Alcohol

Binge Drinking While Using Cannabis Affects Brain Structure

February 21, 2020 Alcohol, Cannabis

Binge and Cannabis Co-Use Episodes in Relation to White Matter Integrity in Emerging Adults

In Summary

Researchers have recently revealed that the co-use of cannabis and alcohol can have deleterious effects on white matter in the brain. White matter integrity is frequently used as a measure of cognitive function and the negative effects of cannabis and alcohol on the white matter suggest a decrease of cognitive function in co-users. These negative effects were especially severe in co-users who frequented binge-drinking patterns. Researchers also found that those who co-used cannabis and alcohol were more likely to abuse more severe substances. These findings may prove useful when recommending cannabis for certain individuals whose cognitive function or abuse patterns are in question.

This article highlights the nonlinear pattern that the effects of cannabis, meaning that too much cannabis can actually have negative effects rather than positive benefits. A way around negative effects from overindulging on cannabis when looking to alleviate symptoms from an ailment is micro-dosing. Micro-dosing refers to the practice of consuming the minimum amount of cannabis necessary to alleviate symptoms while avoiding possible psychoactive effects or anxiety. Micro-dosing is generally a safer way to ensure proper cannabis dosing as there is very little information or research to suggest a general dose for specific ailments.

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Cannabinoid Receptor 2 is Novel Target for Treatment of Alcoholism

February 19, 2020 Alcohol, CB2

Alcohol-induced conditioned place preference is modulated by CB2 cannabinoid receptors and modifies levels of endocannabinoids in the mesocorticolimbic system

In Summary

A recent study has revealed that the endocannabinoid system may provide a novel treatment for alcoholism. Researchers have found that cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) is able to modulate the reward pathway for alcohol consumption. Specifically, when CB2 is antagonized or given an inverse agonist it is able to mitigate the positive effects of alcohol consumption. Dampening the positive effects felt when consuming alcohol will hopefully lower the need to drink felt by those suffering from alcohol use disorders.

This article highlights the potential uses of synthetic cannabinoids and how different synthetic cannabinoids are able to have similar effects despite causing inverse reactions. Two synthetic cannabinoids were utilized for this study, an agonist and an antagonist for CB2, but both managed to minimize the positive effects of alcohol consumption. The only differing effect was that of the CB2 agonist in its ability to also decrease the positive effects felt when consuming food. Stumbling upon this secondary effect may provide a novel treatment for obesity, another prevalent disease in the United States. Further research into how the endocannabinoid system affects bodily processes and the development of synthetic cannabinoids may reveal hundreds of novel therapies.

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Flavonoid-Like Compound, Resveratrol, Treats Non-Alcohol Liver Disease

January 30, 2020 Alcohol, endocannabinoid system, Flavonoids, High-Fat Diet

Resveratrol attenuates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by maintaining gut barrier integrity and inhibiting gut inflammation through regulation of the endocannabinoid system

In Summary

A recent study has discovered that resveratrol treats high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) by modulating the endocannabinoid system. Resveratrol is a flavonoid-like compound found in grapes and berries that acts as an antagonist on cannabinoid receptors. Due to its antagonistic effect on the endocannabinoid system the compound has similar anti-inflammatory properties to cannabidiol and reduces inflammation associated with NASH, as well as maintaining gut barrier integrity. Further research should conclude the efficacy of this treatment.

Highlighted in this study is the possible therapeutic benefits of polyphenols, such as flavonoids, due to their antioxidant and protective properties. Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol found in common fruits, but fruits and other common crops already harvested in the United States are full of polyphenols that have therapeutic benefits. Cannabis plants are full of flavonoids that have been featured in recent literature as novel drug therapies but polyphenols found in a myriad of crops are still undervalued in western medicine and warrant further investigation.

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5 Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis

July 31, 2019 Abuse, Addiction, Adverse Effects, Alcohol, Antioxidant, Anxiety, Behavior change, Blood-Levels, Cannabis, Cannabis Dependence, Cannabis Education, Cannabis News, CBD, CED Clinic, CED Foundation, CED In The News, Cognition, Depression, Diabetes, Dosing, Dr Caplan, Future Medicine, Heavy Use, History, Video

Video: Do-It-Yourself Cannabis Tinctures

July 17, 2019 Alcohol, Anti-inflammatory properties, Antibiotic, Antioxidant, Anxiety, Arthritis, Autism, Autoimmunity, Behavior change, Bipolar Disorder, Business of Cannabis, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis News, Case Study, CBD, CBN, CED Clinic, CED In The News, Cognition, Colon Cancer, Cooking, Cultivation, Cultivation / Growing / Horticulture, Depression, Dermatology / Skin, Diabetes, DIY, Dosing, Dr Caplan, Edibles, Epilepsy, Extraction, Farming, Fibromyalgia, Flavonoids, Future Medicine, Gastrointestinal Effects, Hemp, History, IBS, Insomnia, Male Fertility, Memory, Mental Health, Mood, Muscle Pain, Nausea, Neuropathy, Obesity, OCD, Opiates, Oral Health, Pain, Pediatrics, Processing, Products, Prostate Cancer, Psychosis, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Seizure / Epilepsy, Sleep, Sleep Apnea, Stigma, Stress, Taste, THC, Topical, Video

One of the terrific realities of modern Cannabis is that it is possible, and often quite simple, to make effective products at home. With suitable education and access to testing facilities, the soil, nutrients, and plant growth can be supported at home, lab-tested for make-up and potency, as well as safety-checked for potential microscopic contaminants, and ultimately, individualized medicine can be created right at home!

