Frontier mental health research: psychedelics & drug studies

Each month our editorial team sifts through hundreds of papers and curates notable findings—for practitioners and informed readers who want to stay current with the evidence. Subscribe to the monthly Research Digest for expert analysis and concise summaries of key papers.

8 papers

Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid‐terpenoid entourage effects

Ethan B. Russo
British Journal of Pharmacology Summary & key facts 2011 1,481 citations

Some research suggests that whole-plant cannabis compounds (like THC, CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids) can interact so the plant’s effects differ from CBD alone. Healthline explains three CBD types — full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate — and notes legal, safety, and labeling limits. The article says there is evidence for…

Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research

Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol

Sinemyiz Atalay, Iwona Jarocka-Karpowicz, Elźbieta Skrzydlewska
Antioxidants Summary & key facts 2019 765 citations

This review says cannabidiol (CBD) is a non‑psychoactive cannabis compound that has antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory actions in lab and some clinical studies. CBD can act directly to neutralize reactive molecules and indirectly by changing cell signals and antioxidant enzymes. Experiments in cells and animals show CBD lowers markers of oxidative…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Diet, Metabolism, and Disease GABA and Rice Research

Symptom‐relieving and neuroprotective effects of the phytocannabinoid Δ9‐THCV in animal models of Parkinson’s disease

Concepción García, Cristina Palomo‐Garo, Moisés Garcı́a-Arencibia, Jaime A. Ramos, Roger G. Pertwee, Javier Fernández‐Ruíz
British Journal of Pharmacology Summary & key facts 2011 205 citations

In rats and mice that had brain lesions used to model Parkinson's disease, the plant compound Δ9-THCV reduced movement problems after a single dose and, with repeated dosing, reduced loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain region called the substantia nigra. Some effects seem linked to antioxidant actions and, in…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol

Cinzia Citti, Pasquale Linciano, Fabiana Russo, Livio Luongo, Monica Iannotta, Sabatino Maione, et al.
Scientific Reports Summary & key facts 2019 200 citations

Researchers isolated a new natural cannabis compound called Δ9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9-THCP) and its CBD counterpart (CBDP). In lab tests, Δ9-THCP bound very strongly to the human CB1 receptor (Ki = 1.2 nM) and caused THC-like effects in mice (less movement, pain relief, catalepsy, and lower body temperature). The authors say Δ9-THCP…

Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research

Minor Cannabinoids: Biosynthesis, Molecular Pharmacology and Potential Therapeutic Uses

Walsh, Kenneth B., McKinney, Amanda E., Holmes, Andrea E.
www.frontiersin.org Summary & key facts 2021 140 citations

Cannabis makes more than 120 “minor” cannabinoids that appear in smaller amounts than THC and CBD and come from a parent compound called cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Early lab and clinical work shows these minor cannabinoids can activate or block many biological targets (for example CB1 and CB2 receptors, TRP channels,…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis GABA and Rice Research

Affinity and Efficacy Studies of Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid A at Cannabinoid Receptor Types One and Two

John M McPartland, Christa MacDonald, Michelle Young, Phillip S Grant, Daniel P Furkert, Michelle Glass
PubMed Central (PMC) Summary & key facts 2017 69 citations

This lab study tested how the cannabis compound THCA-A binds to the two main cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). The THCA-A sample was found to contain 2% THC, and THCA-A showed only very weak binding and little or no effect at these receptors. The authors say some of the small…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Cannabis: A potential efficacious intervention for PTSD or simply snake oil?

Alfonso Abizaid, Zul Merali, Hymie Anisman

The ancient Egyptians used willow bark as a remedy for aches and pains, even though they were unaware that salicylic acid was responsible for its anti-pyrogenic and anti-inflammatory actions.[1][1] Based on anecdotal reports and social media chatter, cannabis might yet displace salicylic acid as the

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research Sleep and Wakefulness Research

An emerging trend in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs): designer THC

Cristian Caprari, Elena Ferri, Maria Angela Vandelli, Cinzia Citti, Giuseppe Cannazza
PubMed Central (PMC) Summary & key facts 2024 27 citations

This review explains that many THC-like chemicals have been made from Δ9-THC over time. It describes their chemistry, how they are made, how they act in the body, lab testing methods, and reports from users. Some of these compounds occur in tiny amounts in natural cannabis, others are made in…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research GABA and Rice Research Psychedelics and Drug Studies
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