Perceptions, Uses, and Information Sources of Medical Cannabis Among Patients With Cancer

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“Purpose: Although medical cannabis (MC) has been shown to relieve cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, there is increasing misinformation regarding its antitumor efficacy. We aimed to identify opportunities for oncologists to communicate evidence-based guidance to patients regarding its use.

Methods and materials: Patients with cancer seen in radiation oncology clinic between June 2022 and July 2023 were surveyed with a questionnaire regarding their perceptions and information sources of MC. Associations between survey responses and demographic and disease variables were evaluated. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed on narrative responses in search of common themes.

Results: Eighty-four patients (84% completion rate) were included in the analysis. Most (83.3%) strongly agreed or agreed that MC can provide symptom relief, whereas a subset of patients (15.5%) strongly agreed or agreed that MC can cure cancer. This latter subcohort was significantly more likely to identify as Hispanic/Latino (38.5% vs 9.9%, P = .009) and less likely to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations (30.8% vs 8.5%, P = 0.044). Identifying as Hispanic/Latino remained significantly associated with strongly agreeing or agreeing that MC can cure cancer on bivariate analysis (odds ratio, 6.528; 95% CI, 1.477-28.715; P = .012). Education level, other sociodemographic characteristics, and sources for information about MC were not significantly different between these patients. Thematic analysis revealed that patients hoped to learn more about MC from their oncologists but perceived them to be unknowledgeable on the subject.

Conclusions: Although most patients consider MC to be a valuable addition to conventional therapies for managing refractory symptoms, a subset believed it had potential as an anticancer therapy. Many patients rely on unregulated sources, highlighting the need for providers to address misinformation, bridge knowledge gaps, and clarify its use.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40546850/

“Most patients (83.3%) strongly agreed or agreed that MC can provide symptom relief for cancer and treatment-related symptoms, whereas 15.5% strongly agreed or agreed that MC can cure cancer.”

https://www.advancesradonc.org/article/S2452-1094(24)00241-0/fulltext

Cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential therapeutic agent for liver cancer: a comprehensive review of current evidence

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“Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality with limited treatment options. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound from Cannabis sativa, has shown anticancer properties.

This review analyzes CBD’s therapeutic potential in HCC, focusing on mechanisms, preclinical/clinical findings, and integration into treatment strategies. A systematic search (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar) up to March 2025 identified 16 relevant studies (in vitro, in vivo, clinical).

CBD exerts antitumor effects via multiple pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy regulation, metastasis suppression, and tumor microenvironment modulation. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), inhibits oncogenic signaling (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), and enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy (sorafenib, cabozantinib).

Studies show CBD induces pyroptosis via caspase-3/GSDME, and modulates autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. It also sensitizes HCC cells to sorafenib and cabozantinib. Preclinical results are promising, but clinical studies are limited. Challenges like bioavailability and potential hepatotoxicity require investigation. Future research should optimize formulations, determine dosing, and conduct clinical trials to validate CBD’s efficacy/safety in HCC patients.

Validated CBD could offer an innovative HCC management option.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40533744/

“Overall, while preclinical findings strongly support the therapeutic potential of CBD in HCC, robust clinical trials are urgently needed to confirm its efficacy, safety, optimal dosing strategies, and long-term effects. If validated, CBD could represent an innovative and complementary approach in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma.”

https://cancerci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12935-025-03870-3

Effectiveness of Full Spectrum Cannabis Extracts in the Treatment of Chronic Pain: An Open Label Study

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“The aim of this work was to assess the effectiveness of full-spectrum cannabis (THC and CBD) extracts as adjuvants in the treatment of chronic pain. This is a prospective, open label, longitudinal study.

Major cannabinoids were analyzed in herbal preparations using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subjects were included when chronic pain diagnosis criteria was met according to physicians’ diagnosis. A patient stratification protocol was developed using a visual analogue scale to measure pain, a numerical scale for life quality parameters and a self-administered health survey. Eighty-eight patients aged between 35 and 88 years were included.

A significant decrease in both pain and other life quality parameters was observed between time zero and subsequent time intervals, excepting the “appetite” variable.

