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Cannabis-Containing Cream for CKD-Associated Pruritus: A Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial

This study aims to compare the efficacy of a cannabis cream and a placebo in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated pruritus.

Cannabis use while trying to conceive: a prospective cohort study evaluating associations with fecundability, live birth and pregnancy loss

Is cannabis use assessed via urinary metabolites and self-report during preconception associated with fecundability, live birth and pregnancy loss? Preconception cannabis use was associated with reduced fecundability among women with a history of pregnancy loss attempting pregnancy despite an increased frequency of intercourse. Cannabis use continues to rise despite limited evidence of safety during critical windows of pregnancy establishment. While existing studies suggest that self-reported cannabis use is not associated with fecundability, self-report may not be reliable. Prospective cohort study was carried out including 1228 women followed for up to six cycles while attempting pregnancy (2006 to 2012), and throughout pregnancy if they conceived.

Cannabis use in cancer patients: acute and sustained associations with pain, cognition, and quality of life

Given the myriad of negative sequalae associated with cancer and its treatment, the palliative use of cannabis by cancer patients is increasingly of special interest. This research sought to explore associations of acute and sustained use of legal market edible cannabis products on pain, cognition, and quality of life in a group of cancer patients.

Cannabis use among patients with alopecia areata: a cross-sectional survey study

Little is known about cannabis use among patients with alopecia areata (AA). These patients often experience significant psychosocial burden and may seek alternative therapies beyond that of traditional medical treatments, such as cannabis. This was a cross-sectional study conducted from March 9, 2021, to March 22, 2021, using a web-based survey distributed to adult patients with AA using the National AA Foundation’s email listserv and social media platforms.

Cannabis under the influence of yoga : the impact of mindful movement on well-being outcomes after cannabis use

The prevalence of cannabis use in Canada is high, and there is increasing discussion around the therapeutic use of cannabis to enhance well-being and address mental health concerns. Clinical research and anecdotal reports are equivocal and inconsistent, with both positive and negative impacts on mental health reported. In studies of other psychoactive drugs used therapeutically (i.e., psychedelics) there is considerable attendance to extra-pharmacological factors during the drug experience, as it is well-known that such contextual factors can significantly impact clinical outcomes. In this study, 47 participants self-administered cannabis via the Naturalistic Cannabis Administration Protocol (NCAP) under two conditions that took place one week apart.

Cannabis for Medical Use: Versatile Plant Rather Than a Single Drug

Medical Cannabis and its major cannabinoids (−)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are gaining momentum for various medical purposes as their therapeutic qualities are becoming better established. However, studies regarding their efficacy are oftentimes inconclusive. This is chiefly because Cannabis is a versatile plant rather than a single drug and its effects do not depend only on the amount of THC and CBD. Hundreds of Cannabis cultivars and hybrids exist worldwide, each with a unique and distinct chemical profile. Most studies focus on THC and CBD, but these are just two of over 140 phytocannabinoids found in the plant in addition to a milieu of terpenoids, flavonoids and other compounds with potential therapeutic activities. Different plants contain a very different array of these metabolites in varying relative ratios, and it is the interplay between these molecules from the plant and the endocannabinoid system in the body that determines the ultimate therapeutic response and associated adverse effects. Here, we discuss how phytocannabinoid profiles differ between plants depending on the chemovar types, review the major factors that affect secondary metabolite accumulation in the plant including the genotype, growth conditions, processing, storage and the delivery route; and highlight how these factors make Cannabis treatment highly complex.

Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis

While cannabis has a long history of spiritual use, its normalization in Western societies during the last decades has led to more recreational use. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of spiritual cannabis use as compared to recreational use and to the use of psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin.

Cannabinol and Sleep: Separating Fact from Fiction

In recent years, marketers of cannabis (i.e., marijuana) products have claimed that cannabinol (CBN) has unique sleep-promoting effects. Despite a plausible mechanism, it is possible that such claims are merely rooted in cannabis lore. The aim of this narrative review was to answer the question: “Is there sufficient clinical evidence to support claims that CBN has sleep-promoting effects?” A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed to evaluate the published evidence. The abstracts of 99 human studies were screened for relevance by the author and reviewed for compliance with the inclusion criteria. The characteristics and principal findings were extracted from eight full-text articles that met inclusion criteria for detailed review.

Cannabinoid Therapeutics in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: From Animal Research to Human Treatment

Despite the importance of pain as a warning physiological system, chronic neuropathic pain is frequently caused by damage in the nervous system, followed by persistence over a long period, even in the absence of dangerous stimuli or after healing of injuries. Chronic neuropathic pain affects hundreds of millions of adults worldwide, creating a direct impact on quality of life. This pathology has been extensively characterized concerning its cellular and molecular mechanisms, and the endocannabinoid system (eCS) is widely recognized as pivotal in the development of chronic neuropathic pain. Scientific evidence has supported that phyto-, synthetic and endocannabinoids are efficient for pain management, while strong data arise from the therapeutic use of Cannabis-derived products. The use of medicinal Cannabis products is directed toward not only relieving symptoms of chronic pain, but also improving several aspects of patients’ welfare. Here, we review the involvement of eCS, along with other cellular and molecular elements, in chronic neuropathic pain pathology and how this system can be targeted for pain management.

Cannabinoid Conference 2022

Cannabis has a historical role for pharmacological analgesia/anaesthesia, as well as for dental anxiety. Fast-forward to today’s scientific literature, there are many considerations regarding the role of cannabis in dentistry. We examine the role of the endocannabinoid system and its modulation from the dental perspective. Whilst cannabis smoking has been associated with poor dental health, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intoxication can result in tachycardia and acute hypertension, (which could cause drug-drug interaction with sedation and anaesthesia), some cannabinoids seem to be useful for a promising therapy for a range of different conditions of the oral cavity, such as peri-operative analgesia, several neurologic orofacial disorders, like burning mouth syndrome, or even dental anxiety and mouth inflammations.

Cannabidiol Interferes with Establishment of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-Induced Nausea Through a 5-HT1A Mechanism

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by intense nausea and vomiting brought on by the use of high-dose Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychotropic compound in cannabis. Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychotropic compound found in cannabis, has been shown to interfere with some acute aversive effects of THC. In this study, we evaluated if CBD would interfere with THC-induced nausea through a 5-HT1A receptor mechanism as it has been shown to interfere with nausea produced by lithium chloride (LiCl). Since CHS has been attributed to a dysregulated stress response, we also evaluated if CBD would interfere with THC-induced increase in corticosterone (CORT).

Biphasic effects of cannabis and cannabinoid therapy on pain severity, anxiety, and sleep disturbance: a scoping review

Cannabinoids are being used by patients to help with chronic pain management and to address the 2 primary chronic pain comorbidities of anxiety and sleep disturbance. It is necessary to understand the biphasic effects of cannabinoids to improve treatment of this symptom triad.