As Suicide Rates Surge, Nebraska Gov. Says There’s No Evidence Cannabis Helps Veterans With PTSD

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June 8, 2022

As Suicide Rates Surge, Nebraska Gov. Says There’s No Evidence Cannabis Helps Veterans With PTSD

“There’s no data to support that” medical marijuana can help PTSD sufferers, said Gov. Pete Ricketts at a recent press conference in a roomful of veterans.

In 2019, 6,261 veterans in the United States took their own lives, according to the most recent data retrieved from the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.

The staggering statistics showed that on average 17 veterans per day succumbed to suicide. The report noted that veterans take their own lives at a rate that’s twice as high as non-veteran civilians.

Veterans Can Use Medical Marijuana, They Just Have To Pay For It — Photo by Bumblee_Dee/Getty Images

Knowing that suicide is a preventable cause of death, many states are coming up with a variety of strategies to deal with the issue.

Cannabis As A Solution

For veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other physical and mental health symptoms who are looking for alternative treatments, medical marijuana arises as a solution, as seen in the case of Kansas veteran David Auble. He recently sent a letter to members of the Kansas Senate explaining how some cancer patients like himself are in desperate need of cannabis.

Hal Wortzel, a VA forensic neuropsychiatrist and researcher said earlier in a new post by the agency that cannabis helps those with PTSD experience fewer symptoms and recover more quickly compared to people who don’t use cannabis, reported Marijuana Moment.

Conflicting studies continue to arise with opposing conclusions on marijuana’s safety and uses. As such it remains a controversial topic. In addition, many military veterans are prohibited from accessing medical cannabis since it is illegal at the federal level.

Who’s Opposing It?

To that end, words from some officials like Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts give a clearer picture as to why the issue is stalled.

At a recent press conference in a roomful of veterans, Ricketts said there’s no evidence that medical cannabis works for PTSD, reported KMTV 3 News Now.

“There’s no data to support that” medical marijuana can help PTSD sufferers, he said, after announcing that Nebraska will join 35 other states in a Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide.

Nebraska’s veterans have been working with mental health officials to set up a program that would improve the state’s outreach and treatment.

Survey Shows 75% Of Veterans Are Interested In Cannabis — Photo by SDI Productions/Getty Images

However, it seems that cannabis legalization will not be considered at all, given that Ricketts is not too keen on the idea, unlike his predecessor Bob Kerrey, now a U.S. Senator.

Kerrey is known for joining fellow veteran Montel Williams in 2010 and calling for medical marijuana to be dispensed at VA hospitals to treat PTSD.

There’s Still Hope

On the bright side, according to a recent post on the VA website, even though marijuana use is still considered federally illegal, “veteran participation in state marijuana programs does not affect eligibility for VA care and services.”

Moreover, veterans are encouraged to speak with their VA providers about medicinal cannabis though they cannot prescribe or recommend it for medicinal use.

In the meantime, lawmakers have been taking legislative steps and have made gradual breakthroughs with the most recent one being a bill sponsored by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), which would allow VA physicians to discuss MMJ treatment with military veterans as patients and would protect those who are honest about their marijuana therapy history.

Under the bill, vets would no longer have to fear losing federal benefits for using medical marijuana and would be “encouraged” to talk about these types of treatments.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

New Cancer Treatment Leaves Every Patient In Remission

News

Maria Loreto

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June 7, 2022

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New Cancer Treatment Leaves Every Patient In Remission

A new study conducted on patients with a specific type of cancer concluded with all participants in remission.

A new study on cancer did something that has never been done before. It left every participant cancer-free.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, was conducted by researchers from Yale University and Memorial Sloan Kettering, who examined patients in advanced stages of rectal cancer. It was a small study, comprised of 18 participants, and concluded with all of them in remission.

All of the patients had a specific type of cancer, caused by a deficiency in mismatch repair, which is, according to the National Cancer Institute (NIH), cells that have mutations in genes involved in correcting mistakes when DNA is copied in a cell.

Cancer Patients Say Cannabis Is Just As Effective Or Better Than Cancer Treatments — Photo by Cavan Images/Getty Images

Researchers devised a special treatment for this affliction, creating a lab-made antibody called dostarlimab, an immunotherapy drug used in the treatment of endometrial cancer. However, according to Science Alert, this was the first clinical investigation of whether it was also effective against rectal cancer tumors.

Patients received a dose of the drug every three weeks for six months. And according to Memorial Sloan Kettering, “In every case, the rectal cancer disappeared after immunotherapy — without the need for the standard treatments of radiation, surgery, or chemotherapy — and the cancer has not returned in any of the patients, who have been cancer-free for up to two years.”

