Posts

Cannabis use in cancer patients: acute and sustained associations with pain, cognition, and quality of life

/by

Given the myriad of negative sequalae associated with cancer and its treatment, the palliative use of cannabis by cancer patients is increasingly of special interest. This research sought to explore associations of acute and sustained use of legal market edible cannabis products on pain, cognition, and quality of life in a group of cancer patients. In this observational study, cancer patients completed a baseline appointment, a two-week ad libitum cannabis use period, and an acute administration appointment that included assessments before cannabis use, one-hour post-use, and two-hour post-use. Participants completed self-report questionnaires related to the primary outcomes and the Stroop task as a measure of objective cognitive function.

Read more

Are blood and oral fluid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and metabolite concentrations related to impairment? A meta-regression analysis

/by

Blood and oral fluid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations are often used to identify cannabis-impaired drivers. We used meta-analytic techniques to characterise the relationships between biomarkers of cannabis use, subjective intoxication, and impairment of driving and driving-related cognitive skills.

Read more

Update and perspectives on minor plant-derived cannabinoids of biomedical interest

/by

Recently, the first publically-funded Latin American cannabinoid research network (CannaLatan, www.cyted.org/es/cannalatan), formed by academic investigators and pharma companies of different countries, was launched. CannaLatan aims to promote and boost the results obtained by the different partners of the consortium developing collaborative research and educational projects. The CannaLatan network is devoted to tackle the potential therapeutic applications of under-investigated phytocannabinoids and novel cannabinoid-based molecules, as well to clarify their undesired actions. Here we discuss one of the ongoing projects initiated by CannaLatan with the financial support of Fundación Canna (www.fundacion-canna.es/) , in which we address the anti-psychotic and cognitive actions of acidic forms of phytocannabinoids, namely THCa

Read more

Daily Cannabis Use is Associated With Lower CNS Inflammation in People With HIV

/by

Recent cannabis exposure has been associated with lower rates of neurocognitive impairment in people with HIV (PWH). Cannabis’s anti-inflammatory properties may underlie this relationship by reducing chronic neuroinflammation in PWH. This study examined relations between cannabis use and inflammatory biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma, and cognitive correlates of these biomarkers within a community-based sample of PWH.

Read more

An Observational, Longitudinal Study of Cognition in Medical Cannabis Patients over the Course of 12 Months of Treatment: Preliminary Results

/by

Cannabis use has increased dramatically across the country; however, few studies have assessed the long-term impact of medical cannabis (MC) use on cognition. Studies examining recreational cannabis users generally report cognitive decrements, particularly in those with adolescent onset. As MC patients differ from recreational consumers in motives for use, product selection, and age of onset, we assessed cognitive and clinical measures in well-characterized MC patients over 1 year. Based on previous findings, we hypothesized MC patients would not show decrements and might instead demonstrate improvements in executive function over time.

Read more

Medical cannabis and cognitive performance in middle to old adults treated for chronic pain

/by

Authors: Sharon R Sznitman, Simon Vulfsons, David Meiri, Galit Weinstein Published in Drug and Alcohol Review September 2020 Abstract Introduction and aims: Cannabis exposure is becoming more common in older…

Read more

Acute effects of naturalistic THC vs. CBD use on recognition memory: a preliminary study

/by

Authors: Tim Curran , Hélène Devillez , Sophie L. York Williams and L. Cinnamon Bidwell Published in Journal of Cannabis Research  2020 Abstract The ratio of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to cannabidiol…

Read more

Totality of the Evidence Suggests Prenatal Cannabis Exposure Does Not Lead to Cognitive Impairments: A Systematic and Critical Review

/by

Author: Ciara A. Torres, Christopher Medina-Kirchner, Kate Y. O’Malley, and Carl L. Hart Published in Frontiers in Psychology May 2020 Abstract Background Despite limited data demonstrating pronounced negative effects of prenatal…

Read more

Acute and residual mood and cognitive performance of young adults following smoked cannabis

/by

Authors: Justin Matheson, Robert E. Mann, Beth Sproule, Marilyn A. Huestis, Christine M. Wickens, Gina Stoduto, Tony P. George, Jürgen Rehm, Bernard Le Foll, Bruna Brands Published in Science Direct…

Read more

Cannabis use during pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics and effects on child development.

/by

Authors: Kimberly S.Grant, Rebekah Petroff, Nina Isoherranen, Nephi Stella, Thomas M. Burbacher
Pharmacology & Therapeutics, February 2018
—
The broad-based legalization of cannabis use has created a strong need to understand its impact on human health and behavior. The risks that may be associated with cannabis use, particularly for sensitive subgroups such as pregnant women, are difficult to define because of a p…

Read more

Efficacy of Inhaled Cannabis on Painful Diabetic Neuropathy.

/by

Authors: Mark S. Wallace, Thomas D. Marcotte, Anya Umlauf, Ben Gouaux, Joseph H. Atkinson
The Journal of Pain, July 2015
—
A randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled crossover study was conducted in 16 patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy to assess the short-term efficacy and tolerability of inhaled cannabis. In a crossover design, each participant was exposed to 4 single dos…

Read more

Smoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

/by

Authors: Jody Corey-Bloom, Tanya Wolfson, Anthony Gamst, Shelia Jin, Thomas D. Marcotte, et al
CMAJ, 10 July 2012
—
BACKGROUND: Spasticity is a common and poorly controlled symptom of multiple sclerosis. Our objective was to determine the short-term effect of smoked cannabis on this symptom. METHODS: We conducted a placebo-controlled, crossover trial involving adult patients with multiple s…

Read more