Category Archives: THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Cannabis- and HIV-related perturbations to the cortical gamma dynamics supporting inhibitory processing

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“The main psychoactive component in cannabis-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and to alter gamma oscillations, pointing to its potential as a therapeutic agent for people with HIV (PWH). However, it remains unknown how cannabis use among PWH interacts with the neural circuitry underlying inhibitory processing.

Herein, using a cross-sectional study design, we collected data from 108 cannabis users and non-users with and without HIV. Participants were interviewed regarding their substance use history and completed a paired-pulse somatosensory stimulation paradigm during magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG data were imaged using a beamformer and peak voxel time series data were extracted to examine neural oscillations in response to the stimulation and the strength of spontaneous activity in the same tissue during the baseline period. Across all participants, we observed robust gamma oscillations following stimulation in the left primary somatosensory cortices, with responses to the second stimulation being strongly attenuated relative to the first, thus demonstrating somatosensory gating.

PWH who used cannabis exhibited stronger oscillatory gamma activity compared with non-users with HIV, while the latter group also exhibited elevated spontaneous gamma activity relative to all other groups. Finally, we found that a longer duration of time since HIV diagnosis was associated with less efficient inhibitory processing among PWH who did not use cannabis, but not among PWH who regularly use cannabis.

These findings provide new evidence that cannabis use may mitigate the harmful effects of HIV on oscillatory and spontaneous gamma activity serving inhibitory processing.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40421314/

“Taken together, these findings suggest that regular cannabis use may have a neuroprotective effect on inhibitory processing in PWH by normalising spontaneous gamma activity and enhancing gamma oscillatory responses during sensory gating. This pattern indicates that cannabis use could potentially mitigate some of the neural disruptions associated with HIV, highlighting a promising target for future interventions aimed at preserving cognitive function in this population. Importantly, the capacity of cannabis to influence gamma dynamics underscores the broader role of the endocannabinoid system in shaping neural function in the context of HIV-related neuropathology.”

https://academic.oup.com/braincomms/article/7/3/fcaf190/8132827?login=false

Quantitative and qualitative imaging in marijuana users and smokers

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“Objective: To evaluate the effect of marijuana use compared to cigarette smoking on imaging findings in the lungs.

Methods: By searching the electronic medical record, we identified patients who were marijuana users who never smoked; current smokers; and non-marijuana never smokers, who underwent chest CT in our healthcare system in 2019. We generated a random sample of 100 marijuana users as well as 100 each age- and sex-matched controls from the current smoker and never-smoker groups. Patients with extensive airspace disease on CT were excluded. Quantitative CT analysis was performed to measure total lung volume (TLV). A thoracic radiologist reviewed chest CTs in a blinded fashion for the presence of emphysema, centrilobular ground glass opacities, mosaic attenuation, bronchial wall thickening, and coronary calcification.

Results: Our study included 285 participants, comprising 89 non-smokers, 97 smokers, and 99 marijuana users. Despite propensity score matching, the marijuana user group was slightly younger than the smokers and non-smokers (mean age 59 versus 62 and 64 years, respectively, p = 0.04), with similar sex distribution across all groups. TLV was higher in smokers than marijuana users and non-smokers (p<.01 for both).

By visual analysis, 62 % of smokers had emphysema versus 4 % of marijuana users (p<.001). Additionally, centrilobular ground glass opacities were more prevalent in smokers (15 %) than in marijuana users (2 %) (p = 0.0008). No significant difference was noted in the occurrence of mosaic attenuation between smokers and marijuana users. In terms of coronary artery calcification, more smokers had moderate to severe coronary artery calcifications compared to marijuana users (43 % versus 25 %, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: While emphysema and hyperinflation were common in smokers, they were rare in marijuana users.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40318925/

“Visual assessment revealed a significantly higher prevalence of emphysema in smokers (62 %) compared to marijuana users”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0363018825000738

Effects of legal access versus illegal market cannabis on use and mental health: A randomized controlled trial

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“Aims: We measured the effects of public health-oriented cannabis access compared with the illegal market on cannabis use and related mental health outcomes in adult cannabis users.

