Please use this link to access this publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/j.1532-2149.2013.00445.x Abstract Background: Peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) associated with allodynia poses a significant clinical challenge. The efficacy of Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray, a novel cannabinoid formulation, was investigated in this 15-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Methods: In total, 303 patients with PNP associated with allodynia were screened; 128 were randomized to THC/CBD spray and 118 to placebo, in addition to their current analgesic therapy. The co-primary efficacy endpoints were the 30% responder rate in PNP 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) score and the mean change from baseline to the end of treatment in this score. Various...

Abstract Background There has been increased interest in the role of cannabis for treating medical conditions. The availability of different cannabis-based products can make the side effects of exposure unpredictable. We sought to conduct a scoping review of systematic reviews assessing benefits and harms of cannabis-based medicines for any condition. Methods A protocol was followed throughout the conduct of this scoping review. A protocol-guided scoping review conduct. Searches of bibliographic databases (e.g., MEDLINE®, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library) and gray literature were performed. Two people selected and charted data from systematic reviews. Categorizations emerged during data synthesis. The reporting of results from systematic reviews...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://www.jns-journal.com/article/S0022-510X(20)30053-8/fulltext Abstract The role of cannabis in medicine is rapidly evolving. Medical cannabis is now legal in a majority of states, and THC and CBD, the prominent cannabinoids found in cannabis, have both been utilized in the development of FDA-approved drugs. Due to the complicated legal status of cannabis and cannabinoids, as well as regulations that vary from state to state, the appropriate use of these substances for both patients as well as clinicians is often unclear. Advancements in the understanding of the pharmacology of cannabis have led to numerous proposed uses of these drugs, including as...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://www.epilepsybehavior.com/article/S1525-5050(15)00157-2/fulltext Abstract There is a great need for safe and effective therapies for treatment of infantile spasms (IS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Based on anecdotal reports and limited experience in an open-label trial, cannabidiol (CBD) has received tremendous attention as a potential treatment for pediatric epilepsy, especially Dravet syndrome. However, there is scant evidence of specific utility for treatment of IS and LGS. We sought to document the experiences of children with IS and/or LGS who have been treated with CBD-enriched cannabis preparations. We conducted a brief online survey of parents who administered CBD-enriched cannabis preparations for...

Abstract Background: Medicinal cannabinoids, including medicinal cannabis, pharmaceutical cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and or cannabidiol (CBD), have been suggested to have a therapeutic role for certain mental health conditions. The primary objective was to review the evidence for cannabinoids in treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tic/Tourette syndrome, and psychosis, either as the primary condition or secondary to other conditions. Secondary outcomes included quality of life and global functioning. Methods: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies (1980-2018) using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, clinicaltrials.gov,...

Abstract Mood disorders are the most prevalent mental conditions encountered in psychiatric practice. Numerous patients suffering from mood disorders present with treatment-resistant forms of depression, co-morbid anxiety, other psychiatric disorders and bipolar disorders. Standardized essential oils (such as that of Lavender officinalis) have been shown to exert clinical efficacy in treating anxiety disorders. As endocannabinoids are suggested to play an important role in major depression, generalized anxiety and bipolar disorders, Cannabis sativa was suggested for their treatment. The endocannabinoid system is widely distributed throughout the body including the brain, modulating many functions. It is involved in mood and related disorders, and its activity may be modified...

Abstract The antidepressant action of cannabis as well as the interaction between antidepressants and the endocannabinoid system has been reported. This study was conducted to assess the antidepressant-like activity of Delta(9)-THC and other cannabinoids. Cannabinoids were initially evaluated in the mouse tetrad assay to determine doses that do not induce hypothermia or catalepsy. The automated mouse forced swim (FST) and tail suspension (TST) tests were used to determine antidepressant action. At doses lacking hypothermic and cataleptic effects (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg, i.p.), both Delta(9)-THC and Delta(8)-THC showed a U-shaped dose response with only Delta(9)-THC showing significant antidepressant-like effects at 2.5 mg/kg (p<0.05) in...

Abstract Patients with advanced cancer who have pain that responds poorly to opioid therapy pose a clinical challenge. Nabiximols (Nabiximols is the U.S. Adopted Name [USAN] for Sativex [GW Pharma Ltd, Wiltshire, U.K.], which does not yet have an INN), a novel cannabinoid formulation, is undergoing investigation as add-on therapy for this population. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, graded-dose study, patients with advanced cancer and opioid-refractory pain received placebo or nabiximols at a low dose (1-4 sprays/day), medium dose (6-10 sprays/day), or high dose (11-16 sprays/day). Average pain, worst pain and sleep disruption were measured daily during 5 weeks of treatment; other questionnaires measured...

Please use this link to access this publication: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00406-019-00978-2 Abstract Access to cannabis and cannabinoid products is increasing worldwide for recreational and medicinal use. Two primary compounds within cannabis plant matter, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are both psychoactive, but only THC is considered intoxicating. There is significant interest in potential therapeutic properties of these cannabinoids and of CBD in particular. Some research has suggested that CBD may ameliorate adverse effects of THC, but this may be dose dependent as other evidence suggests possible potentiating effects of THC by low doses of CBD. We conducted a randomised placebo controlled trial to examine the acute effects...

Key Points Question  Is adjunctive cannabidiol at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/d superior to placebo in reducing convulsive seizure frequency in patients with Dravet syndrome? Findings  This double-blind clinical trial randomized 199 children with Dravet syndrome to cannabidiol (10 or 20 mg/kg/d) or matched placebo for 14 weeks. Convulsive seizure frequency compared with baseline was reduced by 48.7% in the 10-mg/kg/d cannabidiol group and 45.7% in the 20-mg/kg/d cannabidiol group vs 26.9% in the placebo group. Meaning  Both doses of adjunctive cannabidiol were similarly efficacious in reducing convulsive seizures associated with Dravet syndrome. Abstract Importance  Clinical evidence supports effectiveness of cannabidiol for treatment-resistant seizures in Dravet syndrome,...