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On this month’s episode, we are joined by Nathan Johnson, PhD, the Co-Founder and CEO of VERNE Bioanalytics

Ep 15: Hot Topics in Cannabis Cultivation—Hop Latent Viroid, Genetics, and More

 Breaking the Reins: How One Mustang Found a Second Chance with CBD

Don't miss our November/December issue focused on veterans and medical cannabis advocacy

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Cannabis Patient Care October

Two studies published in April 2023 examined cannabis consumption as a factor in increased psychosis. The first study, published in the journal 

, examined the link between cannabis use and psychotic disorders in people with a high risk of psychosis, noting the limited future studies on cannabis as a risk factor for developing psychosis (1). It also sought to study cannabis use and psychotic symptoms.

Using the using a version of the Cannabis Experience Questionnaire, this study assessed at baseline 334 individuals with a high risk of psychosis along with 67 healthy individuals. These participants were followed and their symptoms assessed for two years. The follow up found that 16.2% of the individuals who were at a high risk of developing psychosis did so, and of the individuals who did not become psychotic, about half had persistent symptoms and half were in remission (1).

“There was no significant association between any measure of cannabis use at baseline and either transition to psychosis, the persistence of symptoms, or functional outcome,” the researchers concluded (1). “These findings contrast with epidemiological data that suggest that cannabis use increases the risk of psychotic disorder.”


The second study, published in the journal 

, aimed to test the hypothesis that high potency cannabis use would result in higher levels of anxiety, depression, psychosis-like symptoms, and cannabis dependence (2). For this cross-sectional study, the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of cannabis from 410 participants was analyzed, and the potency preference of the participants was recorded.

While a preference for high potency cannabis was associated with a slightly increased risk of cannabis dependence, no association was found between THC concentration and cannabis dependence (2).

“There was weak evidence of a small association between cannabis potency and depression and anxiety,” the results stated (2). “There was no association between high potency cannabis preference or THC concentration in cannabis and psychosis-like symptoms.”

“Users of cannabis who preferred high potency types might be at increased risk of problematic cannabis use,” the researchers concluded (2). “This should be considered with caution as we were not able to triangulate these results with an objective measure of cannabis potency. More research is needed to understand the association between high potency cannabis use and depression and anxiety.”

Chester, L. A.; Valmaggia, L. R.; Kempton, M. J.; Chesney, E.; Oliver, D.; Hedges, E. P.; Klatsa, E.; Stahl, D.; van der Gaag, M.; de Haan, L.; Nelson, B.; McGorry, P.; Amminger, G. P.; Riecher‐Rössler, A.; Studerus, E.; Bressan, R.; Barrantes‐Vidal, N.; Krebs, M. O.; Glenthøj, B.; Nordentoft, M.; Ruhrmann, S.; Sachs, G.; McGuire, P.; McGuire, P.; EU-GEI High Risk Study Group. Influence of Cannabis Use on Incidence of Psychosis in People at Clinical High Risk. 

Petrilli, K.; Hines, L.; Adams, S.; Morgan, C. J.; Curran, H. V.; Freeman, T. P. High Potency Cannabis Use, Mental Health Symptoms and Cannabis Dependence: Triangulating the Evidence. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107740

Articles

Two recent studies examined the link between cannabis use and increased psychosis among other mental health disorders, and some results reportedly contrasted with currently held notions.

Two Studies Test the Link Between Cannabis Use and Symptoms of Psychosis

On April 24, 2023 the Hawaii Senate adopted a measure – already passed earlier this month by the House – urging Governor Josh Green to initiate a clemency program for people who have been prosecuted for cannabis-related offenses (1,2).

The measure opened with declarations on how the criminalization of cannabis possession has negatively affected certain populations, mass incarcerations, and has deprived people of higher education, housing, employment and the right to vote (1).

The measure noted President Biden’s 2022 pardon of cannabis convictions and his encouragement of governors to the same, and also listed the US states that have already implemented expungement or clemency of arrest records in some form (1).

The measure stated that two advocacy groups, The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) and Hawaii Innocence Project, are prepared to assist Green in facilitating a clemency program (1).

