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Synthetic Cannabinoids Provide Evidence for Targeting Cannabinoid Receptors in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases

June 10, 2019 , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pharmaceutical Cannabis Derivatives Help Discover their Receptors and Functions for Autoimmune Illnesses

A recent study conducted by Michigan State University exposed the potential for cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) to target the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Elevated levels of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pCD, a type of cell in the immune system) contribute to chronic inflammation in autoimmune diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Researchers found that synthetic CB2 agonists reported comparable benefits to THC, but minimized the cerebral effects as the psychotropic activity is mediated by cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1). This evidence demonstrates the potential benefits of CB2-targeted treatment for inflammatory conditions. Unfortunately, there are serious concerns about the misuse of some synthetic cannabinoids, so there is still a missing bridge, in products and public education, between these research products and potential therapeutic pharmaceuticals, down the road.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

Suppression of CpG-ODN-mediated IFNα and TNFα response in human plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) by cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2)-specific agonistsDownload

This paper is also stored here:  http://bit.ly/2HZ6cWb  inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDSynthetic Cannabinoids Provide Evidence for Targeting Cannabinoid Receptors in the Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases
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Medical Marijuana Confers Benefits Comparable to Prescription Medication, Without the Side Effects

June 10, 2019 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Preferences for Medical Marijuana over Prescription Medications Among Persons Living with Chronic Conditions: Alternative, Complementary, and Tapering Uses

In a survey of 30 patients using medical cannabis for a range of illnesses, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, cancer, Hepatitis C, PTSD, and more, patients reported an array of benefits from their cannabis use. Patients successfully used cannabis as an alternative to prescription medication, as a complementary agent with traditional prescription medicines, and to gradually help halt the use of some prescription medications. Benefits described by participants included the effects of cannabis lasting longer than that of opioids, lower risk of addiction, fewer side-effects. Patients also saw their sleep, anxiety, appetite, and adverse reactions improve with the use of medical cannabis. Larger, more controlled studies may suggest cannabis more affirmatively as an alternative or complementary therapy with prescription medications.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

Preferences for Medical Marijuana over Prescription Medications Among Persons Living with Chronic Conditions- Alternative, Complementary, and Tapering UsesDownload


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


To explore related information, click keywords:

Benjamin Caplan, MDMedical Marijuana Confers Benefits Comparable to Prescription Medication, Without the Side Effects
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Some, But Not Enough Data on Cannabis for Chronic Pain

June 10, 2019 , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Overlaps in pharmacology for the treatment of chronic pain and mental health disorders

Select small trials have demonstrated cannabis to be more effective than other analgesics to treat chronic pain associated with certain conditions. However, the existing research lacks large-scale, controlled experiments relating medical cannabis use to pain management. Additionally, negative effects are documented with respect to cannabis use among adolescents and those suffering from compromised mental health. There is a need for further research on the topic.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

Overlaps in pharmacology for the treatment of chronic pain and mental health disordersDownload

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

To explore related information, click keywords:

Benjamin Caplan, MDSome, But Not Enough Data on Cannabis for Chronic Pain
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Guanfacine reducing cannabis withdrawal symptoms?

June 10, 2019 , , , , , , , , ,

Guanfacine decreases symptoms of cannabis withdrawal in daily cannabis smokers

A study performed on daily cannabis users with cannabis use disorder (CUD) found evidence for Guanfacine to reduce the irritability and disturbances to sleep, characteristic of cannabis withdrawal. It is potentially a viable, improved alternative to Lofexidine, another treatment for CUD which happens to result in some adverse effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and altered food intake. However, beyond these effects, while Lofexidine reduced cannabis self-administration following abstinence, Guanfacine did not in this study. Regardless, further research on the therapeutic effects of Guanfacine may be worthwhile and could help reduce cannabis cravings following withdrawal.

For the full review & to explore related work:

Guanfacine decreases symptoms of cannabis withdrawal in daily cannabis smokersDownload

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

Benjamin Caplan, MDGuanfacine reducing cannabis withdrawal symptoms?
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Cannabinoid receptors as therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases: where do we stand?

June 7, 2019 , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Because of the associated anti-inflammatory action, modulation of CB1R & CB2R is helpful to treat autoimmune diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis, Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis The full list is truly very much longer, as every illness necessarily involves the immune system and cellular communication.

The following review, written by Elaine D. Gonc ̧alves

Cannabinoids for the treatment of rheumatic diseases — where do we stand?
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The following review, written by Daphna Katz-Talmor: (yes, same name, unfortunately!)

Cannabinoids for the treatment of rheumatic diseases — where do we stand?Download
Benjamin Caplan, MDCannabinoid receptors as therapeutic targets for autoimmune diseases: where do we stand?
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Market Projections, Ethanol Extraction, and Mismatched Expectations

June 7, 2019 , , , , , ,

While most people tout market projections, this CEO notes that many people entering the industry have not considered the logistics behind creating and expanding their business. In such a unique industry, realistic goals and measures will be crucial to long term success and scaling. http://bit.ly/31fJYH0

Benjamin Caplan, MDMarket Projections, Ethanol Extraction, and Mismatched Expectations
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Video: Medical Marijuana: What Physicians Need to Know

June 6, 2019 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

Medical_Marijuana_What_Physicians_Need_to_KnowDownload

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

To explore related information, click the keywords below:

Benjamin Caplan, MDVideo: Medical Marijuana: What Physicians Need to Know
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France to launch medical cannabis experiment in coming weeks

June 5, 2019 , , , ,

As a nearly unanimous French Senate gave medical marijuana the green light on May 28, France will start experimenting with the use of medical marijuana for “about two years.” According to patient groups, somewhere between 300,000 and 1 million patients could be eligible to use cannabis to manage symptoms of cancer, certain types of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, palliative care, and pain that does not respond to usual treatments. #france #cancer #epilepsy #multiplesclerosis #palliativecare #pain http://bit.ly/2WehBoY

Benjamin Caplan, MDFrance to launch medical cannabis experiment in coming weeks
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A Flavonoid, Silymarin, Shows Therapeutic Activity in Tuberculosis

June 3, 2019 , , ,

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

To explore related literature, click keywords below the images:

Benjamin Caplan, MDA Flavonoid, Silymarin, Shows Therapeutic Activity in Tuberculosis
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