Entries by Michelle Smith

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Cannabinoids in Treating Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a serious neurodegenerative condition impacting many individuals worldwide. There is a need for new non-invasive treatments of PD. Cannabinoids in the form of cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may offer utility as treatment, and our objective was hence to conduct a systematic review regarding the clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in treating PD.

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Daily associations with cannabis use and sleep quality in anxious cannabis users

Cannabis is increasingly used to self-treat anxiety and related sleep problems, without clear evidence of either supporting or refuting its anxiolytic or sleep aid effects. In addition, different forms of cannabis and primary cannabinoids ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have differing pharmacological effects.Cannabis is increasingly used to self-treat anxiety and related sleep problems, without clear evidence of either supporting or refuting its anxiolytic or sleep aid effects. In addition, different forms of cannabis and primary cannabinoids ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have differing pharmacological effects.Thirty days of daily data on sleep quality and cannabis use were collected in individuals who use cannabis for mild-to-moderate anxiety (n = 347; 36% male, 64% female; mean age = 33 years). Participants self-reported both the form (flower or edible) and the ratio of THC to CBD in the cannabis used during the observation period.

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CBD as a Physiological Modulator for Cancer

The current standard-of-care treatment regimens for cancer frequently have serious and irreversible adverse effects. Ideally, therapeutic modalities should help control symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life while causing minimal or no toxic effects. In this regard, it is worth examining cannabidiol (CBD) for its potential anticancer properties. CBD may possess antitumor activity through several mechanisms, including regulating reactive oxygen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and immune modulation. In addition, pre-clinical studies indicate that CBD is a potential modulator of growth factors and induces apoptosis in tumor cells. This review summarizes the evidence regarding the effects of CBD as a non-toxic adjuvant in cancer care.

Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis: Impact of Combining Toxicology Testing with Field Sobriety Tests

Limited data are available regarding marijuana smoking’s impact on development or progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in middle-aged or older adults with a variable history of tobacco cigarette smoking. We divided ever-tobacco smoking participants in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes in COPD Study (SPIROMICS) into three groups based on self-reported marijuana use: current, former or never marijuana smokers (CMS, FMS or NMS, respectively). Longitudinal data were analyzed in participants with ≥2 visits over a period of ≥52 weeks.

Impact of Marijuana Smoking on COPD Progression in a Cohort of Middle-Aged and Older Persons

Limited data are available regarding marijuana smoking’s impact on development or progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in middle-aged or older adults with a variable history of tobacco cigarette smoking. We divided ever-tobacco smoking participants in the Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcomes in COPD Study (SPIROMICS) into three groups based on self-reported marijuana use: current, former or never marijuana smokers (CMS, FMS or NMS, respectively). Longitudinal data were analyzed in participants with ≥2 visits over a period of ≥52 weeks.

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Assessment of clinical outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia: Analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry

There are limited therapeutic options for individuals with fibromyalgia. The aim of this study is to analyze changes in health-related quality of life and incidence of adverse events of those prescribed cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) for fibromyalgia.  Patients treated with CBMPs for a minimum of 1 month were identified from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. Primary outcomes were changes in validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). A p-value of <.050 was deemed statistically significant.

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Marijuana use is inversely associated with liver steatosis detected by transient elastography in the general United States population in NHANES 2017–2018: A cross-sectional study

Whole-plant medical cannabis (MC) products are widely used for controlling symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite its widespread use, few studies have investigated the long-term impact of MC on the progression of PD or its safety profile. This study examined the effects of MC on PD in a real-life setting. A retrospective case-control study of 152 idiopathic PD patients (mean age 69.1 ± 9.0 years), followed at the Sheba Medical Center Movement Disorders Institute (SMDI) from 2008 to 2022 was conducted. Seventy-six patients who used licensed whole-plant medical cannabis (MC) for at least a year were compared to a matched group who did not receive MC in terms of their Levodopa Equivalent Daily Dose (LEDD), Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage, and cognitive, depressive, and psychotic symptoms.

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Long-term safety of medical cannabis in Parkinson’s disease: A retrospective case-control study

Whole-plant medical cannabis (MC) products are widely used for controlling symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite its widespread use, few studies have investigated the long-term impact of MC on the progression of PD or its safety profile. This study examined the effects of MC on PD in a real-life setting. A retrospective case-control study of 152 idiopathic PD patients (mean age 69.1 ± 9.0 years), followed at the Sheba Medical Center Movement Disorders Institute (SMDI) from 2008 to 2022 was conducted. Seventy-six patients who used licensed whole-plant medical cannabis (MC) for at least a year were compared to a matched group who did not receive MC in terms of their Levodopa Equivalent Daily Dose (LEDD), Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage, and cognitive, depressive, and psychotic symptoms.

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The Effect of Cannabidiol 3% on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia – Six-Month Follow-Up

To investigate the beneficial outcomes of giving cannabidiol (CBD) 3% over a six-month period in the BPSD, the management of which is a crucial issue for everyday clinical praxis and to compare the progress in BPSD of patients who receive Cannabidiol 3% with those who follow usual medical treatment (UMT) in everyday clinical praxis. A total of 20 PwD with severe BPSD were recruited from the database of Alzheimer Hellas with NPI score >30. Ten of them were assigned to UMT, while ten were assigned to a six-month treatment with CBD drops. The follow-up assessment was performed with NPI, both clinically and by structured telephone interview.

Assessment of Medical Cannabis and Health Related Quality of Life

The use of cannabis as a medicine is becoming increasingly prevalent. Given the diverse range of conditions being treated with medical cannabis, as well as the vast array of products and dose forms available, clinical evidence incorporating patient-reported outcomes may help determine safety and efficacy. To assess whether patients using medical cannabis report improvements in health- related quality of life over time. This retrospective caseseries study was conducted at a network of specialist medical clinics (Emerald Clinics) located across Australia. Participants were patients who received treatment for any indication at any point between December 2018 and May 2022. Patients were followed up every mean (SD) 44.6 (30.1) days. Data for up to 15 follow-ups were reported. Statistical analysis was conducted from August to September 2022.

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Association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia stronger in young males than in females

Previous research suggests an increase in schizophrenia population attributable risk fraction (PARF) for cannabis use disorder (CUD). However, sex and age variations in CUD and schizophrenia suggest the importance of examining differences in PARFs in sex and age subgroups. We conducted a nationwide Danish register-based cohort study including all individuals aged 16–49 at some point during 1972–2021. CUD and schizophrenia status was obtained from the registers. Hazard ratios (HR), incidence risk ratios (IRR), and PARFs were estimated. Joinpoint analyses were applied to sex-specific PARFs.

Characteristics of and 3-month health outcomes for people seeking treatment with prescribed cannabis: Real-world evidence from Project Twenty21

Medicinal cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018 but there is limited information about characteristics of people seeking prescribed cannabis and the effectiveness of this treatment. This paper documents symptom patterns and quality of life among individuals seeking medicinal cannabis and examines changes in symptoms, quality of life and use of pre- scribed opioids using data from an observational registry study of patients (Project Twenty21). Self-report data, including condition-specific symptomatology and general health (quality of life, general health, mood and sleep), were available at treatment entry for 2833 patients seeking medicinal cannabis for any indication and also at 3-month follow-up for 1410 individuals seeking treatment for anxiety disorders, chronic pain or PTSD. Among chronic pain patients, dose and fre- quency of prescribed opioid use was available.