Story by PsyPost
A series of three neuroimaging studies identified a pattern of neural activation involving specific brain regions that differentiates drug users from non-users with 82% accuracy. Researchers named the pattern the Neurobiological Craving Signature (NCS).
Their findings have been published in Nature Neuroscience.
Craving is a strong desire to use drugs or eat.
It has long been considered a key factor driving substance abuse and overeating.
It is one of the criteria used for diagnosing substance use disorders. Craving is often induced by exposure to certain stimuli. In the case of overeating, this also include the smell or sight of food. In the case of drugs, craving can be induced by one being in places or situations he/she associates with taking drugs or being offered drugs.
This is called cue-induced craving.
Earlier studies of craving have successfully relied on self-reported craving, but recent research has focused on discovering its biological basis. Human neuroimaging studies have identified neural circuits related to the risk of substance abuse. Some brain circuits have been found to be involved in different substance use disorders and risky behaviors. These include specific parts of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), ventral striatal/nucleus accumbens (VS/NAc) and insula regions of the brain.
These regions also appear to play a role in weight gain and obesity.
However, just identifying areas of the brain that show distinct activity in certain situations is not enough to infer subjective feelings (such as craving) from brain activity. Studies have shown that neural activity related to specific mental states are distributed across different regions of the brain. That is why attempts are made to create mathematical models that integrate activities of diverse brain regions to allow inferences about mental states and health outcomes with larger degrees of accuracy. Such models are called neuromeres.
Study author Leonie Koban and her colleagues wanted to develop a neuromarker that could predict the intensity of drug and food craving. They integrated data from five different groups into three studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging on users of cigarettes, alcohol and cocaine. They compared this with images of brains of persons who did not use any of these substances nor any other drug.
A total of 99 participants were involved in the studies.
“Across studies, participants were presented with visual cues of drugs and highly palatable food items. We then used machine learning to identify a distributed functional brain activity pattern that predicted the intensity of craving. We term the resulting pattern the Neurobiological Craving Signature (NCS), and we hope that this name reduces ambiguity and provides a reference point for the pattern’s future reuse and testing in new samples,” the study authors explained.
Related: Chronic pain linked to increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, new study finds 0:40 – Bing video
In the first study, researchers showed pictures of cigarettes and food to cigarette smokers (21 persons) and non-smokers (22). In the second study, they showed pictures of alcoholic drinks and food to alcohol users (17 persons). In study three, they showed pictures of cocaine and food to cocaine users (21 person) and non-users (18 participants).
Results showed that the Neurobiological Craving Signature (NCS) model predicted craving with success in all groups, but that it was the most effective in predicting craving in non-smokers (study 1) and non-users of cocaine (study 3). Although still quite effective, the model was the least effective in predicting craving in cigarette smokers.
When researchers explored the ability of their model to differentiate between high and low levels of craving, it was found to be accurate in between 72% and 81% of cases.
The Neurobiological Craving Signature mode was only 60% accurate in differentiating cocaine users from non-users when they were being shown pictures of food. However, this rose to 75% when they were being shown pictures of cocaine. When the differences in neural activity when shown pictures of food and of cocaine was considered, the accuracy of differentiation between cocaine users and non-users rose to 82%. Results also showed that brain activity patterns in drug and food craving are similar.
The Neurobiological Craving Signature (NCS) model was based on neural activity in ventromedial prefrontal and cingulate cortices, ventral striatum, temporal/parietal association areas, mediodorsal thalamus and cerebellum regions of the brain.
“In both Western and Eastern philosophy, craving has been considered a source of suffering and unhappiness. Although craving is an important feature of substance use disorders, eating disorders and other psychiatric conditions, it is also a general aspect of human experience,” the study authors concluded.
