Cannabis research has increased in recent years as more regions have legalized marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes. Increased legal access has led to a corresponding increase in scientific interest, and researchers are hard at work studying the potential uses and effects of cannabis.
This article explores the latest and most promising cannabis research trends, from improved cultivation methods to new delivery systems for cannabis-based medicines.
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1. Modern cultivation and production techniques
As cannabis industry profits increase, more companies are investing in modern cultivation techniques and controlled farming practices. This includes the development and use of advanced cultivation systems such as hydroponics and aeroponics, and the application of genetic engineering to create new strains with specific desirable characteristics.
Research interest in sustainability and ethics is also growing, driven in part by consumer education and reporting on the subject. Precision irrigation methods, bio-based pesticide product development, energy efficiency, and closed-loop cannabis extraction systems are active areas of research to minimize the environmental impact of cannabis production. .
As more stakeholders discuss the need for cannabis standards, attention to standardization and quality control in cannabis cultivation continues to grow. This includes the use of good agricultural practices, good manufacturing practices, regular testing, and personnel training to ensure a consistently safe product.
“Obtaining quality products for medical research requires careful selection of suppliers,” said the group, which focuses on the development, production and distribution of natural products, including pharmaceutical standard medical cannabis. says Dr. Juliana Bastos, a medical science expert at Ease Labs. “There are many products on the market, and reliance on high-quality medicines is not only for academic purposes, but also provides safety for physicians and patients.”
2. Growing attention to the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, CBD does not cause a “high”, which is why it has received a lot of attention in cannabis research. Animal and human studies suggest that CBD may have benefits for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and pain.
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CBD is also gaining attention as a treatment for substance use disorders. A study published in 2022 identified 13 ongoing clinical trials aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of CBD in treating drug addiction. Symptoms assessed in these studies included cannabis use disorder (5 studies), opioid use disorder (4 studies), alcohol use disorder (3 studies), and cocaine use disorder (1 study). I was there.
Considering the potential beneficial effects of CBD on human health, further research should be conducted to ensure its safety and effectiveness. This includes the development of quality assurance standards for tests, which is currently a research gap. Additionally, the development of high-CBD, low-THC cannabis strains through molecular breeding is expected to accelerate progress in cannabis research.
3. Minor cannabinoids gain attention
In addition to the main phytocannabinoids THC and CBD, cannabis produces small amounts of more than 120 other cannabinoids. Phytocannabinoids that are present in small amounts in the cannabis plant are called minor (or rare) cannabinoids and include cannabinol (a derivative of THC) and cannabigerol (a precursor to CBD).
Minor cannabinoids have not been studied as extensively as CBD and THC. Still, recent studies have shown potential therapeutic effects for conditions such as neuropathic pain, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, cancer, and skin diseases.
Although preliminary research results look promising, much of our current knowledge about the medicinal effects of trace cannabinoids comes from small studies rather than rigorous clinical trials. “Despite the popularity of cannabis products, many of their efficacy claims still need to be demonstrated in large-scale clinical trials,” Bastos explains. “It is also important to know its mechanism of action and how trace cannabinoids interact with other drugs before making therapeutic claims.”
In line with this trend, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has issued a Special Interest Notice aimed at facilitating mechanistic research into the therapeutic effects of trace cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis. As researchers gain a better understanding of the cannabis plant and its compounds, they may be able to better understand the health benefits of trace cannabinoids and how they can be applied in the pharmaceutical industry.
4. New and improved delivery systems for cannabis-based medicines
A key challenge in the development of cannabis-based medicines is finding effective ways to deliver the active compounds into the body. Traditional intake methods such as smoking can harm people's health and may result in inconsistent intake. Additionally, low aqueous solubility and low bioavailability hinder effective clinical development of oral cannabinoid formulations.
Academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies are exploring new delivery methods to make cannabis products more effective and safe. For example, sublingual formulations containing cannabinoids are designed to be sprayed under the tongue and absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth, allowing for rapid and efficient absorption into the bloodstream.
The use of nanotechnology to deliver cannabis-based medicines is another promising research topic. Sosnik et al. Aphios Corporation plans to use nanoencapsulation technology in a Phase II study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of CBD as a drug treatment for opioid dependence.
Transdermal patches, which can slowly release active compounds through the skin, are also gaining popularity as cannabinoid delivery systems. This method avoids first-pass metabolism and results in constant cannabinoid plasma levels.
The development of improved methods of administering cannabis-based medicines is an active area of research and holds great potential for future therapeutics.
5. Cannabis research expands due to changing legal landscape
On December 2, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, a landmark federal policy that removes many barriers to cannabis research.
Before the new law, it was difficult for scientists to research marijuana in the United States because it required approval from multiple agencies, which could sometimes take years.
Even though marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I substance, the new law facilitates clinical trials and development of new FDA-approved drugs that use marijuana or CBD. This is an important step towards understanding the medicinal properties and potential therapeutic uses of cannabis.
“Anything that improves cannabinoid research makes sense, primarily after years of prohibition,” Bastos says. While this is a historic first step in accelerating cannabis research, further efforts are needed within government and regulatory agencies to improve safety and access in the medical cannabis community.
Researchers, clinicians, and regulators must work together to ensure that phytocannabinoid products meet the necessary therapeutic and safety standards. This can be achieved by:
Conducting well-designed clinical trials Establishing guidelines for cannabis production, labeling, and testing Establishing systems to monitor and report adverse events Collaborating in the development of educational and informational resources
By taking these steps, regulators and healthcare professionals will ensure that patients have access to safe and effective phytocannabinoid products while protecting public health.
