Obesity

Dysregulation of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Correlates with Increased Obesity

May 13, 2020 Cannabis, Obesity

The influence of the fatty acid amide hydrolase 385C_A single nucleotide polymorphisms on obesity susceptibility

In summary

A recent study has revealed the positive correlation of fatty acid amine hydrolase (FAAH) polymorphisms with increased obesity rates in Iranian women. FAAH is a regulatory enzyme in the endocannabinoid system that is important for the inactivation of endogenous cannabinoids and has previously been associated with the obese phenotype. It was specifically found that two different genotypes of the 385 C/A polymorphism of FAAH increased the probability of obesity risk almost two times. Further research should focus on the possible screening of polymorphisms of the FAAH enzyme in order to advise those at an increased risk of developing obesity, and perhaps developing a weight management medication that targets FAAH and the endocannabinoid system.

The “munchies” is a well-known side effect of cannabis consumption popularized by derogatory or humorous characterizations of chronic cannabis users, such as stoner/surfer Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Cannabinoids and terpenes have been shown to have various effects on weight management and appetite stimulation, including appetite suppression. Cannabis-based medication to aid in the recovery of anorexia nervosa are currently being researched due to the anxiolytic effects and appetite stimulation, but some terpenes like humulene have recently been featured for their appetite suppressant capabilities. Further research should be conducted to fully develope the various weight management medications that cannabis has the ability to produce.

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Saliva Analysis Relates to Diet, Stress, and the Endocannabinoid System

April 1, 2020 endocannabinoid system, Obesity, Stress

Biological underpinnings from psychosocial stress towards appetite and obesity during youth- research implications towards metagenomics, epigenomics and metabolomics

In Summary

A recent study has revealed how saliva analysis demonstrates the relationship between diet, stress, and the endocannabinoid system. Stress can be measured by the concentration of cortisol in saliva; an increased concentration of cortisol has been positively correlated to increased activity of the endocannabinoid system which then leads to an increase in appetite. One suggested a mechanism for this occurrence is that the increase in cortisol modulates microbes that regulate endocannabinoids which eventually leads to uncontrolled eating habits. The dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system by stress has therefore been related to obesity and is a promising target for the treatment of obesity.

The authors mention utilizing saliva as a tool to discover the cause of patients’ obesity. By determining the cause in a timely fashion, physicians may be able to recommend more accurate treatment or diet plans to bring patients’ weight back under control. Cannabinoids, in combination with stress-relieving techniques, may also provide an easier method for dropping weight than the more traditional diets that are often difficult to adhere to. Considering the obesity rates in America, especially among adolescents, looking into these alternative therapies for obesity is in the best interest of America’s national health.

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Flavonoids Improve Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Dyslipidemic Overweight Subjects

February 17, 2020 Flavonoids, Obesity

Three‐arm, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluating the metabolic effect of a combined nutraceutical containing a bergamot standardized flavonoid extract in dyslipidemic overweight subjects

In Summary

A recent study has revealed the therapeutic benefits of flavonoids from bergamot fruits improve lipid and glucose metabolism in dyslipidemic overweight subjects. Dyslipidemic individuals have elevated levels of cholesterol and fats in their blood which increases their risk of suffering from a stroke or heart attack. The flavonoids present in bergamot extracts lowered total cholesterol, systemic inflammation, and a myriad of other chemicals that pose health risks, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). This study provides evidence that the flavonoids present in bergamot extracts may benefit those suffering from high cholesterol by lowering their risk of stroke and heart attack.

This article highlights the potential health benefits of flavonoids. Flavonoids are commonly found among cannabis plants and various other crops that are already produced at a commercial level. Flavonoids are extremely understudied when considering their known therapeutic potential as well as how cost efficient producing flavonoid-containing supplements would be. Extracts and diets containing elevated levels of flavonoids would be a simple and effective method of providing a myriad of health benefits into users everyday lives, which warrants further research and development.

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Cannabidiol Shows Promise for Reducing Binge Eating and Development of Obesity

February 6, 2020 binge Eating, CBD, Obesity

Cannabidiol inhibits sucrose self‐administration by CB1 and CB2 receptor mechanisms in rodents

In Summary

A recent study has uncovered cannabidiol’s (CBD) potential for treating psychiatric disorders characterized by binge eating and preventing the development of obesity. Researchers found that the administration of CBD in rodents reduced the self-administration of sucrose. Although clinical studies are needed to provide further evidence, the current data provide solid evidence for a novel treatment for the reduction of binge eating and development of obesity via a mechanism within the endocannabinoid system.

This article highlights the lack of treatment for obesity despite its prevalence among American society. Currently, there are no successful pharmacotherapies for obesity so the promising aspects of CBD as treatment warrant further research. CBD lowers the activity of the reward system in response to food, much like how it is thought to interact with opioids, and would, therefore, prevent people from seeking out food to engage in dangerous behavior.

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Cannabinoids Further Demonstrate Therapeutic Potential in Interactions with Adrenaline and Serotonin Systems

November 7, 2019 Adult, Behavior change, Biosynthesis, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, Depression, Future Medicine, Genetics, Mental Health, Neuropathy, Obesity, Pain, Schizophrenia

Regulation of noradrenergic and serotonergic systems by cannabinoids: relevance to cannabinoid-induced effects

In Summary:

Among many system-wide interactive effects, the noradrenergic and serotonergic hormone/signaling systems are responsible for pain, mood, arousal, wakefulness, learning, anxiety, and feelings of reward. A recent review dives deeper into the interactions between cannabinoids and these two systems: cannabinoids play roles in exciting, inhibiting, and regulating the nerve activity and feedback of both the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. This data further underscores the therapeutic potential of cannabis for conditions such as depression, chronic pain, and insomnia, all of which are mediated, at least in part, by these systems. Further research may uncover more specific therapies targeted toward the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems and their interactions with cannabinoids.

