Drug testing and analysis
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Drug testing and analysis · Jan 2013
Using dopamine research to generate rational cannabinoid drug policy.
The recent rise in the recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. 'K2' and 'Spice') has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in regulation. Besides prohibition of specific compounds and general class bans in over forty states, five synthetic cannabinoids (CB) are federally regulated under a 'temporary' ban and are currently under a formal review to determine whether to permanently schedule them. Whether through explicit prohibition of specific chemicals, or potential de facto bans of unofficially scheduled compounds through the analogue act, scheduling CBs may significantly impede researching their therapeutic utility and elucidating physiological roles of the endogenous CB system. ⋯ It demonstrates that direct CB receptor agonists, but not indirect agonists, increase mesolimbic dopamine release. Thus, while direct CB receptor agonists pose an abuse liability, indirect agonists do not. We recommend regulatory agencies revise policies that treat these separate CB classes similarly and to curb regulation aimed at any CB receptor agonists as Schedule I, as this ignores their medicinal properties.
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Drug testing and analysis · Jan 2013
Medical use of cannabis. Cannabidiol: a new light for schizophrenia?
The medical properties of cannabis have been known for many centuries; its first documented use dates back to 2800 BC when it was described for its hallucinogenic and pain-relieving properties. In the first half of the twentieth century, a number of pharmaceutical companies marked cannabis for indications such as asthma and pain, but since then its use has sharply declined, mainly due to its unpredictable effects, but also for socio-political issues. Recently, great attention has been directed to the medical properties of phytocannabinoids present in the cannabis plant alongside the main constituent Δ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); these include cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV). ⋯ CBD, a non-psychoactive constituent of the Cannabis sativa plant, has been receiving growing attention for its anti-psychotic-like properties. Evidence suggests that CBD can ameliorate positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Behavioural and neurochemical models suggest that CBD has a pharmacological profile similar to that of atypical anti-psychotic drugs and a clinical trial reported that this cannabinoid is a well-tolerated alternative treatment for schizophrenia.