Blog

“Liver toxicity” of mice force-fed with unreasonable amounts CBD

Here, an excellent example of how valuable it is for scientific literature to be read critically and thoughtfully. When reporters read, or extract, or convey only partial conclusions, it is all-too-easy for consumers to absorb an incomplete, undigested message. As consumers of journalism, the public deserves a more knowledgeable understanding. Here (http://bit.ly/2KV0jeG), Forbes (Mike Adams) conveys an unfortunate lack of deep consideration in the reporting. Thankfully, a brief quote is conveyed by Dr. Koturbash, who “was quick to point out that the CBD products coming to market may not pose this particular risk” – but this stone-throw of even-handedness falls short to appropriately balance an article already dripping with misgivings and incomplete evaluation of the material at hand.

For a more layered view of the science, the word “gavage,” as was applied to the mice in the study, describes force-feeding animals with a tube down their throats, often taped to mouths which are then kept gaping open. This is meant to simulate the biological processes of eating (different from giving meds IV, for example.) There is no regard to the stress that this process causes the animals, as they are treated as though they are biological CBD-processing machines. In the days where many people are taking 10mg pills of CBD per day, the amounts of CBD that were force-fed to these animals in this study, if translated to humans, would be 4,305mg, 12,915mg, and 43,050mg over 10 days, or 17,220mg, 51,660mg, and 172,200mg in one-shot doses.) For reference, these days, most dispensaries sell CBD in doses of 10mg, 20mg, up to 2-300mg.)

In the study, the authors suggest that they allow animals to eat “ad libitum,” as if to convey that they are treated with a buffet. And yet, the animals being stuffed with 43,050mg (human equivalent) of CBD still lost weight, while others (given 172,200mg (human equivalent) had uneven weight distribution.) To any reader considering these values critically, it must seem absurd to make conclusions about the actions of CBD as what is causing these effects, as if the fact of over-stuffing itself has no impact at all.

An analogy to this study: If you add 17,000 cars (or 172,000!) to a tunnel on the way to the airport, and stuff each car full of way too many people, there might be problematic levels of concern inside that tunnel.

Let’s hope to see more even-handed consideration and reporting from Forbes, in the future.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2WWNOGA     inside the CED Foundation Archive

Here, another study that shows very different results. Instead of overstuffing mice w/ unrealistic amounts, if one administers CBD at sensible doses in the same population of mice, it turns out that CBD could directly reduce alcohol drinking, improve healthy processes in the liver, and alcohol-related brain damage…

“CBD reduces alcohol-related steatosis & fibrosis in the liver by reducing lipid accumulation, stimulating autophagy, modulating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, & by inducing death of activated hepatic stellate cells” This new study:

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2IAvzOz  inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MD“Liver toxicity” of mice force-fed with unreasonable amounts CBD
read more

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is Frequently Misdiagnosed as Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Association of Marijuana Use and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

A recent study has found that a subset of patients diagnosed with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome actually suffers from Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is a rare condition that primarily occurs in daily, long-term users of cannabis, more common among males than females. Chronic cannabis consumers should inform their physicians of any illicit drug use, as well as any cannabis consumption, during routine check-ups and/or emergency room visits, to ensure accurate diagnoses can be made.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2F9YS8u      inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDCannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is Frequently Misdiagnosed as Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
read more

Safety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis in Fibromyalgia

Another study with promising results for the use of cannabis to treat chronic pain and fibromyalgia-related symptoms. A large majority of participants reported improved sleep, depression-related symptoms, quality of life and over 20% stopped or reduced the dosage of opioids. https://prn.to/2KXUQUe

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/2WWLyz6    inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDSafety and Efficacy of Medical Cannabis in Fibromyalgia
read more

New Study Finds Cannabis May Be “Unsafe” For Pregnant Women

https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2019/06/18/cannabis-unsafe-pregnant-women

In a study of 661, 617 pregnant women, researchers found that cannabis use was significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. But these findings may be limited due to other risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, and opioid use. 

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2L0vTaY     inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDNew Study Finds Cannabis May Be “Unsafe” For Pregnant Women
read more

CED Foundation Archive

This week, CED Foundation added 77 more #cannabis studies, & 50 about #flavonoids. Read & search for free, and please consider uploading so that others may enjoy the materials you have! This week’s folder: http://bit.ly/2KYfOCF For the whole archive: http://tinyurl.com/MMJarchive

Benjamin Caplan, MDCED Foundation Archive
read more

Dronabinol: antileukemic activity in acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia with lymphoid differentiation patterns

Study provides rigorous data to support clinical evaluation of THC as a low-toxic therapy option in acute leukemia patients. In related work, full-spectrum, natural derivatives of cannabis may work more effectively than their pharmaceutical counterparts.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2KVVXnD     inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDDronabinol: antileukemic activity in acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia with lymphoid differentiation patterns
read more

Adolescent Executive Dysfunction in Daily Life: Relationships to Risks, Brain Structure and Substance Use

Researchers assessed 817 youth (aged 12 to 21) who previously participated in the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence study. They found that 123 subjects (15.2%) had used cannabis in the past year, and that cannabis use impaired inhibitory control, emotional control, and task planning.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2L0aMWa     inside the CED Foundation Archive

Benjamin Caplan, MDAdolescent Executive Dysfunction in Daily Life: Relationships to Risks, Brain Structure and Substance Use
read more

Efficacy of Cannabinoids in a Pre-Clinical Drug-Screening Platform for Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers find 9 cannabinoids that might protect the brain against toxicities associated with aging. These non-intoxicating cannabinoids are potential drug candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease, and they might also be options for other neurodegenerative diseases, too

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/2L9GccX    inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDEfficacy of Cannabinoids in a Pre-Clinical Drug-Screening Platform for Alzheimer’s Disease
read more

Medical Marijuana and Treatment of Pediatric Epilepsy Patients

Medical Marijuana in the Pediatric Population With Epilepsy—What You Should Know

A recent review has discussed the known benefits of treating children who are suffering from epilepsy with cannabis-based medicine. Medical marijuana (MM) is a viable option for treating this population that comes with risks due to the high that comes from THC and its legal status as a Schedule 1 drug. The legal status is currently preventing larger scale research to be done so that physicians can better educate parents on how to care for a child taking MM.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/2KNbGVS    inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDMedical Marijuana and Treatment of Pediatric Epilepsy Patients
read more

Video: Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature

Researchers published a literature review that investigates the relationship between cannabis and sleep. They examined six major sleeping disorders: insomnia, sleep apnea, REM behavior disorder, nightmares, sleep with chronic pain, and daytime sleepiness.

They found that THC might worsen daytime sleepiness and delayed onset of sleep; however, THC might help patients who suffer from sleep apnea and nightmares. Meanwhile, CBD might reduce daytime sleepiness and insomnia while increasing the total amount of sleep.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:     http://bit.ly/2KSSSoi    inside the CED Foundation Archive

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDVideo: Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature
read more