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Lex Pelger
Dec 20, 2023 4:26 PM

On the hardships of working in the cannabis industry

Hello everyone,

Welcome to the 83rd edition of Cannabinoids & the People, a weekly newsletter where I collect all the new cannabinoid science. You can check out last week’s issue here & if you haven’t subscribed yet, please do. Sign up for a paid subscription to support my work disseminating all of the cannabinoid science. Paid subscriptions are here.

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As always, here’s the Glossary of Cannabinoid Terms & at the bottom is the album of the week.

This week…

  • For cancer patients, the help of cannabis for pain & sleep
  • A case of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome causing perforation of the esophagus & in another, prolapse gastropathy syndrome
  • Two big gene studies: 25 hits for a GWAS & 4 hits for an epigenetic
  • ECS involved in reward prediction, sleep deprivation & social isolation
  • 3 reports on death, stressors & labor trafficking in the cannabis industry
  • Much on the co-use of cannabis & tobacco products
  • For growers, two studies on the effects of light spectra
  • Puma tests a compostable hemp sneaker

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My work this week:

My platforms: Linktree
YouTube for educational videos, lectures & shorts on new cannabinoid science
Anandamide; or, the People: my graphic novel series on cannabis, the endocannabinoid system & the War on Drugs based on Moby-Dick
My podcasts
LinkedIn , Facebook, Twitter & my TikTok on books, hermeticism, science & history

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Best Of Cannabinoid Science...

A breakdown from the FDA on their applications for cannabis research & drug development
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration perspective on cannabis research and drug development
https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/em/Article/1001179
“The current data show that applications for research of these products submitted by both academic researchers and commercial developers focus on four major clinical areas: addiction and pain medicine (53%), neurology (19%), immunology and inflammation (14%), and psychiatry (9%). The product types studied have expanded greatly in recent years and include a wide variety of topical, inhalable, injectable, and oral products.”

Clinical

A survey of Finnish chronic pain patients found that they perceived opioids to be as effective as medical cannabis in reducing pain intensity, but cannabis was also more helpful for emotion, functionality & overall sense of well-being
The holistic effects of medical cannabis compared to opioids on pain experience in Finnish patients with chronic pain
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37941019/

In people with refractory cancer related pain, most found cannabis to give pain relief as well as help with sleep & anorexia
Medical cannabis for refractory cancer-related pain in a specialised clinical service: a cross-sectional study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37973200/

And a thesis project on Canadian cancer survivors using cannabis for sleep
CANADIAN CANCER SURVIVORS’ USE OF CANNABIS AS A SLEEP AID
https://research.library.mun.ca/16244/1/thesis.pdf

In a survey of people on self-reported stress, both a CBD isolate of 1000 milligrams & a broad spectrum product of 1000 milligrams had the ability to reduce stress, with the broad-spectrum getting endorsed as more effective (data from the Releaf app)
Effects of Two Cannabidiol Oil Products on Self-Reported Stress Relief: A Quasi-Experimental Study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37942294/

A small pilot study of isolate CBD for typical absence seizures found it may not be effective, but more likely to improve in people on concomitant ethosuximide treatment
Efficacy of highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) in typical absence seizures: A pilot study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37980860/
And a thesis project on improving the potency of CBD for treating seizures
Improving the Potency of CBD in Treating Seizures
https://www.proquest.com/openview/028aa1e8a68a3c34ddba92238f5fe3b0/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y

A case report where cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome caused perforation of the esophagus
A Life-Threatening Complication of Marijuana Use: Esophageal Perforation Resulting From Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2023/10001/s2840_a_life_threatening_complication_of_marijuana.623.aspx
And a case report where cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome causing prolapse gastropathy syndrome (gastric tissue goes up through the lower esophageal sphincter out of the stomach caused by prolonged retching, typically involving abdominal pain & sometimes the vomiting of blood)
Prolapse Gastropathy Syndrome Secondary to Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Case Report
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2023/10001/s4187_prolapse_gastropathy_syndrome_secondary_to.4185.aspx
And a case report of an adolescent with potential cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (though it seems to me that they had a number of other things to still rule out, but I can’t access the full report)
Persisting and repetitive vomiting in adolescence: a consequence of cannabinoid use
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14659891.2023.2284936

