Abstract Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects millions of women in the United States. Chronic pain can be debilitating and complex to manage. Despite common approaches like hormonal treatments and surgery, many women continue to endure pain. Managing the chronic and multifaceted nature of endometriotic pain necessitates a comprehensive strategy. Methods: This study explores the potential of cannabis in alleviating endometriosis-related pain through an extensive literature search. Cohort studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional surveys, and systematic reviews from January 1996 to August 2022 were eligible for inclusion. Articles were then assessed and included for further analysis if they met the following criteria: (1) Population was...

Abstract Introduction:  The use of medicinal cannabis for managing pain expands, although its efficacy and safety have not been fully established through randomized controlled trials. Objectives:  This structured, prospective questionnaire-based cohort was aimed to assess long-term effectiveness and safety of cannabis oil extracts in patients with chronic pain. Methods:  Adult Israeli patients licensed to use cannabis oil extracts for chronic pain were followed prospectively for 6 months. The primary outcome measure was change from baseline in average weekly pain intensity, and secondary outcomes were changes in related symptoms and quality of life, recorded before treatment initiation and 1, 3, and 6 months thereafter. Generalized...

Abstract The prevalence of obesity and obesity-related pathologies is lower in frequent cannabis users compared to non-users. It is well established that the endocannabinoid system has an important role in the development of obesity. We recently demonstrated that prolonged oral consumption of purified Δ-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but not of cannabidiol (CBD), ameliorates diet-induced obesity and improves obesity-related metabolic complications in a high-fat diet mouse model. However, the effect of commercially available medical cannabis oils that contain numerous additional active molecules has not been examined. We tested herein the effects of THC- and CBD-enriched medical cannabis oils on obesity parameters and the gut microbiota composition...

Abstract The phytocomplex of Cannabis is made up of approximately 500 substances: terpeno-phenols metabolites, including Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, exhibit pharmacological activity. Medical Cannabis has several pharmacological potential applications, in particular in the management of chronic and neuropathic pain. In the literature, a few data are available concerning cannabis pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety. Thus, aim of the present study was the evaluation of cannabinoid pharmacokinetics in a cohort of patients, with chronic and neuropathic pain, treated with inhaled medical cannabis and decoction, as a galenic preparation. In this study, 67 patients were enrolled. Dried flower tops with different THC and CBD concentrations were used: Bedrocan® medical cannabis with THC level standardized at 19% and with a CBD level below 1%,...

Abstract Background: One in five individuals live with chronic pain globally, which often co-occurs with sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. Although these conditions are commonly managed with cannabinoid-based medicines (CBM), health care providers report lack of information on the risks, benefits, and appropriate use of CBM for therapeutic purposes. Aims: We present these clinical practice guidelines to help clinicians and patients navigate appropriate CBM use in the management of chronic pain and co-occurring conditions. Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies investigating the use of CBM for the treatment of chronic pain. Articles were dually reviewed in accordance with Preferred Reporting...

Abstract Background Medical cannabis (MC) is prescribed to improve appetite and nutritional status in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) despite no supporting evidence. We aimed to describe the effect of MC on appetite and dietary intake among patients with IBD. Methods An observational prospective cohort study, among patients with IBD, initiating treatment with MC for disease related symptoms, at the IBD clinic of a tertiary referral medical center. Patients' demographics, anthropometric measurements, medical history, cannabis use history, and medical treatment were documented and an appetite questionnaire (SNAQ), and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were filled before MC initiation and throughout 6 months of treatment....

Abstract Cannabis–drug interactions have caused significant concerns, mainly due to their role in the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme-mediated metabolic pathway of numerous medications. A systematic review was conducted to gain an overview of the potential interactions of cannabis with different drug classes by extracting pertinent information from published study data. From the inception of the study to October 1, 2023, we performed a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov, and Web of Science. We included 54 out of 464 articles, and a total of 20 drug classes were identified to have interactions with medicinal cannabis. The cannabis–drug interactions were assessed and classified according to their...

Abstract Objective:Methamphetamine and cannabis are two widely used, and frequently co-used, substances with possibly opposing effects on the central nervous system. Evidence of neurocognitive deficits related to use is robust for methamphetamine and mixed for cannabis. Findings regarding their combined use are inconclusive. We aimed to compare neurocognitive performance in people with lifetime cannabis or methamphetamine use disorder diagnoses, or both, relative to people without substance use disorders. Method:423 (71.9% male, aged 44.6 ± 14.2 years) participants, stratified by presence or absence of lifetime methamphetamine (M−/M+) and/or cannabis (C−/C+) DSM-IV abuse/dependence, completed a comprehensive neuropsychological, substance use, and psychiatric assessment. Neurocognitive domain T-scores and...

Abstract Cancer comes in second place on the list of causes of death worldwide. In 2018, the 5-year prevalence of breast cancer (BC), prostate cancer (PC), and colorectal cancer (CRC) were 30%, 12.3%, and 10.9%, respectively. Cannabinoids are chemicals derived from the Cannabis sativa plant; the most investigated cannabinoids are cannabinol, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and cannabidiol. In humans, the endogenous endocannabinoid system consists of endocannabinoids, cannabinoids receptors (CBs), and enzymes that degrade the endocannabinoids. In this review, we will review the most recent literature for evidence that discusses the role of cannabis in the treatment of the three types of neoplasms mentioned. Studies have proved that...

Abstract Background: Cannabis consumption for recreational and medical use is increasing worldwide. However, the long-term effects on kidney health and disease are largely unknown. Materials and Methods: Post hoc analysis of cannabis use as a risk factor for kidney disease was performed using data from the Assessment, Serial Evaluation, and Subsequent Sequelae of Acute Kidney Injury (ASSESS-AKI) study that enrolled hospitalized adults with and without acute kidney injury from four U.S. centers during 2009–2015. Associations between self-reported cannabis consumption and the categorical and continuous outcomes were determined using multivariable Cox regression and linear mixed models, respectively. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 4.5±1.8 years, 94 participants without chronic...