Design: This was a two-arm, parallel group, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Follow-up outcome measurement took place after 6 months.

Setting: The study was conducted in Basel-Stadt, Switzerland.

Participants: A total of 378 adult (aged ≥18 years) cannabis users were enrolled and randomized between August 2022 and March 2023, although only 374 users who completed baseline measures could be included.

Intervention and comparator: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group with public health-oriented recreational cannabis access in pharmacies (regulated cannabis products, safer use information, voluntary counseling, no advertisement; 189/188) or the illegal market control group (continued illicit cannabis sourcing; 189/186).

Measurements: The primary outcome was self-reported severity of cannabis misuse after 6 months, as measured by the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test – Revised (range 0-32). Secondary outcomes involved depressive, anxiety, and psychotic symptoms, cannabis consumption amount, alcohol, and drug use.

Findings: Ten participants were not followed (2.7%). Primary analysis included those with complete data (182 vs. 182). There was some evidence of a difference in cannabis misuse between the legal cannabis intervention group (mean [M] = 10.1) and the illegal market control group (M = 10.9; β = -0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.4 to 0.0, P = 0.052). These results were supported by an intention-to-treat multiple imputation analysis (n = 374). Additional sub-group analysis by whether the participant used other drugs or not suggested that any reduction in cannabis misuse was confined to those in the legal cannabis intervention group who used other drugs (PInteraction < 0.001). We found no statistically significant changes in any of the secondary outcomes.

Conclusions: Public health-oriented recreational cannabis access may decrease cannabis use and cannabis-related harms, especially among those using other drugs.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40289676/

“Our results indicate that public health-oriented RCL could be an effective policy model to make cannabis safer without increasing cannabis use and cannabis-related harms.”

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.70080

“Cannabis study finds legalization reduces problematic consumption, especially among those using other drugs”

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-cannabis-legalization-problematic-consumption-drugs.html

“Researchers uncover causal evidence that cannabis legalization reduces problematic consumption”

Researchers uncover causal evidence that cannabis legalization reduces problematic consumption

“Legal Cannabis Linked to Less Problematic Use, Better Mental Health”

Legal Cannabis Linked to Less Problematic Use, Better Mental Health

Cannabinoids: Therapeutic Perspectives for Management of Orofacial Pain, Oral Inflammation and Bone Healing-A Systematic Review

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“Cannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), have been increasingly studied for their therapeutic applications in various medical fields. This systematic review aims to explore their role in oral surgery, focusing on pain management, inflammation control, and bone regeneration.

A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA framework to identify relevant studies from the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases published up to November 2024. The review included clinical and preclinical studies investigating the effects of cannabinoids on orofacial pain, oral inflammation, and bone healing. Data on study design, cannabinoid types, and relevant outcomes were extracted and analyzed. CBD was the most commonly studied compound, with other studies evaluating CB1/CB2 receptor agonists, THC, and cannabis smoke.

Clinical trials showed mixed results: some studies found CBD effective in reducing dental or myofascial pain, while others found limited or non-superior outcomes compared to standard treatments (e.g., NSAIDs, corticosteroids). Among the four RCTs, three had a low risk of bias, and one moderate; all nine animal studies had a high risk of bias.

In conclusion, preclinical and clinical studies suggest that cannabinoids represent a promising non-opioid alternative for pain management and for oral inflammation.

Although some evidence suggests potential benefits of cannabinoids, particularly CBD, in oral health contexts, findings are derived from heterogeneous studies-many with high risk of bias. More high-quality, standardized clinical trials are necessary before recommending cannabinoids for routine dental practice.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40332414/

“Within the limitations of this review, cannabinoids—especially cannabidiol (CBD)—demonstrated potential in managing orofacial pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting bone healing.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/8/3766

Cannabis use is associated with less peripheral inflammation but similar insulin sensitivity as non-use in healthy adults

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“Objective: This study tested whether cannabis affects inflammation and insulin sensitivity and if this varied based on THC:CBD ratios. Participants who currently used cannabis were assigned to use one of three cannabis flower products ad libitum for four weeks and compared to non-using participants.