Last month a bill to legalize cannabis in the state of Hawaii passed the Senate, but stalled in the House (2).

“However, Governor Green still has the ability to create a pathway to relief for individuals whose continued incarceration is no longer in the interests of justice,” LPP Senior Policy Associate Frank Stiefel said (2). “The establishment of a dedicated cannabis clemency program would be a crucial first step in addressing the harm caused by decades of failed drug policies. We hope that this resolution will spark some action by Governor Green and we look forward to supporting his office as they roll out a cannabis clemency program.”

Interested in firsthand accounts of medical cannabis in Hawaii? Read about veterans and cannabis farming 

how the Sugano family treats Dravet syndrome

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=51&year=2023

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/hawaii-lawmakers-approve-resolution-asking-governor-to-create-marijuana-clemency-program/

The legislature of Hawaii this week approved a non-binding resolution encouraging the governor to create a clemency program for prior cannabis convictions.

Hawaii Governor Urged to Create Cannabis Clemency Program

Madeline Colli is the Associate Editor for Cannabis Patient Care and Cannabis Science and Technology magazines at MJH Life Sciences.

In the United Kingdom (UK), British investigators evaluated the safety and efficacy of plant-derived cannabis products (such as, flower, oil, or a combination of both) in over 700 chronic pain patients enrolled in the UK Medical Cannabis Registry (1). Participants were required to possess a doctor’s authorization to access cannabis products. In this study, authors measured the efficacy of cannabis at one, three, and six months. The observational data was then published in the journal, 

Investigators mentioned (2), “Treatment with oil-based [products], dried flowers, or a combination of both CBMPs [cannabis-based medicinal products] are associated with statistically significant improvements in pain relief and sleep quality after six months in chronic pain patients. Additionally, patients prescribed oils or both types of CBMPs experienced reduced anxiety and an improvement in their ability to perform daily activities. Patients prescribed a combination of both CBMPs recorded improvements in their self-care and mobility abilities. Collectively, this evidence signals that [the] initiation of CBMP treatment is associated with improved HRQoL [health-related quality of life].”

Also noticed in the study, researchers noticed that patients reduced their daily intake of prescription opioids, which has been acknowledged in past studies (3).

“In summary, these results suggest that both [cannabis] oils and dried flowers are associated with long-term improved HRQoL in chronic pain patients,” the researchers concluded.

Previous studies have shown cannabis to be safe and effective for patients suffering from other ailments such as, depression (4), anxiety (5), migraines (6), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (7), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (8), and many more.

To read the full text of the study, click 

https://norml.org/news/2023/04/13/study-cannabis-products-associated-with-improved-quality-of-life-reduced-opioid-use-among-chronic-pain-patients/

https://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/relationship-between-marijuana-and-opioids/

https://norml.org/news/2023/01/05/study-cannabis-use-associated-with-improvements-in-depressive-symptoms/

https://norml.org/news/2023/03/02/study-cannabis-use-effective-in-patients-diagnosed-with-chronic-pain-and-anxiety/

https://norml.org/news/2023/02/09/study-cannabis-use-associated-with-symptom-improvements-in-patients-with-headache-disorders/

https://norml.org/news/2022/12/15/study-cannabis-products-associated-with-quality-of-life-improvements-in-patients-with-post-traumatic-stress/

https://norml.org/news/2023/01/12/study-cannabis-use-associated-with-improvements-in-patients-with-inflammatory-bowel-disease/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14737175.2023.2195551?scroll=top&needAccess=true&role=tab&aria-labelledby=full-article

A United Kingdom study revealed an association between cannabis products, improved quality of life, and reduced opioid use in chronic pain patients.

Cannabis Products Linked to Improved Quality of Life and Reduced Opioid Use

Can you share your background and how you got involved with medical cannabis advocacy for veterans?

Fabian Henry, Founder of Marijuana for Trauma and Veterans for Healing. Photo Credit: “Call of the Piper 2021” YouTube video.