“I believe this is the first time this has happened in the history of cancer,” lead author Dr. Luis A. Diaz Jr. told the New York Times.

While the study was small and in its early stages, the results are unprecedented. While the study was narrowed down to a specific type of cancer, it could extend to other types. More research could result in new treatments and could help people recover from cancer while experiencing treatments that are less invasive and affecting.

Researchers Shocked By How Few Studies Have Been Done On Medical Marijuana

Maria Loreto

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June 7, 2022

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Researchers Shocked By How Few Studies Have Been Done On Medical Marijuana

The study’s results show how important it is for the government to encourage cannabis research in any way they can, providing users with the information they need to stay safe and informed.

A federally funded review on cannabis products highlighted the small number of studies that exist on medicinal cannabis, something that surprised researchers. Despite this, the study found some evidence of the plant’s impact on pain management.

Conducted by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the review used data from scientifically valid studies that included randomized controlled studies and observational studies. Researchers examined over 3,000 studies conducted since January of this year, finding that only 25 studies had scientifically valid evidence.

Medical Cannabis Can Curb Opioid Use In Patients With Chronic Pain — Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya via Unsplash

While the evidence that researchers found on cannabis-supporting pain management was thin, there were some products that were associated with short-term pain management, particularly on neuropathic pain. These medications are dronabinol and nabilone (which contain THC), and nabiximols (a mix of THC and CBD), with the first two having FDA approval.

Researchers discussed their results, sharing how surprised they were by the limited amount of research that there is available. “With so much buzz around cannabis-related products, and the easy availability of recreational and medical marijuana in many states, consumers and patients might assume there would be more evidence about the benefits and side effects,” said lead author Marian S. McDonagh. “Unfortunately, there is very little scientifically valid research into most these products.”

“We saw only a small group of observational cohort studies on cannabis products that would be easily available in states that allow it, and these were not designed to answer the important questions on treating chronic pain,” McDonagh added.

The study’s results show how important it is for the government to encourage cannabis research in any way they can, providing users with the information they need to stay safe and informed.

“Honestly, the best advice is to talk to your primary care physician about possible treatments for chronic pain,” said McDonagh. “If you want to consider cannabis, you need to talk to your doctor.”

Marijuana Users More Likely To Be Stuck In Bad Relationships, Here’s Why

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 7, 2022

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Marijuana Users More Likely To Be Stuck In Bad Relationships, Here’s Why

Researchers asked 145 couples in which a least one of the partners used cannabis to share how regularly they used it and how satisfied they are with their relationships.

By Jelena Martinovic

Cannabis might have more to do with your love life than you think, according to a new study that examined its associations with couple functioning.

Researchers from Rutgers University and Mount Holyoke College may be on to something. They found that marijuana users appear to present more negative behaviors as they approach managing conflict with their partners.

Therapists Predict There Will Be A Spike In Divorces Once The Pandemic Is Over — Photo by dubajjo via Pixabay

Moreover, those who use cannabis seemed to be less aware of an unhealthy relationship, as per the results published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

“We looked at different indicators of relationship functioning: how satisfied and committed people felt about their relationship, their behavior, and physiology during a laboratory-based conflict interaction and their perceptions about their conflict discussion and relationship afterward,” said study author Jessica Salvatore, an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

The Study

Researchers asked 145 couples in which a least one of the partners used cannabis to share how regularly they used it and how satisfied they are with their relationships.

A 10-minute conversation followed between the partners discussing a topic that usually causes a conflict was videotaped to get a grasp of their physiological stress responses by measuring their heart rate and respiration.

A five-minute discussion on a topic upon which the couples agree followed. The videos were then reviewed by two sets of trained raters who found that cannabis users showed less parasympathetic withdrawal during conversations with their partners, resulting in being less flexible in their responses to stress.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/couple-sitting-on-the-bed-working-4008733/ — Photo by Elly Fairytale via Pexels

While a recent study conducted by the University Of New Mexico found that marijuana can cause changes in ego-centric concepts, increasing a sense of selflessness, participants in the Rutgers University study who consumed marijuana were more critical and demanding, showing less ability to discuss and see the positive aspects of their relationships, as they sought to avoid conflict.

Interestingly, they reported greater satisfaction on the subject of how the conflict discussion went.

