:::::::Cannabis is Medicine--Not Recreational:::::::

[pipeline]

I use cannabis as a medicine and often avoid getting a buzz or high. I enjoy smoking a little more at times with family or in the evenings to relax. How do you view cannabis? Is it a medicine or recreational?

The benefits of cannabis were known back in ancient medicine practices and are widely excepted today. However, some organizations and Politicians refuse to accept the evidence due to possible bias toward positive findings, and they want to continue to run studies to determine if there is actually medical benefit.

Let the plant speak for itself. Facts speak for themself. What do you use cannabis for?

People With Anxiety Report Better Sleep On Days They Use Marijuana Compared To Alcohol Or Nothing At All, Study Finds

People with anxiety experience better quality sleep on days when they use marijuana compared to days when they use alcohol or nothing at all, a new federally funded study has found. For the study, published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review, researchers at the University of Colorado...

www.marijuanamoment.net

People With Anxiety Report Better Sleep On Days They Use Marijuana Compared To Alcohol Or Nothing At All, Study Finds​

Published
3 weeks ago
on
November 24, 2023
By
Kyle Jaeger


People with anxiety experience better quality sleep on days when they use marijuana compared to days when they use alcohol or nothing at all, a new federally funded study has found.
For the study, published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review, researchers at the University of Colorado, Colorado State University and University of Haifa analyzed the subjective sleep quality of 347 people who reported using cannabis to treat anxiety. They wanted to understand the different ways sleep was affected by the use of marijuana, alcohol, neither or both on a given day.
To that end, people participating in the study were asked to fill out daily surveys for 30 days, recounting their substance use and subjective sleep experience the night prior. Researchers compared outcomes from non-use days, cannabis-only days, alcohol-only days and co-use days.

“Compared to non-use, participants reported better sleep after cannabis-use-only and after co-use, but not after alcohol-use-only,” the authors, who received funding for the study from a National Institutes of Health grant, wrote.
The study also identified a relationship between the frequency of marijuana and alcohol use and sleep outcomes. People who used the substances more frequently reported greater sleep quality on days when they only used cannabis compared to less frequent marijuana and alcohol consumers.
“The study’s utilization of naturalistic data among individuals with anxiety symptoms replicated previously reported experimental findings among individuals without sleep and anxiety problems that overall, cannabis is associated with higher subjective sleep quality,” the researchers said. “The results expand upon other research to suggest that more frequent use of alcohol and cannabis may moderate daily associations of cannabis use and sleep, potentially through pharmacokinetics and cross-sensitization.”

The authors said their hypothesis about the impact of marijuana use alone on sleep was “confirmed,” as both cannabis-use only and co-use days were “linked to higher perceived sleep quality versus non-use.”
“Sleep quality was notably better after cannabis-only days compared to co-use days,” they said. “These findings add to the emerging evidence of cannabis’s sleep-enhancing properties.”
While alcohol has also been found to help people fall asleep, the study supported prior findings that it does not enhance overall sleep quality, especially compared to cannabis.
Interestingly, the research also signaled that the sleep effects of cannabis alone did not weaken over time for people who reported more frequent use of marijuana and alcohol, suggesting that tolerance didn’t influence sleep quality.
In fact, results suggest a contrary pattern: “better sleep quality post-cannabis use days (compared to non-use days) among those frequently using cannabis,” the study says. “This could be due to higher doses used by frequent users, potentially tied to better sleep. However, understanding various cannabis combinations and ratios’ sleep effects remains limited, requiring further research.”

“The simple slope analysis showed that none of the slopes differed from zero, and thus that there was no difference in sleep quality after no-use days across those who use cannabis more and less frequently. This refutes an alternative interpretation of the interaction effect, namely that people who use cannabis more frequently experience withdrawal-related sleep problems after non-use days.”
Because the study included data on people who used different types of cannabis (both in terms of dosage and product selection), researchers said there are open questions about how certain concentrations and cannabinoid profiles affect the results, so future clinical trials could help fill those knowledge gaps.
“There is an urgent need for experimental studies investigating the effects of cannabis and alcohol on sleep,” they wrote. “Our study suggests that cannabis may exert positive effects on subjective sleep quality among individuals intending to use cannabis to cope with anxiety.”

