Review
Clinical Neurology
Jimmy Li, Cassandra C. Areal, Denahin Hinnoutondji Toffa, Daphne Citherlet, Charles Deacon, Didier Jutras-Aswad, Mark Robert Keezer, Dang Khoa Nguyen
Summary: This scoping review summarized the literature on non-medical cannabis use in people with epilepsy (PWE), focusing on their experience, habits, and beliefs regarding non-medical cannabis. The majority of studies suggested that non-medical cannabis could aid in seizure control for PWE, but the research in this area is sparse and heterogeneous, and further research is needed to better understand PWE's experience, habits, and beliefs regarding non-medical cannabis.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sarah S. Stith, Xiaoxue Li, Franco Brockelman, Keenan Keeling, Branden Hall, Jacob M. Vigil
Summary: This study measured the associations between feeling high and treatment outcomes during cannabis consumption. The results showed that feeling high was associated with symptom relief but increased negative side effects. Factors such as plant phenotype, consumption mode, THC and CBD potencies, and dose influenced the intensity of feeling high for individual patients.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Alecsandra Gorzo, Andrei Havasi, Stefan Spinu, Adela Oprea, Claudia Burz, Daniel Sur
Summary: Pain is a debilitating experience that significantly affects quality of life in chronic conditions, including cancer. Opioids have been the mainstay of cancer pain management, but their side effects and unsatisfactory relief have led to interest in alternative solutions, such as cannabis and cannabinoids. However, the legal context for medical use of cannabis remains restrictive, and further high-quality clinical trials are needed to support their clinical utility.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shaina P. Cahill, Stephanie E. Lunn, Patrick Diaz, Jonathan E. Page
Summary: By surveying newly registered medical cannabis patients before and after 6 weeks of treatment, the study found over 60% reported improvements in their medical conditions, specifically in recurrent pain, PTSD, and sleep disorders. However, cannabis treatment was not effective for all conditions investigated, highlighting the need for further clinical research to support these findings.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Raphael Rifkin-Zybutz, Simon Erridge, Carl Holvey, Ross Coomber, Jessica Gaffney, Will Lawn, Daniela Barros, Urmila Bhoskar, Gracia Mwimba, Kavita Praveen, Chris Symeon, Simmi Sachdeva-Mohan, James J. Rucker, Mikael H. Sodergren
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treated with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). The results showed that the prescription of CBMPs in those with GAD is associated with clinically significant improvements in anxiety with an acceptable safety profile in a real-world setting. Randomized trials are needed to investigate the efficacy of CBMPs further.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Kathrin Zurcher, Carole Dupont, Peter Weber, Sebastian Grunt, Ilca Wilhelm, Daniela E. Eigenmann, Martina L. Reichmuth, Manfred Fankhauser, Matthias Egger, Lukas Fenner
Summary: Limited evidence exists on the use and efficacy of medical cannabis for children. A study in Switzerland examined the characteristics of medical cannabis treatment in children and adolescents, revealing that improvements were reported in 66% of study participants, with the largest effects seen in pain, spasticity, and seizures. However, caregiver-reported data also showed treatment interruptions due to lack of improvement, side effects, the need for a gastric tube, and cost considerations. This study suggests the need for further trials of medical cannabis with standardized concentrations of THC or CBD for chronic conditions in children and adolescents.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Claire Wang, Simon Erridge, Carl Holvey, Ross Coomber, Azfer Usmani, Mohammed Sajad, Rahul Guru, Wendy Holden, James J. Rucker, Michael W. Platt, Mikael H. Sodergren
Summary: This study analyzed the changes in health-related quality of life and adverse events in patients with fibromyalgia treated with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs). The results showed that CBMP treatment improved fibromyalgia-specific symptoms, sleep, anxiety, and overall quality of life, with good tolerability.
