BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
January 2, 2024
Sean Ferkul, Zena Agabani, Osamu Minami et al.
8 citations
A virtual Mantram Repetition Program—a brief, mindfulness-based, non-trauma-focused group intervention—was feasible, acceptable, and safe for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder. Over 8 weeks, groups of 4–5 participants met via Webex for 90-minute sessions. Of 43 enrolled, 5 did not start and 8 dropped out, leaving 35 completers (81.4% retention). Treatment completion and retention exceeded 70%. Qualitative feedback highlighted the acceptability of the delivery method, informative materials, and gaining a practical mindfulness tool for symptom management. Further longitudinal trials comparing the virtual program to other interventions are needed.
Frontiers in neuroendocrinology
October 1, 2025
Justin Matheson, Danial Behzad, Christina Zakala et al.
5 citations
A systematic review of 29 studies found limited evidence that sex influences the acute cognitive effects of cannabis or THC in humans. Only 6 of 29 articles (20.7%), representing 8 of 216 cognitive outcomes (3.7%), reported sex differences. All six studies found greater cognitive impairment in female participants for at least one measure; one study also found greater effects in male participants, and one found divergent effects between sexes. No consistent patterns emerged by cognitive domain, route of administration, or dosing paradigm. Methodological heterogeneity across studies prevents firm conclusions, and future research should examine hormonal modulation of cannabinoid effects.
Brain Sciences
September 3, 2022
Justin Matheson, Yollanda J. Zhang, Bruna Brands et al.
5 citations
A genetic variant of ABCB1, which encodes a protein that pumps substances out of cells, may influence how the body processes THC from smoked cannabis. In 48 young adults who used cannabis 1–4 days per week, those carrying a C allele at the rs2235048 polymorphism had higher blood levels of THC metabolites after smoking a single cannabis cigarette than those with the TT genotype. C-allele carriers also reported using cannabis more frequently each week and greater drug liking. No other subjective drug effects differed between groups. The findings are preliminary and suggest that ABCB1 could affect cannabis-related traits and risk for cannabis use disorder, but larger studies are needed.
Psychopharmacology
March 1, 2026
Patricia Di Ciano, Sampson Zhao, Pamela Kaduri et al.
2 citations
Taking a low-dose cannabis edible (average 7.3 mg of THC) leads to measurable decreases in verbal learning and memory, specifically on two measures of a free recall task, 150 minutes after ingestion. No effects were found on visual attention or executive function as measured by the useful field of view and trail making tests. Subjective feelings of intoxication increased, but blood THC levels did not correlate with any cognitive performance changes. The results suggest that people who use relatively low doses of cannabis edibles may experience some cognitive decrements while feeling intoxicated.
Research Square
March 20, 2023
Ahmed N. Hassan, Sean Ferkul, Zena Agabani et al.
A virtual Mantram Repetition Program—a brief, mindfulness-based, non-trauma-focused group intervention—was feasible, safe, and acceptable for adults with both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Of 43 enrolled participants, 35 completed the 8-week program (81.4% retention). Qualitative feedback highlighted the program's acceptability through its delivery method, informative materials, and a practical mindful tool for managing symptoms. Further controlled trials are needed to compare the program with other interventions.
Scientific Reports
March 10, 2026
Bruna Brands, Adam Zaweel, Madison Wright et al.
Smoked cannabis containing varying levels of Δ9-THC produced potency-dependent impairments in simulated driving. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adults who regularly used cannabis and held valid driver's licenses completed driving tasks after smoking placebo or cannabis with low (6.25%/47 mg), medium (12.5%/94 mg), or high (22%/165 mg) Δ9-THC. Mean speed did not differ across conditions, but maximum speed increased under medium and high potencies versus placebo. Standard deviation of lateral position (SDLP) was higher across all potencies, and reaction time (RT) was longer under medium and high potencies. Both SDLP and RT correlated positively with blood Δ9-THC concentrations. Participants reported poorer driving performance and reduced willingness to drive at higher potencies.
Psychopharmacology
July 1, 2023
Ke Bin Xiao, Erin Grennell, Anthony Ngoy et al.
A scoping review of 26 ad libitum cannabis self-administration studies (total N = 662, 79% male) found that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration significantly affected subjective response in some but not all studies. Cannabis self-administration was generally most intense at the start of laboratory sessions and decreased later. Limited data exist on adults over 55, external validity, and test-retest reliability. The authors argue that addressing these gaps could improve paradigms for understanding cannabis use and developing medications for cannabis use disorder.
Journal of Addiction Medicine
Dafna Sara Rubin-Kahana, Ahmed Nabeel Hassan, Bernard Le Foll
A young man developed posttraumatic stress disorder after a psychedelic experience induced by LSD and DMT, during which a repressed memory of childhood sexual abuse was recovered. This is the first reported case of PTSD onset following a psychedelic experience. The authors note that trauma history is common among people with substance use disorder and that medical staff should be aware of such irregular presentations.