“Day-to-day alcohol use may have less of an impact on sleep in this population when used without cannabis, and when co-used with cannabis, alcohol may mitigate positive sleep effect of cannabis,” the study concludes. “Further research is needed to investigate the moderating role of frequency of cannabis and alcohol use on more immediate associations between sleep and substance use. This is particularly pressing in populations seeking to use cannabis to cope with anxiety as this population may be prone to alcohol and cannabis misuse and sleep problems.”
Relatedly, a separate recent survey of cannabis consumers with sleep issues found that most preferred to use marijuana instead of other sleep aids to help get to bed, reporting better outcomes the next morning and fewer side effects. Smoking joints or vaping products that contained THC, CBD and the terpene myrcene were especially popular.
Quality of sleep often arises in other studies into the potential benefits of marijuana, and generally, consumers say it enhances their rest. Two recent studies, for example—one involving people with chronic health conditions and another looking at people diagnosed with neurological disorders—found that sleep quality improved with cannabis use.

A 2019 study, meanwhile, found that people tended to purchase fewer OTC sleep medications when they have legal access to marijuana. In particular, authors of that study noted, “cannabis appears to compete favorably with OTC sleep aids, especially those containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine, which constitute 87.4% of the market for OTC sleep aids.”

 

[Normannen]

The answer is: "Yes."

 

[420empire]

Nice topic

I would cast my vote on Both!. And I don´t get how so many friends drop it in their 30´es. Keep tellin them, then consume 1:1 or pure CBD. It´s nice just for the tension and relief IMO. As a recreative is splendid too no doubt. More of a companion compared to other hard drugs, they just end up consumeing your personality. As I view it, the psycds. is as teachers, and cannabis too.
I also wonder why does a goverment need decide what ones sacrament/medcine is.....

Bless

 

[I Care]

No research necessary. Most widely used healer of body, mind and soul. Medically for mild to complete relief of everything. Recreationally for mild to complete relief of everything.

 

[pipeline]

Using an active ingredient that is naturally produced by the body, cannabinoids.

Its true, cannabis has a wide range of medical applications.

The other thing they can't understand is inhalation delivery system. Its superior because its instant delivery and also titrates the dose to use the least amount needed.

If smoked, cannabis releases the full spectum of cannabinoids and is more therapeutic compared to vaporization in my opinion. Cannabis smoke effect on the lungs is minimal compared to tobacco, and amount smoked is much less in most situations.

A water pipe or using pipes with expansion and a carburetor can minimize the heat and harshness of the smoke.

Kentucky recently legalized medicinal cannabis for edibles only with no home cultivation. I see that as a great mistake, and is an example of politicians getting in the way of patient doctor relationship as well as blocking personal liberty to choose which medicines are right for your body.

 

[I Care]

It’s true, edibles are definitely effective as well. It’s actually beneficial for work. I had some serious nerve issues going on related to a spinal injury and it was nice to have the long lasting edibles to help work it out. It’s not as strong, where inhaling it might be harder to regulate for productivity at work. Every type is positive treatment and with everything there’s a risk fo abuse. But at least you can’t overdose, I forgot who it was or what documentary or whatever.

I remember a clever saying something like something great about marijuana is you can’t overdose, he laughed and said “…I’ve Tried”

Can’t imagine how many potential candidates for marijuana use have overdosed on other substances, examples of alcohol and opiates; because of the control of the plant. Just imagine all the people who started smoking synthetic stuff form the gas stations because they couldn’t get weed and then when they regulated the chemicals similar to THC… then it became spice and bath salts and eventually some of the same people end up on some other effed up street drugs like fentanyl and the day they die and don’t wake up again they have finally beat the system. I miss brother Bill.

Edit: the above paragraph is referring to all the people who couldn’t consume marijuana because of the incarceration of people who violate the stipulations against marijuana use that are placed upon them for unrelated court issues.

