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UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis

@ucicannabis.bsky.social

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University of California Irvine School of Medicine's Center for the Study of Cannabis: https://cannabis.uci.edu/

cannabis.uci.edu

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UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jan 6

🌟 UCI ICAL is back!
We’re proud to relaunch the UCI Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Cannabis & Cannabinoids—a NIDA Center of Excellence advancing #cannabisresearch.
Follow us for updates! 🌱🔬
👉 IG: @uci_cannabis
👉 X: @ucicannabis
👉 BlueSky: @ucicannabis.bsky.social

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UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · 2d

🧠 THC researchers: Get free adolescent THC brain & organ tissue from UCI ICAL Tissue Bank! No DEA license needed, shipping covered. Limited supply—first-come, first-served! 🌱🔬
📩 DM for info
IG: @uci_cannabis | X: @ucicannabis

REQUEST HERE: cannabis.uci.edu/ical/tissueb...

#CannabisResearch #THC

ICAL Tissue Bank - UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis

ICAL Tissue Bank ICAL maintains a biobank of brain and peripheral organs collected from mice and rats treated in adolescence with D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or vehicle. Both male and female…

cannabis.uci.edu

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · 8d

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...

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · 14d

🎙️ 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...

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UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · 22d

📢 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...

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · 29d

🚨 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Sep 8

🚨 Still thinking about this convo with Maricela Martinez.

What if the key to understanding addiction risk lies in the brain’s immune cells?
Episode 6 of Science at the Source dives into microglia, adolescence, and how early drug exposure may prime the brain.

🎥 youtu.be/RO_g9KTaMCA

#Microglia #THC

THC Exposure and Metabolic Health with Dr. Kwang-Mook Jung | Science at the Source Ep. 3

Welcome to another enlightening episode of Science at the Source! In this episode, Dr. Hilary Marusak engages with Dr. Kwang-Mook Jung, a pioneering researcher exploring the intersection of…

youtu.be

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Sep 1

🚨 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Aug 25

🚨 Rewind to Science at the Source Ep. 5
Dr. Steve Mahler breaks down the neuroscience of craving, THC, and motivation—and what it means for cannabis use and addiction treatment. Still thinking about this one.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ImB...
IG → @uci_cannabis #CannabisResearch #MotivationAndReward

Exploring Motivation, Cannabinoids, and the Brain with Dr. Steve Mahler| Science at the Source Ep. 5

Welcome back to Science at the Source! 🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Steve Mahler, neuroscientist and Professor at UC Irvine, to explore how the brain’s motivation and reward systems are…

www.youtube.com

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Aug 18

🚨 Cannabis researchers: Need THC-exposed brain or organ samples? 🧠🫀

The UCI ICAL Tissue Bank offers FREE tissues (U.S. & abroad), no DEA license needed.
Brain tissue = high demand—act fast! 📩

🔗 cannabis.uci.edu/ical/tissueb...

@uci_cannabis #CannabisResearch #THCResearch

ICAL Tissue Bank - UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis

ICAL Tissue Bank ICAL maintains a biobank of brain and peripheral organs collected from mice and rats treated in adolescence with D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or vehicle. Both male and female…

cannabis.uci.edu

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Aug 11

🧪 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Aug 4

🚨 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jul 28

🎙️ Revisit this must-hear convo! Dr. Hilary Marusak talks with Dr. Kwang-Mook Jung about adolescent THC exposure & long-term metabolic health.

🔥 Why are cannabis users leaner?
🧬 How THC alters fat & energy use?
🌿 Endocannabinoid insights await.

🎧 youtu.be/RO_g9KTaMCA
#ScienceAtTheSource #THC

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jul 21

🚨 Researchers! Free brain & peripheral tissues from adolescent THC-exposed rodents via the ICAL Tissue Bank at UCI.

✅ No DEA license needed
✅ Great for pilot data & grants
🌍 Open globally (shipping not covered)

Apply early—high demand!
🔗 cannabis.uci.edu/ical/tissueb...
#CannabisResearch #THC

ICAL Tissue Bank - UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis

ICAL Tissue Bank ICAL maintains a biobank of brain and peripheral organs collected from mice and rats treated in adolescence with D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or vehicle. Both male and female…

cannabis.uci.edu

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jul 14

🌿 Re-sharing this fascinating episode!
Is cannabis a psychedelic?

Dr. Daniele Piomelli explores this question in a 20-minute lecture from our Science at the Source series.

Watch (or re-watch) now ➡️ youtu.be/G0tagjX8COw

#CannabisResearch #Psychedelics #Neuroscience #ICAL

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jul 7

🌿 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jun 30

🚨 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jun 23

🧠 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...

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jun 16

🧬 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jun 9

🧬 New ICAL study: Adolescent THC exposure in male mice led to lower sperm count, testicular damage, and hormone disruption—effects not seen with adult exposure. Adolescence may be a critical window of vulnerability.

📄 doi.org/10.1093/toxs...
#CannabisResearch #ReproductiveHealth #THC #Adolescent

doi.org

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Jun 2

🎙️ 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · May 26

🎙️ 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · May 19

🚨 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!

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · May 12

🧠 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

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · May 5

🚨 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...

UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis @ucicannabis.bsky.social · Apr 28

⭐ 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