2023-06-12 20:00:00
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world, and 19.5% of those who have used it develop a cannabis use disorder, CUD for its acronym in English.
This disorder is characterized by a gradual and persistent deterioration of its users, such as encountering obstacles when it comes to fulfilling personal or work obligations, continuing to consume cannabis despite problems detected in its use, or the inability to reduce its use.
Despite being considered a public health problem, there are currently no treatments for CUD. Now, however, according to an article recently published in the magazine Nature Medicine under the title Signaling-specific inhibition of the CB1 receptor for cannabis use disorder: phase 1 and phase 2a randomized trials, a team from the biotech company Aelis Pharma, specializing in the treatment of brain disorders, you could be very close to obtaining a potential drug to facilitate the treatment of this addiction.
The findings, based on data from animal models and phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, demonstrate that a newly developed cannabinoid receptor inhibitor could help reduce dependence on cannabis use. without the effects of withdrawal symptoms.
Are cannabis and anxiety related?
Previous research had already shown that activation by el tetrahidrocannabinol (THC)the main psychoactive component of cannabis, from this receptor, known as CB1is responsible for the behavioral effects of cannabis.
It was precisely this that prompted the study’s lead author, Pier Vincenzo Piazza and his colleagues, to develop a new drug, the AEF0117, which inhibits a subset of molecular pathways activated by the CB1 receptor. The researchers found that AEF0117 worked to inhibit the behavioral effects of THC in mice and primates without altering normal behavior or physiological activities.
AEF0117 worked by inhibiting the behavioral effects of THC in mice and primates without altering their normal behavior or physiological activities.
The results also report two phase 1 clinical trials, conducted in 64 healthy human volunteers, showing that the drug is safe and well tolerated. Subsequently, the authors also conducted a phase 2 crossover trial involving 29 participants with CUD who received different doses of AEF0117 and placebo randomly over 5-day periods.
The results indicate that AEF0117 decreased the positive subjective effects of cannabis and its use relative to placebo, without triggering withdrawal nor alter normal functions -such as mood, sleep or appetite- for a period of 5 days.
The medicinal power of marijuana
The findings identify AEF0117 as a potential drug for the treatment of CUD without side effects substantial. However, the authors note that further trials in larger cohorts are needed to determine the drug’s long-term safety and efficacy, so a new 3-month study in patients seeking treatment for alcohol addiction is already underway. cannabis.
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