“It is important to note that this study’s findings do not mean that cannabis use is wholesale good or bad for relationships,” Salvatore said. “Rather, it gives insight into how couples can better navigate conflict and come to a resolution. When you don’t see problems, you can’t solve them.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

How Cannabis Can Improve Your Sex Life

Cannabis
Sex

Tom Gaffey

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June 7, 2022

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Marijuana may not only increase pleasure, but by removing elements that hinder sexual enjoyment it can make the overall experience much more enjoyable.

Since the dawn of medicine, people have sought elixers, pills and countless other remedies to improve intimacy and sexual performance. Pharmaceutical companies have made leaps and bounds in this field, with several major achievements, most famously Viagra in the 1990s.

While pharmaceuticals undergo significant tests and trials, herbal and natural remedies like cannabis often spread by word of mouth and personal recommendation. Cannabis, in fact, has been used to improve intimacy and sexual pleasure for generations.

As marijuana popularity increases and it becomes legal in more locations, tests and studies of marijuana’s benefits are slowly becoming more available. Does marijuana really improve your sex life, and if so, how?

Before looking at how marijuana improves sex, it is best to understand what the root of sexual problems are first. “A lot of the understanding that needs to go into a discussion around cannabis and sexuality has less to do with cannabis and more to do with sexuality,” Jordan Tishler, a leading expert on cannabinoid therapeutics, told SELF. When you understand sexuality, desire and the mental and physical blockages that can occur, it is easier to see how and why cannabis can improve intimacy.

What can often keep sex from being enjoyable are mental blocks. Anxiety and tension both factor in to lack of sexual desire. When these sexual pleasure inhibitors are removed, intimacy can improve. In other words, marijuana may not only increase pleasure, but by removing elements that hinder sexual enjoyment it can make the overall experience much more enjoyable.

As we’ve reported before, researchers have found that it’s not anandamide that’s released during orgasm, rather it’s 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an endocannabinoid that plays a role in the reward aspect of sexual arousal and orgasm. Also, while under the influence of THC, a person’s senses are enhanced and they’re less likely to experience anxiety or other negative feelings surrounding sex.

Marijuana, it seems, can help the mind and body relax, simply allowing a person to enjoy the moment.

More and more, studies are finding that cannabis is leading many to have improved sexual function and better sex in general. According to one recently released study, “the effects of cannabis on heightened perceptions, time distortion, relaxation, and decreased inhibition were hypothesized as explanations for this improvement in sexual function.”

While marijuana has shown it can improve intimacy for many, it is critical you consider your dosage and how you get high. Over-consumption of marijuana can lead to lethargy and a lack of desire to perform any task, sex included. If you plan to get high with your partner, be sure to consider the right method of ingesting cannabis to ensure you are both on the same wavelength.

Legalizing Medical Marijuana Causes People To Have More Sex — Photo by Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

The general consensus is that if you are trying to enjoy the experience with your partner, edibles are not the best bet. ”Edibles are too slow and unpredictable to be very helpful for sex involving two or more people who need to be ready at the same time,” Dr. Tishler told Insider. Edibles take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, which makes planning intimate time with your partner a bit difficult.

Instead, maybe opt for a few puffs of a joint or a vape – something that has rapid effects, but is not so potent that you cannot control your dosage. Keep in mind that although these recent studies have shown cannabis can improve intimacy, other studies have shown the sluggish and negative effects of consuming too much THC.

Cannabis is by no means the cure for all intimacy issues. In fact, it is not currently prescribed by doctors to assist in that department. It is, however, legal in many states. So if couples therapy or other routes don’t sound appealing or aren’t working, you may want to take a trip with your partner to visit your local budtender.

Former Senator Says Indiana Is Exploring Legal Weed, But Not For Economic Benefits

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 7, 2022

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Former Senator Says Indiana Is Exploring Legal Weed, But Not For Economic Benefits

By Nina Zdinjak

Regulators in Indiana recently agreed that more research on the potential health benefits and decriminalization of cannabis is required before taking any legislative action. The General Assembly’s Legislative Council overwhelmingly supported the idea to task the interim study committee on public health, behavioral health and human services with reviewing the issue further.

Until the legislative session in 2023, the task force will consult industry experts and take public testimony on cannabis issues. Several meetings are planned for this summer or fall.

New York Approves Bill To Include Medical Marijuana In Health Coverage — Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty

Health Benefits First

Speaking about legalization efforts, former state Senator Jim Merritt told IN Focus that the summer committee in the Hoosier State is concentrated on the health benefits, more than economic, writes Fox 59.

“The overwhelming feeling in Indiana, as far as I know, is cannabis in a health situation,” Merritt said. “I think the idea of cannabis coming into the state… if we can just legalize and regulate it, I think we would have more of a control over it.”

