Cannabis Use Does Shrink parts of the Brain…in Some People

“The brain is obviously affected by cannabis, detrimentally for some. The hippocampus in particular may be especially sensitive to the impact of heavy cannabis use, given its high concentration of cannabinoid receptors type1. But does regular use change the size of the hippocampus? Apparently in those with a genetic predisposition.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Cannabis use and dopaminergic gene polymorphism had both distinct and interactive effects on the hippocampus.

Emergingalterations of hippocampal total and specific subregional volumes were found in cannabis users relative to controls (i.e., CA1, CA2/3, and CA4), and associations between cannabis use levels and total and specific subregional volumes.

Furthermore, total hippocampal volume and the fissure subregion were affected by cannabis×DAT1 polymorphism (i.e., 9/9R and in 10/10R alleles), reflecting high and low levels of dopamine availability.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5797324/

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Expert Tourette Syndrome Extols Cannabis

“What makes this even more interesting is that the whole plant (entourage) was more successful at treating the tics than pure THC. In addition, patients also had beneficial effects of comorbidities (OCD, ADHD, depression) that tend to accompany Tourette’s, while standard treatment with antipsychotics had no benefit. It appears that Tourette’s may well be a result, in part, of a dysfunctional ECS.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Meet the Experts is a series of interviews conducted by experts from the field of Cannabis to world leaders in research and clinical practice of Cannabis as medicine.

Dr. Kirsten R. Müller-Vahl is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry, Socialpsychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Hannover Medical School (MHH), Germany. She is a specialist in both neurology and adult psychiatry. 

Read full article here:

https://www.fundacion-canna.es/en/meet-experts-interview-kirsten-muller-vahl

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Does Cannabis Use Affect Genes or Vice Versa?

“The exciting world of epigenetic reaches into cannabis use and notes external changes to genes involved in dopamine and ECS pathways. Interesting aside as to the effects of education and sex on cannabis use.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Genetic and sociodemographic risk factors potentially associated with cannabis use (CU) were investigated in 40 cannabis users and 96 control subjects. DNA methylation analyses were also performed to explore the possibility of epigenetic changes related to CU.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29353877

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

THC For Fibromyalgia

“An exciting new study shows that THC, not CBD, is what raises the painters hold for those with FM. From only being able to tolerate 1 kg pressure on a hand muscle,  A SINGLE inhalation of THC allows patients to withstand normal 10kg of pressure without pain.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

This experimental trial shows the complex behavior of inhaled cannabinoids in chronic pain patients with just small analgesic responses after a single inhalation.

Further studies are needed to determine long-term treatment effects on spontaneous pain scores, THC-CBD interactions and the role of psychotropic symptoms on pain relief.

Read full article here:

https://journals.lww.com/pain/Abstract/publishahead/An_experimental_randomized_study_on_the_analgesic.98794.aspx

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

And Now.......Asia

“As the global recognition of the benefits of medical cannabis continues to expand, the thin of the wedge into Asia may well be South Korea. They may be importing cannabis in 2019 already.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Patients with epilepsy and other rare diseases will be able to get medical marijuana in South Korea as soon as early 2019, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Thursday.

As the National Assembly passed a bill to amend the Act on the Management of Narcotic Drugs on Nov. 23, the sale, import, and export of cannabis for medical purposes will soon become legal.

Read full article here:

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181129000668

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Ocular Cannabinoid Receptor (CB2) and Iris Inflammation

“Uveitis can lead to blindness. The inflammation associated with this not-uncommon condition may well be determined through CB2R agonism.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea which consists of the iris, ciliary body and the choroid of the eye. Uveitis can lead to impaired vision and is responsible for 10% of all cases of blindness globally.

Usinganendotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) rodent model, a previous data implicated the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) in the amelioration of many of the components of the inflammatory response.

Thisinvestigationteststhehypothesisthat the reduction in inflammatory mediators in the EIU model by the CB2 agonist, HU308, is associated with changes in ECS endogenous ligands as well as related lipids, prostaglandins (PGs), 2-acylglycerols, and lipoamines. Analysis of leukocytes and neutrophils, CB2 mRNA, and 26 lipids in the eye of WT mice after EIU induction and HU308 treatment were compared to the same analyses in the CB2knock-out (CB2 KO) mouse.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30232034

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Sensible Cannabis Laws for New Zealand

“After years of campaigning by chronically ill New Zealanders who say the drug is the only thing that eases their pain, their government passed a law to make cannabis available to them.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

New Zealand’s government has passed a law that will make medical marijuana widely available for thousands of patients over time, after years of campaigning by chronically ill New Zealanders who say the drug is the only thing that eases their pain.

