humulene and Obesity

Topics: Animals; Cannabidiol; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Hallucinogens; Obesity

Topics: Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Humans; Inflammation; Obesity

Observational studies suggested that cannabis use is associated with decreased body fatness; however, observational studies are subject to confounding, making causal inference and determining the direction of these associations difficult. We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to investigate the potential causal association of cannabis use and obesity-related traits.. We used 51 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with lifetime cannabis use at P 1<×  10. MR showed that lifetime cannabis use (beta = - 0.018, 95 % confidence interval (CI): - 0.05-0.015; P-value = 0.279, Q-value = 0.279) and cannabis use disorder (beta = 0.023, 95 % CI: 0.023-0.045; P-value = 0.034, Q-value = 0.092) were not associated with BMI. Considering WC and WHR as indicators of obesity, our findings did not support a causal association. Leave-one out analyses and pleiotropy-robust methods did not indicate bias in any of the estimates.. Overall, the MR study provides little evidence that cannabis influences obesity related traits.

Topics: Body Mass Index; Cannabis; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Obesity; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Waist-Hip Ratio

To review the evidence regarding a decrease in worldwide sperm parameters and discuss potential causative factors.. The topic of worldwide decline in sperm parameters is contentious; however, recent high-quality studies have demonstrated that there is indeed a decline in sperm parameters. Several retrospective and basic science studies have shown possible links for this decline in sperm parameters such as obesity, diet, and environmental toxins.. There exist substantial data to suggest a decline in sperm counts over time. Although causative factors have yet to be fully elucidated, potential causes include, increased rates of obesity, poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins. How this decline in sperm counts reflects fertility has yet to be determined. As such, further studies are necessary to evaluate whether this decline in sperm count correlates with decreased fecundity and how to identify and mitigate potential causative factors.

Topics: Cannabis; Chronic Disease; Diet; Environmental Pollutants; Fertility; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Infertility, Male; Life Style; Male; Nicotiana; Obesity; Semen Analysis; Smoking; Sperm Count; Spermatozoa

Currently, an increasing number of diseases related to insulin resistance and obesity is an alarming problem worldwide. It is well-known that the above states can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. An excessive amount of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in a diet also evokes adipocyte hyperplasia and subsequent accumulation of lipids in peripheral organs (liver, cardiac muscle). Therefore, new therapeutic methods are constantly sought for the prevention, treatment and alleviation of symptoms of the above mentioned diseases. Currently, much attention is paid to

Topics: Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Obesity; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy

In this review, we discuss the role of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in regulating energy and metabolic homeostasis. Endocannabinoids, via activating the cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB

Topics: Animals; Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Endocannabinoids; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1

In this last century, an increase of men infertility has been registered. It has been suggested that environmental factors could a negative impact over sperm quality. Among these factors, impact of environmental toxicant has been spread by media. In this review of scientific literature, we identify several environmental factors that could impact men fertility in a negative way. These factors are tobacco, marijuana, weight, body mass index, heat, nutritional state, electromagnetic waves and altitude. For each of these factors, the impact over men fertility, their mechanism, as well their influence over the use of Assisted Reproductive Technics are reported.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cannabis; Child; Electromagnetic Radiation; Environment; France; Hot Temperature; Humans; Infertility, Male; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotiana; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Smoking

Marijuana is used by millions of people, with use likely to increase in the USA because of the trend towards increased decriminalization and legalization. Obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) rates have increased dramatically in the USA over the past 30 years, with a recent estimate of 29 million individuals with DM. Because there is a plausible link between marijuana use and diabetes due to the known effects of cannabinoids on adipose tissue and glucose/insulin metabolism, it is important to study and understand how marijuana use is related to obesity and diabetes. This paper provides background on the human endocannabinoid system and studies of the association of marijuana use with body mass index/obesity, metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, and diabetes. The studies to date have shown that marijuana use is associated with either lower odds or no difference in the odds of diabetes than non-use.

