Anandamide: How This Natural Cannabinoid Makes Us Happy

Mike Adams

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January 2, 2020

Anandamide: How This Natural Cannabinoid Makes Us Happy

This almost undiscovered compound, present in every singe person — even the most miserable of the breed — plays an important role in regulating mood.

Hey, no one said we were perfect. But there are some interesting aspects of the internal workings of the average individual — ones that make us seemingly less miserable — that we, perhaps, would never have found had it not been for the cannabis plant. One of those interesting aspects is called anandamide. It is just another piece of the puzzle collected over the past few decades that proves, without a doubt, that marijuana is medicine.

Anandamide is a natural cannabinoid produced in the human body. The compound gets its name from the Sanskrit word ananda, which when translated to English simply means bliss. Basically, this almost undiscovered compound, present in every singe person — even the most miserable of the breed — plays an important role in regulating mood. It also has responsibilities related to appetite and pain relief. But its primary role in a complex system is to try and make us happy and healthy. Good luck, right?

We say “almost undiscovered” because scientists had no clue there was even a such thing as anandamide until they started trying to learn more about how THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) binds to the brain. It was during these studies that researchers discovered an unusual neurotransmitter manufactured in the brain that seemed to mesh perfectly with THC receptors. This compound was originally called arachidonylethanolamide, but, for obvious reasons, it was given the updated moniker of anandamide.

Without going full-blown science geek here (not that there’s anything wrong with that), let’s just say that anandamide is a part of the human endocannabinoid system that works to bring balance to our bodies and minds. In almost every facet of the emotional rollercoaster all of us are doomed to ride each and every day, this compound is doing everything it can to provide us with a sense of security and happiness. People with high levels of anandamide have been shown to be more fearless. Those with lower levels can suffer from mental disorders ranging from depression to schizophrenia.

So, it makes sense that we as miserable people need to do everything we can to increase the anandamide in our bodies. Otherwise, what hope do we have of ever living another happy day? The good news is there are ways to boost anandamide production in the body. Studies have shown that the feeling commonly referred to as a “runner’s high” is connected to anandamide enhancement.

Getting off the couch and engaging in some solid exercise is a good way to give the body an extra jolt of this all-important compound. Interestingly, consuming chocolate and cannabidiol (CBD) has also been shown to create an uptick in anandamide. So, give those a try. Or not. We don’t care.

Looking For Love In 2020? Try These 4 New Year’s Resolutions

Amy Hansen

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January 1, 2020

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Looking For Love In 2020? Try These 4 New Year’s Resolutions

Instead of aiming for marriage, how about setting smaller, more attainable goals, like going on two dates per week or striking up a conversation with 5 people this month?

If finding a significant other is one of your 2019 goals, there are several ways to increase your chances of finding that special someone. And (presumably) unlike your last date, they’re all cheap and relatively effortless. Here are four super simple tricks to increase your dating odds.

Smile

This may sound super cheesy, but it could actually help you land more dates. According to a 2017 study, researchers found that those whose resting faces seemed cheerful were judged as being healthier. Alex Jones, an expert in facial perception, wrote in The Conversation that:

“We discovered that faces look healthier when they are smiling, compared to a neutral expression, and that it doesn’t matter whether the faces are male or female. We also found that this effect increased with the age of the face: while younger adults look healthier when they smile, older adults look much healthier.

A smile was a more important cue than how old the face appeared to be, and more recent research has shown a happy expression is even more important than cues like adiposity or skin colouration. Scientific proof that a smile really is the best accessory.”

According to Jones, smiling basically sends a message to others that you’ll live a longer and healthier life by virtue of being optimistic and cheerful.

Set realistic goals

Instead of aiming for marriage, how about setting smaller, more attainable goals, like going on two dates per week or striking up a conversation with 5 people this month? As you cross these stepping stones, the larger goals will seem more doable.

