Please use this link to access this publication. ABSTRACTS Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex, heterogeneous disease, and its management remains challenging due to varying symptoms and patient responses to treatments. While injectable therapies like glatiramer acetate and beta-interferon are common, they have limitations such as side effects and varying efficacy. Cannabis has garnered attention as a potential alternative treatment, particularly for symptoms like spasticity and pain. Objective This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of cannabis-based therapies for managing MS-related spasticity. Methods Nine clinical trials involving 2544 MS patients were included, with studies conducted between 2003 and 2021 across multiple countries. Cannabinoid...

Abstract Background Despite the high and increasing rates of cannabis and nicotine/tobacco product (NTP) use during pregnancy, the impact of their combined use on health outcomes in offspring remains poorly understood. Given the growing body of research on prenatal cannabis and NTP co-exposure and its effects on neonatal, behavioral, cognitive, and physiological outcomes in offspring, we conducted a systematic review to synthesize the existing literature and evaluate whether prenatal co-exposure results in additive and/or synergistic adverse effects compared to prenatal cannabis-only exposure and prenatal NTP-only exposure. Methods We searched Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO databases via OVID for human and animal studies examining the association...

ABSTRACT The increasing utilization of cannabis products combined with lack of data regarding potential cannabis–prescription drug interactions is concerning. This study aimed to review published case reports and FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) spontaneous reports to assess cannabis–drug interactions in persons aged 18 and over. A literature search identified 20 case reports that were each assessed for drug interaction causality using the Drug Interaction Probability Scale. Data collected from the FAERS revealed a greater proportion of reports mentioning serious outcomes, including death, when cannabis was used concomitantly with controlled substances compared to noncontrolled substances. Fisher's exact test showed a statistically significant difference between...

Abstract Cannabis sativa L. is cultivated nowadays for agricultural, industrial, and medicinal applications and also for recreational use. The latter is due to the presence of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive substance. Recreational cannabis policies vary between different countries, which has led to the lack of a clearly defined legal context for cannabis and also a diversity of products derived from or containing cannabis on the (il)legal market. These cannabis-derived products have regained attention, notably because of their cannabinoid content. This review aims to assess and present analytical methods developed to analyze phytocannabinoids with spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques in specific cannabis matrices: herbs and oily products. Published...

Abstract Objective:  Human sleep is fundamental for the proper occurrence of organic functions. Hence, lack of sleep can impair cognitive function, resulting in emotional problems, memory changes, and disease onset. However, it is worth noting that sleep is influenced by outside factors, such as drug use. In this sense, the aim of this review is to analyze studies that researched the influence of recreational marijuana on the sleep quality of adults. Methods:  High-sensitivity searches were conducted on databases (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde [BVS], MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus) using descriptors related to marijuana and sleep habits. Results:  Eighteen studies...

Abstract Background Several jurisdictions have pursued reforms that regulate cannabis production and/or sale for adult (non-medical) use. Looking at outcomes of such reforms across multiple jurisdictions may help to identify outcomes that are inherent to non-criminal cannabis supply, as well as provide insight into the outcomes of specific regulation models. Methods We identified nine indicators of cannabis policy outcomes and aggregated them into three domains (social outcomes, outcomes in cannabis use, health-related outcomes). We assessed these outcomes across five jurisdictions with different models of regulating cannabis supply (Netherlands, Spain, U.S. states that legalized cannabis, Uruguay, and Canada). We used a three-level systematic literature review,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cannabidiol (CBD)-rich Cannabis extract in reducing anxiety and postoperative pain in patients submitted to endodontic treatment. Methods The study was carried out after approval by the Research Ethics Committee (Registration No. 5.075.961). The following groups were tested: CBD and placebo. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale before the start of treatment and 24, 48, and 72 hours and 7 days after the session. Anxiety was assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and a visual analog scale, before and immediately after treatment. In addition,...

ABSTRACT Background A third of epilepsy patients fail to enter seizure remission despite optimal therapeutic management. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have shown promise as a potential therapy. However, a paucity of high-quality literature regarding CBMPs’ efficacy and safety profile means further investigation is needed. The study aimed to examine changes in epilepsy-specific and general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in individuals with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Methods A case series of patients with epilepsy from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry analyzed changes in Quality of Life in Epilpesy-31 (QOILE-31), Single-Item Sleep Quality Score (SQS), EQ-5D-5L, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Global...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Acute cannabis exposure can transiently impair cognitive performance, increasing the risk of accidental injury and potentially disrupting activities of daily living. Although sex differences in responses to cannabis have been reported, no systematic review has examined whether these extend to acute cognitive effects. Our primary aim was to examine sex differences in the acute effects of cannabis (including isolated delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) on cognition in humans. Our secondary aim was to determine if sex differences in the acute effects of cannabis vary by cognitive domain, route of administration, or dosing paradigm. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to review the literature on the impact of medical cannabis (MC) on the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A critical review was conducted using PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, and Embase. The inclusion criteria were access to the full content; in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; published until January 2025, relating “Cancer,” “Quality of Life,” and “Medical Cannabis.” Of the 267 articles identified, 16 were selected for the final analysis. Results: The studies suggest that MC can improve mental health, sleep, appetite, and...