UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis
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UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis
@ucicannabis.bsky.social
University of California Irvine School of Medicine's Center for the Study of Cannabis: https://cannabis.uci.edu/
🚨 Microglia & addiction? In Science at the Source Ep. 6, Dr. Hilary Marusak chats with Maricela Martinez on how the brain’s immune cells shape adolescent circuits—and what THC, nicotine, & opioids do. 🧠🌿💡

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=koYL...
#Neuroimmunology #Addiction #AdolescentBrain #Microglia
November 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM
🚨 Researchers: Need adolescent THC tissue?

The UCI ICAL Tissue Bank offers brain & organs from THC-treated rodents—flash-frozen or perfused. FREE for accredited labs. No DEA license needed. First-come, first-served!

📩 DM for availability & protocols 🌱🔬

#CannabisResearch #THC #TissueBank #Science
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
New ICAL paper in J. Neurosci!
Microglia support endocannabinoid-dependent LTP and episodic memory.

Microglia depletion disrupted LTP and memory in mice—effects reversed by enhancing 2-AG signaling.

📄 Chavez et al., 2025
🔗 www.jneurosci.org/content/45/2...
November 3, 2025 at 3:04 PM
New commentary from ICAL Director Dr. Daniele Piomelli in JPET: “Liking isn’t enough: You got to want it.”
As cannabis moves toward Schedule III, Piomelli explores the neurobiology of motivation, abuse liability, and what drives use beyond enjoyment.
🔗 jpet.aspetjournals.org/article/S002...
October 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
In case you missed it from ICAL: New publication! Protocol for administering Δ9-THC in adolescent & adult mice, showing effects on catalepsy, locomotion, and pain — with safe, legal handling tips. 🔬💊

Link here: app.jove.com/t/68358/admi...
October 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🎙️ New Science at the Source!

Dr. Hilary Marusak + Rodrigo M. Klein, PhD (UC Irvine) on how THC impacts the developing brain.

🧠 Resilience & risk
👩🔬 Microglia & endocannabinoid system
🌍 Context & cannabis use

👉 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oap6...
September 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM
📢 Cannabis researchers: UCI ICAL Tissue Bank 🧠🫀
Brain & organs from THC/vehicle-treated mice/rats, prepped for molecular studies. FREE, shipping included, no DEA needed. ⚠️ First-come, first-served!
cannabis.uci.edu/ical/tissueb...
September 22, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🚨 New Science at the Source!

Dr. Hilary Marusak talks with Dr. Christine Gall (UC Irvine) on how adolescent THC impacts memory, sex differences, and brain health.

🎥 youtu.be/iBdVUbXZNOA

#THC #AdolescentBrain #Memory #ScienceAtTheSource
September 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🚨 Save the Date! 🚨
The MACRC 2025 Conference — the first official ICRS Chapter meeting 🍃
📅 Nov 14–16, 2025 | 📍 Kitty Hawk, NC
Abstracts & registration open (early bird thru Sept 21)!
👉 www.m-acrc.org

#CannabinoidResearch #MACRC2025 #ICRS
September 1, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🧪 New ICAL protocol paper: Standardized methods for administering THC to adolescent & adult mice.

Includes prep, legal compliance, and key readouts: catalepsy, locomotion, nociception.
🔗 app.jove.com/t/68358

🧠 Essential for modeling developmental effects of cannabis.
#THC #CannabisResearch #ICAL
August 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🚨 Vaping THC ≠ smoking it.

In Science at the Source Ep. 4, Dr. Alexa Torrens breaks down how vaping affects the teen brain—& why the nose matters more than you think.

Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9hc...
Follow → @uci_cannabis

#CannabisResearch #THCVaping #AdolescentBrain #ScienceAtTheSource
August 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
🌿 How does cannabis impact the brain across the lifespan?

🎥 Check out Science at the Source from UC Irvine’s ICAL.
Dr. Daniele Piomelli breaks it down.

