The lab of Dr. Nephi Stella studies the molecular mechanism and therapeutic value of cannabinoid-based molecules.
Joined July 2021
- Tweets 697
- Following 120
- Followers 748
- Likes 483
61 Photos and videos
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
#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
nature.com/articles/s41386-0…
1
4
5
282
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Directional elements: the preprints are out! Congratulations to our amazing team linked here:
biorxiv.org/content/10.64898…
biorxiv.org/content/10.64898…
biorxiv.org/content/10.64898…
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...
1
60
249
22,226
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
May 30
#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.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4221…
4
27
2,173
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Computational neural dynamics of goal-directed visual attention in macaques doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed90…
1
11
55
2,913
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Congratulations, @RaymundiAna, @CristinaStern! So proud of this work: Sex-specific role of microglia in Δ9-THC-induced disruption of fear memory reconsolidation
nature.com/articles/s41386-0…
1
11
40
2,195
This is an important study to understand the role of the PFC: check it out!
1
1
3
1,192
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Medial prefrontal cortex encodes but is not required to generate goal-directed actions under threat
elifesciences.org/reviewed-p…
2
7
406
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Long-term effects of adolescent THC exposure on anxiety-like behavior and cognitive function in male rats
link.springer.com/article/10…
3
7
345
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
📢 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
🔗 f.mtr.cool/xbjyeapbxv
#MedicalCannabis #CannabisResearch #CannabisEducation #CannabisPolicy #Rescheduling
1
84
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Apr 22
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. 😮
Apr 21
“China is now eating our lunch.”
RFK Jr. warns the U.S. is losing its edge to China in medical research and drug development.
“They got more drugs approved last year.”
“They went from running 3% of clinical trials to running 30%.”
“We are losing scientists, we’re losing our IPs, we’re losing the best researchers.”
“We’re going to lose our biosecurity.”
“We are fast-tracking approvals now in our country at record levels.”
4
46
238
26,907
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Acute and delayed effects of THC on memories of stress in healthy adults
link.springer.com/article/10…
3
4
516
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
🌿 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. 📄
doi.org/10.1177/257851252614…
#CannabisResearch #CannabisPolicy #CA
2
2
122
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Apr 13
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: timesunion.com/news/article/…
1
6
6
715
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Apr 13
Now online! Rational design of Gi-biased CB1 agonist with reduced side effects dlvr.it/TS1RsN
10
51
6,789
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
The astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex contribute to the rapid antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin in the chronic restraint stress mouse model
sciencedirect.com/science/ar…
1
7
587
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Microglia respond to and induce anxiety and grooming in mice using calcium signaling
nature.com/articles/s41380-0…
11
30
1,927
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
CBD dose modulates behavioral response to acute and repeated administration of Δ9-THC by strain and sex
doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.05.…
1
1
200
Nature research paper: Deconstruction of a spino-brain–spinal cord circuit that drives chronic pain
go.nature.com/4bYKoa9
1
17
94
20,130
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.
Mar 27
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
------------------------------------------
Thanks to our partner for making this happen!
The Pod by @eightsleep cools your bed to 55°F and uses Autopilot to optimize your sleep, all night.
Use code ALLIN at eightsleep.com/allin for up to $350 off.
55
Lab of Dr. Nephi Stella, University of Washington retweeted
Mar 27
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: tinyurl.com/mp93f37n
For TRD replotting data from: tinyurl.com/msfuhz7d
Mar 26
Another day, another psychedelic trial with missing placebo response (tinyurl.com/3pzpxpac), this time with 5-MeO-DMT. In this case the patients actually got WORSE in the placebo group. In the past month, 4 high profile psychedelic trials came out, all on treatment-resistant depression, all showing the same phenomena: there is virtually no placebo response in the control arm of psychedelic studies, see image below (negative values indicate improvement as you want less depression):
A: 5-meo vs PL, placebo response is 0.3 MADRS units (tinyurl.com/3pzpxpac)
B: psilocybin vs active PL (nicotinamide), placebo response is -1.5 MADRS units (tinyurl.com/yueyphn5)
C: psilocybin vs PL, placebo response is -1.2 MADRS units (COMP005 tinyurl.com/cjjmh8x7)
D: psilocybin vs active PL (1mg psilocybin), placebo response -3.7 MADRS units (COMP006 tinyurl.com/cjjmh8x7)
The typical placebo response in trials on major depression of antidepressants is -9 MADRS points (shorturl.at/fwTNs). The typical placebo response in trials on TRD with ketamine -7 MADRS points (shorturl.at/ZS0QQ).
7
7
25
4,944