Should FDA Fast-Track Psychedelic Treatment Under Coronavirus Pandemic?

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April 8, 2020

Should FDA Fast-Track Psychedelic Treatment Under Coronavirus Pandemic?

A Wisconsin psychiatrist called upon the FDA to temporarily allow psychedelic treatment to combat the inevitable spike in depression and PTSD from the pandemic.

Late last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared psilocybin therapy a “breakthrough therapy,” a qualification that fast-tracks research amid the typically bureaucratic drug trial process. The FDA assigns this designation to a potential drug in clinical trials when initial evidence indicates it could represent a vast improvement from available treatment.

In this case, trials conducted by mental health care company Compass Pathways found psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) particularly effective in combating both treatment-resistant depression and major depressive episodes.

A psychiatrist is now calling upon the FDA to “temporarily approve” the use of psilocybin and other psychedelics to treat mental illness related to COVID-19. Morgan Campbell, a resident psychiatrist in Wisconsin, wrote in The Sacramento Bee the FDA should lift restrictions and allow licensed professionals to administer psychedelics for mental illness caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“To address the inevitable spike of mental illnesses, we must hasten the approval of new evidence-based medications for depression and PTSD,” Campbell wrote. “These include the psychedelic compounds MDMA and psilocybin.

“Twenty years of trials for psilocybin, and 10 years for MDMA, show that they outperform currently approved medications for depression and PTSD.”

Psychedelic Research Could Provide Answers For Various Psychiatric Disorders — Photo by RapidEye/Getty Images

Campbell referenced the FDA’s “breakthrough therapy” designation given to psilocybin and MDMA therapy last year. MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy, was shown to effectively treat post-traumatic stress disorder in clinical trials last year. One such clinical trial included firefighters, police, and veterans, who were given two doses of MDMA. The drug drastically reduced PTSD symptoms, lasting up to one year, when the trial ended.

Similarly, a 2020 study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology demonstrated one dose of psilocybin reduced symptoms of “anxiety, depression, hopelessness, demoralization, and death anxiety” in cancer-related psychiatric distress. The effects were found to last multiple years.

Pandemics cause serious increases in depression and PTSD, as researchers found with the 2003 SARS outbreak. Dr. Anthony Fauci said at a White House briefing this week that “normal” life before the coronavirus pandemic “may never return.” To deal with these changing realities, Campbell believes psychedelics could prove essential in helping patients maintain positive mental health.

He wrote, “Because of how many years MDMA and psilocybin have been tested for safety and efficacy, there is better quality evidence for these psychedelics than the evidence that will be required to approve COVID-19 antivirals.”

Should I Buy The Tincture Everyone Recommends

Veronica Castillo

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April 8, 2020

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Should I Buy The Tincture Everyone Recommends

You’ve seen them online. Those cannabis products everyone raves about. But before you hit the “order” button, do your research. Here’s what you should look for.

When purchasing anything at all, what works for you is what you should buy. Regarding cannabis, the tincture that everyone recommends is a good place to start your research. The THC/ CBD oil tincture that you decide to purchase should resonate with you and your needs.

Selecting and buying an oil tincture depends on many factors; are you looking for:

THC or CBD?
1:1 ratio or different ratio?
Terpene enriched or not?
With flavor or without?
How many milligrams per dose?
Does the extraction method matter?
Do added ingredients matter?

Once you have answered these types of questions, the selection for the best starts. A good place to start are those tinctures that everyone recommends. Those are a good starting point for your search.

THC Tincture VS CBD Tincture

Generally, if shopping online, the CBD options will be CBD from hemp. THC in amounts more than 0.3%, are not allowed to be sold online because of legality. Hemp CBD is legal if THC is tested and is less than 0.3%.

RELATED: A Beginner’s Guide To CBD

If you are looking for a THC tincture, even the best CBD tincture may not be good for you if it’s specifically THC you’re after. THC and CBD are both great but are very different from each other. If you are in a legal cannabis state and looking for THC, you’ll find the best oil tincture selection at a cannabis dispensary.

The same is true for someone who wants a CBD tincture. If someone is shopping for THC free CBD, a full spectrum product will not be best. What’s best may be a broad-spectrum and/or isolate CBD tincture.

