In some studies, THC appears to ease inflammation inside and outside the body, therefore decreasing the threat of acne.
While it is true that the cannabinoids in cannabis can have some effect on the skin and can treat itching and even skin diseases like psoriasis, marijuana’s impact on the skin adds a level of complexity to the debate. We know that marijuana increases testosterone, so can marijuana or CBD hep acne?
Just as higher estrogen can stave-off a breakout, testosterone seems to fuel additional production in the glands. A 2017 study, published in Andrology, found increased testosterone among more recent marijuana users. However, long-cited for its anti-inflammatory effects, THC appears in some studies to ease inflammation inside and outside the body, therefore decreasing the threat of acne. Just like some medicines work for one individual and not another, marijuana may act the same way.
What about CBD?
Dr. Leslie Bauman believes that CBD has effects that can help reduce redness caused by acne but also decrease oil as well. She wrote in the Miami Herald, “One study found that a 3% cannabis seed extract cream effectively reduced both redness and sebum production in acne patients.”
Photo by Kjerstin_Michaela via Pixabay
In fact, researchers have been studying CBD for a while. Bauman referenced a 2018 paper that acknowledged CBD’s skin-altering qualities, including helping to ease inflammation.
From face masks to bath bombs and beyond, businesses are recognizing the CBD craze isn’t ending any time soon and are capitalizing on the Gen Z trend of wearing less makeup and focusing on skin health instead.
What should an average skincare fanatic know? It’s all about the ingredients. For those looking into hemp/CBD, it’s essential to ensure the bottle contains what it says it does. With CBD and hemp production being a relatively new craze, companies may take advantage of the buyer. For instance, while most products tout the benefit of full-spectrum CBD, many skincare remedies have “hempseed oil,” which can hydrate and soothe skin, but lacks the cannabinoids of CBD.
This method for waking up early has scientific support and can help you face mornings with a less sleepy attitude.
Morning people are a rare breed, but it’s a goal we all wish to achieve at some point in our lives. Mornings tend to be associated with productivity and creativity, giving early risers the chance to get in touch with those aspects of themselves ahead of everyone else. This hack can provide more morning energy to help you solve the problem.
A technique known as the RISE-UP method, won’t get you all the way there, but it can make an impact and get you one step closer to being a morning person.
This method has science support, and it can help when experiencing that morning grogginess that makes you want to hit the snooze button and get back in bed. The RISE UP method was devised in 2018 by sleep researcher Kate Kaplan and other colleagues. After thorough research and testing, researchers devised six principles that can help minimize sleepiness.
Photo via rawpixel.com
Each letter stands for:
R: Resist the urge to hit the snooze button
I: Increase your activity for the first hour
S: Shower (or wash face and hands with cold water)
E: Expose yourself to sunlight
U: Upbeat music
P: Phone a friend
Kaplan explained each step matters and why they could help people be more active and take better advantage of their mornings. “Try to have consistency in the time you get out of bed,” she said. “That helps to keep our biological clock in the same time zone. When we vary our sleep times from weekdays and weekends, that kind of chronic jet lag can be pretty confusing for the body.”
Common actions, like hitting the snooze button every half hour, interrupt our REM sleep, making us feel unrested and like we need more sleep. If you go to bed late, Kaplan says it’s better to wake up at the same time and take a nap later, that way your body can stay with that consistency and stick to that routine.
As for the other steps in the process, Kaplan explains that increasing your activity during the first hour of wakefulness is pivotal, whether you’re preparing coffee or taking your dog out on a walk. The latter might be the most helpful of them all, exposing you to sunlight and allowing your internal rhythms to align. Sunlight is especially helpful if you’re staying indoors for the majority of your time.
Lastly, calling a friend can always be helpful option, since social contact has been correlated with alertness. You can read a more detailed explanation about each step here. And hopefully this hack can provide more morning energy to start your day!
Although there is an available and thriving market for cannabis art, most e-commerce websites and platforms prohibit artists from selling art that depicts cannabis.
