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Addict Biol 2018 Oct 31. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.

Cessation from prolonged use of ∆ -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active compound responsible for the cannabimimetic effects of cannabis, results in a mild to moderate withdrawal syndrome in humans and laboratory animals. Whereas manipulations of the endogenous cannabinoid system (eg, cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoid regulating enzymes) alter nicotine withdrawal, in this study we asked the reciprocal question. Do nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) modulate THC withdrawal? To assess the role of different nAChR subtypes in THC withdrawal, we used transgenic mouse, preclinical pharmacological, and human genetic correlation approaches. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 21;9:2009. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Among the many cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound that does not produce the typical subjective effects of marijuana. The aim of the present review is to describe the main advances in the development of the experimental and clinical use of cannabidiol CBD in neuropsychiatry. A non-systematic search was performed for studies dealing with therapeutic applications of CBD, especially performed by Brazilian researchers. Read More

Am J Med Case Rep 2018 ;6(8):163-168

Department of Internal Medicine, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y, U.S.A-11203.

Marijuana abuse is rapidly growing and currently it is the most coimnon drug of abuse in the United States due to increased legalization for recreational and medicinal use. Delta 9-tetrahydrocannibol, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, acts via the endocannabinoid system to elicit various cardiovascular physiological effects, and has been associated with many adverse cardiovascular effects such as acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death that have previously been reported by our group and others. We present a case of a 30-year-old African-American male with no cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors with recurrent ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMI) whose coronary angiography revealed recurrent 100% occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) in the setting of marijuana smoking. Read More

Anal Sci 2018 Dec 7;34(12):1419-1425. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa.

Cannabis is an important industrial plant, in addition to its illicit drug use. Compound Δ-THC (Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol) is mainly responsible for the hallucinogenic effect on humans. The aminoalkylindole group cannabimimetics targets at the same physiological receptors to mimic the analgesic effects of Δ-THC. Read More

Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2018 Oct;32(19):1728-1736

Department of Chemistry, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, via Salute 2, Portici, NA, 80055, Italy.

Rationale: Phytocannabinoids are natural compounds produced by Cannabis spp. Some of these compounds show psychotropic effects on humans and are therefore used as drugs of abuse. These compounds are present in food and beverages containing ingredients from hemp, and thus can reach consumers. Read More

Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2017 ;18(10):791-795

Institut de Medecine legale, 11 rue Humann, 67000 Strasbourg, France.

Background: Hair has been suggested since the middle of the 90's to be a suitable matrix to document repetitive exposure to cannabis. Because it is possible to detect Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis smoke, the identification of the metabolite, 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) has been considered to allow the discrimination of active use.

Objective: Although the identification of an active compound in a child's hair shows contamination of the local environment, it is a challenge to discriminate between hair incorporation after ingestion or inhalation and environmental external deposition from dust, smoke, or even contaminated surfaces by hand contact. Read More

Neuropharmacology 2018 05 14;134(Pt A):92-100. Epub 2017 Nov 14.

Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, USA.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a significant public health concern given their widespread use and severe effects associated with intoxication. However, there is a paucity of controlled human studies investigating the behavioral and physiological effects and pharmacokinetics of these compounds. Designing a reliable method to administer consistent, concentration-dependent synthetic cannabinoids is an integral component of controlled study of these compounds. Read More

Curr Drug Abuse Rev 2017 ;10(1):19-24

Laboratory of Neuroanatomy of the Peptidergic Systems (Lab. 14), Institute of Neurosciences of Castilla y Leon (INCYL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Castilla-Leon, 37007, Spain.

Background: Many schizophrenic patients with a long-term administration of antipsychotic drugs do not regularly adhere to the prescribed pharmacotherapy. Antipsychotic drugs constitute a palliative, but not a curative treatment, and the long-term effect of these drugs is not secure. Patients tend to consume nicotine and alcohol, as well as some patients consume drugs such as cannabis and amphetamines. Read More

QJM 2018 Jan;111(1):9-14

Clinical Toxicology, 3rd Floor, Block C, South Wing, St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK.