Cannabis Ratio’s

The Risks Of Infusing Hemp-CBD Topical Products With Essential Oils And Menthol — Photo by IRA_EVVA/Getty Images

Cannabis ratios for oil tinctures look like: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, and so on. These ratios generally tell how much CBD to THC is in the product. Here are examples of ratios you may find on oil tinctures:

1:1 — a balanced half and half of CBD and THC. Still psychoactive.

4:1 — More CBD than THC and considered a middle/mid. Less psychoactive.

8:1 — High CBD, low THC and considered the ratio for wanting virtually no high.

Someone may recommend a 1:1 product; however, if you want zero THC, that 1:1 will not be a good choice for you.

Cannabis Spectrums

Generally, tinctures are available in different spectrums when CBD is the focus: full, broad, isolate, and nano. These spectrums determine the range of cannabinoids in the tincture:

Full Spectrum: will contain all of the compounds that the plant carries: the terpenes, essential oils, and cannabinoids- including THC.

Broad Spectrum: the “in between” option of isolate and full spectrums- Broad spectrum will have most of the plant’s compounds but in this spectrum, THC is removed.

Isolate: known as the purest form it extracts a single compound and “isolates it” from the others. Isolate removes all other compounds leaving just the CBD cannabinoid.

Nano: the water-soluble option- meaning, it dissolves in water.

Terpene Enriched Oil Tinctures

CBD — Photo by HighGradeRoots/Getty Images

Terpenes are the oil compounds responsible for the fragrance of the cannabis plant (and many other plants) as well as the flavors, effects, and colors. There are over 20,000 terpenes in existence. The cannabis plant produces about 100 of them.

Terpenes are important because they contribute to the impact that each cannabinoid has on our bodies. Knowing about the terpene profile within the cannabis oil tincture is an important consideration.

Here are a few popular terpenes and their said effects:

Myrcene: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibiotic, sedative, anti-mutagenic
Limonene: elevated mood, stress relief, anti-fungal, antibacterial
Linalool: pain reducer, anti-microbial, reduces anxiety, and lowers depression
Humulene: fights tumors, helps terminate cancer cells, antibacterial, anti-fungal

Oil Tinctures with Added Ingredients

Some cannabis oil tinctures are flavored, contain essential oils, and have added carrier agents. CBD in tincture is less potent than CBD oil. This is generally because of the other ingredients being added to enhance the flavor. Some of those ingredients include: herbs, sweeteners, vitamins, and carrier agent like MCT or coconut oil.

So, you see, the cannabis oil tincture that everyone buys may or may not work for you. Those brands/companies may be great places to start your research; however, there are many considerations and those vary by person. You should buy the cannabis oil tincture that is best for you and your needs.

5 Super Easy Ways To Manage Anxiety

Maria Loreto

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April 7, 2020

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The coronavirus has caused a worldwide mental health crisis. Here are some tips on getting help without losing all of your money.

The coronavirus has affected our lives and state of mind in unprecendented ways. While some people who’ve struggled with anxiety and depression throughout their lives are experiencing these symptoms with more regularity, the coronavirus has acted as an inciting incident for people who’ve never struggled with mental health issues.

Symptoms of anxiety and depression tend to become the center of people’s lives, not leaving much room for other thoughts and behaviors. When in lockdown and with so much time on your hands you may find it hard to do any of the things you’d expect to love to do in your ordinary life, such as watching TV, reading a book or cooking a delicious meal.

Here are 5 super easy ways to manage anxiety.

CBD

How To Find The CBD Dosage That's Best For You — Photo by Sohini via Unsplash

While not suited for people who need immediate relief from depression or anxiety, CBD products can be used for relieving a variety of symptoms as long as you commit yourself to the product and are patient. CBD works differently depending on the user; some people experience instant relief while others only notice a difference after using the compound for a significant amount of time. Here’s a list of products that can work for beginners.

Meditation apps

Meditation apps are helpful for those who need some orientation with meditating or don’t have the habit formed. Quarantine is the perfect time to take up this habit, which will show benefits after you’ve practiced it continuously for a good amount of time.

