Best of cannabinoid science this week...
In young people with treatment-resistant anxiety, CBD (up to 800 mg per day) significantly reduced their depression scores – though 80% experienced non-serious side effects like fatigue, low mood, hot flashes & cold chills Cannabidiol for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders in Young People: An Open-Label Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35921510
In humans with PTSD, a low dose of THC helped with emotional processing during an emotional regulation task Cannabinoid modulation of brain activation during volitional regulation of negative affect in trauma-exposed adults https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35981598
In a survey of cancer patients, cannabis was used the most for sleep, pain & anxiety – with the biggest barrier being cost Medical Marijuana Use for Cancer-Related Symptoms among Floridians: A Descriptive Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35960820
A review of the medicinal chemistry of CBD The Essential Medicinal Chemistry of Cannabidiol (CBD) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32804502
In mice threatened by pit vipers, CBD reduced their panic & defensive responses CB 1 receptor signalling mediates cannabidiol-induced panicolytic-like effects and defensive antinociception impairment in mice threatened by Bothrops jararaca lancehead pit vipers https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35946605 In rats, a study of how much CBD was absorbed by their lymph system for transportation around the body Lymphatic Absorption of Cannabidiol: First in vivo Study in Rats link
In human neutrophils (first-responder white blood cells), CBD inhibited expression of the COX-1 & COX-2 enzymes (responsible for pain & inflammation, a pathway used by NSAIDs like aspirin & ibuprofen) Effect of Cannabidiol on Cyclooxygenase Type 1 and 2 Expression and Function in Human Neutrophils https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35930236
In various white blood cell types, CBD caused both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects depending on its concentration & the cell types involved – but its suggested “CBD might be used to dampen B cell activity in autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis” Cannabidiol: Influence on B Cells, Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell/Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblast Cocultures https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35920857
In a human skin stem cell model of acne, CBD lowered inflammatory cytokines & upregulated CB2 levels Cannabidiol Inhibits Inflammation Induced by Cutibacterium acnes-Derived Extracellular Vesicles via Activation of CB2 Receptor in Keratinocytes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35982758
In a culture of the common fungal pathogen Candida, a mix of CBD & the antibiotic triclosan reduced their ability to form biofilms (a key measure of how well the fungus spreads & causes harms) Potential Combinatory Effect of Cannabidiol and Triclosan Incorporated into Sustained Release Delivery System against Oral Candidiasis https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/14/8/1624 In a mouse model of pain, inhibiting both the FAAH enzyme (degrades AEA) & the NAAA enzyme (degrades PEA) produced more pain-relieving effects than either substance alone Synergistic antinociceptive effects of concomitant NAAA and peripheral FAAH inhibition https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35932800
In a goat model of visceral hypersensitivity (feeling pain in your organs), the ability of electroacupuncture to relieve the pain occurred via modulation of the endocannabinoid system
Electroacupuncture relieves visceral hypersensitivity through modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35957508
2021: Another case of a medicinal plant that utilizes the endocannabinoid system: a terpene from juniper berries acts as a positive modulator of the CB1 receptor Agathadiol, a labdane diterpenoid from juniper berries, is a positive allosteric modulator of CB 1 R https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34637886