Background: There is limited published scientific data on vaping recreational drugs other than cannabis. A recent review suggested that 15% of people vaping cannabis have also vaped a synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (SCRA) and identified over 300 Internet reports of e-liquid manufacture of recreational drugs and/or new psychoactive substances (NPS).

Aim: To determine the prevalence of use of electronic vaping devices for recreational drug and NPS delivery in the UK. Read More

Forensic Sci Int 2017 Oct 12;279:53-59. Epub 2017 Aug 12.

Illicit Drugs Laboratory, Illicit Drugs Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority, 11 Outram Road, 169078, Singapore. Electronic address:

Quinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylate (5-Fluoro-PB-22 or 5F-PB-22; QUPIC N-(5-fluoropentyl) analog), is a synthetic cannabinoid which mimics the effects of cannabis. Several countries have reported numerous detections of this compound and its abuse has led to adverse effects including death. The aim of this study was to separate and identify the fluoropentyl positional isomers of fluoro-PB-22 using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, solid deposition gas chromatography-infrared detection spectroscopy and H and C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Read More

ChemMedChem 2017 08 4;12(16):1408-1416. Epub 2017 May 4.

Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Federal University of Amapá, Rod. JK, Km 02, Macapá, Brazil.

Cannabis sativa withdrawal syndrome is characterized mainly by psychological symptoms. By using computational tools, the aim of this study was to propose drug candidates for treating withdrawal syndrome based on the natural ligands of the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1). One compound in particular, 2-n-butyl-5-n-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol (ZINC1730183, also known as stemphol), showed positive predictions as a human CB1 ligand and for facile synthetic accessibility. Read More

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2017 Aug 25;267(5):465-472. Epub 2017 Feb 25.

Fondation FondaMental, Créteil, France.

Chronic peripheral inflammation (CPI) has been associated with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia (SZ). However, its sources remain unclear, more specifically it is not known whether tobacco smoking is a source of inflammation or not in SZ subjects. Moreover, nicotine (NIC), the major psychoactive compound of tobacco, shows strong anti-inflammatory properties in vitro, as well as inducing a severe biological dependence when administered repeatedly. Read More

J Psychopharmacol 2017 01 26;31(1):96-104. Epub 2016 Sep 26.

Department of Psychology, CSBN/GRNC, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that is the second most abundant component of cannabis. It has been shown to have a potential therapeutic value for a wide range of disorders, including anxiety, psychosis, and depression. Recently, it was suggested that cannabidiol might be a potential treatment for heroin craving and relapse. Read More

Therapie 2016 Dec 7;71(6):553-562. Epub 2016 Jun 7.

Service de pharmacologie, centre d'addictovigilance de Caen, CHU Côte de Nacre, 14033 Caen cedex 09, France. Electronic address:

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the active compound of ecstasy, has been used for several years, especially by young adults to benefit of psychostimulant properties. By raising the level of neuromodulators in the synapsis, MDMA can cause psychiatric and physical injuries. After reduced supplies in 2009 (number of ecstasy seizures equal to 10 percent of those recorded in 2002), judicial authorities now observed an increased availability (a half more part of seizures in 2012 than 2010). Read More

F1000Res 2016 13;5. Epub 2016 May 13.

Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

Prenatal substance use is a critical public health concern that is linked with several harmful maternal and fetal consequences. The most frequently used substance in pregnancy is tobacco, followed by alcohol, cannabis and other illicit substances. Unfortunately, polysubstance use in pregnancy is common, as well as psychiatric comorbidity, environmental stressors, and limited and disrupted parental care, all of which can compound deleterious maternal and fetal outcomes. Read More

Neurotherapeutics 2015 Oct;12(4):816-24

Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

A convergence of evidence shows that use of Cannabis sativa is associated with increased risk of developing psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia, and earlier age at which psychotic symptoms first manifest. Cannabis exposure during adolescence is most strongly associated with the onset of psychosis amongst those who are particularly vulnerable, such as those who have been exposed to child abuse and those with family histories of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia that develops after cannabis use may have a unique clinical phenotype, and several genetic polymorphisms may modulate the relationship between cannabis use and psychosis. Read More

J Forensic Leg Med 2015 Aug 4;34:73-80. Epub 2015 Jun 4.