National hotlines

5 Accessible Ways To Manage Anxiety — Photo by Hassan OUAJBIR via Unsplash

Due to the pandemic, mental health hotlines are experiencing a sharp rise in usage across the country. Check with your local government for hotlines and resources they’re providing, with the closer to home it is the better, since the pandemic is affecting states in different ways.

Teletherapy

For people who are used to going to therapy, the coronavirus has eliminated that resource from them. Fortunately, there’s been a huge rise in Zoom, FaceTime, TokBox and more, between mental health workers and patients. Speak with your therapist and set some ground rules, such as taking your therapy seriously or getting dressed for your sessions. If you have no therapy, check your insurance plan or use a resource like TalkSpace, an app that connects you to a therapist through video and text.

Use crisis text lines

threesome apps are real but do they work — Photo by rawpixel.com

Crisis text lines are also on the rise, helping those who feel more comfortable expressing themselves over text or who find texting a quicker and easier method. Crisis Text Line connects you with a counselor who’ll help you come up with a plan that’ll suit your needs and personality type.

How To Manage How Much You Drink

Maria Loreto

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April 7, 2020

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The stress and loneliness of coronavirus has us drinking more. Here’s what you can do to keep an eye on that before it gets out of hand.

Nielsen reports that alcohol purchases have increased 55% due to people spending more time indoors in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. While escapism is necessary in times of crisis, experts are concerned, since consuming an excess of drugs and alcohol during this time period could affect people’s health once the pandemic is over. But how to manage how much you drink in a longer term stressful atmosphere.

Alcohol, although calming, is also a depressant and, thus, a bad substance to overindulge in when anxious or depressed — scenarios that are likely when staying indoors while surrounded by economic and health uncertainty.

On the other hand, consuming large amounts of alcohol with regularity could also impair your immune system and make it more likely for you to be affected by infectious diseases like COVID-19. Here’s how you can keep an eye on your alcohol intake while still giving yourself some room to have a drink every now and then:

Make some rules

Wine Glass — Photo by Dan Gold via Burst

Set some rules that work for you, such as avoiding alcohol when sad or depressed. That’s an important one. If you have alcohol right in your line of sight, it’s way likelier for you to indulge, so put the bottles in a cabinet or someplace that’s less visible. Try limiting your drinks to the evenings and limiting your drinks. Another schedule that could work is drinking on weekends, giving you more room to have more drinks and adding more of a rhythm to your life.

Stay busy

heres how you can read more in 2019 — Photo by Christin Hume via Unsplash

You’re less likely to spend your time drinking if you find other fun activities to keep you busy and distracted, such as binging a show you’ve been meaning to watch for years, crossing books off your reading list or doing something totally different, like painting or knitting. Everything is fair game during quarantine.

Talk about it

Stalking Someone On Tinder Just Got Easier — Photo by rawpixel.com

If you think you have a problem, talk it out with a friend, roommate or partner, someone you trust who won’t judge you. They might suggest new ways of coping or come up with activities to do together. If your problem is more serious, contact experts and look for online resources.

Here Are The Reasons Why Cannabis Consumers Stocked Up

Green Market Report

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April 7, 2020

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Here Are The Reasons Why Cannabis Consumers Stocked Up

55% of those surveyed said they stocked up on weed to calm themselves during the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, 22% just wanted to chill at home.

Republished with permission from American Marijuana. Written by Dwight K. Blake.

As of March 24, 2020, the coronavirus disease had swept through over 195 countries with over 260,000 confirmed cases worldwide. This caused a panic that led people to stock up on foods, toiletries, and other basic needs.

But how did it affect marijuana consumers? Let’s take a look at the survey presented below.

Compared with Marijuana, Which One Is More Important Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic?

Major takeaways:

Across the board, the U.S. marijuana consumers would prefer food, face masks, hand sanitizers, and toilet paper over marijuana if they had to choose between marijuana and these.
Among these necessary items for the COVID-19 pandemic, a surprising 28% of the 990 participants would rather value marijuana above face masks.
It’s obvious how 83% of the participants would rather choose toilet paper over marijuana but it’s a shocker to see that 5% of the same participants value marijuana above food during these times.