Topics: Body Mass Index; Cannabis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Marijuana Smoking; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Prediabetic State

Obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) constitute global and growing epidemics that result in therapeutic dead ends. There is an urgent need for new and accessible treatments to improve and widen both preventive and curative approaches against NAFLD. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is recognized as a complex signaling apparatus closely related to metabolic disorders and is a key target for treating NAFLD. Despite a lack of conclusive clinical trials, observational and pre-clinical studies highlight putative benefits of phytocannabinoids on liver steatosis through multiple pathways. Owing to both its safety profile and its diversity of active compounds acting primarily (although not exclusively) on the ECS-and its expanded version, the endocannabinoidome, the

Topics: Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; Cannabis; Insulin Resistance; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity

The prevalence of obesity and insulin-resistance is on the rise, globally. Cannabis have been shown to have anti-diabetic/obesity properties, however, the effect mediated at various fat depots remains to be clarified. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the anti-diabetic property of an oral cannabis administration in an obese and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model and (2) to determine and compare the effect mediated at the peritoneal and intramuscular fat level. Cannabis concentration of 1.25 mg/kg body weight (relative to THC content) was effective in reversing insulin-resistance in the rat model, unlike the other higher cannabinoid concentrations. At the peritoneal fat level, gene expression of fat beigeing markers, namely Cidea and UCP1, were significantly increased compared to the untreated control. At the intramuscular fat level, on the other hand, CE1.25 treatment did not promote fat beigeing but instead significantly increased mitochondrial activity, relative to the untreated control. Therefore, these findings indicate that the mechanism of action of oral cannabis administration, where glucose and lipid homeostasis is restored, is not only dependent on the dosage but also on the type of fat depot investigated.

Topics: Animals; Cannabis; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Insulin Resistance; Insulins; Obesity; Rats; Streptozocin

Depression and anxiety among adolescents are major public health concerns. Findings indicate that income inequality was associated with increased risk for depression and anxiety among adolescents; however, this has not been tested longitudinally. We aim to quantify the longitudinal association between income inequality and depression and anxiety among Canadian adolescents.. We used longitudinal data on 21,141 students from three waves (2016/17-2018/19) of the Cannabis, Obesity, Mental health, Physical activity, Alcohol, Smoking, and Sedentary behavior (COMPASS) school-based study. Multilevel modeling was used to assess the association between census division (CD)-level income inequality and depressive and anxiety symptoms and odds for depression and anxiety over time.. Across CDs, the mean Gini coefficient was 0.37 (range: 0.30, 0.46). Attending schools in CDs with higher levels of income inequality was associated with higher depressive scores (ß = 0.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02, 0.14) and an increased odds for depression (odds ratio = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.06, 2.28) over time. Income inequality was not significantly associated with anxiety symptoms or experiencing anxiety over time. Additional analyses showed that income inequality was associated with higher depressive scores among females (ß = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.18) and males (ß = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.15) and for anxiety scores among females (ß = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.22), but not among males (ß = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.09, 0.06).. Findings from this study indicated that income inequality is associated with depression over time among adolescents. This study highlights key points of intervention for the prevention of mental illness in adolescents.

Topics: Adolescent; Canada; Cannabis; Depression; Exercise; Female; Humans; Income; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Mental Health; Obesity; Schools; Sedentary Behavior; Smoking; Students

Topics: Animals; Cannabidiol; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Endocannabinoids; Glucose; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Obesity; Weight Gain