“In this study, we used machine learning to identify a distributed brain pattern—that we term the NCS as a reference for future use—that tracks the degree of craving when applied to new individuals, across different diagnostic groups, scanners and scanning parameters. Notably, this pattern separated drug users from non-users based on brain responses to drug cues but not food cues. Thus, it is an important step toward a diagnostic neuromarker of substance use.”
The study makes an important contribution to scientific knowledge of the neural basis of craving. However, it also has limitations that need to be taken into account. Notably, the study used “a limited set of highly appetitive cues” [pictures]. The study also did not use non-craving control conditions in the same groups of participants.
The study, “A neuromarker for drug and food craving distinguishes drug users from non-users”, was authored by Leonie Koban, Tor D. Wager, and Hedy Kober.
37 Healthy Snacks To Help You Cut Cravings and Lose Weight (msn.com)
Toni Shields. I do a Tincture 9:1 THC/CBD.
I get it from. Surterra Wellness here in Fla. – Search (bing.com)
They are the only dispensaries around that are consistent with their products.
Its the only tincture that works for me.
Hi there, diagnosed stage 4 bowel cancer 2020 with multiple surgeries and chemo am not almost a year in remission. I have RSO oil as I started taking this but was too strong and I was unable to care for my children whilst using this. However, I’d like to try again. Can this be used as a Maintenance thing to kill any remaining cancer cells etc?
Bonnie Young
Is there any benefit to taking it if you can’t ramp up due to strength and cost?
Tree Marie
Wondering if you have had a chance to watch the Rick Simpson documentary or charlotte s web marijuana documentary – Search. I would also recommend watching some you tube channels for more information. The Dude Grows Show – Bing video is a valuable resource for information. Also, try attending cannabis expos in your local area.
Lots of resources out there with tons of valuable information
Good luck on your journey
You need both. THC kills cancer. CBD Stops the spread.
Coconut oil is better for bioavailability and is a great carrier oil,
Apparently, it will only extract 10% of the cannabinoids from flowers.
This is due to the fact it is low in fat, and cannabinoids are lipophilic- dissolve in fats, and hydrophobic, clump up in water, so get your glycerin-soaked bud and chuck it in some coconut oil, warm, mix and strain to attempt to extract the remaining 80-90% still left in them.
Kathy Jensen
You guys are awesome! I appreciate every single one of you!! Mine came out very dark and very thick, I processed it 3 times at 180 F. For 45 minutes each time. I only take a little cuz I’m new lol. But I noticed less inflammation this morning and all day. Thank you all for the speedy replies and just what i needed
Cheryl Keller
If you still have the material just keep running it with fresh glycerin until you feel confident you’ve gotten everything out of it. I said I would keep you updated on the dosage. I figure it is loosely a bit less than half of what it would be if infused with coconut oil. I worked up to a spoon handle dipped to about 1 inch under the tongue for 45 seconds. Joint pain is less. I take it at night in case I need to drive during the day. Big drop in blood sugar. Good to watch.
I’m overall pretty happy. Going to make gummies with it this week
thanks!!Grape seed oil is the best. A crock pot, I go 3 days low and slow. med on the crock pot.
Everclear or moonshine another way. Depends on what you are planning to do with it.
Crystal Humby
Cannabis oil. Starting small it is potent. Work your way up as you can tolerate.
Change your diet and stop using sugar. Type your DX in the search bar and see what
others have done. CBD between doses of cannabis oil helps it stop the spread. Good luck
Claudia Jones Stafford
Lisa Jones the cancer experts agree that you may eliminate all sugar but cancer will find a source for fuel. That is not great advice, but patients feel it gives them an enemy to fight…okay. But it won’t slow cancer progression.
Jennifer Cofer
All of these suggestions are worth trying.
I would also try a good quality Boswellia supplement.
And detox. Doctor’s Best Proteolytic enzymes may help if the gut isn’t working.
I’m not a doctor, not giving medical advice.
Rebecca Ann
Cannabis Health Radio podcast http://cannabishealthradio.com/ has hundreds of testimonials of cures from late-stage cancer. Many had pancreatic cancer.