 

[pipeline]

I agree, you can use cannabis for fun to socialize or pass time and maybe consider it recreational, although I still consider it medicine. The effects from cannabis is due to the endocannabinoid system being fulfilled as well as the effects of the terpenes, so sounds like to me you're getting a buzz from feeling healthy. Much better setup than alcohol!

Sweet, recreate with cannabis to get healthy.

 

[I Care]

Love the homegrown trim job in that photo, I loved it when the blueberry came around looking like that.

 

[420empire]

Ahh drying in cardboad boxes and smoking on the Glass spoon pipe, reminds me of 2008/09
Great memories.❤

 

[CARCHOFA]

Hi pipeline! I think as you, every use of the plant, even in ludic or recreational moments is medicinal. It has the key to help us in different moments. Also, there are a lot of combinations that have the properties to do that, that is to say genethic and other many things.
Can you talk about the lines you are working with and the medical or the characteristics that you have compared? One year I grew some DC and PTK in hybrid. I think I prefer in some facts PTK with its potent relaxant effect

 

[pipeline]

Psoriasis

See how medical marijuana could help relieve your psoriasis. Find patient reviews on local doctors and information on treatment options.

www.marijuanadoctors.com

 

[I Care]

Friend of mind didn’t start smoking til adulthood. He was diagnosed with chrons disease. He went from +200 to around 120lbs while his guts were falling apart. Cannabis helped save his life by increasing his appetite helped him get back to being a healthy weight again. He explained that it the thought of eating caused him anxiety because of how bad his bowels were. Smoking helped him with that anxiety and also gave him an appetite and likely helped aid as an anti inflammatory. He is in remission and a healthy weight.

Odly enough his brother had psoriasis and the psoriasis meds contributed to his brother dying of heat stroke.

 

[armedoldhippy]

No research necessary. Most widely used healer of body, mind and soul. Medically for mild to complete relief of everything. Recreationally for mild to complete relief of everything.

used safely by millions for centuries. it is close to a perfect plant...

 

[pipeline]

Lots of genetic expressions, has a number of uses!

 

[ILoveWeed138]

I love Weed!!

 

[pipeline]

 

[pipeline]

The Cannabis Deception: How Your Government Stole Your Future

(One Example Of Many)

tlavagabond.substack.com

The Cannabis Deception: How Your Government Stole Your Future​

(One Example Of Many)​

The Last American Vagabond
Feb 20, 2024

Written By Ryan Cristián

Imagine a world where the human race is thriving in a perfectly symbiotic lifestyle. The entirety of the world’s inhabitants enjoying a lush and fertile surrounding. Sicknesses of most types are easily fought off due to resilient immune systems that have grown almost impenetrable over the years of exposure to most illnesses, and their inevitable defeat.

This was the future the human race was destined to have. This planet was overflowing with all the necessary possibilities for a life rich in health and sustenance. This was a once future possibility; but that is no longer the case. The path to glory was laid out for the taking, yet the people leading the way chose to line their pockets and look to the present, seeking momentary gain instead of long-term prosperity. Today, articles about the positive attributes of cannabis are easily found. Not to say that they aren’t correct; because most are. However, based on some information that is by no means new, this will take it one step further. Information that will cause many to see cannabis in a new and more profound light. One that suggests people are not only unharmed by it, but rather created to utilize and thrive within it.



Since the beginning of traditional medicine, cannabis, or its extracts and variations, have been used to cure or treat just about every type of illness one can think of. Its medicinal properties are no longer denied by the medical field. They are being researched and developed on all fronts. They are discovering, for the second time, how miraculous this substance can be. Americans, or rather their government, are behind the times when it comes to embracing an obvious truth: cannabis can save lives and heal the planet. This is a truth that the majority are beginning to see despite the best efforts of the US government. A truth that is beginning to appear more relevant and self-evident than ever before.

