lt will be interesting to see how Big Pharma will react if science proves beyond reasonable doubt that THCV is both safe and effective in reducing weight.
Weight loss is a billion-dollar industry that has Americans spending a staggering $33 billion each year on products. While the estimated value of the industry was $250 billion in 2021, the nascent cannabis industry was valued at $13 billion in the same year and is gunning for the $100 billion mark. Will the new cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) help to get it there?
THCV is one of the numerous phytocannabinoids that are present in cannabis sativa. As much as it bears structural similarities to the psychoactive cannabinoid THC, the two are different in many ways.
First, THCV does not trigger psychoactive effects. Anecdotal reports even indicate that like CBD, THCV may offset some of the intoxicating effects of THC. Second, while THC is an appetite stimulant, THCV has the opposite effect; it suppresses the appetite and increases energy metabolism. This has earned it the moniker “diet weed.”
Photo by i yunmai via Unsplash
Study Links THCV to Weight Loss
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research demonstrated the appetite-suppressing effects of THCV. The researchers were interested in finding out the therapeutic potential of THCV in managing obesity and diabetes.
The study was a systematic review of electronic peer-reviewed literature that had been published from 1970 to 2019. The following seven keywords were considered for inclusion:
THCV
THC
Cannabis sativa (marijuana)
Obesity
Body weight
Metabolism
Diabetes
The researchers found that THCV suppressed the appetite and increased satiety in rodent studies. It was also well tolerated, especially when offered together with CBD.
Action at the CB1 Receptor
THCV is a structural analog of THC, the two have different actions at the CB1 receptor. While THC is an agonist of this receptor, THCV has antagonistic action there. Unlike THC, THCV suppresses appetite in both fasted and non-fasted mice. This makes THCV a suitable candidate for managing obesity. The researchers concluded that there’s a need for further research to elucidate the weight-reducing properties of THCV.
The cannabis industry has attracted the interest of large pharmaceutical companies. Pfizer recently acquired cannabinoid-based company, Arena Pharmaceuticals, at a cost of $6.7 billion. The company is working on an investigational drug, Olorinab, intended for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. HW pharmaceuticals have filed over 100 cannabis-related patents and so have many other Big Pharma companies.
Both weight loss and cannabis are multi-billion dollar industries that are on a positive growth trajectory and hence are on the radar of multinational drug companies. lt will be interesting to see how Big Pharma will react if science proves beyond reasonable doubt that THCV is both safe and effective in reducing weight.
A Gallup poll reveals that for the first time ever, people consume more weed than tobacco.
For the first time ever, more people report smoking cannabis to cigarettes. These results were compiled in a new Gallup poll, and not at all surprising, they mark a significant moment in our culture and represent how far cannabis has gone over the past decade. Who would have thought consuming marijuana would be more popular than smoking tobacco?
The survey was conducted in July and highlights the work that has been done in curbing the consumption of tobacco. The survey asked a variety of questions to participants, including whether or not they consumed edibles (14% say yes), a first in Gallup history!
“Marijuana use (based on self-reports) has increased dramatically over the past half-century. Only 4% said they had ever tried marijuana in 1969, when the question was first asked. That’s now 48%. Seven-percent of Americans said they currently smoke marijuana in 2013, compared with the 16% measured this summer,” says Gallup.
Photo by lilartsy via Unsplash
Results show that the substance that Americans consume the most is alcohol, with 45% of them saying that they consumed it over the past week and 67% of them saying they consumed it occasionally.
“In sum, American adults are significantly more likely to use alcohol than either marijuana or cigarettes. And while alcohol consumption has remained relatively constant over the decades, cigarette use is now less than a fourth of what it was in the 1950s,” says Gallup. “Americans’ regular use of marijuana is modestly higher than cigarettes at this point, but the trend over recent decades in marijuana use is upward.”
Americans have been slowly becoming more honest about their cannabis consumption and more willing to try it out. Over the past decade, Americans started to experiment with the drug as it became legal in a variety of states, resulting in the environment we’re living through today when almost half of the population says that they’ve tried the drug.
Marijuana is currently one of the few topics that are bipartisan, at least when talking about the American public. While conservatives are less likely to support the legalization of the drug than liberals, all in all, the majority of people are in for some form of legal cannabis.
Regulating these drugs means that those who need the health benefits of these substances can safely obtain medicinal quality versions instead of those being sold on the street.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) commissioned its latest annual survey of drug use to determine consumption rates among young Americans. The data revealed psychedelics and weed use among 19-30 year-olds at all-time high. The number rose in 2021, reaching record levels not been seen since 1988.
The study, called Monitoring The Future (MTF), also found that vaping nicotine among this age group has increased steadily since 2021. While many find the vaping trend worrisome, it’s a much healthier alternative compared to smoking cigarettes.
What was worrying was that alcohol consumption is still high, as binge-drinking rates have gone up again after reaching record lows in 2020. On the bright side, cannabis and psychedelic use is increasing, and this is excellent news for the emotional and mental well-being of young adults.
