We Love Sharing Cannabis Science!

This paper analyzes the available cannabis products on the market in comparison to what is known to be the optimal products for pain. The authors argue that cannabis high in THC does not necessarily have the highest medical value and in fact increases the changes of negative side effects. They suggest medical dispensaries and patients who use for medicinal purposes pursue using lower-THC (<5-10%) products. 

There are documented differences in the endocannabinoid system in animals. This paper looks at differences in cannabis consumption behavior patterns between men and women. Interestingly, men and women report both different positive and negative effects of cannabis. 

This paper is a good summary of contaminants that could be present in cannabis products. States with legal medical and/or recreational programs all have some form of standard for what they test for. It’s a good read if you are interested in understanding what is and isn’t tested for in your products. 

Headache disorders are common and debilitating. This paper does a great job summarizing the research that has already been done studying migraines. Many of the studies are old and have not been repeated, but generally it was found that low doses of cannabis would reduce the severity, frequency, and sometimes completely prevent or abort migraines.  

It seem so. In this review, out of 10 included studies, 8 reported decreases in opioid prescription use, 1 reported no change, and 1 reported increases in opioid use. Given the conflicting nature of some of the results, the authors have rated t.e answer as a “B” grade for cannabis legalization reducing opioid substance abuse  

This paper is a review of all current (as of 2018) imaging studies looking at how cannabis changes the human brain. There is a particularly useful image at the beginning showing the location of CB1 receptors and the downstream effects of THC.  

Almost all of the negative risks associated with cannabis use can be minimized by informed use practices and behaviors. This paper analyzes risk factors for negative side effects and suggests best practices for safer cannabis consumption.  

Care and Feeding of the Endocannabinoid System: A Systematic Review of Potential Clinical Interventions that Upregulate the Endocannabinoid System

What are some things you can do besides consuming cannabis to get the most therapeutic gain? This paper goes over how changes in lifestyle like diet, exercise, and other non-cannabis drugs can induce changes in the ECS

Endocannabinoids are molecule that our body makes to communicate important messages regulating inflammation, the immune system, metabolism, and overall brain chemistry. They interact with the same receptors that cannabis activates. This paper is a summary of what we know about endocannabinoids so far and can provide insight into the overall endocannabinoid system. Because this is the same system that interacts with cannabis, it’s possible to draw tentative parallels for therapeutic potential. 

A fantastic review of the ECS that covers the different players that can interact with cannabinoids (receptors and enzymes). It also looks at what we know so far about what happens when we interact with each, specifically in the brain. 

PTSD is a complex disorder that varies from individual patient to patient, but can have significant negative effects on a person’s ability to live a full life. This paper looks at how the endocannabinoid system is involved in fear circuitry and fear responses. Generally, it was found that cannabis has the potential to reduce the intensity of negative triggers and strengthened the brain’s ability to reduce the fear-associated memories. 

Did you know there are certain mutations (like genetic diseases, but less understood) in the CB1 receptor that are related to irritable bowel syndrome? Many people who struggle with gastrointestinal disorders benefit from the use of cannabis. This paper briefly covers the different pieces of gastrointestinal disease that we’ve linked to the ECS. 

The Endogenous Cannabinoid System: A Budding Source of Targets for Treating Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain

There are two main types of pain: pain caused by inflammation or injury and pain caused by the brain (neuropathic). Cannabis can help both types through the ECS. This paper dives into what we know so far about how the ECS contributes to both types of pain pathways.

Serotonin is often given all the credit as the “happy” molecule in the brain, but the serotonin system works very closely with the ECS. Changes in the ECS cause changes in the serotonin system. This paper is an older review (2012), but gives a great big-picture outlook on how the endocannabinoids can change serotonin signaling.