Your Body Was Designed For Cannabis
​

The human body is specifically designed with proteins called “receptors” that have a very important job. Think of them like gate keepers of the body’s important chemicals. When a specific molecule comes along with the right key, the correct actions for that cell are taken, such as to divide, die, or allow specific substances to enter or exit. For example, when one drinks a cup of coffee, the subsequent caffeine makes its way through the system and binds to specific receptors. This allows the recipient to feel that energetic boost we have all come to know and love. What’s incredibly profound is the fact that everyone is born with specific “cannabinoid receptors” designed to utilize cannabis for the optimization of the human body — and it is very important to note that there are not receptors for everything that can be thrown into the body. Meaning, your body is designed not only to use these cannabinoids, but to thrive because of them.



These receptors are special, and they are there for a reason. They are categorized as a class of cell membrane receptor called the “G protein-coupled receptor” super family. This class of receptor is involved in the body’s fight against disease, and is also the target of over 50% of all modern pharmaceutical drugs. The human brain has more cannabinoid receptors than any other G-protein-coupled receptor. When these receptors are made active by cannabinoids and various other nutritive substances, they protect cells against viruses, harmful bacteria, cancer, and other malignancies, and fully live up to their “super family” title. This knowledge is very well documented, however, very rarely publicized if at all. Why is information of this nature, that could prolong the lives of the American people substantially, in a natural and largely cost reductive manner, kept from the public eye? Well, those following The Last American Vagabond thus far already have that answer, and the surface hasn’t even been scratched.

There have been several major scientific studies to show that human breast milk not only contains the same cannabinoids that occur in marijuana (whether or not one has ever consumed marijuana) but actually plays a vital role in the suckling process, as well as others. It is the presence of these cannabinoids that stimulate the newborn to eat, and triggers a desire to eat in the future. This natural process is crucial to human development. These cannabinoids also stimulate neurogenesis during pre-natal development (neurogenesis is responsible for populating the growing brain with neurons) maintaining proper brain growth.

This information may seem fantastical and untrue when first seen, due to previously held incorrect beliefs, but do not be swayed by those who would profit from people’s reluctance to change. Americans have been raised and conditioned to see cannabis as evil and wrong. To find out that this information has been studied, tested, and proven many times over should make everyone see more than ever what the government feels is most important — and the fact that it is not the well-being of Americans should be self-evident. These findings have only just begun to gain publicity due to the changing public stance on cannabis over the last decade.



These cannabinoids, whether they derive from a plant or our bodies, are part of us. They are made to bind with the human body and elevate it to a level of super efficiency. The implications of this information transcend the idea of rights and cross into predestination. Are humans designed to thrive with this substance? Were people crippled by the lack of this super nutrient at the apex of human cultural development? These are questions that supersede money or possession. Ones that ask who we are as a nation, or more importantly, who we are as human beings. These are questions we all need to ask of ourselves, questions that are far more important than we ever realized.

 

[pipeline]

The Real Story Behind Marijuana Opposition

The real story behind Marijuana Opposition and how its funding comes almost entirely from pharmaceutical companies that stand to lose millions to marijuana.