Get out of your comfort zone

Swipe right on someone you may not otherwise consider. Just because someone is short, bald or a little out of shape doesn’t mean they aren’t worth your time. If nothing else, it’ll get you out of the house and into dating mode. Plus, your self confidence is likely to get a boost.

The 4 Biggest Mistakes Men Make On Dating Apps — Photo by rawpixel.com

Give second chances

Did that first date not go so well? Don’t sweat it. Writing someone off after a single date could be a big reason why you’re still single. David Vermeulen, founder of elite dating app The Inner Circle, told INSIDER: “Some people are really uncomfortable the first time they see somebody. You have to sell yourself in a way. Some people can do it really well, and some people can’t, but at the same time they’re obviously a nice person.”

Vermeulen says unless the first date was a complete disaster, you should give someone a second shot at romance.

Why Dry January Is Dumb And What You Should Do Instead

Ian Hamilton

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January 1, 2020

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Why Dry January Is Dumb And What You Should Do Instead

Dry January might add to such confusion giving the message that a month of abstinence does away with the need for regular breaks from drinking.

Alcohol Concern has thrown down the gauntlet to drinkers: can you manage a month without alcohol? The campaign, Dry January, aims to attract funding through donations, raise awareness of alcohol-related problems and educate people about the health benefits of abstaining from alcohol.

Aside from saving money, Alcohol Concern claims that abstaining will help you lose weight and improve your sleep.

There is no shortage of participants — more than two million people signed up last year, but is there any evidence that Dry January works?

Gram for gram, alcohol contains almost the same amount of calories as pure fat, so abstaining for a month could reduce your weight, assuming you don’t compensate for the lost calories by eating more. Fat accumulates in the liver as a result of drinking. As little as two weeks abstinence can return your liver to good health, reducing the risk of alcohol-related liver disease.

As for improving sleep, there is clear evidence that you will get a better night’s sleep if you abstain from alcohol.

Things Have Been Getting Worse

So far so good, but the main ambition of Alcohol Concern is to change the drinking culture in the U.K. through events such as Dry January. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that Dry January achieves lasting change in consumption or in our beliefs and behaviour in relation to alcohol.

The campaign is premised on the idea of social contagion. If your friends start reducing their alcohol intake you are more likely to adopt the same behavior.

Most people exhibit denial when asked how much they drink. This is demonstrated by the consistent difference between self-reported consumption of alcohol and total alcohol sales recorded by HM revenue and customs.

There has been an increasing trend in overall consumption of alcohol in the last sixty years. With estimates provided by the alcohol industry suggesting we are consuming 1.4 liters more of alcohol per person than we were in 1975.

As the long term trend in consumption has risen, so has the number of people developing alcohol-related health problems. Since 2009 there has been a 44% increase in those aged 50 and over accessing alcohol treatment.

More generally, alcohol costs every tax payer £120 a year through the one million annual hospital admissions attributable to its use.

If we discovered alcohol today, we would restrict and criminalize its use in the same way we have for drugs such as heroin. Objective examination of harms associated with 20 of the most commonly used legal and illegal drugs ranked alcohol as the most dangerous.

More Harm Than Good?

For people who have developed a dependency on alcohol, abstaining can produce a rebound effect. As a person experiences withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disruption and restlessness — paradoxically the very things that many people find alcohol helps them overcome in the short term. This rebound effect could lead to more serious implications for heavy drinkers such as seizures and hallucinations. For this group Dry January may not be the right thing to do as it could cause more harm than good.

The consistent advice from the U.K. government is to have two dry days a week.Guidance about alcohol has been difficult to communicate and there is generally confusion about safe levels of consumption. Dry January might add to such confusion giving the message that a month of abstinence does away with the need for regular breaks from drinking.

Ian Hamilton is a lecturer in mental health at the University of York. This article was originally published on The Conversation.

5 Important Cannabis Discoveries Of 2019

Maria Loreto

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December 31, 2019

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5 Important Cannabis Discoveries Of 2019

2019 was a big year for cannabis. Here are some of the most important findings that researchers discovered.