In non-pregnant populations, cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) have been linked to tobacco use and less successful quit attempts. We compared perinatal cigarette use in women across 3 groups: never used cannabis (No CU group); used cannabis but did not meet CUD criteria (CU group); history of CUD (CUD group).. Interviews with 257 pregnant women with overweight/obesity (M age = 28 years; 52% white) were conducted for a study of eating behavior in Western Pennsylvania from 2012-2016. Tobacco use was assessed early in pregnancy (< 20 weeks gestation), late in pregnancy (34-38 weeks gestation) and 6 months postpartum. CUD was measured with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). Data relevant to the proposed analyses were available for 252 women. Generalized mixed effect models were used to predict perinatal cigarette use based on cannabis use group, time and their interaction, adjusting for age, race, education, income, parity, and mood/anxiety disorder.. Forty-eight percent of participants reported prior cannabis use and 15% were diagnosed with lifetime CUD. History of cannabis use predicted cigarette smoking in early pregnancy (OR 11.12, CI 3.27-37.85), late pregnancy (OR 6.55, CI 1.70-25.27), and 6 months postpartum (OR 7.57, CI 2.72-21.07), regardless of CUD.. A history of CUD did not appear to confer additional risk for perinatal cigarette use. Given increasing rates of cannabis use among pregnant women, these results highlight the importance of addressing history of cannabis use in conjunction with tobacco use to improve smoking cessation efforts.

Topics: Adult; Cannabis; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Obesity; Overweight; Pregnancy; Tobacco Products

To assess the impact of fetal exposure to cannabis on adiposity and glucose-insulin traits in early life.. We leveraged a subsample of 103 mother-child pairs from Healthy Start, an ethnically diverse Colorado-based cohort. Twelve cannabinoids/metabolites of cannabis (including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol) were measured in maternal urine collected at ~27 weeks' gestation. Fetal exposure to cannabis was dichotomized as exposed (any cannabinoid > limit of detection [LOD]) and not exposed (all cannabinoids < LOD). Fat mass and fat-free mass were measured via air displacement plethysmography at follow-up (mean age: 4.7 years). Glucose and insulin were obtained after an overnight fast. Generalized linear models estimated the associations between fetal exposure to cannabis with adiposity measures (fat mass [kg], fat-free mass [kg], adiposity [fat mass percentage], body mass index [BMI], and BMI z-scores) and metabolic measures (glucose [mg/dL], insulin [uIU/mL], and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]).. Approximately 15% of the women had detectable levels of any cannabinoid, indicating fetal exposure to cannabis. Exposed offspring had higher fat mass (1.0 kg; 95% CI, 0.3-1.7), fat-free mass (1.2 kg; 95% CI, 0.4-2.0), adiposity (2.6%; 95% CI, 0.1-5.2), and fasting glucose (5.6 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.8-10.3) compared with nonexposed offspring. No associations were found with fasting insulin (in the fully adjusted model), HOMA-IR, BMI, or BMI z-scores.. We provide novel evidence to suggest an association between fetal exposure to cannabis with increased adiposity and fasting glucose in childhood, a finding that should be validated in other cohorts.

Topics: Adiposity; Birth Weight; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Child, Preschool; Female; Glucose; Humans; Insulin; Obesity

Past evidence suggests obesity co-occurs with tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol use in young adulthood, but whether this relationship extends to nicotine or cannabis vaping is unclear. Furthermore, differential relationships between substance use and specific weight status categories (obesity, overweight, and underweight) have not been assessed. This study assessed prevalence of tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol use by weight status categories in young adulthood.. Of the 1322 young adults (18-29 years; 20.5 ± 2.3 years; 63% female; 42% Hispanic/Latino/a/x, 30% Asian-American/Asian, 18% Caucasian/White, 7% Multiracial, and 2% African-American/Black) from a public, urban university were surveyed on their health-risk behaviors in the spring and fall of 2021.. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed six-month follow-up substance use prevalence (never, lifetime but no past 30-d use, and past 30-d use) by baseline weight status (obese, overweight, underweight; reference: healthy weight). Obesity predicted lower odds of past 30-d nicotine vaping (aOR [95% CI] = 0.27 [0.08-0.92]). Overweight predicted higher odds of lifetime combustible cannabis (aOR [95% CI] = 1.58 [1.08-2.30]) and past 30-d binge drinking (aOR [95% CI] = 1.79 [1.12-2.85]). Underweight was associated with lower odds of lifetime cannabis vaping (aOR [95% CI] = 0.35 [0.12-0.99]) and combustible cannabis (aOR [95% CI] = 0.38 [0.16-0.87]).. Differential relationships between obesity and overweight on tobacco/nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol use suggest greater specificity is needed when evaluating relationships between higher weight status and substance use. It appears that overweight young adults may be at higher risk of substance use than obese young adults. Greater efforts to consider multiple weight status groups, not just obese, may have significant implications for tobacco/nicotine prevention and intervention efforts targeting vulnerable populations.