: I joined the Canadian Armed Forces in March 2000. I served for many years, completing the following missions:

In November of 2012, I was placed on medical release for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I developed PTSD while serving, but hadn’t received a diagnosis or gotten any help. The military only wants you when you’re helping its “well-oiled machine” and are doing the job they trained you to do. I became an alcoholic, triggered and angry all the time, and didn’t know what was wrong with me. I couldn’t connect to anyone. I eventually did receive my diagnosis and went to in patient care for two months at Homewood Health, a facility for medical treatment of mental health and addiction disorder. I was also on 12 pills a day that made me gain weight, become lethargic, and tired or sick all the time. The pills also made me feel suicidal. My sister was on medical cannabis because she had a tumor on her spine and my neighbor used it, but I was always totally against it. Before and during the military, I believed what I was told about how bad it was.

One day I decided to try it with my neighbor. At that point, I felt like my life was over anyway, so I had nothing to lose. Trying cannabis was the best thing I ever did for myself. I felt so good that day. I smoked so much it made me sick the first time because I was amazed at how much it helped my brain and my body. I then knew I needed to find out “why” this was working for my PTSD. This led me on my journey to connecting with other doctors and researchers and wanting to help other veterans with this treatment that was working, when pills clearly weren’t. I also discovered that Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) would cover medical cannabis and not just pharmaceuticals, even though they didn’t tell us this. I studied the Veterans Charter and taught myself how to connect the dots with the release process, what paperwork needs to be done with what claim, and saw how much I could get for help and treatment. Things that other veterans weren’t being offered outright.

I started by going door to door until I got my own place and called the business Marijuana for Trauma (MFT). I think one person came at first, but then it grew! Since then the medical clinics grew across Canada, we have done (and still do) peer supports, so now I also focus on connecting veterans to therapists and promoting holistic health and care.

You founded Marijuana for Trauma (MFT) and helped veterans get medical cannabis prescriptions paid for by Veterans Affairs Canada. Can you tell us more about the objectives, challenges, and successes with MFT?

: It was challenging at first for many–especially military communities–to accept that cannabis has a purpose in treatment and not just a recreational view. The stigma was and is very intense. It also took a while to find a doctor that supported medical cannabis and would prescribe it, and it was even harder to find multiple doctors for veterans across Canada to prescribe it because they also aren’t educated on it and are encouraged to prescribe pills. Veterans (or anyone still serving but struggling to get treatment and get released) were only coming when they had already tried to kill themselves, so it was similar to my story, where there were no other options or hope so I had to try anything to stay alive and feel better.

Now, I still see this when they first come to us, but I also thankfully see veterans and their families coming to me at all stages because they have heard good things and trust the process more, which is amazing. MFT created a huge community of veterans helping veterans and spending time together and getting them out of the house again. That’s what I hope peer-support or any other veteran organizations really promote so you feel less alone.

At the beginning for MFT there was only one medical cannabis producer. That was a challenge because they only had three strains and they called them “morning,” “noon,” and “night,” but as we know we need way more options than that to treat different diagnoses. The process to mail off a medical document for cannabis prescriptions was so long and slow, and the documents had to be perfect or they would get sent back. Thankfully it evolved and now there are a ton of licensed producers, we can upload and send things much quicker, and there are now coaches to help you!

Can you tell us why more people should be talking about healing the “morale injury” and what that term means?

: “Morale injury” is caused when humans (also known as “soldiers”) who wear their nation’s flag on their shoulder and are willing to lay their life down for a belief system and for the human next to them sharing in the hardship, are easily discarded.

What happens to soldiers after several deployments, many close calls, and with a death toll in North America still rising well after the war is over, is very challenging. However, to kick the mentally injured soldiers to the curb and make them stick around for two years in a holding unit while waiting to be medically released yet not able to do their job any further causes the powers that be to look down upon the injured as if they are now weak and have done nothing or made no sacrifices.

This is a morale injury, requiring delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) to treat the trauma symptoms in an attempt to repair the fractured spirit. Medical cannabis has to be heated up to a specific temperature to pass the blood brain barrier allowing the deficient anandamide receptors in the endocannabinoid system to return to what a normal brain looks like temporarily, which can be seen under positron emissions tomography scan.

(For more information, please see references 1–5.)

How do you use your own journey of trauma and healing in your mission to be there for veterans and promote alternative therapies to treat disorders caused by PTSD? What do people resonate the most with?