Number of Consumers Who Stocked Up on Marijuana Amidst The COVID-19 Pandemic

Major takeaways:

49% of participants DID stock marijuana products during the coronavirus pandemic outbreak while 51% DID NOT stock marijuana products.

Reason Why The U.S Marijuana Consumers Stocked Up On Marijuana Amidst the COVID-19 Outbreak

Major takeaways:

55% of those stocking pot said they did so to calm themselves during the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, 22% of them didn’t even care but just wanted to stock up on some marijuana to chill at home.
The other 23% stocked up on marijuana because of the fear of both the pandemic and marijuana product shortage.

Reason Why The U.S Marijuana Consumers DID NOT Stock Up On Marijuana Products Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Major takeaways:

36% of participants didn’t stock up on marijuana products because they didn’t worry at all about the marijuana product shortage while 35% of survey takers valued toilet papers, face masks, and hand sanitisers over marijuana products.
The remaining 29% didn’t stock up on marijuana products as they didn’t feel the need to stock consumer goods at all.

If the U.S Government Imposes Nationwide Quarantine, Which Among the Following Activities Would you Rather Do?

Major takeaways:

28% of the 990 participants would rather binge-watch TV shows should the U.S. government impose a national quarantine, making it the most-preferred activity during self-quarantine.
The least preferred activity is to do indoor exercise/sport activities, taking up only 13% of the 990 participants.
17% of them would just rather smoke weed during self-quarantine than doing any of the presented activities. This is even higher than the percentages of those choosing to surf the internet (15%), and to do indoor exercise/sports (13%).

Number of Consumers that Used/Consumed More Marijuana Products since the COVID-19 Outbreak

Major takeaways:

34% of participants have consumed more marijuana products since the COVID-19 outbreak while the remaining 66% haven’t.

How Do U.S Marijuana Consumers Feel towards the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Major takeaways:

54% of the 990 U.S. marijuana product consumers feel calm about the global coronavirus pandemic thinking everything will be alright while 40% are worried sick.
Only 55 (6%) of the 990 participants don’t really care about the COVID-19 pandemic at all.

Methodology and Limitations

To collect the data shown above, we surveyed 990 respondents who are U.S marijuana consumers. A qualifying question was included to make sure the participants are truly weed consumers. An attention-checker question was also added to ensure the participants did not mindlessly answer questions.

Because the survey relies on self-reporting, issues such as telescoping and exaggeration can influence responses. Please also note that this survey’s results do not reflect our opinions.

Fair Use Statement

If you know someone who could benefit from our findings, feel free to share this project with them. The graphics and content are available for non-commercial reuse. All we ask is that you link back to this page so that readers get all the necessary information and our contributors receive proper credit.

This article was reposted from Green Market Report.

Federal Marijuana Legalization Needed For Coronavirus Bailouts

Mike Adams

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April 7, 2020

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Federal Marijuana Legalization Needed For Coronavirus Bailouts

The cannabis industry does not qualify for bailout money and is essentially at risk of total collapse if it cannot find a way to survive on its own.

The U.S. economy is clinging to life support in the wake of the coronavirus. Businesses all across the nation have been forced to shut down, and a record number of Americans are now living on unemployment benefits. Some financial analysts say the country hasn’t seen anything even remotely this horrifying since the Great Depression. So, to say we are living in tough, uncertain times, well, that is putting it lightly.

But, never fear, Uncle Sam is coming to the rescue. The federal government is throwing small businesses all across the country a life preserver, of sorts, in the form of cash bailouts to help keep the lights on, employees paid and them in good enough shape to recover from the madness.

If you own a marijuana business, however, you should know that none of the approved $350 billion is coming your way. Although more than half the nation has legalized the leaf for medicinal and recreational use, the herb is still a Schedule I dangerous drug at the federal level. This means the cannabis industry does not qualify for bailout money and is essentially at risk of total collapse if it cannot find a way to survive on its own while the country hunkers down for the next few months.

Considering the industry was already suffering from some relatively troubled times before the virus struck, many cannabis businesses may soon go broke and evaporate from the scene altogether.

