Abstract Background and Clinical Significance: The recreational use of semisynthetic cannabinoids (SSCs) is increasing, and SSCs account for more than 40% of all new substances reported at the European level. Although designed to mimic the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, evidence suggests that certain SSCs may elicit stronger, prolonged and unintended pharmacological effects. SSCs are easily accessible, particularly via online retailers, but in some countries, SSCs are also sold in convenience stores or specialty stores selling legal low-THC or cannabidiol (CBD) products. Often, SSCs are sold as “legal highs” and are found in various forms, including herbal mixtures (spice),...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose of review Legalization and decriminalization of marijuana over recent years has led to a significant increase in the prevalence of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). CHS can be a debilitating syndrome that provides unique challenges to healthcare providers in the both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Recent evidence has provided some insight into the pathogenesis of this syndrome and potential treatments in both the acute and chronic phases. Recent findings Since identification of the syndrome in 2004, the only known treatment has been complete cessation of all delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing products. Recent evidence suggests that dopamine...

Abstract The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and other ligands of cannabinoid receptors attracts considerable attention due to their diverse pharmacological effects and utility in various medical applications. However, challenges such as low solubility, limited bioavailability, and potential side effects hinder their broad clinical use. Nanoformulation techniques offer a promising approach to address these issues and optimize the therapeutic effectiveness of cannabinoids and other cannabinoid receptor ligands. This comprehensive review explores the advancements in nanoformulation strategies to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and safety of synthetic cannabinoids and related compounds, such as CB13, rimonabant, and HU-211, which have been studied in a range of preclinical models...

Please use this link to access this publication. ABSTRACT Background Poor acute postoperative pain control, coupled with the use of intravenous medications with a limited and unsafety efficacy spectrum, has led to new therapeutic alternative explorations to reduce adverse events while increasing its analgesic efficacy. There cannabinoids have been proposed as a useful control agent in post-surgical pain. Nevertheless, to date, there is no solid evidence to evaluate them. The current article sought to determine cannabinoids' effectiveness and safety in the aforementioned context. Methods A systematic review of controlled clinical trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids for the treatment of acute postoperative...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract This systematic review was carried out with the aim of evaluating the use of medicinal Cannabis for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in experimental models. Furthermore, we sought to understand the main intracellular mechanisms capable of promoting the effects of phytocannabinoids on motor disorders, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The experimental models were developed in mice, rats and marmosets. There was a predominance of using only males in relation to females; in three studies, the authors evaluated treatments in males and females. Drugs were used as inducers of Parkinson's disease: 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and rotenone. Substances capable of promoting catalepsy in animals were also used: haloperidol, L-nitro-N-arginine (L-NOARG), WIN55,212–2,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are potent agonists of CB1 and CB2 receptors, with affinities approximately 100 times greater than that of natural cannabis. This increased potency is associated with severe clinical outcomes, including psychosis, dependence, and various autonomic disturbances, such as seizures and rhabdomyolysis. The objective of this study was to synthesize the existing literature on the clinical effects of SCs, emphasizing health risks and identifying knowledge gaps. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across three databases—PubMed, Embase, and Lilacs—resulting in 944 studies. Eligible articles focused on clinical effects associated to SC use, while exclusion criteria encompassed studies unrelated to clinical outcomes,...

Abstract Purpose Cannabinoids are compounds that occur naturally in cannabis plants. The objective of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the existing evidence regarding the use of cannabinoids for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in cancer patients. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted in June 2024 in five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and Medline) to identify studies examining the utilization, efficacy, and potential adverse effects of cannabinoid-based therapy in cancer patients. Results A total of 32 studies comprising 1889 patients suffering from different cancer types were included in the systematic review. Cannabinoid-based therapy involved the...

Abstract Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by a pattern of cyclic vomiting and abdominal pain despite an absence of an organic cause, occurring in regular cannabis users. This syndrome was first described in 2004. Initially considered rare, with the increased use and legalization of cannabis, a growing incidence of diagnoses has been observed. Data on the pediatric population are still scant despite the high rate of cannabis consumption in young people. In this narrative review, we aim to synthesize the growing knowledge about CHS and its epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management in the pediatric population. Findings in this review highlight the diagnostic challenges...

Abstract Background With the increasing legalization of medical and recreational cannabis, patients and providers have growing interest in the role of cannabinoids in treating inflammatory bowel disease. Prior meta-analysis has shown inconclusive evidence for efficacy of cannabinoids. We sought to produce an up-to-date meta-analysis that pools new data to evaluate the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids in both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL and CINAHL were queried for randomized-controlled trials evaluating the impact cannabinoids in CD or UC. Random effects modeling was used to compute pooled estimates of risk difference. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. Results Eight studies, including...

Abstract In the scenario of fighting bacterial resistance to antibiotics, natural products have been extensively investigated for their potential antibacterial activities. Among these, cannabinoids—bioactive compounds derived from cannabis—have garnered attention for their diverse biological activities, including anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties. Emerging evidence suggests that cannabinoids may also possess significant antimicrobial properties, with potential applications in enhancing the efficacy of conventional antimicrobial agents. Therefore, this review examines evidence from the past five years on the antimicrobial properties of cannabinoids, focusing on underlying mechanisms such as microbial membrane disruption, immune response modulation, and interference with microbial virulence factors. In addition, their synergistic potential,...