Monday, May 11, 2026
Home Blog Page 1025

Marijuana’s CBN: How It Helps With Pain, Insomnia And More

Maria Loreto
-
0
Marijuana’s CBN: How It Helps With Pain, Insomnia And More

One of the most surprising discoveries by researchers was that CBN could function as an antibiotic, battling powerful infections like MRSA.

Cannabinol (CBN) is one of the hundreds of cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are the chemicals responsible for providing healing and therapeutic effects on patients, and their effects are very varied. CBN is a chemical that can provide relief from insomnia, loss of appetite and chronic pain.

There’s not a lot of information out there on cannabinol, but some researches have been conducted and have demonstrated promising results in the following areas.

Sleep

CBN is a powerful sedative, backed up by studies conducted in 1976. It was also discovered that the combination of CBN and THC in strains results in a super powerful sleeping effect which is what probably happens when people get super high and just feel like napping. Cannabinol is not known for getting people very high, so if you want to sleep without getting high your best bet is to pair the chemical with other type of compounds.

Appetite

Research on rats demonstrated that cannabinol is responsible for increasing appetite, which makes it a great option for people who suffer from degenerative diseases and who don’t want to get high every time they consume their medicine (like THC).

Anti-inflammatory

In rodents, CBN demonstrated help in asthma and other types of inflammatory diseases. It prevented the overproduction of mucus in lungs and is also helpful for combating allergies.

Antibiotic

One of the most surprising discoveries was that CBN could function as an antibiotic, battling powerful infections like MRSA, a dangerous disease that can result in amputations and even death.

Pain

THC and CBD are both known to have a healing effect on pain, both tapping into capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves.

Burn Treatment

Cannabinol has a hypothermic effect on the body, being able to lower its temperature, providing pain relief and a cooling effect.

This Marijuana-Infused Vermouth Will Make Your Next Martini Epic

Danielle Guercio
-
0
This Marijuana-Infused Vermouth Will Make Your Next Martini Epic

Vermouth is an oft underused and rarely properly understood wine based product from Southern Europe. Vermouth is complex and inviting, great on their own or when used to make a wide variety of cocktails, both classic and new style.

With its infused nature, there is a spot for cannabis if you’re crafty. Since vermouth is often sweetened in some way as well as eventually strengthened with brandy or grain alcohol, you can involve some tincture of your choosing.

Cannabis vermouth is contextually perfect for today’s curious consumer, since rare and unique variations are becoming as commonplace as craft beer. Considering you can apply it to a cocktail or perhaps even use in a dish, it’s something that belongs in your liquor cabinet (preferably fridge) if you are into gourmet food, alcohol, or now by the grace of many a state legislature, cannabis.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Weed Infused Vermouth

Danielle Guercio, 2018
Makes ½ liter with 10mg THC per 1oz serving estimated

  • Half liter dry white wine
  • 1 Tbsp alcohol or glycerin tincture*
  • ¼ cup sugar or sweetener of choice
  • ¼ cup brandy, vodka, or liqueur
  • Peel of 1 lemon
  • ¼ cup dried herbs including: mint, chamomile, rose, lavender, lemon balm, thyme, tea
  • 1 Tbsp crushed spices including: clove, star anise, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon

Clean a jar that can hold both the liquid and all of the yummy things you’ll be adding to it. Crush all of the spices and herbs in a mortar and pestle, add to the jar. Fill with wine and allow to infuse for at least one week but up to three in the refrigerator.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

When it’s time to strain, you also need to sweeten and strengthen your baby vermouth so that it can be more than infused wine. You can use simple syrup, molasses, sugar, beets, honey, pretty much anything you’d like, but control the amount to reflect the tincture that you’ve selected. If you’re using glycerin, that will add sweetness, so dial it down. If you’re using alcohol tincture, you won’t have to add as much strength to the mixture.

In a larger container or bottle, stir sweetener and added alcohol into the strained wine. Now stir in the cannabis tincture that you’ve chosen. Stir well and keep in the fridge for up to three weeks. To keep the flavor optimal, countertop storage is not recommended.

