Sibling study reveals moderate cannabis use during adolescence has adverse effects on cognitive function that cannot be explained by genetics or other environmental factors.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin, a bacterial toxin implicated in some ARDS cases, can be prevented by treatment with the cannabis compound THC. Findings also suggest a potential role for using cannabinoids to treat ARDS caused by COVID-19.
Women who use cannabis during pregnancy are at increased risk of their child being diagnosed with autism.
High school aged girls who use marijuana experience a greater impact on their working memory and academic success than their male peers.
Exposing mice to THC, researchers noted persistent activation of mitochondrial cannabinoid receptors located within astrocytes resulted in a cascade of molecular processing that led to dysfunctional glucose metabolism. The ability of astrocytes to transform glucose into "food" for neurons was reduced. The reduction resulted in a compromise in neural function, with a harmful impact on behavior. Specifically, social interactions were reduced for 24 hours post cannabis exposure.
Examining the brains of frequent cannabis users, researchers have identified a pattern of connectivity related to craving the substance. The findings add weight to the idea that brain regions do not work in isolation, but via the connectivity of multiple networks that signal to each other depending on state and need. Brain connectivity during cannabis cravings is not static but has fluctuations in connection patterns between the central executive network and nucleus accumbens.
Multiple sclerosis patients are nine times more likely to discuss the use of alternative medicines, including cannabis, with their neurologists as treatment options than they were in 2001. 81% of MS patients report the use of dietary supplements to help with disease management, and 39% report participating in mindfulness and other mind-body therapies. 30% of patients reported using marijuana to help treat their symptoms.
High-potency marijuana boosts the blood level of THC more than 50% more than smoking lower-potency cannabis, but it doesn't necessarily make you higher or impair cognition more, a new study reports.
Cannabis reduces the severity of symptoms by more than half in the short-term for people suffering from PTSD. Using cannabis reduces recurring thoughts of a traumatic event by 62%, flashbacks by 51%, irritability by 67%, and anxiety by 57% for those with PTSD. However, the reduction of symptoms is not permanent.
Hemp oil reduced mechanical pain sensitivity 10-fold within seven hours in mice with chronic postoperative neuropathic pain.
Researchers also found preliminary evidence that ovarian hormones may modulate the differential response in women and may be related to different levels of estrogen.
Researchers say the optimal age for legalized cannabis use is 19. The study found those who started smoking recreational marijuana between ages 19 and 20 were less likely to smoke cigarettes than those who started using the drug at an earlier age. General health was significantly better in those who started using cannabis at age 18 than those who started using marijuana earlier.