Thanks to an evolving perspective on cannabis, every year there’s more we know about the plant. In the short span of time that followed weed’s legalization in several U.S. states, scientists and researchers have found the plant full of potential for a variety of medical conditions and even some ecological concerns.

Here are five of the most important cannabis discoveries researchers made during 2019. Although on paper these studies are very promising, keep in mind that more research is necessary and that the findings are preliminary.

Bees love male hemp flowers

A study published this month in Environmental Entomology says that bees flock towards male hemp flowers due to unknown reasons. The study says that the greater the area covered by hemp, the greater amount of bees it attracted.

Interestingly enough, the cannabis plant does not produce nectar or feature bright colors, traits that are normally what attract bees in the first place. No one knows why bees are so attracted to these plants, but this finding is intriguing because, if understood, it could influence pollination dynamics and the way in which we manage crops.

The Relationship Between Bees and Marijuana Might Surprise You — Photo by Damien TUPINIER via Unsplash

Flavonoids in cannabis are potent painkillers

Despite the praise thrown at CBD and THC, researchers discovered that cannabis’s most potent painkiller capability lies within its flavonoids, which are the chemicals present in all fruits and veggies and responsible for their color. An August 2019 study, published in the journal Phytochemistry, found that cannflavins A and B, which are only found in cannabis plants, are expected to be 30 times more potent than aspirin. These findings could alter our understanding of cannabis as pain management tool and widen the scope of cannabis research.

5 Predictions For The Cannabis Industry In 2020 — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

Our genes might explain why we experience different highs

Some of the questions that have always plagued marijuana use is why it hits differently depending on the person, why some find it euphoric and motivating and others find it anxiety inducing. A couple of studies from 2019 suggest that our genes have something to do with it.

An April 2019 study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, found that some people are born with mutant CB receptors, thus influencing the way in which their bodies interact with THC, CBD and more. While one person might feel a sense of euphoria from a strain of marijuana, another one smoking the same strain might experience couch lock.

CBD for childhood autism

A January 2019 study, published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, shows that cannabis could provide treatment for pediatric cases of autism. In it, 53 young patients with a median age of 11 showed relief in hyperactivity symptoms, rage attacks, anxiety and self harm behaviors when administered with daily doses of THC and CBD.

Could CBD Help With Weight Loss? — Photo by MysteryShot/Getty Images

Cannabis does not shrink brains

A February 2019 study, published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology, featuring a sample size of over 700 teens showed that there were no significant differences between the brains of cannabis users and non-users, putting to rest the rumors that cannabis affects brain development and growth.

“There were no significant differences by cannabis group in global or regional brain volumes, cortical thickness, or gray matter density, and no significant group by age interactions were found,” concludes the study.

4 Items You Should Toss From Your Pantry Before 2020

Maria Loreto

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December 31, 2019

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4 Items You Should Toss From Your Pantry Before 2020

Your pantry could use a New Year’s cleaning. Here are 4 items you should consider throwing out.

There are pantry staples that we rarely consider throwing out, things like flours, teas, coffee beans, vinegars and oils. However, these things all have expiration dates and may need to be discarded before they run out. Just because you haven’t used that giant jar of natural peanut butter doesn’t mean it’s still good.

Lisa Ruff, director of the organizational company Neat Method, told Huffington Post that pantries should be cleaned thoroughly at least twice a year. “Pull everything out. You never know what may be hidden in the back of a shelf. Then look at the expiration dates and compost anything that’s expired,” she said.

It’s not easy being told that all grains should be periodically inspected since they can be infected with moths, and that they should be removed from their original container and transferred into someplace airtight if you hope to keep them stuffed in the dark for over a year.

Here are some items you should inspect before the end of the year and what you can do to extend their shelf life for as long as possible:

Flours

Flours have a super long shelf life, and can last over two years when properly cared for. The catch is that most of the time they get spoiled due to contamination, making them taste and smell awful. What a way to ruin some cupcakes.

In order to extend the shelf life of your flours, store them in a cool and dry place and transfer them to an airtight container. Write down their expiration date so you can keep an eye on them. Add a bay leaf to the package if you’re feeling particularly crafty, thus repelling insects and other types of pests.

Here Are 4 Items You Should Throw Out Of Your Pantry Before The End Of The Year — Photo by Kaboompics .com via Pexels

Teas

As with flour, store your teas in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. You can also transfer them to an airtight container, preventing contamination and ensuring they receive as little air as possible. Try to stock up on small amounts of tea, that way you’re forced to switch them out periodically.

Oils

There’s a wide variety of oils, with large parts of them having a long shelf life for over a year. But many oils that are popular nowadays, like sesame, avocado and grape seed, have shorter shelf lives. Keep them in a visible area and taste and smell them before using, especially once you’ve had them for some months.

Canned goods

Canned foods are what people eat during the apocalypse, meaning that they have the longest shelf life of all. Still, they still get spoiled. High acidity canned goods, like tomatoes, jams and fruits, last 18 months. Low acidity foods can last for longer periods of time, up to five years when properly stored.

Questions About Champagne You Always Wanted Answered

Zach Geballe

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December 31, 2019

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Questions About Champagne You Always Wanted Answered

It is the champagne season and people are enjoying the fizzy treat! But what do you know about this nose-tickling delight?

In 2022, 326 million bottles of Champagne were shipped globally. The US cemented its status as the top export market for Champagne as sales soared by 19.4% in 2022. Producers sold 33.72 million bottles in the US market throughout the year, according to new figures released today (6th April) by the Comité Champagne.

“Champagne, as the supreme wine of celebrations, has been the natural choice of the world’s consumers as they rejoiced at the end of lockdowns and rediscovered a taste for parties, for going out and for traveling.” added David Chatillon, president of the Union des Maisons de Champagne and co-president of the Comité Champagne.

Where Do The Bubbles Come From?

Assuming you’re looking at a decent bottle of sparkling, the answer is simple: fermentation. There are several different methods for trapping the carbonation, which I’ll explain below, but in all cases the carbon dioxide is a byproduct of fermentation. Only in really cheap sparkling wines will you find artificial carbonation, and those are wines to avoid.

What Is Champagne?

A place, and a way of making wine. The place is in northeastern France, and is the only region in the world legally permitted to label their wine “Champagne.” The method involves making a still wine (or many of them and then blending them), bottling it, and adding more sugar and yeast.

Champagne alternatives — Photo by RondellMelling via Pixabay

This second fermentation happens in a closed bottle, meaning the carbon dioxide stays trapped until you open it. This method is now used around the world, and is more commonly called the “traditional method,” or “method traditionelle.”

Wait, What Else Do They Do?

Well, there’s this thing called the Charmat method, where larger vessels are used for secondary fermentation, and then the wine is bottled. This is how most Prosecco and Lambrusco is made, which is why it typically those are slightly less carbonated than most other sparkling wines. The other method involves bottling the wine before the initial fermentation has finished, resulting in a mildly effervescent wine typically called “petillant naturel,” or pet nat if you’re feeling frisky.

What Are Some Wines To Look For?

To start with, Champagne! There’s a dizzying range of styles and terms to know in the region, but there are very few bad Champagnes out there. That said, you will definitely pay more for these wines than most other sparklers, so keep that in mind. If value is a consideration, Cremant is a great term to look for: it’s reserved for wines from France that are made in the “traditional method,” just not in Champagne itself.

Cava, especially at the Reserva and Gran Reserva level, can also be a great option. Prosecco can really run the gamut from cheap and banal to less cheap and really tasty, so it’s harder to offer a blanket statement.

So, I Should Get Out My Flutes?

No! Champagne flutes are only good for one thing, and that’s showing off the bubbles. Just use a regular old wine glass, and you’ll actually be able to smell the wine, which is part of the appeal. Plus, you can fit a whole lot more wine in those glasses.