*Cannabis Tincture

Decarboxylate 3.5g of finely ground cannabis at 225 degrees for 20 minutes in a tightly sealed, oven safe container. Put cannabis in lidded mason jar or vacuum sealed bag with cannabis and ½ cup vegetable glycerin or grain alcohol. Heat in water bath just under boiling for at least 1 hour. Strain and chill to use in recipes.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Serve this tasty tipple over ice, neat in a tiny wine glass, or use it in cocktails like the Americano or Negroni, which are Italian and American classics. You can even make a sparkling Negroni and pretend you’re sitting in a square in Milan where they happened to legalize cannabis use. This is a dream that is seeming more likely as cannabis prohibition finally begins to wane.

Science: Flying Humans Could Be A Thing In The Near Future

Maria Loreto
-
0
Science: Flying Humans Could Be A Thing In The Near Future

Thanks to the power of sound, flying humans that defy gravity might just be the future’s next big thing. For what purpose, you may ask? We don’t know yet, we just know that it’d be really freaking cool.

The University of Bristol recently discovered that it’s possible to trap objects larger than the wavelength of sound in acoustic tractor beams, in other words, making them levitate.

Via Science Daily:

“Acoustic researchers had been frustrated by the size limit for years, so it’s satisfying to find a way to overcome it. I think it opens the door to many new applications.”

“In the future, with more acoustic power it will be possible to hold even larger objects. This was only thought to be possible using lower pitches making the experiment audible and dangerous for humans.”

While the research is still long ways off from making humans levitate, it is something that’s currently being discussed. Researchers believe that with more acoustic power, the beam will be able to hold larger objects, facilitating different jobs, such as contactless production lines where delicate objects can be assembled without having to be touched. 

For now, the largest object the tractor beam has been able to levitate is a two-centimeter polystyrene sphere, which sounds pretty tiny. 

Watch This Disney Robot Lose Its Head In This Disturbing Video

Maria Loreto
-
0
Watch This Disney Robot Lose Its Head In This Disturbing Video

Of all the Disney robots, it had to be Ursula, the scariest villain out of all the movies, who lost her head on a ride for kids. Cue trauma for life.

On the video, you can see Ursula singing with her head dangling, as a boy whines, “It’s broken.” I’d be more hysterical if I were him, but he’s probably still in shock and processing the headless octopus woman he just saw. Sources report that the scariest part of all was that Ursula’s face kept moving, even though it was dangling from the body. 

According to The Huffington Post, the person who recorded the video claimed that kids were very upset after they got off the ride, and that employees were freaking out. 

“Immediately after we got off we were ushered out along with everyone else, and the employees looked very concerned. Many people had seen Ursula decapitated, including kids who understandably were upset. It was a pretty freaky thing to see.”

Disney hasn’t commented on the incident, probably fearing that they’ll be sued for something.

Social media found Ursula terrifying, hilarious, and most of all, relatable. Because we can all respect the fact that she kept on singing after that very unfortunate incident.

This Girl Group Might Launch Their Comeback At Harry And Meghan’s Wedding

Amy Hansen
-
0
This Girl Group Might Launch Their Comeback At Harry And Meghan’s Wedding

So, here’s the story from A to Z.  If Ginger Spice gets her way, the Spice Girls will be reuniting in a regal way.

The Sun reports that Geri Horner wants the Spice Girls to launch their long awaited comeback on one of the biggest stages ever: the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Upstage the bride much?

Bride-to-be Meghan Markle is said to be a huge fan of the Spice Girls, especially Mel B (Scary Spice), whom she admired while growing up in Hollywood.

The source close to the Spice Girls told The Sun: “Geri suggested the Royal Wedding is a fantastic opportunity, and that they should offer to perform at the reception.” They also said the wedding (May 19) fits in “perfectly” with Geri’s idea that the reunion be very British.

She sees it as a big part of their identity, and one they should keep. But at the moment the girls are not all decided on the topic of performing. And surprisingly it is Mel C, not Victoria Beckham, who is refusing to get on stage. Despite reports to the contrary, Victoria is now quite proud of the Spice Girls and their achievements. She feels strongly that if they reunite, they will have to perform.

The source continued to say that Mel is hesitant to reunite and will need some persuasion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bes3RJJlc1D

The ladies held a “secret meeting” recently. The Sun reveals that during their one-hour rendezvous, they ate sushi, talked about their kids, and launched plans for several projects, including a television deal and a “greatest hits” album.