Is there any section or industry without cannabis influence? It’s starting to look like there isn’t any, as, throughout history, cannabis users have displayed their creative capabilities in various ways. And now cannabis art is flourishing on Etsy
Photo by Matthew Henry via Burst
Cannabis users and enthusiasts are some of the most innovative people you’ll ever meet, and their inspiring works of art have been admired for decades. Most of the works created by cannabis enthusiasts have also sparked debate for centuries, dating William Shakespeare’s times.
Cannabis and the creative arts
Research has shown a fantastic connection between cannabis and creativity, an intriguing relationship that is attributed to the plant’s remarkable properties. Cannabis interacts with the human brain through the endocannabinoid system and receptors in the brain.
Extensive works of research show that creative prowess and imagination heighten when users consume cannabis, thus enabling divergent and distinct thought patterns. Hence the reason great men and women like Maya Angelou and Louis Armstrong celebrated the impact of cannabis on their creative careers.
A more significant percentage of the creative industry is also full of trailblazers who have affirmed that cannabis is a significant influence on their success. For such artists, marijuana inspires the way they hone their crafts and showcase their ideas.
Despite such a show of artistic brilliance, some artists struggle with finding a place to showcase their works. Why is this the case? Why can’t artist showcase their cannabis-inspired art?
The problem with finding a market showcase
Although there is an available and thriving market for cannabis art, most e-commerce websites and platforms prohibit artists from selling art that depicts cannabis. Some of these merchant shops also flag items such as CBD paraphernalia and insist that such things cannot be sold.
With such restrictions, creative artists fail to get an adequate space to share their creations with the world. Artists feel shut out of the market space, and then COVID-19 happened.
The Coronavirus Pandemic made everything worse for cannabis artists and businesses to maintain operations, which created a disturbing gap in the market.
The Solution: A cannabis-themed marketplace
As the challenge became increasingly worse, two outspoken cannabis advocates co-founded an online marketplace called The Artsy Leaf. Space was set-up as a multi-vendor marketplace to make it possible for artists to display their works.
The co-founders Abbey Weintraub Sklar and Rebecca Goldberg discovered that there were many international craftsmen, women, and artists with products that weren’t shared on any platform. The artists’ products are unique cannabis-friendly items that were mostly scattered on censored tech platforms that limited their exposure to the world.
Goldberg and Skylar understood the importance of an online vendor marketplace created for creators and buyers in the cannabis industry. COVID-19 and its resultant impact was also the inspiration behind an online space.
Initially, it was supposed to be an in-person CBD marketplace, but the pandemic made physical meetings impossible for buying and selling purposes. Hence the reason the co-founders made it an online space with a highly functional website.
The Artsy Leaf
The Artsy Leaf marketplace replaces other online platforms that were too restrictive for those in the cannabis industry. Some of those unfriendly sites didn’t provide room for tagging, describing, and listing CBD products, making it difficult for artists to advertise their products.
But with the Artsy Leaf marketplace, vendors and small business owners have maximum freedom to advertise their cannabis items. The platform also incorporates advertising with SEO consulting and doesn’t hide its processing fees.
The co-founders maintain that their desire to help all cannabis vendors succeed drives the marketplace. The website launched with an initial 14 vendors, and with its viable operational approach, more vendors are expected to join this revolutionary idea.
What to do with leftover cannabutter weed
A virtual cannabis marketplace is what the world needs right now to bridge the gap between artists and buyers. Cannabis-inspired pieces will always remain relevant globally because of how unique and disruptive they can be. The Artsy Leaf is the right incubation place for ideas, purchases, and value exchange.
The future of the online marketplace
The future of the online cannabis marketplace for artists looks promising, and why is this so important? Well, cannabis is gaining a lot of momentum in America, with more states legalizing marijuana more people will gain access to weed, and when they do, they may be inspired to create unique art pieces or be looking to purchase unique cannabis inspired works.
