All posts tagged: Heavy Use

“Liver toxicity” of mice force-fed with unreasonable amounts CBD

Here, an excellent example of how valuable it is for scientific literature to be read critically and thoughtfully. When reporters read, or extract, or convey only partial conclusions, it is all-too-easy for consumers to absorb an incomplete, undigested message. As consumers of journalism, the public deserves a more knowledgeable understanding. Here (http://bit.ly/2KV0jeG), Forbes (Mike Adams) conveys an unfortunate lack of deep consideration in the reporting. Thankfully, a brief quote is conveyed by Dr. Koturbash, who “was quick to point out that the CBD products coming to market may not pose this particular risk” – but this stone-throw of even-handedness falls short to appropriately balance an article already dripping with misgivings and incomplete evaluation of the material at hand.

For a more layered view of the science, the word “gavage,” as was applied to the mice in the study, describes force-feeding animals with a tube down their throats, often taped to mouths which are then kept gaping open. This is meant to simulate the biological processes of eating (different from giving meds IV, for example.) There is no regard to the stress that this process causes the animals, as they are treated as though they are biological CBD-processing machines. In the days where many people are taking 10mg pills of CBD per day, the amounts of CBD that were force-fed to these animals in this study, if translated to humans, would be 4,305mg, 12,915mg, and 43,050mg over 10 days, or 17,220mg, 51,660mg, and 172,200mg in one-shot doses.) For reference, these days, most dispensaries sell CBD in doses of 10mg, 20mg, up to 2-300mg.)

In the study, the authors suggest that they allow animals to eat “ad libitum,” as if to convey that they are treated with a buffet. And yet, the animals being stuffed with 43,050mg (human equivalent) of CBD still lost weight, while others (given 172,200mg (human equivalent) had uneven weight distribution.) To any reader considering these values critically, it must seem absurd to make conclusions about the actions of CBD as what is causing these effects, as if the fact of over-stuffing itself has no impact at all.

An analogy to this study: If you add 17,000 cars (or 172,000!) to a tunnel on the way to the airport, and stuff each car full of way too many people, there might be problematic levels of concern inside that tunnel.

Let’s hope to see more even-handed consideration and reporting from Forbes, in the future.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

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

Here, another study that shows very different results. Instead of overstuffing mice w/ unrealistic amounts, if one administers CBD at sensible doses in the same population of mice, it turns out that CBD could directly reduce alcohol drinking, improve healthy processes in the liver, and alcohol-related brain damage…

“CBD reduces alcohol-related steatosis & fibrosis in the liver by reducing lipid accumulation, stimulating autophagy, modulating inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, & by inducing death of activated hepatic stellate cells” This new study:

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MD“Liver toxicity” of mice force-fed with unreasonable amounts CBD
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Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is Frequently Misdiagnosed as Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Association of Marijuana Use and Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

A recent study has found that a subset of patients diagnosed with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome actually suffers from Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is a rare condition that primarily occurs in daily, long-term users of cannabis, more common among males than females. Chronic cannabis consumers should inform their physicians of any illicit drug use, as well as any cannabis consumption, during routine check-ups and/or emergency room visits, to ensure accurate diagnoses can be made.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

This paper is also stored here:   http://bit.ly/2F9YS8u      inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDCannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is Frequently Misdiagnosed as Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
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New Study Finds Cannabis May Be “Unsafe” For Pregnant Women

https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2019/06/18/cannabis-unsafe-pregnant-women

In a study of 661, 617 pregnant women, researchers found that cannabis use was significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. But these findings may be limited due to other risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, and opioid use. 

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This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2L0vTaY     inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDNew Study Finds Cannabis May Be “Unsafe” For Pregnant Women
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How to prevent inappropriate teen use?

Especially in Colorado and Washington, people are taking note of teens’ use and access to potent marijuana, and many are concerned that there are not enough measures in place to prevent this. Newly legalized states should look into this before it becomes a national issue. https://wapo.st/2Fgmto9

Benjamin Caplan, MDHow to prevent inappropriate teen use?
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Evidence for Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabidiol, Including Treatment of Ischemic Strokes

Therapeutic Potential of Non-Psychotropic Cannabidiol in Ischemic Stroke

Cannabidiol (CBD) has a unique therapeutic profile as it has a cannabinoid receptor-independent mechanism, limited side-effects, and patients do not seem to develop an insurmountable tolerance. Research currently focussed on the therapeutic benefits of CBD has demonstrated long-lasting neuroprotective properties against global and focal ischemic injury, such as ischemic stroke. This piece points to CBD as a major component of cannabis-based medicine as a non-psychoactive component. Further research is needed to evaluate the full clinical capabilities of CBD, including its neuroprotective effect.

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The US patent on Cannabinoids as Antioxidants and Neuroprotectants, from 1999: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6630507B1/en

This paper is also stored here:    http://bit.ly/2L0PBn3     inside the CED Foundation Archive

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Benjamin Caplan, MDEvidence for Therapeutic Benefits of Cannabidiol, Including Treatment of Ischemic Strokes
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Organ Donors can Safely Consume Cannabis

Effects of Drug Abuse, Smoking and Alcohol on Donor Hearts and Lungs

A review article that discusses how drug use can affect donor organs has revealed that receiving organs, such as a heart or lungs, from a donor who has used cannabis does not add risk to the procedure. A careful assessment of any donor organ should still be conducted, but having a history of cannabis use does not prevent someone from safely donating.

View this review (yellow link) or download:

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

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Benjamin Caplan, MDOrgan Donors can Safely Consume Cannabis
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Effects of Cannabis are More Marked in Occasional Rather than Chronic Cannabis Users

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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Benjamin Caplan, MDEffects of Cannabis are More Marked in Occasional Rather than Chronic Cannabis Users
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Combatting Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome

DSM-5 cannabis withdrawal syndrome: Demographic and clinical correlates in U.S. adults

Cannabis withdrawal syndrome affects approximately 12.1% of heavy cannabis users and is characterized by symptoms such as nervousness/anxiety, hostility, sleep difficulty, and depressed mood. It has increased prevalence among those suffering from mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. This new data should emphasize the need for physicians to exercise caution when recommending cannabis to individuals who may end up consuming cannabis heavily, and who also suffering from mood, anxiety, or personality disorders

http://bit.ly/2XeL7wl

Benjamin Caplan, MDCombatting Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome
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