CB 2 Cannabinoid Receptors as a Therapeutic Target - What does the Future Hold ? Amey Dhopeshwarkar and Ken Mackie Molecular Pharmacology, 2014, 86, 430–437 http://dx.doi.org/10.1124/mol.114.094649 ABSTRACT The past decades have seen an exponential rise in our understanding of the endocannabinoid system, comprising CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), and the enzymes that synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids. The primary focus of this review is the CB2 receptor. CB2 receptors have been the subject of considerable attention, primarily due to their promising therapeutic potential for treating various pathologies while avoiding the adverse psychotropic effects that can accompany CB1 receptor–based therapies. With the appreciation that [...]
Lire la suiteReduction in social anxiety after MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with autistic adults : a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study Alicia L. Danforth, Charles S. Grob, Christopher Struble, Allison A. Feduccia, Nick Walker, Lisa Jerome, Berra Yazar-Klosinski & Amy Emerson Psychopharmacology, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-018-5010-9 Abstract Rationale : Standard therapeutic approaches to reduce social anxiety in autistic adults have limited effectiveness. Since 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy shows promise as a treatment for other anxiety disorders, a blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted. Objectives : To explore feasibility and safety ofMDMA-assisted psychotherapy for reduction of social fear and avoidance that are common in the autistic population. Methods : Autistic adults with marked to [...]
Lire la suitePilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Charles S. Grob, Alicia L. Danforth, Gurpreet S. Chopra, Marycie Hagerty, Charles R. McKay, Adam L. Halberstadt, George R. Greer Archive of General Psychiatry, 2010, 68, (1), 71–78 doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.116 Context : Researchers conducted extensive investigations of hallucinogens in the 1950s and 1960s. By the early 1970s, however, political and cultural pressures forced the cessation of all projects. This investigation reexamines a potentially promising clinical application of hallucinogens in the treatment of anxiety reactive to advanced-stage cancer. Objective : To explore the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in patients with advanced-stage cancer and [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelic therapy for smoking cessation : Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Tehseen Noorani, Albert Garcia-Romeu, Thomas C. Swift, Roland R. Griffiths and Matthew W. Johnson Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2018, 1 –14 https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881118780 Abstract Background : Recent pilot trials suggest feasibility and potential efficacy of psychedelic-facilitated addiction treatment interventions. Fifteen participants completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study between 2009 and 2015. Aims : The aims of this study were as follows: (1) to identify perceived mechanisms of change leading to smoking cessation in the pilot study; (2) to identify key themes in participant experiences and long-term outcomes to better understand the therapeutic process. Methods : Participants were [...]
Lire la suiteMedical Marijuana for Treatment of Chronic Pain and Other Medical and Psychiatric Problems. A Clinical Review Kevin P. Hill JAMA, 2015, 313, (24), 2474-2483. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.6199 This article is based on a conference that took place at theMedicine Grand Rounds at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, on May 16, 2014. IMPORTANCE : As of March 2015, 23 states and the District of Columbia had medical marijuana laws in place. Physicians should know both the scientific rationale and the practical implications for medical marijuana laws. OBJECTIVE : To review the pharmacology, indications, and laws related to medical marijuana use. EVIDENCE REVIEW : The medical literature on medical [...]
Lire la suiteMedical Use of Cannabis in 2019 Kevin P. Hill, MD, MHS JAMA, Published online August 9, 2019 doi:10.1001/jama.2019.11868 Nearly 10% of cannabis users in the United States report using it for medicinal purposes.1 As of August 2019, 33 states and the District of Columbia have initiated policies allowing the use of cannabis or cannabinoids for the management of specific medical conditions. Yet, the federal government still classifies cannabis as illegal, complicating its medical use and research into its effectiveness as a treatment for the various conditions purported to benefit from cannabis pharmacotherapy. Because of this conflict and restrictions on cannabis research, evidence of the [...]
Lire la suiteThe abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act Matthew W. Johnson, Roland R. Griffiths, Peter S. Hendricks, Jack E. Henningfiel Neuropharmacology, 2018, 142, 143-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.012 a b s t r a c t This review assesses the abuse potential of medically-administered psilocybin, following the structure of the 8 factors of the US Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Research suggests the potential safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating cancer-related psychiatric distress and substance use disorders, setting the occasion for this review. A more extensive assessment of abuse potential according to an 8-factor analysis would eventually be required to [...]
Lire la suiteMicrodosing psychedelics: More questions than answers? An overview and suggestions for future research Kim P.C. Kuypers, Livia Ng, David Erritzoe, Gitte M. Knudsen, Charles D. Nichols, David E. Nichols, Luca Pani, Anaïs Soula and David Nutt Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2019, 1-10. Doi: 10.1177/0269881119857204 Abstract Background : In the past few years, the issue of ‘microdosing’ psychedelics has been openly discussed in the public arena where claims have been made about their positive effect on mood state and cognitive processes such as concentration. However, there are very few scientific studies that have specifically addressed this issue, and there is no agreed scientific consensus on what microdosing [...]
Lire la suiteHuman psychopharmacology and dose-effects of salvinorin A, a kappa-opioid agonist hallucinogen present in the plant Salvia divinorum Matthew W. Johnson, Katherine A. MacLean, Chad J. Reissig, Thomas E. Prisinzano and Roland R. Griffiths Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2011, 115, (1-2), 150–155. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.005 Abstract Salvinorin A is a potent, selective nonnitrogenous kappa opioid agonist and the known psychoactive constituent of Salvia divinorum, a member of the mint family that has been used for centuries by Mazatec shamans of Mexico for divination and spiritual healing. Salvia divinorum has over the last several years gained increased popularity as a recreational drug. This is a double-blind, placebo controlled [...]
Lire la suiteAcute and post-acute behavioral and psychological effects of salvinorin A in humans Peter H. Addy Psychopharmacology, 2012, 220, 195–204 DOI 10.1007/s00213-011-2470-6 Abstract Rationale : Salvia divinorum has been used for centuries, and nontraditional use in modern societies is increasing. Inebriation and aftereffects of use are poorly documented in the scientific literature. Objectives : This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study analyzed subjective experiences of salvinorin A (SA) inebriation and consequences of use after 8 weeks. Methods : Thirty middle-aged, well-educated, hallucinogenexperienced participants smoked either 1,017 or 100μg SA 2 weeks apart in counterbalanced order. Vital signs were recorded before and after inhalation. A researcher rated participants' behavior during sessions. [...]
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