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Saar Anis, Achinoam Faust-Socher, Diana Sverdlov, Simon Lassman, Neomi Hezi, Omer Anis, Gil Leor, Amos D. Korczyn, Nir Giladi, Tanya Gurevich
Summary: This study investigated the use of medical cannabis in patients with dystonia. The results showed that patients who used medical cannabis experienced a significant reduction in symptoms and reported positive effects on pain and quality of life. The most common side effects were dry mouth, sedation, dizziness, and psychiatric disorders. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of cannabis in treating dystonia.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Erin L. Martin, Justin C. Strickland, Nicolas J. Schlienz, Joel Munson, Heather Jackson, Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, Ryan Vandrey
Summary: This study found that medicinal cannabis use was associated with lower depression symptoms, but not anxiety. Medicinal cannabis users reported better sleep, quality of life, and less pain on average. Initiating medicinal cannabis during the follow-up period was linked to significantly decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Seegehalli M. Anil, Hadar Peeri, Hinanit Koltai
Summary: Inflammation can lead to compromised organ function and cannabis has been used for its anti-inflammatory effects for centuries. The endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating immune system activity and dysfunction of this system can contribute to chronic inflammation. Cannabis produces various phytocannabinoids and other biomolecules that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Future research may explore the potential of combining cannabis components with pharmaceutical drugs for inflammation treatment.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Morteza Abyadeh, Vivek Gupta, Joao A. Paulo, Veer Gupta, Nitin Chitranshi, Angela Godinez, Danit Saks, Mafruha Hasan, Ardeshir Amirkhani, Matthew McKay, Ghasem H. Salekdeh, Paul A. Haynes, Stuart L. Graham, Mehdi Mirzaei
Summary: This review discusses the therapeutic properties of cannabinoids found in cannabis for various diseases and the need for more research to understand the molecular and biochemical effects of cannabis at a cellular level. Proteomics technology is highlighted as an efficient tool to study the mechanistic effects of cannabis on the human body, drawing conclusions about its toxicity, therapeutic benefits, safety, and efficacy profiles.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Brian L. Shaffer, Garrison M. Davis, Marc A. Incitti, Brian J. Piper, Brian Entler
Summary: A 63-year-old male with complex cardiac history presented with unstable angina which was not relieved by traditional medications but improved with medical cannabis treatment. This case suggests that medical cannabis may have a beneficial effect on angina symptoms and functional capacity in patients with coronary artery disease, warranting further investigation.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Francesco Bartoli, Ilaria Riboldi, Bianca Bachi, Angela Calabrese, Federico Moretti, Cristina Crocamo, Giuseppe Carra
Summary: CBD may attenuate psychotic-like symptoms induced by THC in healthy volunteers and positive symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia. Preliminary data on the efficacy of CBD for cannabis use disorders show mixed findings. Evidence from ongoing clinical studies will provide insight into the possible role of CBD for treating psychotic and cannabis use disorders.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Kristine Romer Thomsen, Birgitte Thylstrup, Emily A. Kenyon, Rachel Lees, Lone Baandrup, Sarah W. Feldstein Ewing, Tom P. Freeman
Summary: Research suggests that adolescence and emerging adulthood are peak periods for cannabis use, with cannabis use disorder linked to adverse outcomes. While approved pharmacotherapies for CUD are lacking, cannabinoid-based treatments show promise in helping youth with CUD.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Samridhi Lal, Anusmita Shekher, Puneet, Acharan S. Narula, Heidi Abrahamse, Subash C. Gupta
Summary: Cannabis and its constituents have shown potential anticancer effects against various types of cancers, by modulating pathways such as PKB, AMPK, CAMKK-beta, mTOR, PDHK, HIF-l alpha, and PPAR-gamma. They can inhibit cell growth, progression of cell cycle, and induce apoptosis selectively in tumor cells, while also enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapeutics.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Chandni Hindocha, Diego Quattrone, Tom P. Freeman, Robin M. Murray, Valeria Mondelli, Gerome Breen, Charles Curtis, Celia J. A. Morgan, H. Valerie Curran, Marta Di Forti
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2020)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Anne Katrin Schlag, David S. Baldwin, Michael Barnes, Steve Bazire, Rachel Coathup, H. Valerie Curran, Rupert McShane, Lawrence D. Phillips, Ilina Singh, David J. Nutt
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Substance Abuse
Chandni Hindocha, Erin A. McClure
Summary: This paper highlights the challenges in collecting co-use data and provides recommendations for terminology and assessment of co-use. It suggests incorporating cannabis-tobacco co-use assessments in clinical studies to understand their impact on health outcomes.
