Age-Related Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids on Brain and Behavior.

The effect of cannabis use on health is likely to depend on individual differences. In particular, there is a growing need to understand the impact of cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on brain and behavioral health across the lifespan. We conducted a narrative review summarizing the effects of cannabis and THC across three stages of life: , adolescence, and late adulthood.

Elucidating interplay between myrcene and cannabinoid receptor 1 receptors to produce antinociception in mouse models of neuropathic pain.

The need for nonaddictive and effective treatments for chronic pain are at an all-time high. Historical precedence, and now clinical evidence, supports the use of cannabis for alleviating chronic pain. A plethora of research on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol exists, yet cannabis is comprised of a multitude of constituents, some of which possess analgesic potential, that have not been systematically investigated, including the terpene myrcene.

Ventricular Repolarization in Healthy Young Adults Who Use Combusted Cannabis: A Cross-Sectional Parallel Group Comparison Study.

Background: Inhaled combusted cannabis and co-use of combusted cannabis and nicotine electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) are emerging trends among young adults, yet the potential cardiovascular disease risks associated with these substances remain unclear. This study examined whether cannabis use increases cardiovascular disease risk, specifically, arrhythmia risk, as estimated by ventricular repolarization, and whether ECIG co-use further amplifies this risk.

Methods: A cross-sectional parallel group comparison study was conducted with 3 groups: healthy adults (21-30 years) who (1) chronically use combusted cannabis but no tobacco, (2) chronically co-use both nicotine ECIGs and combusted cannabis, and (3) are nonusers (controls).

Mobile EEG examination of putative biomarkers of mental health in individuals that use cannabis.

Healthy individuals that use cannabis are at greater risk of developing mental health conditions than those that do not use cannabis. Here, using mobile electroencephalography (EEG) in controlled laboratory settings, we examined two putative biomarkers of mental health across two studies of people who use cannabis ( = 100, 50% male;  = 40, 60% male). We examined associations to cannabis use and mood and assessed the influence of sex and age on the outcomes.

Subjective drug-effect ratings predict cannabis self-administration in people who use cannabis daily.

As interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis-derived products grows, accurate predictors of abuse potential will be vital for informing regulatory decisions. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration recommends using subjective effect ratings of Drug Liking as the primary measure in human abuse potential studies. However, dissociations between subjective ratings and drug-taking behavior have been previously reported.

Altered Neurobehavioral Reward Response Predicts Psychotic-Like Experiences in Youth Exposed to Cannabis Prenatally.

Background: Rates of prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) are rising with increasingly permissive legislation, which may be a risk factor for psychosis. Disrupted reward-related neural circuitry may underlie this relationship. We aim to elucidate neural mechanisms involved in the association between PCE and youth-onset psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) by probing correlates of reward anticipation, a neurobehavioral marker of endocannabinoid-mediated dopaminergic function.

High-Potency Cannabis Use and Health: A Systematic Review of Observational and Experimental Studies.

Objective: Amid continuously rising concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis (i.e., potency), high-potency cannabis is a major topic in contemporary cannabis policy discussions, yet its impact on health is not well understood.

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Is Associated With High Disease Burden: An Internet-Based Survey.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome is an underrecognized condition associated with recurrent vomiting and abdominal pain in individuals with prolonged cannabis use. This study used an internet-based survey targeting individuals with self-reported cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome to assess the burden of disease and to examine associations between heavy cannabis use, early initiation of cannabis use, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome episode frequency. A total of 1,052 participants were included, with the majority reporting frequent cannabis use and significant health care utilization, including emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Value signals guiding choices for cannabis versus non-drug rewards in people who use cannabis near-daily.

Rationale: Despite the critical role of choice processes in substance use disorders, the neurobehavioral mechanisms guiding human decisions about drugs remain poorly understood.

Objectives: We aimed to characterize the neural encoding of subjective value (SV) for cannabis versus non-drug rewards (snacks) in people who use cannabis on a near-daily/daily frequency (PWUCF) and assessed the impact of cannabis and snack stimuli ('cues') on SV encoding.

Methods: Twenty-one non-treatment-seeking PWUCF (≥4 days/week; 1 female) participated in an inpatient, crossover experiment with four counterbalanced conditions: 1.

Changes in Cannabis Use Patterns in Psychiatric Populations Pre- and Post-Legalization of Recreational Cannabis Use in Canada: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey.

Objective: Since the federal Canadian government legalized cannabis in 2018, cannabis use in the general population has slightly increased. However, little is known about the impact of cannabis legalization on pattens of cannabis use in psychiatric populations.

Method: We studied changes in daily/almost daily and average 30-day cannabis use amongst individuals currently using cannabis who reported past 12-month experiences of specific mental health disorders and among those without past 12-month experiences of any mental health disorder before and after Canadian legalization of recreational cannabis use ( = 13,527).

Alcohol and cannabis co-use: Probing subjective response in eliciting cross-substance craving.

The co-use of alcohol and cannabis is rising in prevalence, yet the mechanisms driving individuals to co-use are not well understood. Subjective response to alcohol or cannabis may predict the desire to use either substance. However, which specific facets of subjective response predict cross-substance craving remains unclear.

Blunt Talk on "Blunts": The Increasingly Popular Tobacco Product That Is Potentially Exacerbating Tobacco-Related Health Disparities.