Here is a sample instructional for just one way that cannabis tincture can be made at home. There are countless others and hopefully, many that are yet to be discovered!

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Hangovers Resulting from Drinking Negatively Impact Everyday Memory

July 17, 2019 Abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Behavior change, Blood-Levels, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Cognition

Alcohol Hangover Has Detrimental Impact Upon Both Executive Function and Prospective Memory

A recent study revealed that alcohol hangovers negatively impact everyday memory, specifically executive function (EF) and prospective memory (PM). EF and PM are cognitive functions that underpin everyday memory; things such as remembering an appointment or where you placed your keys. Participants of the study who suffered from hangovers were able to recall significantly fewer items from memory tasks than their peers. The findings of this study may prove useful when looking into how alcohol and cannabis interact with patients.

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The Current Research on Cannabis-Alcohol Interactions and Risk Factors for Using Them Together

July 15, 2019 Abuse, Addiction, Adverse Effects, Alcohol, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Case Study, CBD, Cognition, Future Medicine, History, Impairment, Memory, Mental Health, Science, THC

Title: Cannabis and Alcohol- From Basic Science to Public Policy

This new analysis summarizes the most recent preclinical trials and epidemiological studies concerning the interactions between cannabis and alcohol, as well as possible risk factors for co-use. Specific risk factors, such as frequency of use or belonging to particular groups, were found to be significant within studies (but not across separate studies.) The compiled data reveals that previous research is inconsistent and emphasizes the need for further research to elucidate at-risk populations.

This article highlights a few secondary findings which all focus on the gaps in our knowledge concerning cannabis, of which there are many. There may be potential concerns with the integration of cannabis into modern culture, which has essentially normalized alcohol consumption. Future research will undoubtedly evaluate these concerns, and highlight potential advantages that cannabis consumption may offer as an alternative option.

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Stress Increases the Probability of Drug Abuse

July 6, 2019 Abuse, Adolescents, Alcohol, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabis, Cannabis Dependence, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, Case Study, Depression, Heavy Use, History, Illicit Drug Use, Mental Health, Occasional Use, Social Justice, Stigma, Stress, THC

The Effects of Trait Emotional Intelligence on Adolescent Substance Use- Findings From a Hungarian Representative Survey

A recent study has revealed that teenagers who have a difficult time managing stress and appear to lack empathy were more likely to abuse tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis.

The studies initial goal was to determine if emotional intelligence could predict future drug abuse, but found that those with more empathy and interpersonal competencies were less likely to engage in substance abuse. This study provides data that may help to develop targeted drug prevention programs in order to lessen adolescent drug abuse or the development of any future substance abuse disorders.

Highlighted in this study was the possible inaccuracy of the conclusions as the results may have been skewed by teenagers merely providing what they thought was a socially acceptable answer. Despite the fact that the majority of states have legalized the use of medical marijuana a stigma against cannabis use remains.

Stigma has and continues to stand in the way of medical research. If the consumption of cannabis were less frowned upon then perhaps more observational studies, studies that relied on self-reporting use, or even appropriate medical treatment, would be improved. The more information that can be gathered, the more accurate the research that can be conducted. In order to fully understand all the benefits and limitations of cannabinoids, although this also applies to tobacco and alcohol consumption, the uninformed stigma must also be eroded.

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Profile of Dr Caplan, Dr Grinspoon, CED Clinic, and modern Medical Cannabis in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly

June 21, 2019 Addiction, Alcohol, Anxiety, Behavior change, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis News, CED Clinic, CED In The News, Dispensaries, Dr Caplan, Dr Grinspoon, Future Medicine, Illicit Drug Use, Law, Legislation, Massachusetts, Politics, Social Equity, Social Justice, THC

The esteemed medical periodical, Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly, takes a closer look at modern medical cannabis with Dr Grinspoon and I. Our discussion brings an insider’s look at how the system operates, from clinic to dispensary, the dynamic changes we’ve already seen and highlights some of the changes to come. Included are The Role of Medicine, The Ethics of doctors in business, The Patient Experience, Physician’s Support, Growing the Plant, and a sit-down with a local dispensary.

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New Study Finds Cannabis May Be “Unsafe” For Pregnant Women

June 19, 2019 Alcohol, Cannabis Education, Cannabis News, Cannabis Science, Heavy Use, Opiates, Pediatrics, Pregnancy, Tobacco

https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2019/06/18/cannabis-unsafe-pregnant-women

In a study of 661, 617 pregnant women, researchers found that cannabis use was significantly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. But these findings may be limited due to other risk factors like tobacco, alcohol, and opioid use.

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