Either way, the cannabis world needs an outlet for artists to share their works, and this is where platforms like the Artsy Leaf become crucial. Other online platforms may start to look into adjusting their policies regarding this issue because this sector is about to explode.
It is time to change the current status quo on the other E-commerce sites not allowing cannabis artists to showcase their genius.
Bottom line
The world is awakening to the ever-increasing potentials of cannabis. Through marketplaces like the Artsy Leaf, cannabis artists and art lovers can meet, interact and sustain the cannabis industry.
Without platforms like these, cannabis-inspired art will gradually decline, and that isn’t good for the cannabis industry at all. We must all continue to encourage the establishments of platforms (online and offline) where artists can thrive. Budding cannabis artists need more places to express themselves, and the Artsy Leaf is a suitable platform.
If you are a cannabis-themed artist, an aspiring one, or a small business owner and you struggle with promoting your work, you can visit The Artsy Leaf.
There are times when you can be thankful you can’t smell yourself. After a run, after a weekend of Netflix in bed, after you mistakenly walked through the fragrance department of your local department store — none of these are good times to be able to sniff yourself out. The global deodorant market size was valued at $24+ billion and is projected to grow $37+ billion by 2030. But have you ever wondered why you can’t smell your own body?
According to the journal Science (by way of Nature), “The human nose can distinguish at least 1 trillion different odours, a resolution orders of magnitude beyond the previous estimate of just 10,000 scents.” But your own body isn’t one of them.
Reader’s Digest reports that we filter out these types of overly-familiar smells to make room for new, more important smells that could potentially save us from danger, like natural gas leaks or fire.
If you really do want to know what you smell like at any given moment, it’s been suggested that you smell your shirt or other clothing item that’s been touching your skin all day. Rubbing your scalp and then smelling your hands is another trick. Or, to make it even easier, albeit more awkward, ask whomever is standing next to you whether or not you need to hop in the shower.
Just like their human counterparts, dogs can get down in the dumps for a variety of reasons. But detecting depression in a pet isn’t always easy. Does a longer than usual nap or increased appetite mean your animal friend needs professional help? What about other changes in behavior? There are subtle signs your dog is depressed.
INSIDER talked with dog behaviorist Nick Jones, MA, about what causes depression in dogs and how you can spot it. Changes in routine spark many depressed episodes, whether that be time spent in a kennel, a new home, or the death of a caregiver. According to Jones, other changes in a dog’s routine can also lead to a state of feeling unsettled. “These might include a change in the owners’ working routine or new and quite different rules being put in place,” he says.
Change in appetite
If your dog is eating less or more, this could be a sign of increased stress levels.
“Dogs can be like people – some will eat less when under stress and some will eat more. Some dogs are so food driven that you may not see a change in its appetite,” Jones explained.
Much like humans will fidget with objects when they’re stressed out, dogs may lick themselves a ton. Jones says excessive licking can be a sign of anxiety or stress, as dogs will often use licking as a soothing technique. If you’re certain your dog is licking its paws for some other reason than it has something stuck in its paw, you might want to consult a vet.
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Lethargy
If your dog is no longer psyched about going for walks, play dates or chasing after a toy, it may be depressed. Says Jones, “A dog that is reluctant to leave the home could indicate that all is not well either on a physical or emotional level. One would normally expect a dog to be less enthusiastic when in a depressed state.”
“If the dog is in a stressed state and displaying signs of anxiety such as whining or howling in the owner’s absence say, then the dog will often not sleep during that period,” said Jones.
On the flip side, if a dog is getting too much sleep, it could also mean that your pooch is sad. Just like humans, sometimes when a dog isn’t feeling life, they just want to pull the covers over their head and sleep their days away. “I have seen some dogs that are mourning for the loss of a loved one be quite subdued and sleep more than would be expected,” Jones said.
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Change in behavior
If you notice your dog is acting strange, perhaps behaving oddly or picking up bad habits all of the sudden, it may be a sign of depression.
