Advancements in Cannabis Research: Insights from Healer’s July 2024 Webinar

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On July 10th, 2024, Dustin Sulak, DO, presented a research update on studies involving cannabis as a treatment for various medical conditions. Each month, Dr. Sulak explained, the webinars sponsored by Healer seek to summarize and discuss relevant studies involving cannabis to help attendees stay current on the volume of research being published. This month’s webinar focused on cannabigerol (CBG) for anxiety, stress, and mood; CBD-dominant cannabis for autism spectrum disorder; cannabis and cancer immunotherapy; meditation and endocannabinoids; and combining cannabis and classical psychedelics. The two-hour webinar also dedicated half an hour for questions from attendees.

The first study discussed in the webinar was, “Acute Effects of Cannabigerol on Anxiety, Stress, and Mood: A Double-Blind, Placebo- Controlled, Crossover, Field Trial,” a pre-print article from 2024, which was co-authored by Ethan Russo, MD. Though Healer webinars usually focus on peer-reviewed and published studies, Dr. Sulak explained, this one was included because of the rising interest in CBG, and it is one of only a few to involve human evidence and CBG. Dr. Sulak explained the study’s design, the types of tests the participants completed, highlights from the results, and main discussion points. The study, he also explained, serves as a starting point for more research and discussions.

The second study, “Clinical and Family Implications of Cannabidiol (CBD)-Dominant Full-Spectrum Phytocannabinoid Extract in Children and Adolescents with Moderate to Severe Non-Syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): An Observational Study on Neurobehavioral Management,” was published in the journal Pharmaceuticals in May 2024. Dr. Sulak explained the CBD preparation and dosing in this study, examined the effects on the behaviors, and noted that, “none of the conventional treatments used for behavioral management and treatment of people with autism spectrum disorder have shown significant benefits in regard to what they call the core symptoms.” Bonni Goldstein, MD, also contributed her perspective on the study, noting where the addition of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could potentially be beneficial.

Next, Dr. Sulak discussed "Immunotherapy and Cannabis: A Harmful Drug Interaction or Reefer Madness?", which was published in the journal Cancers in March 2024 and aimed to re-analyze data from two prior studies on this topic. Dr. Sulak first provided an overview of immunotherapy treatments for cancer and the potential effects of cannabis on immunotherapy. For a personal perspective on cannabis and cancer, Dr. Sulak invited Joe D. Goldstrich, MD, FCC, to share his experience. Dr. Goldstrich, a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, shared his treatment journey after being diagnosed with stage four non-small cell adenocarcinoma of the lung along with 13 brain metastases.

The fourth study presented was, “Acute and Long-Term Effects of App-Delivered Heartfulness Meditation on Psychological Outcomes and the Endocannabinoid Signaling System in Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome,” which was published in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology in May 2024. Dr. Sulak gave background information on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and THC. He then examined the study’s timeline and design, the cannabinoids measured, and the results and limitations.

Finally, the last study discussed was, “Psychedelic experience dose-dependently modulated by cannabis: results of a prospective online survey,” which was published inPsychopharmacology in 2021. Dr. Sulak explained the methods and results of this study, focusing on the effects of cannabis on psychedelic experiences.

The topics in the Q&A portion covered COVID-19 and cannabis, psychedelics combined with cannabis, microdosing, and cannabis and dementia with psychedelic supplements.