He also stressed that Delta-8 THC requires increased regulation and that the state should learn from other states that already have legal marijuana programs, what are the best, but also what are the worst practices.

According to Merritt, Indiana will have to wait “a couple of years” before seeing the state reform. He is, however, more optimistic about medical marijuana legalization, and thinks it will be seriously considered in the next legislative session.

“I think you’ll see a medical cannabis in the legislature next year,” Merritt said. “Ohio has had a good experience with it, they have a good model.”

On the topic, state Rep. Terri Austin (D – Anderson) said she plans to examine all the potential benefits both economically and socially and to research the impacts in other states that have already gone through the legalization process.

Indiana Senator Attempts To Decriminalize Marijuana — Photo by Steven Van Elk via Unsplash

“What we really want to know is: Is it a wise move for Indiana in the long run?” Austin said. “What can we learn from those states that have passed legalization or decriminalization efforts?”

Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) added that the committee has a crucial task to guide the state further on the issue.

“We have to figure out where we are and this is going to be an important conversation to have this summer for where Indiana moves,” Bray said.

Indiana Senate Candidate Smokes Joint In Video For Cannabis Legalization Campaign

Other politicians in Indiana seem to be on the same legalization page. For example, just one day before the cannabis holiday (4/20), Indiana Senate candidate Thomas McDermott released his marijuana legalization ad online.

The video starts with McDermott lighting something that looks like a joint and smoking it. To promote the ad, the mayor of Hammond tweeted the following:

Even on #420day not many Senate candidates admit to having smoked weed. I’m not most Senate candidates. I’ve been thinking a lot about whether to launch this video where I light up. It’s an issue that’s personal & important to me & so many. #LegalizeIt ➡️ https://t.co/V7VA5PhQpi pic.twitter.com/WaNq01yH49

— Thomas McDermott (@tommcdermottjr) April 20, 2022

McDermott is expected to compete with incumbent Republican Sen. Todd Young in November.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

Should Healthy People Start Using Cannabis?

Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

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June 6, 2022

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Should Healthy People Start Using Cannabis?

Various forms of cannabis can help address the stress and anxiety that prevents us from achieving a mindful state. Here are some other things it does.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

With the increasing awareness of the health benefits of cannabis for treating a multitude of ailments, it would be normal for a healthy person to wonder if there are any advantages for them using cannabis.

The truth is that cannabis can still be therapeutic and help even the healthiest of people. You don’t have to be sick or ill to enjoy its health benefits. This plant medicine is extremely powerful for helping mitigate even the most minor occurrences in our daily lives that can build up over time and make us sick — either mentally, emotionally, or physically.

Legal States Collected Over 3 Billion In Legal Marijuana Revenue This Year — Photo by ArtistGNDphotography via Getty

Understanding The Endocannabinoid System

Before you get to know how cannabis works in the human body, whether for sick or healthy people, it’s essential to understand the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

As humans, we have another system that biology classes of the past did not teach us about: the endocannabinoid system. This complex system as first identified back in the early 1990’s, and while much of it is still mysterious, experts do know that it’s vital for helping regulate many processes that keep us healthy. These include regulating our appetite, mood, sleep, fertility, reproduction, memory, inflammation, and much more. It does so through the massive network of cellular receptors and chemical signals within the ECS.

Meanwhile, the CB1 and CB2 receptors which can be found in the brain as well as other parts of the body, work to regulate other neurotransmitters. This is how cannabis helps to increase or decrease functions in the body such as sleep or hunger in order to achieve homeostasis. These receptors are further stimulated through endocannabinoids, which are compounds similar to the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant except that our human bodies produce our own. While we have our own endocannabinoids in the body, the cannabinoids in the plant help the endocannabinoid system work more effectively and address even minor ailments to promote balance all throughout.

Since the endocannabinoid system helps to regulate so many complex functions in the body, it doesn’t require sickness or illness for us to benefit from cannabis. Instead, think of cannabis as a vitamin or supplement that helps to keep us even healthier in the absence of disease with its ability to address problems such as endocannabinoid deficiencies, nipping any potential sicknesses in the bud.

How Cannabis Benefits Healthy People

Even the healthiest people are prone to certain things such as stress from work, occasional anxiety, and vitamin deficiencies to name a few. Here’s how cannabis can help keep you healthier:

Stress: Everyone is prone to stress in varying levels. Whether stress is caused by work, pressures of parenthood, family life, or anything else, it has been scientifically proven that constant exposure to stress can kill you. That’s why millions of people count on cannabis during stressful moments in life – it simply makes you feel better immediately but more importantly, it addresses internal processes that are impacted by stress.

