Though men tend to smoke greater amounts and more frequently than women, women tend be more sensitive to marijuana consumption.
We know women and men react differently to cannabis. The endocannabinoid system — the set of receptors that bond with consumed marijuana — interacts directly and indirectly with estrogen in a women’s body. A 2009 study, published in the European Journal of Pharmacology, found the amount of CB1 receptors in a woman’s body fluctuates depending on estrogen levels, meaning women experience more intense highs when their estrogen levels peak.
Though men tend to smoke greater amounts and more frequently than women, a 2014 study from Washington State University found that women tend be more sensitive to marijuana consumption. Another difference: men are more likely to get the munchies.
Published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, scientists from the University of Texas-Dallas found that when it comes to regular marijuana consumers, women experience more intense craving than men. In addition, when women self-reported higher estrogen levels due to their menstrual cycles, they rated their marijuana cravings higher on average.
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“This research has moved the needle forward in accounting for these individual differences in the development and administration of interventions to help improve clinical outcomes for everyone, particularly women,” study author Dr. Shikha Prashad said in a statement.
Dr. Prashad and her team used 112 participants for the study — 58 men and 54 women. Those subjects where then given “a piece of cannabis equipment to hold,” ranging from a standard pipe to an ice blue bong. When asked to rate their urge to smoke marijuana on a scale from 1 to 10, women averaged a 5.5 level of craving compared to men’s 4.6.
According to the study’s authors, “It is important to emphasize that this finding is preliminary and it is unclear whether this increase may have contributed to the sex-related differences.”
Cannabis has powerful anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties, and when administered as-needed, can provide relief from several anxiety disorders.
Anxiety, like marijuana, comes with a stigma, but with the increasing impact of anxiety disorders on family life and the economy, it’s no wonder everyone seems to be looking for a salve.
The relationship between cannabis and anxiety disorders exists, but remains wholly misunderstood. Anxiety presents differently in every patient, and there is no definitive cure with conventional drugs, so just imagine something as variant as the cannabis plant.
Evidence suggests that cannabis has powerful anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties, and when administered as-needed, can provide relief from several anxiety disorders, including generalized and social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and depression. It might even help with a fear of public speaking.
Just One Puff Could Be Enough for Anxiety
One thing that holds people back from treating anxiety with cannabis was the myth that it made anxiety worse through the manifestation of paranoia. The truth is, while some cannabis users feel a sense of heightened fear and worsened anxiety from marijuana; it is a side-effect that can be controlled with smaller doses as well as a cannabinoid profile that does not produce the effect. It is likely that paranoia is a reaction to strains with higher THC content.
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A 2018 study conducted by Washington State University researchers, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, assessed how varying levels of cannabinoids (chemicals found in marijuana) affected people’s moods and feelings of well-being. The team found that a single puff of cannabis high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was enough to reduce depression symptoms. After two puffs, patients felt less anxious, and after ten they were less stressed.
Although the body manufactures its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, we are susceptible to shortages of them; excessive exposure to trauma might contribute to a disordered endocannabinoid system (ECS). Experts believe cannabis can help replenish and condition the ECS, resulting in a balancing effect that quells anxiety, physically, psychologically and emotionally. What we don’t yet have is data on the most therapeutic dosages and strains for anxiety.
While this study suggests that one puff of marijuana can help ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety, experts insist that prolonged use over time had the opposite effect.
Strains of Cannabis for Anxiety
Cannabis consumers have a few tools at their disposal when choosing a strain, but ultimately, beyond the recommendations of a budtender, the patient must find their own perfect balance of cannabinoids and terpenes. No varietal works quite the same for two people.
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What makes someone with anxiety a unique cannabis consumer is that they’re probably not looking for something high in THC because just about every current study points to CBD as the critical ingredient for calming anxiety. The interest in cannabidiol’s anxiolytic effects means that there are more high-CBD marijuana strains and products out there than ever and CBD oil can be ordered online without a prescription from just about anywhere on the continent.
The Washington State study is one of the first to provide guidance on various strains and dosages for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression To track their data, the researchers used a new app called Strainprint that helps medical marijuana users record how different doses affects their wellbeing. The free cannabis journaling app is now widely used among patients who want to track just about any diagnosable condition and the medical marijuana they are using.