It is for this reason that a gang of U.S. Senators fired off a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) last week, asking that legal cannabis operations be considered for economic assistance. While the SBA has acknowledged that hemp operations would, in fact, qualify for loans and other financial reprieves, its policy does not allow the doling out of funds for any service “directly” or “indirectly” associated with a business entity that grows or sell marijuana.

And that could tank some smaller operations.

Here's Why The White House Is Moving Against Cannabis Reform — Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks

“Consequently, small businesses in states with some form of legal cannabis must choose between remaining eligible for SBA loan programs, or doing business with a rapidly-growing and legal industry,” reads the letter signed by eleven U.S. Senators, including Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

The Senators concluded their plea by saying they “strongly support ensuring that SBA loan programs are made available to all cannabis small businesses.”

Too bad they are barking up the wrong tree.

For the cannabis industry to be given the same loan consideration as any other legitimate business, Congress must first legalize marijuana at the federal level. There’s no other way around it. As long as marijuana hangs in its current Schedule I listing under the Controlled Substances Act, unexpected devastation, like with the coronavirus, is going to leave these operations without a safety net. Make no mistake about it, cultivation companies, dispensaries and other businesses connected to legal marijuana are very much on their own until Uncle Sam makes a change.

And that’s not happening anytime soon.

As we pointed out in a recent article, federal lawmakers may have no choice but to take a look at legal weed once the virus debacle is over. Much like it was done with alcohol following the Depression, nationwide cannabis legalization might be needed to give the economy an added boost. It’s a long shot, of course, especially with Republican domination still running the show on the Hill.

Still, full-blown legalization is something that could gain high-powered momentum in 2021 if the Democrats come out on top following the November election. Until then, expect cannabis businesses to start dropping like flies in the months to come. While many have been deemed “essential” in their respective neck of the woods, the financial climate (high unemployment rate, etc.) could start to affect the bottom line — making a post-virus recovery next to impossible.

Marijuana Could Impair Female Fertility, According To New Study

Brendan Bures

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April 7, 2020

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Marijuana Could Impair Female Fertility, According To New Study

New research suggests increases in THC levels are linked with decreases in embryo health and fertilization capability.

Understanding the role marijuana plays in conception and pregnancy isn’t as clear and documented as you’d hope. Relying on scientific research to tell the story often leads to conflicting reports. For example, a 2018 study found habitual cannabis use lowers and alters sperm in men; a 2019 study contradicted those claims, reporting that former and current marijuana users had higher sperm counts than men who had never smoked cannabis.

New preliminary research released by The Endocrine Society adds to this growing body of research. Using animals, scientists discovered that when female eggs were exposed to THC — the psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana — it inhibited pregnancy and the production of viable embryos. The higher the THC levels, the more it impaired the female eggs, researchers reported.

“Currently, patients seeking infertility treatments are advised against cannabis use, but the scientific evidence backing this statement is weak,” study author Megan Misner said in a statement. “This makes it difficult for physicians to properly advise patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.”

cannamamas support smoking cannabis while pregnant — Photo by StockSnap via Pixabay

To understand this relationship, cow oocytes (female eggs) received different THC concentrations on level with therapeutic and recreational doses. Researchers then recorded data of the oocytes at critical points in embryonic developments, analyzing how the THC affected maturation. Increases in THC levels resulted in lower quality embryos and lower fertilization capability.

This isn’t the first study to suggest women undergoing fertility treatment should lay off marijuana. Women who used marijuana while receiving treatment with assisted-reproduction technology (ART) were twice as likely to lose a pregnancy as those who didn’t use cannabis. Another study published earlier this year found women who smoked marijuana while pregnant negatively slowed infant growth and development.

However, a study conducted by Boston University researchers surveyed more than 4,000 women who were trying to conceive. Participants stated they were both in stable relationships and not using fertility treatment. According to the results, marijuana use had little to no impact on a couple’s chances of getting pregnant. This was true for both women and men, as male partners were also asked about their cannabis use and over 1,000 men participated.

Restricting Calories? You Could Be Aging Slower

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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April 7, 2020

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Restricting Calories? You Could Be Aging Slower

In a new study, researchers increased immune cells during aging, and calorie restriction favorably reversed the aging-disturbed immune ecosystem.

