
Neurology & Brain Diseases
A review of the breakthrough potential of cannabinoids for neurodegenerative disorders
Therapeutic use of cannabinoids for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: a potential breakthrough
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37218269/
In astrocytes (brain support cells), the CB1 receptors help to mediate stress response & antidepressant effects via protection of the blood brain-barrier from alterations
Astrocytic cannabinoid receptor 1 promotes resilience by dampening stress-induced blood-brain barrier alterations
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-2978353/v1_covered_5e46ce79-9ebb-4f5e-925c-f6c5d0c7cbda.pdf?c=1685681284
Computer modeling for epilepsy finds that the two cannabis components apigenin & α-bisabolol show high anti-epileptic potential
Synthesis, in-silico design and spectral characterization, elucidation of Cannabis sativa L. cannabaceae containing phytoconstitutents demonstrating novel therapeutic efficacy against epilepsy
https://wjarr.com/sites/default/files/WJARR-2023-0968.pdf
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
In a rat model of substance abuse disorder, blocking the CB1 receptors in the ventral tegmental area (a brain area of reward, memory & addiction) influenced the response to dopamine & the behavioral reactions to drug cues
Decreased Ventral Tegmental Area CB1R Signaling Reduces Sign Tracking and Shifts Cue-Outcome Dynamics in Rat Nucleus Accumbens
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37208179/
Pain, Inflammation & Surgeries
Cannabis for pain control after hip or knee surgery
Cannabis and Pain Control After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
https://www.orthopedic.theclinics.com/article/S0030-5898(23)00073-1/fulltext
In mice, the ability of spinal injections of THC to lower pain is dependent on calcium channels
Analgesia by intrathecal delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is dependent on Cav3.2 calcium channels
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37231418/
In a mouse model of inflammatory pain, deleting their CB2 receptors from neurons in the body showed that they were necessary for pain control
Conditional deletion of CB2 cannabinoid receptors from peripheral sensory neurons eliminates CB2-mediated antinociceptive efficacy in a mouse model of carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37286073/
Female-specific, Reproduction & Hormones
A review of the potential toxic effects on unborn babies from synthetic cannabinoid use
Potential neonatal toxicity of new psychoactive substances
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37290575/
In human fetuses, an analysis of how THC crosses the placenta
Understanding the Mechanism and Extent of Transplacental Transfer of (-)-∆9 -Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the Perfused Human Placenta to Predict In Vivo Fetal THC Exposure
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37278090/
In babies exposed to lead, it caused defects in their neural tubes via changes in the genes related to their endocannabinoid retrograde signaling (brain signals that travel upstream & tells the firing neuron to slow its activity, a pathway for calming an overactive brain)
In Utero Exposure to Lead is Associated with Neural Tube Defects via Disturbing the Expression of Endocannabinoid Retrograde Signaling-Related Genes https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12403-023-00564-x
The Guts, the Microbiome & Oral Health
In Massachusetts, legalization saw a rise in cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome admissions
Rising Inpatient Utilization and Costs of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome Hospitalizations in Massachusetts After Cannabis Legalization
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37224284/
On the positive effects of using cannabis ethanol extracts for gastrointestinal disorders
Investigation on the gastrointestinal properties of ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa through in vivo and in vitro approaches
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371341155_Investigation_on_the_gastrointestinal_properties_of_ethanolic_extract_of_Cannabis_sativa_through_in_vivo_and_in_vitro_approaches
“The results of this study reveal that EFCS [ethanolic fraction of C. sativa threshing residues] possesses anti-diarrheal, antibacterial, spasmodic, laxative, and anti-ulcer activities. EFCS has potential therapeutic use against gastrointestinal diseases.”
