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With President Trump signing off on the 2018 Farm Bill, the federal government now fully recognizes hemp as a legal agricultural product. But while many reports are claiming that this means that CBD is also legal, that’s not quite correct. With a lot of misinformation flying around, and contradictions between state and federal laws, things are admittedly somewhat confusing. Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that is grown specifically for industrial purposes. US farmers have increasingly lobbied to remove federal restrictions against growing hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill opens the gates more broadly, allowing licensed farmers to grow hemp and transport it across state lines. Note that the federal definition of hemp requires that it contain less than 0.3% THC.

Now, with the passing of the new 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and hemp-derived products have been officially removed from the purview of the Controlled Substances Act, such that they are no longer subject to Schedule I status. Meaning that so long as CBD is extracted from hemp, the content has less than 0.3% THC, and is grown by licensed farmers in accordance with state and federal regulations, it is legal as a hemp product. The FDA has voiced specific concerns about unsubstantiated health-related CBD claims, which are not allowed for any foods or nutritional supplements.

Read more at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/psych-unseen/201901/now-hemp-is-legal-is-cannabidiol-cbd-legal-too

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. While cognitive therapy and antidepressants that increase serotonin can be effective treatments for depression, these treatments don’t work for more than a third of depressed patients. More recent theories of depression suggest that an imbalance in gut microbiota and dysfunction in the axis connecting the gut and the brain may be involved. Aspects of modern life such as high stress, diets high in processed food, antibiotics, pesticides, and sanitized, urban environments have decreased both the amount and richness of healthy gut microbiota, while increasing the level of unhealthy microorganisms. Depressed patients show a different profile of gut microbiota from healthy people.

Some new treatments for depression are designed to regulate gut microbiota. The brain and gut may communicate via the vagus nerve, a large nerve that travels throughout the body. Probiotics have been shown in animal studies to reduce inflammatory cytokines. Omega-3 supplements can beneficially affect the composition of gut microbiota and increase the production of anti-inflammatory compounds. New theories of depression emphasize the role of leaky gut leading to chronic inflammation, gut microbiota, and gut-brain axis dysfunction in depression.

Read more at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201812/feeling-depressed-gut-brain-dysfunction-may-be-blame

A new study published in Circulation showed that fish oil, omega-3s, did not increase perioperative bleeding in surgery patients. In fact, higher blood omega-3 levels were associated with lower risk of bleeding. For this study, 1516 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were randomized to omega-3s or placebo. The dose was 6.5-8 grams of EPA+DHA over 2 to 5 days before surgery, and then 1.7 grams per day beginning on the morning of surgery and continuing until discharge.

Surprisingly, there was a significant reduction in the number of units of blood needed for transfusions. In another analysis, the higher the blood EPA+DHA level on the morning of surgery, the lower the risk for bleeding. “The researchers in this study concluded that these findings support the need to reconsider current recommendations to stop fish oil or delay procedures for people on fish oil before cardiac surgery,” said Bill Harris, PhD. “In other words, bleeding in surgery (and in normal life) is not a safety concern for omega-3 supplements.”

Read more at: https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2018-12-07/new-study-shows-that-fish-oil-does-not-increase-bleeding-risk-in-surgery-patients/1839
 

Omega-3s are vital for cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and cancer prevention. But what happens when you don’t eat enough of them? The signs of an omega-3 deficiency are more subtle than you might think. Most of the symptoms one would experience without an adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids are internal and have no real physical signs. “They may experience higher amounts of inflammation in the body, they may have higher cholesterol, as well as an increased risk of heart disease, which requires blood work from your doctor to truly determine your health status.”

Read more at: https://www.thisisinsider.com/signs-youre-not-getting-enough-omega-3-2018-12

Disorders of sleep are some of the most common problems experienced by patients after TBI. It is important to recognize and treat these problems early to allow for optimal cognitive recovery, but because they are so common, the importance of treating them is often underestimated. In NeuroRehabilitation scientists address the interplay of sleep and TBI with the aim of improving both diagnosis and treatment of these problems.  Insomnia, fatigue, and sleepiness are the most frequent patient complaints following TBI, and patients with sleep disturbances have been found to have longer inpatient hospital stays, higher cost of rehabilitation, and higher rates of functional disability.

