Cannabis Science

Adolescent Cannabis Use Can Impact Sleep Habits

June 7, 2019 Adolescents, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, CBD, REM Sleep, Sleep

Exploring Interventions for Sleep Disorders in Adolescent Cannabis Users

The effects of cannabis on sleep are varied and dependent on dosage and the component of cannabis in question. For instance, low doses of cannabidiol (CBD) have an energizing effect, while higher doses can prompt drowsiness. Cannabis use among adolescents results in similar although occasionally more pronounced effects on sleep than among adults. Previous studies have reported a relationship between cannabis use and an individual’s “sleep duration, self-reported sleep problems, and insomnia.” Furthermore, many newcomers to cannabis approach the plant as an aid to sleep, and regular cannabis use may result. This may lead to an increase in tolerance and, upon attempts to quit, a disruption in sleep and REM may rebound. At a time when sleep is crucial to development, considering the wide field of unknowns and potential impact, adolescents should proceed cautiously, and with restraint, when consuming cannabis.

http://bit.ly/2KfJYky

Video: Medical Marijuana: What Physicians Need to Know

June 6, 2019 Autoimmunity, Cancer, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Extraction, Flavonoids, Future Medicine, IBS, Insomnia, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Pain, Neuropathy, Science, Sleep, Terpenes, THC, Video

A video adaptation of “Medical Marijuana: What Physicians Need to Know”

Medical_Marijuana_What_Physicians_Need_to_Know Download

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

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Effects of Cannabis are More Marked in Occasional Rather than Chronic Cannabis Users

June 5, 2019 Blood-Levels, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, Driving, Heavy Use, Occasional Use, Reaction Time

Effect of Smoked Cannabis on Vigilance and Accident Risk Using Simulated Driving in Occasional and Chronic Users and the Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Relationship

In a study comparing the short-term effects of cannabis consumption on occasional and chronic cannabis users, occasional users were found to have slower reaction times, experience effects sooner, and have cannabis persist in their bloodstream longer than among chronic cannabis users. Both occasional and chronic users experienced impaired reaction times that affected their performance in a driving simulation. Both chronic and occasional marijuana users should be cognizant of the amount of time in which they are impaired following cannabis consumption and abstain from driving.

This paper is stored here: http://bit.ly/2Z3sxI1

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Sativex Reduces MS-Related Spasticity

June 5, 2019 Cannabis Science, CBD, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Pain, Neuropathy, THC

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabidiol Oromucosal Spray (Sativex): A Review in Multiple Sclerosis-Related Spasticity

A debilitating symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) is spasticity, the stiffness and involuntary spasms of muscles, often occurring in the legs. In a randomized study involving MS patients who have not experienced relief with any current anti-spasticity medication, Sativex, a THC/CBD oro-mucosal spray was administered. Patients receiving THC/CBD experienced significantly more spasticity relief than the placebo group. Sativex may hold substantial treatment potential for MS patients, as side effects are minimized, the spray allows for an adjustable dosage, and there is low potential for abuse.

While this pharmaceutical is proving to be effective, in related data, we also see a distinct advantage of non-pharmaceutical options, including cost, availability, and efficacy, although drastically higher variability and limited consistency in product.

http://bit.ly/2WwVoqA

Does cannabis cause psychosis? Evidence is lacking, scientists say

June 5, 2019 Cannabis, Cannabis Science, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Science

A study in March found that daily use of high-potency cannabis is “strongly linked to the risk of developing psychosis.” But on June 1st, six scientists published a study in The Lancet, a British medical journal, that disputed this claim. The authors of the study note that correlation doesn’t equal causation. In other words, people with schizophrenia may be more likely to use cannabis, but there’s no evidence to suggest that it works the other way around. #psychosis #schizophrenia
The news: http://bit.ly/2WeuM9E
The articles & academic commentary: http://bit.ly/2Wf04wT

Certain Cannabinoids may be Effective Co-Therapies for Neuropathic or MS pain

June 5, 2019 Cannabinoids, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Neuropathy, Pain

In a systematic review of studies investigating cannabis therapy for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP), evidence pointed to cannabinoids primarily effecting change with respect to neuropathy or MS-related pain. For CNCPs, it is unlikely that cannabinoids can be used as a single therapy, but rather in conjunction with other therapies. The quality of evidence in many of the studies reviewed was low, so further research needs to be completed in order to evaluate the efficacy of cannabinoids as a long-term treatment option for CNCPs.