www.thelastamericanvagabond.com

The Real Story Behind Marijuana Opposition​

Posted on May 31, 2018 Author Ryan CristiánComments(4)
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” – Albert Einstein
One would be hard pressed to find a person not jaded by the American political system. Lies and deception accepted as “part of the process” as if to imply that it is outside the politician’s control, and each is simply playing the game. Major news conglomerates stating contradictory “facts” about very important issues. What is one to believe? The country has seemingly given up on trying to fix a broken system and become satisfied with choosing the lesser of two evils. As the public opinion begins to shift in favor of marijuana legalization, many who once cried out, “Think of the children!” are now saying the exact same statement but fighting for the other side. Many are beginning to see what hemp and cannabis can truly do for the individual and for the country. It is important to differentiate between smoking cannabis, and using CBD oils (which do not get you high) to treat an illness. Many within the marijuana opposition want the uninformed to think the battle is being fought over one’s right to smoke and get high. That aspect is certainly part of the debate (constitutional rights and all) but the least important part of what is being fought for.
Currently the United States is divided on the issue of cannabis. Despite leading medical organizations that produce documented proof of not only medical value, but in some cases curing what was once incurable, many choose not to listen. Most would heed the advice of groups such as Harvard Medical or the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, but it would seem that many have become so accustomed to being lied to that the truth is disregarded when it conflicts with what was once taught. Unfortunately Americans have been down this path before and it seems, unlike our government intent on repeating the same “mistake,” the people are choosing to find an alternate route by making their voices heard.
There are many facets of American history that seem to repeat themselves. That can also be said for most major cultures in history. Unfortunately, most do not see the error in repeating a previous folly until it is too late. In some cases this misdirection is intentional. One such folly is currently in progress, and that is prohibition. One might think that a society founded on free and rational thinking would be able to stand back and reflect on its current course of action and adjust to avoid repeating the same mistakes. However, when the sole motivation is shrouded in lies and financially backed by those who stand to profit within the mistake, it becomes much more difficult.
Most of the major groups fighting to keep marijuana perceived as the most deadly drug known to man, just so happen to be funded by companies that stand to lose money with the rise of an all natural medicine that can be grown in one’s own back yard. These groups preach from on high about the moral and compassionate reasons for opposing legalization when in reality the greedy Big Pharma is pulling all the strings. The Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) and the other groups leading the fight against the legalization, and more importantly, the decriminalization of cannabis, including the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids (formerly the Partnership for a Drug-Free America), derive a significant portion of their budget from opioid manufacturers and other pharmaceutical companies.
Currently in the United States there are over 30,000 deaths a year due to opioid use. It is now a well-known fact that there are zero deaths associated with the use of any form of cannabis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more Americans now die from painkillers than from heroin and cocaine combined. Opioids like these are still listed as a schedule 2 substance, while the harmless cannabis continues to top the list of killer drugs as a schedule 1. Americans now consume more than 80 percent of the world’s supply of oxycodone and almost 100 percent of hydrocodone opioids. Statistics like this show, without a doubt, how the American people are being misled by what are supposed to be trusted leaders. It obviously isn’t the government that is personally handing out these drugs (not far from it) but it is the government that allows this misappropriation to continue. The people put trust in the idea that elected officials will put the well-being of its citizens above personal profit. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
The Nation obtained a confidential financial disclosure from the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids showing that the group’s largest donors include Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of OxyContin, and Abbott Laboratories, maker of the opioid Vicodin. CADCA also counts Purdue Pharma as a major supporter, as well as Alkermes, the maker of a powerful and extremely controversial new painkiller called Zohydro. The drug, which was released to the public in March, has sparked a nationwide protest, since Zohydro is reportedly ten times stronger than OxyContin. Janssen Pharmaceutical, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that produces the painkiller Nucynta, and Pfizer, which manufactures several opioid products, are also CADCA sponsors. With primary financial backing that stand to lose billions, it is clear where the motivation comes from. Law enforcement is another facet of this battle that is clearly divided.
Despite a recent poll of officers that found that nearly two-thirds believed marijuana laws should be reformed, strong institutional forces have kept nearly every law enforcement association opposed to cannabis reform. Beginning with the Reagan administration, police departments were encouraged to seize and sell property associated with drug busts, which dramatically increased their revenue. According to Justice Department data, between the years of 2002 and 2012, law enforcement agencies collected almost $1 billion from marijuana arrests.

“It’s money. In many states, the city government expects police to make seizures, and they expect these seizures to supplement their budgets.” says retired Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Stephen Downing, when asked why so many police organizations are lobbying against marijuana-law reform, The Nation

Bob Cooke, a former president of the California Narcotic Officers’ Association disagrees, claiming that law enforcement agencies oppose marijuana because it is inherently dangerous. Cooke was actually quoted saying, “One try and it can ruin your life.” It is incredible that statements like this are still being made. Either it is a conscious lie or Cooke is so ridiculously uninformed/uneducated that this is believed to be factual. Comments like this belong in antiquated media like “Reefer Madness” not coming form one whose very job it is to be acutely educated on exactly these types of topics.

