Cannabis Use Characteristics and Reasons for Product Choices Among Patients Accessing Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Objective: The diversity and potency of cannabis products have increased in recent years, underscoring the importance of understanding which products are being used and why. Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) use have a high prevalence of risky cannabis use, making it especially important to understand use patterns in this group. We aimed to first describe cannabis product characteristics and then explore reasons for choosing products in our sample.

Sex differences in the acute effects of cannabis on human cognition: A systematic review.

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.

Associations Between Cannabis Use and Mental Health in Patients Accessing Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study.

: Cannabis use is common among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), yet its relationship with mental health characteristics in treatment-seeking populations remains unclear. : This study examined associations between cannabis use and mental health in patients seeking SUD treatment, to understand whether cannabis use relates to clinical characteristics relevant to SUD care. : A cross-sectional online survey was completed by 544 patients in Ontario, Canada seeking treatment for any SUD (including cannabis use disorder).

Feasibility and Tolerability of Nabilone for the Treatment of Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

In epidemiological studies, people who use cannabis have a lower prevalence of obesity. Furthermore, the endocannabinoid system is recognized as a potential target for obesity treatment and partial agonism of the cannabinoid type-1 (CB) receptor may reduce body weight. We thus hypothesized that 12 weeks of pharmacotherapy with the partial CB receptor agonist nabilone would reduce body weight, relative to placebo, in adults with obesity.

Changes in the Sex/Gender Gap in Cannabis Use in Ontario, Canada From 2001 to 2019.

Introduction: Although cannabis use has been historically higher in men than women, some research suggests a narrowing of the sex/gender gap in recent decades. We characterised trends in cannabis use patterns by sex/gender and examined trends in the sex/gender ratios of cannabis use patterns in Ontario, Canada.

Methods: Data were drawn from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor Survey, a repeated, population-based, cross-sectional telephone survey of adults in Ontario, Canada (2001-2019).

Exploring perceived gender norms about cannabis among treatment-seeking adults in the era of cannabis legalization in Canada: A qualitative analysis.

Introduction: Prevalence of cannabis use has historically been higher among men than among women, yet the past few decades have seen a significant narrowing of this gender gap. The narrowing gender gap is likely attributable to multiple factors, including global and regional shifts in gender norms related to cannabis, which may be influenced by legalization of recreational cannabis use in many countries, including in Canada where the present study took place. The goal of this study was to explore perceived gender norms about cannabis use and how these norms might influence behavior.

Acute Cannabis Administration Transiently Reduces Mitochondrial DNA in Young Adults: Findings from a Secondary Analysis of a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Cannabis is one of the world's most commonly used substances; however, many questions remain unanswered as to how cannabis impacts the body. Recently, there has been a resurgence of research into the effects of plant-derived cannabinoids on mitochondrial health. In particular, a number of studies implicate mitochondrial-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) interactions with altered memory, metabolism, and catalepsy in mice.

Participant Fraud in Virtual Qualitative Substance Use Research: Recommendations and Considerations for Detection and Prevention Based on a Case Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated and amplified the use of virtual research methods. While online research has several advantages, it also provides greater opportunity for individuals to misrepresent their identities to fraudulently participate in research for financial gain. Participant deception and fraud have become a growing concern for virtual research.

Impacts of recreational cannabis legalization on use and harms: A narrative review of sex/gender differences.

Legalization of cannabis use for non-medical (recreational) purposes is changing the global cannabis landscape. As attitudes toward cannabis use become more positive and prevalence of use increases in complex ways, concerns emerge about the potential for increased cannabis-attributable harms. Understanding the who, why, and when of this likely increase in cannabis-attributable harms is thus an important public health priority.

Sex Differences in the Neuropsychiatric Effects and Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol: A Scoping Review.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid compound with diverse molecular targets and potential therapeutic effects, including effects relevant to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In this scoping review, we sought to determine the extent to which sex and gender have been considered as potential moderators of the neuropsychiatric effects and pharmacokinetics of CBD. In this case, 300 articles were screened, retrieved from searches in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, PsycInfo and CINAHL, though only 12 met our eligibility criteria: eight studies in preclinical models and four studies in humans.

The impact of cannabis legalization for recreational purposes on youth: A narrative review of the Canadian experience.

Cannabis legalization for non-medical purposes (subsequently referred to as "cannabis legalization" or "legalization") took place in Canada in October 2018. One of the federal government's stated goals with cannabis legalization was to protect Canadian youth from cannabis-related harms. The main objective of this narrative review is to describe the impact of cannabis legalization on Canadian youth.