Is there a reason that mice who eat less age slower? Thanks to a recent study, scientists believe that the amount of food eaten could be directly tied to elongating human life.

The most detailed work on aging and food done to date, researchers at the Salk Institute studied the effects of a calorie-restricted diet in rodents showcasing that cellular pathways (or cell changes) seem to slow on certain diets. The February 2020 study, published in the peer-review journal Cell, found that immune cells were increased during aging (including inflammation.)

Ever since past studies have shown that fasting can elevate the body’s metabolism, scientists at Salk’s Gene Expression Laboratory have tried to illuminate the close ties between food and aging. Their research showed an interesting correlation between calorie restriction in mice and a slower aging process: calorie-restriction reversed aging within the cells.

Using computer modeling and artificial intelligence, the research team was able to forecast specific patterns that occurred in the cells of mice that initiated or decreased aging. The study found:

“Computational prediction revealed that the abnormal cell-cell communication patterns observed during aging, including the excessive proinflammatory ligand-receptor interplay, were reversed by CR. Our work provides multi-tissue single-cell transcriptional landscapes associated with aging and CR in a mammal, enhances our understanding of the robustness of CR as a geroprotective intervention, and uncovers how metabolic intervention can act upon the immune system to modify the process of aging.”

4 healthy tips before starting a juice cleanse this spring — Photo by Jose Soriano via Unsplash

In short-hand: Immune cells were increased during aging, and CR favorably reversed the aging-disturbed immune ecosystem.

Highlights of the report include:

The alleviation of age-related cells that encourage inflammation within the body’s tissue
A decrease in the cell’s aging process
Better genetic mapping and understanding how the cells react to calorie restriction

In speaking to ScienceDaily, Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a senior author of the study shared, “We already knew that calorie restriction increases life span, but now we’ve shown all the changes that occur at a single-cell level. This gives us targets that we may eventually be able to act on with drugs to treat aging in humans.”

Focused on utilizing the information to offer better health information and encourage new strategies to increase life span, the team is now looking to replicate the study in other animals.

Edibles Are Better Than Smoking Marijuana

Maria Loreto

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April 6, 2020

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Edibles Are Better Than Smoking Marijuana

The coronavirus should make us all think twice before smoking, whether it’s tobacco or weed. Luckily for everyone, edibles can be easily purchased or made at home.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, one that’s transmitted when in close contact with infected people. Now that most of us are spending our time in self-quarantine, how can we protect ourselves aside from constant and annoying hand-washing? You may also consider edibles are a better than smoking marijuana right now.

One thing most experts agree on is that smoking is not a good idea at the moment, even if what you’re smoking is marijuana. The better your lungs are, the more likely it is for you to prevent complications should you come in contact with COVID-19. This also applies to people who vape.

If you vape, “you’re going to make lungs more vulnerable to severe infection,” according to Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos via WebMD.

Data gathered from COVID-19 patients in China found that infected people who were smokers or who lived in areas with high pollution were more likely to experience severe symptoms when compared to others with healthy lungs. This risk of smoking or vaping is made worse when people are over the age of 60 or when they have an underlying condition, such as asthma or another respiratory illnesses.

Due To Coronavirus, Edibles Are A Better Option Than Smoking Marijuana — Photo by Katerina Smirnova via Unsplash

Still, despite the bad news, there’s no need to panic. We live in a time where there are a variety of cannabis products at our disposal, ranging from edibles to tinctures to dermal patches.

Not only are these alternatives to smoking easy to obtain, they’re safer to share.

“As long as cultures have consumed cannabis, the practice of sharing a joint among friends has been a common social practice,” NORML executive director Erik Altieri wrote in a blog post. “But given what we know about COVID-19 and its transmission, it would be mindful during this time to halt this behavior.”

Dispensaries in large cities or states where there’s legal cannabis should be stocked up on a variety of items that don’t have to be smoked. Even if you have a large stash of flower at home that you panic-purchased, you can try cooking or baking something delicious with it, while passing the hours and taking care of your body.