A new report from Strainprint tells us that anxiety is now one of the top symptoms, along with pain and arthritis, attracting cannabis use among citizens 50 and over. That, complemented by the thousands of studies being conducted on cannabis, and the flow of legalization means that more definitive answers on marijuana for anxiety are on the way.
People are adding comfort foods and just plain strange foods to their pantries and fridges. Here’s what might be going on.
With the pandemic keeping a lot of people indoors, comforting and easy-to-make meals have made a comeback of sorts. Cereals, mac and cheese, frozen pizza and other types of fast foods are some of the items that are most sought after in grocery stores for those who don’t want to deal with cooking on top of everything else going on in their lives. Other people, however, are reporting a more curious change, claiming that the pandemic has provoked some strange cravings.
Like someone who’s pregnant and finds themselves craving weird stuff, a lot of quarantined people have reported a craving for weird foods that they normally wouldn’t think of eating, and also tackling recipes (re: sourdough) they never would have attempted before.
It would make some sort of sense that, after an approximate two months of following social distancing guidelines, people would get bored of the foods that are in their pantry and desire to try something new. And if you’re thinking that stress might be a cause for these strange behaviors, you’re right. Stress tends to be the answer to a lot of things.
Men’s Health spoke with Kent Berridge,PhD, who said that food cravings are influenced by stress, even the sort of stress that we’re dealing with now, which feels long lasting, quiet and mutating. There’s days of normalcy, where you forget everything that’s going on, and others of anxiety triggered by any stressor. “Yes, to the degree home isolation and financial consequences are stressful, that would definitely set the stage for the processes above to kick in and magnify craving,” says Berridge.
Photo by Keegan Evans via Pexels
Comfort foods are called comfort foods for a reason; they make us think of simpler times, perhaps when we were younger. Ricardo Fernandez, CEO of General Mills, told USA Today that sales of cereals like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Trix and Lucky Charms are booming. (Just a hunch, but these cereals probably aren’t just being enjoyed by kids.)
“Families are turning to things like cereal to instill a sense of what’s familiar, what’s normal, something they trust,” says Fernandez.
With everything thrown out of order and no knowledge of when/if things will go back to normal, food seems like a good place to find an escape, whether that’s comfort or something more exciting.
Summer can a depressing time to be indoors. Here’s how you can make the most of it and still be mindful of the health of others.
Warm and sunny weather is usually worth celebrating. This year, with the rise of the coronavirus, governors and state representatives are concerned over the change of season and what that means for social distancing guidelines. While at some point we’ll all have to leave our homes, this summer we must be extra careful and not forget that there’s a pandemic going on.
In order to make the most of this strange time, we must be careful and creative, coming up with innovative ways to curb the spread of the virus while also tending to our mental health. While we’ll most likely spend a good amount of time indoors, there are ways of being careful and enjoying the warm weather.
Here are 5 ways you can enjoy the summer without infecting other people:
Follow your state’s guidelines
The coronavirus has impacted cities in different ways, with some loosening their social distancing guidelines. Follow your state’s guidelines and adapt to your situation. No matter where you are, businesses that are trying to survive will come up with creative ways of making money, whether through delivery, pick-up or virtual events. People who’ve been quarantining alone will start to hang out with friends who are going through the same stuff. Stay informed and do your part in battling the virus.
Though face masks are the norm in public spaces, you’re not required to wear one when outside or visiting parks, as long as it’s easy to maintain 6-feet of distance from others. Be mindful of yourself and extra respectful of other people, but do try to go for walks and enjoy the sun, even if you have to find odd hours to do so in relative solitude.
Try a new workout method
It’s hard to differentiate seasons when stuck in your house, so switch things up by trying a new workout method you’ve always been interested in by joining an online workout class. Due to the pandemic, many fitness websites and businesses are offering free trials and classes that might help get you excited for summer again. The best part? Nobody will likely notice the extra pandemic weight you’ve put on, nor care. This is the summer where “bikini body” doesn’t exists, and we’re all better for it.
If you live in a place that has access to open spaces, activities like hiking, fishing or bird watching might just lift your spirits. Plus, who doesn’t like to lose themselves in an outdoor activity during warm months?
