Study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the Efficacy of cannabis-based Medicine Extract in slowing the disease progression of Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis or motor neurone Disease : the EMERALD trial Berzenn Urbi, Simon Broadley, Richard Bedlack, Ethan Russo, Arman Sabet British Medical Journal Open, 2019, 9, e029449. doi : 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029449 Abstract Introduction : Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no known cure and with an average life expectancy of 3–5 years post diagnosis. The use of complementary medicine such as medicinal cannabis in search for a potential treatment or cure is common in ALS. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy [...]
Lire la suiteAyahuasca : Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness Jonathan Hamill, Jaime Hallak, Serdar M. Dursun and Glen Baker Current Neuropharmacology, 2019, 17, 108-128. Doi : 10.2174/1570159X16666180125095902 Abstract Background : Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian decoction with psychoactive properties, is made from bark of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (containing beta-carboline alkaloids) andleaves of the Psychotria viridis bush (supplying the hallucinogen N,N-dimethyltryptamine, DMT). Originally used by indigenous shamans for the purposes of spirit communication, magical experiences, healing, and religious rituals across several South American countries, ayahuasca has been incorporated into folk medicine and spiritual healing, and several Brazilian churches use [...]
Lire la suiteAntidepressive and anxiolytic effects of ayahuasca : a systematic literature review of animal and human studies Rafael G. dos Santos, Flavia L. Osorio, José Alexandre S. Crippa, Jaime E.C. Hallak Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 2016, 38, 65–72 doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2015-1701 ABSTRACT Objective : To conduct a systematic literature review of animal and human studies reporting anxiolytic or antidepressive effects of ayahuasca or some of its isolated alkaloids (dimethyltryptamine, harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline). Methods : Papers published until 3 April 2015 were retrieved from the PubMed, LILACS and SciELO databases following a comprehensive search strategy and using a predetermined set of criteria for article selection. Results : Five hundred and [...]
Lire la suiteTherapeutic Effects of Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment on Psychological Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Regular Cannabis Users : A Pragmatic Open-Label Clinical Trial Nadia Solowij, Samantha J. Broyd, Camilla Beale, Julie-Anne Prick, Lisa-marie Greenwood, Hendrika van Hell, Chao Suo, Peter Galettis, Nagesh Pai, Shanlin Fu, Rodney J. Croft, Jennifer H. Martin, and Murat Yücel Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2018, 3, 1,21-35 Doi : 10.1089/can.2017.0043 Abstract Introduction : Chronic cannabis use has been associated with impaired cognition and elevated psychological symptoms, particularly psychotic-like experiences. While D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is thought to be primarily responsible for these deleterious effects, cannabidiol (CBD) is purported to have antipsychotic properties and to [...]
Lire la suiteProlonged Cannabidiol Treatment Effects on Hippocampal Subfield Volumes in Current Cannabis Users Camilla Beale, Samantha J. Broyd, Yann Chye, Chao Suo, Mark Schira, Peter Galettis, Jennifer H. Martin, Murat Yücel and Nadia Solowij Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2018, 3, 1, 94-107. Doi : 10.1089/can.2017.0047 Abstract Introduction : Chronic cannabis use is associated with neuroanatomical alterations in the hippocampus. While adverse impacts of cannabis use are generally attributed to D9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, emerging naturalistic evidence suggests cannabidiol (CBD) is neuroprotective and may ameliorate brain harms associated with cannabis use, including protection from hippocampal volume loss. This study examined whether prolonged administration of CBD to regular cannabis users [...]
Lire la suiteA spider derived peptide, PnPP-19, induces central antinociception mediated by opioid and cannabinoid systems Daniela da Fonseca Pacheco, Ana Cristina Nogueira Freitas, Adriano Monteiro C. Pimenta, Igor Dimitri Gama Duarte and Maria Elena de Lima Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases, 2016, 22, 34, Doi : 10.1186/s40409-016-0091-6 Abstract Background : Some peptides purified from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer have been identified as potential sources of drugs for pain treatment. In this study, we characterized the antinociceptive effect of the peptide PnPP-19 on the central nervous system and investigated the possible involvement of opioid and cannabinoid systems in its action [...]
Lire la suiteEmerging Evidence for Cannabis’ Role in Opioid Use Disorder Beth Wiese and Adrianne R. Wilson-Poe Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2018, Volume 3.1,179-189. Doi : 10.1089/can.2018.0022 Abstract Introduction : The opioid epidemic has become an immense problem in North America, and despite decades of research on the most effective means to treat opioid use disorder (OUD), overdose deaths are at an all-time high, and relapse remains pervasive. Discussion : Although there are a number of FDA-approved opioid replacement therapies and maintenance medications to help ease the severity of opioid withdrawal symptoms and aid in relapse prevention, these medications are not risk free nor are they successful for [...]
Lire la suiteThe Impact of Ayahuasca on Suicidality : Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial Richard J. Zeifman, Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Jaime Hallak, Emerson Arcoverde, João Paulo Maia-Oliveira, Draulio B. Araujo Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2019, Volume 10, Article 1325, 1-10. doi : 10.3389/fphar.2019.01325 Suicide is a major public health problem. Given increasing suicide rates and limitations surrounding current interventions, there is an urgent need for innovative interventions for suicidality. Although ayahuasca has been shown to target mental health concerns associated with suicidality (i.e., depression and hopelessness), research has not yet explored the impact of ayahuasca on suicidality. Therefore, we conducted secondary analyses of a randomized placebo-controlled trial in [...]
Lire la suiteThe Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca in the Treatment of Depression Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, Joao C. Alchieri, Joao Paulo M. Oliveira, Bruno Lobao Soares, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Nicole Galvao-Coelho and Draulio B. de Araujo Chapter 2, in B. C. Labate and C. Cavnar (eds.), "The Therapeutic Use of Ayahuasca", Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2014 Doi : 10.1007/978-3-642-40426-9_2, Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is generally classified as a mood disorder with a profound effect on the individual’s behavior and quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, in about 20 years, depression will be the disorder with the most significant repercussions, both socially and economically. Despite [...]
Lire la suitePsilocybin-assisted therapy for depression : How do we advance the field ? Sally E Meikle, Paul Liknaitzky, Susan L Rossell, Margaret Ross, Nigel Strauss, Neil Thomas, Greg Murray, Martin Williams, David J Castle Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2019, 1–7 Doi : 10.1177/0004867419888575 Abstract In the quest for new treatment options for depression, attention is being paid to the potential role of psychedelic drugs. Psilocybin is of particular interest given its mechanism of action, its benefits in early trials and its relatively low side effects burden. This viewpoint outlines a number of key issues that remain to be elucidated about its potential use [...]
Lire la suite