My husband’s FB page is: (1) Chemo Is Overrated | Facebook
He had stage IV lymphocytic lymphoma, given a year to live by the oncologist if he didn’t take doc’s chemo concoction. He didn’t take it, used organic plant-based nutrition. That was 2018. Today he is healthy.
My opinion is to take as much cannabis oil as you can stand. If anything will cure your situation it’s high THC oil if it doesn’t cure it at least it’s a better option than hospice.
I would take Blood Root capsules. Turkey tail mushroom as well
Essiac tea. I found this as well ….An herb used in traditional medicine by many Middle Eastern countries may help in the fight against pancreatic cancer, one of the most difficult cancers to treat.
Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer at Jefferson in Philadelphia have found that thymoquinone, an extract of nigella sativa seed oil, blocked pancreatic cancer cell growth and killed the cells by enhancing the process of programmed cell death. I found nigella seed oil on amazon. Also look into adding sea moss….Adding ground up frankincense and myrrh to the mix is super helpful .. u can buy the resin on Amazon and grind it yourself!!!
Does THC work better at killing bowel cancer or CBD???
Roberto Maldonado Nieves
Actually, while THC can kill cancer cells, CBD stops the cells from spreading.
That’s why I said that it works better when combined.
Dougal Fudgemonkey
You’re all forgetting the other parts of the plant….. a part that people compost yet it has the highest concentrations of a couple of chemicals known to slow the big c and stop it metastasizing and causes apoptosis… all that without the THC high and legal
where THC is not….
Any input for leukopenia. Alkaline, folate, B12, and protein levels are normal.
All levels are normal except that my white blood cell count is critically low.
I have schizophrenia and RA. For years I have taken Plaquenil and paliperidone which may affect the white blood cell count. I have eliminated Plaquenil, and the numbers are still decreasing. I plan to harvest and make cannabis oil discreetly.
17 Insane Benefits of Apricot Seeds: The Ultimate Source of Vitamin B17 | Apricot Power
Debbie Davis Thom
Orally. 60 grams 90 days. Along with Radiation. Also ApricotPower.com (vitB17), Vitamin B17/Amygdalin Supplements and Apricot Seeds | Apricot Power no refined sugars, more plant-based diet. More fish and poultry, less red meat and pork.
Is it biblical to eat pork? – Search (bing.com)
Coach-Chela Fiorini
Have you tried high dose CBD oil? I would start there. With a high quality, full spectrum CBD oil. Also, check out what Dr. Mindy Pelz and Dr. Eric Berg have to say about gut microbiome and health. It’s revolutionary. Take good care.
Kelly Duncan
FECO: Full Extract Cannabis Oil. The whole plant is what you use. High THC. Start low with oil, and make sure you/your oil-maker uses Everclear or another “clean” solvent. Suppositories are very easy to make with a mold, using a carrier like coconut. I would suggest suppositories and oral ingestion. The FB group “green oil machine” is full of very helpful people and information/videos, etc. They will answer specific questions and provide step-by-step prep. Best of luck.
Bill Monroe Smith
THC kills cancer, and so does B3 Niacinamide you can get it from amazon 3 cents per capsule 250mg. Nicotinamide and Niacinamide are the same thing. Nicotinamide prohibits proliferation and enhances chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells through deregulating SIRT1 and Ras/Akt pathways. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23561972/
Jon Marsh
THC, as opposed to CBD, has been the primary weapon when using Cannabis compounds to treat cancer. In fact if you find Rick Simpson’s story (in)credible you’d know he used high-THC with very little CBD and his extracts allegedly treated everyone around him who used it.
There are also many who believe CBD can hinder the full potential of THC, so by suggesting people seek out Cannabis Oil with a 1:1 ratio of CBD-to-THC it’s not necessarily what is needed, but is often recommended in comments.
