Cannabis Science

Development of Cannabis-Based Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

June 30, 2019 Addiction, Adolescents, Adverse Effects, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Cognition, Depression, DSM-5, Elderly, Future Medicine, Hypomania, Mental Health, Mood, Neuropathy, Science, THC

Bipolar disorder and the endocannabinoid system

A recently published article serves as a call for research to be conducted to discover how cannabis could impact the management of bipolar disorder (BD). Presented in the article is a full review of the advantages and disadvantages of cannabis-based medicine in the treatment of BD and provides insight into possible mechanisms might affect the pathophysiology of the disorder. The insights listed within the article provide the rationale for examining the endocannabinoid system, specifically the cannabinoid receptor 2, with the hopes of finding therapeutic targets for mood control associated with BD.

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Bipolar disorder and the endocannabinoid system Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2FfJXK6 inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Cannabis use as a risk factor for causing motor vehicle crashes: a prospective study

June 28, 2019 Adverse Effects, Canada, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Driving, Future Medicine, History, Legislation, Reaction Time, Regulation, Social Justice, Stigma

Title of study: Cannabis use as a risk factor for causing motor vehicle crashes: a prospective study

After legalization in 2018, many Canadian provinces implemented “zero tolerance” policies for drivers who have THC in their systems. But a new study from the University of British Columbia suggests that Canada’s drug-impaired driving laws may be unnecessarily strict. According to researchers, there is no link between THC levels below 5ng/mL and increased risk of car accidents.

Note: Considering the potentially grave risk to life and health for modern culture to make the wrong interpretation of the potential dangers of the effects of cannabis consumption on driving, it is critical for the industry to approach the circumstances with delicacy and diligence. Ideally, everyone involved will be motivated to learn as much as possible about the impact of cannabis on the risks of operating machinery and all will follow a cautious approach which will minimize the risk to all. To that end, it is important to consider and reconcile evidence from multiple perspectives.

The article:

“New study suggests low levels of THC in blood do not increase risk of car crash” https://www.straight.com/cannabis/1256476/new-study-suggests-low-levels-thc-blood-do-not-increase-risk-car-crash#

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Cannabis use as a risk factor for causing motor vehicle crashes- a prospective study Download

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

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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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A systematic review of Safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia

June 28, 2019 Aging, Alzheimer's Disease, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, Cognition, Dementia, Dronabinol, Memory, Mental Health, Science, Synthetic Cannabinoids, THC

A 2019 literature review summarizes the finding on using THC and CBD on patients with dementia. Researchers found that Dronabinol and THC were associated with significant improvements in a range of psychiatric scores. Interestingly, cannabis products showed the most promising results in patients whose symptoms were previously unmanageable or resistant to other treatments.

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Safety and effectiveness of cannabinoids for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia- a systematic review Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2IWFA8R inside the CED Foundation Archive

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The Cannabinoid System is a Promising Source of Targets for Treating Pain

June 28, 2019 Addiction, Adverse Effects, Anti-inflammatory properties, Anxiety, Arthritis, Autoimmunity, Blood-Levels, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Citizen Science, Cognition, Elderly, Future Medicine, Memory, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Pain, Neuropathy, Occasional Use, Opiates, Overdose, Pain, Placebo-Controlled, Products, Regulation, Science, Stigma, Stress, THC

A Budding Source of Targets for Treating Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain ECS

The cannabinoid system provides momentum to develop cannabinoid-based medications to treat inflammatory and neuropathic pain as researchers continue to find promising therapeutic targets. These new targets may lead to the formation of novel pain-relief medications that may serve well to alleviate pain for those suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. Cannabis-based pain medicine is also being researched for opioid-sparing effects and effectiveness in reducing the necessary dose of opioids.

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A Budding Source of Targets for Treating Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain ECS Download

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

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Cannabidiol May Provide Novel Treatment for Rare Ovarian Cancer

June 27, 2019 Aging, Cancer, Cannabinoids, Cannabis Science, Case Study, CBD, Citizen Science, Elderly, Flavonoids, Future Medicine, Ovarian Cancer, Science, Terpenes

Dramatic response to Laetrile and cannabidiol (CBD) oil in a patient with metastatic low grade serous ovarian carcinoma

A recent case study has examined a patient’s response to the consumption of cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment for a rare type of ovarian cancer. Rather than participate in chemotherapy, which has been shown to only be effective in 5% of patients with low grade serous ovarian carcinoma, an 81-year-old decided to take a combination of amygdalin and CBD. Although CBD has only been shown to have effective anti-cancer properties in murine models the featured patient reported a significant decrease in tumor size, revealing that CBD may, in fact, be an effective treatment for patients looking into alternative care methods.

Although proven ineffective, the use of amygdalin highlights alternative therapies derived from naturally occurring chemicals found in common plants. Flavonoids and terpenes are chemical components of cannabis plants, also found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, that are just now being investigated for their therapeutic benefits. The results of those inquiries may prove useful for similar patients suffering from illnesses that are resistant to the usual treatments.

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Dramatic response to Laetrile and cannabidiol (CBD) oil in a patient with metastatic low grade serous ovarian carcinoma Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2L9pCJZ inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Case Studies Reveal Difficulties in Differences between State Cannabis Laws

June 26, 2019 Blood-Levels, Cannabinoids, Cannabis News, Cannabis Science, Case Study, Future Medicine, History, Law, Legislation, Nebraska, Pediatrics, Seizure / Epilepsy, Social Justice, Stigma

Crossing the Line: Care of a Pediatric Patient with Intractable Seizures and Severe Neuropathic Pain in Absence of Access to Medical Marijuana

A recent case report discussing a six-year-old patient suffering from a seizure disorder has exposed the difficulty is receiving treatment across state lines. The patient was prescribed medical marijuana that alleviated the severity and duration of her seizures but was weaned off that medication when traveling to Nebraska for a therapeutic surgery due to the legal status in the state. This case study exposes the difficulty of treating patients across the country due to the legal variability of cannabis across states.

An interesting question brought up in this case study is how to handle palliative care in the absence of opioids and without synthetic products. A combination of massage, essential oils, and salt light therapies were able to compensate for medical marijuana, but not without great effort. Natural therapies like the ones administered here are costly and highlight the simplicity and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis.

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Crossing the Line: Care of a Pediatric Patient with Intractable Seizures and Severe Neuropathic Pain in Absence of Access to Medical Marijuana Download

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

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Video: The Endocannabinoid System’s Intriguing Role in Gut Health

June 26, 2019 Animal Model, Anti-inflammatory properties, Antibiotic, Autoimmunity, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Future Medicine, Gastrointestinal Effects, IBS, Neuropathy, Science, Stress, THC, Video

A 2018 literature review summarizes the findings on cannabis and gut health. The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in gut motility, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Targeting the endocannabinoid system with CBD oil or other cannabinoids seems to reduce colonic inflammation and relieve stress, at a microscopic level, inside the gastrointestinal tract. Watch our video adaptation of the effects of cannabis on IBD:

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The Endocannabinoid System’s Intriguing Role in Gut Health Download

This paper is also stored here: http://bit.ly/2IQCNy1 inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Neem Oil vs Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

June 26, 2019 Adverse Effects, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome, Cannabis Science, Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), Heavy Use, Neem Oil, Occasional Use, Products

Some people are concerned that Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS,) a rare condition involving cyclical vomiting, may be caused by neem oil or pesticides. However, symptoms are more consistent with an overload of CB1 receptors, circumstances that occur primarily with habitual, large-volume consumers. Here, an interesting review of the ongoing public conversation: http://bit.ly/2LepwAV

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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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