These can include fatigue, high blood pressure, migraines, headaches, abnormal heart rhythms, insomnia, and more. stress can also cause anxiety and depression. Studies show that microdosing cannabis is the most effective way to benefit from its stress-fighting properties, so you don’t need to smoke a whole joint to benefit from it when you’re having a tough day.

Muscle recovery: Regular exercise is critical for health, but with fitness programs, it’s also important to pay attention to muscle recovery. Working out at the gym, trying a new yoga flow, or experimenting with a new workout – no matter what your fitness regimen is comprised of, muscles are prone to soreness, pain, and spasms.

It’s no secret that even elite athletes rely on cannabidiol (CBD) as well as THC to help with muscle repair and recovery after intense or mild workouts. Delayed onset muscle soreness, also known as DOMS, is a common side effect of workout regimen. Athlete or not, people who exercise regularly are prone to this but lighting up with a toke or taking CBD orally can greatly reduce the inflammation and pain associated with exercising.

smoking bong — Photo by RODNAE Productions via Pexels

Mental health: Sure, your tests show that you are physically fit and healthy. But how about your mental health? If you find yourself vulnerable to the occasional anxiety, mood swings, depressive episodes, or other mental ailments, cannabis is here to help.

People who suffer from these ailments turn to cannabis not just because it makes them happier or makes them feel better. Studies show that THC plays an important role in regulating emotions, suggesting that the endocannabinoid system does help us process our emotions in a healthier manner. Regularly dosing with cannabis can thus help us manage negative emotions so as to not affect interpersonal relationships or increase our stress levels.

Mindfulness: It can get too easy to be caught up in the trivialities of day to day life, so much so that we forget to live in the present moment, especially with most people becoming addicted to their mobile phones. This is why the practice of mindfulness has grown increasingly attractive for people for all walks of life. The American Psychological Association (APA) says that current research points to mindfulness practices as beneficial for improving cognitive processes that could otherwise lead to problems down the road such as heart disease and stress.

Various forms of cannabis can already help address the stress and anxiety that prevents us from achieving a mindful state. Whether with the relaxation offered by CBD or the mild psychoactivity of THC, a little is all it takes to feel more blissed out and centered no matter how busy or stressful our day would be without cannabis. Use it as a tool for your meditation and yoga sessions, or to reflect at the start or end of your day.

Conclusion

With these tremendous benefits offered, there’s no reason that even healthy people can’t take advantage of the impact of cannabis for the human body.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

What Is THC-O And Why Is This Psychedelic Cannabinoid 3x Stronger Than THC?

Cannabis

Tia Moskalenko

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June 6, 2022

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What Is THC-O And Why Is This Psychedelic Cannabinoid 3x Stronger Than THC?

For curious tokers, trying a new substance that is 300% more potent than THC is a welcoming experience. However, we urge you to explore this new psychedelic horizon with caution.

This article originally appeared on AskGrowers.com and has been reposted, unedited, with permission.

Even for laymen with a decent working knowledge of cannabis, THC-O (otherwise known as THC acetate or THC-O acetate) is a fairly unknown, non-natural cannabinoid. Unlike the more visible CBD or even THC, you won’t see articles about it in health magazines or have advertisements for it pop up on social media.

For years, it’s been under the radar, and now there is a growing discussion around THC-O. This is for two reasons: its potency and its accessibility. THC-O has been found to be around three times stronger than conventional THC. And because the law has not yet caught up with its existence, it can be accessed by anyone who lives in a state where conventional THC is illegal.

What Is THC-O Acetate And Why Are There So Many Discussions Around It?

THC-O is artificially synthesized from the precursor to traditional THC, called tetrahydrocannabinol acid, or THCA. The process used to create THC-O preserves the basic structure of the THCA but adds an acetate group.

TCH-O is what’s known as a “prodrug”, which simply means that it doesn’t become active in the body until after the liver metabolizes it. Acetylated THC is far stronger than its naturally derived counterparts because it can cross lipid-sensitive barriers in the brain and digestive tract more easily. After metabolizing, what’s left in the body is a more bioavailable delta 9 THC compound.

Processed as an odorless and tasteless compound, THC-O is not water-soluble. It has begun to show up on the market in the form of vapes, edibles like gummies, tinctures, and other products. THC-O products are similar to THC products, just with greater potency.

A Brief History of THC-O Acetate

THC-O hasn’t really been in the public eye until recent years, but it has been studied as far back as 1949 by the United States military. In the 1970s, DEA agents raided a lab in Florida that was synthesizing THC-O. Yet because there was apparently no real marketplace for it, the FDA didn’t investigate the compound any further. The War on Drugs seemingly passed this one by.

