Summary Psychoactive substances are compounds that can influence perception, consciousness, cognition, and emotions. The psychoactive substances caffeine, nicotine, cannabis, and psilocybin all originate from natural sources and can be used without complex processing or synthesis. Their natural availability has contributed to a long-standing history of human use and cultural significance. Caffeine and nicotine are freely available and commonly used as everyday stimulants, whereas psilocybin is more strictly regulated and cannabis has been legalised in some countries and regions. Some of these substances have been intensively studied, and their pharmacological and toxicological properties are well known, but ongoing research continues to investigate their therapeutic use...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Novel methods of cannabis use are becoming popular, but the differential impact of these new methods on cognition have not been widely studied. Further, the impact of cannabis on cognition is mediated by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but few studies have directly compared the pharmacokinetics of different methods. This systematic review (PROSPERO, CRD42023442731) was conducted to determine whether the different forms of cannabis and routes of administration have differential acute effects on cognition or blood THC. In total, six studies were found that directly compared the effects of at least two different methods of cannabis administration on cognition and eight studies compared the impact...

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by some difficulties with social interactions and communication, atypical patterns of behavior, and unusual reactions to emotions. Studies have found promising results regarding the effects of cannabis on autism. We conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials on the effects of cannabis derivatives and their analogs for autism. This review was developed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and reported according to PRISMA 2020. The protocol was prospectively published in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023468300). We included randomized controlled trials with autism-diagnosed participants treated with any cannabis derivate or its analogs for therapeutic purposes....

Abstract Background:YouTube has become a major source of health information, with 2.5 billion monthly users. Despite efforts taken to promote reliable sources, misinformation remains prevalent, particularly regarding medical cannabis. Objective:This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of medical cannabis information on YouTube and to examine the relationship between video popularity and content quality. Methods:A systematic review of YouTube videos on medical cannabis was conducted. Search terms were selected based on Google Trends, and 800 videos were retrieved on July 8, 2024. After applying exclusion criteria, 516 videos were analyzed. Videos were categorized by content creators: (1) nonmedical educational channels, (2) medical education...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract The convergence of early initiation, increasing product potency, and widespread availability has reshaped the contemporary cannabis landscape, heightening concerns about its impact on adolescent mental health. Translational research combining longitudinal human neuroimaging and animal models provides compelling evidence that cannabis use—particularly with high-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products and frequent use—can disrupt adolescent brain development and behavior. This vulnerability is especially relevant to trajectories leading to psychosis, schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorder, while also elevating risks for anxiety and depression. Although not all adolescents who use cannabis will experience adverse outcomes, a susceptible subset may face lasting consequences....

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cannabinoids, both natural and synthetic, are a subject of scientific interest. Cannabis is widely used, and its impact on health and the immune system is being studied. The endocannabinoid system influences inflammation, including the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), a potential diagnostic tool. Our study investigates the connection between cannabis use and NLR. Methods: Our systematic review was registered in Prospero (#CRD42023463539). We searched six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL Complete) for records in English from inception to May 2024. We included observational studies that measured the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) in cannabis users and control participants. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality...

Abstract Cannabis sativa L. is a dioecious species known to produce over 1600 chemical constituents, including more than 180 cannabinoids classified into 11 structural groups. These bioactive compounds are predominantly synthesised in the glandular trichomes of female inflorescences. However, sex determination in C. sativa is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, often leading to the development of male flowers on female plants. This unintended fertilisation reduces cannabinoid yield and increases genetic heterogeneity and challenges in medical cannabis production. Haploid and doubled haploid (DH) technologies offer a promising solution by rapidly generating homozygous lines from gametophytic (e.g., unpollinated ovaries and ovules) or sporophytic tissues (e.g., anthers and...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction Renal infarction is a rare cause for an acute renal failure. At the time being, there is no sufficient correlation to the consumption of cannabis described. Case history A 40-year-old male patient presented to our emergency room because of pain in the right renal bed. Examination and findings The duplex ultrasound showed no ectasia, but the computed tomography confirmed a renal infraction on the right side. The further diagnostics gave no indication of a classical pathogenesis, but there was a constant consumption of cannabis documented. Therapy and course We decided for a conservative treatment with analgesia, diagnostic laboratory...

Abstract Importance  Despite evidence that individuals with a cannabis use disorder (CUD) are at elevated risk of psychosis and that the neurotransmitter dopamine has a role in psychosis, the mechanism linking cannabis use and psychosis remains unclear. Objective  To use neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), referred to as the neuromelanin-MRI signal, a practical, proxy measure of dopamine function, to assess whether a common alteration in the dopamine system may be implicated in CUD and psychosis and whether this alteration can be observed in those with a CUD whether or not they have a diagnosis of first-episode schizophrenia (FES). Design, Setting, and Participants  This longitudinal observational cohort study recruited...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background: Rapid changes in the legalized cannabis market have led to the predominance of high-concentration delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis products. Purpose: To systematically review associations of high-concentration THC cannabis products with mental health outcomes. Data Sources: Ovid MEDLINE through May 2025; EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Cochrane Library, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, CINAHL, and Toxicology Literature Online through August 2024. Study Selection: Two reviewers independently selected studies with high-concentration THC defined as greater than 5 mg or greater than 10% THC per serving or labeled as “high-potency concentrate,” “shatter,” or “dab.” Data...