“As the drug landscape shifts over time, this data provides a window into the substances and patterns of use favored by young adults. We need to know more about how young adults are using drugs like marijuana and hallucinogens, and the health effects that result from consuming different potencies and forms of these substances,” said Nora Volkow, NIH Drug Abuse Director. “Young adults are in a critical life stage and honing their ability to make informed choices. Understanding how substance use can impact the formative choices in young adulthood is critical to help position the new generations for success,” she says.
“Overall, the results are very concerning,” Dr. Volkow says. “What they tell us is that the problem of substance abuse among young people has gotten worse in this country, and that the pandemic, with all its mental stressors and turmoil, has likely contributed to the rise.”
We disagree with Dr. Volkow, but more on that later.
A 2021 study conducted by Columbia University, which was subsidized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), polled adult and teenage hallucinogenic consumption from 2002 through 2019. The study yielded similar results, revealing that drug consumption among those aged 26 and up had jumped to 5.5 million by 2019. They also found that there was a reduction in hallucinogenic use among the 12 to 17-year-old demographic during the same time period, which the authors attribute to “public health prevention efforts, as well as policy changes to reduce availability.”
Photo by KatarzynaBialasiewicz/Getty Images
This is good, because legalization means that the black market is less successful in dealing drugs to underage kids and efforts to control through regulation are more prevalent than ever.
Why An Increase In Psychedelic And Cannabis Consumption Is Good News!
Decriminalizing hallucinogenic drugs and cannabis is the way to go. Regulating these drugs means that those who need the health benefits of these substances can safely obtain medicinal quality versions instead of those being sold on the street.
There are many benefits to an increased population indulging in hallucinogenic drugs. Keeping these substances illegal is doing no good.
For example, there is a review of 6,000 studies analyzing more than 40,000 patients and the impact of psychedelic drugs on them. These were used as experimental treatments to treat an array of conditions including alcoholism, criminal recidivism, schizophrenia, depression, and childhood autism. Participants ranged from scientists to artists, creatives, and engineers.
The researchers found that just one LSD session was already effective in reducing problem drinking among 59% of the participants who suffered from alcoholism. This is significant, considering the serious health risks associated with alcoholism as well as its harms to society, given that drunk driving has been linked to accidents and injuries on the road.
In addition, another study conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) revealed that classic psychedelics, such as LSD, magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and mescaline, have been linked to a reduction in antisocial criminal behavior. The study’s findings suggest that treating people with these substances has potential in reducing criminal behavior.
The researchers analyzed the association between criminal activity and consumption of psychedelic drugs among 480,000 adult participants in the United States over the course of 13 years. The participants were polled regarding their historical use of classic psychedelics. They found that consumption of psychedelics led to a 27% reduction in the chances of committing theft or larceny, a 22% drop in the chances of getting arrested for property crime, a 12% decrease in the odds of assault, and an 18% decrease in the chances of getting arrested for violent crimes.
Photo by Merlin lightpainting from Pexels
On the other hand, they found that illegal use of other substances was associated with an increased chance of criminal behavior.
“These findings, coupled with older and emerging bodies of evidence, make a case that classic psychedelics may provide enduring benefits for criminal justice populations,” explains Peter Hendricks, Ph.D., UAB associate professor in the Department of Health Behavior. “They certainly suggest that clinical research with classic psychedelics in forensic settings should be considered.”
“Classic psychedelics can produce primary mystical experiences — also known as primary religious experiences or peak experiences — and have been used for millennia across cultures with therapeutic intention,” he adds.
“The development of innovative and effective interventions to prevent criminal behavior is an obvious priority,” Hendricks explains. “Our findings suggest the protective effects of classic psychedelic use are attributable to genuine reductions in antisocial behavior rather than reflecting improved evasion of arrest. Simply put, the positive effects associated with classic psychedelic use appear to be reliable. Given the cost of criminal behavior, the potential represented by this treatment paradigm is significant.”
Cruz is an opponent of federal cannabis legalization. While he many times said that it should be left up to states to decide, he also made sure it is understood that is not something he would personally support.
Senator Ted Cruz has a message for the working class: “If you are that slacker barista who wasted seven years in college studying completely useless things, now has loans, and can’t get a job, Joe Biden just gave you 20 grand,” the Texas Republican said in the latest episode of his podcast.
Cruz is referring to President Joe Biden’s recent move to cancel a chunk of student loan debt per borrower. The move may help Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections.
In the episode, called “Reverse Robin Hood,” Cruz also insinuates that the majority of the working class are cannabis users.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) / Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Getty Images
“Maybe you weren’t gonna vote in November,” he added. “And suddenly you just got 20 grand, and if you can get off the bong for a minute and head down to the voting station, or just send in your mail-in ballot that the Democrats have helpfully sent you, it could drive up turnout, particularly among young people.”
The 2020 presidential election had the highest voter turnout of the 21st century, with 66.8% of citizens 18 years and older voting in the election, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s when unprecedented cannabis legalization took place and Biden, a Democrat, won the presidential election.
Aftermath
Cruz’s words were welcomed with a lot of criticism starting with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ following tweet:
This is what a leading Republican thinks of young “slacker” Americans who took out loans to go to college. https://t.co/37q9BX71KR
Others also joined to slam Cruz, reported Common Dreams. For example, a public school teacher Chris Williams tweeted: “Apparently myself, a public school teacher who joined the Peace Corps out of college, and currently with over 20k in student loans after graduating in 2009, is a slacker according to Ted Cruz. Good to know.”
This was followed by a Status Coup podcaster Jordan Chariton’s tweet: I’ve interviewed many ‘slacker baristas’ who work much harder and are MUCH smarter than Ted Cruz.”
Cruz Against Student Debt, But What About Cannabis?
After Biden revealed his decision to forgive student loans, Cruz harshly criticized it, stating that the news came as a “gut punch to every hard-working single mother who worked double shifts in order to pay for her own education, every parent who borrowed against their home to send their kid to college, Americans who sacrificed to make responsible financial decisions, and our nation’s veterans and service members who risked their lives to earn the G.I. Bill.”
According to Cruz, every taxpayer in America will pay for these debts, and what’s more, the move will make inflation even worst than it is now.
“Let’s be clear – there is no way to ‘cancel’ student debt. This will cost every taxpayer an average of $2,100. Someone will pay the price for this policy and the price is likely to be felt by every American in the form of even higher inflation. This administration is exceeding its legal authority and illegally burdening hard-working Americans with debts they didn’t take on themselves,” Cruz stated.
Earlier this year, some Republican senators pledged to stop Biden from canceling student loan debt, citing inflation fears. However, economists and the Roosevelt Institute maintain that canceling student debt would not be inflationary.
Cruz is also an opponent of federal cannabis legalization. While he many times said that it should be left up to states to decide if they want to legalize the plant, he also made sure it is understood that is not something he would personally support.
Furthermore, when asked if he ever consumed marijuana and if not, then why not, Cruz replied: “I don’t because it’s illegal and because it’s harmful to you. It’s not healthy.”
From creative paths to the tech industry, the world is your oyster right now if you love weed.
If you are looking for a new job there are few better times than the present to look for a new opportunity or even launch a new career. According to CNBC, “Workers continue to benefit from a hot job market characterized by near-record demand for their labor, which has translated to ample choice and higher pay.” Here are 10 career paths for ambitious marijuana lovers in the industry.
With this being such a great market for the employee on the hunt, it allows those looking for jobs to pick and choose what is most important when it comes to a career. If you are a regular cannabis user, for example, you might even be wondering what career path might best suit you and your extracurricular activities.
These days there are all sorts of jobs and career paths available to marijuana lovers. Gone are the days when pizza delivery and video rental clerk are the only viable career aspirations. From creative paths to the tech industry, the world is your oyster right now if you love weed. While many jobs have warmed up to the idea of weed use, here are 10 of the best career paths for cannabis lovers.
Food & Beverage Industry
Sure, there is the stereotypical idea of the stoner dishwasher and busboy, but the food and beverage industry actually has some great career paths for driven and creative individuals. From food and beverage director, to corporate trainer,edibles chef, bar manager and even food and beverage consulting, there are a wide array of careers in the food and beverage industry for motivated cannabis lovers.
Some corporate jobs may do preliminary drug testing, but it is rare for food and beverage jobs to do regular or random testing. This is a high energy field, which makes your love of cannabis a perfect unwinding activity after an energized day.
Entertainment Industry
Another industry that is becoming more and more infused with cannabis is the entertainment industry. As we previouslyreported, more and more entertainment celebrities are becoming part of the cannabis industry, helping it become more accepted in the community. Plus, the entertainment industry has one of the lowest rates of drug testing.
It is an always evolving industry that bursts with creativity. It is not for the faint of heart. But if you are a creative, tough-skinned and ambitious cannabis lover, you might want to consider your options in the entertainment world.
Musician
Musicians and marijuana go hand and hand, and they have a long history. From Bob Dylan introducing the Beatles to marijuana, to the mention of it in thousands of pop and hip hop songs, it is safe to say musicians and marijuana are interlinked. If you are passionate about music and marijuana, you may consider a career in the music industry.
Sure, becoming a platinum selling artist is not something everyone achieves, but there are lots of more achievable careers in music. In fact, according to Indeed, there are over 9,000 job opportunities in the music industry right now. From behind the scenes, to technical jobs, working on a tour or even taking a spin being a DJ, the music industry has all sorts of ways you can get your foot in the door and earn a living.
Computer Animation/Graphic Design
If you are a creative type but more of an introvert, it might be a good idea to brush up on your computer skills. Graphic design and computer animation is a career path for the artistic type, and these types of jobs are often not drug tested, as they are both creative and white collar.
If you love weed and are a talented artist, but looking for a driven career rather than a bohemian artist’s life in an industrial loft somewhere, computer animation and graphic design might be good paths.
Fitness & Wellness Instructor
The fitness and wellness fields are also very popular, and cannabis is often becoming entwined in both. Marijuana and working out has become more commonplace, and as we have reported, there are several benefits to incorporating weed into your fitness routine. If you love weed and working out, a career in personal fitness may be a great match for you.
Wellness, including holistic healing and meditation, also includes marijuana. If you are already interested in the world of wholistic healing and meditation, you may want to consider turning it into a career, especially as more states make marijuana legal and accessible.
IT/Web Developer
If you are more of an analytical, tech savvy weed enthusiast, you might struggle to find a good career fit to match both your skills and your interests. While some computer programing and technology jobs involve the corporate grind (and drug testing), you might want to consider IT consulting or web developing. These jobs often allow you a good amount of independence and autonomy.
In today’s post-pandemic labor market, many of these jobs can also be done remotely, which can be a big bonus for those who like to design web sites and fix IT problems while getting a little bit high.
Real Estate
Another job that often involves lots of hustle and independence (but with little corporate oversight) is the real estate industry. Sure, depending on what company you work for there may be corporate red tape, but many real estate agent jobs do not drug test. The real estate industry is a great career path for a cannabis lover who is outgoing, and also driven.
In fact many real estate agents are independent contractors, which limits your connection with your employer. If you like to get high, but have big ambitions, the real estate agency might be perfect for you, as it is an industry where the more you hustle, the greater your rewards. Not to mention, as we have previouslyreported, there are links to cannabis legalization and increased property value. Sounds like a win win scenario.
Entrepreneur/Self-Employed
If you are worried about getting drug tested, or your boss not liking your cannabis habit, why not work for yourself? If you often have visions of starting your own business or creating a product, and use weed to channel that vision, perhaps consider becoming an entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurs have flexibility to create their own schedule and their own rules. If you find that marijuana gives you even more drive and creative flow, consider making your self-employed dreams a reality. Just make sure you are not the type who gets lazy when you get high, since being your own boss requires self-motivation.
Writer
Lots of writers are known to be regular cannabis users. From Hunter S. Thompson to William Shakespeare (allegedly), weed and writing has been commonplace for centuries. Writers usually work for themselves, or at the very least at their own pace. As long as you are able to meet deadlines, you have no need to stop your weed habit.
Photo by Jose Luque / EyeEm/Getty Images
Becoming a novelist is not the only route either. From travel blogger to ghost writing, there are all sorts of writing jobs for those looking to use their wordsmith skills without having to give up their love of ganja.
Cannabis Industry
You can’t have a list of career paths for weed lovers and not include the cannabis industry. If there is one industry that fully embraces those who love weed, it is the weed industry itself. Not only is the cannabis industry unlikely to fire you for your weed usage (unless it is at work and prohibited on the site), but there are so many career paths within the weed industry.
As we previouslyreported, the cannabis industry is growing at a rapid rate, and could be worth upwards of$45 billion in 2025. From head grower, to CEO, to director of sales, marketing or even the general manager of a dispensary, there are lots of highly lucrative careers within the cannabis industry itself. So if you are an ambitious weed lover, why not work with what you love?
When properly stored in a freezer, the degradation process of cannabis almost stops entirely. However, there are some things you should know before you do this.
When cannabis is dried and cured, its potency is at its highest. Over time weed loses its potency, especially if exposed to light and heat. Many different methods have been developed to keep the potency of cannabis from degrading. One of these methods is storing weed in the freezer.
If you buy bulk cannabis and/or harvest a healthy supply of homegrown cannabis you might find yourself looking for ways to maintain its potency. Freezing weed may be an option for you.
What happens if you put weed in the freezer?
When you put weed in the freezer, you stop the degradation process — the process by which cannabis loses its potency. A 1999 study by researchers at the University of Mississippi found that the THC in cannabis depletes by an average of 1/6th within the first year. They found that after:
One year, cannabis’ potency reduces by 16.6%
Two years, cannabis’ potency reduces by 26.8
Three years, cannabis’ potency reduces by 34.5%
Four years, cannabis’ potency reduces by 41.4%
Does putting weed in the freezer preserve it?
Putting weed in the freezer does preserve it. When properly stored in a freezer, the degradation process of cannabis almost stops entirely.
This is good news for anyone looking to store their weed for long periods of time without worrying about its potency. However, there are some things you should know before you put your weed in the freezer.
The first thing to know is that you shouldn’t store your weed in the freezer for extended periods of time. If you do, the quality of your weed will suffer. This is because each time you take it out of the freezer and then put it back in, thawing and refreezing degrades the quality of your weed.
To avoid this, only store your weed in the freezer for short periods of time – no more than a few months.
The second thing to know is that you should store your weed in an airtight, freezer-safe container before putting it in the freezer. This will protect your weed from being exposed to too much moisture, which can degrade the quality.
You should also make sure to label your container with the date you put it in the freezer. This way, you’ll know how long it’s been in there and can consume it accordingly.
Finally, when you’re ready to use your frozen weed, be sure to thaw it out slowly by letting it sit at room temperature for a few hours. Do not microwave it or try to speed up the process in any way, as this will degrade the quality of your weed.
Photo by Daria Shevtsova via Pexels
When thawing out your frozen weed, make sure it completely dries or mildew can grow, along with mold and other bacteria. Use it within a week or two. After that, the quality of your weed will start to decline.
If you’ve been wondering “Can I keep my weed in the freezer?”, you now know that freezing your cannabis will help preserve the potency of your weed.
Can you freeze CBD oil?
Now that you know you can freeze weed, you might also be wondering “Can you freeze CBD oil?”
The shelf life of CBD oil is about two years. After two years the oil tends to turn murky, thick, and lumpy. Just like consuming an old food product, consuming old CBD oil can make you sick.
Similar to fresh cannabis flower, CBD oil should be stored away from sunlight and direct heat. This will help it to maintain its potency. “Freezing” CBD oil can extend its shelf life but it’s important to note oil does not freeze like water. Placing CBD oil in a freezer will cause its viscosity to change and keep it from going bad sooner but it will also make the oil hard to use when removed from the freezer.
Can you freeze edibles?
Just like cannabis flower and CBD oil edibles can be stored in the freezer. The main difference between freezing flower, oil, and edibles is that edibles contain additional food ingredients that are susceptible to bacteria. If you find yourself with an abundance of edibles, you will want to freeze your extras right away to prevent them from spoiling.
Cheri Sicard, the author of The Cannabis Gourmet Cookbooksays, “Freezing edibles makes good sense. You can portion control and save the rest for when you need it…Freezing cannabis brownies and marijuana butter can extend their shelf life by about six months.”
When freezing edibles it’s important to remember they will become harder and more brittle. For this reason, it’s best to wrap them individually before placing them in the freezer. This will prevent them from sticking together and breaking when you try to remove them.
To help keep track of how long an edible has been in your freezer, mark the date on your edibles.
How to freeze edible gummies
To freeze edible gummies, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure the gummies are not touching each other. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours or until the gummies are frozen. Once they are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container, and store them in the freezer. Consume your THC gummies within six months of freezing.
Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels
Does freezing damage THC?
It’s absolutely normal to be concerned about damaging the cannabinoid content of your weed. The number one thing that causes damage to THC is improper storage. Improper storage degrades THC. As discussed above, researchers at the University of Mississippi found that THC loses 16.6% of its potency within the first year.
Does putting weed in the freezer do anything?
Freezing cannabis is helpful to prevent THC degradation, as it reducespotency loss to approximately 4%. Freezing fresh flower can be damaging to THC in that it becomes more fragile. If bumped, the crystalized trichomes may break off easier causing your flower to lose some of its strength. Additionally, if your weed is thawed too quickly, it can cause a lot of moisture which makes it susceptible to mold.
It’s important to remember that freezing weed is not a perfect solution to extending its shelf life. Your cannabis will still degrade — just not as fast. For this reason, it’s best to use frozen weed within a few months.
New studies reveal that a very low percentage of people are prone to mental health issues in regards to marijuana usage, as long as it is in moderation.
Mental health is one of the more complicated issues to talk about. Similar to taking care of the body, the mind, is something we must take care of or else we suffer unwanted consequences. Nevertheless, mental health is a slippery subject to grasp simply because of the vastness of the ocean of ideas and emotions that people do not even understand where to begin. Some people wonder does smoking weed increase hospitalizations for mental health.
Just like most humans have some sort of minor ailment in their bodies, most humans also have mental health issues. No matter how sane you think you are, there is always “something” wrong. They range from common problems, such as depression and anxiety, to rarer problems such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Some of them are inherited genetically while others are picked up from our surroundings as we go through life. It could be childhood abuse, trauma, head injuries, adult PTSD, and many more. The list is endless, yet the cures for these illnesses are extremely controversial.
Some people claim that smoking weed increases the risk of being hospitalized in a mental institution, while others are sitting safely in their homes smoking weed in order to avoid being hospitalized and letting cannabis alleviate their stress and anxiety.
In today’s article we’ll be taking a closer look at a new study that debunks the idea that smoking cannabis increases the likeliness of being admitted to a hospital for mental health issues.
We’ve recently learned that depression is not a chemical imbalance as was suggested by Big Pharma.
It goes without saying that struggling with depression sucks; everyone who has experienced it or is still experiencing it right now knows what I’m talking about. It takes the award for the least exciting mental health issue.
For a long time, scientists told us that depression is an unfortunate chemical imbalance in the brain that needs medication, and a lot of people said, “oh well, that’s a bummer, guess I have a few extra pills to add to my bills.” Based on the profit margins of Big Pharma, everyone fell for this scam “hook, line and sinker…” For the non-fishing readers out there, it means we’re the dumbest fish in the ocean.
Photo by Maskot/Getty Images
Now I am not saying that being on antidepressants is bad, all I am saying is that a lot of people stopped using them because it made them feel dull, dizzy, and irritable just after a few months of use. Therefore they did not actually bring back any balance, they just helped out for a short period of time. Which is exactly their purpose.