Article
Substance Abuse
Chandni Hindocha, Leonie S. Brose, Hannah Walsh, Hazel Cheeseman
Summary: In Great Britain in 2020, approximately 7.1% of adults reported using cannabis in the past year, with tobacco smokers having greater odds of cannabis use compared to non-smokers. Co-administration of cannabis and tobacco was common, with mental health problems being particularly prevalent among dual users.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Abigail M. Freeman, Claire Mokrysz, Chandni Hindocha, Will Lawn, Celia J. A. Morgan, Tom P. Freeman, Rob Saunders, H. Valerie Curran
Summary: Increased frequency of cannabis use may reduce the intensity of subjective and psychosis-like effects of THC, with weak moderating effects on acute memory impairment. Trait schizotypy does not influence THC's psychotomimetic effects.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emily M. Thomas, Tom P. Freeman, Patrick Poplutz, Kane Howden, Chandni Hindocha, Michael Bloomfield, Sunjeev K. Kamboj
Summary: The study found that modafinil acutely increased state mindfulness and improved sustained attention, but did not enhance the effects of mindfulness training. However, participants receiving modafinil engaged in more strategy practice during follow-up, indicating potential benefits for integrating modafinil as an adjunct to mindfulness-based treatments.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Ethics
S. Rolles, D. J. Nutt, A. K. Schlag
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Anne Katrin Schlag, Saoirse E. O'Sullivan, Rayyan R. Zafar, David J. Nutt
Summary: The therapeutic potential of medical cannabis has greatly improved in recent years, although there is still controversy in some therapeutic indications. The discord between scientific evidence and patient reported outcomes highlights the urgent need for further research.
Article
Substance Abuse
Valentina Lorenzetti, Chandni Hindocha, Kat Petrilli, Paul Griffiths, Jamie Brown, Alvaro Castillo-Carniglia, Jonathan P. Caulkins, Amir Englund, Mahmoud A. ElSohly, Suzanne H. Gage, Teodora Groshkova, Antoni Gual, David Hammond, Will Lawn, Hugo Lopez-Pelayo, Jakob Manthey, Claire Mokrysz, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Margriet van Laar, Ryan Vandrey, Elle Wadsworth, Adam Winstock, Wayne Hall, H. Valerie Curran, Tom P. Freeman
Summary: The lack of an agreed international minimum approach to measuring cannabis use has hindered the integration of multidisciplinary evidence on the consequences of cannabis use. A group of 25 international expert cannabis researchers convened to discuss a framework for minimum standards to measure cannabis use globally. The expert consensus agreed upon a three-layered hierarchical framework, reflecting different research priorities and standards.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Anne K. Schlag, Jacob Aday, Iram Salam, Jo C. Neill, David J. Nutt
Summary: This narrative review examines the evidence for potential harms of classic psychedelics and emphasizes the importance of adhering to high safety and ethical standards. The review finds that medical risks are often minimal and many negative perceptions of psychological risks lack scientific support.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Substance Abuse
Valentina Lorenzetti, Chandni Hindocha, Kat Petrilli, Paul Griffiths, Jamie Brown, Alvaro Castillo-Carniglia, Jonathan P. Caulkins, Amir Englund, Mahmoud A. El Sohly, Suzanne H. Gage, Teodora Groshkova, Antoni Gual, David Hammond, Will Lawn, Hugo Lopez-Pelayo, Jakob Manthey, Claire Mokrysz, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Margriet van Laar, Ryan Vandrey, Elle Wadsworth, Adam Winstock, Wayne Hall, H. Valerie Curran, Tom P. Freeman
Article
Substance Abuse
Steve Rolles, Anne Katrin Schlag, Fiona Measham, Lawrence Phillips, David Nutt, Daniel Bergsvik, Ole Rogeberg
Summary: This study concludes that state control of heroin is identified as the preferred policy option, despite other policy regimes scoring better on specific outcome criteria. The free market model scored better than decriminalization, while absolute prohibition scored worst on every criterion.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Katherine Newman-Taylor, Thomas Richardson, Rachel Lees, Katherine Petrilli, Helen Bolderston, Chandni Hindocha, Tom P. Freeman, Michael A. P. Bloomfield
Summary: Heavy cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of psychosis. This study found that cognitive fusion may be a key mechanism by which developmental trauma and schizotypy increase the risk of psychosis from cannabis use. Psychological interventions targeting cognitive fusion may be more effective in preventing cannabis-related psychosis.
PSYCHOSIS-PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIAL AND INTEGRATIVE APPROACHES
(2021)