Department of Geography and Environment, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen AB24 3UF, UK; Department of Archaeology, School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Elphinstone Road, Aberdeen AB24 3UF, UK.

Light microscopical examination of plant and fungal remains in the post mortem gut may be capable of demonstrating the ingestion of unexpected natural psychotropic materials. This is demonstrated here in a case in which a 'shaman' was accused of causing the death of a young man. The deceased had participated in a ceremony which involved the drinking of ayahuasca in order to induce a psychotropic experience. Read More

J Forensic Leg Med 2015 Jul 27;33:61-7. Epub 2015 Apr 27.

Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address:

Detection of drugs in a child may be the first objective finding that can be reported in cases of suspected child abuse. Hair and urine toxicology testing, when performed as part of the initial clinical evaluation for suspected child abuse or maltreatment, may serve to facilitate the identification of at-risk children. Furthermore, significant environmental exposure to a drug (considered by law to constitute child abuse in some states) may be identified by toxicology testing of unwashed hair specimens. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2014 Sep 22;2014. Epub 2014 Sep 22.

Division of General Internal Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.

Cannabis is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs worldwide. Psychoactive properties of the principal compound, δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol include euphoria, a sense of relaxation and increased appetite. Chronic cannabis use has been associated with the development of a withdrawal syndrome on abrupt discontinuation. Read More

Drug Alcohol Depend 2014 Nov 18;144:12-41. Epub 2014 Aug 18.

Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address:

Background: Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are a heterogeneous group of compounds developed to probe the endogenous cannabinoid system or as potential therapeutics. Clandestine laboratories subsequently utilized published data to develop SC variations marketed as abusable designer drugs. In the early 2000s, SC became popular as "legal highs" under brand names such as Spice and K2, in part due to their ability to escape detection by standard cannabinoid screening tests. Read More

Environ Pollut 2014 Nov 8;194:152-162. Epub 2014 Aug 8.

Food and Environmental Safety Research Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés, s/n, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.

The occurrence of 8 drugs of abuse and metabolites in the influent and effluent of the 3 Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) that treat wastewater from Valencia was studied in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Target drugs except 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-ACMOR) were detected in 100% of the influents. The WWTPs eliminate cocaine (COC), amphetamine (AMP), methamphetamine (MAMP) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH). Read More

Drug Test Anal 2015 May 20;7(5):420-7. Epub 2014 Jun 20.

Hjelt Institute, Department of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Division, University of Helsinki, PO Box 40, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.

Immunoassay is currently the most common approach for urine drug screening. However, the continuous emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and their low urinary concentrations have challenged the scope and sensitivity of immunoassays. Consequently, specialized toxicology laboratories rely more and more on mass spectrometry (MS) based techniques. Read More

Anal Bioanal Chem 2014 Jul 22;406(17):4261-72. Epub 2014 Apr 22.

Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat, 12071, Castellón, Spain.

Rapid and sensitive analytical methodology based on ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of widely consumed drugs of abuse (amphetamines, MDMA, cocaine, opioids, cannabis and ketamine) and their major metabolites in urban wastewaters. Sample clean-up and pre-concentration was performed by a generic off-line SPE procedure using Oasis HLB. Special effort was made to incorporate amphetamine, which was found highly problematic in the wastewater samples tested, including an additional clean-up with Oasis MCX SPE and dispersive primary secondary amine. Read More

Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2014 Apr;28(7):682-90

Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 8, 6703 HB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Rationale: Forensic hair analysis methods are laborious, time-consuming and provide only a rough retrospective estimate of the time of drug intake. Recently, hair imaging methods using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) were reported, but these methods require the application of MALDI matrix and are performed under vacuum. Direct analysis of entire locks of hair without any sample pretreatment and with improved spatial resolution would thus address a need. Read More

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2014 Mar 10;52(3):160-5. Epub 2014 Feb 10.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners , London , UK.

