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

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

Why Women Don’t Forget

“Men appear to have 41% more CB1 receptors in the brain. Unfortunately for men of the male species, this is inversely related to working memory. (No memory of working). The sex difference in the ECS is becoming more interesting in explaining reactions and abilities in both.”

-    Dr. David Hepburn 

Abstract:

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a widespread neuron modulatory function in the central nervous system and is involved in important aspects of brain function including brain development, cortical rhythms, plasticity, reward, and stress sensitivity. 

Many of these effects are mediated via the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) subtype. 

Animal studies convincingly have shown the interaction between the ECS and sex hormones, as well as a sex difference of higher brain CB1R in males. Human in vivo studies of sex difference has yielded discrete pant findings.

Read the full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30296558

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

Regular Cannabis Users Have More Pain After Surgery

“...And poorer quality sleep apparently. Insomnia, of course, might not be uncommon in many regular users who suddenly discontinue use of cannabis for any reasons including being hospitalized. Perhaps this might be an indication for more research on how ADDING cannabis to a post opscenario might is beneficial.”

- Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

The recreational and medical use of cannabinoids has been increasing. While most studies and reviews have focused on the role of cannabinoids in the management of acute pain, no study has examined the postoperative outcomes of surgical candidates who are on cannabinoids proper relatively. This retrospective cohort study examined the impact of preoperative cannabinoid use on postoperative pain scores and pain-related outcomes in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30531214

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

No Change in Hippocampus Volume With Youth Cannabis Users

“A number of studies have found evidence of structural brain changes in teens and young adults who smoke marijuana, however is research indicates that there are no changes into adulthood in the hippocampus (memory).”

-    Dr. David Hepburn 

Abstract:

Cannabis exposure, particularly heavy cannabis use, has been associated with neuroanatomical alterations in regions rich with cannabinoid receptors such as the hippocampus in some but not in other (mainly cross-sectional) studies. However, it remains unclear whether continued heavy cannabis use alters hippocampal volume, and whether an earlier age of onset and/or a higher dosage exacerbate these changes.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28741422

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

Cannabis helps Spasticity in Lou Gehrig’s (ALS) disease

“Add ALS spasticity to MS spasticity as targets for cannabis therapy. A recent Italian study showed those on low dose cannabis spraynotonly improved, but nobody discontinued due to side effects.”

-   Dr. David Hepburn

Abstract:

Spasticity is a major determinant of disability and decline in quality of life in patients with motor neuron disease. Cannabinoids have been approved for symptomatic treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis. It was investigated whether cannabinoids might also reduce spasticity in patients with motor neuron disease.

Researchers found in this proof-of-concept trial, nabiximols had a positive effect on spasticity symptoms in patients with motor neuron disease and had an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. These findings should be investigated further in larger clinical trials.

Read the full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30554828

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

Impressive New Ways that CBD Works - Dr. Dave Hepburn

Article recommend by Dr. David Hepburn:

Cannabidiol enhances morphine antinociception, diminishes NMDA-mediated seizures and reduces stroke damage via the sigma 1 receptor.

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotomimetic compound present in the Cannabis sativa plant, exhibits therapeutic potential for various human diseases, including chronic neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, ischemic stroke, epilepsy and other convulsive syndromes, neuropsychiatric disorders, neuropathic allodynia and certain types of cancer. CBD does not bind directly to endocannabinoid receptors 1 and 2, and despite research efforts, its specific targets remain to be fully identified. Notably, sigma 1 receptor (σ1R) antagonists inhibit glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor (NMDAR) activity and display positive effects on most of the aforesaid diseases. Thus, we investigated the effects of CBD on three animal models in which NMDAR overactivity plays a critical role: opioid analgesia attenuation, NMDA-induced convulsive syndrome and ischemic stroke. In an in vitro assay, CBD disrupted the regulatory association of σ1R with the NR1 subunit of NMDAR, an effect shared by σ1R antagonists, such as BD1063 and progesterone, and prevented by σ1R agonists, such as 4-IBP, PPCC and PRE084. The in vivo administration of CBD or BD1063 enhanced morphine-evoked supraspinal antinociception, alleviated NMDA-induced convulsive syndrome, and reduced the infarct size caused by permanent unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. These positive effects of CBD were reduced by the σ1R agonists PRE084 and PPCC, and absent in σ1R-/- mice. Thus, CBD displays antagonist-like activity toward σ1R to reduce the negative effects of NMDAR overactivity in the abovementioned experimental situations.

"As the mystery of how CBD actually works is unveiled, many receptors OTHER than cannabinoid receptors are involved. This mechanism/receptors help explain why CBD works for seizures and make morphine more effective (thus requiring a smaller dose)"

Dr. Dave Hepburn

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30223868

Dr. David Hepburn website:
doctordavidhepburn.com

CBD Shows More Potential in Treatment of Brain Tumour - Dr. David Hepburn

Article recommend by Dr. Dave Hepburn:

Targeting Glioma Initiating Cells With A Combined Therapy Of Cannabinoids And Temozolomide.

Abstract 

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive type of brain tumor due, at least in part, to its poor response to current anticancer treatments. These features could be explained, at least partially, by the presence within the tumor mass of a small population of cells termed Glioma Initiating Cells (GICs) that has been proposed to be responsible for the relapses occurring in this disease. Thus, the development of novel therapeutic approaches (and specifically those targeting the population of GICs) is urgently needed to improve the survival of the patients suffering this devastating disease. Previous observations by our group and others have shown that Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the main active ingredient of marijuana) and other cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) exert antitumoral actions in several animal models of cancer, including gliomas. We also found that the administration of THC (or of THC + CBD at a 1:1 ratio) in combination with temozolomide, the benchmark agent for the treatment of GBM, synergistically reduces the growth of glioma xenografts. In this work we investigated the effect of the combination of TMZ and THC:CBD mixtures containing different ratios of the two cannabinoids in preclinical glioma models, including those derived from GICs. Our findings show that TMZ + THC:CBD combinations containing a higher proportion of CDB (but not TMZ + CBD alone) produce a similar antitumoral effect as the administration of TMZ together with THC and CBD at a 1:1 ratio in xenografts generated with glioma cell lines. In addition, we also found that the administration of TMZ + THC:CBD at a 1:1 ratio reduced the growth of orthotopic xenografts generated with GICs derived from GBM patients and enhanced the survival of the animals bearing these intracranial xenografts. Remarkably, the antitumoral effect observed in GICs-derived xenografts was stronger when TMZ was administered together with cannabinoid combinations containing a higher proportion of CBD. These findings support the notion that the administration of TMZ together with THC:CBD combinations - and specifically those containing a higher proportion of CBD - may be therapeutically explored to target the population of GICs in GBM.

“Another study pointing to the exciting potential of cannabis for dealing with one of the most refractory of brain tumours, GBM. Interesting that CBD rather than THC might be more effective. “

Dr. David Hepburn

To read the full article please visit: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30195736

Dr. Dave Hepburn website:

doctordavidhepburn.com