Methods: Healthy participants 21 to 40 years old without diabetes were included. Participants had to engage in ≥ weekly cannabis use for ≥ one year (cannabis use groups) or no cannabis use in the past year (cannabis non-use group). Participants who used cannabis purchased and used a THC-dominant (23% THC, 0% CBD), THC+CBD (10% THC, 8% CBD), or CBD-dominant product (20% CBD, 1% THC). Peripheral inflammation was assessed with several cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, IFNG, IL10) and one chemokine (MCP-1). Insulin sensitivity was assessed via the Matsuda Index.

Results: Models were intent-to-treat and utilized maximum likelihood estimation. Cannabis use was associated with lower peripheral inflammation (p<.001) than non-use. THC:CBD ratio of products used over four weeks did not change peripheral inflammation levels nor affect insulin sensitivity compared to non-use.

Conclusions: Habitual cannabis use (vs. non-use) is associated with lower peripheral inflammation with no difference in insulin sensitivity in metabolically healthy, young people.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40324550/

https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(25)00281-5/abstract

Cost-Effectiveness of Medical Cannabis Versus Opioids for Chronic Noncancer Pain

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“Background: Chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) affects one in five adults and is commonly managed with long-term opioid therapy. Concerns regarding rare but catastrophic harms associated with opioids, including overdose and death, have generated interest in alternatives including cannabis; however, the comparative cost-effectiveness of these management options is uncertain. 

Methods: We used findings from a network meta-analysis of 90 randomized trials to develop a 1-year microsimulation model to compare costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) between oral medical cannabis and opioids for CNCP. We used a publicly funded health care payer perspective for our analyses and obtained cost and utility data from publicly available sources. All costs are reported in 2023 Canadian dollars. All analyses were probabilistic, and we conducted sensitivity and scenario analyses to assess robustness. 

Results: Total mean annual cost per patient was $1,980 for oral medical cannabis and $1,851 for opioids, a difference of $129 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -$723 to $525). Mean QALYs were 0.582 for both oral medical cannabis and opioids (95% CI: -0.007 to 0.015). Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves showed that oral medical cannabis was cost-effective in 31% of iterations at willingness-to-pay thresholds up to $50,000/QALY gained.

Use of opioids is associated with nonfatal and fatal overdose, whereas medical cannabis is not. 

Discussion: Our findings suggest that medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain may confer similar, but modest, benefits to patients, and reduce the risk of opioid overdose without substantially increasing costs.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40304409/

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/can.2024.0120

Emerging nano-derived therapy for the treatment of dementia: a comprehensive review

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“Dementia includes a variety of neurodegenerative diseases that affect and target the brain’s fundamental cognitive functions. It is undoubtedly one of the diseases that affects people globally. The ameliorating the disease is still not known; the symptoms, however, can be prevented to an extent. Dementia encompasses Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Lewy body dementia, mixed dementia, and various other diseases.

The aggregation of β-amyloid protein plaques and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles have been concluded as the foremost cause for the onset of the disease. As the cases climb, new neuroprotective methods are being developed in the form of new drug delivery systems that provide targeted delivery.

Herbal drugs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, and Cannabis have shown satisfactory results by not only treating the symptoms but have also been shown to reduce and ameliorate the formation of amyloid plaque formation.

This article explores the intricate possibilities of drug delivery and the absolute use of herbal drugs to target neurodegenerative diseases. The various possibilities of nanotechnology currently available with new emerging techniques are also discussed.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40268841/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13346-025-01863-3

The role of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) in metabolic disorders: A promising cannabinoid for diabetes and weight management

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“Disorders of the metabolism, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, represent significant global health challenges due to their rising prevalence and associated complications. Despite existing therapeutic strategies, including lifestyle interventions, pharmacological treatments, and surgical options, limitations such as poor adherence, side effects, and accessibility issues call attention to the need for novel solutions.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid derived from Cannabis sativa, has emerged as a promising agent to manage metabolic disorders.

Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), THCV exhibits an antagonistic function on the CB1 receptor and a partial agonist function on the CB2 receptor, thus enabling appetite suppression, enhanced glucose regulation, and increased energy expenditure.

