Article
Anesthesiology
Joshua Aviram, Gil M. Lewitus, Yelena Vysotski, Paula Berman, Anna Shapira, Shiri Procaccia, David Meiri
Summary: Studies have shown that women are more susceptible to adverse effects from conventional drugs. This study aimed to investigate the differences of medical cannabis-related adverse effects between women and men in patients with chronic noncancer pain. The results showed that women reported more medical cannabis-related adverse effects, possibly due to both the inherent sex effect and the consumption of specific phytocannabinoid compositions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erin L. Martin, Nathaniel L. Baker, Cristina Sempio, Uwe Christians, Jost Klawitter, Aimee L. McRae-Clark
Summary: Cannabis use disorder (CUD) presents different symptoms in men and women, especially in cannabis withdrawal. This study found that women reported a greater increase in withdrawal symptoms during abstinence, and there were sex differences in the levels of certain endocannabinoids (eCB) and eCB congeners during abstinence. Additionally, some eCB and eCB congeners were associated with withdrawal symptoms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel J. Kalamarides, Aditi Singh, Shannon L. Wolfman, John A. Dani
Summary: The effectiveness of current treatments for opioid use disorder varies by sex, and there is a lack of understanding about the neurobiological mechanisms mediating negative states during withdrawal, particularly in terms of sex differences. Preclinical research in male subjects suggests that opioid withdrawal is accompanied by increased GABA release probability in the VTA. However, it is uncertain if these findings extend to females. In this study, it was found that inhibitory synaptic long-term potentiation is occluded in the VTA in male mice after repeated morphine injections and withdrawal, while female mice maintain the ability to evoke synaptic potentiation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Popi Kasvis, Michelle Canac-Marquis, Saro Aprikian, MariaLuisa Vigano, Antonio Vigano
Summary: This study examined the differences in symptom relief between male and female patients with cancer receiving medical cannabis therapy. The results showed that medical cannabis therapy significantly improved pain, tiredness, anxiety, and well-being in both sexes. THC-dominant cannabis had a greater effect on reducing pain in males, while females experienced reduced nausea and improved well-being. THC:CBD-balanced products significantly reduced pain, tiredness, anxiety, and improved well-being in males. CBD-dominant products did not provide significant symptom relief in either sex.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Developmental
Laura M. Harris-Lane, Dalainey H. Drakes, Jennifer R. Donnan, Emily C. Rowe, Lisa D. Bishop, Nick Harris
Summary: This study examined emerging adult perceptions of cannabis consumption and whether these perceptions changed. By randomly assigning vignettes with different ages and genders of cannabis consumers, the study found that consumption by a 21-year-old was seen as more harmful to brain development and met with greater disapproval compared to consumption by a 28-year-old.
JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sarah Gutkind, Dvora Shmulewitz, Deborah Hasin
Summary: Men have a higher prevalence of cannabis use disorder (CUD) than women, but it is unclear whether this is due to differences in frequency of use. This study found that women had a higher prevalence of interpersonal, financial, and health-related problems associated with CUD compared to men.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Lara N. Coughlin, Mark A. Ilgen, Mary Jannausch, Maureen A. Walton, Kipling M. Bohnert
Summary: Research shows that individuals using medical cannabis to manage chronic pain may experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms, with these symptoms tending to be stable over a 2-year period. Younger age is associated with greater severity and worsening of withdrawal symptoms over time.
Article
Substance Abuse
Jason P. Connor, Daniel Stjepanovic, Alan J. Budney, Bernard Le Foll, Wayne D. Hall
Summary: This review examines the diagnosis, prevalence, course, and management of cannabis withdrawal. The onset of symptoms typically occurs within 24-48 hours after cessation and peak between days 2-6. The most common symptoms include anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep, depressed mood, and loss of appetite. Currently, there are no approved medications for medically assisted withdrawal, but some promising pharmacological agents have been explored in controlled trials.