A case report of a patient with eosinophilic esophagitis (an allergic inflammation of the esophagus with an unknown cause) which may have been caused by cannabis
A Possible Association Between Cannabis Use and Eosinophilic Esophagitis
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2023/10001/s2780_a_possible_association_between_cannabis_use.563.aspx
“We present a case of worsening dysphagia in a cannabis user diagnosed with EoE [eosinophilic esophagitis]. Pertinent research is sparse, but a large retrospective study reported a significant difference in rates of gastritis and esophagitis in cannabis users compared to controls”

In young adults, higher plasma levels of endocannabinoids were correlated with a worse cardiometabolic profile
Higher plasma levels of endocannabinoids and analogues correlate with a worse cardiometabolic profile in young adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37967236/
“We observed that the plasma levels of eCBs and their analogues were higher in metabolically unhealthy overweight-obese participants than in metabolically healthy overweight-obese participants.”

A genome wide association study of people with cannabis use disorder yielded 25 hits
Multi-ancestry genome-wide association study of cannabis use disorder yields insight into disease biology and public health implications
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37985822/
And in an epigenetic analysis of 9000+ people, those who used cannabis had four sites of methylation (turning off the gene)
Trans-ancestry epigenome-wide association meta-analysis of DNA methylation with lifetime cannabis use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37935791/

In a double-blind study of horses given CBD paste (3 mg CBD/kg), they had no differences in their cortisol levels, heart rates, movement patterns, trailer loading reaction or reactions to a novel object
Behavioral observations, heart rate and cortisol monitoring in horses following multiple oral administrations of a cannabidiol containing paste
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1305873/abstract

The pharmacokinetics of CBD & CBDA in juvenile macaques
Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol-/cannabidiolic acid-rich hemp oil in juvenile cynomolgus macaques ( Macaca fascicularis)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38094499/

Reviews

For spine surgery, a review on the use of cannabinoids for pain relief & recovery
Unlocking the Healing Potential: Cannabinoids in Spine Surgery for Pain Relief and Recovery
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37972215/
And in a small pilot study on the transition from acute to chronic lower back pain… something happens with the endocannabinoids (but I can’t see it thanks to a paywall)
Differential Plasma Endocannabinoids and Cannabimimetic Fatty Acid Derivatives in the Transition From Acute to Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study
https://journals.lww.com/topicsinpainmanagement/citation/2023/12000/differential_plasma_endocannabinoids_and.1.aspx?context=latestarticles

For prenatal cannabis exposure, a review of 57 studies
Birth, cognitive and behavioral effects of intrauterine cannabis exposure in infants and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37968824/
“Prenatal cannabis use appears to be associated with lower birth weight, preterm birth and neonatal intensive care unit admission in newborns, but there is little evidence that prenatal cannabis exposure adversely impacts behavioral or cognitive outcomes in early childhood, with the exception of attention and externalizing problems.”

In fear conditioning, on the interplay between the endocannabinoid system & her sister the endovanilloid system
Interplay between endocannabinoid and endovanilloid mechanisms in fear conditioning
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37982167/

Preclinical

In a rat model of chronic moderate exercise, they had increased cannabinoid receptor expression on certain immune cells, suggesting a higher reactivity & efficiency from the immune system
Impact of Chronic Moderate Exercise on Immune Cells and Cytokine Levels in Rats: Focus on the Endocannabinergic Pathway
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37962860/

In a rat model of seizures, CBD significantly reduced their seizure duration & lowered inflammatory cytokines via the CB1 receptor, but not via the CB2 or GABAA receptors
Cannabidiol Anticonvulsant Effects Against Lithium-Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus in Male Rats Are Mediated by Neuroinflammation Modulation and Cannabinoids 1 (CB1), But Not CB2 and GABAA Receptors
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37976207/

