Behavior change

Looking for a genetic explanation for “Cannabis Use Disorder”

June 28, 2019 Addiction, Adverse Effects, Behavior change, Cannabis, Cannabis Dependence, Cannabis Science, Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), Heavy Use, Science, Stigma

Genome-wide association study implicates CHRNA2 in Cannabis Use Disorder

Roughly 9% of cannabis users become dependent. In a recent study, scientists identified a significant association between CHRNA2 gene expression and a diagnosis of Cannabis Use Disorder. In other words, genetics might help to explain why some people may find themselves more dependent upon cannabis than others.

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Genome-wide association study implicates CHRNA2 in cannabis use disorder Download

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

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Cannabis Cafes coming to MA

June 26, 2019 Behavior change, Cannabis, Cannabis News, Future Medicine, History, Law, Legislation, Massachusetts, Occasional Use, Politics, Regulation, Social Consumption / Cafés, Social Justice, THC

Massachusetts has come one step closer to a pilot program involving cannabis cafes across the state. This will also bring about more licenses for cannabis delivery and social consumption, as a less capital-intensive option for entrepreneurs to enter the industry. http://bit.ly/2IOjOUz

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Cost-effectiveness of treating pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy

June 25, 2019 Adolescents, Behavior change, Business of Cannabis, Cannabis Science, Financial Projections, Pediatrics, Products, Seizure / Epilepsy, Social Equity, Survey

Cannabis-based treatments may reduce seizures among children with drug-resistant epilepsy, but are these treatments cost-effective?

Economic evaluations of cannabis treatments are needed, and they should address issues including weight-gain over time, switching or discontinuation of treatments, the effectiveness of interventions, and long-term success, beyond the duration of available clinical studies.

Decision Models for Assessing the Cost-Effectiveness of Treatments for Pediatric Drug‑Resistant Epilepsy- A Systematic Review of Economic Evaluations.pdf Download

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

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Video: Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis

June 24, 2019 Adverse Effects, Aging, Anti-inflammatory properties, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, CED Clinic, Dr Caplan, Future Medicine, Insomnia, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Pain, Neuropathy, Pain, Science, Sleep, Stigma, THC, Video

A 2019 literature review summarizes the findings on cannabis use for patients with multiple sclerosis. Cannabis has been shown to aid a number of symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, including chronic pain, spasticity, and problems with sleep. To learn more, check out our video adaptation below:

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Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis Download

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

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Cannabis constituent synergy in a mouse neuropathic pain model

June 24, 2019 Anti-inflammatory properties, Anxiety, Autoimmunity, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Future Medicine, Muscle Pain, Neuropathy, Pain, Science, THC

In a mice-model study, researchers found that low dose THC:CBD might successfully treat neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage to the somatosensory nervous system. Neuropathic pain may be associated with abnormal sensations or pain from normally non-painful stimuli, for example, Phantom Limb Syndrome.

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Cannabis constituent synergy in a mouse neuropathic pain model Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2Fk0yw7 inside the CED Foundation Archive

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THC Has Potential for Treating Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease

June 24, 2019 Aging, Agitation, Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Case Study, Cognition, Elderly, Future Medicine, Insomnia, Memory, Nabilone, Stigma, Synthetic Cannabinoids

In a crossover trial of 39 patients with Alzheimer’s disease, treatment with nabilone (a synthetic THC analog) was associated with significant improvement in agitation and, remarkably, cognition. Further studies should examine the effects of both THC and CBD in patients with Alzheimer’s disease because anxiety is common in dementia and may exacerbate agitation.

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Tetrahydrocannabinol Has Potential for Treating Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2IH2BfX inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Analyses of Cannabinoid Signaling in the Immune System Highlights Key Questions, Challenges, and Future Directions

June 24, 2019 Adolescents, Anti-inflammatory properties, Arthritis, Autoimmunity, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Depression, Diabetes, Future Medicine, Neuropathy, Pain, Science, THC

Targeting Cannabinoid Signaling in the Immune System: “High”-ly Exciting Questions, Possibilities, and Challenges

A meta-analysis concerning the role of cannabinoid signaling in immune system regulations revealed current therapeutic benefits, challenges for future research, and exciting new directions. Among the current research, cannabinoids have already been found to suppress inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases, especially in multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Type-1 Diabetes, and Crohn’s Disease. Future cannabis-based therapies aim to improve immune responses to organ donation, bone marrow transplants, and skin grafts. The analysis includes challenges facing future cannabis research such as potential side effects and legal status.

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Targeting Cannabinoid Signaling in the Immune System- “High”-ly Exciting Questions, Possibilities, and Challenges Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/31ArGR9 inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Variations in Genes Influences Cannabis’ Acute Effects on Behavior

June 23, 2019 Addiction, Adolescents, Adverse Effects, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Cognition, Cortisol, Future Medicine, Memory, Mental Health, Pain, Science, THC

CNR1 and FAAH variation and affective states induced by marijuana smoking

A recent study has revealed that variations within cannabinoid receptor 1 (CBR1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) influences cannabis’ acute effects on affect. Variations of CBR1 and FAAH are known to be associated with cannabis dependence. The current study now adds that the variations in genes also affect an individual’s behavior when ingesting cannabis. The results of this study provide useful information for understanding an individual’s motivation for marijuana use, as well as risks and associated behaviors.

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CNR1 and FAAH variation and affective states induced by marijuana smoking Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/31Ce9Za inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Oncologists Communication with Chronic Medical Cannabis Users

June 22, 2019 Addiction, Adverse Effects, Behavior change, Cannabis, Cannabis News, Cannabis Science, Disposal, Occasional Use, Products, Social Justice, THC

Long-term medical cannabis use and risk factors for diversion- report on physician’s guidance and patients’ behaviour

A recent examination of long-term medical cannabis users has demonstrated the need for more consistent training of storage and disposal practices from oncologists. Chronic users tend to increase the dosage taken of medical cannabis over time due to tolerance; higher doses of cannabis are associated with dangerous storage and disposal practices. The current study calls for oncologists who recommend cannabis-based medicine to their patients to have more consistent training in safe storage and disposal methods to prevent patients from ingesting or giving away impure cannabis.

An important point brought up in this article is the pressure some patients experience from their peers to buy cannabis for multiple people with their medical marijuana identification card or certification. Physicians should be wary of this practice and support their patients, reminding them of the accidents that can happen when medications are shared.

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Long-term medical cannabis use and risk factors for diversion- report on physician’s guidance and patients’ behaviour Download

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Vaping cannabis among adolescents: prevalence and associations with tobacco use from a cross-sectional study in the USA

June 21, 2019 Adolescents, Behavior change, Cannabis, Cannabis News, Cannabis Science, Citizen Science, Heavy Use, Illicit Drug Use, Pediatrics, Stigma, THC, Vaping

Out of 2,835 high school students from North Carolina, 272 students (or 9.6%) reported ever vaping cannabis. Interestingly, the odds of ever vaping cannabis were significantly higher among males (11.0%) compared with females (8.2%), and significantly higher among non-Hispanic white students (11.3%) compared with non-Hispanic black students (5.0%).

It’s clear that white males are the most likely to have ever vaping cannabis. Why might minority students engage less with recreational drug use?

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Vaping cannabis among adolescents- prevalence and associations with tobacco use from a cross-sectional study in the USA Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2L6zYdv inside the CED Foundation Archive