1) Getting on the right medicine (medical cannabis) and teaching veterans how to use their medicine (when, why, how, which ones, and so on);

2) Being in treatment with a therapist, in-patient care if needed, psychologists, and so forth;

3) Holistic health such as yoga, forest baths, sound healing, meditation; and

4) Reshaping purpose by coming to peer supports, going on adventures with the nonprofit Lit Up Adventures, helping other veterans that may want to start their own retreats and support spaces where they live, and much more.

There’s hope in finding out there’s another way for them. Whether that’s help with paperwork, knowing there is someone on their side, help to get off some or all pharmaceuticals so they can feel connected, and really just feeling anything again and seeing there’s a potential for a new group of friends. We lose the connections we had with everyone in the military and sometimes those we were with outside the military, because they don’t know how to deal with us with PTSD or depression. It also feels good to see that it’s veterans who are helping other veterans.

Veterans for Healing (VFH) is a “Canadian company committed to supporting and guiding veterans and their families through their journey in health, healing, and well-being” and uses the Four Pillars of Healing (6). Can you tell us more about how VFH supports veterans and their families through their journey in health, healing, and well-being?

: We do veteran-only events and also veteran and “bring your people with you” events such as open peer-support evenings, forest concerts, beach barbecues, canoeing adventures, and so on. The families and friends of veterans have been through a lot with them so it’s important to recognize and appreciate them. We also always want to make sure that the veteran is aware of the caregiver benefit with VAC and the coverage their spouse and children have to access therapy as well.

You’ve helped organize the Veterans for Healing Song Camp to help people who are on their healing path, in both Canada and the US. How does cannabis and peer-support encourage healing?

: It’s everything. I’ve seen spirits get put back into people’s bodies this way. Song camp is a great celebration time because before, you would have never been able to even leave your house for an hour let alone a week-long song camp with other people. You also don’t feel connected to yourself enough to express emotions because everything is a trigger and everything is so raw and vulnerable. Song camp becomes an option when you have done the four pillars for a long time. You can express yourself. Your pineal gland is open again so you can create and feel creative. You can laugh and cry. It feels good to out in nature again. Song camp lets you turn your story to something beautiful and healing, such as a song, and then it’s the best feeling when this group you’ve connected with during this week gets to best your song and you get to hear everyone else’s as soon as it’s done. There’s lots of cheering. Food is taken care of and some planned activities with free space, so you really get to receive and be present. Healing comes from yourself first and then the collective love of healing. I say “self first” because you are the one that will make sure you’re medicating right (with reminders from your caregiver at times) and you’re the one who will walk in the doors to your therapist or click the Zoom link to get you on there. You need to be filled up first or you won’t be able to enjoy anything or anyone else.

How do you see cannabis as a medicine in light of the opioid crisis, and similarities and divergences between approaches to veteran healing in Canada and the United States?

: Cannabis can replace opioids and cannabis doesn’t give you the same effects as opioids, but most people don’t have that option at first because most doctors prescribe the opiates and don’t want to talk about cannabis. Opiates can lead to addiction and sometimes using other harder drugs to try to get the same feeling from the addiction can lead to overdoses and death. Cannabis is much safer. Cannabis works with your endocannabinoid system, which is a natural system in your body that all humans have and balances your system to optimal health and promotes homeostasis, which is what the body wants to be in—balance. Opiates block off receptors which isn’t the same and actually hurts your system, and this why you keep needing more and more.

I am very grateful Canada has medical cannabis coverage for their veterans because in the US they still don’t. Veterans there need the same treatment as we get here, but because they have a different government and system, veterans fear even using cannabis because they are threatened by the fact that they could lose their benefits entirely. I do notice in the US that they are very veteran-positive in communities where they do veteran appreciation events and are very proud of them, which is a positive for human-to-human connection.

Where do you hope to see more research about cannabis and psychedelics for PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other trauma?