Studies have shown that minimizing sleep-wake cycle disturbance is associated with improvement in fatigue levels, mood, and cognitive functioning and decreased levels of anxiety, although the cause and effect relationship is uncertain. The authors explain that management of TBI-related sleep-wake disturbances requires a multifactorial approach, and key treatment principles include utilizing first-line non-pharmacological interventions such as establishing a regular bedtime routine, creating a restful bedroom environment with minimal light and ideal ambient temperature, minimizing daytime napping, limiting evening caffeine and alcohol intake, and avoiding late-night screen-time. They advocate minimizing the use of medications that may adversely affect cognition and selecting appropriate pharmacologic agents when indicated.

Read more at: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-12-disorders-traumatic-brain-injury.html

Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E may help control genes involved in brain inflammation and body metabolism in patients with Parkinson’s disease, a study published in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery. Study participants were randomly divided into two groups: one taking 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil together with 400 IU of vitamin E supplements daily; and another taking a placebo. The expression of genes involved in inflammation and body metabolism was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from patients.

After 12 weeks, PBMCs from patients taking daily dietary supplements had lower activity of TNF-alpha, but not of other genes involved in inflammation, such as IL-1 and interleukin-8 (IL-8), compared with those on a placebo. “Therefore, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation due to their beneficial effects on inflammatory markers may be useful to control neurological symptoms in a population with PD [Parkinson’s disease],” the researchers wrote.

Read more at: https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2018/12/19/dietary-supplements-control-brain-inflammation-metabolism-parkinsons-study/

Read more at: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-12/uowo-mts121918.php

Researchers investigated whether kids with depression who play the contact sport are at a higher risk of suffering a concussion. Surprisingly, new research on the matter says yes, as children who have been previously diagnosed with depression have a “five-fold increased risk” of suffering concussions. The new study collected data on 863 youth football players (aged 5 to 14) in the Seattle area across two separate seasons. Interestingly, researchers found that 5.1% of those football players suffered concussions — a trend well above the 4.4% range tracked in previous studies. Also, only 16 of the 863 players had been diagnosed with depression (0.02%).

Still, while all signs point to a clear connection between concussions and depression, further research needs to be conducted before any definitive conclusions can be made on the subject. “To our knowledge, depression history has not been previously reported as a risk factor for concussions in a prospective manner,” the researchers wrote in their study.

Read more at: https://www.thefix.com/are-kids-depression-who-play-football-higher-risk-concussions

Severe or very severe postconcussive symptoms, including sleep difficulties and forgetfulness, persist at 1-year follow-up in service members with mild TBIs, according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology. A significantly greater number of patients with mTBI were more likely to have ≥1 postconcussive symptom at either severe or very severe levels and at all time points (47% vs 21% baseline; adjusted risk ratio [aRR]=1.7; 95% CI, 1.51-1.93; P <.0001). The most frequently reported postconcussive symptoms at baseline for participants who were positive and negative for mTBI included sleeping difficulties, forgetfulness, irritability, and headaches.

Compared with those who were negative for mTBI, those with mTBI had a higher risk for ≥1 severe or very severe baseline Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory symptom (RR=1.94; 95% CI, 1.71-2.19). Additionally, more patients with mTBI had a higher risk for severe or very severe sleep scores at each follow-up compared with patients without mTBI (RR=2.19; 95% CI, 1.83-2.62). Over the 1-year follow-up period, the prevalence of postconcussive symptoms remained constant.

Read more at: https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/traumatic-brain-injury/postconcussive-symptoms-soldiers-with-mild-traumatic-brain-injury/article/823003/

In the wake of cannabis legalization in Canada, scientists have delivered encouraging news for chronic pain sufferers by pinpointing the effective dose of marijuana plant extract cannabidiol (CBD) for safe pain relief without the typical “high” or euphoria produced by the THC. The findings of their study have been published in the journal PAIN (The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain). Researchers demonstrated that CBD does not act on the CB1 cannabinoid receptors like THC but through the mechanism that binds specific receptors involved in anxiety (serotonin 5-HT1A) and pain (vanilloid TRPV1). Researchers were able to extrapolate the exact dosage of CBD displaying analgesic and antianxiety properties without the risk of addiction and euphoria classically produced by the THC.

“We found in animal models of chronic pain that low doses of CBD administered for seven days alleviate both pain and anxiety, two symptoms often associated in neuropathic or chronic pain.” They see this as advancement for the evidence-based application of cannabis in medicine with CBD offering a safe alternative to THC and opioids for chronic pain, such as back pain, sciatica, diabetic, cancer and post-trauma pain. “Our findings elucidate the mechanism of action of CBD and show that it can be used as medicine without the dangerous side effects of the THC. “This research is a new advancement for an evidence-based application of cannabis in medicine.”

