Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective: Amid continuously rising concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis (i.e., potency), high-potency cannabis is a major topic in contemporary cannabis policy discussions, yet its impact on health is not well understood. The authors conducted a systematic review of observational and experimental studies examining the relationship between high-potency cannabis use and a range of health outcomes. Methods: Records were obtained from a systematic search of five biomedical research databases. The authors developed ecologically relevant potency (percent THC) exposure-comparison categories (1%–9%, 10%–19%, 20%–30%, kief/resin [∼30%–50%], concentrates [≥60%]) and used a landmark scientific report on cannabis and...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose of review This review examines the literature associating cannabis with schizophrenia, glutamate dysregulation in schizophrenia, and cannabis involvement in glutamate pathways. Cannabis use is widespread among adolescents world-wide and is sold legally in many countries for recreational use in a variety of forms. Most people use it without lasting effects, but a portion of individuals have negative reactions that manifest in acute psychotic symptoms, and in some, symptoms continue even after the use of cannabis has ceased. To date, there is a huge gap in our understanding of why this occurs. Recent findings Recent...

ABSTRACT Background: Growing bodies of evidence suggest that cannabis may play a significant role in both oncological palliative care and as a direct anticarcinogenic agent, but classification as a Schedule I substance has complicated research into its therapeutic potential, leaving the state of research scattered and heterogeneous. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the scientific consensus on medical cannabis’ viability in cancer treatment. Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically assess the existing literature on medical cannabis, focusing on its therapeutic potential, safety profiles, and role in cancer treatment. Methods: This study synthesized data from over 10,000 peer-reviewed research papers, encompassing 39,767 data points related...

Please use this link to access this publication. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with depressive symptoms and whether ongoing use beyond the first trimester and higher amounts of cannabis use were associated with increased depressive symptoms. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the nuMoM2b (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers to Be) study with participants enrolled from October 2010 to September 2013 at eight academic centers. Individuals with pregnancy outcome data who completed the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) in the first and third trimesters and had available frozen stored urine samples were included. Cannabis exposure was...

ABSTRACT Introduction: Adolescence and young adulthood are simultaneously periods of significant brain development and the ages in which people often initiate cannabis use. This has led to significant interest in researching the effects that cannabis use in this period might have on the brains of users. This scoping review aims to summarize existing neuroimaging research on the effect of cannabis use in adolescence and/or young adulthood (ages 14-25) on brain structure, function, and metabolite concentrations. Methods: Following scoping review methodology, databases containing neuroimaging studies assessing the effects of cannabis use between the ages of 14 and 25 on brain structure, function, and metabolite concentrations were searched....

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis is the most commonly used recreational drug in the United States and use among adolescents is prevalent. Its availability and potency have increased significantly in the past decade, as a growing number of US states have legalized its use for medicinal or recreational purposes. Meanwhile, adolescent perception of the risk of harm from cannabis use has declined over time. However, there are well-established risks associated with prolonged cannabis use in adolescence. Cannabis has a strong link to the development of psychosis and psychiatric diagnoses, negative neurodevelopmental and school performance outcomes, poorer sleep, and gastrointestinal...

Abstract BackgroundCannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs globally, although its legal status varies across regions. Public support for its decriminalization has increased, but gaps in our understanding of the health consequences of cannabis use remain, particularly related to its impact on mental health. This article provides an updated systematic review and meta-analysis (previous being Lev-Ran et al., 2014) looking at the relationship between cannabis and depression. MethodsLiterature available before March 2023 was screened for longitudinal studies that included cannabis use and depression. Cross-sectional studies and those only looking at special populations were excluded. Studies must have also controlled for depression at baseline...

Abstract With rapid expansion of cannabis legalization worldwide, rates of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) are increasing; the need for safe and effective medications to treat CUD is urgent. This narrative review evaluates evidence for promising pharmacotherapies to treat CUD from randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Pharmacotherapies for CUD are categorized based on compound targets (e.g., cannabinoid receptor 1 [CB1] agonists such as nabilone, serotonergic compounds such as bupropion, GABAergic compounds such as zolpidem) and outcomes are organized by predetermined withdrawal symptoms, cannabis craving, and cannabis relapse/use. Most promising pharmacotherapies for CUD are drugs that act on the endocannabinoid system and specifically at the...

Abstract Lower respiratory infections predominantly affect children under five and the elderly, with influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) being the most common pathogens. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant global public health challenges. While vaccination remains crucial, its efficacy is limited, highlighting the need for complementary approaches to mitigate immune hyperactivation in severe COVID-19 cases. Medicinal plants like Cannabis sativa show therapeutic potential, with over 85% of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in China receiving traditional herbal treatments. This review explores the antiviral applications of cannabis and its bioactive compounds, particularly against SARS-CoV-2, while evaluating their pharmacological and food industry potential. Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids,...

Abstract Cannabis use has become increasingly prevalent due to legalization and social acceptance, raising concerns about its potential health impacts, particularly on respiratory and oncological outcomes. Despite sharing toxic constituents with tobacco smoke, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds, the link between cannabis smoking and lung cancer remains inconclusive. Epidemiological studies present conflicting findings, with some suggesting increased risk among heavy users, particularly when combined with tobacco, while others find no significant association. Chronic cannabis smoking has been associated with respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum production and wheezing, often resembling chronic bronchitis. These symptoms may resolve upon cessation, indicating inflammatory rather...