Review
Psychiatry
Justin Matheson, Bernard Le Foll
Summary: The legalization of cannabis for non-medical use is changing the global cannabis landscape. Understanding the potential increase in cannabis-attributable harms is crucial, and considering sex and gender differences is important when evaluating the impacts of legalization. Men have historically been more likely to use cannabis, but the gender gap in prevalence has narrowed over time, possibly due to legalization. There are also sex/gender differences in the impacts of legalization on cannabis-related harms, although results are variable. Future research should include transgender and gender-diverse participants to improve the understanding of long-term impacts.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacob Miguel Vigil, Sarah S. Stith, Tiphanie Chanel
Summary: The existing literature primarily focuses on health risks and pharmacodynamics of cannabis use, with limited research on the normative psychological effects among healthy individuals. This study found that cannabis users exhibited higher levels of prosocial behaviors, empathy, moral harmlessness, and moral fairness, but lower levels of ingroup loyalty compared to non-users. The findings also indicated a linear relationship between the recency of cannabis use and prosocial behaviors, empathy, moral harmlessness, moral fairness, and agreeableness.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Shveta V. V. Parekh, Lydia O. O. Adams, Gillian A. A. Barkell, Donald T. T. Lysle
Summary: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and opioid use disorder (OUD) often coexist in clinical populations. However, previous studies on these disorders have primarily focused on male subjects, limiting the generalizability of the findings. This study investigates sex differences in the behavioral and neuroimmune effects of chronic heroin withdrawal and future enhanced fear learning.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Toxicology
Namkee G. Choi, Diana M. DiNitto, C. Nathan Marti, S. David Baker
Summary: In the United States, a significant portion of individuals aged 50 and older use cannabis for medical or recreational purposes, with differences in usage patterns between men and women. Females in older adult poison control center cases were found to have higher odds of using cannabis forms other than plant forms and experiencing therapeutic errors or adverse effects compared to intentional misuse or abuse. Various factors such as age, state legalization of recreational or medical cannabis, CBD use, pharmaceuticals, concentrated extracts, and chronic exposure were associated with different cannabis forms and adverse effects. Sex did not have a significant association with medical outcomes in these cases.
CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gregory Niklason, Eric Rawls, Sisi Ma, Erich Kummerfeld, Andrea M. Maxwell, Leyla R. Brucar, Gunner Drossel, Anna Zilverstand
Summary: This study utilized machine learning and factor ranking tools to identify the gender differences in Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Risk factors such as personality, mental health, neurocognitive, and brain factors were found to contribute significantly to CUD in men, while environmental factors played a larger role in CUD among women.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Joshua Aviram, Marek Glezerman, Eytan Hayam, Rostislav Belobrov, Shiri Procaccia, David Meiri, Elon Eisenberg
Summary: Clinical studies using the Syqe metered-dose inhaler (MDI) for medical cannabis treatment showed no sex differences in effectiveness, safety, or pharmacokinetics in both short-term and long-term treatment.
Review
Psychiatry
Hayrunnisa Unlu, Marie Michele Macaron, Hande Ayraler Taner, Duygu Kaba, Burcu Akin Sari, Terry D. Schneekloth, Lorenzo Leggio, Osama A. Abulseoud
Summary: A review of clinical studies on alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) comparing men and women found that men were more likely than women to develop complicated AWS, such as delirium tremens (DT) and AW seizures. Men also received benzodiazepine treatment at a higher frequency and dose, and had a higher mortality rate compared to women. Further large-scale studies focusing on investigating sex differences in AWS are needed.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Dean F. Wong, Hiroto Kuwabara, Andrew G. Horti, Joshua M. Roberts, Ayon Nandi, Nicola Cascella, James Brasic, Elise M. Weerts, Kelly Kitzmiller, Jenny A. Phan, Lorena Gapasin, Akira Sawa, Heather Valentine, Gary Wand, Chakradhar Mishra, Noble George, Michael McDonald, Wojtek Lesniak, Daniel P. Holt, Babak B. Azad, Robert F. Dannals, William Kem, Robert Freedman, Albert Gjedde