Read more at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181024163625.htm

Higher blood levels of omega 3 fatty acids found in seafood are associated with a higher likelihood of healthy ageing among older adults, finds a US study published by The BMJ today. The study involved 2,622 adults who were taking part in the US Cardiovascular Health study from 1992 to 2015. Average age of participants at the start of the study (baseline) was 74 years, 63% were women and 11% were from non-white groups. Blood levels of omega-3s were measured at baseline, 6, and 13 years. Through review of medical records and diagnostic tests, the researchers found that 89% of the participants experienced unhealthy ageing over the study period, while 11% experienced healthy ageing – defined as survival free of major chronic diseases and without mental or physical dysfunction.

After taking account of a range of other social, economic, and lifestyle factors, the researchers found that levels of seafood-derived EPA in the highest quintile were associated with a 24% lower risk of unhealthy ageing than levels in the lowest quintile. A possible explanation for this effect is that n-3 PUFAs help to regulate blood pressure, heart rate and inflammation, explain the authors. As such, they say that, among older adults, higher levels of circulating n-3 PUFAs from seafood were associated with a lower risk of unhealthy ageing.

Rad more at: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/b-o3f101518.php

A gene associated with dyslexia, a learning disorder, may make some athletes less susceptible to concussions, reports a new study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma. There are three variants of every gene. Athletes with one variant of the gene that did not confer dyslexia were more likely to have a history of concussion injuries. Athletes with the version of the gene that causes dyslexia were less likely to have concussion injuries.

The gene, KIAA0319, has not been looked at in concussion research before. Scientists decided to study it because of its role in cell adhesion and neuron migration. KIAA0319 could have an effect on how neurons respond to head impacts or are repaired after an injury. The genotype predicted the number of previously diagnosed concussions in the players. Everyone has the KIAA0319 gene in one of three combinations. In this gene, the genotypes are CC, CT or TT. There was a direct increase in diagnosed concussions as one went from CC to CT to TT individuals. The CC genotype has been associated with dyslexia in other studies.

Read more at: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/nu-fpc102318.php

A new study in the journal Clinical & Experimental Metatasis says omega-3 fatty acids, like those typically contained in fish oil, may suppress the growth and spread of breast cancer cells in mice. Researchers observed that omega-3s stopped further delayed tumors from forming and blocked the cancerous cells from spreading to other organs in mice. Researchers speculate that this might be because of the way in which omega-3 fatty acids support the body’s immune and anti-inflammatory systems.

Researchers found the chance that the breast cancer cells would take hold in the breast glands of the adult female mice was significantly lower in those on the omega-3 diet.  They observed that tumors took significantly longer to start developing in those mice, and this had an influence on their size. Khadge said that the study “emphasizes the potential therapeutic role of dietary long-chain omega-3 fatty acids in the control of tumor growth and metastasis,” but also said that this does not mean that an omega-3 diet could summarily prevent breast cancer tumors from forming altogether.

Read more at: https://www.thecordovatimes.com/2018/10/21/study-diets-rich-in-fish-oil-could-slow-spread-of-breast-cancer/

A year after a concussion, up to one-third of kids still have symptoms such as headache and irritability that may affect school performance, a new study finds. Researchers found as many as 31 percent still had symptoms that included inattention or fatigue 12 months after their head injury.

Girls who had mood problems beforehand and kids from poor or troubled families seem the most vulnerable, the researchers said. “This study is valuable because it demonstrates that our approach to post-concussive management should take into consideration prior psychological issues, gender, familial harmony, as well as income disparity.”

Read more at: https://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20181015/kids-concussion-symptoms-may-persist-for-a-year#1

An estimated 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. develop an anxiety disorder each year, so finding a safe, cost-effective way to manage anxiety would be of great benefit to millions of people. A recently published meta-analysis concludes that omega-3 oil supplements might reduce symptoms of anxiety for some people. Researchers took data from 19 clinical trials including a total of 1,203 participants. Their findings were published in the JAMA Network Open journal. After analysis, their findings supported their initial theory.