👉 Watch: youtu.be/Px45H-wuROA

Follow: @uci_cannabis

#CannabisResearch #ICAL #ScienceAtTheSource
July 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🚨 Researchers! Access FREE brain & organ tissues from adolescent THC-exposed rodents via the ICAL Tissue Bank @ UCI. No DEA license needed. Great for pilot data & grant apps. Apply now—brain tissues go fast! 📦 cannabis.uci.edu/ical/tissueb... #CannabisResearch #THC
June 30, 2025 at 3:13 PM
🧠 FAAH inhibitors may offer a new path for PTSD treatment. A 2023 preclinical study from ICAL shows that boosting endocannabinoid signaling with novel FAAH blockers (ARN14633 & ARN14280) ⬇️ anxiety-like behavior in rats exposed to predator stress. No major side effects.
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s002...
June 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
🧬 Recent ICAL study: THC reduces pain in a humanized mouse model of sickle cell disease.
Acute THC eased mechanical + cold hypersensitivity without affecting memory or anxiety.
Chronic use helped too—but tolerance emerged.
🔗 doi.org/10.1124/jpet...
#SCD #CannabisResearch #THC #PainScience #ICAL #UCI
June 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🎙️ New ep!
Microglia, addiction, & early career science w/ Maricela Martinez (@ucirvine PhD student)

🧠 Brain-immune circuits in adolescence
🌿 How THC, nicotine, opioids affect microglia
🔁 Can we reset drug-altered brain immunity?

🎧 Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=koYL...
#Neuroimmunology
June 2, 2025 at 3:04 PM
🎙️ New Science at the Source episode!

Dr. Hilary Marusak talks with Dr. Steve Mahler (UC Irvine) about THC, craving, and the brain’s reward systems. 🎧 Don’t miss this deep dive into addiction + cannabis research.

🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ImB...
@uci_cannabis #Neuroscience #THC
May 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
🚨 WE’RE MOVING! 🚨
Stay connected with the UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis 🌿🧠
Follow us for updates, research, and events:

📸 Instagram: @uci_cannabis
🌤️ Bluesky: @UCICANNABIS
▶️ YouTube: @ucicenterforthestudyofcann5100
💼 LinkedIn: @UCICANNABIS

🔍 Follow us and stay tuned!
May 19, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🧠 New from ICAL: Microglia & Addiction Risk

ICYMI—Drs. Martinez & Mahler explore how adolescent drug use may alter microglial function + raise long-term addiction risk.

📖: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
🎙️ Author interview coming soon!
📲 IG: @uci_cannabis | BlueSky: @ucicannabis.bsky.social
May 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
🚨 YouTube Talk
Can cannabis help manage chronic pain? 🌿🧠
Dr. Daniele Piomelli (UCI) explains how THC interacts with cannabinoid receptors to relieve pain.
🔥 Topics:
✅ How THC eases pain
✅ Cannabinoid receptors
✅ Scientific evidence + mechanisms

📺: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7T1...
May 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
⭐ There is still time to register⭐

The International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS) will host its 35th annual Symposium from July 6-10, 2025 – in Bloomington, Indiana.

Don't miss it!

Learn more and register: www.icrs.com/2025-symposium
April 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
🚗💨 Workshop Video! 💨🚗
How does cannabis affect driving? UCI’s Center for the Study of Cannabis dives into this complex issue with experts from UC, AAA, policy, and law.

📺 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1hM...
📲 Follow: @ucicannabis.bsky.social

#CannabisAndDriving
April 14, 2025 at 12:02 PM
🚨 New Science at the Source! 🎥

Dr. Hilary Marusak & Dr. Alexa Torrens (UC-Irvine ICAL) explore how vaping cannabis impacts the adolescent brain 🧠💨

📺 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9hc...
📲 Follow: @uci_cannabis | @ucicannabis.bsky.social

#CannabisResearch #THC #Vaping
March 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Join the UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis workshop on Cannabis and Driving, featuring Dr. Marilyn Huestis! She’s an expert on the effects of cannabis use while driving and cannabinoid pharmacology.

📺 Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JZL...

#CannabisResearch #DrivingSafety #UCI
March 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
🎥 The Health Impact of Cannabis – A talk by Dr. Daniele Piomelli, Director of the UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis. Learn about cannabis and its effects on health from a leading expert!

📺 Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8-F...

#CannabisResearch #Neuroscience #EndocannabinoidSystem #UCI
March 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM