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

Cannabis Use Reduces Premature Death

“This headline is a feather in any product/drug’s cap. Cannabis use is associated with decreased rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus, mortality from traumatic brain injury, use of alcohol and prescription drugs, driving fatalities, and opioid overdose deaths. These data suggest that Cannabis use may decrease premature deaths.”

- Dr. David Hepburn 

Abstract:

Adverse effects of moderate Cannabis use on physical health are subtle and rarely fatal, while Cannabis use is associated with decreased rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus, mortality from traumatic brain injury, use of alcohol and prescription drugs, driving fatalities, and opioid overdose deaths.

These data suggest that Cannabis use may decrease premature deaths. To date, no studies have attempted to estimate the impacts of Cannabis use on premature death that include both adverse and beneficial effects on physical health. Marijuana use is estimated to reduce premature deaths from diabetes mellitus, cancer, and traumatic brain injury by 989 to 2,511 deaths for each 1% of the population using Cannabis. 

Read the full article here:

https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/21632

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

Cannabis for Crohn’s? - Dr. David Hepburn

“Cannabis isgetting more attentionfortheawfulconditions of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. Inflammatoryboweldisease, not to be confusedwith Irritable BowelDisease (though cannabis appears to havesomeeffect in both) isnotanuncommonconditionthat can lead to drasticmeasures.”

       -  Dr. David Hepburn

Research from the University of Bath said the findings could help explain why some patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) report medical marijuana can help their symptoms.

The researchers believe that, because cannabis use introduces cannabinoids into the body, these molecules could help relieve gut inflammation as the naturally produced endocannabinoids would.

Read full article here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/cannabis-marijuana-inflammatory-bowel-disease-crohns-colitis-ibd-ibs-digestion-symptoms-a8490246.html

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

Sexually Activity in Rats Increased by Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Activation

Article recommend by Dr. Dave Hepburn:

"Men and rats have been closely compared (primarily by women); hence this study is pertinent. The activation of CB1 receptors (the same receptors acted on by plant THC) by the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, transforms boring non copulating rats into sexually active animals." 

Dr. Dave Hepburn

Sexual interaction is essential for the transformation of non-copulating rats into sexually active animals by the endocannabinoid anandamide.

Abstract

The endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) transforms half of the population of previously non-copulating (NC) rats into sexually active animals in a long-lasting manner. The aim of this work was to explore the nature of this transformation.

We identified the dose range in which AEA induces mating behavior in previously NC rats, which evidenced a dose-based, biphasic profile for AEA to induce the transformation of NC rats. We demonstrate that the sexual interaction with a receptive female, involving at least an intromission, is essential for AEA to induce the transformation of NC rats.

This AEA-induced conversion is centrally mediated and involves the activation of CB1 receptors. Results indicate that the sexual impairment of this population of NC rats relies on their incapacity to initiate sexual activity and that an unidentified brain inhibitory influence on sexual behavior expression is removed by AEA treatment, allowing previously NC rats to show copulatory behavior in a long-lasting manner.

To read the full article please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30439451

Dr. David Hepburn website:
doctordavidhepburn.com

US Study Shows Which Cannabis (and how) is Best for Insomnia - Dr. David Hepburn

Article recommend by Dr. David Hepburn:

Effectiveness of Raw, Natural Medical Cannabis Flower for Treating Insomnia under Naturalistic Conditions.

Abstract 

We use a mobile software application (app) to measure for the first time, which fundamental characteristics of raw, natural medical Cannabis flower are associated with changes in perceived insomnia under naturalistic conditions. 

Methods:

Four hundred and nine people with a specified condition of insomnia completed 1056 medical cannabis administration sessions using the Releaf AppTM educational software during which they recorded real-time ratings of self-perceived insomnia severity levels prior to and following consumption, experienced side effects, and product characteristics, including combustion method, cannabis subtypes, and/or major cannabinoid contents of cannabis consumed. Within-user effects of different flower characteristics were modeled using a fixed effects panel regression approach with standard errors clustered at the user level.

Results:

Releaf AppTM users showed an average symptom severity reduction of -4.5 points on a 0⁻10 point visual analogue scale (SD = 2.7, d = 2.10, p < 0.001). Use of pipes and vaporizers was associated with greater symptom relief and more positive and context-specific side effects as compared to the use of joints, while vaporization was also associated with lower negative effects. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) was associated with greater statistically significant symptom relief than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but the cannabinoid levels generally were not associated with differential side effects. Flower from C. sativa plants was associated with more negative side effects than flower from C. indica or hybrid plant subtypes.

Conclusions: 

Consumption of medical Cannabis flower is associated with significant improvements in perceived insomnia with differential effectiveness and side effect profiles, depending on the product characteristics. 

“There are simply too many who are addicted to prescription sleeping pills even though there is a concern that those who take even a few may development cognitive impairment. The cannabis that appears to help best with insomnia is a CBD dominant, vaporized (not smoked) “indica.” Though “indica” doesn’t specifically say which terpenes are involved I always recommend high myrcene and linalool.”

Dr. David Hepburn

To read the full article please visit:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29997343

Dr. David Hepburn website:
doctordavidhepburn.com