Does THC actually exacerbate certain cancers as some have suggested? It’s been suggested that THC causes estrogen-driven cancers to worsen and that a 3:1 ratio of CBD-toTHC is recommended for those specific cancers, to include certain breast and prostate cancers.
I don’t claim to know half of everything about how Cannabis compounds benefit humans and other animals but I have been in this Group longer than anyone else and I have read 99% of the posts that have been posted since May of 2012. I wake up and read through the recent posts and give succinct responses when I read something I feel isn’t helpful or actually simply poor advice. Nothing personal, on most occasions.
May 26th will mark 9 years that people have sought out this Group for last-minute
hope and many have found it. I see to it that poor advice is highlighted and not shared repeatedly, although I’m not the most knowledgeable person in any room I’m in unless
I’m alone and I’m aware of the fact.
If I “correct” something and it’s a short response, it’s not to seem snarky, it’s simply my response usually from a phone to get the point across. Three more weeks and it’ll be 9 years as a Group. Nearly one-sixth of my life. Thank you Pamela Javid Haymes for your several years of continued Admin support, hopefully we make it a decade of making a huge difference. THC is the
Chrissy Wright
Tammy Cook Hi Tammy- My husband followed the Rick Simpson oil also known as phoenix tears. He has a website with how to make the oil. Once you make the oil you
start with small amounts (grain of rice) as you build tolerance. Hope this helps!
You can also message me separately, I’m happy to help!
Dave Karroll
Thanks for your help. I just got my Source Turbo, and will be using it soon. Been using meds for over a year now for Prostate cancer issues. Working with a cannabis clinic in Canada. I don’t like the high from THC so save the heavier THC for night time. For day they recommend a 2:1 ratio CBD to THC. Also full spectrum and they recommend multiple strains to maximize the terpenoids. Using suppositories 3 times a day, oils 3-5 times and body salve loaded with both CBD and THC
For those who don’t believe CBD has a place in fighting cancer there is plentiful evidence: https://www.google.com/search?q=cbd%20cancer%20pubmed…
Cate Wood Hunter
Thanks for the post. My frustration is when people (pharmacists and health stores)
keep pushing hemp oil as CBD oil and insisting it is the same thing with the same healing properties. Or CBD oil with THC removed. I do not know enough about the ratios of THC but I do know that it is a vital part of the whole lock and key of why cannabis oil switches on our cells’ abilities to heal.
Hi Di von Rippoldsau
Why hate on one cannabinoid? They’re all from the same cannabis plant and intended for healing. They work together synergistically. 1 strain gives you 5 darts to throw…10 strains give you 75 darts to throw.
Some people say the indica works like sativa… and the other way around!!!
I always put 4 plants outside…. they get the right water when I change
the water from my grow table…I grow Califire.. I got 5 lbs per plant….
Cali fire strain of marijuana – Search (bing.com) Kush is indica… sedative.
Search Results for Cannabis Oil | Cancer Quick Facts (solitarius.org)
When you have cancer it’s important to keep your liver healthy
35 Super Foods That Can Naturally Help Your Liver (msn.com)
and Milk Thistle helps keeps the Liver toxin Free!!!!!!
Donna Lyn Tiffin
Abi, just let go. The “high” is actually pretty freaking awesome. You have the right attitude already. Just wait until you try this. Your mind/spirit will open up even more, you’ll amaze yourself. Dr Wayne Dyer’s Audio tapes on YouTube.
My favourite right now is ” love your life” – Search (bing.com)I listen to Dr Wayne Dyer’s Audio tapes on YouTube. My favorite now is ” love your life”. It is truly inspirational. I like to cook or clean when I’m listening to his tapes. Makes me very productive. Good luck in this journey you’re on right now. You WILL pull through;
I have no doubt Dr Wayne Dyer’s Audio tapes ” love your life” – Search (bing.com)
I’m sending you healing vibes and white light all around you.
Read more; Cannabis Oil Success Stories | Facebook 🙂
