Get a Clue - Weed

Details: Published: 06 September 2023; Hits: 710

(Summary: the following demographics should completely ABSTAIN from cannabis use:

People aged 0-28 years of age (children and adolescents – developing brain)
Pregnant women
People with mental illness or vulnerable to such
Drivers/Driving (one could also assume, anyone operating a vehicle of any kind)

Whilst there are only some minor benefits from some cannabis derivatives, they come with adverse side effects and there is no curative properties in cannabis. More clinical, double-blind, placebo accounted for trials are required to further understand limitations, risks and potential benefits of cannabis. Dalgarno Institute)

Abstract:

Objective: To systematically assess credibility and certainty of associations between cannabis, cannabinoids, and cannabis-based medicines and human health, from observational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Searches and inclusion criteria: We conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies(i.e., case-control and cohort studies) and randomised controlled trials that reported on any outcome associated with cannabis and cannabinoids use in humans.

Conclusions: Convincing or converging evidence supports that cannabis use is associated with poor mental health and cognition, increased the risk of car crashes, and can have detrimental effects on offspring if used during pregnancy. Cannabis use should be avoided in adolescents and young adults (when neurodevelopment is still occurring), when most mental health disorders have onset and cognition is paramount for optimising academic performance and learning, as well as in pregnant women and drivers. Conversely, cannabidiol could be considered a potential beneficial treatment option in epilepsy across age groups to reduce seizures. Cannabis based medicines could also be considered for chronic pain across different conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, for nausea and vomiting in people with mixed conditions and for sleep in cancer. However, clinical relevance must be considered before a possible incorporation into clinical guidelines; for example, including numbers needed to treat for benefit, risk to benefit ratios, comparative efficacy and safety with existing treatment options, and development of patient information concerning potential adverse events. Cannabidiol appears to be safe regarding psychiatric symptoms, but more research needs to be conducted before this drug can be recommended for the treatment of any psychiatric disorder. The remaining associations between cannabis and health outcomes are not supported by converging or convincing evidence.

Law and public health policy makers and researchers should consider this evidence synthesis when making policy decisions on cannabinoids use regulation, and when planning a future epidemiological or experimental research agenda, with particular attention to the tetrahydrocannabinol content of cannabinoids. Future guidelines are needed to translate current findings into clinical practice, while involving stakeholders.

(Source: https://www.bmj.com/content/382/bmj-2022-072348

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Details: Published: 06 September 2023; Hits: 899

Subtle but pervasive changes can occur between uses.

Understanding THC’s interaction with the brain’s important natural cannabinoid chemistry and physiology will now make sense of the impact that overly frequent cannabis use has on the brain and mental functioning.

Because THC stimulates our brain’s natural cannabinoid receptors (CB1) far more strongly and longer than the endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitters anandamide and 2-AG, cannabis use throws brain chemistry out of balance temporarily, usually to people’s enjoyment. This loss of chemical equilibrium lasts an average of 4 hours when cannabis is inhaled and 8 hours when ingested orally before the liver metabolizes the THC and it is eliminated in the feces (55%) and urine (20%).

Most occasional cannabis users feel little or no effect the following day, but an interesting experiment reveals a subtle impact 24 hours after smoking a single joint. Private licensed pilots with over 200 hours of flight experience had their baseline skills measured in a flight simulator, then were provided a joint containing 10 or 20 mgs of THC to smoke. This was considered the equivalent of a moderate social dose in the mid-1980s.

A variety of pilot actions during routine landings were impaired 24 hours after smoking the joint, including the number and size of adjustments to stabilize the plane, distance off center on landing, and vertical and lateral deviation on approach to landing. Pilots showed no awareness of these impairments. Performance returned to baseline 48 hours after being high.

When the task became more complex by introducing turbulent weather conditions calling on pilots to react in real time to avoid trouble, responses were slower and less well organized than their baseline performance. In other words, the pilots’ response to novel events was altered (see the post How Cannabis Makes Everything So Interesting for clarification on the role our internal cannabinoid system plays in the experience of novelty.)

When THC stimulates CB1 receptors in the amygdala, cannabinoid tone increases, lowering the bar for any stimulus being imbued with a sense of novelty. Novelty draws our attention to unexpected stimuli. This phenomenon is largely responsible for cannabis making everything more interesting. But this is not the end of the story.

