Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Comparative studies of phytocannabinoids offer valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of cannabis. While Cannabis sativa can produce over 100 distinct phytocannabinoids, most are present only in trace amounts. This review examines the structural, biochemical, and pharmacological characteristics of five representative phytocannabinoids: cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and cannabinol (CBN). We describe their biosynthetic pathways, abiotic transformations, and precursor roles in generating molecular diversity. Chemovar profiles are discussed based on seed bank data and chromatographic analyses of Brazilian-grown cultivars. Our findings suggest that high-CBD chemovars have recently emerged, possibly due to genetic drift from...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis is the most widely consumed illicit drug worldwide and its rapid expansion into medical and recreational markets has highlighted the need for effective analytical techniques. The analysis of major cannabinoids and their metabolites in different matrices has recently gained considerable attention in fields such as forensics, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and the cannabis food industry. However, the complexity of these matrices, ranging from biological samples to cannabis-infused products, raises significant challenges that require selective and effective extraction methods prior to chromatographic analysis. This review critically evaluates studies published over the past decade (2014-2024) and compares...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract This review focuses on antimicrobial packaging for food safety, critically examining the activity and efficacy of cannabinoids against commonly found microorganisms and exploring their antimicrobial mechanisms. Specifically, the review considers cannabinoids derived from industrial hemp plants, which are characterized by low levels of psychoactive components. It also outlines viable strategies to control the sustained release of cannabinoids from the packaging, enabling extended storage and enhanced safety of food products. Research demonstrates that cannabinoids are effective against both foodborne bacteria and fungi, with their antimicrobial action primarily attributed to microbial membrane instability. Cannabinoids can be utilized...

Abstract Cannabidiol (CBD), a bicyclic non-psychoactive cannabinoid biosynthesized by Cannabis spp. of plants, has attracted significant interest in the past decade due to its therapeutic properties. In 2018, the US FDA approved Epidiolex®, a CBD-based drug for the treatment of two rare epileptic seizure disorders. CBD possesses two chiral centers at C3 and C4 on its terpenoid moiety and exhibits cis–trans stereoisomerism along the C3–C4 bond axis. (−)-trans-(3R,4R)-CBD, the natural CBD, is biosynthesized by the cannabis plant, while the unnatural (+)-trans-(3S,4S)-CBD is obtained via chemical synthesis. Both trans isomers exhibit broad in vitro and in vivo biological activities; typically, the unnatural stereoisomer (+)-trans-CBD and its derivatives exhibited more potent activities in comparison to the corresponding (−)-trans isomers. On the other hand, cis-CBD isomers...

Abstract Increased extracellular glutamate concentrations in the brain can cause neuronal injury. Cannabinoid use has been demonstrated to reduce extracellular glutamate levels in the brain in many animal models. However, there are no systematic reviews published evaluating the effect of cannabis on glutamate levels in the human brain. This review aimed to review studies that investigated the effect of cannabinoids on glutamate levels in the living human brain using neuroimaging methods and to provide evidence gathered from biomedical databases such as MEDLINE and EMBASE. Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and ten observational studies met the eligibility criteria for this review. The articles included in...

Abstract Recently, there has been rising interest in the use of cannabis and its derivatives as therapeutic tools to support brain health, particularly in athletes. Cannabis-based substances interact with the endogenous cannabinoid (i.e., endocannabinoid) system, which is involved in widespread physiological processes that contribute to brain function. In other work, the benefits of exercise for brain health have been prominently noted. Despite large bodies of work on both cannabinoid and exercise influences on brain function, there is an understudied overlap in their physiological effects that may be especially important in athletic populations regularly engaged in high volumes of exercise. This narrative review describes mechanistic...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a serious condition primarily seen in chronic cannabis users, characterized by persistent cycles of severe nausea and vomiting, often leading to frequent emergency room visits. Accurate diagnosis is crucial due to the overlap with other gastrointestinal disorders. The traditional use of antiemetics such as ondansetron often fails to alleviate symptoms, making CHS difficult to manage. More effective treatments, such as haloperidol and topical capsaicin, have shown promise in reducing symptoms. Comprehensive management, including cannabis cessation, is essential. This narrative review explores current and emerging treatments for CHS, emphasizing the need...

Abstract Cannabis is one of the most studied psychoactive substances due to its increasing prevalence and evolving legal status. Of particular concern is the rising consumption among young individuals, where excessive use may disrupt reproductive processes and pose long-term health risks to offspring. This narrative review examines the effects of cannabis use on male and female reproductive health, including its impact on male fertility, the female reproductive system, placental function, and prenatal and postnatal outcomes, as well as fetal development. A nonsystematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases in November 2024. After screening titles and abstracts and...

Abstract Purpose of Review This document critically examines the role of cannabinoids in cancer care during an era marked by rapid advancements in oncology and changing perceptions on cannabis. It traces the historical context of cannabis in medicinal use, navigating its journey from widespread acceptance, subsequent criminalization, to its resurgence in modern therapeutic applications, particularly within the framework of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). Recent Findings Anchored in EBM principles, this study synthesizes current research from clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in oncology. The focus is on their palliative effects, considering the nuances of effectiveness, risk assessment,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis use by people who are pregnant is increasing. Understanding how prenatal cannabinoid exposure (PCE) affects infants and children is of high public health significance. Epidemiological studies have associated PCE with cognitive symptoms, including impaired learning, memory, attention, and executive control, and affective symptoms, including anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and social impairments, in children, adolescents, and young adults. PCE is also associated with neurobiological changes including decreased corticolimbic white matter and functional connectivity; however, the underlying mechanisms for these persisting effects remain unknown. Rodent models are essential for uncovering the effects of PCE on the developing brain. This review...