Drive ins
Miss going to the movies? Welcome to the club. If you own a car, you’re already in luck. Look up your closest drive-in theater and pack some snacks and drinks. This activity has enjoyed a resurgence thanks to its built-in social distancing.
Once Colorado and Washington allowed legal marijuana sales, tourism and hotel bookings saw major bumps.
Virtually no one is traveling around the United States at the moment, but that might change as all 50 states announce some re-opening measures after shutdowns caused by the coronavirus pandemic. When travel does resume, a new study finds that marijuana legalization actually increases tourism.
The study, published in the Journal of Regional Analysis & Policy, reviewed data on how legalization impacted outsiders visiting Colorado and Washington state. Researchers compared hotel and tourism trends in both Colorado and Washington post legalization with states where marijuana remained illegal. Researchers concluded that legal marijuana boosted Colorado and Washington as travel hotspots following legalization, with an even higher increase once retail sales began.
Post-legalization correlated with 51,000 extra hotel rooms rented per month in Colorado. That figure jumped to an additional 120,000 hotel rooms rented per month once tourists could purchase marijuana legally. Washington numbers were about half of Colorado’s.
“Marijuana legalization led to a larger increase in tourism in Colorado than Washington. One possible explanation is that Colorado is an easier travel destination than Washington and Denver’s airport is a major hub for United Airlines,” the study’s authors wrote.
“Another possible explanation is that Colorado may have achieved a first mover advantage over Washington since it legalized commercial sale six months earlier than Washington,” they added.
Photo by Bailey Starner via Unsplash
This study isn’t the first to positively connect marijuana legalization with tourism dollars. Penn State researcher John O’Neill concluded in a study earlier this year that Denver hotel revenue increased by $130 million after marijuana was legalized. Data showed a 9% bump in occupancy rates the first year post legalization.
“We found that Denver hotels were able to charge and receive higher prices for hotel rooms following recreational marijuana legalization, and also found increased visitation to the Denver […] resulting in positive economic impact,” O’Neill said.
There’s not a lot of research on cannabis use and its impact on athletes. Here’s what some experts have to say on the matter.
Rest days are very important for people who work out regularly. The more people physically exert themselves, the more they realize how important these days off are, whether they’re doing active recovery or spending the day chilling out. Does cannabis for your workout recovery work?
All workouts cause stress to your body, tearing your muscles and causing inflammation. Although this process sounds a little disturbing, it’s a good thing since it allows the muscle to rebuild itself and grow stronger, without even getting into the benefits your body experiences due to fat loss and increased cardiovascular health.
There’s been no scientific research conducted on marijuana and the effect it has on your body after you work out, but there’s a growing community of people who enjoy working out while high, reporting better results thanks to the herb.
Even if we know that cannabis has a lot of anti-inflammatory agents, scientists still don’t know enough to say how much of the compound could produce relief or reduce inflammation when applied to strength training and workouts in general.
“It will definitely make delayed onset muscle soreness—or DOMS—less unpleasant, which may lead to getting you back into the gym faster,” Dr. Jordan Tishler tells Men’s Journal. Tishler explains that cannabis has some pain relief properties, and that it could provide relief for particularly grueling workout sessions, similar to the effect you’d get from taking an Advil. He also says that it’s less risky.
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Other experts believe that cannabis can help treat different conditions that have a significant influence on athletic performance, such as sleep and pain. They highlight CBD as a standout compound, one that provides positive long term effects for workouts and workout recovery without the highs associated with THC.
“CBD seems to have a much greater antioxidant effect than vitamin C or vitamin D, so many athletes are using this to deal with inflammation,” Dr. Stuart Titus tells Men’s Health.
While cannabis has gained some traction among athletes, more research needs to be conducted in order to get definitive answers. In the meantime, if you like cannabis, why not include it with your workouts? If you want to keep things healthy, try consuming an edible or a CBD tincture and seeing how your body responds.
Legislators have been busy with marijuana laws across the country. Here’s a recap, in case you missed it.
By Jose Rodrigo
When it comes to thecannabis industry, numerous changes occur at the state and federal levels — often in a short amount of time.