Whenever neurons containing CB1 receptors are over-stimulated by THC’s stronger and longer activation, a homeostatic response follows in an effort to rebalance the brain. The phrase “over-stimulated” means only that THC’s stimulation of CB1 receptors exceeds normal physiologic levels, leading to greater than normal negative feedback on the neuron’s release of transmitters with each firing. THC quells neuronal activity not by reducing the rate of nerve cell firing, but rather the amount of transmitter released each time the neuron fires.

As a result, neurons immediately react to THC’s over-stimulation by reducing the number of CB1 receptors. This reduction of receptors is called downregulation. A variety of mechanisms, including pulling receptors inside the cell so they are no longer available to be stimulated, begins with a single exposure to cannabis. By downregulating CB1 receptors, neurons partially regain some balance. Fewer receptors reduce the amount of negative feedback produced by cannabinoid stimulation and a more physiologic balance is re-established.

After THC has been metabolized and eliminated, CB1 receptors begin upregulating back to their normal level of availability. Upregulation after a single or occasional dose of cannabis occurs rapidly. Most people feel unaffected the following day.

For More: Source

Details: Published: 29 August 2023; Hits: 720

Channel 7 released news on State governments Cannabis and Driving Trials…“It is currently illegal for residents to drive while under the influence of THC, the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana.

Victorian medicinal cannabis users will be put through a closed-track trial to see when it’s safe for them to get behind the wheel. The 18-month trial will look at the level of impairment medicinal cannabis can cause.

It will not take place on public roads to ensure there’s no safety risk to participants or members of the public, a government spokeswoman said.
Victorian medicinal cannabis users will be put through a closed-track trial to see when it’s safe for them to get behind the wheel.

The 18-month trial will look at the level of impairment medicinal cannabis can cause.

It will not take place on public roads to ensure there’s no safety risk to participants or members of the public, a government spokeswoman said. “Safety on our roads is our No.1 priority,” the statement read. “This trial will give us more data about when medicinal cannabis patients can safely drive on the road.” (source: 7NEWS)

So, another trial? But why? Extensive research has been done globally on this issue around THC and driving impairment, and pretty much all of it uncovers what we intuitively know, that is DOES! Ah, but there was some ‘outliers’ and one such ‘study’ was from a Melbourne based University. A group commissioned by pro-cannabis legalisation groups to conduct a study.

Not unsurprisingly, the findings in this study were far more ‘agnostic’ and even producing a finding that THC and driving wasn’t really a problem – for ‘medical users’ of course!

We here at People Against Drink and Drug Driving will be interested to see where this ‘study’ will land.

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Details: Published: 25 August 2023; Hits: 729

…in utero cannabis exposure is linked to adverse outcomes among offspring, including small for gestational age, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and preterm birth.

In addition, prenatal cannabis exposure has also been associated with childhood outcomes such as autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, as well as symptoms of psychopathology, including psychotic like experiences, internalizing, externalizing, attention problems, and thought and social problems. Maternal cannabis use disorder has also been linked to a greater risk of small for gestational age, preterm birth, low birthweight, and death within 1 year of birth.

Unlike tobacco or alcohol use in pregnancy, because of the current lack of definitive evidence of harm with use, public health efforts to caution against use of cannabis while pregnant are lagging. As the evidence of deleterious effects from prenatal cannabis use continues to accumulate, physicians and researchers in reproductive health have a responsibility to mitigate adverse health outcomes from perinatal cannabis use. Fulfilling this responsibility requires actionable evidence from high-quality research to guide health care clinician counseling, inform developmental screening strategies for exposed offspring, direct health policies, and garner public awareness.

Cannabis Use and Perinatal Health Research | Neonatology | JAMA Network

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Details: Published: 02 August 2023; Hits: 778

Overall, investigators observed 22 and 31 DNA methylation markers associated with recent and cumulative marijuana use, respectively, from the first samples and 132 and 16 methylation markers in the second batch of samples, according to the study.

Many of the epigenetic changes were found in pathways previously linked to cellular proliferation, hormone signaling, infections and mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and substance use disorders, Hou said.

"In our study, we observed associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers across time," Hou said. "Interestingly, we consistently identified one marker that has previously been associated with tobacco use, suggesting a potential shared epigenetic regulation between tobacco and marijuana use. The observed marijuana markers were also associated with cell proliferation, infection and psychiatric disorders, however, additional studies are needed to replicate and verify these findings." (For full story (medicalxpress.com)

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