Anxiety
Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau in Beyond Menopause, 2023
CBD has been gaining in popularity for many conditions, and early research is promising regarding its ability to help relieve anxiety. CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants. Hemp has been cultivated for many years and used to make clothing and various fiber products. However, because hemp and marijuana both come from cannabis plants, there is much confusion about the difference between the two compounds. So, what are the facts? The cannabis plant has several varieties, which contain different compounds called cannabinoids. CBD is a cannabinoid, as is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).THC is a psychoactive compound—it is the stuff that gets you high.CBD products derived from hemp are a particular variety of the cannabis plant. They contain less than 0.3% THC and do not have any psychoactive effects. They are legal federally, but still illegal under some state laws.Marijuana is derived from varieties of the cannabis plant that contain much higher and varying amounts of THC. Marijuana is illegal federally, but legal under some state laws.
Role of Natural Agents in the Management of Diabetes
Rohit Dutt, Anil K. Sharma, Raj K. Keservani, Vandana Garg in Promising Drug Molecules of Natural Origin, 2020
C. sativa alkaloids (endocannabinoids) are well-known exogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R) belonging to the group of membrane receptors coupled to protein G (Simonienko et al., 2018). Cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands (endocannabinoids) represent the endocannabinoid system, which plays an indispensable role in regulating energy balance, appetite, insulin sensitivity, the function of pancreatic β-cells, and lipid metabolism (Kim et al., 2012; Liu et al., 2012; Pacher et al., 2006; Pagotto et al., 2006). Endogenous ligands (e.g., CB1Rs) occurring in peripheral tissues are involved in energy homeostasis, e.g., in adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and skeletal muscle. Activation of CB1R attenuates insulin function and secretion from the pancreas, reduces insulin responsiveness in skeletal muscles, and promotes lipogenesis in the liver and adipose tissue. Peripheral and central CB1Rs are activated via Δ9-THC (Kim et al., 2012; Liu et al., 2012; Osei-Hyiaman et al., 2005; Pacher et al., 2006; Pagotto et al., 2006). Hence, the antagonism of CB1R reduces body weight, improves dyslipidemia, and attenuates insulin resistance in humans (Després et al., 2005; Triay et al., 2012).
Herbs with Antidepressant Effects
Scott Mendelson in Herbal Treatment of Major Depression, 2019
Cannabis contains a variety of unique, structurally related phytochemicals collectively known as cannabinoids. The best known of these substances is Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, as it is the substance most responsible for the characteristic “high” obtained from smoking the herb. Another increasingly well-recognized cannabinoid is cannabidiol, or CBD, as it is being found to convey many of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, but without producing the typical “high.” However, there are scores of other cannabinoids of varying importance and concentration in cannabis. Among those are tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, Δ8‐tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabigerol, cannabichromene, cannabinol, cannabicitran, cannabidiolic acid, cannabielsoin, cannflavin, and others.4 The plant also contains a wide variety of flavonoids and terpenes that may contribute medicinal effects. These include some phytochemicals that are found in other medicinal plants, such as borneol, camphor, β-caryophyllene, geraniol, humulene, linalool, myrcene, pinene, terpineol, and others. It is likely these substances combine to produce the familiar aroma of cannabis.5
E-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI): a review of international case reports from outside the United States of America
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2023
Lachlan J. Sund, Paul I. Dargan, John R. H. Archer, David M. Wood
Prevalence studies on “current” adult vaping, usually defined as at least weekly use, have demonstrated comparable rates of e-cigarette use between the US and other international countries. In the 2019 US National Health Interview Survey, the current vaping prevalence was reported as 4·5%, compared to a rate of 5·2–7·2% reported in the United Kingdom (UK) [7,8]. Despite a similar prevalence of use, only three EVALI case reports have been published within the UK [8–11]. Peer-reviewed studies have been conducted in at least 34 other countries, where local prevalence has ranged between 0·2% and 4% [8]. Public Health England previously attributed the lower incidence of EVALI cases to a more regulated vaping products market [8,12]. In particular, recreational use of cannabinoid-based products containing THC remains illegal in the UK. However, Blundell et al. [13], in their UK survey of 2,501 adults aged 16 and over on vaping practices, reported that 6·2% of respondents had previously vaped cannabis. This is comparable to a rate of 9·9% in a similar US survey of 1548 adults aged 18 and over [14].
Cannabinoids and drug metabolizing enzymes: potential for drug-drug interactions and implications for drug safety and efficacy
Published in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2022
Keti Bardhi, Shelby Coates, Christy J.W. Watson, Philip Lazarus
In the plant, the precursors Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are decarboxylated via light and high temperature to produce THC and CBD [46,48]. In addition to the major cannabinoids, cannabis contains other minor phytocannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and cannabidivarin (CBDV), as well as other minor constituents [46,49]. Another important cannabinoid is Δ8-THC, which is similar to Δ9-THC but has greater stability and fewer intoxicating effects [50], and whose recreational usage has grown in recent years [51]. Δ8-THC is present in minimal amounts in the cannabis plant, but it can be synthesized from CBD extracted from hemp using a strong acid and heat [51]. All phytocannabinoids undergo hepatic and extra-hepatic metabolism upon human consumption, and some of their metabolites retain significant affinity towards cannabinoid receptors.
Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials of cannabinoid products in chronic pain conditions and for symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis: what do they tell us?
Published in Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2022
Carlos Vila Silván, Claude Vaney, Igor Dykukha
Identification of the endocannabinoid system in the late 1980s, a better understanding of the chemical composition of cannabis, introduction of pharmaceutical-grade products, and progressive legalization and acceptance of cannabis for medical use in many world regions are factors that led to a surge of scientific interest in the potential uses of cannabinoids in modern medicine. Many of the studied applications of cannabinoids are in therapeutic areas such as neurology and chronic pain where conventional treatments are unsatisfactory and new options are highly welcomed. However, the vast array of cannabinoid products, and lack of in-depth knowledge about their respective pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, can be confusing for clinicians, possibly denying suitable patients the opportunity to experience better symptomatic relief and quality of life.