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.

6 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

Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature

Kimberly A. Babson, James Sottile, Danielle M. Morabito
PubMed Summary & key facts 2017 470 citations

This 2017 review of studies up to 2014 looked at how cannabis and related drugs affect sleep. The authors found early, mixed evidence: cannabidiol (CBD) showed possible benefit for insomnia and some sleep disorders, THC might make people fall asleep faster but could harm sleep quality over time, and some…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Sleep and related disorders Sleep and Wakefulness 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

Mechanisms of Action and Pharmacokinetics of Cannabis

Sirichai Chayasirisobhon
The Permanente Journal Summary & key facts 2020 125 citations

This review explains how the main cannabis chemicals, especially THC and CBD, act in the body and how the body absorbs and breaks them down. THC and CBD bind to cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the brain and other organs. Inhaling THC delivers it to blood and brain fast…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis Psychedelics and Drug Studies

The effect of five day dosing with THCV on THC-induced cognitive, psychological and physiological effects in healthy male human volunteers: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover pilot trial

Amir Englund, Zerrin Atakan, Aleksandra Kralj, Nigel Tunstall, Robin Murray, Paul Morrison
Journal of Psychopharmacology Summary & key facts 2015 84 citations

In this small, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 10 healthy male, infrequent cannabis users took 10 mg oral THCV daily for five days and then received 1 mg IV THC on day five. THCV was safe and felt like placebo. Compared with placebo, THCV reduced some effects of THC (for example…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): a commentary on potential therapeutic benefit for the management of obesity and diabetes

Amos Olusegun Abioye, Olubukola Ayodele, Aleksandra Marinkovic, Risha Patidar, Adeola Akinwekomi, Adekunle Sanyaolu
Journal of Cannabis Research Summary & key facts 2020 80 citations

THCV is a cannabis compound that does not cause the “high” linked to THC. In animal studies it lowered appetite, increased feelings of fullness, and raised energy use, and some small studies in people with type 2 diabetes found lower fasting blood sugar versus placebo. Researchers say these findings make…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Diet, Metabolism, and Disease Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
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