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Medicinal marijuana plant turned into medicine
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Our research

Novel research being explored by the Lambert Initiative
Our research focus is to unlock the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and full-spectrum cannabis extracts.

Research objectives

Our research activities are directed towards four key areas:

1.     Discovering new molecular targets and disease pathways

2.     Developing preclinical models of human disease

3.     Establishing and developing evidence in humans

4.     Increasing the availability of cannabinoid treatments for patients

Current clinical trials and surveys

Novel clinical research conducted by the Lambert Initiative’s clinical team and collaborators within Australia

Our clinical team, in collaboration with expert clinicians and researchers around Australia, are focused on developing clinical evidence for cannabinoid-based therapeutics and understanding Australian community use of medicinal cannabis in a range of disease areas.
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Addiction

An emerging role for cannabinoids in the treatment of addictions

The ability of cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) to reduce anxiety, prevent seizures and reduce psychotic behaviour may be relevant in the treatment of addiction to alcohol and other drugs

Community use

Cannabis use in the community

We are conducting research to explore the effects of regular cannabis use in the community
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Driving

<p>Understanding the risks related to driving and medical cannabis use</p>

As medical cannabis becomes more readily available, it is imperative that we answer questions around the risks. Our research is contributing to the ongoing policy debate regarding issues such as safety, impairment and detection when driving.

Medicinal chemistry

Developing the next generation of cannabinoids

Our medicinal chemistry team are synthesising innovative libraries of cannabinoid molecules to discover and develop new clinical candidates with improved therapeutic properties.

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Pain

Medicinal cannabis and the treatment of chronic pain

The Lambert Initiative is researching the application of phytocannabinoids to assist in the treatment and management of chronic and neuropathic pain.

Surveys

Surveys are a valuable method of data collection, and are incredibly useful in providing snapshots of information via questions put to a community.

We have conducted a variety of surveys that have shed light on various aspects of medical cannabis in Australia, covering both general practitioners and patients.

Anxiety

Cannabinoids and Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are extremely common in the Australian youth population, and there is a large number of young people being left untreated. Not only do these untreated people with anxiety disorders have to struggle with their symptoms, they may also develop secondary conditions such as depression and substance abuse disorders. With the massive surge in anxiety and other mental health conditions around the world in response to the impact of COVID-19, there is a need for new treatment options more than ever.

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Epilepsy

Cannabinoids and paediatric epilepsy

Katelyn Lambert suffers from Dravet syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy unresponsive to current anticonvulsant drugs. We’re developing cannabinoid medicines to reduce seizures, mortality and intellectual disability.

How cannabinoids work

The importance of cannabis research

Our research aims to better understand the cannabis plant, its compounds and potential therapeutic value. This requires an investigation of how our endocannabinoid system works, how it interacts with other biological systems, and how it responds to interventions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Medical cannabis and PTSD

We are researching cannabinoids to uncover the potential of medical cannabis and PTSD.

Insomnia

Cannabinoids as sleep-promoters

Insomnia is a very common disorder that can affect up to 50% of the general population at any given time. Anecdotally, cannabis is frequently reported to promote sleep, however, there are very few studies investigating how cannabis affects the brain during sleep in people with insomnia.

Tourette syndrome

The therapeutic possibilities of cannabinoids and Tourette Syndrome

There is already early evidence to support the successful treatment of Tourette syndrome with cannabinoids. Medicinal cannabis has the potential to be a treatment option that avoids aggressive side effects and greatly improves quality of life.

Computational modelling

Using powerful computation and artificial intelligence to help us understand how cannabinoids work

With computational modelling, we can simulate the molecular interactions between cannabinoids and receptors to gain insight into their physiological activity and expand their therapeutic applications.