Emma Bunton (Baby Spice) described the meet-up as “extra special,” saying, “It was just like, Friday, we thought we would all catch up, everyone was in town, let’s do this, let’s catch up. But I don’t think any of us were expecting, we had such a lovely afternoon. We sat down, we had lunch together, we sat round.”

It was the first time the bandmates had been in the same room together since 2012.

The Best Super Bowl LII Moments That Had Nothing To Do With Football

Brendan Bures
-
0
The Best Super Bowl LII Moments That Had Nothing To Do With Football

Though the Super Bowl is a football game that crowns the NFL champion, the Super Bowl itself isn’t really about football at all. Really, it’s one giant annual media event, a fusion of celebrity, royalty, and bottom feeders like no other. It’s a place where the most random person can capture our collective attention for no reason at all, other than a camera was placed on them when we all were looking.

This is why the Super Bowl is such a fantastic breeding ground for memes. The field didn’t disappoint this year either, as many awkward and outrageous moments were captured to our great delight. Here are our favorites.

Kid Has No Idea Who Justin Timberlake Is

Every year, the Super Bowl has a halftime performance, and every year, it’s the reliable wash bin receptacle to witness major media’s corniest ideas. For example, did you see Justin Timberlake perform Sunday night? The best parts were when he just danced and sang, instead of trying to display how BIG and IMPORTANT he was through extra bells and whistles.

Okay I lied. The actual best part was when, to end his set, JT climbed into the stands and found an adorable, brace-faced teenager who he could sling his arm around. Only problem was the kid appeared absolutely bewildered, like he had zero idea who Timberlake was and knew none of the words to “Can’t Stop The Feeling!”

He became a meme within the hour. He is now known as #SelfieKid:

https://twitter.com/JamieMcCarty/status/960327860987703296

Kevin Hart Is Denied

If you’re anyway familiar with his career, you know how strongly Kevin Hart represents his hometown of Philadelphia. He attended the Super Bowl and when his Philadelphia Eagles won, Hart found himself among the on-field pandemonium after the game. But that wasn’t good enough for Hart.

As players walked onto a makeshift podium for the trophy presentation, Hart tried to join. But the security guard wasn’t having any of Hart’s antics, and the camera captured the comedian drunkenly stomping his feet.

But worry not: Hart found his way onto at least one stage Sunday night. For our benefit, not his, there was a camera there, too.

Philly Fans Rage

Ahead of the possibility of a win, Philadelphia police greased the city’s light poles with motor oil to deter any possible vandalizing. You will not be surprised to learn that did not dissuade the Philly faithful. Here’s a roundup of the wildest videos from their streetside celebration.

https://twitter.com/LacesOutShow/status/960385281919782913

Meghan Markle Is Inspiring People To Get Plastic Surgery On This Body Part

Amy Hansen
-
0
Meghan Markle Is Inspiring People To Get Plastic Surgery On This Body Part

“Markle Lips” sounds like the newest lipstick color trend for 2018, but it’s actually a procedure people are requesting from their plastic surgeon.

The 36-year old influencer, who’s set to walk down the aisle on May 19, is inspiring women to not only wait for Prince Charming to sweep them off their feet, but to ditch their natural looks in lieu of a perfect pout. Not long ago, everyone was after Angelina Jolie’s lips. Now, there’s a new reigning Queen.

https://giphy.com/gifs/whitecollar-suits-usa-network-jX6iTluNeyu7C

Cosmetic surgeon Dr Benji Dhillon tells The Daily Mail that Markle’s lips are perfectly proportioned and that she’s in possession of the coveted “Cupid’s bow” (the “M” shape on the edge of the upper lip). Perfect mouth, perfect clothes, perfect Disney princess hair, perfect Prince Harry. Is there anything she doesn’t have?

Dhillon explains that Markle has “ideal lips,” meaning the lower lip is slightly larger than the top as well as having the upper lip sloping gently towards the corner of  the mouth. “In addition and very importantly,” he says, “her lips look even nicer due to them being in proportion with the rest of her face — they do not over dominate other features such as her nose or eyes, but balance them.”

He says if you want Markle’s lips, fillers are the answer for re-shaping and re-proportioning. “Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, which integrate with your lips to achieve a soft and natural enhancement to the lips, are the most ideal filler and often last 9 to 12 months.”

