Month: September 2018

Cannabidiol (CBD) can “reduce the motivation to seek and consume methamphetamine”, suggesting it may be effective as a treatment for those addicted to the drug, finds a new study published by the Journal of Psychopharmacology.

“Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant that can cause many adverse physical, psychological and psychosocial effects”, begins the study’s abstract. “Preliminary evidence shows cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating constituent of the cannabis plant, may have efficacy in treating opioid and nicotine dependence. However, no study has yet examined whether cannabidiol treatment might impact on methamphetamine addiction.”

The current study “investigated whether cannabidiol administration reduces the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine and relapse to methamphetamine-seeking behavior following abstinence.”

Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats with implanted jugular vein catheters were initially trained to self-administer methamphetamine via lever press during two-hour sessions on a fixed ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement. Rats in experiment 1 ( n=16) then advanced to a progressive ratio reinforcement schedule to examine the effects of cannabidiol (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg intraperitoneal) on motivation to self-administer methamphetamine. Rats in experiment 2 ( n=16) were tested for cannabidiol effects on methamphetamine-primed reinstatement following extinction.

“Cannabidiol (80 mg/kg, but not 40 mg/kg, or 20 mg/kg) reduced the motivation to self-administer methamphetamine and attenuated methamphetamine-primed relapse to methamphetamine-seeking behavior after extinction”, states the study.

According to researchers,. this is the first demonstration “that cannabidiol can reduce the motivation to seek and consume methamphetamine, and suggests that cannabidiol might be worth trialing as a novel pharmacotherapy for methamphetamine dependence.”

The full study, conducted by researchers at Macquarie University and the University of Syndey, can be found by clicking here.

The post CBD May Help Treat Methamphetamine Dependency, States New Study appeared first on TheJointBlog.

The most expensive bong in the world (pictured below) is available now for just $1 million!

The website selling The Throne states that it’s considered to be “one of the most iconic and legendary functional glass pieces in the industry”. Standing nearly two feet tall, the piece was constructed in 2010. The skulls were made by Scott Deppe, and remove from the top to reveal the mouthpiece. The structure was assembled by Darby Holm using the Deppe’s Darkness color.” Banjo, the third collaborator, “constructed the one foot tall goddess that sits upon Darby’s lattice of bones.”

The airflow of this piece “begins at the push bowl, where it travels down into a large natural percolator and then on up the skeletal backbone to the mouthpiece.” Since this piece was first exhibited, “there have been several similar pieces created, but this one will always be considered the true original.”

The Throne can be viewed at Illuzion Glass Galleries in Denver, Colorado, and can be purchased online by clicking here.

The post Here is the Most Expensive Bong in the World appeared first on TheJointBlog.

According to a new study, cannabis oil (containing both CBD and THC) is effective in reducing seizure counts and improving quality of life measures in those with Dravet Syndrome.

The study, titled A prospective open-label trial of a CBD/THC cannabis oil in dravet syndrome, was published by the journal Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. According to the Dravet Foundation, dravet syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), “is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy”, with “an estimated incidence rate of 1:16,000 to 1:21,000”.

The study’s abstract starts by stating that “Both Δ⁹ Tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) components of cannabis, have been shown to have anticonvulsant effects. Cannabis oils are used to treat seizures in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).” It then goes on to note that “Recent trials provide data on dosing, side effects, and efficacy of CBD, yet there is a paucity of information on THC in epilepsy.”

The primary objective of the study “was to establish dosing and tolerability of TIL-TC150 – a cannabis plant extract produced by Tilray^®, containing 100 mg/mL CBD and 2 mg/mL THC- in children with Dravet syndrome. Secondary objectives were to assess impact of therapy on seizures, electroencephalogram (EEG) and quality of life.”

For the study, twenty children “received add-on therapy with TIL-TC150. The dose ranged from 2 to 16 mg/kg/day of CBD and 0.04 to 0.32 mg/kg/day of THC. Patients were monitored for tolerability and adverse events, and secondary objectives.”

Nineteen participants completed the 20-week intervention. Mean dose achieved was 13.3 mg/kg/day of CBD (range 7-16 mg/kg/day) and 0.27 mg/kg/day of THC (range 0.14-0.32 mg/kg/day).

“There was a statistically significant improvement in quality of life, reduction in EEG spike activity, and median motor seizure reduction of 70.6%, with 50% responder rate of 63%”, states the study.

Researchers conclude; “TIL-TC150 was safe and well tolerated in our subjects. TIL-TC150 treatment resulted in a reduction in seizure counts, spike index on EEG, and improved quality of life measures. This study provides safety and dosing information for THC-containing cannabinoidpreparations.”

For more information on this study, click here.

The post Study: Cannabis Oil Reduces Seizures, Improves Quality of Life, in Those with Dravet Syndrome appeared first on TheJointBlog.