“It’s not hard to figure out that there’s a lot of money attached to enforcing marijuana laws, marijuana arrests still account for over 60 percent of drug arrests in Minnesota, so it’s still big business for law enforcement.” – Minnesota State Representative Carly Melin

Data compiled by the American Civil Liberties Union, show that marijuana arrests account for more than half of all drug arrests nationwide. It is quite apparent that with dynamics like this in place, one would be inclined to focus primarily on marijuana as a source of funding. It’s obvious what motivation this provides.

“The only difference now compared to the times of alcohol prohibition is that, in the times of alcohol prohibition, law enforcement—the police and judges—got their money in brown paper bags. Today, they get their money through legitimate, systematic programs run by the federal government. That’s why they’re using their lobbying organizations to fight every reform.” -Deputy Chief Stephen Downing

It is important that the people know the truth when dealing with the upcoming elections. Each vote could bring the United States one step closer to realizing how much this plant can actually do for every citizen, and the nation as a whole. Some may still oppose legalization based on personal experience or strict religious views, however, it is the hope of The Last American Vagabond that knowing the true origin of resistance toward cannabis will shed light on the decades of lies and deception, and hopefully change perception, and maybe even opinion. Only the collective citizens of the United States can bring this nation closer to regaining what has been lost in the last seventy years. Many large battles have already been won, but do not misunderstand the driving motivations of those invested in the status quo, and the lengths they will go to protect it. The American people are only privy to a small amount of what they are truly capable of. With the amount of money that is riding on these law changes for pharmaceutical companies, the war has only just begun.
Originally published November 3, 2015

 

[pipeline]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299904007423

The endocannabinoid-CB1 receptor system in pre- and postnatal life​

Author links open overlay panel

 

[pipeline]

Abstract​

Recent research suggests that the endogenous cannabinoids (“endocannabinoids”) and their cannabinoid receptors have a major influence during pre- and postnatal development. First, high levels of the endocannaboid anandamide and cannabinoid receptors are present in the preimplantation embryo and in the uterus, while a temporary reduction of anandamide levels is essential for embryonal implantation. In women accordingly, an inverse association has been reported between fatty acid amide hydrolase (the anandamide degrading enzyme) in human lymphocytes and miscarriage. Second, CB1 receptors display a transient presence in white matter areas of the pre- and postnatal nervous system, suggesting a role for CB1 receptors in brain development. Third, endocannabinoids have been detected in maternal milk and activation of CB1 receptors appears to be critical for milk sucking by newborn mice, apparently activating oral–motor musculature. Fourth, anandamide has neuroprotectant properties in the developing postnatal brain. Finally, prenatal exposure to the active constituent of marihuana (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) or to anandamide affects prefrontal cortical functions, memory and motor and addictive behaviors, suggesting a role for the endocannabinoid CB1 receptor system in the brain structures which control these functions. Further observations suggest that children may be less prone to psychoactive side effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol or endocannabinoids than adults. The medical implications of these novel developments are far reaching and suggest a promising future for cannabinoids in pediatric medicine for conditions including “non-organic failure-to-thrive” and cystic fibrosis.

Introduction​

Cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the mature organism are widely and densely distributed in neural as well as non-neural tissue including brain, reproductive, immune, digestive systems as well as in peripheral neurons (Fride, 2002c, Maccarrone et al., 2002, Parolaro et al., 2002, Pertwee, 1997, Pinto et al., 2002). CB2 receptors are mainly found in non-neural tissue (Lutz, 2002, Pertwee, 1997) although their presence on peripheral nerves is possible (Ibrahim et al., 2003). In the developing organism, CB1 receptors have been investigated more thoroughly than that of CB2 receptors.
Endogenous ligands for the cannabinoid receptors, denoted as “endocannabinoids”, include thus far anandamide (arachidonyl ethanol amide (Devane et al., 1992)), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG (Mechoulam et al., 1995)), noladin (arachidonyl glyceryl ether (Hanus et al., 2001)), the antagonist/partial agonist virodhamine (Porter et al., 2002) and NADA (N-arachidonoyl-dopamine (Walker et al., 2002)). This newly discovered physiological system will be denoted the ‘endocannabinoid CB receptor’ system.