Overall, 51 individuals reported a decrease in pain, 38 a decrease in anxiety and 48 in insomnia, with “decrease” defined as symptom reduction of 50% or more between the first and last consultation. In addition, 23 subjects reduced or discontinued other analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs during the trial. Adverse effects were mild and reversible.

These results are consistent with previous studies, supporting effectiveness and safety of cannabis extracts as adjuvants in the treatment of chronic pain.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40526158/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15360288.2025.2517778

Exploring Cannabis sativa L for Anti-Alzheimer Potential: An Extensive Computational Study including Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and ADMET Assessments

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“Introduction: Cholinesterase enzymes play a pivotal role in hydrolyzing acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and cognition, into its components, acetic acid, and choline. A primary approach in addressing Alzheimer’s disease symptoms is by inhibiting the action of these enzymes.

Methods: With this context, our study embarked on a mission to pinpoint potential Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors using a comprehensive computational methodology. A total of 49 phytoconstituents derived from Cannabis sativa L underwent in silico screening via molecular docking, pharmacokinetic and pharmacotoxicological analysis, to evaluate their ability to inhibit cholinesterase enzymes. Out of these, two specific compounds, namely tetrahydrocannabivarin and Δ-9- tetrahydrocannabinol, belonging to cannabinoids, stood out as prospective therapeutic agents against Alzheimer’s due to their potential as cholinesterase inhibitors. These candidates showcased commendable binding affinities with the cholinesterase enzymes, highlighting their interaction with essential enzymatic residues.

Results: They were predicted to exhibit greater binding affinities than Rivastigmine and Galantamine. Their ADMET assessments further classified them as viable oral pharmaceutical drugs. They are not expected to induce any mutagenic or hepatotoxic effects and cannot produce skin sensitization. In addition, these phytoconstituents are predicted to be BBB permeable and can reach the central nervous system (CNS) and exert their therapeutic effects. To delve deeper, we explored molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to examine the stability of the complex formed between the best candidate (Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and the target proteins under simulated biological conditions. The MD study affirmed that the ligand-ChE recognition is a spontaneous reaction leading to stable complexes.

Conclusion: Our research outcomes provide valuable insights, offering a clear direction for the pharmaceutical sector in the pursuit of effective anti-Alzheimer treatments.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40525419/

https://www.eurekaselect.com/article/142967

Hemp-Derived Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications: Synthesis, Characterization, and Therapeutic Potential

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“Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as the most widely synthesized metal nanoparticles in sustainable chemistry due to their unique magnetic properties, excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity.

In this study, IONPs are successfully synthesized via a rapid, sustainable, and environmentally friendly green synthesis approach using Cannabis sativa L. leaf extract. X-ray diffraction analysis determined that the synthesized NPs had an average particle size of 18.8 nm, while transmission electron microscopy images reveal a spherical morphology with sizes ranging from 12 to 21 nm.

Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which are believed to play a crucial role in the formation and stabilization of IONPs. Its photocatalytic potential is demonstrated through the degradation of bromophenol blue dye.

Additionally, the NPs exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activity against various microbial species, along with promising anticancer effects on cancer cell lines.

In conclusion, this study provides a promising foundation for advancing the large-scale, commercial production of IONPs through green synthesis methods. By offering an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to conventional nanoparticle synthesis, the findings contribute significantly to the growing body of research in sustainable nanotechnology.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40525672/

“In this study, IONPs were successfully synthesized via a single-step green approach using C. sativa leaf extract as the sole reducing and stabilizing agent, eliminating the need for secondary chemicals. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of eco-friendly IONPs for biomedical and environmental applications, aligning with sustainable nanotechnology paradigms.”

https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/open.202500189

Adolescent cannabidiol treatment produces antidepressant-like effects without compromising long-term cognition in rats

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“Background: Recent preclinical studies have shown sex-dependent antidepressant-like responses of cannabidiol in adolescence, which were dependent on biological sex, early-life stress, and dose. In particular, cannabidiol (10 mg/kg) induced acute and sustained antidepressant-like responses in adolescent male rats, while it lacked efficacy in females. This follow-up study aimed at further characterizing cannabidiol’s effects in adolescence, in an attempt to overcome female unresponsiveness, while also evaluating its long-term safety profile in adulthood.