In a rat model of obesity, THC caused an anti-inflammatory effect in their fat tissue as well as significant weight loss
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of ∆9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in Adipose Tissue of an Obese Rat Model
https://jchr.damghan.iau.ir/article_707648_f1b65fdebb23d21be7afc57b28b0b58a.pdf

In rats, high levels of THC rich smoke (but not CBD rich) impaired their incidental memory capacity
High-THC Cannabis Smoke Impairs Incidental Memory Capacity in Spontaneous Tests of Novelty Preference for Objects and Odors in Male Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37973381/

In mice, their encoding of reward prediction requires the mobilization of 2AG in their midbrain dopamine neurons
Mobilization of endocannabinoids by midbrain dopamine neurons is required for the encoding of reward prediction
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-43131-3

In rats with chronic sleep deprivation, anandamide lowered the neurobehavioral deficits & brain wave irregularities via the lowering of neuroinflammation & oxidative stress
Anandamide Attenuates Neurobehavioral Deficits and EEG Irregularities in the Chronic Sleep Deprivation Rats: The Role of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37966567/

In socially isolated rats, they had lower levels of genetic transcription of FAAH & CB1 in their amygdala & of CB1 in their prefrontal cortex with direct correlations to the oxytocin receptor gene
Endocannabinoid system genes regulation in the effects evoked by social isolation in rats
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3586582/v1/556afb44-a9cb-433e-9dc5-d9081f3cec51.pdf?c=1699934018

In a model of the blood brain barrier, treating the cells with 2AG & anandamide decreased the number of live cells but a scratch assay demonstrated that low concentrations of anandamide improved the rate of wound closure, suggesting that endocannabinoid treatment may be helpful during inflammation but detrimental during normal cell division
THE EFFECTS OF ENDOCANNABINOIDS ON INFLAMMATION OF ENDOTHELIAL CELLS OF THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER
https://www.ibroneuroreports.org/article/S2667-2421(23)00543-2/fulltext

An evergreen note on reading restricted papers:
First stop for seeing if there’s a free version of a paper, use the Google Scholar Chrome extension (Mac version), Google Scholar itself or try ResearchGate.
Three other helpful browser extensions are: Unpaywall, Open Access Button & PaperPanda
For the infamous backdoor, use
Sci-Hub – the pirated papers repository (Chrome extension here). This works better for older paper than the stuff that just came out.
Finally, email the author. They’re almost always happy to oblige because, thanks to the predatory academic publishing system, they don’t make a dollar off of their papers.

the Headlines & Fav Articles

The OSHA report on the death of Lorna McMurrey in the Trulieve facility in Massachusetts
Fatal Occupational Asthma in Cannabis Production - Massachusetts, 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37971937/

On how California cannabis workers cope with the stress & mental health (good source of anecdotes)
Stress, Mental Health, and Coping Among Workers in the Northern California Cannabis Industry: A Qualitative Descriptive Analysis
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/10482911231212936
And on labor trafficking in the cannabis industry
Labor trafficking in marijuana production: a hidden epidemic in the shadows of the cannabis industry
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1244579/full
And on navigating workers compensation & medical cannabis
Navigating Workers’ Compensation and Medical Marijuana
https://policycommons.net/artifacts/8244195/navigating-workers-compensation-and-medical-marijuana/9161037/

https://www.medievalists.net/2022/02/its-set-your-eyes-aflame-two-poems-from-the-14th-century/
“The narrator, an evangelist for wine and an enemy of hashish, offers one of the only known depictions of the pothead (al-mastul) in medieval Arabic or Jewish poetry.”