: I see a lot of research for pharmaceuticals and “how they work” but you don’t see that for cannabis. You can find some independent studies or studies companies have paid for to try to show that cannabis doesn’t work because it benefits their non-cannabis company. I’d like to see more research in how cannabis does benefit many diagnoses and I’d like to see more education promoting the endocannabinoid system. I’ve seen a scan used where a patient uses medical cannabis by smoking or vaping to treat PTSD and it lights up the receptors of the brain that need this treatment (6). I’d love to see more of this shared because it’s literally balancing out the receptors of the brain, which is what PTSD needs! I’ve seen research and support for end-of-life care with psilocybin and I think it should be natural that research is done with a variety of psychedelics and how they affect PTSD, depression, anxiety, and more so we can make informed decisions for ourselves instead of being told we only have one option and that’s it.

What do you see as the biggest barriers in the past and today to accessing medical cannabis and other therapies?

: Being made aware and access to coverage. When you’re in a vulnerable state, you really are looking for others to help you, and if you’re being told, “here’s this one way and that’s it and that’s what works,” you’ll believe them and try that. And because you think that this is it and you don’t want to die, you don’t want to do anything wrong or be ashamed, so then you feel confused and alone when that treatment you were told was supposed to work doesn’t, plus you think you don’t deserve anything financially because you failed as a person and now feel like you’re failing treatment. If a veteran, someone serving, or just any human on the planet who needs help was told right from the start there’s medical cannabis to try as a main option or even given a choice of either/or, that would make a huge difference.

There’s also the obstacle still of people finally getting their cannabis prescription, but then don’t know what to use when, why, or how. That barrier could be resolved with cannabis coaches or the right education with doctors and pharmacists. It can also be expensive so if you don’t have coverage. It’s hard for anyone to be able to afford the amount they need for their treatment and yes, growing is an option, but it’s a lot of work and shouldn’t have to be the only way to afford this medicine. We aren’t growing pharmaceuticals, so we shouldn’t have to grow our own cannabis. I hope one day insurance companies cover cannabis.

What words of advice do you have for anyone wanting to try cannabis for healing but are unsure where to start or what to look for?

: Find the right support. Reach out to us. If your doctor won’t prescribe, try to find a different one. Same as if your therapist doesn’t support your cannabis use or if, in general, you just don’t feel like it’s the right person for your therapy treatment, keep trying other ones. If you try yoga, try out different styles and teaching styles until you find what feels like a good fit for you. Look for organic cannabis such as Aqualitis. If you hear of someone else using cannabis and it’s working for them, reach out to them and hear their story. When you do get prescribed cannabis, ask if they have coaches or Google one. It is a bit of a self-led journey, which can feel hard at first when you’re not used to that, but it’s worth looking into asking for help.

How do you envision the future of medical cannabis in Canada?

: It’s still going to take decades of research to determine precision cannabis for targeting specific illness or injury such as PTSD.

Having all growers in Canada start from tissues culture is the first issue that needs to be addressed in an attempt to standardize cannabis as medicine, otherwise it’s recreational.

Variety, they say, is the slice of life, as is the case when searching for the genetic or strain that works for the individual.

The 2021 “OG6” Song Camp members. Image Credit: “Call of the Piper 2021” YouTube video.

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/data-sheets/2019/2019_National_Veteran_Suicide_Prevention_Annual_Report_508.pdf

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/havetheconversation/episodes/Stories-of-Healing-with-Tyson-Bowen-e11ds2d

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cape-breton-veteran-critical-injury-benefit-ptsd-1.6679297?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

https://drugfree.org/drug-and-alcohol-news/study-links-ptsd-and-brain-receptors-activated-by-marijuana/

After serving their country, where do veterans find support once they’re home? Even after a tour of duty ends, the battle may be just beginning. Wounds, both visible and unseen, can make returning to civilian life a new struggle, especially with limited treatment options. However, as Canadian veteran, founder of Marijuana for Trauma, and cannabis advocate Fabian Henry explains, veterans need not struggle alone. After finding relief in cannabis to treat his own PTSD, Henry set out to help ensure no other veterans feel desperate and abandoned. Using his own path to healing as an example, Henry pushed back against the stigma around cannabis and encourages it as a therapy. In this interview, he shares how he brings veterans together into the difficult but beneficial process of holistic healing with cannabis as a catalyst. 