Topics: Adult; Cannabis; Female; Humans; Male; Nicotine; Obesity; Overweight; Substance-Related Disorders; Thinness; Young Adult

Despite widespread usage, research on the relationship of marijuana use to disease is sorely lacking. We sought to test the relationship of LUTS/BPH treatment and endocannabinoid agonist usage, as well as alcohol usage and depression, with treatment for LUTS/BPH in our health system.. We queried our hospital system database of nearly three million patients in a marijuana-legalized region for data from the electronic medical record between January 2011 and October 2018. Men over the age of 45 on medical therapy for LUTS (selective alpha blockade and/or finasteride) were included. Exclusions were diagnosis of bladder or prostate malignancy and men with only one visit. Alcohol and marijuana (MJ) use were found from diagnosis code and/or social history text. Medical diagnoses were based on ICD-9/10 codes. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for confounders. We considered all men over the age of 45 who had any of these features: depression, obesity or metabolic syndrome (MetS), hypertension (HTN), erectile dysfunction (ED), hypogonadism, diabetes (DM) and calculated the odds ratio of also receiving medical therapy for LUTS. Univariable and multivariable analyses were employed, multiple logistic regression was used to control for confounders.. A total of 173,469 patients were identified meeting criteria with 20,548 (11.9%) on medical treatment for LUTS. After adjusting for confounding variables, MJ and depression remained associated with an increased risk of LUTS medication, within the context of verifying previously established relationships of ED, Obesity/MetS, DM, HTN and hypogonadism.. Men with depression and MJ usage were more likely to be treated for LUTS/BPH in our system. Better understanding of the causality of this relationship and potential interaction of LUTS/BPH with the endocannabinoid system is desirable.

Topics: Cannabis; Depression; Endocannabinoids; Erectile Dysfunction; Humans; Hypertension; Hypogonadism; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Male; Obesity; Prostatic Hyperplasia

Obesity in the US arguably constitutes the most significant health epidemic over the past century. Recent legislative changes allowing for recreational marijuana use further create a need to better understand the relationship between marijuana use and health choices, leading to obesity. We examine this relationship by using a synthetic control approach to examine the impact of legalized recreational marijuana access on obesity rates by comparing Washington State to a synthetically constructed counterfactual. We find that recreational marijuana's introduction did not lead to increased obesity rates and may have led to decreases in obesity.

Topics: Cannabis; Humans; Legislation, Drug; Marijuana Smoking; Obesity; Washington

Omega-3 fatty acids support cardiometabolic health and reduce chronic low-grade inflammation. These fatty acids may impart their health benefits partly by modulating the endocannabinoidome and the gut microbiome, both of which are key regulators of metabolism and the inflammatory response. Whole hemp seeds (

Topics: Animals; Cannabis; Diet, High-Fat; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Flax; Glucose; Humans; Inflammation; Insulins; Mice; Obesity; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Seeds; Sucrose; Triglycerides

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in the Western world, and it is closely associated to obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. Medicinal cannabis and some neutral cannabinoids have been suggested as a potential therapy for liver diseases.. Δ. The antifibrotic activity of Δ. TGFβ-induced profibrotic gene expression was analyzed by luciferase and qPCR assays. Liver fibrosis and inflammation were assessed by immunochemistry and qPCR. Blood glucose, insulin, leptin and triglyceride levels were measured in HFD mice.