The legislation will also allow terminally ill patients to begin smoking illegal pot immediately without facing the possibility of prosecution.

Read full article here:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/11/new-zealand-passes-laws-to-make-medical-marijuana-widely-available

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Two Endocannabinoids Enhance Memory

“Both anandamide (AEA) and 2AG play roles in enhancing memory consolidation in the hippocampus. AEA via both CB1 and CB2R while 2AG activates CB2R signaling only.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

The endocannabinoid system is a key modulator of memory consolidation for aversive experiences.
The fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor URB597, which increases anandamide levels by inhibiting its hydrolysis, facilitates memory consolidation through a concurrent activation of both cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2).

Read the full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29842858

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

MS Patients in USA Not Permitted Treatment

“Those with MS in Canada and several other countries are able to use Sativex to treat painful and difficults plasticity. But because Sativex contains real cannabis, MS patients in the US aren't allowed to be treated. This, even though their own National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine report on the conclusive and substantial evidence of cannabis benefits specifically for spasticity in MS.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Theaimwas to examine evolution in activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with multiple sclerosis spasticity during long-term use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray.

In this pilot study, THC: CBD oromucosal spray maintained or improved aspects of daily functioning. Further study in a larger trial is warranted.

Read the full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29851356

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Renal (kidney) Cancer cells Die When Cannabinoid Receptor Activated

“Add kidney cancer (RCC) to the growing list of individual cancers where the ECS is actively expressed in an attempt to decrease cancer growth. In RCC, specifically CB2R and not CB1R activation cause the cancer cell to die.”

-    Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

The anti-tumor properties of cannabinoids have been investigated in many in vitro and in vivo studies. Many of these anti-tumor effects are mediated via cannabinoid receptor types 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), comprising the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

In thisstudy, the ECS isinvestigatedbasedon CB1 and CB2 receptor gene and protein expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines. In view of their further use for potential treatments, then the roles of CB1 and CB2 receptorswereinvestigatedin the anti-proliferative action and signal transduction triggered by synthetic cannabinoid agonists [such as JWH-133 and WIN 55,212–2 (WIN-55)] in RCC cell lines.

Read the full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5966919/

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabinoids and Bladder Matters

“Once again CB2 receptor step up to the plate and appear to be able to mitigate com for table bladder inflammation and urinary frequency. This study leaked out of the University of Wisconsin.”

-   Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

UTI, short for Urinary Tract Infection is an infection in any part of your urinary system. While most infections involve the lower urinary tract, the bladder, and the urethra, a urinary tract infection can appear in a number of places including your kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder.

Few studies have been conducted on the connection between cannabis and UTIs, but those that have conducted studies have released surprising findings suggesting that Cannabis may treat pain caused by Urinary Tract Infection. In a recent study, published in the American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Urology it was found that CB1R activation, which occurs through the consumption of cannabis can help fight pain arising from cystitis.

Read the full article here:

https://www.marijuanabreak.com/marijuana-uti-remedy

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Early Life Stress and the ECS

“Levels of eCBs (AEA and 2AG) and the entire ECS, in fact, change in the hippocampus (memory) amygdala (fear) and PFC (executive) after early life stress. These continue in some of these regions into adulthood. Collectively, these data demonstrate that early life stress can alter the normative development (ontogeny) of the eCB system, resulting in a sustained deficit in function, particularly within the hippocampus, in adulthood.”

- Dr. David Hepburn 

Abstract:

Early-life stress modulates the development of cortico-limbic circuits and increases vulnerability to adult psychopathology. Given the important stress-buffering role of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, this is a comprehensive investigation of the developmental trajectory of the eCB system and the impact of exposure to early life stress induced by repeated maternal separation (MS; 3 h/day) from postnatal day 2 (PND2) to PND12.

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30496752

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Dr. David Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Endometrial Cancer Metastasis Responds to THC

“Add Uterine Cancer to the growing list of cancers that cannabinoids appear to affect. THC both inhibits cell migration (metastasis) of cancer cells and regulates tumor growth via both the CB1R and CB2R.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Limited therapeutic interventions are clinically available for treating aggressive endometrial cancer (EC). Therefore, effective therapies are urgently required. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is reported to impact proliferative and migratory activities during impairment of cancer progression. In the present study, cell migration in response to THC was measured using transwell assays.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5950514/

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Does Cannabis Significantly increase the risk of Traffic Accidents. No.

“The increased crash risk associated with THC-positive drivers in a large number of (meta-analysis) culpability studies show. Risk of being involved in or cause of traffic accident while using alcohol and many prescription drugs are not low.”

