Cannabis a superbug slaying antibiotic? McMaster researchers break new ground

Could cannabis be an antibiotic capable of fighting drug-resistant superbugs?

Possibly.

New research from McMaster University in Hamilton, ON, tested over 18 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant and found that cannabigerol (CBG) "was the strongest bacteria fighter." CBG has the ability to "fight the superbug known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),” an aggressive and potentially deadly bacteria.

Everyone knows about CBD, but their research showed that CBD was more potent: "It turns out it's active against the membrane of bacteria; it kills antibiotic resistant bacteria, and can really go after MRSA."

This specific cannabinoid "packed enough toxicity that it could destroy red blood cells and not just virulent bacteria," said Dr. Eric Brown, lead author of the study.

As the body of evidence grows around the other 100+ cannabinoids, it is an exciting time to be in the field of cannabinoid medicine and we will likely find many new medical applications as we undertake more research.

Full article available here.

Medical Cannabis Patterns of Use and Substitution for Opioids, Other Pharmaceutical Drugs & Illicit Substances

There have been several studies published that have shown a correlation between increased access to legal medical cannabis and a reduction in opioid usage and related harms; however, most of them have focused on the U.S.

In one of the largest polling studies to date, investigators looked at over 2032 surveys provided by Canadian Licensed Producers to understand the patterns of medical cannabis use and its substitution for pharmaceutical and illicit drugs.

Published in the Harm Reduction Journal, the study found the most commonly documented substitution was for prescription drugs (69% of participants), followed by alcohol (44.5%)

This study adds another uniquely Canadian perspective to the growing body of evidence that “increased regulated access to medical and recreational cannabis can result in a reduction in the use of and subsequent harms associated with opioids, alcohol, tobacco and other substances.”

Full article available here.

CBN: The New Up-And-Coming Cannabinoid

When the average person thinks of medical cannabis they think of the two main cannabinoids: THC and CBD. While these are the most researched and understood, there are actually more than 80 different cannabinoids in the cannabis flower and we’re just starting to understand some of their benefits.

Recently, researchers have started turning their attention to another cannabinoid: CBN

Although research on CBN is still in its infancy, preliminary studies suggest that it may be helpful as a pain reliever, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulant, cancer fighter, and is being regarded as “the most sedative of all cannabinoids.”

Full article available here.

Pregabalin and the Risk for Opioid-Related Death

Pregabalin and Gabapentin are anticonvulsants, that are increasingly prescribed as an adjunct for chronic pain. Recent research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that patients prescribed both opioids and either pregabalin or gabapentin concurrently had an increased risk of opioid-related deaths.

Here’s what can happen: When used together, both drugs can suppress the central nervous system, affecting breathing, which can be life threatening. Opioid use can also increase the amount of gabapentin absorbed by the body, which can further increase risks when used together.

“Physicians should carefully consider whether to prescribe this combination of products and if deemed necessary, patients should be closely monitored and adjust opioid doses accordingly.”

Another important point: Current warning labels on gabapentin contain information about the serious adverse effects when combined with opioids; shockingly, labels on pregabalin do not.

A significant part of my work is focused on opioid reduction and improving quality of life. Studies such as this highlight the growing and urgent need for practitioners to familiarize themselves with safer, alternate, methods of treatment for chronic pain, like cannabinoid medicine.

Full article available here.

The Effectiveness of Topical Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil in Symptomatic Relief of Peripheral Neuropathy

For patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy, symptom relief can be challenging with many treatments falling short. In a recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial investigating the efficacy of topically delivered CBD oil in the management of neuropathic chronic pain, researchers found “a statistically significant reduction in intense pain, sharp pain, and cold and itchy sensations in the CBD group when compared to the placebo group.” Additionally, no adverse events were reported in this study.

Read the full article here.

Frequency of cannabis and illicit opioid use among people who use drugs and report chronic pain

A recent study has revealed that cannabis may serve as an adjunct to or substitution for illicit opioid use among people who use drugs with chronic pain in Vancouver, British Columbia. The findings of this study have particular implications for healthcare and harm reduction service providers.

View full article here.

Why women with breast cancer are turning to cannabis (it's not nausea).

Using cannabinoids to ease the symptoms of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting is considered one of the medical applications most strongly supported by the research. But cancer encompasses an entire range of diseases, with treatments – and side-effects - that vary as well.

In the first ever study conducted to evaluate the underlying reasons women with breast cancer use cannabis, the results revealed that pain was the number one reason, followed by anxiety, insomnia, nausea and anorexia.

With more than half the women diagnosed with breast cancer being over the age of 50, treatment can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions associated with older age (ie. arthritis, neuropathy). With many patients suffering an average of 3 symptoms, cannabis can help reduce polypharmacy as it is a multimodal medication and can manage many of these symptoms simultaneously.

Read the full article here.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of Cannabis on Headache and Migraine: Journal of Pain

Although cannabinoid-based medicine has been a common treatment for headache and migraines for some time, research has been relatedly limited up until this point. A study recently published in the Journal of Pain sheds new light to cannabinoids benefits, and the findings are quite compelling.

The study set to show whether inhalation of cannabis decreased headache and migrate ratings, as well as which type of cannabis (whether concentrated in oil form or in dried flower form) was proven to be most effective.

The findings showed that headache and migraine ratings were reduced by 50% after the use of cannabinoid-based medicine; with cannabinoids in their concentrated form (oil) being related to larger reductions in headache than flower form.

The body of evidence to support the benefit of cannabinoid-based medicine is beginning to grow and we look forward to seeing more studies like this come forward.

Read the full article here.

The new grey market: As older users warm up to cannabis, pot companies want to learn more: Financial Post

Cannabis companies hoping to expand the medical market will have to overcome the conservatism towards cannabis amongst medical associations — both the Ontario Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Association support the dismantling of the medical cannabis regime altogether, arguing that with legalization, there remains no need for medical professionals to serve a “gatekeeper role.”

This kind of opposition, said Pearson, is what makes is so difficult to obtain funding to really understand how cannabis can improve the lives of seniors. “I treat seniors in a long-term care setting and I’m weaning down their use of anti-psychotics and opioids. To just say leave it up to themselves, that means you’re saying they should self-medicate, which is absurd.” Read full article here.

Cannabis worth exploring in stroke treatment: Ottawa Citizen

From the Ottawa Citizen, November 1, 2018: A decade ago, Dr. Taylor Lougheed would never have imagined standing up in front of a crowd of people at a conference and talking about the potential benefits of cannabis for people recovering from stroke.

Lougheed is a family physician who works in sports, emergency and cannabinoid medicine. He’ll be one of the speakers on Friday at this year’s Ottawa Stroke Summit, an event that will bring together about 250 researchers, medical professionals and stroke survivors to hear about new frontiers in stroke treatment and prevention.

“I think this might be at the edge of their comfort zone,” said Lougheed, a physician at the Canabo Medical Clinic. “Scientists and physicians are taught to be skeptical. We’re taught to look under stones. But maybe some of my colleagues haven’t looked under these stones for some time. Science evolves.”

Full article here.