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kelly E. Dunn, Elise M. Weerts, Andrew S. Huhn, Jennifer R. Schroeder, David Andrew Tompkins, George E. Bigelow, Eric C. Strain
Article
Psychology, Biological
August F. Holtyn, Elise M. Weerts
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2019)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kelly E. Dunn, Andrew S. Huhn, Cecilia L. Bergeria, Cassandra D. Gipson, Elise M. Weerts
JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS
(2019)
Article
Substance Abuse
August F. Holtyn, Catherine M. Davis, Elise M. Weerts
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2020)
Article
Substance Abuse
Tory R. Spindle, Edward J. Cone, Elia Goffi, Elise M. Weerts, John M. Mitchell, Ruth E. Winecker, George E. Bigelow, Ronald R. Flegel, Ryan Vandrey
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dennis J. Sholler, Justin C. Strickland, Tory R. Spindle, Elise M. Weerts, Ryan Vandrey
Summary: Research comparing the acute effects of oral and vaporized cannabis in occasional users found that females exhibited stronger drug effects in some aspects, especially when controlling for body weight. Recommendations include starting with lower doses for females and being aware of potential acute anxiogenic reactions when using cannabinoids.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tory R. Spindle, Hiroto Kuwabara, Alisha Eversole, Ayon Nandi, Ryan Vandrey, Denis G. Antoine, Annie Umbricht, Angela S. Guarda, Dean F. Wong, Elise M. Weerts
Summary: The study found that chronic cannabis use appears to lead to downregulation of CB1 receptors in women, similar to what has been observed in men previously. Female healthy controls had significantly higher CB1 receptor availability in brain regions compared to males. Gender differences play an important role in the effects of cannabis, progression to cannabis use disorder, and severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Cecilia L. Bergeria, Hongjun Tan, Denis Antoine, Elise M. Weerts, Andrew S. Huhn, J. Gregory Hobelmann, Kelly E. Dunn
Summary: Successful management of opioid withdrawal can improve treatment outcomes and reduce related morbidity and mortality. Buspirone, as an adjunct to opioid withdrawal, can alleviate withdrawal symptoms and positively impact sleep quality.
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bryan W. Jenkins, Catherine F. Moore, Dan Covey, Jacob D. McDonald, Timothy W. Lefever, Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, Elise M. Weerts
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of minor cannabinoids and terpenes in tests sensitive to anxiety. The results suggest that some minor cannabinoids and terpenes may have anxiolytic properties.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Catherine F. Moore, Julie Marusich, Mehdi Haghdoost, Timothy W. Lefever, Marcel O. Bonn-Miller, Elise M. Weerts
Summary: This study found that the minor cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis have little effect on the interoceptive effects of D9-THC, suggesting that they are unlikely to lower the psychoactive effects of D9-THC in human users.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Catherine F. Moore, Elise M. Weerts, Justyna Kulpa, Daniela Schwotzer, Wendy Dye, Jacob Jantzi, Jacob D. McDonald, Timothy W. Lefever, Marcel O. Bonn-Miller
Summary: This study examined the pharmacokinetics of four minor cannabinoids (THCV, CBC, CBN, and D8-THC) after repeated oral dosing. The results showed detectable levels of these cannabinoids in plasma and their translocation to brain tissue. D8-THC exhibited the highest dose-normalized Cmax and AUClast. The concentration of THCV was lower on day 14, indicating potential adaptation and increased drug elimination. These findings are important for determining target dose ranges and dosing schedules in future studies evaluating the potential effects of these compounds.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Catherine F. Moore, Jeffrey W. Stiltner, Catherine M. Davis, Elise M. Weerts
Summary: This review focuses on the emerging field of preclinical vapor models, specifically examining cannabinoid exposure. It summarizes vapor exposure parameters and other methodological details, discusses the pharmacological and behavioral effects of vaporized cannabinoids, and compares the behavioral effects of cannabinoid vapor administration with other routes of administration. This review serves as a guide for current and future research in vapor delivery methods in animals.
BEHAVIOURAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mary E. McCaul, Gary S. Wand, Elise M. Weerts, Xiaoqiang Xu
Article
Substance Abuse
August F. Holtyn, Barbara J. Kaminski, Elise M. Weerts
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2017)