-       Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Culpability studies, a common study design in the cannabis crash risk literature, typically report odds-ratios (OR) indicating the raised risks of a culpable accident. This parameter is of unclear policy relevance, and is frequently misinterpreted as an estimate of the increased crash risk, a practice that introduces a substantial "interpretational bias".

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30468948

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The New Weed on the Block

“This cannabinomimetic of medical interest in that it might harness the same cannabis receptors without causing some of the unwanted side effects of THC. If it works well, the US government might have to make it illegal.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

The recent discovery of another source of a cannabinoid comes from a plant that is a relative of the mosses called liverwort. One genus of the plant, Radula, boasts a handful of species that produce a chemical that is a lot like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from Cannabis sativa, or marijuana.

Why a liverwort, which lives and reproduces quite differently from a plant like Cannabis, would make this molecule remains a mystery. What we now know, however, is the cannabinoid from liverwort and the one in Cannabis are almost exactly the same and have quite similar effects in the mammalian brain.

Read the full article here:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lowly-moss-like-plant-seems-to-copy-cannabis/

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Dr. David Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Leafly List of Most Important Studies of 2018

“There is sex and drugs involved as well as treating cannabis problems with....cannabis.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

The most exciting new frontier in cannabis research this year wasn’t any individual study or published report.

It was a pair of developments (one in Canada, the other in the United States) that together promise to spur the research studies of the future on a scale never seen before, with a scope of inquiry that includes exploring potential benefits, rather than myopically focusing on potential harms.

Read full article here:

https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/the-most-important-cannabis-studies-of-2018?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=B2C%20Newsletter%20-%20Nat%27l%20-%2001/02/18&utm_content=Final&utm_term=%5BTWS%5D%20%26%20%5BMaster%20%2B%20Not%20Dormant%5D

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Less Morphine Required When Cannabinoid Receptor Activated

“Many pain patients, with time, require increases of dose and/or frequency of the potentially deadly opiate morphine in order to obtain pain control. However, by activation of the CB2 receptor, tolerance and dependance of morphine was diminished.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Morphine is widely used as an analgesic to treat moderate to severe pain, but chronic morphine use is associated with development of tolerance and dependence, which limits its analgesic efficacy.

A previous research has showed that non analgetic dose of a cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor agonist reduced morphine tolerance in cancer pain. A previous study also showed the colocalization of CB2 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in human and rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons.

Read the full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28901432

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Another GPR Affected by CBD

“Add GPR12 to the growing list of orphaned receptors (no known natural ligands) with which cannabis interacts. GPR12 may be involved in metastatic (spreading) cancer. Interest continues to grow in the role of the many types of GP Receptors in disease process ranging from Parkinson’s Disease to Inflammatory bowel disease to cancers.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

GPR12 is a constitutively active, Gs protein-coupled receptor that currently has no confirmed endogenous ligands. 

GPR12 may be involved in physiological processes such as maintenance of oocyte meiotic arrest and brain development, as well as pathological conditions such as metastatic cancer.

In this document, the potential effects of various classes of cannabinoids on GPR12 were tested using a cAMP accumulation assay. 

Data demonstrate that cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid, acted as an inverse agonist to inhibit cAMP accumulation stimulated by the constitutively active GPR12.

Read the full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28888984

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis Reduces Need for Chronic Pain Medication

“Legal access to cannabis may reduce the use of multiple classes of dangerous prescription medications in certain patient populations, specifically those with chronic pain (more than three months). 34% of patients registered in a chronic pain treatment program ceased the use of all scheduled prescription medications if they used cannabis.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Co-prescribing of scheduled drugs is endemic in the United States, increasing health risks to patients and the burden on healthcare systems.

Legal access to cannabis may reduce the use of multiple classes of dangerous prescription medications in certain patient populations.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28899660

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis Use in Adolescents Lowest in 15 Years

“While a growing number of youth believe that cannabis is safe, it's used in adolescence makes many (myself included) very twitchy. So it comes as a pleasant surprise that cannabis use in those age 12-17 in the US, despite its increased availability, is 6.5%, the lowest in 15 years.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

This national report summarizes key findings from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) for indicators of substance use and mental health among people aged 12 years old or older in the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States. Results are provided for the overall category of individuals aged 12 or older as well as by age subgroups.

The NSDUH questionnaire underwent a partial redesign in 2015 to improve the quality of the NSDUH data and to address the changing needs of policymakers and researchers. For measures that started a new baseline in 2015, estimates are discussed only for 2016.

Read the full article here:

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-FFR1-2016/NSDUH-FFR1-2016.htm#summary

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Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com