Section snippets​

Cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2) receptors​

Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor mRNA has been detected as early as the pre-implantation period in the embryonal mouse (Paria and Dey, 2000) and has also been described around day 11 of gestation (Buckley et al., 1998). Postnatally, a gradual increase in CB1 receptor mRNA (McLaughlin and Abood, 1993) and in the density of CB1 receptors has been measured (Belue et al., 1995, Rodriguez de Fonseca et al., 1993) in whole brain.
Similar developmental patterns of CB1 receptors were found during human

The role of the endocannabinoid CB receptor system in gestation​

CB1 and CB2 receptors are already present in the pre-implantation mouse embryo (Paria and Dey, 2000), the CB1 receptor at higher concentrations than those in the brain (Yang et al., 1996). These observations led to the discovery that cannabinoids and endocannabinoids arrest the development of 2-cell embryos into blastocytes. Subsequent studies with CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists indicated that the cannabinoid-induced embryonal growth arrest is mediated by CB1 and not by CB2 receptors (Paria

Role of cannabinoid receptors in neuronal development​

Studies on the expression and functionality of the human CB1 receptor in the developing brain have demonstrated that fetal brain CB1 receptors are functionally active not only in regions which contain cannabinoid CB1 receptors throughout life, such the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, but also in white matter such as the capsula interna and pyramidal tract and in proliferative zones such as the subventricular zone (Mato et al., 2003). These observations are consistent with investigations on the

Neuroprotection in the developing organism​

Similarly to the neuroprotective effects of the endocannabinoid CB1 receptor system in adults (Fride and Shohami, 2002), activation of CB1 receptors in postnatal rats (7 days old) with WIN55,212 prevented neuronal loss (in a model of acute asphyxia), both immediate and delayed cell death. However, only delayed neurotoxicity was inhibited by the CB1 receptor antagonist N-(piperidiny-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR141716A) (Martinez-Orgado et

Prenatal manipulation of the endocannabinoid CB receptor system and the developing brain​

Since the 1960s, a multitude of studies have attempted to assess potential adverse effects of marihuana use during pregnancy, on the offspring. Although description of the teratogenicity of the cannabis plant and its major psychoactive constituent Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is beyond the scope of this article, the outcome of such studies has implications for the importance of the endocannabinoid CB receptor system during development. Thus functions which are not affected by prenatal Δ9

Milk suckling and survival during the neonatal period​

The involvement of marihuana in feeding and appetite was demonstrated decades ago (Abel, 1971, Fride, 2002b); endocannabinoids appear to fulfill a similar role (Fride, 2002c, Williams and Kirkham, 1999). Endocannabinoids have been detected in bovine as well as human milk, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) in at least 100- to 1000-fold higher concentrations than anandamide (Di Marzo et al., 1998, Fride et al., 2001).
Is it possible that the high levels of CB1 receptor mRNA and 2-AG which have been

Cannabinoids in pediatric medicine​

The gradual postnatal increase of anandamide and its CB1 receptors (see Pre- and postnatal development of the endocannabinoid CB receptor system) is accompanied by a gradual maturing response to the psychoactive potential of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and anandamide in postnatal mice between birth and weaning (Fride and Mechoulam, 1996b).
This observation has important implications for cannabinoid therapy in children, since psychoactive side effects may be expected to be minor when treated with

Conclusions​

The endocannabinoids and their receptors (CB1, CB2 and the putative CB3 receptor) (Breivogel et al., 2001, Fride et al., 2003b) fulfill a multitude of physiological functions, including immunological, neurological, psychiatric and cardiovascular. Our knowledge of the various roles of the endocannabinoid CB receptor system in developmental processes is still sketchy. However, from the knowledge accumulated until now, it appears that while the endocannabinoid CB receptor system contributes to

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