cannabinoids

Ukraine has issued medical cannabis-based medication to a cancer patient for the first time, a milestone in the country's move to legalise cannabinoid therapy. The change follows Ukraine's 2024 decision to permit medical cannabis, and the first prescription marks the practical start of access for patients undergoing cancer treatment. It is being discussed as a significant step for Ukrainian healthcare amid the war.

A German-language science explainer on cannabis is circulating online, outlining what cannabinoids actually are. It describes them as bioactive molecules that either occur mainly in the cannabis plant, so-called phytocannabinoids, or are produced naturally by the human body. The post is aimed at general readers curious about the science behind cannabis, its compounds and how they interact with the body.

Researchers have identified specific neurons in mice that generate anxiety following exposure to cannabinoid drugs. The finding, reported by Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, offers a biological explanation for the anxiety side effects some cannabis users experience. The work may help guide development of cannabinoid-based therapies that avoid triggering anxious responses, as debate continues over medicinal cannabis use.