A 2014 paper by psychiatrist Dr. Joanna Moncrieff, a longtime critic of the legitimacy of antidepressants, has turned the tables. The study provides a summary of other summaries that strongly suggest there is no evidence to support the idea that depression is caused by disturbance of the brain’s serotonin system.
So how does that relate to smoking weed? Well, a lot of marijuana users are claiming that smoking weed has helped greatly with their depression and anxiety when it is used in moderation. Other people do not agree and say the opposite. However, this also means that cannabis can play an important role in depression, especially since we’re now learning that depression “more complicated” than just an imbalance in the brain.
The studies against cannabis frequently cite “mental health risks” when it is a minimal part of the population that is affected.
A lot of people smoke weed, and as a matter of fact, marijuana use is continually increasing especially with the efforts of legalization and the astronomical benefits that a lot of people do not shut up about.
Smoking weed went from frowned upon, to socially acceptable in the last few years, and that did not happen by coincidence.
Although many scientists claimed that marijuana use is detrimental to mental health, there are many pieces of evidence suggesting that people who use marijuana and carry a specific variant of the AKT1 gene, which codes for an enzyme that affects dopamine signaling in the striatum, are at increased risk of developing psychosis.
The striatum is an area of the brain that becomes activated and flooded with dopamine when certain stimuli are present. One study found that the risk of psychosis among those with this variant was seven times higher for those who used marijuana daily compared with those who used it infrequently or used none at all.
Yes, marijuana can mess up some people, but so can a lot of other things, from food allergies to sun exposure, and everything that is out there in the world is probably extremely harmful to a minority of people.
So in the case of smoking weed, If you have the rare AKT1 gene, you are more likely to have mental issues from marijuana use than other weed lovers. That does not mean that weed is bad for everyone, it just comes with a higher risk to a minority of people on this earth, the only thing that is not debatable by scientists is clean fresh water, everything else has polar opposites.. Furthermore, these studies need to be replicated to become fact and as you notice by most of these studies they never use the words “cause” and usually warrant “more research”.
Photo by Nik Shuliahin via Unsplash
This study supports the notion that the vast majority of users are fine.
Some Canadian researchers assessed marijuana-related hospitalizations among over 23,000 authorized medical cannabis patients. Their study was published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse in 2020.
During their research with the patients that lasted 240 days, there were reports of 14 patients that were hospitalized for cannabis toxicity issues, and 26 were admitted for mental and behavioral issues.
“The results suggest that the incidence of cannabis poisoning or cannabis-related mental or behavioral disorders was low among patients who were authorized to use cannabis for medical care,” the authors concluded. “Our observation of small rates of ED visits and hospitalization for cannabis poisoning and CUDs cannabis use disorders among this large cohort of medical cannabis users helps address concerns regarding the increasing use of medical cannabis.”
To put it in simple words, scientists used to claim that most people who dabbled with weed would eventually trigger something in their heads that would require professional assistance. However, new studies reveal that a very low percentage of people are prone to such issues regarding marijuana usage, as long as it is in moderation.
Furthermore, if you look into this further, you’ll probably discover that the vast majority of the people who did suffer hospitalization were most likely already diagnosed with something or had other variables at play.
Mental health is going to undergo a major revolution (the introduction of psychedelics) and as a result, the way we look at mental health will change
Over the past several years, we have witnessed a psychedelic renaissance, and a growing body of evidence suggests that several psychedelic compounds hold strong therapeutic potential for a wide array of mental health conditions.
Once dismissed as dangerous and having little therapeutic potential, psychedelic drugs are gaining mainstream acceptance. Research data continue to demonstrate that, on the whole, these medicines are not only safe but mostly well tolerated.
Photo by LightFieldStudios/Getty Images
There are endless stories about how people took acid, mushrooms, or did an Ayahuasca ceremony and it completely changed their lives. Some even claim that they don’t need their medication anymore, while others claim to be completely free of depression and suicidal thoughts afterward.
It is important to note that psychedelics work differently on each person’s brain, so we will never truly know what it does with 100% certainty, but all the evidence so far suggests that when used properly and with good intent, it gives breakthroughs and opens up people to who they truly are and helps them let go of what no longer serves them both physically and mentally.
Former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson says his experience with 5-MeO-DMT, aka toad venom (one of the many psychedelics out there), has reshaped the way his brain thinks for the better. “The toad is a totally interesting aspect of my whole being now,” he said on his “Hotboxin’ with Tyson” podcast. “It takes you to a place that takes you to another dimension. Ever since I did it, I’ve had a miraculous change about me.”
When you consume cannabis mindfully and use it for what it is, it can provide significant relief and act as a bridge to wellness.
Smoking marijuana in moderation can completely change your life for the better, but do not take moderation lightly; any substance that you abuse in this physical realm will eventually backfire. That is just a law of nature that we have to accept. While you would most likely not experience extreme adverse events, some people may use cannabis as a crutch to avoid dealing with painful issues in their lives. This is true for going to the gym, eating, anything really.