“It is possible that a dog may develop new and unwanted behavior routines such as pacing, circling, or obsessive behaviors such as shadow or light chasing,” Jones told INSIDER. A sad dog may also disregard previously learned (preferred) behavioral patters.
Jones says whatever the unusual behavior your dog is expressing, the best thing you can do is comfort them, make sure their needs are met, and create a schedule. “Maintaining a leadership-based style with the dog regardless of recent changes can help a great deal in my experience, as a routine provides emotional security.”
A bad first experience can be completely avoided with two simple tips: looking for strains that are high in CBD, or consuming a high-THC strain very slowly.
It’s common for first timers to swear off marijuana forever because of a bad first experience. It’s easy to smoke too much by accident and feel overtly paranoid, woozy, and draw the conclusion that marijuana just isn’t your thing. Here are 7 types of marijuana for beginners with low tolerance.
That bad first experience can be completely avoided with two simple tips: looking for strains that are high in CBD, or consuming a high-THC strain very slowly.
The safest bet would be to find a high CBD strain, which contains the non-psychoactive compound that will counteract the paranoia that THC is known for. These strains are very calm and mellow, and will leave you feeling very relaxed and cool. They’re also great for first timers who’ve never smoked before and who don’t know how much each hit will affect them. Another good option for first timers would be to smoke high THC strains slowly, taking a single hit of a really low dose. Look for strains with around 15 % of THC, which will be less overwhelming and easier to manage.
Here are 10 strains that are great for beginners and users with a low tolerance for marijuana:
Harlequin
Photo by kosal ley via Unsplash
This high CBD strain is a sativa that’s mostly relaxing, euphoric and will leave you alert and not droopy. It’s perfect for treating anxiety and it’s also one of the best strains when it comes to controlling paranoia and the negative side effects of THC.
This high CBD indica is named after the scary clown from “It”. We don’t know who thought that was a good idea, but it’s still a pretty great strain for leaving you relaxed and stress free. Containing a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC, this strain is really welcoming for newbies. Unlike its name might suggest.
This hybrid strain produces short but happy highs that work really well for people with low tolerance for cannabis and for newcomers of the drug. Cannatonic is also great for treating migraines, anxiety and other stress related symptoms.
Sour Tsunami
Watching for the sweet, relaxing brain tingles. | Photo by skyNext/Shutterstock.com
This hybrid strain was one of the first to be bred for its CBD content instead of its THC. This strain will not make you feel very “high”, just very relaxed and stress free.
This sativa strain has more THC than CBD, and is known for producing dreamy highs that are very cerebral and creative. While it doesn’t have that much THC, if you’re a newbie or have low tolerance for cannabis, you should consume it very slowly.
This sativa dominant hybrid produces relaxing effects that affect your mind and body in equal parts. This strain has been known to be a great supplement to other activities, narrowing your focus and helping you be more efficient.
The marijuana industry has been in a bit of a slump lately, partially it’s own fault and partially various government’s fault But in the last couple of weeks, there has been a trifecta of good news.
An 88% of U.S. adults shows either marijuana should be legal for medical and recreational use by adults. Only 10% say marijuana use should not be legal. Despite this, legalization to bring it to a similar level of control and distribution of alcohol is dragging.
Senator Chuck Schumer’s Safe Banking Act is is still stuck in Congress. New York botched their recreational rollout, costing the industry $3.5 billion in legal revenue. And New York has over 1,500 unlicensed dispensaries in New York City alone, proving there is a very robust market. California continues to grapple with political greed with high tax burdens on legal companies and a blind eye to the black market.
The industry itself is having problems with costly indoor grows needing high returns but the market doesn’t want to pay an all premium all the time price. The lesson could have been observed from the beer industry, but people didn’t learn.
Despite these headwinds, consumers are turning more and more to cannabis and legal states are having robust sales. And the younger general is turning to marijuana more than alcohol. And now for more good news.
The blockbuster lead is Bloomberg News obtained a letter from a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) official recommending the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance under federal law. Yes, at least, the federal government to reschedule cannabis.