Association between rs2235048 Polymorphism and THC Pharmacokinetics and Subjective Effects following Smoked Cannabis in Young Adults.

Genetic influences on acute responses to psychoactive drugs may contribute to individual variability in addiction risk. is a human gene that encodes P-glycoprotein, an ATP-dependent efflux pump that may influence the pharmacokinetics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. Using data from 48 young adults (aged 19-25 years) reporting 1-4 days of cannabis use per week who completed a placebo-controlled human laboratory experiment, we tested the hypothesis that the rs2235048 polymorphism of would influence acute responses to smoked cannabis.

Separate and combined effects of alcohol and cannabis on mood, subjective experience, cognition and psychomotor performance: A randomized trial.

Co-use of alcohol and cannabis is associated with increased frequency and intensity of use and related problems. This study examined acute effects of alcohol and cannabis on mood, subjective experience, cognition, and psychomotor performance. Twenty-eight healthy cannabis users aged 19-29 years with recent history of binge drinking completed this within-subjects, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Opioid-sparing effect of cannabinoids for analgesia: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical and clinical studies.

Cannabinoid co-administration may enable reduced opioid doses for analgesia. This updated systematic review on the opioid-sparing effects of cannabinoids considered preclinical and clinical studies where the outcome was analgesia or opioid dose requirements. We searched Scopus, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, Medline, and Embase (2016 onwards).

Mu opioid receptor gene variant modulates subjective response to smoked cannabis.

The mu-opioid receptor (MOR) mediates the rewarding properties of many psychoactive drugs and is an important target in the treatment of addictions. Functional interactions between the opioid and endocannabinoid systems are established and have been hypothesized to contribute to the effects of cannabis. We investigated associations between three single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MOR gene (rs1799971, rs2281617, and rs510769) and subjective responses to smoked cannabis.

Potential of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL), and Diacylglycerol Lipase (DAGL) Enzymes as Targets for Obesity Treatment: A Narrative Review.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an integral role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and may affect hunger, caloric intake, and nutrient absorption. Obesity has been associated with higher levels of the endogenous cannabinoid transmitters (endocannabinoids). Therefore, the ECS is an important target in obesity treatment.

Influence of Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Genetic Variants on the Subjective Effects of Smoked Cannabis.

As many jurisdictions consider relaxing cannabis legislation and usage is increasing in North America and other parts of the world, there is a need to explore the possible genetic differences underlying the subjective effects of cannabis. This pilot study investigated specific genetic variations within the cannabinoid receptor 1 () gene for association with the subjective effects of smoked cannabis. Data were obtained from a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial studying the impact of cannabis intoxication on driving performance.

Influence of personality on acute smoked cannabis effects on simulated driving.

A recent study of the impact of smoked cannabis on simulated driver behavior demonstrated a reduction in mean speed after smoked cannabis. Previous research identified an association between personality and individual differences and acute drug effects. The present study examined the impact of personality on the reduction in mean speed after smoking cannabis under single- and dual-task driving conditions originally reported by Brands et al.

Sex differences in the acute pharmacological and subjective effects of smoked cannabis combined with alcohol in young adults.

The prevalence of co-use of alcohol and cannabis is increasing, particularly among young adults. Sex differences in the effects of alcohol alone and cannabis alone have been observed in animals and humans. However, sex differences in the acute pharmacological effects of cannabis combined with alcohol have not yet been studied.

Cannabis Legalization and Acute Harm From High Potency Cannabis Products: A Narrative Review and Recommendations for Public Health.

Legalization and commercial sale of non-medical cannabis has led to increasing diversity and potency of cannabis products. Some of the American states that were the first to legalize have seen rises in acute harms associated with cannabis use, e.g.

Therapeutic Potential of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) Agonists in Substance Use Disorders: A Synthesis of Preclinical and Human Evidence.

Targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) has received increasing interest as a potential strategy to treat substance use disorders due to the localization of PPARs in addiction-related brain regions and the ability of PPAR ligands to modulate dopamine neurotransmission. Robust evidence from animal models suggests that agonists at both the PPAR-α and PPAR-γ isoforms can reduce both positive and negative reinforcing properties of ethanol, nicotine, opioids, and possibly psychostimulants. A reduction in the voluntary consumption of ethanol following treatment with PPAR agonists seems to be the most consistent finding.

Acute and residual mood and cognitive performance of young adults following smoked cannabis.

Objectives: To examine acute and residual mood and cognitive performance in young adult regular cannabis users following smoked cannabis.

Methods: Ninety-one healthy young adults completed this double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups study. Participants were randomized to receive active (12.