Here’s a look at the latest legislation news to come out of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Minnesota
On Sunday, the Minnesota Senate voted to eliminate the previously passed provision that allowed medical marijuana patients to buy raw and whole-plant forms of cannabis.
Since the endorsement of medicinal cannabis in Minnesota, sales of the flower are not allowed. Only the sale of extracts is supported, undermining the rights of marijuana users.
In a session of less than 30 minutes, the Senate passed legislation that reflected the bill passed by the house, but extracted the cannabis flower from it. Since Republican senator Paul Gazelka stated that any special session will advocate Covid-19 related policies only, hopes for short-term re-examinations were dashed.
Louisiana
The Louisiana House of Representatives passed bills sponsored by Republican member Larry Bagley to significantly expand the state’s medical cannabis program. It will allow doctors to issue recommendations for any debilitating conditions instead of a shortlist of particular diseases as is the case under current law.
“It’s something that deserves to be done,” Bagley told Marijuana Moment after the floor votes. “I knew that it was bipartisan. I never thought it had a chance to fail unless I messed up somewhere in the presentation.”
Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection, Digitally enhanced by rawpixel
People that have physical problems will be able to have an alternative to opioids, he explained.
“I know we have a terrible addiction here in Louisiana with the opioid epidemic,” Bagley added. “Opioids can kill you. I don’t think anybody’s ever died from medical marijuana. It’s just a safety issue.”
The approved bills now head to Senate seeking further promulgation.
Coronavirus Bill
The House recently approved a provision in the coronavirus relief package that grants protection for banks that provide services to marijuana companies from being penalized by federal regulators.
The inclusion of the SAFE Banking Law was previously approved by the House as an independent bill last year, and it is unclear how the issue will fare in the Senate.
“I’m encouraged that the House recognizes the urgency of this issue and has taken this strong and necessary position,” Steve Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project stated in a press release.
“Continuing to exclude the cannabis industry from accessing basic and essential financial services during this time will result in more harm than good,” he said. “Not only will it make the country’s economic recovery that much harder, but the provisions intended to help minority-owned businesses would continue to be absent within the industry.”
Protective face masks may be here here to stay. Here’s how you can take care of your skin and prevent rashes and acne.
Face masks are all the rage now, with fashion companies making their own versions and people using them as a way of expressing themselves. Who would have guessed in January that face masks would be the new must-have fashion accessory? This trend started when COVID-19 emerged, but now that the CDC is advising everyone to wear them, we’re coming to terms with the fact that face masks have become a part of our routines. Possibly forever (please not forever, please!).
Wearing a face mask is not very comfortable or flattering, no matter what it’s made of. The covering makes it hard to breathe, fogs up your glasses and smears your makeup. The constant contact of fabric on face is also annoying, making your face itchy and uncomfortable. People who wear face masks for long periods of time or have sensitive skin might be experiencing rashes, bouts of acne, irritation and more.
Here’s how you can protect your skin from an invasive mask as much as possible:
Face masks can and will get dirty easily and it’s very important to clean them since you’re breathing through these. You should wash your face mask depending on the frequency of use; for example, if you go out once a day you should wash the mask about once a week. If you go out every day, you should wash your mask every couple of days, or buy different face masks and keep track of your use, like a t-shirt. If you feel like you may have been close to someone who’s sick, you should wash your mask right away.
If you’ve been experiencing bouts of acne, rashes and other types of skin irritation near the seams of your face mask, it might help you to wash your face before putting on the mask and after you take it off. Face masks can trap oil and debris in your pores, especially if you wear them for long periods of time or if your face is naturally oily. You can also wear acne dots if you have pimples and don’t want them to come in contact with your mask.
The skin on your face is very delicate. There’s also a wide variety of products that can target all sorts of ailments, making it very appealing for you to buy what you want and start tending to your skin. Most of the time, it’s best to control these impulses and to give your face some breathing room. Adding tons of different chemicals might just dry your skin and irritate it more, making your problem more painful and prominent. Treat your pimples and blemishes with products that you trust, pimple patches and regular washes. The best thing you can do is to keep your face hydrated, healthy and clean.
