Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in reward processing and addiction: from mechanisms to interventions Rainer Spanagel, PhD Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 2020, 22, (3), 241-250. doi : 10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.3/rspanagel The last decades have seen a major gain in understanding the action of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system in reward processing and the development of addictive behavior. Cannabis-derived psychoactive compounds such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and synthetic cannabinoids directly interact with the reward system and thereby have addictive properties. Cannabinoids induce their reinforcing properties by an increase in tonic dopamine levels through a cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor–dependent mechanism within the ventral tegmental area. Cues that are conditioned [...]
Lire la suiteThe (Poly)Pharmacology of Cannabidiol in Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Molecular Mechanisms and Targets Rosa Maria Vitale, Fabio Arturo Iannotti and Pietro Amodeo International journal of Molecular Sciences, 2021, 22, 4876, 1-20. Doi : 10.3390/ijms22094876 Abstract : Cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive Cannabis constituent, has been proposed for the treatment of a wide panel of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy and drug addiction due to the ability of its versatile scaffold to interact with diverse molecular targets that are not restricted to the endocannabinoid system. Albeit the molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of CBD have yet to be fully elucidated, many [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelic Medicines for Mood Disorders Current Evidence and Clinical Considerations Jerome Sarris; Diego Pinzon Rubiano; Kimberley Day; Nicole L. Galvão-Coelho; Daniel Perkins Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 2022, 35, (1), 22-29. doi : 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000759 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/964245 Abstract and Introduction Abstract Purpose of Review: Despite advances in treatment modalities for mood disorders over recent decades, further therapeutic options are still required. Increased research is occurring, with the pursuit of psychedelic-based pharmacotherapies for a range of mood disorders and other conditions. Recent Findings: Serotonergic psychedelics have been found to modulate brain networks underlying various psychiatric disorders, as well promoting neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Randomized placebo-controlled trials have found psilocybin with psychological support effective at [...]
Lire la suiteCannabidiol EPIDYOLEX 100 mg/ml, solution buvable Première évaluation COMMISSION DE LA TRANSPARENCE AVIS 13 MAI 2020 Haute Autorité de Santé, HAS - Direction de l'Evaluation Médicale, Economique et de Santé Publique Avis définitif L’essentiel Avis favorable au remboursement en association au clobazam dans le traitement des crises d’épilepsie associées au syndrome de Lennox-Gastaut (SLG) ou au syndrome de Dravet (SD), chez les patients de 2 ans et plus. Quel progrès ? Un progrès thérapeutique dans le traitement des crises d’épilepsie associées au syndrome de Lennox-Gastaut ou au syndrome de Dravet, chez les patients de 2 ans et plus. Quelle place dans la stratégie thérapeutique ? Crises d’épilepsie [...]
Lire la suitePharmacologie du Cannabidiol : Points de vigilance, conséquences et risques chez l’homme Note rédigée par l’Association Française des centres d’Addictovigilance : Pr Joëlle MICALLEF, Dr Anne BATISSE, Dr Bruno REVOL, décembre 2021 Contexte Le Cannabidiol (CBD) est l’un des principaux phytocannabinoïdes présent dans Cannabis sativa, avec le THC. A ce jour, un seul produit contenant uniquement du CBD (nom de ce médicament Epidyolex®) est disponible sur le marché français, son Autorisation de Mise sur le Marché (AMM) lui conférant une indication médicale en association au clobazam dans le traitement des crises d’épilepsie associées au syndrome de Lennox-Gastaut ou au syndrome de Dravet, chez les [...]
Lire la suiteCANNABIDIOL (CBD) : Critical Review Report, WHO, 2018 Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Fortieth Meeting Geneva, 4-7 June 2018 Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. 4 Summary................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Substance identification ........................................................................................................ 6 A. International Nonproprietary Name (INN) ............................................................................ 6 B. Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Number .............................................................. 6 C. Other Chemical Names .......................................................................................................... 6 D. Trade Names .......................................................................................................................... 6 E. Street Names........................................................................................................................... 6 F. Physical Appearance.............................................................................................................. 6 G. WHO Review History ............................................................................................................. 6 2. Chemistry ............................................................................................................................... 6 A. Chemical Name ...................................................................................................................... 6 B. Chemical Structure................................................................................................................. 7 C. Stereoisomers ......................................................................................................................... 7 D. Methods and Ease of Illicit Manufacturing............................................................................ 7 E. Chemical Properties............................................................................................................... 9 F. Identification and Analysis ..................................................................................................... 9 3. Ease of Convertibility Into Controlled Substances ............................................................ 10 4. General Pharmacology........................................................................................................ 11 A. Routes of administration and [...]
Lire la suiteMedical cannabis authorization and the risk of cardiovascular events : a longitudinal cohort study Arsene Zongo, Cerina Lee, Jason R. B. Dyck, Jihane El‑Mourad, Elaine Hyshka, John G. Hanlon and Dean T. Eurich BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, 2021, 21, 426 doi : 10.1186/s12872-021-02229-6 Abstract Background : Cannabis is increasingly used for therapeutic purpose. However, its safety profile is not well known. This study assessed the risk of cardiovascular-related emergency department (ED) visit and hospitalization in adult patients authorized to use medical cannabis in Ontario, Canada from 2014 to 2017. Methods : This is a longitudinal cohort study of patients who received medical cannabis authorization and followedup in [...]
Lire la suiteCannabinoid CB2 Receptor Activation Attenuates Fentanyl-Induced Respiratory Depression Carmen A. Zavala, Ana C. Thomaz, Vishakh Iyer, Ken Mackie, and Andrea G. Hohmann Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2021, Volume 6, Number 5, 389-400. DOI: 10.1089/can.2020.0059 Abstract Introduction : Overdose fatalities associated with the opioid epidemic are predictably attributable to druginduced respiratory depression. In terms of illicit opioid abuse, fentanyl is the synthetic opioid responsible for the largest number of overdose deaths. There is, therefore, an urgent need to identify safe and effective therapeutics that can attenuate fentanyl-induced respiratory depression. Identification of effective alternate analgesic strategies that lessen the respiratory depression associated with narcotics would also help [...]
Lire la suiteReal life Experience of Medical Cannabis Treatment in Autism : Analysis of Safety and Efficacy Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider, Raphael Mechoulam, Naama Saban, Gal Meiri & Victor Novack Scientific Reports, Nature.com, 2019, 9, 200, 1-7 Doi : 10.1038/s41598-018-37570-y There has been a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) worldwide. Recently anecdotal evidence of possible therapeutic effects of cannabis products has emerged. The aim of this study is to characterize the epidemiology of ASD patients receiving medical cannabis treatment and to describe its safety and efficacy. We analysed the data prospectively collected as part of the treatment program of [...]
Lire la suiteCurrent state of evidence of cannabis utilization for treatment of autism spectrum disorders Rumi Agarwal, Shanna L. Burke and Marlaina Maddux BMC Psychiatry, 2019, 19, 328 Doi : 10.1186/s12888-019-2259-4 Abstract The core symptoms and co-morbidities associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect daily living and quality of life. Existing pharmacological interventions are only able to attenuate some related symptoms but are unable to address the underlying etiologies associated with ASD. Anecdotal evidence, which claims benefit from the use of cannabis to treat symptoms among this population, has been gaining popularity as families seek solutions. This paper analyzed recent peer-reviewed literature to identify the current state of [...]
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