Best of the Week...
In a rat model of estrogen depletion where their ovaries are removed, two weeks of CBD completely reversed the usual memory impairment
Cannabidiol reverses memory impairments and activates components of the Akt/GSK3β pathway in an experimental model of estrogen depletion
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34450240/
In mice undergoing swimming training, consuming CBD oil improved their heart’s markers for MAPK & PPARα gene expression while showing that the interventions of CBD & swimming combined worked better than either method alone
Effect of Eight Weeks of Swimming Training and CBD Oil Consumption on MAPK, Pparα Gene Expression in the Heart Tissue of Myocardial Infarction Rats
https://www.jorjanijournal.goums.ac.ir/article-1-840-en.html
This dovetails with a body of research suggesting that CBD helps your body to exercise better & to recover from exercise better.
In an animal model of Parkinson’s disease, CBD acted as both a neuroprotective as well an agent to treat the symptoms
Neuroprotective and Symptomatic Effects of Cannabidiol in an Animal Model of Parkinson's Disease
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34445626/
In a study in 35 humans with alopecia (patchy hair loss), 6 months of a topical CBD caused participants to experience an average of 93.5% increase in hair
Case Study of Hair Regrowth with Topical Cannabidiol (CBD)
https://www.ishrs-htforum.org/content/31/4/140
This review looks at targeting the CB2 receptor for disorders of the central nervous system
The CB2 cannabinoid receptor as a therapeutic target in the central nervous system
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34424117/
There’s only one way to say it: there’s something magic about the C2 receptor. In our archives for various organ systems, we have more reviews about targeting the CB2 receptor than anything else.
Clinical Studies & Reviews of CBD & the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
This long-term study of patients with Dravet syndrome (a rare childhood epilepsy) showed that “long-term CBD treatment had an acceptable safety profile and led to sustained, clinically meaningful reductions in seizure frequency in patients with treatment-resistant [Dravet syndrome]”
Add-on cannabidiol in patients with Dravet syndrome: Results of a long-term open-label extension trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34406656/
In a study of human using cannabis, chemovars (strains) of cannabis high in CBD reduced the plasma concentrations of THC as well as the reports of paranoia & anxiety while still reporting a similar positive mood effect
Effects of cannabidiol in cannabis flower: Implications for harm reduction
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34467598/
As Dr. Mechoulam often says, all cannabis should have at least 1% of CBD in it.
A review of medical cannabis & CBD for headaches & migraines
Medical Cannabis, Headaches, and Migraines: A Review of the Current Literature
This review looks at cannabis & CBD in treating lower back pain in older adults
The Effectiveness of Cannabis and Cannabis Derivatives in Treating Lower Back Pain in the Aged Population: A Systematic Review
https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/518269
A review of the cannabinoids as anticancer drugs & neuroprotective agents
Cannabinoids as anticancer and neuroprotective drugs: Structural insights and pharmacological interactions—A review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S135951132100266X
Preclinical Research & Cannabinoid Chemistry
In zebrafish embryos (a common model for human development) who experienced a fin amputation, CBD promoted fin regeneration, decreased inflammatory markers & reduced apoptosis (programmed cellular suicide)
Cannabidiol promotes fin regeneration and reduces apoptosis in zebrafish embryos
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464621003431
In a mouse model of diabetic kidneys, the effect of CBD on inflammation & renal damage
Detrimental Effect of Cannabidiol on the Early Onset of Diabetic Nephropathy in Male Mice
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/14/9/863
In a mouse model of diabetic skin, mice with no CB1 receptors showed decreased collagen levels, more pro-inflammatory markers, more inflammatory macrophages & more free radicals leading to accelerated skin aging
Diabetes and Cannabinoid CB1 receptor deficiency promotes similar early onset aging-like changes in the skin
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34437952/
In mice with depression induced by mild stress, activating the CB1 receptor reduced neuroinflammation & lessened oxidative stress injury
Cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212-2 reduces unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive behavior of rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34430611/
In rats, mothers being fed a high-fat diet altered the CB1 levels in the brains of their sons & led to depressive symptoms in early life
Maternal High-Fat Diet Modulates Cnr1 Gene Expression in Male Rat Offspring