Topics: Animals; Cannabis; Carbon Tetrachloride; Diet, High-Fat; Dronabinol; Gene Expression Regulation; Hepatitis; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NIH 3T3 Cells; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity

The consumption of fatty acids has increased drastically, exceeding the nutritional requirements of an individual and leading to numerous metabolic disorders. Recent data indicate a growing interest in using cannabidiol (CBD) as an agent with beneficial effects in the treatment of obesity. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the influence of chronic CBD administration on the n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ratio in different lipid fractions, inflammatory pathway and oxidative stress parameters in the white and red gastrocnemius muscle. All the designed experiments were performed on Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or a standard rodent diet for seven weeks and subsequently injected with CBD (10 mg/kg once daily for two weeks) or its vehicle. Lipid content and oxidative stress parameters were assessed using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), colorimetric and/or immunoenzymatic methods, respectively. The total expression of proteins of an inflammatory pathway was measured by Western blotting. Our results revealed that fatty acids (FAs) oversupply is associated with an increasing oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which results in an excessive accumulation of FAs, especially of n-6 PUFAs, in skeletal muscles. We showed that CBD significantly improved the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio and shifted the equilibrium towards anti-inflammatory n-3 PUFAs, particularly in the red gastrocnemius muscle. Additionally, CBD prevented generation of lipid peroxidation products and attenuated inflammatory response in both types of skeletal muscle. In summary, the results mentioned above indicate that CBD presents potential therapeutic properties with respect to the treatment of obesity and related disturbances.

Topics: Animals; Cannabidiol; Cannabis; Diet, High-Fat; Fatty Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Metabolism; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Rats; Rats, Wistar

Seeds of industrial hemp (

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Blood Proteins; Cannabis; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Dietary Supplements; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids; Male; Myocardium; Obesity; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Zucker; Seeds; Thromboxane A2; Vasoconstriction; Vasodilation

Hemp seeds are rich in PUFAs and other bioactives that can attenuate the development of obesity-related disorders; however, the extent to which their lipid fraction is responsible for this effect is unknown.. We hypothesized that hemp seed or hemp oil supplementation can attenuate genetically determined disorders and that the former are more effective in doing so.. Lean and obese male Zucker rats, aged 8 wk, weighing 174 ± 4.2 g and 223 ± 3.8 g, respectively, were allocated to 4 groups. The lean (LC) and obese controls (OC) were fed a standard diet, whereas the other 2 obese groups were fed a modified diet in which hemp oil (4% diet; O + HO) or hemp seeds (12% diet; O + HS) were included. All diets had the same proportions of protein (18%), fat (8%), and fiber (5%) and a similar carbohydrate proportion (∼52%). Diets fed to O + HO and O + HS had similar fatty acid profiles. After 4 wk, markers of gut and liver function, antioxidant status, and lipid metabolism were measured.. The total SCFA concentration in the cecal digesta was lower in OC (64.8 ± 4.21 µmol/g) compared with LC (78.1 ± 2.83 µmol/g) (P ≤ 0.05), whereas it was greater in O + HS (89 ± 4.41 µmol/g) compared with LC, OC, and O + HO (69.7 ± 2.68 µmol/g) (P ≤ 0.05). Plasma total cholesterol was greater in OC (6.20 ± 0.198 mmol/L) and O + HO (5.60 ± 0.084 mmol/L) compared with LC (2.71 ± 0.094 mmol/L) (P ≤ 0.05); in O + HS, the concentration did not differ from the other groups (5.16 ± 0.278 mmol/L). The liver cholesterol concentration was greater in OC (1.79 ± 0.379 mg/g) compared with the other groups (1.28-1.43 mg/g) (P ≤ 0.05). Hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ was lower in OC (11.9 ± 0.93 units) compared with LC (17.3 ± 1.3 units) (P ≤ 0.05), whereas it was greater in O + HS (19.2 ± 1.04 units) compared with OC and O + HO (14.0 ± 1.33 units) (P ≤ 0.05).. Dietary hemp seeds more effectively attenuate metabolic disorders in genetically obese rats than the oil extracted from them, which suggests that the lipid fraction is only partly responsible for these effects.