In 2018 the United States Congress passed a bill that allowed for the growth and production of hemp. Because THC-O can be synthesized from hemp, an underground marketplace began to grow. Because the laws regarding the compound are vague and not clearly stated, THC-O began to grow in popularity, especially in states where traditional cannabis remains illegal.

How Is It Made?

Like traditional THC, THC-O is synthesized from hemp. It is synthetically altered to change its chemical structure. The process begins with THCA, the compound from which all other forms of THC are derived. The traditional Δ9 THC and Δ8 THC are decarboxylated (a chemical process that removes a carbon atom from the carbon chain) through the application of heat. However, THC-O is made by taking the raw THCA and processing it with sulfuric acid and acetic anhydride before it is heated, which dramatically alters its molecular structure.

This is an extremely volatile chemical process, and under no circumstances should anyone try to create THC-O at a home lab. Not only is home-processing extremely dangerous, but it will likely be ineffective. THC-O requires very specific processing parameters, and a layperson would not be able to create a potent product.

What Do We Know About THC-O’s Effects?

THC-O is an extremely psychoactive form of THC. It offers a high that is around 3x more powerful than traditional marijuana. THC-O acetate effects are marginally hallucinogenic, which has earned it the nickname “the psychedelic cannabinoid”. Because of this, it’s good to note that it’s best to be cautious in consumption. It’s safer for those who are already accustomed to the effects of cannabis. The effects at higher doses have been compared to that of mescaline, LSD, or “magic” mushrooms. Users can feel extremely “heavy” and unable to move. Lower doses are comparable to the typical delta 9 THC variant.

Because of the breakdown of THC-O in the body, the high doesn’t kick in for about 20-30 minutes after consumption (It must be metabolized in the liver first.)

Some side effects of THC-O-acetate include:

Extreme lethargy/sedation
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Seizures
Incapacitation and/or incoherence

These negative side effects are more likely to occur at higher doses. Here are the recommended dosages.

Effects Threshold: vaped or smoked 0.5 mg, oral 3 mg
Psychoactive Standard: vaped or smoke 1-3 mg, oral 3-10 mg
Psychedelic Effects: more than 5 mg smoked, oral 10 or more mg

For those trying to cheat the drug test, THC-O is not going to help as it leaves the body as a more potent form of delta 9 THC after being metabolized by the liver. This excretion will be picked up on a THC drug test.

Is THC-O Safe to Consume?

There is not enough research available on TCH-O to determine whether it’s safe for human consumption. Because it has just recently started to emerge from the underground, there is certainly some amount of risk in using it. While there has never been a recorded death from an overdose while using THC-O, there are a few things to keep in mind about consumption.

Vapes using vitamin E acetate were found to cause a virulent form of lung disease in some users called lipoid pneumonia. While there is not enough research to prove a similar effect with THC acetate, some experts theorize that there could be a similar effect if taken through vape carts.

RELATED: What Is THC-O And Is It Legal?

Another possible issue is a run-in with adulterated products. This is a highly unregulated synthetic drug. Therefore, there is a good chance of receiving an impure, contaminated, or downright dangerous product.

Finally, because this prodrug is so incredibly potent, it is important to go slow. Start at a very small, minimal dose and potentially increase it only as your body becomes accustomed to the effects.

THC-O vs. THC, Delta-9 THC vs. Delta-8 THC

The most common form of THC derivative is delta 9 – this is what is actively present in marijuana and smaller amounts in hemp. The delta 8 is another popular iteration that occurs naturally as delta 9 breaks down, but it can also be created synthetically. Here is a quick breakdown of each THC compound.

Delta 9 THC

This form of THC is naturally occurring. Its average concentration in marijuana is approximately 15-20%. Primary health benefits include analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, and anti-seizure properties. The main target receptors include cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2). It has a high psychoactivity rate and costs $0.07-$0.13 per mg.

Delta 8 THC

This form of THC is naturally derived from delta 9. It has a 1% concentration in marijuana. Primary health benefits include sleep support and calming properties for anxiety. Target receptors include CB1 and CB2. It has a moderate psychoactivity rate and costs $0.06-$0.12 per mg.

Legal Status and Forecasts

THC-O acetate legality can be a bit complicated to suss out. It’s not named a prohibited substance anywhere but in the UK and New Zealand. However, THC acetate is an analog of delta 9 THC, which is listed as a Schedule 1 drug. In the US, this means that it would likely be classed as a Schedule 1 drug under the 1986 bill called the Federal Analogue Act. Again, it is not specifically stated but would fall into this category by default.