From Warzone to Wellness: How Medical Cannabis Is Helping Veterans Find Healing and Community

In April 2023, the Texas house passed legislation that would expand eligibility to individuals who suffer from chronic pain (1).

HB 1805 (2), was sponsored by Representative Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth. Klick also chairs the House Public Health Committee. In 2015, Texas created the “Compassionate Use” law which has since expanded the types of conditions Texas patients can qualify for legal cannabis usage in the program.

The new bill includes chronic pain patients who originally would require an opioid prescription to be eligible for a 10 mg dosage of cannabis from their doctor. Those who suffer from autism, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cancer, epilepsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have already been included in the program. HB 1805, passed 127-19 and now heads to the Senate. Although there was some votes not in favor of the bill, no debate occurred on the House floor.

The Department of Public Safety, who manages the online registry of qualified physicians who can prescribe medical cannabis, reports that over 50,000 Texans are utilizing the program as of March 2023 (1). In this program, only 707 physicians are legally allowed to prescribe cannabis.

Included in the bill, the definition of “low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabis” would be changed to 10 mg. Currently, cannabis products are limited to 1% THC by weight. If HB 1805 passes in the Senate, the law could take effect on September 1, 2023 (3).

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/texas-house-passes-bill-to-expand-medical-marijuana-program/

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB1805

https://www.marijuanamoment.net/texas-house-passes-bill-to-allow-medical-marijuana-as-an-opioid-alternative-and-replace-thc-limit-sending-it-to-senate/

The Texas House approved a bill that would allow for more access to the state’s medical cannabis program.

Texas Expands Medical Cannabis Program Through New Legislation

Hear Dustin Sulak, DO share details from his presentation, "Low and Ultra-Low Doses of Cannabinoids: Are We Missing the Sweet Spot?" In this interview, Dr. Sulak provides insights into what inspired this presentation and how medical cannabis can help shape healthcare.

Dustin Sulak, DO, founder of Healer and Integr8 Health, served as one of the keynote speakers at Cannabis Science Conference Spring 2023.

Cannabis Science Conference Spring with Dustin Sulak, DO

In a study from Imperial College London, 20 volunteers – who had been given a health screening prior to the study to ensure they were physically and mentally suitable – received a 20mg injection of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (1). The researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to recorded brain activity before, during and after the drug took hold, and the volunteers provided real-time updates on their experience (1).

The results were published in an article titled, “Human brain effects of DMT assessed via EEG-fMRI,”in the journal 

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 

(2). “Psychedelics are particularly useful research tools for studying the neurobiology of consciousness,” the Discussion section read in part. “Their ability to shift its quality in a fundamental and often enduringly transformative way, while preserving wakefulness, is arguably unparalleled in pharmacology. We believe the present results, and particularly those pertaining to whole-brain organization, such as global FC, pairwise FC, and the principal FC gradient, now point toward a signature global brain action of psychedelics that is robust, reliable, unique, and revealing, not just of ‘psychedelic consciousness’ but of conscious experience more broadly.”

“What we have seen is that DMT breaks down the basic networks of the brain, causing them to become less distinct from each other,” said Robin Carhart-Harris, a professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (1). “We also see the major rhythms of the brain – that serve a largely inhibitory, constraining function – break down, and in concert, brain activity becomes more entropic or information-rich.”

“DMT is short-acting, so it’s a very flexible tool compared with psilocybin and LSD which can last for six to 10 hours,” said Chris Timmermann, head of the DMT research group at Imperial College London (1).

“We suspect that while the newer, more evolved aspects of the brain dysregulate under DMT, older systems in the brain may be disinhibited,” Timmerman added (1). “A similar kind of thing happens in dreaming. This is just the beginning in cracking the question of how DMT works to alter consciousness so dramatically.”

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/20/psychedelic-brew-ayahuasca-profound-impact-brain-scans-dmt

Timmermann, C., Roseman, L., Haridas, S., Rosas, F. E., Luan, L., Kettner, H., Martell, J., Erritzoe, D., Tagliazucchi, E., Pallavicini, C., Girn, M., Alamia, A., Leech, R., Nutt, D. J., & Carhart-Harris, R. L. (2023). Human brain effects of DMT assessed via EEG-fMRI. 