A "blunt" is a hollowed-out cigar/cigarillo from which much of the loose tobacco has been removed, and the remaining tobacco wrapper filled with cannabis. Although blunts contain significant levels of tobacco/nicotine, they are often treated as if they were exclusive cannabis products and omitted from surveys of tobacco products. Whereas the prevalence of virtually all other tobacco products is on the decline in the USA, available data suggest that the prevalence of blunt smoking is not - and in fact, it may be increasing.

Altered neurobehavioral reward response predicts psychotic-like experiences in youth exposed to cannabis prenatally.

Importance: Rates of prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) are rising with increasingly permissive legislation regarding cannabis use, which may be a risk factor for psychosis. Disrupted reward-related neural circuitry may underlie this relationship.

Objective: To elucidate neural mechanisms involved in the association between PCE and youth-onset psychotic-like experiences by probing correlates of reward anticipation, a neurobehavioral marker of endocannabinoid-mediated dopaminergic function.

Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a phytocannabinoid increasing in popularity, with preclinical research indicating it has anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. However, there are no published clinical trials to corroborate these findings in humans. The primary objective of this study was to examine acute effects of CBG on anxiety, stress, and mood.

California Cannabis Research Briefing, April 2023: Meeting Summary.

On April 28, 2023, the University of California Office of the President, in partnership with the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), hosted the California Cannabis Research Briefing. The California Cannabis Research Briefing brought together researchers and state agencies/policymakers to discuss pertinent policy issues on cannabis within the state. Researchers across six different topic areas (environment, cannabis markets, social equity matters, public health, medicinal cannabis use, and public safety) provided brief explanations of their research and its policy implications.

Associations of U.S. state-level COVID-19 policies intensity with cannabis sharing behaviors in 2020.

Background: Cannabis use before the COVID-19 pandemic for many involved sharing prepared cannabis for inhalation, practices that were less prevalent during the pandemic. State-level COVID-19 containment policies may have influenced this decrease. This study examined the extent to which the intensity of state-level COVID-19 policies were associated with individual-level cannabis sharing.

Psilocybin-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Rationale and Treatment Development.

Background: Recent studies suggest that one to two administrations of psilocybin have acute antidepressant effects for people with major depressive disorder. These data on psilocybin have generated considerable enthusiasm, but little empirical attention has been paid to the therapy that adjoins psilocybin treatment (psychedelic-assisted therapy, or PAT).

Materials And Methods: In this study, we present the initial protocol and plans to empirically test the psychosocial therapy that adjoins psilocybin treatment with the goal of optimizing this therapeutic approach for adults with major depressive disorder.

Assessing evidence supporting cannabis harm reduction practices for adolescents at clinical high-risk for psychosis: a review and clinical implementation tool.

Cannabis use is consistently associated with both increased incidence of frank psychotic disorders and acute exacerbations of psychotic symptoms in healthy individuals and people with psychosis spectrum disorders. Although there is uncertainty around causality, cannabis use may be one of a few modifiable risk factors for conversion to psychotic disorders in individuals with Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) syndromes, characterized by functionally impairing and distressing subthreshold psychotic symptoms. To date, few recommendations beyond abstinence to reduce adverse psychiatric events associated with cannabis use have been made.

Marijuana and Cannabidiol Use Prevalence and Symptom Management Among Patients with Cancer.

Unlabelled: Symptoms such as pain, nausea, and anxiety are common in individuals with cancer. Treatment of these issues is often challenging. Cannabis products may be helpful in reducing the severity of these symptoms.

Associations of U.S. state-level COVID-19 policies intensity with cannabis sharing behaviors in 2020.

Background: Cannabis use before the COVID-19 pandemic for many involved sharing prepared cannabis for inhalation, practices that were less prevalent during the pandemic. State-level COVID-19 containment policies may have influenced this decrease. This study examined the extent to which the intensity of state-level COVID-19 policies were associated with individual-level cannabis sharing.

Kratom Alkaloids, Cannabinoids, and Chronic Pain: Basis of Potential Utility and Role in Therapy.

Chronic neuropathic pain is as a severe detriment to overall quality of life for millions of Americans. Current pharmacological treatment options for chronic neuropathic pain are generally limited in efficacy and may pose serious adverse effects such as risk of abuse, nausea, dizziness, and cardiovascular events. Therefore, many individuals have resorted to methods of pharmacological self-treatment.

Sex differences in the subjective and reinforcing effects of smoked cannabis.

Preclinical studies have shown sex-based differences in the reinforcing effects of cannabinoid 1 receptor agonists such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This study sought to test whether these sex differences translate to humans by assessing the subjective and reinforcing effects of smoked cannabis in male and female volunteers. We pooled data (n = 68; 55M, 13F) from two within-subject randomized controlled trials of healthy, ≥weekly cannabis users comparing the subjective and reinforcing effects of smoked active (~25 mg THC) versus placebo cannabis (0-mg THC).

Signaling-specific inhibition of the CB receptor for cannabis use disorder: phase 1 and phase 2a randomized trials.

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is widespread, and there is no pharmacotherapy to facilitate its treatment. AEF0117, the first of a new pharmacological class, is a signaling-specific inhibitor of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB-SSi). AEF0117 selectively inhibits a subset of intracellular effects resulting from Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binding without modifying behavior per se.