Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith
September 1, 2026
Yong Fang Zhu, Kyra White
With the legalization of cannabis and the proliferation of products containing its main psychoactive component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the use of cannabis-associated psychoactive substances has moved from the margins to the mainstream and, in the case of recreational marijuana, involves products of increasing potency. This development raises several specific interdisciplinary questions,...
Current Neuropharmacology
August 31, 2026
Harrison J. Elder, Bryan W. Jenkins, C. Austin Zamarripa et al.
Introduction: This narrative review systematically examines the available empirical evidence for interactions between delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC or THC) and C. sativa’s other phytochemical constituents hypothesized to underpin the popular yet controversial notion of ‘entourage effects’ experienced with botanical cannabis. Many relevant preclinical and clinical studies have been...
Nursing Edição Brasileira
August 27, 2026
O uso de Cannabis sativa tem crescido globalmente, acompanhado por um aumento significativo na concentração de delta-9-tetrahidrocanabinol (THC) nos produtos disponíveis no mercado. Esta revisão sistemática teve como objetivo analisar a associação entre a exposição a altas concentrações de THC, a precocidade no início do uso e o desenvolvimento de quadros psicóticos. A literatura demonstra uma...
Psychopharmacology
August 27, 2026
Frederick S. Barrett, David Wolinsky, Zach Daily et al.
RATIONALE: Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) has been reported to evoke psychedelic-like experiences at high doses in some individuals. However, the doses of Δ9-THC that occasion such effects and the phenomenology of these experiences are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: This brief report presents preliminary findings from a pilot human laboratory study that directly compared the acute...
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
August 22, 2026
Carrie Cuttler, Matteya A Proctor, Nicholas C Glodosky et al.
People who use cannabis commonly report stress-relieving effects, yet no studies have simultaneously assessed the acute effects of cannabis on multiple stress systems under placebo-controlled conditions. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 120 people (56 men, 52 women, 12 non-binary/transgender) who regularly use cannabis were assigned to vape placebo, a...
Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors
August 13, 2026
Bridgid M Conn, Alisha Osornio, Kaia Sheean et al.
Despite increased naturalistic psychedelic use in the United States, limited studies explore factors currently contributing to use among ethnically and racially diverse psychedelic and cannabis-using adults. This study employs thematic analysis using qualitative data to explore the factors contributing to contemporary psychedelic use. Qualitative interviews (conducted in 2022-2023) from a...
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
August 4, 2026
Conor H. Murray, Michael Angyus, Sam Suchin et al.
preprint
Abstract Altered states of consciousness (ASC) refer to states that differ markedly from normal waking consciousness. ASC may occur spontaneously, such as in dreaming, or through consciousness modifying techniques, from meditation, to cannabis and psychedelics. The etymology behind the term psychedelic, meaning mind-manifesting, is based on the hypothesis that certain substances, including...
The International journal on drug policy
August 1, 2026
Myfanwy Graham, Yimin Ge, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula et al.
1 citation
We know little about the extent psychedelic substances are consumed therapeutically and/or discussed with medical professionals despite renewed global interest in these substances. We examined self-reported responses from the 2023 International Cannabis Policy Study (ICPS) in repeated cross-sectional surveys in Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. The survey included questions...
Archives of Psychiatry and Mental Health
July 29, 2026
Diamond Onyekachi Okoroezi
Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the neuropsychiatric effects of cannabis, focusing on the contrasting roles of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It evaluated their associations with psychiatric outcomes, assessed the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based products (CBPs), and identified evidence gaps relevant to clinical practice and mental health...
Frontiers in Psychiatry
July 21, 2026
Kenneth P. Finn, Robin Murray, Elizabeth Stuyt et al.
Cannabis is one of the most widely used psychoactive substances, with higher use rates in countries that have implemented policies to legalize medical or recreational use. Following the development of cannabis products with concentrations well above 10% THC (high potency, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the number of psychosis cases has also increased. Cannabis-attributable psychosis cases...
BMC Psychiatry
January 16, 2020
Jerome Sarris, Justin Sinclair, Diana Karamacoska et al.
247 citations
BACKGROUND: Medicinal cannabis has received increased research attention over recent years due to loosening global regulatory changes. Medicinal cannabis has been reported to have potential efficacy in reducing pain, muscle spasticity, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and intractable childhood epilepsy. Yet its potential application in the field of psychiatry is lesser known. METHODS:...
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
December 5, 2018
Sara Anna Bonini, Marika Premoli, Simone Tambaro et al.
669 citations
Cannabis sativa L. (C. sativa) is an annual dioecious plant, which shares its origins with the inception of the first agricultural human societies in Asia. Over the course of time different parts of the plant have been utilized for therapeutic and recreational purposes, for instance, extraction of healing oils from seed, or the use of inflorescences for their psychoactive effects. The key...
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
October 20, 2018
Michael Bloomfield, Chandni Hindocha, Sebastian F Green et al.