Topics: Animals; Body Composition; Cannabis; Diet; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Gene Expression; Lipids; Liver; Male; Obesity; Rats; Rats, Zucker; Seeds

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of the dietary inclusion of hemp seed oil (HO) and poppy seed oil (PO) on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant status of lean and genetically obese Zucker rats. The rats were fed a control diet for laboratory rodents or a modification with HO or PO. Both oils reduced body and epididymal fat and liver cholesterol levels and promoted oxidative stress in the liver of obese rats. The HO reduced plasma triglycerides and had a stronger liver cholesterol-lowering effect in obese rats than PO. In the lean rats, HO and PO had no effects on the body fat content, plasma lipid profile, or lipid metabolism in the liver. HO considerably elevated the content of α-linolenic acid in the liver and increased the liver ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the lean rats. In conclusion, the regular consumption of both oils increases the accumulation of essential fatty acids in the liver of healthy animals, whilst not having any adverse effects on the body, whereas in genetically obese rats, the effects of both dietary oils on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant status are unequivocal and only partially beneficial.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cannabis; Diet; Lipid Metabolism; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Papaver; Plant Oils; Rats; Rats, Zucker; Thinness

Cannabis has been used for medicinal purpose for thousands of years; however the positive and negative effects of cannabis use in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are mostly unknown. Our aim was to assess cannabis use in PD and MS and compare results of self-reported assessments of neurological disability between current cannabis users and non-users.. An anonymous web-based survey was hosted on the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society webpages from 15 February to 15 October 2016. The survey collected demographic and cannabis use information, and used standardized questionnaires to assess neurological function, fatigue, balance, and physical activity participation. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used for the analysis.. The survey was viewed 801 times, and 595 participants were in the final data set. Seventy-six percent and 24% of the respondents reported PD and MS respectively. Current users reported high efficacy of cannabis, 6.4 (SD 1.8) on a scale from 0 to 7 and 59% reported reducing prescription medication since beginning cannabis use. Current cannabis users were younger and less likely to be classified as obese (P < 0.035). Cannabis users reported lower levels of disability, specifically in domains of mood, memory, and fatigue (P<0.040).. Cannabis may have positive impacts on mood, memory, fatigue, and obesity status in people with PD and MS. Further studies using clinically and longitudinally assessed measurements of these domains are needed to establish if these associations are causal and determine the long-term benefits and consequences of cannabis use in people with PD and MS.

Topics: Adult; Affect; Aged; Cannabis; Disabled Persons; Fatigue; Female; Humans; Internet; Male; Marijuana Smoking; Medical Marijuana; Memory; Memory Disorders; Middle Aged; Mood Disorders; Multiple Sclerosis; Obesity; Parkinson Disease; Surveys and Questionnaires

Cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1) is known to have a substantial impact on the regulation of energy metabolism via central and peripheral mechanisms. In this issue of the JCI, Ruiz de Azua and colleagues provide important insights into the regulation of adipocyte physiology by CB1. Mice with adipocyte-specific deletion of the CB1-encoding gene had an overall improved metabolic profile in addition to reduced body weight and total adiposity. These changes were associated with an increase in sympathetic tone of the adipose tissue and expansion of activated macrophages, both of which occurred prior to changes in body weight, lending support to a causal relationship between loss of CB1 in adipocytes and systemic metabolic changes. This work identifies adipocyte CB1s as a potential novel peripheral target for affecting systemic metabolism with diminished CNS effects.

