Best of cannabinoid science this week...
In a patient with mild Alzheimer’s, microdosing of cannabis improved memory Cannabinoid extract in microdoses ameliorates mnemonic and nonmnemonic Alzheimer's disease symptoms: a case report https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35820856
This review looks at the ability of PEA to help with neuromuscular diseases, especially those involving acetylcholine
Classical and Unexpected Effects of Ultra-Micronized PEA in Neuromuscular Function https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35740883
A survey of musculoskeletal patients with pain found that cannabis helped to reduce their pain & that “89% of the participants considered medical cannabis to be more effective than narcotics for adequate pain management”
Patient Experience and Perspective on Medical Cannabis as an Alternative for Musculoskeletal Pain Management
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35796526
A survey of medical cannabis users again finds the use for chronic pain at the top of the list
Characteristics of People Seeking Prescribed Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Evidence From Project Twenty 21
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35775024
In a rat model of stimulant addiction, CBD lowered the likelihood of relapse as well as lowering anxiety levels & improving endocannabinoid & dopamine machinery levels in the brain Cannabidiol treatment prevents drug reinstatement and the molecular alterations evoked by amphetamine on receptors and enzymes from dopaminergic and endocannabinoid systems in rats https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35810923 In mice with high insulin levels in their blood, THC protected their livers from inflammation & oxidative stress The protective effects of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol against inflammation and oxidative stress in rat liver with fructose-induced hyperinsulinemia https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30427077 In a mouse model of obesity, β-caryophyllene (one of the predominant terpenes in cannabis) improves their metabolic & immunological processes β-Caryophyllene, a Dietary Cannabinoid, Protects Against Metabolic and Immune Dysregulation in a Diet-Induced Obesity Mouse Model https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35792574 This study of long-term cannabis users found the opposite of ‘amotivational syndrome’ – the cannabis users more frequently chose the harder tasks than the sober people Effort-based decision making and self-reported apathy in frequent cannabis users and healthy controls: A replication and extension https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35767680
Another review looking at CB2 as a great target for disorders of the brain Potential Role of Cannabinoid Type 2 Receptors in Neuropsychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35774086 In dogs, a study of how CBD moves through their body when taking it nasally, rectally or orally Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol Following Intranasal, Intrarectal, and Oral Administration in Healthy Dogs https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35754531 An intriguing study on how THC manages to only be a partial agonist of the CB1 receptor Mechanistic origin of partial agonism of tetrahydrocannabinol for cannabinoid receptors https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35227761 Partial agonism of a receptor is not an easy thing to achieve via human science. It’s much easier to make a drug that completely blocks or completely binds a receptor. To create one that can operate at half strength is more of an art. This study figures out why the tail of THC plays a crucial role in its partial agonism of CB1.