Finally Biden is delivering on a commitment he made during his campaign and early in his tenure, the administration has finally forward at a time when the conversation about marijuana has become mainstream.
The legal marijuana industry is a $22+ billion dollar industry, slightly below McDonald’s $23 billion. Yes, the industry is slightly smaller than one fast food chain, which frames the next piece of good news. The whole US alcohol revenue is $283+ billion. Over 10X the cannabis industry. And they have powerful allies in grocery, restaurants, sports and more giving them a strong voice in Congress. It seems the legalization effort has powerful ally toward legalization, whether they want it or not.
The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) sent a letter to Congress stating that “[t]he time has come for Congress to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis at the federal level” and that the inconsistency between federal and state cannabis policy “undermine[s] the rule of law and weakens public health and safety, while leaving states unsupported in their efforts to create safe, regulated markets and eliminate dangerous black-market activity.”
Having a connected partner could help things move in a stalled Congress.
Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
The last piece of good news is there may be an end in sight of anti-marijuana leader Mitch McConnell reign. The long serving and powerful Senate Leader has been a foe of any type of support for the industry (aside for hemp to benefit his home state). A new Dale Report poll sheds light on the most admired and least favored senators, gauging opinions from constituents in their respective states. Perhaps unsurprisingly, cannabis-hating Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell came out on top as the least popular senator in America.
Even Congresswoman Mace, a major backer of legal cannabis, acknowledges McConnell will have the end say for the country. But lately, his health has caused huge concern with his inability to speak twice at regular press conferences. Even GOP leadership are concerned with his ablility to continue, which could mean the impasse could be finally come to an end.
For an industry helping veterans with PTSD, allowing people to have a good night’s sleep and chilling people out without the damage of alcohol, this is good news.
Bloomberg News has obtained a letter from a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) official recommending the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reclassify cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III controlled substance under federal law. Yes, at least, the federal government to reschedule cannabis.
Finally Biden is delivering on a commitment he made during his campaign and early in his tenure, the administration has finally forward at a time when the conversation about marijuana has become mainstream.
Rescheduled to schedule III would be monumental for state-legal cannabis businesses. Although rescheduling would not federally legalize the state-legal programs, it would eliminate the 280E tax burden that currently applies to such businesses. It could also expand research on—and access to—cannabis-based medicines.
This comes at a time with the cannabis industry is struggling from emerging from the black market and converting to a mainstream industry. New York and California have significantly hampered the industry with the inept oversight including a boom for over 1,500 unlicensed dispensaries in NYC alone.
Marijuana use is at an all time high and younger people are drifting away from alcohol and moving to weed. Recently, three northeast states announced record sales. Massachusetts reached a record $157+ million last month. This was their third month with hefty growth. Maine retailers sold $20.8 million in cannabis in July, and tiny Rhode Island did $9.5 million. Consumer demand grows while oversight is lacking.
Dated August 29th, the memo requests the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process to review expeditiously how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.
The HHS recommendation now goes to DEA, which will conduct its own scientific review. In the past, the DEA has employed its own five-factor test (which differs from HHS’ criteria) to determine whether or not cannabis ought to be rescheduled. The HHS recommendation now goes to DEA, which will conduct its own scientific review. In the past the agency has determined that cannabis failed to meet any of its five criteria. With 40 states having approved medical marijuana and most major medical universities doing some time of research involving cannabis it would be hard.
Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
In general, Schedule III controlled substances, like anabolic steroids and weight loss supplements are FDA-approved drugs that are uniformly regulated by the federal government and are only legally available by prescription. This would mean medical marijuana would have stricter guidelines, which would make it easier for physicians to understand how it can used on a consistent base with correct dosages. The medical community would more comfortable with the FDA treating it similar to prescription drugs, aspirin, and other over the counter medications.
“A rescheduling will help the cannabis industry, but it will be a great benefit for medical patients and also for a new generation which is leaning away from body harming alcohol to less harmful marijuana” shared Andrew Laub, Managing Parnter at Keneh Ventures and an industry leader.