Topics: Adipocytes; Animals; Cannabis; Homeostasis; Macrophages; Mice; Obesity; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1

To ascertain the relationship between cannabis use, obesity, and insulin resistance.. Data on 786 Inuit adults from the Nunavik Inuit Health Survey (2004) were analyzed. Information on cannabis use was obtained from a self-completed, confidential questionnaire. Fasting blood glucose and insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) served as surrogate markers of insulin resistance. Analysis of covariance and multivariate logistic regression ascertained relationships between cannabis use and outcomes.. Cannabis use was highly prevalent in the study population (57.4%) and was statistically associated with lower body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001), lower % fat mass (P < 0.001), lower fasting insulin (P = 0.04), and lower HOMA-IR (P = 0.01), after adjusting for numerous confounding variables. Further adjustment for BMI rendered fasting insulin and HOMA-IR differences statistically nonsignificant between past-year cannabis users and nonusers. Mediation analysis showed that the effect of cannabis use on insulin resistance was indirect, through BMI. In multivariate analysis, past-year cannabis use was associated with 0.56 lower likelihood of obesity (95% confidence interval 0.37-0.84).. Cannabis use was associated with lower BMI, and such an association did not occur through the glucose metabolic process or related inflammatory markers. The association between cannabis use and insulin resistance was mediated through its influence on weight.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cannabis; Drug Users; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Inuit; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Obesity; Prevalence; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult

Obesity is one of the highest preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in the developed world [1]. It has been well known for a long time that exposure to cannabis produces an increase of appetite (a phenomenon referred to as the 'munchies'). This phenomenon led to an exploration of the role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of obesity and associated metabolic syndrome. This effort subsequently led to the development of a successful therapeutic approach for obesity that consisted of blocking the cannabinoid CB1 receptors using ligands such as Rimonabant in order to produce weight loss and improve metabolic profile [2]. Despite being efficacious, Rimonabant was associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety and therefore removed from the market. We recently discovered that the prevalence of obesity is paradoxically much lower in cannabis users as compared to non-users and that this difference is not accounted for by tobacco smoking status and is still present after adjusting for variables such as sex and age. Here, we propose that this effect is directly related to exposure to the Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in cannabis smoke. We therefore propose the seemingly paradoxical hypothesis that THC or a THC/cannabidiol combination drug may produce weight loss and may be a useful therapeutic for the treatment of obesity and its complications.

Topics: Cannabis; Dronabinol; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Marijuana Smoking; Obesity; Plant Extracts; Treatment Outcome; Weight Loss

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an organic cannabis extract on β-cell secretory function in an in vivo diet-induced obese rat model and determine the associated molecular changes within pancreatic tissue. Diet-induced obese Wistar rats and rats fed on standard pellets were subcutaneously injected with an organic cannabis extract or the vehicle over a 28-day period. The effect of diet and treatment was evaluated using the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTTs) and qPCR analysis on rat pancreata harvested upon termination of the experiment. The cafeteria diet induced an average weight difference of 32g and an overall increase in body weight in the experimental groups occurred at a significantly slower rate than the control groups, irrespective of diet. Area under the curve for glucose (AUC(g)) in the obese group was significantly lower compared to the lean group (p<0.001), with cannabis treatment significantly reducing the AUC(g) in the lean group (p<0.05), and remained unchanged in the obese group, relative to the obese control group. qPCR analysis showed that the cafeteria diet induced down-regulation of the following genes in the obese control group, relative to lean controls: UCP2, c-MYC and FLIP. Cannabis treatment in the obese group resulted in up-regulation of CB1, GLUT2, UCP2 and PKB, relative to the obese control group, while c-MYC levels were down-regulated, relative to the lean control group. Treatment did not significantly change gene expression in the lean group. These results suggest that the cannabis extract protects pancreatic islets against the negative effects of obesity.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Area Under Curve; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Cannabis; Diet; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Gene Expression; Genes, myc; Glucose Tolerance Test; Injections, Subcutaneous; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Ion Channels; Mitochondrial Proteins; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rats; Uncoupling Protein 2; Weight Gain

Ligand-based virtual screening with a 3D pharmacophore led to the discovery of 30 novel, diverse and drug-like ligands of the human cannabinoid receptor 1 (hCB(1)). The pharmacophore was validated with a hit rate of 16%, binding selectivity versus hCB(2), and expected functional profiles. The discovered compounds provide new tools for exploring cannabinoid pharmacology.

