Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Cannabis use and HIV are independently associated with decrements in cognitive control. However, the combined effects of HIV and regular cannabis use on the brain circuitry serving higher-order cognition are unclear. Aims: Investigate the interaction between cannabis and HIV on neural interference effects during the flanker task and spontaneous activity in regions underlying higher-order cognition. Methods: The sample consisted of 100 participants, including people with HIV (PWH) who use cannabis, PWH who do not use cannabis, uninfected cannabis users, and uninfected nonusers. Participants underwent an interview regarding their substance use history and completed the...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction: Obesity is defined as an excess of accumulation of fat that can be harmful to health. Storage of excess fat in the adipose tissue triggers an inflammatory process, which makes obesity a low-grade chronic inflammatory disease. Obesity is considered a complex and multifactorial disease; hence, no intervention strategy appears to be an ideal treatment for all individuals. Therefore, new therapeutic alternatives are often studied for the treatment of this disease. Currently, herbal medicines are gaining ground in the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. In this context, much attention is being paid to Cannabis...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Rationale Regular cannabis use has been associated with brain functional alterations within frontal, temporal, and striatal pathways assessed during various cognitive tasks. Whether such alterations are consistently reported in the absence of overt task performance needs to be elucidated to uncover the core neurobiological mechanisms of regular cannabis use. Objectives We aim to systematically review findings from studies that examine spontaneous fluctuations of brain function using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in cannabis users versus controls, and the association between rsFC and cannabis use chronicity, mental health symptoms, and cognitive performance....

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective Despite advances in treatments and outcomes among patients with rheumatic diseases, there is an unmet need in pain management. Cannabis has emerged as a potential opioid-sparing alternative, with arthritic pain as a commonly cited reason for medicinal cannabis use. However, little is known, and we set out to understand patterns of cannabis use in a US-wide rheumatic disease population. Methods The study included participants in FORWARD, The National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases. Participants were asked in 2014 and 2019 about their past and current cannabis use. Demographic characteristics, patient-reported outcomes, medications, comorbidities, and diagnoses...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective: People with ADHD are more likely to use cannabis but little is known about the effects of cannabis on ADHD symptoms, ADHD medication side effects, or ADHD-related executive dysfunction. Method: Students (n = 1,738) completed an online survey containing measures of ADHD symptoms, cannabis use, perceived effects of cannabis on ADHD symptoms and medication side effects, as well as executive dysfunction. Results: Participants with ADHD who have used cannabis reported that cannabis has acute beneficial effects on many symptoms of ADHD (e.g., hyperactivity, impulsivity). Further, they perceived cannabis to improve most of their medication side effects...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Anecdotal references, preclinical, and non-randomized studies support the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for movement disorders (MD). To create an evidenced-based point of view for patients and physicians, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the use of cannabinoids in MD. The seven RCTs found on PD used different cannabis formulations. No improvement of motor symptoms was shown in any of the two RCTs with this as primary outcome (PO), but in the nabilone group, an improvement in quality of life was documented. Of the three RCTs having levodopa-induced dyskinesia as PO,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective The current study examined the unique predictive ability of tolerance of specific negative affective states in relation to frequency of past-month cannabis use and coping-oriented cannabis use motives. Participants: 416 undergraduates who reported past 30 day cannabis use (65.1% female; Mage = 19.46, SD = 2.56). Methods: Participants completed self-report questionnaires for course credit. Results: After accounting for the effects of sex, negative affectivity, and tolerance of other specific negative affective states, lower levels of tolerance for sadness, but not any other negative affective states, significantly predicted more frequent cannabis use in the past 30 days (1.1% unique...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Medical cannabis has been increasingly used in Canada after being sanctioned by Health Canada in 2001. Insomnia and sleep disorders are among the most common conditions for which patients report using cannabis. Current research shows cannabis may have a beneficial effect in sleep disorders and may improve patient-reported sleep scores. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at Hybrid Pharm community pharmacy in Ottawa, Ontario, and included patients who were interested in, or already using, medical cannabis for sleep disorders. A qualitative, exploratory approach was taken to evaluate the descriptive efficacy and safety of...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction: Endometriosis is a difficult to manage condition associated with a significant disease burden. High levels of illicit cannabis use for therapeutic purposes have been previously reported by endometriosis patients in Australia and New Zealand (NZ). Although access to legal medicinal cannabis (MC) is available through medical prescription via multiple federal schemes, significant barriers to patient access remain. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional online survey was developed and distributed through social media via endometriosis advocacy groups worldwide. Respondents were asked about legal versus illicit cannabis usage, their understanding of access pathways and legal status, and their...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The use of cannabis is highly prevalent worldwide, with known short and long-term adverse effects. However, the relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behavior remains relatively unexplored and this paper aims to unify existing literature on the topic. A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and LILACS databases with a supplementary search to identify cohort articles published up to January 2020, with no age delimitation for the samples. This review aimed to address the relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behavior, defined as suicidal ideation, attempted suicide or completed suicide. Twenty-two articles were...