For diabetes mellitus, a computer analysis of using the constituents of cannabis as a treatment
Exploration of Cannabis constituents as potential candidates against diabetes mellitus disease using molecular docking, dynamics simulations and ADMET investigations
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227623002016
The Musculoskeletal System
In sarcopenia (a debilitating skeletal muscle disease of the elderly), a suggestion for the use of PEA
Linking Endocannabinoid System, Palmitoylethanolamide and Sarcopenia in view of therapeutic outcomes
https://iris.unimore.it/handle/11380/1306346
The Heart
Case report of a fatal heart attack linked to cannabis
Death After Marijuana Use in a 27-Year-Old Male: a Case Report
https://scholar.rochesterregional.org/advances/vol3/iss2/8/
The Lungs
2023 American Thoracic Society International Conference Abstracts
In healthy humans as well as those who use chronic cannabis, they had different gene expression of their blood immune cell in response to alcohol, cannabis or the combination of the two
Alcohol, Cannabis and Combined Metabolites Differentially Affect Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Gene Expression in a Dose-dependent Manner
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A1173
In public health data, those who use cannabis had an increased risk of asthma severity
Association Between Exclusive Marijuana Use and Asthma Severity: Results From a Nationally Representative Study
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A6642
A case report of dabbing leading to shortness of breath, racing heart & fluid in the chest cavity that led to 18 days of hospitalization
Butane Hash Oil-induced Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Necessitating Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A3551
In a mouse model of asthma, an inverse activator of the CB1 receptor (INV-202) caused weight loss & reduced hyperreactivity of the airway
Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Inverse Agonist, INV-202, Induces Weight Loss and Reduces Airway Hyperreactivity in a Mouse Model of Obese Asthma
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2759
In a mouse model of flu exposure, cannabis smoke dampened lung inflammation & led to an increased viral load though it did not alter mortality
Cannabis Smoke Exposure Hinders Viral Clearance and Suppresses Immune Responses to Influenza A Infection in Mice
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A5624
A survey of how people are currently ingesting cannabis (& tobacco)
Current Patterns of Single, Dual and Triple Use of Conventional Tobacco, E-cigarettes and Marijuana
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2612
In human prenatal lung cells, exposure to nicotine & cannabis caused cellular aging & altered cellular proliferation
Effect of Cannabinoids and Nicotine on Prenatal Human Lung​ Development
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A4522
In cannabis vapers, nicotine vapers & healthy controls, no differences found in saliva production airway resistance or sputum (mix of saliva & mucus coughed up from respiratory tract)
Effects of Vaping of Nicotine and THC E-cigarettes on Airway Resistance, Saliva, and Sputum Production
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2622
In nicotine & THC vapers, they had increased cells coming off their airway surfaces, more white blood cells in their airways & more inflammation
Elevated Levels of Inflammatory Cells in Sputum and Nasal Cytology of Nicotine and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) E-cigarette Vapers
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2629
In patients who had heart attacks, those with cannabis use disorder had lower levels of heart shock, mortality & uses of hospital resources
Impact of Cannabis Use Disorder on In-hospital Outcomes Among Smokers With Acute Myocardial Infarction: Insights From National Inpatient Sample 2019
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A6641
In nicotine & THC vapers, they had lower levels of white blood cells in their blood
Impact of Nicotine and THC E-cigarette Use on Circulating Immune Cells
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A2619
A case study of severe asthma exacerbation from working in the cannabis industry & exposure to aerosolized cannabis powder
Inhalation Without Ignition: A Case of Severe Asthma Exacerbation From Occupational Cannabis Exposure
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A1852
The OG Dr. Donald Tashkin on cannabis use not yet a risk factor for COPD
Marijuana Use as a Risk Factor for COPD: Not There Yet
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.202303-0404LE
In a survey of young people, THC users drank more sugared soft drinks but showed no differences in exercise patterns or the consumption of fruits, vegetables or sweets
Thc Effects on Diet and Exercise in Teenagers: Results From a Social Media Survey
https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2023.207.1_MeetingAbstracts.A6443
The Eyes
Among glaucoma patients, the demographic factors associated with cannabis use
Epidemiology and factors associated with cannabis use among patients with glaucoma in the All of Us Research Program
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37215923/
Cancer & Chemotherapy
In breast cancer cells, those with higher CB2 receptor levels saw treatment with a drug that activates the CB2 receptor to cause inhibited proliferation & more apoptosis (cellular suicide) as well as an increased sensitivity to anti-tumor drugs
Overexpression of cannabinoid receptor 2 is associated with human breast cancer proliferation, apoptosis, chemosensitivity and prognosis via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37220224/
Cool Chemistry
A mathematical model for the positive allosteric modulation of the CB1 receptor
A kinetic model for positive allosteric modulator (PAM)-antagonists for the type 1 cannabinoid (CB1 ) receptor
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37277184/
Thanks.
- lex
PS: For this week’s album, ‘Folksongs & Ballads’ by Tia Blake. Recorded in Paris in the ‘70s when she was 18, this collection of American & Irish folksongs includes some enchanting takes on the classics. I especially enjoy ‘A Man of Constant Sorrow’ & our family favorite, ‘Plastic Jesus’.
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