Entries by Michelle Smith

The Effect of Orally Administered ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) on Obesity Parameters in Mice

Prolonged cannabis users show a lower prevalence of obesity and associated comorbidities. In rodent models, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) from the plant Cannabis sativa L. have shown anti-obesity properties, suggesting a link between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and obesity. However, the oral administration route has rarely been studied in this context. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of prolonged oral administration of pure THC and CBD on obesity-related parameters and peripheral endocannabinoids.

The Effect of Oil-Based Cannabis Extracts on Metabolic Parameters and Microbiota Composition of Mice Fed a Standard and a High-Fat Diet

The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related pathologies is lower in frequent cannabis users compared to non-users. It is well established that the endocannabinoid system has an important role in the development of obesity. We recently demonstrated that prolonged oral consumption of purified ∆-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but not of cannabidiol (CBD), ameliorates diet-induced obesity and improves obesity-related metabolic complications in a high-fat diet mouse model. However, the effect of commercially available medical cannabis oils that contain numerous additional active molecules has not been examined. We tested herein the effects of THC- and CBD-enriched medical cannabis oils on obesity parameters and the gut microbiota composition of C57BL/6 male mice fed with either a high-fat or standard diet.

Edible marijuana and cycle ergometer exercise

There is extensive public and scientific interest in the influence of cannabis and the psychoactive cannabinoid, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), on exercise performance. Unfortunately, recent, up-to-date studies are lacking. The aim of the current study was to address the hypothesis that ingestion of edible marijuana, prior to exercise, would have unfavorable effects on the physiological response to exercise and on exercise performance.

Cannabis use for exercise recovery in trained individuals: a survey study

Cannabis use, be it either cannabidiol (CBD) use and/or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use, shows promise to enhance exercise recovery. The present study aimed to determine if individuals are using CBD and/or THC as a means of recovery from aerobic and/or resistance exercise, as well as additional modalities that might be used
to aid in recovery.

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THC improves behavioural schizophrenia-like deficits that CBD fails to overcome: a comprehensive multilevel approach using the Poly I:C maternal immune activation

Prenatal infections and cannabis use during adolescence are well-recognized risk factors for schizophrenia. As inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) contribute to this disorder, anti-inflammatory drugs have been proposed as potential therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and schizophrenia-like abnormalities in a maternal immune activation (MIA) model. Additionally, we assessed the preventive effect of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic/anti-inflammatory cannabinoid.

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Effects of cannabidiol on symptoms in people at clinical high risk for psychosis

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non‐intoxicating constituent of cannabis, has potential anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties 2 and a good safety profile. In two out of three clinical trials in patients with established psychosis, evidence of its antipsychotic efficacy has been reported 3 , 4 , 5 . However, there have not been trials of a period of treatment with CBD in CHR individuals. We assessed the clinical effects of a course of CBD treatment in people with a CHR state following a protocol approved by the National Research Ethics Service Committee London (Camberwell, St. Giles) (ISRCTN46322781).

COULD THE COMBINATION OF TWO NON- PSYCHOTROPIC CANNABINOIDS COUNTERACT HALOPERIDOL CATALEPSY? EFFECTIVENESS OF CANNABIDIOL ASSOCIATED WITH CANNABIGEROL

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic compound from Cannabis sativa plant that produces antipsychotics effects in rodents and humans. CBD reduced catalepsy induced by typical antipsychotic haloperidol, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. CBD has been proposed to act as an atypical antipsychotic. Cannabigerol (CBG) is another non-psychoactive molecule from Cannabis sativa, a potential pharmaceutical for several neuropsychiatric conditions. In this study we investigated if CBG could have beneficial effects on motor related striatal disorders. We evaluated if CBG would prevent catalepsy induced by haloperidol (0.3mg/kg; s.c) and the c-Fos protein induction in the dorsal striatum.

Cannabis containing equivalent concentrations of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) induces less state anxiety than THC‐dominant cannabis

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an active component of cannabis, can cause anxiety in some users during intoxication. Cannabidiol (CBD), another constituent of cannabis, has anxiolytic properties suggesting that cannabis products containing CBD in addition to THC may produce less anxiety than THC-only products. Findings to date around this issue have been inconclusive and could conceivably depend on moderating factors such as baseline anxiety levels in users.

Cannabidiol does not attenuate acute delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol-induced attentional bias in healthy volunteers: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over study

To test how attentional bias and explicit liking are influenced by delta- 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and whether these effects are moderated by cannabidiol (CBD). Double-blind, randomised, within-subjects cross-over study. NIHR Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility at King’s College Hospital, London, United Kingdom.Participants/Cases: Forty-six infrequent cannabis users (cannabis use <1 per week).

Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity (2024)

More than half of all U.S. states have legalized cannabis,2 fueled by therapeutic use, social acceptance, a desire for relaxed drug policies, enforcement skepticism, potential tax revenues, and racial justice concerns. The commercial markets created by state legalization require the development
of complex policies—surrounding cultivation, processing and manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sales—to promote public health and health equity. Because cannabis is illegal federally, the federal government has had minimal involvement in cannabis policies within the states. The limited
federal guidance on cannabis has focused on its sale—not on public health.Further, federal policies have complicated the efforts of state governments to develop cannabis policies that protect public health. These federal policies include the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (2018 Farm Bill), which
removed hemp and other cannabinoids from the Controlled Substances Act, creating a lucrative industry for intoxicating cannabis products designated legally as hemp.3 Public health leadership on cannabis policy is needed, not just in those states with legalized cannabis but nationwide.

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RTHC improves behavioural schizophrenia-like deficits that CBD fails to overcome: a comprehensive multilevel approach using the Poly I:C maternal immune activation

Prenatal infections and cannabis use during adolescence are well-recognized risk factors for schizophrenia. As inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) contribute to this disorder, anti-inflammatory drugs have been proposed as potential therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and schizophrenia-like abnormalities in a maternal immune activation (MIA) model. Additionally, we assessed the preventive effect of cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic/anti-inflammatory cannabinoid.