In Canada, this prodrug is not prohibited. Nor are there any laws that might categorize it in this way, but it is very difficult to obtain THC-O in Canada.

Because there is a provision in the US to classify it as a Schedule 1 drug, it is likely that it will become a banned substance in the future on a federal level. Even now, state and federal laws are scrambling to catch up to a growing market. there are 18 states that have legalized delta 9, and THC-O may squeeze through in those states. As more states legalize THC, it may follow by default.

Is It Worth Trying?

For curious tokers, trying a new substance that is 300% more potent than THC is a most welcoming experience. However, we urge you to explore new psychedelic horizons with caution because THC-O is a prodrug. What it means is that the chemical has to be metabolized in the body first. Depending on one’s overall tolerance, the process might take 30 minutes, sometimes more. This is potentially hazardous as an unwary pothead might think the dose was too small, which can lead to an overdose.

That said, therapeutical usage of THC-O makes more sense than casual recreation. There are known cases of cannabis patients consuming over 1,000 mg of THC daily to help them manage their debilitating, paralyzing, and even mortal chronic conditions. For those therapeutic users who have high cannabinoid tolerance, THC-O is worth giving a shot. The form of edible tinctures is the most comfortable form of consumption that can fit into any lifestyle.

As with the use of any pharmaceutical, whether you decide to try it yourself is a matter of personal preference and choice. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind and review before you make that decision.

First of all, remember that THC-O is extremely potent. Stronger than any other form of THC available. It is a prodrug, which means that it is metabolized before it is processed at the cannabinoid receptor sites. If you decide to try it, start slow and increase your dosage slowly. Recommended THC-O dosages are the following:

Beginner (low tolerance): 3mg-10mg per use
Intermediate (medium tolerance): 10mg-25mg per use
Advanced (high tolerance): 25mg-50mg+ per use

REMINDER: Make sure your body can handle the effects before moving to the next dose level!

One more thing. Under no circumstances should you attempt to process this drug on your own. It is both difficult to do correctly and extremely dangerous if done incorrectly. Not only can incorrect processing cause volatile chemical reactions, but you can also end up with a compromised product. If you choose to consume THC-O, only purchase it from a source you trust.

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC-3570572/

https://www.nap.edu/read/9136/chapter/5

https://books.google.pt/books-id=_tVJAQAAIAAJ&dq-marijuana+chemistry&q=&redir_esc=y

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29982176/

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21-cfr/21usc/813.htm

Dr. Oz Faces John Fetterman In Unprecedented Senate Race — And Cannabis Is On The Table

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 6, 2022

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Dr. Oz Faces John Fetterman In Unprecedented Senate Race — And Cannabis Is On The Table

In addition to his lucrative evidence-free advice, Dr. Oz recently said that legalizing recreational cannabis in PA would make people lose their motivation to go to work.

By Maureen Meehan

Celebrity Doctor Mehmet Oz officially became Pennsylvania’s Republican Senate candidate when his opponent Dave McCormick conceded on Friday despite Oz’s razor-thin lead of less than a thousand votes.

Oz will now face Democrat Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in what’s expected to be one of the most-watched and most expensive Senate races in U.S. history.

Why It Matters

Oz, endorsed by Trump, and Fetterman, a progressive giant, are seeking to fill the open Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Pat Toomey (R) and by doing so gain control of the 50-50 U.S. Senate.

John Fetterman — Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Scientific American, the oldest continuously published magazine in the U.S., says that Dr. Oz should not be a senator nor a doctor, that his brand of misinformation has already tarnished medicine and will do much worse in the halls of Congress.

“Dr. Oz has long pushed misleading, science-free and unproven alternative therapies such as homeopathy, as well as fad diets, detoxes and cleanses. Some of these things have been potentially harmful, including hydroxychloroquine, which he once touted would be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of COVID. This assertion has been thoroughly debunked.”

Add That To Oz’s Cannabis Conclusions

In addition to his lucrative evidence-free advice, Oz recently said that legalizing recreational cannabis in PA would make people lose their motivation to go to work.

“There are not enough Pennsylvanians to work in Pennsylvania, so giving them pot so they stay home is not, I don’t think, an ideal move,” he told Newsmax, though it’s not clear how Oz came to that particular conclusion.

How DEA And FDA Blame Each Other For Marijuana's Illegal Status, Says Dr. OzThe CURE Drug Repurposing Collaboratory Helps COVID-19 Research — Photo by Rob Kim/Stringer/Getty Images

The unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was 4.9% in March and more than 80% of jobs lost since the pandemic began have been recovered, according to an official government website.