236 citations
receptor. Acutely, cannabis and THC produce a range of effects on several neurocognitive and pharmacological systems. These include effects on executive, emotional, reward and memory processing via direct interactions with the endocannabinoid system and indirect effects on the glutamatergic, GABAergic and dopaminergic systems. Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in some forms of...
Current Drug Abuse Reviews
June 1, 2013
Gerald Thomas, Philippe Lucas, N. Rielle Capler et al.
327 citations
This form of ayahuasca-assisted therapy appears to be associated with statistically significant improvements in several factors related to problematic substance use among a rural aboriginal population. These findings suggest participants may have experienced positive psychological and behavioral changes in response to this therapeutic approach, and that more rigorous research of...
Journal of Psychopharmacology
October 5, 2012
Amir Englund, Paul D. Morrison, Judith Nottage et al.
463 citations
Community-based studies suggest that cannabis products that are high in Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but low in cannabidiol (CBD) are particularly hazardous for mental health. Laboratory-based studies are ideal for clarifying this issue because THC and CBD can be administered in pure form, under controlled conditions. In a between-subjects design, we tested the hypothesis that pre-treatment...
Current Pharmaceutical Design
September 12, 2012
Rocío Martín‐Santos, José Alexandre S. Crippa, Albert Batalla et al.
288 citations
RATIONALE: Animal and humans studies suggest that the two main constituents of cannabis sativa, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have quite different acute effects. However, to date the two compounds have largely been studied separately. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the acute pharmacological effects of both THC and CBD in the same human volunteers. METHODS: A...
Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology
March 1, 2012
Christopher D Rosenbaum, Stephanie P Carreiro, Kavita M. Babu
356 citations
Despite their widespread Internet availability and use, many of the new drugs of abuse remain unfamiliar to health care providers. The herbal marijuana alternatives, like K2 or Spice, are a group of herbal blends that contain a mixture of plant matter in addition to chemical grade synthetic cannabinoids. The synthetic cathinones, commonly called "bath salts," have resulted in nationwide...
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
2011
Liana Fattore, Walter Fratta
443 citations
Synthetic cannabinoids are functionally similar to delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive principle of cannabis, and bind to the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain and peripheral organs. From 2008, synthetic cannabinoids were detected in herbal smoking mixtures sold on websites and in "head shops" under the brand name of Spice Gold, Yucatan Fire, Aroma, and others. Although...
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
June 17, 2010
Josep María Fábregas, Débora González, Sabela Fondevila et al.
228 citations
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage used for magico-religious purposes in the Amazon. Recently, Brazilian syncretic churches have helped spread the ritual use of ayahuasca abroad. This trend has raised concerns that regular use of this N,N-dimethyltryptamine-containing tea may lead to the medical and psychosocial problems typically associated with drugs of abuse. Here we assess potential drug...
The British Journal of Psychiatry
November 30, 2009
Marta Di Forti, Craig Morgan, Paola Dazzan et al.
577 citations
BACKGROUND: People who use cannabis have an increased risk of psychosis, an effect attributed to the active ingredient Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9-THC). There has recently been concern over an increase in the concentration of Delta 9-THC in the cannabis available in many countries. AIMS: To investigate whether people with a first episode of psychosis were particularly likely to use...
Archives of General Psychiatry
April 1, 2009
Sagnik Bhattacharyya, Paolo Fusar‐poli, Stefan Borgwardt et al.
250 citations
CONTEXT: Cannabis sativa use can impair verbal learning, provoke acute psychosis, and increase the risk of schizophrenia. It is unclear where C. sativa acts in the human brain to modulate verbal learning and to induce psychotic symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of 2 main psychoactive constituents of C. sativa, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) and cannabidiol, on regional...
Archives of General Psychiatry
2009
Paolo Fusar‐poli, José A. Crippa, Sagnik Bhattacharyya et al.
461 citations
CONTEXT: Cannabis use can both increase and reduce anxiety in humans. The neurophysiological substrates of these effects are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 2 main psychoactive constituents of Cannabis sativa (Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol [Delta9-THC] and cannabidiol [CBD]) on regional brain function during emotional processing. DESIGN: Subjects were studied on 3 separate...
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
June 1, 2006
Sean P. Barrett, Christine Darredeau, Robert O. Pihl
276 citations
Abstract Simultaneous polysubstance use (SPU) is a common phenomenon, yet little is known about how various substances are used with one another. In the present study 149 drug‐using university students completed structured interviews about their use of various substances. For each substance ever used, participants provided details about the type, order and amount of all substances...
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
April 1, 2006
Antônio Waldo Zuardi, José A. Crippa, Jaime E. C. Hallak et al.
411 citations
A high dose of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main Cannabis sativa (cannabis) component, induces anxiety and psychotic-like symptoms in healthy volunteers. These effects of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol are significantly reduced by cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis constituent which is devoid of the typical effects of the plant. This observation led us to suspect that CBD could have anxiolytic...