UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis

Coming back to this fantastic conversation with ICAL Director Dr. Daniele Piomelli — from the endocannabinoid system to where cannabis science is headed next. A great intro to the science behind cannabinoids.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px45...

🚨 Re-upping a fan favorite:
Dr. Hilary Marusak + Dr. Christine M. Gall on cannabis, memory, adolescent development, and sex differences in the brain.

🎥 Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBdV...

Follow: @uci_cannabis

#ScienceAtTheSource #Neuroscience #THC #Memory #AdolescentBrain

🔁 Resharing this powerful episode!
Dr. Hilary Marusak talks with Dr. Rodrigo Klein (UC Irvine) about how THC shapes the developing brain—from fetal stages to adolescence.

👉 Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oap6...

🚨 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

🚨 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

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...

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...

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…

🧠 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

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...

🎙️ 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...

📢 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...

🚨 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

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

🚨 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

🚨 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

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

🚨 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

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 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

🧪 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

🚨 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

🎙️ 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

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…

🚨 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

🌿 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

🌿 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

🚨 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

🧠 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...

🧬 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

🧬 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

🎙️ 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

🎙️ 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

🚨 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!

🧠 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