Context: There is increasing interest in the analysis of waste water at sewage treatment plants to monitor recreational drug use. This technique is limited for novel psychoactive substances (NPS) due to limited knowledge on their human and bacterial metabolism and stability in waste water. Small studies have reported the detection of NPS using pooled anonymous urine samples, which eliminates some of these potential confounders. Read More

J Psychiatr Res 2014 Apr 28;51:68-78. Epub 2013 Dec 28.

Clinical Institute of Neuroscience, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; INCT Translational Medicine (CNPq), Brazil.

Background: Recreational drugs are generally used to intentionally alter conscious experience. Long-lasting cannabis users frequently seek this effect as a means to relieve negative affect states. As with conventional anxiolytic drugs, however, changes in subjective feelings may be associated with memory impairment. Read More

PLoS One 2013 2;8(12):e82647. Epub 2013 Dec 2.

Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Unlabelled: Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is the standard of care during pregnancy for opioid-dependency, showing efficacy in improving prenatal care and reducing risk of relapse. By design, however, MMT is only intended to prevent withdrawal thus facilitating cognitive behavioural interventions. In order to maximize the benefits of MMT, it is essential that methadone is both properly prescribed and that additional addiction treatment is concurrently administered. Read More

Chemosphere 2014 Mar 8;99:64-71. Epub 2013 Nov 8.

Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat, E-12071 Castellón, Spain. Electronic address:

11-Nor-9-carboxy-Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) is commonly selected as biomarker for the investigation of cannabis consumption through wastewater analysis. The removal efficiency of THC-COOH in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has been reported to vary between 31% and 98%. Accordingly, possible transformation products (TPs) of this metabolite might be formed during treatment processes or in receiving surface water under environmental conditions. Read More

Med Hypotheses 2013 Oct 26;81(4):619-22. Epub 2013 Jul 26.

Department of Addiction, ASL CN2, Viale Coppino 46, 12051 Alba (CN), Italy. Electronic address:

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a fatty acid amide showing some pharmacodynamic similarities with Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive compound present in the cannabis plant. Like Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, PEA can produce a direct or indirect activation of cannabinoid receptors. Furthermore, it acts as an agonist at TRPV1 receptor. Read More

J Med Toxicol 2013 Sep;9(3):278-81

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's Health Partners, London, UK,

Introduction: There is evidence from around Europe of the availability and use of 6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran (6-APB) as a recreational drug. However, there is currently limited information on the acute toxicity of this compound. We describe here a case of acute toxicity associated with recreational use of legal high (6-APB) and cannabis, in which the comprehensive toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of a significant amount of 6-APB together with metabolites of both tetrahydrocannabinol and the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist (JWH-122). Read More

Drug Test Anal 2014 Jul-Aug;6(7-8):861-7. Epub 2013 Feb 19.

Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.

Recently it was demonstrated that the analysis of drugs of abuse (DOA) in wastewater can be used to track their use in communities. This paper presents the optimization, validation, and application of an analytical procedure based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of some emerging drugs in influent wastewater. The compounds of interest were the cathinone derivatives methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone (MEPH)), ketamine (KET) and its metabolites norketamine (NK) and dehydronorketamine (DHNK), as well as the major metabolite of cannabis, 11-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH). Read More

QJM 2013 Feb 22;106(2):147-52. Epub 2012 Nov 22.

Medical Toxicology Office, 3rd Floor, Block C, South Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK.

Aim: Analysis of urine samples collected across a city centre, for the detection of novel psychoactive substances (NPS).

Design: Cross-sectional study of anonymized urine samples used for the analysis of classical recreational drugs, NPS and metabolites.

Methods: Pooled urine samples collected from portable stand-alone four-person urinals across a city centre were analysed using full-scan accurate-mass high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Read More

Forensic Sci Int 2013 Jan 9;224(1-3):44-50. Epub 2012 Nov 9.

Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederik V's vej 11, 3, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.

This study assesses the presence of a number of psychoactive substances, including alcohol, based on blood samples from 840 seriously injured drivers admitted to five selected hospitals located in five different regions of Denmark. The study was a part of the EU 6th framework program DRUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, Alcohol and Medicines). Blood samples were screened for 30 illegal and legal psychoactive substances and metabolites as well as ethanol. Read More

Sports Med 2011 Nov;41(11):949-66

Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.

