Abstract Between 8 and 22% of lifetime cannabis users develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). It is the most frequent reason for first-time drug-related treatment admissions in Europe. Many countries have general substance use treatment programs for individuals with cannabis use disorders. This study presents an updated overview of cannabis-specific treatment availability across Europe. Data on treatment programs in 27 EU member states, United Kingdom, Norway and Turkey was gathered. The study used a mixed-methods approach, combining (1) a quantitative survey among the National Focal Points of the European Drugs Agency (EUDA), (2) a qualitative analysis of “Drug Workbooks 2021” and ‘Treatment Workbooks 2020 and 2021’...

Abstract Neuropathic pain is a chronic disorder that arises from damaged or malfunctioning nerves. Hypersensitivity to stimuli, also known as hyperalgesia, can cause a person to experience pain from non-painful stimuli, termed allodynia. Cannabis-based medicines (CBMs) may provide new treatment options to manage neuropathic pain. A review of the relevant studies was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CBMs in treating neuropathic pain. Scientific literature was systematically searched from January 2003 to December 2024 using the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, and MEDLINE. A total of 22 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified that considered the use of 1′,1′-dimethylheptyl-Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol-11-oic acid (CT-3), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC),...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Cannabis remains one of the most frequently misused substances among adolescents. As recreational cannabis has proliferated across the United States, cannabis-related emergency department visits have increased. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a variant of cyclic vomiting syndrome, has emerged as a recognized but poorly understood complication of chronic cannabis use among a subset of individuals. Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is characterized by repeated cycles of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting refractory to standard antiemetics, with users reporting the compulsive use of hot showers to mitigate symptoms. Treatment modalities include intravenous fluid and electrolyte repletion, topical application of capsaicin,...

Abstract Cannabis products are increasingly perceived and advertised as natural and safe treatments for a variety of conditions, including chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). The number of prescriptions for medicinal cannabis (MC) currently averages >80 000 per month for >1 million Australians. Although over 800 different cannabis products are available to prescribe in Australia, only two are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for specific clinical indications. Using treatment for CNCP as an example, evidence of efficacy across nine systematic reviews was inconsistent and/or of low quality and, with the exception of neuropathic pain, was unable to...

Abstract Purpose The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled, two-stage, phase II/III trial was to determine the efficacy of an oral cannabis extract in adults with refractory nausea and/or vomiting during moderately or highly emetogenic, intravenous chemotherapy despite guideline-consistent antiemetic prophylaxis. Here, we report results of the prespecified combined analysis including the initial phase II and subsequent phase III components. Patients and Methods Study treatment consisted of oral capsules containing either tetrahydrocannabinol 2.5 mg plus cannabidiol 2.5 mg capsules (THC:CBD) or matching placebo, taken three times a day from days –1 to 5, in addition to guideline-consistent antiemetics. The primary measure of effect was the...

Abstract Coincident with the legalisation of cannabis in many nations, rates of cannabis use during pregnancy have increased. Like prior investigations on smoking and alcohol, understanding how prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) impacts offspring outcomes across the lifespan will be critical for informing choices for pregnant people, clinicians, and policy makers alike. A thorough characterization of the life-long impacts is especially urgent for supporting all of these stakeholders in the decision-making process. While studies in humans bring forth the most direct information, it can be difficult to parse the impact of PCE from confounding variables. Laboratory studies in animal models can provide experimental designs that allow for causal inferences...

Abstract Cannabis abuse has been linked to acute psychotic symptoms as well as to the development of schizophrenia. Although the association has been well described, causation has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we investigated whether cannabis or cannabinoid use is causal for the development of schizophrenia, conducting a systematic literature review according to the PRISM guidelines. Epidemiological studies and randomized clinical trials investigating the links between cannabis and psychosis-like events (PLE) and schizophrenia were identified (according to PRISM guidelines), and relevant studies were included in a Forest plot analysis. Confounder analysis was performed using a funnel plot, and the Hill causality criteria were used...

Abstract Background With rising anxiety disorder diagnoses, many individuals are seeking alternatives to standard pharmacotherapies, like medicinal cannabis. This systematic review focuses exclusively on anxiety-related disorders and examines a wide range of cannabis-based preparations and interventions. Method We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycInfo (October–December 2023) for peer-reviewed empirical studies, excluding case series, case studies, and review papers. Inclusion criteria were studies on adults (18+ years) diagnosed with anxiety-related disorders, examining the efficacy or effectiveness of medicinal cannabis. Studies on recreational cannabis or cannabis-use-disorder were excluded. The MASTER and QualSyst tools were used to assess bias. Results Fifty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria: 40...

Abstract There is emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Increasing evidence suggests that a number of neurobiological correlates between endogenous cannabinoid function and cognitive dysfunction are seen in ADHD, making the ECS a possible target for therapeutic interventions. Cannabis use and cannabis use disorder are more prevalent in individuals with ADHD, compared to the general population, and there is growing popular perception that cannabis is therapeutic for ADHD. However, the relationship between cannabis use and ADHD symptomology is poorly understood. Further understanding of the role of...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between cannabis use during pregnancy and the risk for long-term neuropsychiatric pathology in the offspring. Data Sources MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched until January 22, 2024, with no language or date restrictions. Study Eligibility Criteria Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported quantitative data on any long-term neuropsychiatric outcome in offspring whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy for medical or recreational use, by any route and at any trimester, in comparison to offspring of women who abstained from cannabis use during pregnancy. All observational study...