Drug Interactions with Cannabis
Medicinal cannabis use is at an all-time high in the United States. From 2016 to 2020 alone, the number of patients enrolled in a state medical marijuana program quadrupled, according…
Archive for year: 2024
Cannabis and Driving in Older Adults
Question: What is the association between retail cannabis available to the consumer, driving, and associated blood tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels in people over 65 years of age? Findings: In this cohort study, 31 regular users of cannabis aged 65 to 79 years chose on average high potency (18.74% THC) THC-dominant cannabis. Weaving was increased and speed was decreased at 30 minutes after smoking, which was not correlated with blood THC concentrations; subjective experience and self-reports of impaired driving persisted for 3 hours. Meaning: These findings suggest that older drivers, even if they regularly use cannabis, show evidence of impaired driving performance after smoking cannabis.
Cannabidiol for behavior symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease (CANBiS-AD): a random- ized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
There are currently no safe and effective approved medications for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid, with anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic properties shows promise To evaluate the feasibility and obtain preliminary evidence in support of a future fully powered efficacy trial of CBD, we carried out a phase 2a, single-site, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and BPSD (EudraCT Number – 2019-002106-52). To evaluate the feasibility and obtain preliminary evidence in support of a future fully powered efficacy trial of CBD, we carried out a phase 2a, single-site, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and BPSD (EudraCT Number – 2019-002106-52). Participants of either sex aged 55 years or older with possible or probable AD (McKhann et al., Reference McKhann, Drachman, Folstein, Katzman, Price and Stadlan1984) were eligible, if they had BPSD with total score on Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) (Cummings, Reference Cummings1997) ≥4 and at least 1 item with score of 2 or more (frequency × severity) on one of the domains of anxiety, agitation, hallucinations, or delusions.
Cannabinoid extract in microdoses ameliorates mnemonic and nonmnemonic Alzheimer’s disease symptoms: a case report
This report addresses the beneficial effect of cannabinoids in microdoses on improving memory and brain functions of a patient with mild-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The patient is a 75-year-old white man presenting with main symptoms of memory deficit, spatial and temporal disorientation, and limited daily activity. The experimental therapeutic intervention was carried out for 22 months with microdoses of a cannabis extract containing cannabinoids. Clinical evaluations using Mini-Mental State Examination and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale were performed.
Association Between Cannabis Use and Subjective Cognitive Decline: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Cannabis consumption has rapidly increased in the United States due to more states legalizing non-medical and medical use. There is limited research, however, investigating whether cannabis may be associated with cognitive function, particularly across multiple dimensions of cannabis use. The objective of this study was to examine whether cannabis consumption reason, frequency, and method are associated with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).
Medical Cannabis for Patients Over Age 50: A Multi-site, Prospective Study of Patterns of Use and Health Outcomes
Cannabis is being used as a therapeutic option by patients around the globe, and older patients represent a rapidly growing subset of this population. This study aims to assess the patterns of medical cannabis use in patients over 50 years of age and its effect on health outcomes such as pain, sleep, quality of life, and co-medication.
Medical Cannabis Is Not Associated with a Decrease in Activities of Daily Living in Older Adults
The proportion of older adults using medical cannabis is rising. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effects of herbal medical cannabis on the functional status of older adults. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients aged 65 years or older that initiated cannabis treatment for different indications, mostly chronic non-cancer pain, during 2018–2020 in a specialized geriatric clinic. The outcomes assessed were activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), pain intensity, geriatric depression scale, chronic medication use, and adverse events at six months. A cohort of 119 patients began cannabis treatment: the mean age was 79.3 ± 8.5 and
74 (62.2%) were female. Of the cohort, 43 (36.1%) experienced adverse effects due to cannabis use and 2 (1.7%) required medical attention. The mean ADL scores before and after treatment were 4.4 ± 1.8 and 4.5 ± 1.8, respectively (p = 0.27), and the mean IADL scores before and after treatment were 4.1 ± 2.6 and 4.7 ± 3, respectively (p = 0.02). We concluded that medical cannabis in older adults has a number of serious adverse events, but was not associated with a decrease in functional status, as illustrated by ADL and IADL scores after six months of continuous treatment.
The Intoxication Equivalency of 11-Hydroxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC) Relative to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
In this study we establish that the primary metabolite of THC – 11-OH-THC – displays equal or greater activity than THC in a mouse model of cannabinoid activity when directly administered and even when accounting for route of administration, sex, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic differences. These data provide critical insight into the bioactivity of THC metabolites that will inform the interpretation of future cannabinoid research and represent a model for how THC consumption and metabolism may affect cannabis use in humans.
Embracing a New Era: The Impact of Rescheduling Cannabis on Public Health and Clinical Research
As the DEA proposes moving cannabis to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, we enter a transformative period in the understanding and utilization of this complex botanical product. Moving…
Rescheduling Cannabis in America: Celebration or disappointment? It is in the eye of the beholder.
On April 30th, 2024, the DEA accepted the recommendation of the U.S. Health and Human Services and FDA that cannabis should be reclassified as a Schedule 3 drug along with…
Marijuana Use May Be Associated with Reduced Prevalence of Prostate Cancer: A National Survey on Drug Use and Health Study from United States of America
Authors Turab Mohammed,, James Yu, Yong Qiao,Eric Mortensen, Helen Swede, Zhao Wu,Jingsong Zhang, Silvia Di Agostino Published May 12, 2024 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051008 Citations Mohammed, T., Yu, J., Qiao, Y., Kim,…
The Use of Cannabinoids in Pediatric Palliative Care—A Retrospective Single-Center Analysis
This data analysis aimed to systematically analyze a pediatric patient population with a life-limiting disease who were administered cannabinoids. It was a retrospective single-center analysis of patients under supervision of the specialized outpatient pediatric palliative care (SOPPC) team at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). Thirty-one patients with a primary diagnosis of neuropediatric, oncologic, metabolic, and cardiologic categories were included. The indications we identified were spasticity, pain, restlessness, anxiety, loss of appetite, epilepsy, and paresis. Certain aspects of quality of life were improved for 20 of 31 patients (64.5%). For nine patients (29%), no improvement was detected. No conclusions could be drawn for two patients (6.5%). Adverse events were reported for six of the thirty-one patients (19.4%). These were graded as mild, including symptoms such as restlessness, nausea, and behavioral issues. We detected no clinically relevant interactions with other medications. We collected fundamental data on the use of cannabinoids by pediatric palliative patients. Cannabinoids are now frequently administered in pediatric palliative care. They seem to be safe to use and should be considered an add-on therapy for other drug regimens.