FDA Declares Cannabis Drug Epidiolex No Longer A Controlled Substance

Debra Borchardt

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April 6, 2020

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FDA Declares Cannabis Drug Epidiolex No Longer A Controlled Substance

It is the first prescription pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified, plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD), and the first in a new category of anti-epileptic drugs.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that the GW Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: GWPH) cannabidiol drug Epidiolex is no longer subject to the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The DEA’s letter means that all federal controlled-substance restrictions have been removed for Epidiolex. This change takes effect immediately.

The stock was rising over 3% to lately trade at $85.06 on the news. This further lifts the stock from its 52-week low of $67.98.

“This notification from DEA fully establishes that Epidiolex, the only CBD medicine approved by FDA, is no longer a controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act,” said Justin Gover, GW’s Chief Executive Officer. “We would like to thank DEA for confirming the non-controlled status of this medicine. Importantly, the descheduling of EPIDIOLEX has the potential to further ease patient access to this important therapy for patients living with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two of the most debilitating forms of epilepsy.”

In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome in patients two years of age or older. It is the first prescription pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified, plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD), and the first in a new category of anti-epileptic drugs. At the time, the approval was groundbreaking as the DEA has classified cannabis as a schedule 1 drug meaning there was medicinal purpose for the substance. By approving the drug as a medicine, it turned this argument upside down. Today’s news further refutes the claim that cannabis should remain a schedule 1 drug.

epilepsy and cannabis — Photo by sudok1/Getty Images

Following FDA approval, Epidiolex was initially placed in Schedule V of the CSA. Following receipt of this DEA notification, GW has filed a post-approval supplement with FDA to remove Schedule V designation from Epidiolex.

The company said in a statement that once this process is completed in each state, prescriptions for Epidiolex, like other non-controlled medicines, will be valid for one year and can be easily transferred between pharmacies. The descheduling of Epidiolex also enables physicians to prescribe this breakthrough medicine free of the requirements of state prescription drug monitoring programs.

The medicine is marketed in the United States by Greenwich Biosciences, the U.S. subsidiary of GW Pharmaceuticals plc. The company said it will now begin the process of implementing these changes at the state level and through the EPIDIOLEX distribution network.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

A Wisconsin psychiatrist called upon the FDA to temporarily allow psychedelic treatment to combat the inevitable spike in depression and PTSD from the pandemic.

You’ve seen them online. Those cannabis products everyone raves about. But before you hit the “order” button, do your research. Here’s what you should look for.

THC Tincture VS CBD Tincture

Cannabis Ratio’s

Cannabis Spectrums

Terpene Enriched Oil Tinctures

Oil Tinctures with Added Ingredients

The coronavirus has caused a worldwide mental health crisis. Here are some tips on getting help without losing all of your money.

CBD

Meditation apps

National hotlines

Teletherapy

Use crisis text lines

The stress and loneliness of coronavirus has us drinking more. Here’s what you can do to keep an eye on that before it gets out of hand.

Make some rules

Stay busy

Talk about it

55% of those surveyed said they stocked up on weed to calm themselves during the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, 22% just wanted to chill at home.

Compared with Marijuana, Which One Is More Important Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic?

Number of Consumers Who Stocked Up on Marijuana Amidst The COVID-19 Pandemic

Reason Why The U.S Marijuana Consumers Stocked Up On Marijuana Amidst the COVID-19 Outbreak

Reason Why The U.S Marijuana Consumers DID NOT Stock Up On Marijuana Products Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

If the U.S Government Imposes Nationwide Quarantine, Which Among the Following Activities Would you Rather Do?

Number of Consumers that Used/Consumed More Marijuana Products since the COVID-19 Outbreak

How Do U.S Marijuana Consumers Feel towards the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Methodology and Limitations

Fair Use Statement

The cannabis industry does not qualify for bailout money and is essentially at risk of total collapse if it cannot find a way to survive on its own.

New research suggests increases in THC levels are linked with decreases in embryo health and fertilization capability.

In a new study, researchers increased immune cells during aging, and calorie restriction favorably reversed the aging-disturbed immune ecosystem.

The coronavirus should make us all think twice before smoking, whether it’s tobacco or weed. Luckily for everyone, edibles can be easily purchased or made at home.

It is the first prescription pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified, plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD), and the first in a new category of anti-epileptic drugs.

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