An experimental pill of a new type of drug has demonstrated potential to treat marijuana use disorder in a small study.
According to published in natural medicineThe drug, called AEF-0117, reduced the positive effects of marijuana by 38% in a double-blind, randomized, controlled phase 2a trial led by researchers at Columbia University.
Cannabis use disorder, which affects an estimated 30% of cannabis users each year CDC (CDC), characterized by the inability to stop smoking marijuana despite severe disruptions to daily life.
Signs of cannabis use disorder in young adults may include decreased academic performance, changes in relationships, and disengagement from previously enjoyed activities.
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any drugs to treat the disease, which affects millions of Americans, it said. nbc news.
The study’s lead author, Meg Haney, expressed optimism about the initial findings, calling them “very encouraging”. Haney, director of Columbia University’s Cannabis Research Laboratory, emphasized that AEF-0117 is one of the few drugs tested to directly reduce the effects of cannabis, with the goal of helping individuals wean themselves from cannabis use.
The trial involved 29 adult men and women diagnosed with cannabis use disorder who smoked about 3 grams of cannabis six days a week. The study examined two doses of the drug: a low dose of 0.06 milligrams (mg) and a high dose of 1 mg.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the drug or a placebo for five days, after which they smoked a certain amount of marijuana. They were then asked questions about their subjective experiences, such as feeling high or experiencing positive effects, at various time intervals after smoking.
The lower dose reduced perceived positive effects by 19%, while the higher dose reduced it by 38%. Only the higher dose significantly reduced the amount of marijuana consumed later in the day.
No significant side effects were observed, and the drug did not cause withdrawal symptoms. However, the results of the small trial need to be confirmed by a larger trial, and a phase 2b trial involving approximately 300 patients is currently underway. Results of the trial are expected to be published next year.
AEF-0117 is unique in its specific targeting of the brain. Cannabis affects the brain primarily through tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound that binds to CB1 receptors. AEF-0117 selectively blocks certain actions of this receptor, allowing it to reduce the euphoria of cannabis without causing adverse side effects.
Experts stress that the drug is most likely to be effective in patients who are motivated to quit marijuana. While smoking marijuana may not pose a problem for many, there are concerns that the public may not be fully aware of its potential dangers.
The growing number of states legalizing recreational marijuana presents significant public health challenges, as the risks associated with marijuana use are often underrecognized. Effective medications are needed to address cannabis use disorder, as they were developed for other substances such as opioids, nicotine, and alcohol.
Further research is needed to confirm the recent findings and to assess any potential side effects of the drug. Some experts noted that the drug was tested on a less potent product than what is commonly found on the market, highlighting the need to consider the increasingly potent marijuana products currently in circulation.
Published by Medicaldaily.com