Oz also warned against fostering an “emotional addiction” to cannabis. “I don’t want young people to think they have to smoke a joint to get out of their house in the morning,” he said. “We need to get Pennsylvanians back at work. You gotta give them their mojo, and I don’t want marijuana to be a hindrance to that.”

This Guy Needs His Mojo Back

Lt. Gov. Fetterman, who supports legalizing cannabis, is still recovering from a stroke he suffered days before he won the May primary and has since undergone a pacemaker implant procedure. He has not yet returned to the campaign trail except for video appearances.

This past Friday, Fetterman released a statement saying he should have taken his health more seriously and that he had not seen a doctor in five years.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

People With This Condition Seem To Have Lower Risk Of COVID-19 Infection

News

Maria Loreto

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June 5, 2022

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People With This Condition Seem To Have Lower Risk Of COVID-19 Infection

A new study made an interesting discovery, highlighting a group of people that are less susceptible to the COVID-19 virus.

Viruses act in unpredictable ways, affecting some people more than others. In the case of the SARS-CoV-2, responsible for COVID-19, researchers have been trying to develop a better understanding of it ever since it first popped up.

A new study shows some interesting evidence on the type of people the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects, highlighting a group of people that hold an interesting advantage.

Conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the data found that people with allergies had an advantage. The study used data from over 4,000 people and found that participants with food allergies were half as likely to get infected with COVID-19 when compared to people that had no allergies.

This Is What Happens When You're Allergic To Marijuana — Photo by Mojpe via Pixabay

“[T]he observed association between food allergy and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, as well as between body-mass index and this risk, merit further investigation,” said Anthony Fauci, director of the NIH.

The study made other interesting findings, including the fact that people with asthma, another allergic condition, were not at a higher risk of catching the virus. This finding is surprising considering that asthma is a respiratory condition, something that, with all that we know about the virus, should make people more sensitive and prone to it.

There are a few theories as to why people with allergies, particularly food-based allergies, have more protection against SARS-CoV-2. The study, which was based on self-reports and self-disclosure backed by blood analysis, showed that participants with allergies had antibodies linked to their allergies. Researchers theorize that those with food allergies could have lower forms of a receptor that the virus normally attaches itself to, thus having more protection from it.

“It is not known whether this is also the case in food allergic individuals, but it is tempting to speculate that type 2 inflammation, a characteristic of food allergy, may reduce airway ACE2 levels and thus the risk of infection,” wrote the researchers.

The study doesn’t provide any conclusive answers, but it is an interesting route to pursue in terms of providing more ways of protecting people from COVID-19.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

“There’s no data to support that” medical marijuana can help PTSD sufferers, said Gov. Pete Ricketts at a recent press conference in a roomful of veterans.

Cannabis As A Solution

Who’s Opposing It?

There’s Still Hope

A new study conducted on patients with a specific type of cancer concluded with all participants in remission.

The study’s results show how important it is for the government to encourage cannabis research in any way they can, providing users with the information they need to stay safe and informed.

Researchers asked 145 couples in which a least one of the partners used cannabis to share how regularly they used it and how satisfied they are with their relationships.

The Study

Marijuana may not only increase pleasure, but by removing elements that hinder sexual enjoyment it can make the overall experience much more enjoyable.

Health Benefits First

Indiana Senate Candidate Smokes Joint In Video For Cannabis Legalization Campaign

Various forms of cannabis can help address the stress and anxiety that prevents us from achieving a mindful state. Here are some other things it does.

Understanding The Endocannabinoid System

How Cannabis Benefits Healthy People

Conclusion

For curious tokers, trying a new substance that is 300% more potent than THC is a welcoming experience. However, we urge you to explore this new psychedelic horizon with caution.

What Is THC-O Acetate And Why Are There So Many Discussions Around It?

A Brief History of THC-O Acetate

How Is It Made?

What Do We Know About THC-O’s Effects?

Is THC-O Safe to Consume?

THC-O vs. THC, Delta-9 THC vs. Delta-8 THC

Legal Status and Forecasts

Is It Worth Trying?

References

In addition to his lucrative evidence-free advice, Dr. Oz recently said that legalizing recreational cannabis in PA would make people lose their motivation to go to work.

Why It Matters

Add That To Oz’s Cannabis Conclusions

This Guy Needs His Mojo Back

A new study made an interesting discovery, highlighting a group of people that are less susceptible to the COVID-19 virus.

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