Dr. Caplan and the #MDTake:

It would be shocking to imagine that, in addition to the usual fruits and vegetables on display at supermarkets, all of a sudden, there was a new category of healthy food. Similarly, the recognition that cannabinoids play a central role in animal physiology is embarrassingly recent. Surveying a sea of illnesses that have become increasingly common, over the last hundred years, before which cannabis was a common household product, also begs the question about a relationship between the circumstances. Might some of the common maladies of modern medicine be attributable to a cannabinoid deficiency syndrome?

A Schematic overview for regulation of NA/LC and 5-HT/DRN cells by the CB1 receptor

Neurochemical Evidence for cannabinoid-induced effects

Electrophysiological evidence for acute effects of cannabinoids on neuronal activity

Neurochemical evidence for cannabinoid-induced effects in the locus coeruleus

Functional evidence fo cannabinoid-induced effects

Electrophysiological evidence for acute effects of cannabinoids

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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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Genes in the Endocannabinoid and Opioid Systems may Provide Biomarkers of Obesity

July 16, 2019 Abuse, Anti-inflammatory properties, Antioxidant, Behavior change, Blood-Levels, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Diabetes, Future Medicine, Muscle Pain, Neuropathy, Obesity, Pain, Science, THC

Title: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence for a Distinct Regulation of Mu Opioid and Type 1 Cannabinoid Receptor Genes Expression in Obesity

Researchers have recently found that alterations of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) and mu opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) contribute to the development of obesity. This phenomenon was shown in rat models who were given a high-fat diet and humans currently dealing with obesity. Due to the possibility of the up-regulation of CNR1 and OPRM1 providing a mechanism for developing the obesity phenotype, those two genes could serve as biomarkers for obesity. Fortunately, the up-regulation of CNR1 and OPRM1 is reversible and may also provide a target for combatting obesity and encouraging weight loss in obese individuals.

Highlighted here are the interactions of the endocannabinoid and opioid systems. Contradictory evidence concerning the interaction of the two systems has come out in recent years making it difficult to come to any conclusions. The endocannabinoid system has been thought to provide a safe and effective method for combatting the opioid crisis. Opioids are highly addictive and dangerous, but they are an efficient way to minimize pain which has kept them in mainstream medicine. Opioids have led to countless overdoses in recent decades causing researchers to search for a more ethical option for pain relief. Cannabis has a much better safety profile, poses no risk of overdose, and offers a welcome change of pace to traditional choices. Conclusive research is still needed to confirm, and reconfirm the details.

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The Education of Dispensary Staff is Varied and Lacks Regulation

June 17, 2019 Adolescents, Anti-inflammatory properties, Anxiety, Arthritis, Behavior change, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis News, CBD, Citizen Science, Depression, Dispensaries, Elderly, Future Medicine, History, Legislation, Mental Health, Mood, Neuropathy, Obesity, Pain, Pediatrics, Politics, Regulation, Science, Social Equity, Social Justice, Stigma, THC, Withdrawal, Women in Cannabis

Training and Practices of Cannabis Dispensary Staff

How much medical training does your local budtender possess? An online survey sent to medical marijuana dispensary staff reported only 55% of staffers had any formal training for their position, with 20% reporting some background in medical/scientific training. The analysis reported that many among the dispensary staff are recommending cannabis choices that are consistent with current evidence, but some are recommending strains that are either ineffective or exacerbate a patient’s condition. The findings of this study stress the importance of consistent and well-regulated training of dispensary staff.

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New Extraction Methods for “Polyphenols” Benefits Future Research

June 14, 2019 Anti-inflammatory properties, Cannabinoids, Cannabis, Cannabis Education, Cannabis Science, CB1, CB2, CBD, Diabetes, Extraction, Flavonoids, Future Medicine, Obesity, Processing, Science, Terpenes

Citrus peels waste as a source of value-added compounds- extraction and quantification of bioactive polyphenols

A recent study has exposed a more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable extraction method for polyphenols (specific active chemical compounds) from citrus peels. One such polyphenol is Naringin, a flavonoid present in lemon peels, which has been hypothesized to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as, potentially, to help treat obesity. This new extraction method will allow researchers to discover more definite therapeutic effects of polyphenols in citrus peels.

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Obesity, Cannabis, and Gender Differences

May 31, 2019 Cannabis Science, Gender, Obesity

The endocannabinoid system regulates energy homeostasis and is linked to obesity development, but the exact dynamic and brain regulation, during obesity progression, is incompletely understood. This study is the first of its kind to look at the time course of responses in two normal, inborn endocannabinoids, 2-AG and Anandamide, in male and female mice during diet-induced obesity. They also explore changes in brown adipose tissue, which help to control body heat and weight. They look at changes in blood levels associated with high-fat diets and over-feeding. Interestingly, they found that changes are sexually dimorphic: hypothalamic cannabinoid levels were higher in female mice, who became obese at later time points than males. This study contributes to the understanding of hypothalamic regulation of obesity, which currently affects nearly 1/3 of the world’s population. http://bit.ly/2QCrA4M