Ultimately, an administrative law judge would consider the entire record and issue a decision, which is really a recommendation that the DEA Administrator considers for its Final Order, which can be challenged in court. There is a chance, however, that the DEA would issue the rule without the notice and comment period, relying on its authority to reschedule directly to comply with the Single Convention. Accordingly, rescheduling could take months or could be final within weeks.
Today was an early move in possible federal legalization.
Athletes swear by ice baths and heating pads for managing muscle pain after the workout is over, but more recently CBD oil might also help
Whether you’ve just upped the intensity of your workout or started a new program, it isn’t uncommon to experience the kind of muscle soreness that turns walking and sitting into real pain. In managing it, does a CBD soak help sore muscles?
There are many ways to prevent muscle soreness, like warming up before ramping up the intensity of a workout, hydrating well before, during and after exercise, and avoiding pushing yourself too hard. Athletes swear by ice baths and heating pads for managing muscle pain after the workout is over, but more recently CBD oil has stolen the spotlight as an option for dealing with post-workout pain.
Sore Muscles, Explained
The reason we experience muscle pain after a particularly difficult workout is because strength training and condition put stress on muscles. This stress can cause micro-tears, according to Runner’s World. This typically happens to those who are making changes to their workout, don’t work out frequently enough, or have overdone it by mistake.
With time, active individuals will experience relief from post-workout pain. It definitely shouldn’t be considered the norm and continued soreness might mean something needs to change. That being said, it is pretty common to experience from time-to-time and when that time comes, CBD might be a good option for getting some relief.
How Does CBD Help Muscle Pain?
The reason more individuals are turning to CBD as a way to manage muscle pain is because of this cannabis-derived product’s ability to improve pain and inflammation. The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis in the body, including reducing inflammation. The endocannabinoid systems performs this function on its own, but cannabinoids like CBD oil can be used to manipulate its anti-inflammatory effect.
Curious if CBD will help you deal with muscle pain? It is definitely worth a try! There are a few different ways to utilize this product for pain-relief and topically is the suggested delivery method for this purpose.
Another popular option is to add CBD products to your bath, like a bath bomb or CBD infused epsom salts. This allows for a soothing soak in warm water while soaking in the anti-inflammatory goodness of CBD.
If pain doesn’t improve with time, it may not be that the CBD isn’t work. Instead, there might be something bigger going on, like an injury. Reach out to a doctor to get insight on how to manage pain and get advice from a personal trainer or physical therapist about moving forward with safer workouts in the future.
Bloodshot eyes are a pretty good indicator that someone is high. Here’s why this happens.
One of the most distinguishing aspects of a marijuana high is glaringly red eyes. Despite putting on perfume, washing your hands and acting your heart out to look as normal as possible, red eyes can easily break your cover. Luckily, bloodshot eyes are temporary and painless — they just make you look high as hell. Why does this even happen?
Crazily enough, weed eyes have little to do with the act of smoking, even if that’s what we usually associate them with. This physical reaction occurs when your blood pressure drops and your heart rate increases, which is all due to the THC in your system.
When your blood pressure drops, your blood vessels and capillaries dilate, including the ones in your eyes. This dilation increases blood flow, turning your eyes red and reducing intraocular pressure. Because of this, some experts believe marijuana could be a viable treatment for glaucoma.
So, will your eyes turn red regardless of consumption method? It all depends on the potency and the amount of THC consumed and your individual sensitivities. For example, some people are more sensitive to smoke and therefore joints can make their eyes more red. There are also people who could be allergic to smoke or cannabis.
Photo by rez-art/Getty Images
Bloodshot eyes depend on a lot of factors. In order to prevent them, stick to strains that have low THC content. If your eyes get bloodshot, you can try having some water, using eye drops and waiting for the effects to pass.
The redder your eyes, the more your blood pressure drops, and the more potent the THC is. That’s why bright red eyes are usually a pretty good indicator of someone who’s pretty high.