Since 2004, when the World Anti-Doping Agency assumed the responsibility for establishing and maintaining the list of prohibited substances and methods in sport (i.e. the Prohibited List), cannabinoids have been prohibited in all sports during competition. Read More

J Anal Toxicol 2011 Sep;35(7):424-30

Toxicology Research and Development, Immunalysis Corporation, 829 Towne Center Drive, Pomona, California 91767, USA.

At the end of 2010, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) used its emergency scheduling authority to temporarily control five chemicals, JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-200, CP-47497, and cannabicyclohexanol (CP-47497 C8), often referred to as "Spice", K2, or "synthetic cannabinoids" because of their reported cannabis-like effects. Read More

Nat Chem Biol 2011 May 3;7(5):296-303. Epub 2011 Apr 3.

Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, US National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

Cannabinoids enhance the function of glycine receptors (GlyRs). However, little is known about the mechanisms and behavioral implication of cannabinoid-GlyR interaction. Using mutagenesis and NMR analysis, we have identified a serine at 296 in the GlyR protein critical for the potentiation of I(Gly) by Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a major psychoactive component of marijuana. Read More

Addict Biol 2011 Jul 4;16(3):405-15. Epub 2010 Nov 4.

Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health/DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Several recent studies suggest functional and molecular interactions between striatal adenosine A(2A) and cannabinoid CB(1) receptors. Here, we demonstrate that A(2A) receptors selectively modulate reinforcing effects of cannabinoids. We studied effects of A(2A) receptor blockade on the reinforcing effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the endogenous CB(1) receptor ligand anandamide under a fixed-ratio schedule of intravenous drug injection in squirrel monkeys. Read More

J Addict Dis 2010 Jul;29(3):325-37

Division of Substance Abuse, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Cannabis use and depressive disorders are thought to impair cognitive performance and psychosocial functioning. Both disorders co-occurring may compound the negative effects of these diagnoses. In this study, the authors used the California Computerized Assessment Package as the cognitive performance measure and the Addiction Severity Index as the psychosocial functioning measure to compare individuals who were cannabis dependent and either depressed or not depressed (N= 108: 54 cannabis dependent only, 54 cannabis dependent and depressed or dysthymic). Read More

Pharmazie 2010 Jun;65(6):408-11

National Institute of Forensic Toxicology, Budapest, Hungary.

Kemp et al. (1995) could detect delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), cannabinol and cannabidiol, three neutral cannabinoids, and the metabolites of delta9-THC in urine samples of Cannabis consumers. In this study we aimed to identify cannabigerol (CBG), which in its acid form is one of the main intermediate compounds of the biosynthesis of cannabinoids in hemp, in authority urine samples of proved Cannabis consumers. Read More

Ann Pharm Fr 2010 Mar 10;68(2):61-75. Epub 2010 Feb 10.

Laboratoire Toxlab, 7, rue Jacques-Cartier, 75018 Paris, France.

Although being a relatively old phenomenon, drug-facilitated crime has been well described over the past 20 years as being the administration without the knowledge of the victim of a psychoactive substance in criminal purposes (rape, robbery, theft, money extortion, even murder). Drug-facilitated crime involves also mistreatment of older people or children treated by their parents in order to obtain sedation. Drug-facilitated crimes are often difficult to solve mainly due to analytical issues. Read More

Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar;38(3):258-67

Prevention Research Branch, Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Boulevard, Bethesda MD 20892-7510, USA.

Background: The prevalence and severity of obesity have increased among children and adolescents. Although the medical and psychosocial consequences of youth obesity have been well documented, comparatively less information exists on the association of overweight/obesity with health-risk behaviors, which are considered to be a primary threat to adolescent health.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the association of overweight and obesity with health-risk behaviors among U. Read More

Forensic Sci Int 2010 Mar 13;196(1-3):78-84. Epub 2010 Jan 13.

Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Charité, Hittorfstr. 18, 14195 Berlin, Germany.

