Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose Patients with cancer are using cannabis for self-treatment. The reasons, experienced effects, and prevalence of use are unknown in the European general oncological population. Methods Adult patients with cancer attending outpatient oncology clinics were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic questions, validated scales on quality of life, neuropathy, anxiety and depression as well as questions regarding use of cannabis. Results The overall response rate was 83% (2839 patients) and 13% of patients were using or had used cannabis during their treatment. Rate of use was higher in smokers...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objectives The current study examined whether cannabis use frequency and cannabis-related problem severity (as per the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised) predicted outcomes of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for anxiety and related disorders. It was predicted that greater frequency of cannabis use and greater cannabis-related problem severity would be associated with dampened treatment outcomes compared to less severe cannabis use presentations. Methods Participants were 253 adults seeking treatment for anxiety and related disorders. Cannabis use was categorized as non-use (n = 135), infrequent use (using monthly to 4 times per month; n = 45), and frequent use (using 2 or more times per week; n = 73). Individuals who reported using cannabis completed...

Abstract Objectives: We measure for the first time how commercially available Cannabis flower products affect feelings of fatigue. Methods: A total of 1,224 people recorded 3,922 Cannabis flower self-administration sessions between June 6, 2016, and August 7, 2019, using the Releaf App. Usage sessions included real-time subjective changes in fatigue intensity levels prior to and following Cannabis consumption, Cannabis flower characteristics (labeled phenotype, cannabinoid potency levels), combustion method, and any potential experienced side effects. Results: On average, 91.94% of people experienced decreased fatigue following consumption with an average symptom intensity reduction of 3.48 points on a 0–10 visual analog scale (SD = 2.70, d = 1.60, p < 0.001). While labeled plant phenotypes (“C. indica,” “C. sativa,” or “hybrid”) did not...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis, has been tested extensively in controlled administration human studies. Some studies require a high THC dose that may induce adverse events (AEs), such as those testing novel treatments for cannabinoid overdose. Although there are ethical concerns related to administering high THC doses, there is no systematic analysis on studies utilizing these doses. In this review, we examine studies that administered oral THC doses ≥30 mg (“high-dose THC”), focusing on reported tolerability, subjective effects, and pharmacokinetics (PK), with the objective to inform the design of future studies. Methods: A comprehensive...

Abstract Introduction: Medicinal cannabis is prescribed in Australia for patients with chronic refractory pain conditions. However, measures of safety and effectiveness of different cannabinoids are lacking. We designed an observational study to capture effectiveness, adverse events (AEs), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures in patients prescribed an oral medicinal cannabis formulation at Cannabis Access Clinics through the Cannabis Access Clinics Observational study (CACOS). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate effectiveness, reported AEs, and change in patient-reported outcomes in individuals prescribed a cannabinoid oil formulation for management of chronic pain. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on patients prescribed an oil formulation of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol for pain symptoms of...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of medications commonly used in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and compare this to what current research has shown regarding medical cannabis use in this population. Methods: Searches were performed to collect information surrounding currently used medications and their safety and efficacy profiles, biologic plausibility of cannabis use for symptoms of ASD, and studies detailing cannabis' safety and efficacy profile for use in the ASD population. Results were used to compare medications to cannabis as a proposed treatment. Results: The heterogeneity of ASD produces great difficulties...

Abstract Cannabis use disorder is frequent in schizophrenia patients, and it is associated with an earlier age of onset and poor schizophrenia prognosis. Serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2AR) have been involved in psychosis and, like Akt kinase, are known to be modulated by THC. Likewise, endocannabinoid system dysregulation has been suggested in schizophrenia. The presence of these molecules in blood makes them interesting targets, as they can be evaluated in patients by a minimally invasive technique. The aim of the present study was to evaluate 5-HT2AR protein expression and the Akt functional status in platelet homogenates of subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia, cannabis use disorder, or...

Abstract Background Cannabis legalization is expanding and men are the predominant users. We have limited knowledge about how cannabis impacts sperm and whether the effects are heritable. Results Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) data were generated for sperm of rats exposed to: (1) cannabis extract (CE) for 28 days, then 56 days of vehicle only (~ one spermatogenic cycle); (2) vehicle for 56 days, then 28 days of CE; or (3) vehicle only. Males were then mated with drug-naïve females to produce F1 offspring from which heart, brain, and sperm tissues underwent analyses. There were 3321 nominally significant differentially methylated CpGs in F0 sperm identified via WGBS with select...

Abstract Objective: Our objective was to summarize the literature regarding the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy on low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA). Study Design: This is a systematic review and meta-analysis. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science in May 2021 and updated in November 2021. Only studies that assessed the isolated use of cannabis during pregnancy, controlling for cigarette smoking, and other illicit drug use were included. Data were synthesized using a narrative summary and pooled adjusted estimates, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each outcome. Data were...

Abstract The combination of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with chemotherapy significantly improves clinical benefit of cancer treatment. Since chemotherapy is often associated with adverse events, concomitant treatment with drugs managing side effects of chemotherapy is frequently used in the combination therapy. However, whether these ancillary drugs could impede immunotherapy remains unknown. Here, we showed that ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the key ingredient of drugs approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-caused nausea, reduced the therapeutic effect of PD-1 blockade. The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) also impeded antitumor immunity, indicating an immunosuppressive role of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS). Consistently, high levels of AEA in the sera were associated...