All posts tagged: Cannabis Science

Cannabidiol May Provide Novel Treatment for Rare Ovarian Cancer

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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Benjamin Caplan, MDCannabidiol May Provide Novel Treatment for Rare Ovarian Cancer
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Case Studies Reveal Difficulties in Differences between State Cannabis Laws

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCase Studies Reveal Difficulties in Differences between State Cannabis Laws
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Video: The Endocannabinoid System’s Intriguing Role in Gut Health

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MDVideo: The Endocannabinoid System’s Intriguing Role in Gut Health
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Neem Oil vs Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome

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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Benjamin Caplan, MDNeem Oil vs Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
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Cost-effectiveness of treating pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy

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.

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCost-effectiveness of treating pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy
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CBD antibacterial properties, topically

Preliminary testing shows positive results towards using CBD as an antibiotic topically, but also potentially to deal with systematic infections, such as pneumonia, using oral dosing. One of the present concerns is the struggle of getting permits to handle these cannabinoids to do further testing.

While these specific findings have not yet been published in a peer-review journal, this is far from the first time we have seen antimicrobial activity associated with plants or with cannabis. Evolutionarily, this trait is believed to be adaptive for the plant, and within cannabinoid, terpenoid, and flavonoid compounds, this activity has been demonstrated reproducibly, both in the lab and in clinic.
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Benjamin Caplan, MDCBD antibacterial properties, topically
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Cannabinoids + opioid pain relief: subjective effects in healthy humans

Human study finds that, when taken with opioids, dronabinol (THC) may increase impairment and decrease, or not affect, pain relief. Researchers conclude that THC might NOT protect the body from the adverse effects of opioids. However, the study examined only 10 participants, and such a small sample size should give pause to the validity and applicability of the findings. 

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCannabinoids + opioid pain relief: subjective effects in healthy humans
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Case Studies Expose Under Recognition of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome

“Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome: still under-recognized after all these years“

After two years of chronic vomiting and pain and dozens of trips to emergency rooms a 23-year-old woman was found to have cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). Physicians are still unable to recognize the early symptoms of CHS as cannabis use is still in a legal gray area in much of the country. A lack of research, recognition, and trust often prevents a quick diagnosis when an illness is related to cannabis, leading to multiple referrals and invasive tests.

CHS was first described 15 years ago yet it is not frequently recognized in patients. The case study featured in this blog post highlights patients and physicians’ outcry for tolerance and support so that cannabis-related illnesses can be efficiently and effectively engaged.

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCase Studies Expose Under Recognition of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome
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Video: Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MDVideo: Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis
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Should donors who have used marijuana be considered candidates for living kidney donation?

Although tobacco use has been linked to worse outcomes for kidney donors and recipients, cannabis seems to have no effect on post-operation outcomes.

 In a retrospective study of 294 kidney transplants, doctors found no short-term or long-term differences in kidney function for donors or recipients. 

In other words, cannabis users may safely donate kidneys.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2IFl0cQ      inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDShould donors who have used marijuana be considered candidates for living kidney donation?
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