Best of the Week...
In lung cells, CBD & its metabolite 7-OH-CBD potently blocked the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by inhibiting viral gene expression & upregulating antiviral signaling. “A cohort of human patients previously taking CBD had significantly lower SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence”
Cannabidiol Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Promotes the Host Innate Immune Response
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33758843/
In children with autism, the use of low doses of CBD & trace amounts of THC (a 20:1 ratio) decreased behavioral problems, improved cognition & increased social interactions
CBD-enriched cannabis for autism spectrum disorder: an experience of a single center in Turkey and reviews of the literature
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34911567/
In children with autism, treatment with cannabis caused 65 biomarkers to shift towards more typical development
Cannabis-Responsive Biomarkers: A Pharmacometabolomics-Based Application to Evaluate the Impact of Medical Cannabis Treatment on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34874191/
The Michael J Fox Foundation released the results of a survey on the use of cannabinoid products for Parkinson’s disease & they reported using more CBD products
Higher risk, higher reward? Self-reported effects of real-world cannabis use in Parkinson's disease
https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mdc3.13414
https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/mjff-survey-results-people-parkinsons-share-experiences-cannabis
In a tissue model of Alzheimer’s disease, CBD lowered the aggregation of the tau proteins
Cannabidiol Inhibits Tau Aggregation In Vitro
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34944028/
Clinical Studies & Surveys of CBD & the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
In humans with tuberous sclerosis complex (the growth of many non-cancerous tumors, often resulting in seizures), the long-term use of CBD as an add-on was found to be safe, well-tolerated & to sustainably reduce seizures
Long-term cannabidiol treatment for seizures in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex: An open-label extension trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34957550/
In humans with drug-resistant epilepsy, the long-term use of CBD improved quality of life, controlled seizures & improved cognitive & behavioral functions
Long-Term Impact in the Quality of Life of Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy That Use Cannabidiol
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=113815
This survey shows much interest from caregivers about using CBD to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Cannabidiol (CBD) Use among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34903213/
In humans with borderline & antisocial personality disorders, the strength of the binding of their FAAH enzymes was correlated with neuroticism
Higher trait neuroticism is associated with greater fatty acid amide hydrolase binding in borderline and antisocial personality disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35064143/
In a case series of 10 children with severe treatment resistant epilepsy, medical cannabis reduced seizure frequency by 86%
Medical cannabis for severe treatment resistant epilepsy in children: a case-series of 10 patients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8689159/
In a survey of military veterans with persistent symptoms after a mild traumatic brain injuries, the self-reported reasons for cannabis use include “neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep disturbances, and pain for which standard treatments (both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic) provided insufficient relief”
Cannabis Use in a Cohort of Healthcare-Seeking United States Military Veterans With Persisting Symptoms After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Preliminary Observations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35064271/
In humans with chronic back pain, the use of medical cannabis reduced opioid prescriptions
Medical Cannabis Use Reduces Opioid Prescriptions in Patients With Chronic Back Pain
A survey of chronic pain patients finds medical cannabis certification associated with decreased opiate use
Medical Cannabis Certification Is Associated With Decreased Opiate Use in Patients With Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Delaware
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35004055/
In patients with arthritis of the thumb, many of them found topical & oral cannabis helpful
Assessment of Medical Cannabis in Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Thumb Basal Joint
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34893392/
A survey of ER doctors finds that they prefer cannabis over opioids as a first line treatment if studies found them equally effective for that medical condition
Emergency Medicine Physicians Would Prefer Using Cannabis Over Opioids for First-Line Treatment of a Medical Condition if Provided With Medical Evidence: A National Survey
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34926086
In young adults using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, the use of cannabis had no negative effects on the efficacy of the treatment
Cannabis use as a moderator of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34870584/
In humans with benign essential blepharospasm (a rare neurological disorder of the eyes), medical cannabis drops greatly reduced the length of eye spasms
Medical cannabis oil for benign essential blepharospasm: a prospective, randomized controlled pilot study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35067772/
In humans, this Phase 1 trial looks at using a nanoparticle-based oral spray for THC
A Phase I Trial to Determine the Pharmacokinetics, Psychotropic Effects, and Safety Profile of a Novel Nanoparticle-Based Cannabinoid Spray for Oromucosal Delivery
Recent Reviews
This review looks at treating methamphetamine addiction with CBD
Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol on Methamphetamine Abuse: A Review of Preclinical Study
http://ijpr.sbmu.ac.ir/article_1101571_0f8c7d245a84e31aa5d730561d5b858e.pdf
This review looks at the potential of CBD for treating cardiovascular diseases
The Potential of Cannabidiol in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
https://www.sciresliterature.org/Cardiovascular/IJCDD-ID47.pdf
This review looks at the effects of exercise on the endocannabinoid system
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Exercise on the Endocannabinoid System
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34870469/
This review looks at the use of cannabinoids to help with the effects of chemotherapy: nausea, pain & brain fog
Cannabinoid drugs against chemotherapy-induced adverse effects: focus on nausea/vomiting, peripheral neuropathy and chemofog in animal models
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35045012/
This review of preclinical evidence suggests than cannabinoids should be investigated for treating ocular pain
Is there a rational basis for cannabinoids research and development in ocular pain therapy? A systematic review of preclinical evidence
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34891121/
This review looks at using novel visualization methods to learn more about the mysteries of the endocannabinoid system
Imaging the endocannabinoid signaling system
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34921843/
An interesting review of the effects of cannabis on the endocannabinoid system (with a strong history section & a breakdown of the main cannabinoids)
Marijuana, a Journey through the Endocannabinoid System: Unmasking the Paradoxical Effect
https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/80021
Preclinical Research & Cannabinoid Chemistry
In a tissue model of refractory epilepsy, CBD caused anti-inflammatory effects in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (the most abundant circulating immune cells, a first line of immune defense)
Cannabidiol (CBD) Alters the Functionality of Neutrophils (PMN). Implications in the Refractory Epilepsy Treatment
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33807975/
In this industry study using two cancer cell lines, CBD lowered cell proliferation in both cell types & THC in one of them
ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF CANNABINOIDS IN HUMAN CELL LINES
https://iris.unito.it/retrieve/handle/2318/1833737/917439/Gallicchio.pdf
In this study, CBD helps the antibiotic bacitracin to work better & finds that it’s by increasing production of menaquinone (Vitamin K2)
The menaquinone pathway is important for susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to the antibiotic adjuvant, cannabidiol
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35091344/
In mice with neuropathic pain from chemotherapy treatment, a CBD analog reduced mechanical & cold allodynia (pain from extreme sensitivity) via the PPARγ receptors which regulate genetic transcription
The Cannabidiol Analog PECS-101 Prevents Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain via PPARγ Receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34904193/
In slices from the hippocampus of rats, THC – but not CBD – changed the shape of the neurons & astrocytes
Neuronal and Astrocytic Morphological Alterations Driven by Prolonged Exposure with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol but Not Cannabidiol
https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/10/2/48/htm
At mouse motor synapses, AEA & 2-AG cause the release of acetylcholine & an increase of activity
Noncanonical Potentiation of Evoked Quantal Release of Acetylcholine by Cannabinoids Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol in Mouse Motor Synapses
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1134/S199074782106012X
In bone stem cells, activating the CB1 receptor reduced inflammation, enhanced calcium deposition & increased the bone growth phenotype
Influence of Medical Marijuana on Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Osteogenesis: An in Vitro Study
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2473011421S00447
In a tissue model of periodontitis, activating the CB1 receptor improved bone growth & increased energy metabolism
The cannabinoid receptor I (CB1) enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by rescue impaired mitochondrial metabolism function under inflammatory condition
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35063024/
In mice with uremia (raised levels of urine which causes intestinal injuries), electroacupuncture protected the intestinal barrier via the CB1 receptors
Protection of Intestinal Barrier in Uremic Mice by Electroacupuncture via Regulating the Cannabinoid 1 Receptor of the Intestinal Glial Cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34906281/
In slides of rodent brains, cannabis terpenes show anti-seizure activity
Cannabis terpenes demonstrate acute anti-seizure activity in rodent brain slices in vitro
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1736878
In a mouse model of dry eye syndrome, the topical application of different cannabinoids reduced inflammation, protected corneal nerves & maintained cornea sensitivity
Topical application of cannabinoid-ligands ameliorates experimental dry-eye disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34922011/
In tadpoles, the CB1 receptor regulates the growth of the neurons of the eyes
Cannabinoid 1 Receptor CBIR regulates growth cone filopodia and axon dispersion in the optic tract of Xenopus laevis tadpoles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35060216/
In rats, these researchers followed the tissue distribution levels of the major cannabinoids after an intraperitoneal injection (into the body cavity)
Short communication: Tissue distribution of major cannabinoids following intraperitoneal injection in male rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35045097/
Using fungi growing on cannabis to biotransform cannabinoids
Biotranformation of cannabidiol by Cannabis sativa endophytic fungi
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0041-1736979