UK-based cosmetic doctor Dr. Tijion Esho tells W Magazine it’s common for his patients to bring in photos of celebrities they want to emulate:

I have about 20-30 clients a week who will show me images of influencers, or celebrities on social channels and want me to recreate their look for them. There are various celebrities who have set cosmetic trends. Kylie Jenner, for example, spiked the original lip filler trend. Other popular celebrities that my clients seek to emulate are Michelle Keegan, Emily Ratajkowski and, more recently, our new royal-to-be Meghan Markle.

Esho says he gets about 15 patients a day who want lip fillers, and while that trend is acceptable, one of its side effects is not: lip cysts, which he is seeing more frequently and are often the result of poor injector technique from patients looking for cheap shortcuts. “I always say there’s no shortcuts when it comes to your face, and in some cases no second chances … you only have one!”

Will Utah Lawmakers Squelch ‘Right To Try’ Medical Marijuana Initiative?

Amy Hansen
-
0
Will Utah Lawmakers Squelch ‘Right To Try’ Medical Marijuana Initiative?

A pair of  bills that would allow terminally ill patients access to medical marijuana grown and distributed by the sate of Utah, have moved forward in the legislature. But as UtahPolicy.com reports, lawmakers may try to kill the initiative in its tracks by using a tactic known as “SB54-ing.”

In short, the move would “delay the implementation of legal medical marijuana until the federal government re-classifies cannabis as a Schedule IV drug.”

House Bills 195 (which allows doctors to recommend medical marijuana for the terminally ill) and 197 (which puts the grow op in the hands of the state Department of Agriculture and Food) are both sponsored by Rep. Brad Daw (R) and approved by the House Health and Human Services Committee.

According to FOX13, some lawmakers were concerned that the feds could come after the state for growing its own federally illegal cannabis.

While the Utah Medical Association supports the idea of the legislation, it’s not sold on its practical aspects. Others like TRUCE (Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education) had problems with the bills.

Said Ogden Police Chief Randy Watt:

We are opposed to this principle, this fundamental principle of violating federal law. We think we’re duty bound, morally to respect federal law. We think this action would be akin to if my municipality didn’t want to follow state law from the legislature.

But DJ Schanz of the Utah Patients Coalition says the bills don’t go far enough, calling them “cannabis theater.”

“While they give an illusion of moving the ball forward, they do little to nothing to give patients access and respite. As the chief Prohibitionist on the hill, Representative Daw’s crocodile tear filled attempts at legislation the 11th hour are nothing more than parlor tricks meant to undermine the meaningful reforms and patient access the Ballot Initiative will give,” stated Schanz.

The bills now go to the full house for a vote. If passed, Utah would become the 30th state to legalize medical marijuana.

Here Is How Marijuana Helps With Painful Menstrual Periods

Richard Faulk
-
0
Here Is How Marijuana Helps With Painful Menstrual Periods

Heavy or painful menstrual periods can be a real pain and disrupt your lfe, but can marijuana (the tampons and the bath salts) really help?

There is a little known prologue to our current medical marijuana debate, a period of about one hundred years in which marijuana (or, more often, marihuana) was a regular—if minor—player in Western pharmacology. The chapter opens in the early 19th century—the early days of scientific chemistry and the heyday of European imperialism—when Western chemists suddenly had a world’s worth of herbal remedies to study.

One of the major medical uses for cannabis in this early period was “women’s issues,” primarily the easing of the agony of childbirth and painful menstruation—which was usually called by the medicalized euphemism “dysmenorrhea.” (But if you know enough Greek to understand that this means “bad monthly bleeding,” you’ll see it’s hardly a euphemism.) Queen Victoria was apparently a dysmenorrheac and her personal physician, Dr. Russel Reynolds, was a cannabis enthusiast. He even contributed a paper to The Lancet on the topic cannabis and lady’s health. (Contrary to Internet rumor, however, there’s no evidence that Dr. Reynolds actually dosed the Queen. But we’ll keep digging, because that would be awesome.)

Although today there is again great interest in marijuana’s possible effect on “spasticity”—which is generally meant to indicate illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy but could also cover cramps—but there is no still little medical literature on the effects of cannabis on menstrual symptoms.

But lack of evidence need never impede an intrepid entrepreneur. There’s currently at least one manufacturer of CBD-smeared vaginal suppositories that claim to ease mensural cramping. If, however, you feel that this intervention is too…bluntly bodily, shall we say? then there is delicately indirect option that might appeal.