Preclinical studies demonstrated that THCV improves insulin sensitivity, promotes glucose uptake, and restores insulin signaling in metabolic tissues. Additionally, THCV reduces lipid accumulation and improves the mitochondrial activity in adipocytes and hepatocytes, shown through both cell-based and animal research. Animal models further revealed THCV’s potential to suppress appetite, prevent hepatosteatosis, and improve metabolic homeostasis.

Preliminary human trials support these findings, thereby showing that THCV may modulate appetite and glycemic control, though larger-scale studies are necessary to confirm its clinical efficacy and safety. THCV’s unique pharmacological profile positions it as a possible therapeutic candidate to address the multifaceted challenges of obesity and diabetes. Continued research should concentrate on optimizing formulations, undertaking well-designed clinical studies, and addressing regulatory hurdles to unlock its full potential”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40270953/

https://www.aimspress.com/article/doi/10.3934/Neuroscience.2025003

Cannabinoids in neuropathic pain treatment: pharmacological insights and clinical outcomes from recent trials

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“Neuropathic pain, a complex and often devastating condition, poses significant challenges for its effective management. Despite promising research on various cannabis formulations and delivery methods for neuropathic pain, significant gaps remain in our knowledge.

While inhaled cannabis shows analgesic effects and alternative delivery methods may improve bioavailability, oral formulations have yielded mixed results, often limited by small sample sizes and placebo effects. Therefore, further research is essential to optimize cannabis formulations, identify responder profiles to tailor treatments effectively, and, most critically, confirm the long-term safety and efficacy of cannabis-based therapies in managing NP.

This review article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicines, with a particular focus on cannabinoids. This review, though not systematic, examines 11 clinical studies, specifically Randomised Clinical Trials) published from 2014 to 2024, highlighting the efficacy of numerous cannabis formulations, in alleviating neuropathic pain.

Key findings show that cannabinoids can reduce pain perception, improve patient quality of life, and mitigate other symptoms associated with neuropathic pain.

The synergistic effects of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are discussed, emphasizing their ability to enhance analgesic effects, while potentially reducing the psychoactive side effects of tetrahydrocannabinol.

This review emphasizes the importance of the personalized approach to improve therapeutic outcomes. Limitations of the existing research focusing on cannabis for neuropathic pain are limited by heterogeneity, lack of standardization, small sample sizes, and reliance on subjective outcomes, impacting the reliability and generalizability of findings. However, this exhaustive review aims to inform clinicians and researchers about the evolving role of cannabis in contemporary pain management strategies, illustrating the diverse pharmacological profiles of cannabinoids and their potential as adjunct therapies for neuropathic pain management.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40261351/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00210-025-04134-7

UK medical cannabis registry: an updated clinical outcomes analysis of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder

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“Background: Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) are a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but their long-term efficacy and safety need further investigation. This study assessed the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and adverse events in PTSD patients prescribed CBMPs.

Research design and methods: This observational cohort study included PTSD patients enrolled on the UK Medical Cannabis Registry for 18 months or longer. Changes in PTSD-specific symptoms (IES-R), anxiety (GAD-7), sleep quality (SQS), and general HRQoL (EQ-5D-5 L) were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.

Results: In 269 patients, significant improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, sleep quality, and HRQoL were observed at all follow-up points (p < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression, male gender (OR = 0.51; 95% CI:0.28-0.94; p = 0.034) was associated with a reduced chance of reporting improvements in IES-R. Adverse events were reported by 70 (26.02%) patients, with insomnia (n = 42, 15.61%) and fatigue (n = 40, 14.87%) being the most common.

Conclusions: CBMPs were associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms, anxiety, sleep, and HRQoL at up to 18 months. Although the study’s observational nature limits causal conclusions, these findings support further assessment of medical cannabis.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40235073/

“Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have emerged as novel treatments for PTSD. This analysis suggests that initiation of CBMP therapy for up to 18 months is associated with improvements in PTSD-specific, HRQoL, anxiety, and sleep symptoms in PTSD patients. Moreover, CBMPs are largely well tolerated across this short-term follow-up.”

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14737175.2025.2490539#abstract