Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington

The lab of Dr. Nephi Stella studies the molecular mechanism and therapeutic value of cannabinoid-based molecules.

[Neuropsychopharmacology @npp_journal]

#TWiNPP

In people with OUD + chronic pain receiving methadone, acute CBD dose-dependently⬆️ top-down pain modulation before methadone, but higher doses⬆️ pain sensitivity after methadone / @JPDeAquinoMD @Gabriel_PACosta

https://t.co/sta1BQd3dS

[Karl Deisseroth @KarlDeisseroth]

Directional elements: the preprints are out! Congratulations to our amazing team linked here:
https://t.co/SxNw2isNcd
https://t.co/f48w42FKcJ
https://t.co/o5NXdGcViw
We screened for principles governing global brain dynamics by developing a set of new methods: 1) conformal immersion microscopy for recording high-speed/high-resolution neural activity across dorsal cortex; 2) unbiased computational screening of brain-spanning activity for fast directionally-propagating spatiotemporal elements; and 3) novel genetically-encoded voltage sensing integrated with designed spectrally-compatible opsins (derived from our channelrhodopsin structure work) for systematic causal testing.
This unbiased screening/testing approach (which we show is applicable either to voltage or calcium imaging) allowed discovery and functional validation of a surprisingly well-defined set of directional elements that generalized across cell types and frequencies. The ability to work over long timescales at high speeds and with broad scope, anchored in optogenetic causal testing, unveiled rich spatiotemporal structure that was remarkably tractable.
From the perspective of natural brain function, the directional elements were found to be behaviorally relevant and robust to diverse perturbations; however, we also found specific conditions allowing elemental incidence and boundaries to be selectively modulated, which may provide translational as well as basic-science insight...
I'm so grateful to all our collaborators, and honored to work with all the outstanding students, postdocs, and staff who worked together to develop and apply this approach...

[BryanRoth @zenbrainest]

#gpcr Dimers!
Here, we demonstrate stable κOR dimer formation in living cells and present cryo-electron microscopy structures of salvinorin A-bound κOR dimer complexed with two Gi proteins, revealing a parallel assembly distinct from previously characterized GPCR dimers that engage only single G protein.
https://t.co/66Q0RS66rg

[Decision Neuroscience and Neuroeconomics Papers @decisionneurop]

Computational neural dynamics of goal-directed visual attention in macaques https://t.co/VHtdo2K09F

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

Congratulations, @RaymundiAna, @CristinaStern! So proud of this work: Sex-specific role of microglia in Δ9-THC-induced disruption of fear memory reconsolidation
https://t.co/JtmWIZ5dzZ

[Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington @StellaLab11]

This is an important study to understand the role of the PFC: check it out!

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

https://t.co/Cen6lImUCo

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

Medial prefrontal cortex encodes but is not required to generate goal-directed actions under threat
https://t.co/XGrKhmVKJe

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

Long-term effects of adolescent THC exposure on anxiety-like behavior and cognitive function in male rats
https://t.co/AWrMKS7GhE

[Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) @cmcr_ucsd]

📢 New: Cannabis Rescheduling to Schedule III ⚖️🌱
🔹 Policy analysis of legal & practical consequences of federal Schedule III rescheduling
🔹 Would expand research access & reduce penalties — but not legalize cannabis
⚠️ Would not expunge records, approve dispensary products, or resolve state-federal conflicts
➡️ Authors urge Congress to address banking, equity & interstate commerce
🔗 https://t.co/qMQ9OyWLX8
#MedicalCannabis #CannabisResearch #CannabisEducation #CannabisPolicy #Rescheduling

[Matt Hill @canna_brain]

Absolutely shocking that freezing NIH funds and causing a collapse of trust between universities and NIH, killing active grants and generally creating an environment of chaos and uncertainty resulted in a breakdown of medical and scientific research. 😮

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

Acute and delayed effects of THC on memories of stress in healthy adults
https://t.co/6MrWxESlIs

[Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Journal @CannabisJrnl]

🌿 As federal cannabis policy stalls, California is stepping up. A recap of the 2025 CA Cannabis Research Workshop highlights state-level collaboration on funding, research access & agri-science innovation. 📄

https://t.co/XUPfhU48vI

#CannabisResearch #CannabisPolicy #CA

[Yasmin Hurd, PhD @neurovoice]

Cannabis-related ER visits have more than doubled in New York state since 2016. Youth, in particular, are vulnerable to the effects of new high potency #cannabis products. We need to educate kids on the risks of cannabis use.

Read more in @timesunion: https://t.co/DsZhINrJFd

[Cell @CellCellPress]

Now online! Rational design of Gi-biased CB1 agonist with reduced side effects https://t.co/T3UzmgvWYa

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

The astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex contribute to the rapid antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin in the chronic restraint stress mouse model
https://t.co/POb7kj3b4Q

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

Microglia respond to and induce anxiety and grooming in mice using calcium signaling
https://t.co/GAL21AHzCG

[Bertoglio lab (FMC/UFSC) @bertogliolab]

CBD dose modulates behavioral response to acute and repeated administration of Δ9-THC by strain and sex
https://t.co/fGKWEjdP0S

[nature @Nature]

Nature research paper: Deconstruction of a spino-brain–spinal cord circuit that drives chronic pain

https://t.co/Dp1eqeBgns

[Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington @StellaLab11]

I have been following this podcast for several years. And find it quite insightful. This episode is particularly interesting for those who like me are interested in mind altering drugs, and their mechanism of action. I recommend, it’s a good listen.

[The All-In Podcast @theallinpod]

Bryan Johnson: 5-MeO-DMT therapy outperformed every longevity protocol so far

“ If I just subjectively compare my experience with 5-MeO-DMT to having a better diet, and exercising every day, and sleeping well, and doing the sauna, and doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy, this was more efficacious than all of them in terms of the reset of me as a human.

It just is incomparable.

And I guess I'm really left pondering, for this molecule to have such a gigantic impact.

Now, how long will it last? What's the decay curve like? You know, will I become the former Brian within 30 days, 60 days, so I have to repeat this again? I don't know.

When you sleep well, you feel great. When you exercise, great. But nothing like what 5-MeO-DMT did in terms of like, the reset of me as a human.”

@bryan_johnson

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[Balázs Szigeti @psybalazs]

Here is the distribution of placebo responses in major depression (MDD) and treatment resistant depression (TRD), the four vertical lines are the four recent psychedelic trials I mentioned below. There is a lower placebo response in TRD, however the psychedelic studies appear even lower than those, the avg across these 4 trials is (+0.3-3.7-1.2-1.5)/4~-1.5.

For MDD replotting data from: https://t.co/MVzqsSFaqw
For TRD replotting data from: https://t.co/SNgniFTeup