The Laws, The War on Drugs & the End of Prohibition

The heroes at OnPoint NYC (the safe consumption site) issue their first annual report
https://onpointnyc.org/baseline-annual-report-2023/

On the use of drones in the modern drug war & how cartels use them as a social media gambit to show strength
“I Feel Like a God”: Drones in the Modern Drug War
https://www.talkingdrugs.org/i-feel-like-a-god-drones-in-the-modern-drug-war/

A clinical test of driving & cannabis found that people who used it regularly were pretty good at identifying when they were OK to drive
Predicting changes in driving performance in individuals who use cannabis following acute use based on self-reported readiness to drive
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37984112/

Psychedelics, Plant Medicines & Other Psychoactives

On the history of the Native American use of datura
Datura Use and the Native American Death Trip
https://psychedelicpress.substack.com/p/datura-native-american

The Psychoactive Research

[This isn’t a deep dive into the science of psychedelics & other psychoactives like I do for the cannabinoids. If your organization would be interested in a breakdown of all the new psychedelic science, reach out to me]

In people with bipolar type II major depressive episodes, the benefits of a single dose of psilocybin with psychotherapy
Single-Dose Synthetic Psilocybin With Psychotherapy for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Type II Major Depressive Episodes: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38055270/

For military combat veterans, the benefits of a brief ayahuasca intervention
Ayahuasca in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Mixed-methods case series evaluation in military combat veterans
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38059941/

A review on the uniqueness of 5-MeO-DMT
5-MeO-DMT: An atypical psychedelic with unique pharmacology, phenomenology & risk?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38072874/

On the economic benefits of groups psychedelic therapy
Group psychedelic therapy: empirical estimates of cost-savings and improved access
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1293243/full

A holistic model of psychedelic personality change
Perceptions of psychedelic personality change, determinants of use, setting and drug moderation: Toward a holistic model
https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2054/7/3/article-p200.xml

The Plant & the History

On profiling historical rag papers & finding hemp
Profiling of historical rag papers by their non-cellulosic polysaccharide composition
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861723010767

Growing & Farming

On using UV & blue light to increase some secondary metabolites while some cannabinoid & terpene concentrations decreased under low red to far red ratios
The morphology, inflorescence yield, and secondary metabolite accumulation in hemp type Cannabis sativa can be influenced by the R:FR ratio or the amount of short wavelength radiation in a spectrum
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669023015376

On how far red light improved initial stage rooting but blue light did not
Effect of far-red and blue light on rooting in medicinal cannabis cuttings and related changes in endogenous auxin and carbohydrates
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304423823007823

On creating a propagation protocol for a Cannabis sativa L., subsp. Ruderalis Janish.
Establishment of an Efficient In Vitro Propagation Protocol for Cannabis sativa L. subsp. ruderalis Janish
https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/9/11/1241

Creating an RNA library of cannabis mitoviruses (RNA viruses in the mitochondria of the plant’s cells)
Expanding the knowledge frontier of mitoviruses in Cannabis sativa
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37940011/

Hemp as food

Hemp oil is a good addition to pork meatballs
Changes in physicochemical, textural, and sensorial properties of pork meatballs made with the addition of hemp oil during storage
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37936377/

When extracting hemp seed’s oleosomes (vesicles that store oil), a heat treatment can prevent microbial growth
Thermal treatment improves the physical stability of hemp seed oleosomes during storage
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0023643823011301

Industrial Use

A review on the many uses of hemp fibers
Hemp Fibres: Essentials, Composites or Nanocomposites and Technical Applications
https://unisapressjournals.co.za/index.php/NH/article/view/13835

On using hemp in supercapacitors
Synthesis of highly porous hybrid nanocomposite of hemp derived carbon nanosheet/carbon nanotube/manganese cobalt oxide for asymmetric supercapacitor
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0254058423013858

On using hemp to make biodiesel
Industrial Cannabis sativa: Hemp oil for biodiesel production
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375577652_Industrial_Cannabis_sativa_Hemp_oil_for_biodiesel_production

On using hemp seed oil to make flame retardant polyurethane foam
Hemp Seed Oil Derived Rigid Polyurethane Foams and Their Underlying Flame Retardancy Properties
https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3602723/v1/4da49e9b-ea0c-4e36-98b1-e0f5a62854ef.pdf?c=1700083710

Studying the fire behavior of hemp blocks
Fire behavior of hemp blocks: A biomass-based construction material
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352710223023276

CANNABINOID SCIENCE

In people vaping who had adverse effects, product testing identified several synthetic cannabinoids
Cannabinoid-based vaping products and supplement formulations reported by consumers to precipitate adverse effects
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35347865/

In people who smoke cigarettes & use e-cigarettes, those who also used cannabis reported more anxiety, depression & e-cigarette problems
Dual Electronic and Combustible Cigarette Use: Understanding the Relation of Cannabis Use with E-Cigarette Outcomes
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37932873/

In people who use cigarettes & cannabis, an anxiety sensitivity reduction smoking cessation program
Anxiety sensitivity reduction-smoking cessation intervention among individuals who engage in dual cigarette and cannabis use: A secondary analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37931686/

In Germany, how people are using cannabis & its relationship to tobacco consumption
Cannabis Use in Germany: Frequency, Routes of Administration, and Co-use of Inhaled Nicotine or Tobacco Products
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37967282/

Adolescents & Young People

In adolescents, a review of 133 studies on their cannabis knowledge & risk perception
Adolescents' Cannabis Knowledge and Risk Perception: A Systematic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37966406/

In Canada, an examination of the 60 resources produced for cannabis youth health literacy
Canadian cannabis education resources to support youth health literacy: A scoping review and environmental scan
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37927456/

In adolescents in Colombia, cannabis & tranquilizer use had a significant relationship to suicidal behavior
Association Between Suicidal Behaviour and Cannabis and Tranquilizer use, Depression, Aggression and Other Borderline Personality Traits Among Students in Sincelejo, Colombia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37923416/

In Swedish youth, the transitions between nicotine & cannabis products
Longitudinal transitions between combustible, non-combustible, and poly-cannabis product use from adolescence to young adulthood and intersections with nicotine use
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37981712/

In youth exposed prenatally to cocaine, they used more cannabis at younger ages with higher impulsivity & alexithymia (problems feeling emotion)
Relationships Between Prenatal Cocaine Exposure, Cannabis-Use Onset and Emotional and Related Characteristics in Young/Emerging Adults
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37964628/

The Brain & Neurological Disorders

In mouse brains, activation of the CB2 receptor disrupted the regulation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases MEK-ERK cellular signaling pathway
Cannabinoid CB2 receptor ligands disrupt the sequential regulation of p-MEK1/2 to p-ERK1/2 in mouse brain cortex
https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ent/Article/100450

Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders

A paper on the use of cannabis by people with psychosis stresses using biological measures to get a more accurate guide to their cannabis use
Assessing Cannabis Use in People with Psychosis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37971872/

In people with cannabis use disorder, brain scans to determine their craving dynamics
Craving dynamics and related cerebral substrates predict timing of use in alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use disorders
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772392523000810

In people with cannabis use disorder seeking treatment, transcranial magnetic stimulation had only small effects on abstinence & none on cravings
A preliminary randomized controlled trial of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in treatment seeking participants with cannabis use disorder
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38043228/

A Spanish version of the assessment of the subjective effects of cannabis
Spanish versions and validation of a series of rating scales and visual analogue scales to assess the subjective effects of cannabis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37982285/

In a mouse model of cocaine addiction, CBD did not decrease reward memory or other behavioral responses
Effects of cannabidiol on reward contextual memories induced by cocaine in male and female mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37968964/

Pain & Surgeries

Following spinal fusion surgeries, those with cannabis use disorder had no difference in their reoperation rates but did have an increased risk of stroke & heart/lung complications
Cannabis Use Disorder Trends and Health Care Utilization Following Cervical and Lumbar Spine Fusions
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37962203/