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

A recent study of a psychedelic compound found in ayahuasca produced new brain scans showing its impacts on the brain.

New Study Provides In-Depth Look at Effects of Ayahuasca Compound on the Human Brain

Patients experiencing tamoxifen-related side effects may benefit from cannabidiol (CBD) oil, according to a poster presentation from the 

2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

CBD led to decreases in several tamoxifen-related adverse effects (AEs). Without CBD, the percentage of patients (n = 26) who experienced grade 1 or 2 insomnia was 62% (n = 16) and 38% (n = 10), respectively. With CBD, the rates of grade 1 or 2 insomnia were 73% (n = 19) and 12% (n = 3). Similarly, with for hot flashes, tamoxifen alone induced grade 1 and grade 2 symptoms in 77% (n = 20) and 19% (n = 5) of patients, respectively, whereas the addition of CBD yielded grade 1 and 2 symptoms in 85% (n = 22) and 4% (n = 1) of the population.

Without CBD, the rates of arthralgia were 58% (n = 15) and 38% (n = 10), respectively. Following CBD, these rates were 81% (n = 21) and 12% (n = 3). The rate of grade 1 mood alterations decreased from 73% (n = 19) to 65% (n = 17) following CBD, and the rate of grade 2 mood alterations remained at 4% (n = 1). Similarly, with no CBD, the rate of grade 1 muscle cramps was 27% (n = 7) and the grade 2 rate was 4% (n = 1). Following CBD, no patients reported grade 2 muscle cramps and the rate of grade 1 muscle cramps was 31% (n = 8).

The rate of headache was consistent across the 2 groups: 4 patients (15%) experienced grade 1 headaches both with and without CBD. Vaginal dryness decreased from 2 patients (8%) and 1 (4%) patient with grade 1 or 2 severity without CBD, to 1 patient (4%) with grade 1 severity with CBD. Four patients (15%) and 2 patients (8%) experienced grade 1 amnesia without and without CBD, respectively. Where 2 patients (8%) experienced weight gain with tamoxifen alone, 1 patient (4%) did so with CBD.

Moreover, the mean heath related quality-of-life (HR-QOL) without CBD was 74.3 and the mean after 4 weeks of CBD was 79.0, translating to a 4.7-point increase in HR-QOL (95% CI, 1.8-7.6; 

= .003). In terms of endocrine symptoms, the mean without CBD was 47.1 and the mean after 4 weeks of CBD was 53.8. In this population, endocrine symptoms improved by 6.7 points (95% CI 

Tamoxifen is often associated with bothersome AEs, which may negatively effect a patient’s QOL, as well as treatment adherence, wrote study authors. Many patients seeking relief from these AEs have fixes their attention to cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), they continued; however, the effects of CBD on tamoxifen-related AEs have not been investigated. Moreover, because tamoxifen is mainly metabolized through CYP2D6, and CBD is suggested to be an in-vitro inhibitor of CYP2D6, the use of CBD might affect tamoxifen pharmacokinetics.

“The aims of this study were to determine the pharmacokinetic interaction between CBD and tamoxifen, and to subsequently investigate where there is a beneficial influence of CBD on tamoxifen-related [AEs] and [QOL],” Sanne Buijs, MD, of the Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, and co-investigators wrote.

To that end, investigators enrolled patients with endoxifen levels of at least 16 nM and at least one tamoxifen-related AE, including hot flashes, arthralgia, mood alterations, and insomnia.

To read the full article, visit Oncology Nursing News: 

https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/cbd-oil-shows-modest-improvements-in-tamoxifen-related-adverse-effects

Our sister publication, Oncology Nursing News recently published how cannabidiol oil may be useful in helping patients with breast cancer manage tamoxifen-related adverse effects.

CBD Oil Shows Modest Improvements in Tamoxifen-Related Adverse Effects

On April 11, 2023, Chris Palmer, Progressive Conservative MLA in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, read a petition calling on the Nova Scotia government to cover the cost of cannabidiol-based medications (CBM) for children who have life-threatening diseases (1). It requests that CBM be added as an Exception-Status Drug to the Pharmacare Program similar to the way Veterans Affairs Canada established a Reimbursement Policy for medical cannabis (1).