A Flavonoid, Silymarin, Shows Therapeutic Activity in Tuberculosis

June 3, 2019 Cannabis Science, Flavonoids, Future Medicine, Science

Silymarin is a natural compound called a flavonoid, which happens to have antioxidant and liver protecting activities. Over many years, it has been proposed as a complementary medicine to reduce the liver injury produced by other medications. Interestingly, it happens to have anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to kill some bacteria. This flavonoid, Silymarin, is found in Milk Thistle… as well as Cannabis..and it seems to have “a significant therapeutic effect []administered alone, or in combination with chemotherapy, in [helping to treat] tuberculosis caused by drug-sensitive or drug-resistant strains[, findings represented here in both] in vitro and in vivo studies”

For many years, Tuberculosis (TB) has been a devastating public health problem, internationally. The treatment of this bacteria has been very limited and loaded with challenges. There is a constant cat/mouse chase between nature and human medicine, as the bacteria continually evolves to out-compete new drugs that are developed to treat it.

Here, yet another amazing potential breakthrough that cannabis brings to the table. Among the other flavonoids besides Silymarin: Orientin, Quercetin, and Kaempferol.

Of note: Silymarin happens to inhibit some liver enzymes, CYP-3A4 and CYP-2C9, which happen to be some of the liver enzymes which help break down cannabis metabolites.

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

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Adverse Structural and Functional Effects of Marijuana on the Brain: Evidence Reviewed

June 2, 2019 Adolescents, Adverse Effects, Cannabis Science

Cannabis Poses Danger to Adolescent Users

An evaluation of previous studies exploring unfavorable health effects of cannabis use reports that adolescents are particularly susceptible to cerebral structural and functional abnormalities. During adolescence, cannabinoid receptors are abundant in white matter. Cannabis use during this critical period of development can cause structural abnormalities in white matter, increase the tendency for risk-taking behavior, and lead to premature substance abuse. Despite its various health benefits, adolescents should exercise caution and abstain from cannabis use

Read more or download PDF on the CED Foundation Google Drive: http://bit.ly/30S9VMI

Cannabinoids, Terpenoids, and ALSO flavonoids

June 1, 2019 Anxiety, Cannabinoids, Cannabis Science, CBD, Cortisol, Flavonoids, Stress

I wonder if we should be spending as much time on flavonoids as we do on terpenes (including cannabinoids)?

There is little doubt that they play a powerful effect. Just as the minor cannabinoids tend to be overlooked by much of the general & scientific cultures… flavonoids are also largely passed-over.

This study, for example, indicates that some of the components of dark chocolate reduce the body’s production of the stress hormone, cortisol (not surprising to most who have every consumed chocolate, but… did you know that those components are also found all over nature, including inside cannabis?!)

I’ll start adding flavonoids to the list of info to start sharing!

http://bit.ly/2W6C0w8

A systematic review of the effect of cannabidiol on cognitive function: Relevance to schizophrenia

June 1, 2019 Alzheimer's Disease, Cannabis Science, CBD, Schizophrenia

CBD Shows Promise for Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Brain Injury Patients

A meta-analysis of previous studies investigating cannabidiol’s (CBD) potential to improve cognitive function among schizophrenia and brain injury patients offers hope to doctors and patients. In experiments on both human patients and rat models of schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s Disease, hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, hepatic encephalopathy, sepsis, pneumococcal meningitis, and cerebral malaria, the administration of CBD reduced neuroinflammation and resulting deficits in spatial learning and memory, recognition memory, and associative learning. Read more or download PDF on the CED Foundation Archive: http://bit.ly/2W1PpW8

In this same review, further investigating the effect of the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) on cognitive function suggests CBD counteracts the cognitive deficiencies induced by the psychoactive component of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Studies performed on humans and rat models demonstrated that CBD can improve episodic and recognition memory, verbal and visual learning and memory, and working memory, all skills which are usually impaired by THC content. For patients looking to reduce the aforementioned undesirable effects of cannabis, strains or products with high CBD and low THC content may be a viable solution.