But marijuana companies now see their fortunes on the rise, in no small part due to the nationwide call to label cannabis “essential business” amid the coronavirus pandemic. American cannabis companies outperformed their Canadian counterparts in recent months, according to Bloomberg. The Horizons US Marijuana Index ETF gained 94% since mid-March. The Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF, which includes mainly Canadian businesses, added 38%.
“I think this is an inflection point where the U.S. market is becoming the dominant market in the global marijuana space,” Mark Noble, executive vice president of strategy at Horizons ETFs Management Inc., told Bloomberg. “I think the only thing that’s really keeping these stocks from overtaking the Canadian LPs is the fact that they’re not listed on the U.S. stock market.”
U.S. companies can’t be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, as marijuana is federally illegal, but Canadian marijuana businesses can. Same goes for the Toronto Stock Exchange. But investors worry far more about Canadian headwinds over potential U.S. hurdles. A vibrant black market remains in Canada, as just below half of Canadians admitted to buying from illegal sources a year after legal cannabis sales went into effect.
Ontario, the most populous province in Canada, has also experienced a dramatically slow rollout of stores and the COVID-19 pandemic has virtually halted any progress. According to researchers, Ontario operates at a 96% deficiency in cannabis stores. Only five dozen stores exist for almost 15 million people living in Ontario. Alberta, which has a population of nearly 4.5 million, has 449 stores.
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The pandemic also caused CIBC Capital Markets to reduce its 2020 recreational cannabis sales forecast from $3.4 billion Canadian dollars to CA$2.5 billion. The investment banking subsidiary of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) slashed its 2021 forecast by CA$1.4 billion as well.
Meanwhile, Green Thumbs Industries Inc. revenue rose above $100 million this month, becoming the first U.S. company to do so. Curaleaf and Cresco Labs, both American companies, also announced growth in recent quarters.
“For people putting new money into the marijuana market, it’s going into these stocks rather than the existing, legacy LPs from Canada,” Noble added. “It’s a startling divergence, in my opinion.”
As part of Phase 1 re-opening, Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker will allow recreational cannabis stores to provide curbside pickup.
Massachusetts marijuana companies had warned of a looming extinction, due to Gov. Charlier Baker’s actions. Baker had shut down the Massachusetts recreational cannabis industry to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Eleven states have legalized adult-use marijuana, but Massachusetts was the only state to shut down recreational cannabis operations as “nonessential.”
Hope now exists for Massachusetts retailers, who could not receive federal COVID-19 aid as marijuana remains federally illegal. The Baker administration announced this week the state would initiate phase 1 of re-opening starting May 25. That means adult-use marijuana stores, closed since March 24, may open for curbside pickup and remote order fulfillment.
Phase 1 is expected to last at least three weeks, according to WBUR. Customers may not enter recreational cannabis stores until Phase 2, when stores may fully open for businesses provided they maintain social distancing rules and other regulations. Throughout the pandemic, the state’s Cannabis Control Commission has allowed patients to enter medical marijuana dispensaries for cash transactions
Adult-use marijuana delivery is illegal in Massachusetts, though the state will begin opening license applications for third-party companies May 28. Customers will call ahead or order online for now. Baker has maintained he shut down Massachusetts recreational marijuana stores fearing they would attract out-of-town visitors that might spread the coronavirus. Massachusetts is the only state along the East Coast with a regulated recreational marijuana sales.
“Significant numbers of the customers who procure cannabis at recreational marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts are not from Massachusetts,” Baker told The Associated Press last month. “Making those sites available to anybody from the northeast would cut completely against the entire strategy we’re trying to pursue.”
Photo by Anthony DELANOIX via Unsplash
A group of recreational marijuana stores had filed a lawsuit against Baker for his action, but a judge ultimate ruled in favor of the governor. The Commonwealth Dispensary Association (CDA), a group that includes 80% of Massachusetts recreational and medical dispensaries, said they were “pleased” with the re-opening announcement.
“We appreciate this gesture of confidence by the Administration and believe it is reflective of our industry’s commitment to workplace and consumer safety, as well as our history of compliance and significant regulatory oversight,” David Torrisi, president of the CDA, told Boston.com.
“We have long maintained that adult-use retail facilities are uniquely prepared to safely operate as we combat the spread of COVID-19 as our industry has successfully done so on the medical side.”
