Abstract   Introduction: Patients with endometriosis often suffer from diffuse and poorly localized severe pain. The current pain management strategies include medical and hormonal therapy, as well as surgery. Medical management of pain is often insufficient and is associated with high rate of recurrence. Better pain management is therefore of urgent need.   Methods: Among the various candidates, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has recently emerged as a relevant pharmacological target for the management of endometriosis-related pain. A computerized literature search was performed to identify relevant studies combining the keywords ‘‘endometriosis,’’ ‘‘endocannabinoid,’’ ‘‘cannabinoid receptor,’’ ‘‘THC,’’ and ‘‘pain mechanisms.’’   Conclusions: This review describes the multiple...

Abstract   Although prescribing information (PI) is often the initial source of information when identifying potential drug-drug interactions, it may only provide a limited number of exemplars or only reference a class of medications without providing any specific medication examples. In the case of medical cannabis and medicinal cannabinoids, this is further complicated by the fact that the increased therapeutic use of marijuana extracts and cannabidiol oil will not have regulatory agency approved PI. The objective of this study was to provide a detailed and comprehensive drug-drug interaction list that is aligned with cannabinoid manufacturer PI. The cannabinoid drug-drug interaction information is listed in...

Abstract Objectives. Assessing the effectiveness and tolerability of medical cannabis (MC) treatment on Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) patients. Methods. We report on an open-label, prospective study on the effect of MC on adult GTS patients. MC mode of use was decided by the treating neurologist and the patient. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) content within MC product and monthly dose were titrated during the study. Following treatment initiation, patients were assessed after 4 and 12 weeks for efficacy, tolerability, and side effects. Results. Eighteen patients entered the study. Baseline Yale Global Tic Severity Scale- (YGTSS) Total (range 0-100) was . Three patients...

Background: Cannabis has been documented for use in alleviating anxiety. However, certain research has also shown that it can produce feelings of anxiety, panic, paranoia and psychosis. In humans, Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been associated with an anxiogenic response, while anxiolytic activity has been attributed mainly to cannabidiol (CBD). In animal studies, the effects of THC are highly dose-dependent, and biphasic effects of cannabinoids on anxiety-related responses have been extensively documented. A more precise assessment is required of both the anxiolytic and anxiogenic potentials of phytocannabinoids, with an aim towards the development of the ‘holy grail’ in cannabis research, a medicinally-active formulation which may...

Background: Although the preclinical literature suggests that cannabinoids produce antinociception and antihyperalgesic effects, efficacy in the human pain state remains unclear. Using a human experimental pain model, the authors hypothesized that inhaled cannabis would reduce the pain and hyperalgesia induced by intradermal capsaicin.   Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in 15 healthy volunteers, the authors evaluated concentration–response effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose smoked cannabis (respectively 2%, 4%, and 8% 9-
- tetrahydrocannabinol by weight) on pain and cutaneous hyperalgesia induced by intradermal capsaicin. Capsaicin was injected into opposite forearms 5 and 45 min after drug exposure, and pain, hyperalgesia, tetrahydrocannabinol plasma...

Abstract   Cannabis has been used for centuries to treat seizures. Recent anecdotal reports, accumulating animal model data, and mechanistic insights have raised interest in cannabis based anti-epileptic therapies. In this study, we review current understanding of the endocannabinoid system, characterize the pro- and anti-convulsive effects of cannabinoids [e.g., Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (CBD)], and highlight scientific evidence from pre-clinical and clinical trials of cannabinoids in epilepsy. These studies suggest that CBD avoids the psychoactive effects of the endocannabinoid system to provide a well-tolerated, promising therapeutic for the treatment of seizures, while whole-plant cannabis can both contribute to and reduce seizures. Finally, we discuss results...

Abstract   Objective—Pre-clinical studies have reported acute cardiovascular effects of cannabis including a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure while orthostatic hypotension may follow as a result of decreased vascular resistance. In case reports, evidence links cannabis with acute cardiovascular events in young and middle aged adults. Here, we offer epidemiologic estimates on cannabis useblood pressure levels association from the United States (US) National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2005–2012 (n=12426).   Methods—Computer-assisted self-interviews assessed cannabis use. Blood pressure was determined by an average of up to four measurements taken during a single examination. Regression modeling was used to examine cannabis use– blood pressure association....

Abstract   The phytochemical and proximate compositions, amino acid profile and characterization of Cannabis sativa leaves, stem and seeds were conducted to provide baseline information on its potent in feed materials for its subsequent utilization in supplementing fish nutrition in aquaculture. Phytochemical analysis of the leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, resins, terpins and steroids while the proximate composition had elevated levels of 6.87% moisture, 23% crude protein, 19.97% lipid and 11.8% Ash; 18.95% fibre and 39.70% NFE in the stem and 25.36% crude fiber content in seeds. C. sativa leaf contains 9 Essential Amino Acids (EAA), which have good concentration...

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to examine the association between cannabis use before and during pregnancy and birth outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 26.3% of women reported previous use of cannabis and 2.6% reported current use. Multivariate analysis, controlling for potential confounders, including tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and use of other illicit drugs, showed that cannabis use in pregnancy was associated with low birth weight (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–2.2), preterm labor (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–1.9), small for gestational age (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.8–2.7), and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7–2.4)....

Abstract Background: Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) responds only partially to standard antiemetic medications. Cannabis has been known to possess antiemetic effects and there are several medicinal cannabinoids used as anti -emetics for cancer chemotherapy. Its favorable use for HG has been described in social media, but not in the medical literature. Methods: We evaluated 4 women with HG counseled by the Motherisk Program, before and following the use of cannabis. Using the validated Pregnancy Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE) scoring system and employing the Student’s paired t test, we compared changes in symptoms following initiation of cannabis. Results: There was a highly significant improvement in...