In March 2016, cannabis activist and former Federation starship cocktail-lounge hostess Whoopi Goldberg launched a line of cannabinoidal-infused bath soaks and body rubs. Definitely on the lifestyle/ aroma therapy end of the medical spectrum, they are scientifically formulated to appeal to the spa-seeking neural receptors and will probably be about as effective as, say, any other impulse buy from the Whole Foods wellness center.

Have you tried their “warm and woodsy” bath salts, by the way? They look divine!

The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: Feb. 5

Alec Engber
-
0
The Fresh Toast Marijuana Legislative Roundup: Feb. 5

Last week was a big week for cannabis news across the United States. Legalization efforts advanced in New Mexico and Georgia. Meanwhile, in Maine, the will of the people continues to get pushback from politicians.Find out about that more in our weekly marijuana legislative roundup.

Maine: 

On Thursday, a measure to push back the start of recreational cannabis sales in Maine failed in the state House of Representative and sales of recreational marijuana officially became legal, though there remains no regulatory framework to obtain a license to sell cannabis products. The date was already pushed back to February to allow lawmakers more time to pass a bill to implement the recreational cannabis legalization initiative passed by voters in 2016. Lawmakers spent months hammering out a bill to substantially modify the ballot measure but that was ultimately vetoed by Governor Paul LePage in late October.

LePage, an outspoken critic of marijuana legalization, cited public health and safety concerns as well as uncertainty over federal enforcement of marijuana prohibition at the time. A legislative panel is once again working on an overhaul of the state’s marijuana law, which could take another nine months to complete before facing legislative and gubernatorial approval. The governor’s office said this week that it had not begun working on a regulatory and licensing system, and it seems likely that sales will be delayed at least another year.  

Massachusetts: 

Last week, legislation to make Massachusetts a “sanctuary state” for marijuana was introduced in the state House of Representatives. The bill would prohibit cooperation by state law enforcement with federal agencies for the purpose of enforcing federal marijuana prohibition, and is modeled after laws preventing state officials from assisting federal immigration agencies in pursuing undocumented immigrants. It comes on the heels of Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ renunciation of the 2014 Cole Memo, which enshrined the Obama administration’s hands-off approach to state legalization efforts. A similar bill is under consideration in the California Assembly.  

Related Story: A Look At Massachusetts’ First-Ever Marijuana Billboard Ads

New Mexico: 

On Wednesday, comprehensive legislation to legalize recreational marijuana was introduced in the New Mexico House of Representatives. The bill would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of cannabis or 16 grams of concentrates and grow up to 12 plants at home, including six mature plants and six immature seedlings. Licensed retailers could also open a consumption area on their premises and deliver cannabis products to customers. Those convicted of offenses made legal under the law could have their charges dismissed and sealed, and corrections facilities would be required to report inmates whose cases should be reopened due to the change in the law. The bill would also prohibit state and local law enforcement from coordinating with federal agencies in enforcing federal marijuana law. The bill is considered unlikely to pass this year.   

Georgia: 

Last week, lawmakers introduced a bill to the Georgia Senate that would allow voters to decide whether to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. If enacted, the measure would place a question on the November ballot asking voters whether the state Constitution should be amended to make cannabis legal. If voters approved the measure, the state would also be directed to create a regulatory and tax system for recreational marijuana. The state Constitution currently prohibits cannabis in Georgia, which has some of the most restrictive cannabis laws in the nation.

Virginia: 

On Monday, the Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted down a measure to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in the state. The bill would have reduced possession of small amounts of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil violation punishable by a fine. The committee approved a separate bill that would allow those convicted of first-time marijuana offenses to have their convictions expunged, and create a database of beneficiaries eligible for expungement under the law. That bill now goes before the Senate Finance Committee.   

Utah: 

On Wednesday, a Utah House committee approved one bill legalizing medical marijuana for patients with terminal illnesses and another allowing cannabis cultivation for research purposes. The measures will now go before the full House for a vote at some point this session.

1...1,0241,0251,026...1,472Page 1,025 of 1,472

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

The Fresh Toast is an award-winning lifestyle & health platform with a side of cannabis. We work hard each day to bring uplifting and informative information about culture, weed, celebrity, tech and medical marijuana.

© Copyright @2020