All articles tagged with #thc
THC activates CB1 receptors in brain regions tied to hunger and reward, amplifying the drive to eat by mimicking endocannabinoids and creating a heightened sense of hunger; individual responses vary with dose, tolerance, and how the cannabis is consumed.
Missouri's House approved a bill to ban intoxicating hemp products containing more than 0.4 mg of THC per container, with sales restricted to licensed cannabis dispensaries if federal action allows it; the measure now heads to the Senate, drawing debate over marijuana definitions and market impact.
UT Health San Antonio researchers found that low-dose THC combined with the anti-inflammatory celecoxib delayed or reduced Alzheimer’s-like brain changes and improved memory in mice, while THC alone increased inflammatory signals. The study, published in Aging and Disease, suggests this drug combo could move toward clinical trials to slow disease progression, though results in humans remain uncertain.
In two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, researchers found that very low-dose THC improved memory and reduced brain inflammation, and when combined with celecoxib (a COX-2 inhibitor anti-inflammatory) it led to even stronger benefits, including reduced beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles and healthier gene activity. THC alone offered limited benefits and increased inflammation; the combo reversed that trend and showed greater cognitive improvement. With both drugs already approved for other uses, the team hopes to move toward human trials to see if the benefits translate to slowing or reversing disease progression.
In mouse models of Alzheimer's, a low-dose THC combined with the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib improved learning, reduced beta-amyloid and tau pathology, and lowered neuroinflammation, suggesting a feasible path to clinical testing since both drugs are already FDA-approved.
ScienceAlert’s weekly roundup covers UK scientists proposing a standard THC unit for cannabis dosing; an 8-meter-tall fossil Prototaxites that stubbornly resists classification; the discovery of the world’s oldest rock art in Sulawesi dating to at least 67,800 years ago; the identification of tagatose, a natural low-calorie sugar that does not spike insulin; a gut-bacteria-driven syndrome where ethanol can form in the gut after meals; and new evidence linking the shingles vaccine with slower biological aging and reduced inflammation in older adults.
A University of Bath–led CannTeen study proposes a standard THC unit to quantify cannabis potency, aiming to provide a metric similar to standard drinks. Analyzing 150 London users over 12 months, researchers found potency has risen and higher-THC cannabis is linked to greater risk of cannabis use disorder; they estimate a strong 0.45 g joint can contain about 12.8 THC units while a weaker variant may have ~3.8 units. They suggest adults should not exceed 8 THC units per week to reduce risk, a guideline welcomed by public health researchers, though cannabis contains many cannabinoids beyond THC. The study is published in Addiction.
A review led by OHSU found that some cannabis products, particularly those containing THC, can slightly reduce chronic pain, similar to traditional painkillers like ibuprofen, but the effect is small and may come with side effects. CBD alone showed little to no impact on pain, and the findings suggest caution in using cannabis for pain management, emphasizing the need for further research and personalized medical advice.
A review of clinical trials indicates that high-THC cannabis products may offer modest short-term relief for chronic pain, especially nerve pain, but they also increase the risk of side effects. CBD-only products do not appear to provide significant pain relief. The findings highlight the need for more research on long-term effects and safety.
Laboratory studies suggest that a combination of cannabis-derived compounds THC and CBD can inhibit the growth and spread of ovarian cancer cells with minimal effects on healthy cells, offering potential for new, less toxic treatments, though further research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety in vivo.
A last-minute provision in a federal spending bill aiming to restrict hemp-derived products like CBD and THC has caused disquiet among Republicans, especially in hemp-producing Kentucky, threatening the bill's passage and the end of the government shutdown. The provision, which bans products with more than 0.4 mg of THC per container, is opposed by some lawmakers and industry leaders who argue it could lead to an unregulated market and harm consumers. The bill is expected to pass with some opposition, and advocates hope to replace the ban with more thoughtful regulations.
Minnesota's hemp-derived THC beverage and edible industry faces a potential shutdown due to a federal bill that would outlaw products containing more than 0.4 mg of THC within a year, sparking industry concern and opposition from other sectors like alcohol and marijuana industries. The bill, part of a broader government funding package, was approved by the Senate but faces rejection in the House, with industry stakeholders and state officials voicing concerns over regulation and economic impact.
The US Senate passed a funding bill that includes a provision to re-criminalize many hemp-derived products, including intoxicating ones like Delta-8, causing concern among hemp industry stakeholders about potential destruction of the legal hemp market, with debates centered around regulation and public safety.
A recent U.S. Senate deal to end the government shutdown includes a provision that effectively bans unregulated hemp-based THC products in Texas, threatening the state's thriving hemp industry and raising concerns about federal overreach and industry regulation. The bill's implementation is delayed by a year, allowing potential legislative changes, but it has already sparked opposition from Texas lawmakers and industry groups.
A U.S. Senate spending bill could effectively ban hemp-derived THC products nationwide, threatening Minnesota's thriving hemp THC industry, which includes edibles and beverages, due to a proposed limit on THC content. The bill's passage could lead to industry collapse in Minnesota unless changes are made within a year, raising concerns among local businesses and lawmakers about economic and regulatory impacts.