Smoking weed mindfully helps reduce anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, nausea, and a bunch of other ailments, the list is long and to each person it will manifest differently. I have long believed that cannabis is a “What do you need” type of drug and bends to the needs of the user.
It is also pleasurable and creates a genuine sense of well-being since it helps you relax your muscles, and enhances some senses that make life more enjoyable even in the simplest of things.
Whether you need something to help you manage your physical pain, anxiety, depression, or sleep, marijuana will not fail you.
Many people consider weed a sacred plant that was bestowed to us as a gift, it is a light psychedelic that can help you reach deep down into your soul and clear the fog of your perceived self. For many people, marijuana is a spiritual enhancer or bridge, it is not an ordinary plant. Be mindful of how you use this wonderful plant, see it as a gift, and take it in moderation and you will reap the benefits mentioned above.
The end of California’s legislative session is just around the corner, and setting up the framework of interstate trade of marijuana is among the bills that will advance to the office of the governor for his signature.
There are other bills still pending, such as one that would prohibit localities from banning medical marijuana deliveries and another that would provide job protections for people who use cannabis outside of work.
What Happened
Recently, lawmakers have given final approval to a number of reforms that are now being sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom, reported Marijuana Moment.
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Among these measures are:
SB 1326 by state Sen. Anna Caballero (D)
AB 1706 by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta (D)
Sen. Caballero’s bill SB 1326 sets the stage for interstate cannabis commerce from California to other legal states, as long as the federal government allows for it through legislation or a Justice Department waiver.
“The bill would prohibit an entity with a commercial cannabis license issued under the laws of another state from engaging in commercial cannabis activity within the boundaries of this state without a state license, or within a local jurisdiction without a license, permit, or other authorization issued by the local jurisdiction,” stated a legislative analysis.
The legislation from Bonta would enhance the judicial reform provisions of the state’s marijuana law by directing courts to process record sealings and other forms of relief for people with eligible cannabis convictions on their records in a specified time period.
“On or before March 1, 2023, the court shall update its records in accordance with this section, and shall report all convictions that have been recalled, dismissed, redesignated, or sealed to the Department of Justice for adjustment of the state summary criminal history information database,” read bill AB 1706.
Among the bills approved by the California Senate is the Safe Drug Consumption Sites Bill.
The measure would authorize safe sites for the consumption of illicit drugs, through certain jurisdictions in California, as part of a pilot program. The initial volunteer pilot program under this bill would last until Jan. 1, 2028.
The legislation from state Sen. Scott Wiener (D), passed by the full state Senate last year, was first introduced in 2020. “The Senate just gave final approval to our bill (SB 57) to authorize safe consumption sites in SF, Oakland & LA. It now heads to the Governor,” Sen. Wiener said in a tweet. “We’re seeing an escalation in overdose deaths. These sites are a proven strategy to save lives & get folks into treatment. It’s time.”
Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images
What Is The Pending Legislation About?
Wiener also introduced bill SB 1186, which stated the legislation would “prohibit a local jurisdiction from adopting or enforcing any regulation that prohibits the retail sale by delivery within the local jurisdiction of medicinal cannabis to medicinal cannabis patients or their primary caregivers by medicinal cannabis businesses.”
State Sen. Richard Pan (D) introduced the SB 1097 bill, which would require California’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) to “adopt regulations to require cannabis and cannabis product labels and inserts to include a clear and prominent warning regarding the risks that cannabis use may contribute to mental health problems, in addition to existing labeling requirements.”
In addition, the DCC has proposed standards for statewide lab testing methods. Senate Bill 544 requires DCC to establish standardized cannabinoid test methods by Jan. 1, 2023. “A cannabis testing laboratory is a license type established through the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act,” stated a press release.
This commonly used pill can treat and prevent a variety of conditions. When consumed by the wrong person, it also has some dangerous side effects.
One of the world’s most utilized pills, used by over 30 million people, with about 7 million of them using it without physician supervision. It has been hailed a cure all. But, the daily use of this pill might have more risks than benefits. Aspirin is a medication that many Americans take on a daily basis, using it to treat a wide range of symptoms, from ever and pain, to preventing heart attacks and blood clots.
Studies have highlighted some of the risks of regularly taking it, particularly when the person consuming it is over the age of 60 and has never experienced a heart attack or a stroke.
Photo by Robina Weermeijer
Dr. Michael Daignault wrote about this phenomenon in USA Today, breaking down why aspirin can be considered a risk for a significant number of people. Aspirin’s strength in preventing heart attacks and heart disease lies in its ability to suppress the normal functioning of platelets, which normally travel to damaged blood vessels and mend them by clumping together. When this process is abnormal, there are higher odds of having heart attacks and strokes.
A side effect of aspirin’s strengths is the fact that it ends up thinning the blood, creating some trouble for people who are dealing with other conditions. “In the emergency room, we do not recommend aspirin and other NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen for patients with peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, hemophilia, kidney disease, and other conditions because aspirin is known to increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding,” writes Dr. Daignault.