They saw a significant reduction in anxiety in the groups treated with omega-3s compared with the placebo groups. Interestingly, the positive effects of omega-3s were particularly pronounced for people who had clinical diagnoses of psychiatric conditions. Omega-3 PUFAs are present in brain membranes and, as the authors write, they may “interfere with and possibly control several neurobiological processes, such as neurotransmitter systems, neuroplasticity, and inflammation.”

Read more at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323331.php

An assessment, “Association of Concussion With the Risk of Suicide,” was published online in JAMA, of studies involving more than 7 million individuals has found an association between concussions, mild TBI, and risk of suicide. Investigators found there to be a more than two-fold greater risk of suicide in people to be diagnosed with at least 1 concussion and/or mild TBI compared to those not diagnosed with either (RR= 2.03 [95% CI: 1.47 – 2.80] P < .001). A majority of studies also reported a heightened risk of suicide attempt following a concussion and/or mild TBI. In separate, stratified analyses comparing military personnel to civilian populations, investigators reported a higher combined estimate for studies of nonmilitary populations (RR 2.36 [95% CI: 1.64 – 3.40] P < .01) than the combined estimate for studies of military populations (RR 1.46 [95% CI: 0.80 – 2.58] P < .01).

Researchers emphasized the high prevalence of both concussions, which occur approximately 4 million times in the US annually—with up to 25% of patients experiencing chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms including anxiety and depression for years after injury.  “Evaluating the potential association between concussion and/or mild TBI and suicide is important, because concussion and mild TBI are common, affect individuals of every age, and are often preventable,” Fralick and colleagues wrote. “Furthermore, even if the absolute risk of suicide is low, evidence of an association between concussion and mild TBI and suicide across a range of populations is important because of the seriousness of the outcome.”

Read more at: https://www.mdmag.com/medical-news/concussions-tbi-linked-to-greater-postdiagnosis-suicide-risk

There have been over 30 failed clinical trials searching for better treatments for TBI, resulting in no significant effect worthy of becoming a pharmaceutical therapy. Activating the innate cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) reduces brain swelling and neurological impairment. Cannabinoid 2-AG is released in the brains of mice following brain injury, though not enough to protect the damaged brain.

In a study led by a top team from Hebrew University in Israel including the godfather of cannabis research, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, a single dose of plant derived 2-AG was administered to brain damaged mice. The mice who received treatment improved in cognitive function, motor function and every parameter they examined, even months later.

Read more at: https://thefreshtoast.com/cannabis/cannabis-may-be-just-what-the-doctor-ordered-for-traumatic-brain-injury/

TBI represent one of the leading causes of death in young adults. This lesion mediates glial activation and the release of harmful molecules and causes brain edema, axonal injury, and functional impairment. Since glial activation plays a key role in the development of this damage, it seems that controlling it could be beneficial and could lead to neuroprotective effects. Recent studies show that minocycline suppresses microglial activation, reduces the lesion volume, and decreases TBI-induced locomotor hyperactivity up to 3 months.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in reparative mechanisms and inflammation under pathological situations by controlling some mechanisms that are shared with minocycline pathways. We hypothesized that the ECS could be involved in the neuroprotective effects of minocycline. To address this hypothesis, we used a mouse TBI model in combination with selective CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists. The results provided the first evidence for the involvement of ECS in the neuroprotective action of minocycline on brain edema, neurological impairment, diffuse axonal injury, and microglial activation, since all these effects were prevented by the CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists.

Read more at: https://academic.oup.com/cercor/article/25/1/35/365149

When most of us think of our diets, we tend to focus on how it affects our bodies. But the foods we eat also play a role in how we feel mentally as well, and an imbalanced diet can mess with our heads just as much as our stomachs. Certain nutrient deficiencies can affect your mental health, so if you’ve been feeling off — whether you’ve been experiencing more anxiety than normal or are feeling fatigued or depressed — you might want to take a look at your diet to see if there are some food groups missing. Here is a quick list: Omega-3s; Vitamin D; B12; Magnesium; Folate; Zinc; and Selenium.

“Food plays a major role in our mental health, as it impacts our mood, anxiety level, ability to focus, and every other aspect of brain function,” licensed clinical psychologist and board certified nutrition specialist Nicole Beurkens, PhD, CNS tells Bustle. “Research has shown that eating diets high in sugar, chemicals, and unhealthy fats can lead to symptoms of many mental health disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and more. People with diets deficient in proteins, healthy fats, and fruits and vegetables are also at risk of not having enough of the core nutrient building blocks necessary for producing the brain chemicals needed to properly regulate our mood and behavior.”