11-Nor-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (THC-COOEt) can be presumed to be a mixed metabolite formed during combined consumption of cannabinoids and alcohol. In order to examine this hypothesis, THC-COOEt and its deuterated analogue D(3)-THC-COOEt were synthesized as reference substance and internal standard from the corresponding carboxylic acids and diazoethane and methods were developed for the sensitive detection of THC-COOEt in plasma and hair based on gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry after silylation with N-methyl-N-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide and gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS) as well as tandem mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS-MS) after derivatization with pentafluoropropionyl anhydride. The methods were applied for THC-COOEt determination to plasma samples from 22 drunk driving cases which contained both ethanol (0. Read More

Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2008 Jul-Sep;52(3):217-32

National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029.

Cannabis has emerged as a common substance of abuse and dependence and the peculiarities associated with this widely available and used substance has triggered substantial research in this field. The earlier held concept of rather benign nature of this compound as a substance of abuse and dependence has changed as a result of the ongoing clinical and research findings. Cannabis has been found to have multiple physical and mental effects in human beings. Read More

Int J Ment Health Nurs 2008 Aug;17(4):227-35

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

This study explored explanatory models used by individuals with schizophrenia in relation to continuing cannabis abuse. Cannabis is known to exacerbate positive symptoms, compound the effects of negative symptoms, and lead to relapse, having a negative effect upon quality of life. If this is so, why would people choose to continue the drug use? Most previous studies exploring this phenomenon have used quantitative methodology where the questions asked have been preset by the researchers and the subjective experience of the patient has been minimized. Read More

Arch Pharm Res 2008 Jun 19;31(6):805-13. Epub 2008 Jun 19.

Drug Analysis Laboratory, Forensic Science Division, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, 706, Banporo, Seocho-gu, Seoul, 137-730, Korea.

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous detection and quantification of four amphetamine-type stimulants (amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)) and two cannabinoids (Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) and 11-nor-Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THCCOOH)) in fingernails. Fingernail clippings (30 mg) were washed with distilled water and methanol, and then incubated in 1.0 M sodium hydroxide at 95 degrees C for 30 min. Read More

Schizophr Res 2006 Dec 26;88(1-3):142-50. Epub 2006 Sep 26.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, 50924 Cologne, Germany.

Recent data on alterations of the endogenous cannabinoid system in schizophrenia have raised the question of its functional role in this disease. The psychoactive compound of Cannabis sativa, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC), has been shown to induce psychotic symptoms, but it is unknown to what extend prodromal states of psychoses are reflected by these experimental approaches. This study compares four groups of subjects: antipsychotic-naïve patients suffering from acute paranoid schizophrenic or schizophreniform psychosis (SZ), patients in the prodromal state (IPS), healthy controls without any pharmacological intervention (HC) and a second group of healthy volunteers who were orally administered synthetic Delta9-THC (Dronabinol) (HC-THC). Read More

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2006 Oct;12(4):427-39

Cholesterol Center, Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA.

Buerger's disease (BD) etiologies are poorly understood. Beyond smoking cessation, medical-surgical treatments have limited success. We hypothesized that mutations associated with arterial vasospasm (stromelysin-1 5A/6A, eNOS T-786C) and C677T-A1298C methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) interacted with cigarette-cannabis smoking, reducing vasodilatory nitric oxide (NO), promoting arterial spasm-thrombosis. Read More

J Anal Toxicol 2005 Oct;29(7):724-7

X'pertise Consulting, Laboratoire ChemTox, 3, rue Grüninger, F-67400 Illkirch, France.

Saliva or "oral fluid" has been presented as an alternative matrix in the establishment of drug exposure. The noninvasive collection of a saliva sample, which is relatively easy to perform and can be achieved under close supervision, is one of the most important benefits in a driving under the influence situation. Moreover, the presence of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid is a better indication of recent use than when the drug is detected in urine, so there is a higher probability that the subject is experiencing pharmacological effects at the time of sampling. Read More

Przegl Lek 2005 ;62(6):576-80

Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.

Cannabinoids are the natural constituents of marihuana (cannabis). The main of them are delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9THC)--psychoactive agent, cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis is administered either by smoking or orally. Read More