In a rat model of neuropathic pain, a drug that inhibits the FAAH enzyme prevented the development of mechanical allodynia (pain due to a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain)
URB937 Prevents the Development of Mechanical Allodynia in Male Rats with Trigeminal Neuralgia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004491/

A thesis project on migraine pain & the anti-nociceptive effects of the endocannabinoids
PRO-NOCICEPTIVE ROLE OF PIEZO1 CHANNELS AND THE ANTI-NOCICEPTIVE EFFECTS OF ENDOCANNABINOIDS IN THE TRIGEMINAL SYSTEM IMPLICATED IN MIGRAINE PAIN
https://erepo.uef.fi/handle/123456789/30813

In a zebrafish model of pain, on the use of CBD & CBG as analgesics
Verification of the analgesic properties of natural compounds of cannabinoid origin in Danio rerio model of nociception
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374183460_Verification_of_the_analgesic_properties_of_natural_compounds_of_cannabinoid_origin_in_Danio_rerio_model_of_nociception

Tramadol appears to work not via the opioid or cannabinoid receptors but by the nitrergic pathway & sensitive ATP potassium channels
Nitric oxide and potassium channels but not opioid and cannabinoid receptors mediate tramadol-induced peripheral antinociception in rat model of paw pressure withdrawal
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37976474/

The Guts, Metabolism, Oral Health & CHS

In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, those using cannabis needed more anesthetic & experienced a longer endoscopy, but no significant difference in length of stay in the recovery room
Cannabis Use in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Creates Significantly Greater Resource Utilization During Endoscopy
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2023/10001/s1058_cannabis_use_in_patients_with_inflammatory.1597.aspx

The Liver

In a mouse model of the primary toxin from amanita, CBD protected the liver, lowered apoptosis (cellular suicide) & increased survival rates via regulation of Nrf2
Cannabidiol protects the liver from α-Amanitin-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress through the regulation of Nrf2
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37992955/

The Skin

In mice with psoriasis from the topical anti-tumor medicine imiquimod, a combination of CBD, krill oil & myo-inositol were the best nutraceutical combination for lowering disease scores
Nutraceutical combination ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis in mice
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37705136/

Cancer & Chemotherapy

A thesis project about CBD's effect on colorectal cancer cells via serotonin
The Impact of Cannabidiol on Intestinal Tumorigenesis: A Pilot Study on Caco-2 Cell
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2424&context=masters_theses_2

Cool Chemistry & Tools

In rats, Dr. ElSohyl of the UMiss cannabis grow tested a nanoemulsion of CBD & found greater bioavailability
Absorption and Bioavailability of Novel UltraShear Nanoemulsion of Cannabidiol in Rats
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37942295/

A CB2 activator that can be turned on by light
cis-Active Photoswitchable CB2-Receptor Agonist
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0043-1763811

On how CBD-DMH binds to the CB2 receptor
Dual allosteric and orthosteric pharmacology of synthetic analog cannabidiol-dimethylheptyl, but not cannabidiol, on the cannabinoid CB2 receptor
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37972874/

On making neocannabinoids
Access to Normal and Abnormal Neocannabinoids via Control of Friedel–Crafts Reaction Time
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0043-1763813

An update on gas chromatography for analyzing phytocannabinoids
Application of gas chromatography in the analysis of phytocannabinoids: An update (2020-2023)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37963411/

Thanks.
- lex

PS: For this week’s swinging songwriter, the inimitable Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks performing their debut 1969 album ‘Original Recordings’. With a mix of humor & elements of cowboy folk, jazz, country, swing, bluegrass, pop & gypsy music, his career spanned the decades. I don’t quite know how to describe, but it’s been a foot-tappin’ smiling way to write the newsletter this week.

This newsletter is the backbone of my work & it’s my hope that it brought you a measure of value. If you are in a position to support me in writing more, please consider upgrading your subscription.

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