Methods: Groups of adolescent rats of both sexes were treated (ip) with cannabidiol (10, 30, 60 mg/kg) or vehicle (1 ml/kg) for 7 days. Acute (30 min post-injection) and repeated (24 h post-treatment) antidepressant-like responses were measured in the forced-swim test. Brains were collected to evaluate several neurochemical correlates in the hippocampus (CBR1, CBR2, BDNF, and cell proliferation) after adolescent cannabidiol exposure (acute and repeated). Some rats were left undisturbed until adulthood, when long-term effects on cognition were measured in the Barnes maze (short- and long-term memory) or affective-like responses in the forced-swim test. Data was analyzed with two-way ANOVAs (independent variables: sex and treatment).

Results: While the dose of 10 mg/kg of cannabidiol induced antidepressant-like effects in adolescent rats, higher doses had no effect in adolescent rats of both sexes. No changes were observed in any of the hippocampal neuroplasticity markers evaluated. Adolescent cannabidiol exposure did not induce long-term changes in cognitive performance or affective-like behavior.

Conclusions: Overall, our data suggest that adolescent cannabidiol treatment produces dose-dependent antidepressant-like effects of moderate magnitude without compromising long-term cognition in rats.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40522606/

“To conclude, our data suggest that adolescent cannabidiol treatment produces dose-dependent antidepressant-like effects without compromising long-term cognition in rats. In particular, it reinforces prior studies by including more doses of cannabidiol tested during adolescence, while demonstrating efficacy mainly in male rats. Based on the literature, the combination of another antidepressant with cannabidiol might be a good strategy for attempting to induce efficacy in adolescent female rats, and should be further explored. Since no molecular print could be found to parallel the antidepressant-like potential of cannabidiol in adolescence, future studies should explore other avenues while searching for the specific role of sex hormones in the lack of response in females. Finally, and in line with the results that demonstrate that cannabidiol improves cognitive performance, this study adds to this existing literature by providing long-term results on this topic following adolescent cannabidiol exposure in rats of both sexes.”

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43440-025-00750-5

Patterns, Efficacy, and Cognitive Effects of Medical Cannabis Use in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Patients

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“Background: Medical cannabis (MC) is being used with greater frequency in the management of chronic pain. While its efficacy in pain relief is promising, questions about patterns of use and efficacy warrant further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate long-term MC use patterns, perceived efficacy, and its impact on cognition among patients with chronic musculoskeletal noncancer pain.

Methods: This prospective study included patients who were certified for MC between October 2022 and December 2024. Patients who were certified for MC under Pennsylvania state guidelines for a minimum of one year were tracked, yielding 129 patients for analysis. The patients completed an Inventory of Medical Cannabis Use (IMCU) questionnaire assessing usage patterns, dosage knowledge, efficacy, cognitive effects, and tolerance changes. The responses were collected in a password-protected database.

Results: A total of 77.5% of patients reported using MC daily or near daily. Topical formulations were most frequently used (63.6%). Approximately half of the respondents were uncertain of their exact tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) dosage, with a median oral dose of 10 mg recorded among those who provided estimates. High levels of perceived efficacy were reported, with over 93% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that MC improved their primary symptoms. Cognitive and motor effects were minimal for most users, with 72.1% reporting no impact. Furthermore, 79.8% of respondents indicated stable usage patterns over the prior three months, and very few reported a need or external suggestion to reduce MC intake.

Conclusions: Long-term MC use is a stable and well-tolerated option for managing chronic musculoskeletal pain, with high patient-reported efficacy and minimal cognitive impact. These findings support its role in pain management while highlighting the need for further research on optimal dosing and long-term safety.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40519367/

https://www.cureus.com/articles/365077-patterns-efficacy-and-cognitive-effects-of-medical-cannabis-use-in-chronic-musculoskeletal-pain-patients#!/

New cannabidiol structure-related terpene N-acyl-hydrazones with potent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity

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“Inflammation is the organism’s protective mechanism to restore cellular and tissue homeostasis. Cannabidiol has been reported for its ability to bind to diverse receptors related to or not related to the endocannabinoid system, with good safety being one of the most promising phytocannabinoids for therapeutical purposes. CBD has shown in vitro and in vivo ability to significantly reduce the production of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, with an unclear mechanism of action.

Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a novel series of eight terpene N-acylaryl hydrazone analogues and their pharmacological evaluation for potential antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Our results led to the identification of compounds 5a (PQM-242), with significant peripheral and central antinociceptive effects, 5b (PQM-243), and 5g (PQM-248) with antinociceptive activities probably related to the ability of modulation of TRPV1 receptors, and 5c (PQM-244) that seems to have the most promising peripheral antinociceptive profile, showing significant effects on both neurogenic and inflammatory phases of formalin-induced licking test, coupled to potential antioxidant activity.

Overall, our experimental data suggest that the new CBD-based architecture is capable of ensuring peripheral and central antinociceptive effects by different modes of action, with no in vivo toxicity and adequate predicted ADME properties.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40521634/

“Several compounds showed similar antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects to those described for CBD.”

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17568919.2025.2515821

In vitro antibacterial activity of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) extract seed oil against multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens in small animal veterinary dermatology

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“There is an urgent need for alternative antimicrobial therapies in veterinary small animal dermatology due to the limited therapeutic options available for treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil for topical treatment of localized infections of the skin, such as otitis externa.

Antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution using a strain collection of bacterial pathogens associated with skin infections, including Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (n=120), Staphylococcus aureus (n=48), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=26). Checkerboard dilution tests were used to assess the interaction of hemp seed oil with two antimicrobials used for management of otitis externa, gentamicin and enrofloxacin, while in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by the cellular 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay on mouse fibroblast cell line L929. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in staphylococci (0.025-0.2% v/v) were markedly lower than in P. aeruginosa (>0.4% v/v). Within S. pseudintermedius, methicillin-resistant strains displayed lower susceptibility compared to susceptible strains.

Hemp seed oil showed synergy with gentamicin (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index < 0.5), reducing the MIC of gentamicin-resistant S. pseudintermedius strains (≥16µg/ml) below the clinical susceptibility breakpoint (≤4µg/ml). No changes in cell viability were observed at concentrations below 2% v/v.

These findings suggest that hemp seed oil could be an effective and safe alternative or adjuvant to conventional antimicrobials for managing otitis externa and other skin focal infections caused by staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant strains.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40513980/

“The findings suggest that hemp seed oil could serve as an effective and safe alternative or adjunct to conventional antimicrobial treatments for localized skin infections, including otitis externa caused by staphylococci, even those resistant to methicillin;”

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023325000966?via%3Dihub

Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds from Cannabis sativa Seeds: A Review Focused on Omics-Based Investigations

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“Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is a versatile crop that can be processed to obtain different products with multiple applications. Its seeds are a well-documented ancient source of proteins, fibers and fats, all of which possess high nutritional value. Additionally, metabolites such as flavones and phenols are present in the seeds, contributing to their antioxidant properties.

Due to hemp seeds’ distinctive nutritional profile, the interest in exploring the potential use in food and nutraceuticals is growing, and they can be considered an interesting and promising alternative resource for human and animal feeding. Omics studies on hemp seeds and their by-products are also being developed, and they contribute to improving our knowledge about the genome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome/lipidome, and ionome of these sustainable food resources.

This review illustrates the main nutrients and bioactive compounds of hemp seeds and explores the most relevant omics techniques and investigations related to them. It also addresses the various products derived from processing the whole seed, such as oil, dehulled seeds, hulls, flour, cakes, meals, and proteins. Moreover, this work discusses research aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying their protein, lipid, fiber, and metabolic profile. The advantages of using omics and multi-omics approaches to highlight the nutritional values of hemp seed by-products are also discussed.

In our opinion, this work represents an excellent starting point for researchers interested in studying hemp seeds as source of nutrients and bioactive compounds from a multi-level molecular perspective.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40508032/

“By advancing the understanding and utilization of hemp seeds and their by-products in food, feed, and medical applications, we hope to contribute to positioning hemp as a sustainable and valuable resource for the future.”

https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/11/5219