Topics: Animals; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Design; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans; Ligands; Mice; Models, Chemical; Molecular Structure; Obesity; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; Rimonabant

Blood coagulation studies were conducted to determine the possible anti-/prothrombotic effect of an organic cannabis extract and the three major cannabinoids, THC, CBD and CBN. The in vitro effect of the cannabis extract on thrombin activity produced an IC50 value of 9.89 mg/ml, compared to THC at 1.79 mg/ml. It was also found that the extract, THC and CBN showed considerable inhibition of thrombin-induced clot formation in vitro with IC50 values of 600, 87 and 83 microg/ml for the extract, THC and CBN respectively. In an in vivo model used to determine clotting times of lean and obese rats treated with a cannabis extract, 50% clotting times were found to be 1.5 and 2 fold greater than their respective control groups, supporting the results obtained in the in vitro model. The study thus shows that Cannabis sativa and the cannabinoids, THC and CBN, display anticoagulant activity and may be useful in the treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes in which a hypercoagulable state exists.

Topics: Animals; Anticoagulants; Blood Coagulation; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Disease Models, Animal; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Injections, Subcutaneous; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Rats; Thrombin

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Humans; Marijuana Abuse; Obesity; Piperidines; Psychopharmacology; Pyrazoles; Rimonabant

Autopsy investigations, toxicological analyses, and calculation of body mass index were performed in 1180 deceased illicit drug addicts (IDAs) in Stockholm. Sweden during 1988-2000, i.e., during a period of time when the general population in numerous countries showed a dramatic increase in the prevalence of overweight. Nutritional deficit in IDAs has been pointed out as a threat to their health as well as to their quality of life. The prevalence of overweight in deceased IDAs increased from 27.4% in 1988 to 45.5% in 2000. The prevalence of overweight among all heroin users, heroin injectors, methadone, cocaine, and amphetamine users was 36.0, 38.4, 43.1, 45.0 and 50.9%, respectively, the lowest prevalence being among users of cannabis alone and HIV-positive IDAs (22.0 and 16.1%, respectively). In conclusion, Stockholm's IDAs are affected by the past decade's dramatically increased prevalence of overweight, at least to the same degree as the general population. The increased body weight seems not to influence the danger of dying upon heroin administration.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Amphetamine; Body Mass Index; Cannabis; Cocaine; Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; Female; Heroin; HIV Infections; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Methadone; Narcotics; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Prevalence; Sex Distribution; Substance-Related Disorders; Sweden

Topics: Animals; Anxiety; Brain; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Humans; Nausea; Neurotransmitter Agents; Obesity; Opium; Pain; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Signal Transduction

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Brain Chemistry; Cannabis; Drug Industry; Drugs, Investigational; Humans; Obesity; Receptors, Cannabinoid

Topics: Amphetamines; Behavior; Cannabis; Drug Therapy; Epilepsy; Heroin; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Mental Disorders; Nausea; Obesity; Pain; Vomiting

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Cannabis; Cognition; Emotions; Female; Humans; Male; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Relaxation Therapy; Social Environment; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Adult; Aging; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Barbiturates; Benzodiazepines; Cannabis; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Ethanol; Female; Heart Failure; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Smoking; Theophylline

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude; Cannabis; Female; Group Processes; Homosexuality; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Obesity; Psychological Distance; Sex Factors; Social Control, Formal; Social Desirability; Spatial Behavior; Substance-Related Disorders

Topics: Abdomen; Adolescent; Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Cannabis; Diet; Female; Humans; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide; Obesity; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Orgasm; Pain; Physical Exertion; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Smoking; Socioeconomic Factors; Urinary Tract Infections