The petition received over 1300 signatures and was brought forth by Nick and Kaylee Jones on behalf of their six-year-old daughter Sophie, who was born with a rare chromosome abnormality called Malan Syndrome, which causes epilepsy, ataxia, hemiplegic migraines, and autism (1,2). Sophie’s seizures started after her third birthday–with the longest cluster lasting 45 minutes–and did not respond to three different medications (2).

“Sophie has been on CBD oil for 3 years in December,” said Sophie’s parents (2). “Her seizures don’t come in clusters, are not even a minute long now and her recovery time has improved drastically. We haven’t had to use rescue medication or call for an ambulance since March 2020. She has such a better quality of life now. She was sleeping 2 to 3 days to recover and now she is going 2 to 3 days without a nap, is trying to talk more, eats great, sleeps all night. She doesn’t need days to recover now and is so much more alert compared to before.”

“WHEREAS Treatment-resistant epilepsy leads to an increase in expensive prescribed medications and frequent trips to already overburdened emergency rooms while being transported by Emergency Health Services, also an overburdened component of our Health Care system…

THEREFORE we, the undersigned, residents of Nova Scotia call upon the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly to cover the cost of cannabidiol (CBD) based medicine for children who have life-threatening diseases and specifically to remove the financial barrier to accessing CBD based medicines for children with epilepsy by adding it as an Exception Status Drug to the Pharmacare Program.”

A recording of the proceedings can be viewed 

, with the Jones’ petition being heard from 19:45–22:22.

For in-depth coverage on cannabis for treating seizures, read more in this issue from Cannabis Patient Care: 

https://www.cannapatientcare.com/journals/cannapatientcare/august-2021

https://stratcann.com/news/family-petitions-nova-scotia-to-cover-costs-for-cbd-oil-for-children/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gEPtjctcw

The Nova Scotia House of Assembly recently heard a petition to cover the cost of CBD-based medications for certain conditions.

Petition Calls on Nova Scotia Government to Cover Cost of Cannabidiol-Based Medications for Children with Life-Threatening Diseases

In late March 2023, the academic journal 

 published guidelines covering cannabinoid-based medications for chronic pain and co-occurring conditions (1). The journal regularly publishes studies covering a wide range of topics in the scientific, medical, and psychosocial exploration of clinical cannabis, cannabinoids, and the endocannabinoid system (2).

“One in five individuals live with chronic pain globally, which often co-occurs with sleep problems, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders,” the abstract stated (1). “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. 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.”

To generate the guidelines, researchers conducted a review of 70 studies, including 19 systematic reviews and 51 original research studies. The authors also covered dosing, safety concerns, and strengths and limitations of CBM.

“Research typically demonstrates moderate benefit of CBM in chronic pain management,” the results stated (1). “There is also evidence for efficacy of CBM in the management of comorbidities, including sleep problems, anxiety, appetite suppression, and for managing symptoms in some chronic conditions associated with pain including HIV, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.”

“All patients considering CBM should be educated on risks and adverse events. Patients and clinicians should work collaboratively to identify appropriate dosing, titration, and administration routes for each individual,” the guidelines concluded (1).

For more cannabis and chronic pain coverage, see this issue from 

https://www.cannapatientcare.com/journals/cannapatientcare/marchapril-2022

Bell AD, MacCallum C, Margolese S, Walsh Z, Wright P, Daeninck PJ, Mandarino E, Lacasse G, Deol JK, Freitas L, St. Pierre M, Belle-Isle L, Gagnon M, Bevan S, Sanchez T, Arlt S, Monahan-Ellison M, O'Hara J, Boivin M, Costiniuk C; and External Review Panel (2023) Clinical practice guidelines for cannabis and cannabinoid-based medicines in the management of chronic pain and co-occurring conditions, 

 X:X, 1–19, DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0156.

https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/cannabis-and-cannabinoid-research/633/overview

To help clinicians and patients navigate cannabinoid-based medications (CBM), Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research published guidelines based on reviews of studies on CBM and chronic pain.

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