Daignault isn’t the only physician concerned with the high number of people taking aspirin on a regular basis; this year, the United States Preventing Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated their guidelinesupdated their guidelines, advising that adults over the age of 60 with no heart attack or stroke history shouldn’t take the pill as a preventative measure.
In short, aspirin is a great tool and a cheap method of protecting one’s heart health. Still, there are guidelines for its usage, and it should be consumed primarily by people who’ve had a history of heart attacks and strokes, or those who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease and are being advised by their physician. For those who don’t fall under that spectrum, regular exercise, stress management, and healthy sleep are all proven ways of cutting down the risk of heart disease and managing heart health.
Consuming both melatonin and marijuana at the same time can make you extremely sleepy, drowsy, and sedated. Here’s how weed might affect you when combining it with caffeine and alcohol.
Many of us consume a wide range of substances to help keep us sane in this crazy life: coffee to help wake us up and be productive; alcohol, for celebrating or for decompressing; and melatonin, one of the most common over-the-counter sleep aids for those sleepless nights. But how does cannabis interacts with melatonin, caffeine, and alcohol.
Coffee
According to experts, majority of Americans consume some kind of coffee drink daily. That’s millions of people who rely on a cup of joe for everyday. And the numbers of people who consume marijuana continue to rise too.
The euphoric bliss that comes with pairing coffee with marijuana is unlike any other. Many believe that the origins of combining coffee and marijuana started in Amsterdam, where the cannabis café culture was abuzz for many decades.
Whether you’re drinking a straight-up commercial THC or CBD infused coffee drink, or having a few puffs from your vape after your morning coffee, it’s hard to describe why this mix feels so good. The caffeine content in coffee stimulates the central nervous system and prevents you from getting sleepy, providing a much-needed mental and physical energy boost. Cannabis can work similarly in the human body.
Photo by Chad Madden via Unsplash
However, everyone reacts differently to the combination. Some find that consuming CBD with coffee helps take the edge off a strong caffeine dose, while boosting it with THC can increase alertness and energy. A 2013 study suggests that the combination can improve cognitive performance, offering better concentration while the user also enjoys the medicinal benefits of cannabis.
In another study, researchers found that both marijuana and caffeine lead to a spike in dopamine levels through various mechanisms. The findings suggest that when these are taken at the same time, this dopamine increase could be responsible for the boost of happy feelings and euphoria.
Both cannabis and caffeine are natural compounds. Combining both is generally safe and well-tolerated by most people, as long as you don’t consume excessive amounts of coffee because this can lead to heart palpitations.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that the body naturally produces on its own as a response to darkness. It helps regulate the circadian rhythm, the internal clock that tells us when it’s time to sleep or wake up.
Humans have the highest natural levels of melatonin in the evening when it’s dark. This is a signal for us to prepare for bed. However, millions of people struggle with falling and staying asleep. Melatonin is also one of the easiest over-the-counter supplements available to help people sleep.
Consuming both melatonin and marijuana at the same time can make you extremely sleepy, drowsy, and sedated. This is not necessarily dangerous as long as you don’t take too much melatonin (experts recommend anywhere between 1-5mg per dose). There are no known dangerous interactions as of yet between the two, but it’s wise to tread cautiously.
Individuals who rely on cannabis to fall asleep due to pain or other illnesses that prevent them from getting decent shut eye are advised to talk to their physician if you need additional sleep aid. Instead of combining the two, which can lead to increased drowsiness when waking up in the morning, you may be better off with a stronger cannabis product or dose without needing to mix any substances.
Alcohol
Ahhhh… alcohol. The most popular legal and addictive substance society has today. There’s nothing wrong with having a few glasses of wine or a few bottles of beer at the end of a stressful work week.
Mixing it with cannabis makes relaxing even more enjoyable: combining the two can provide a deep level of sedation that helps you forget about all the stress. But if you are a binge drinker, which is typically defined as drinking more than 4 or 5 drinks within two hours, mixing with cannabis is not recommended. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is responsible for causing over 200 different illnesses. On top of that, drunk driving takes around 10,000 lives annually.
Casually mixing a few glasses of alcohol with a few tokes of weed is generally safe in moderation. However, it’s always safest to mix both when you are in the comfort of your own home and don’t have to worry about driving. But getting excessively drunk or stoned when mixing both can be dangerous and even cause blackouts.
Cannabis has also been shown to help reduce the incidence of liver cirrhosis, and minimize hangovers the next day. For many people who are seasoned cannabis consumers and know how to drink responsibly, the occasional mixing of both substances should be fine.
When it comes to CBD, which isn’t psychoactive, you may experience an increase in sleepiness when combining with alcohol if either is consumed in high doses. If you are interested in mixing CBD with your glass of wine, it’s always recommended to purchase from legitimate manufacturers especially those that can provide you with a certificate of analysis so that you know exactly how much you are consuming. Always choose a high CBD and low to no THC product to increase the safety of the experience.