Sparkling wine, be it Champagne or otherwise, is one of the most amazing and versatile wines on the planet. Try having a bottle with dinner the next time you dine out or cook at home, and you’ll be amazed at just how well it pairs with almost anything you throw at it. Cheers!

Why Enforcement Is Not The Best Way To Combat The Illicit Market

Griffen Thorne

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December 31, 2019

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Why Enforcement Is Not The Best Way To Combat The Illicit Market

It seems that California is following the traditional path of other states with regulated cannabis markets and stepping up enforcement.

It’s no secret that California’s illicit cannabis market is alive and well; a recent audit showed that there are nearly 3,000 unlawful cannabis businesses in the Golden State. A few months ago, I wrote a post offering a few suggestions on how the state could combat the problem of illicit cannabis, and I am not the only one who has made these suggestions.

Until very recently, it did not look like the state was taking serious action to do any of the things that I or others have suggested to combat the illicit market (in fact, the state recently announced tax hikes for cannabis which will just raise the price of legal cannabis and drive sales towards the illicit market). It seems now, however, that the state is following the traditional path of other states with regulated cannabis markets and stepping up enforcement.

Earlier this month, for example, the Bureau of Cannabis Control (“BCC”) and Los Angeles officials raided 24 allegedly unlicensed businesses in Los Angeles. This follows on the heels of the BCC mailing hundreds of notice letters to landlords of allegedly unlawful cannabis businesses across the state informing them that they could be subject to criminal and civil liability. This kind of enforcement activity is a major uptick in comparison to what the BCC had previously done. Up until recently, the BCC had only sporadically raided and shut down allegedly unlawful operators.

The BCC is not the only agency that has begun ramping up enforcement. On December 13, the California Attorney General, on behalf of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA”), sued a number of persons and entities, claiming that they had cultivated and processed cannabis without licenses. That lawsuit claims that the defendants are liable for civil penalties of up to three times the amount of the CDFA’s nearly $10,000 license fee per violation, which could be a massive penalty.

The penalties that the state can seek are no joke. Under state law, the California cannabis agencies are entitled to seek penalties of up to $30,000 per day/violation for unlicensed commercial cannabis activity. Anyone can do this math. Being in the illicit market is beyond a major risk, especially now that the government is doing something about it. Just consider how many days it takes to get from seed to harvest, and this fine could get into the millions very quickly. In fact, Stanislaus County recently made the news by implementing a $1,000 per plant, per day penalty, which according to one source could amount to $90 million for a 3,000 plant unlicensed grow over 30 days.

The enforcement trend is only going to increase. Just take a look at Washington, a state with a much more mature regulated recreational cannabis market. Any of our Washington cannabis lawyers will tell you that as the agencies became more sophisticated, they moved from compliance to enforcement (in fact, Washington went so full-in with enforcement that its legislators had to force the cannabis agency to focus its attention back on compliance by way of legislation).

In my opinion, enforcement is not the best way to combat the illicit market. No matter how high the penalties are, there will always be people who are willing to “risk it” and ignore the law. Prohibition never stopped many people from selling cannabis. The big difference between prohibition and enforcement, however, is that enforcement still leaves open the possibility that there is a regulated (yet very complicated and expensive) pathway to selling cannabis. But if the government really wants to eliminate the illicit market in California, lower taxes, lesser regulations, and expanded access to cannabis are a pretty good starting point.

Griffen Thorne is an attorney at Harris Bricken. This article originally appeared on the Canna Law Blog.

Cannabis Arrests Significantly Drop In Illinois Ahead Of Legalization

Maria Loreto

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December 30, 2019

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Cannabis Arrests Significantly Drop In Illinois Ahead Of Legalization

Police department data shows that marijuana-related arrests have decreased significantly over the past couple of years.

The decriminalization of marijuana and an evolving perspective on the drug could be responsible for a significant drop in arrests in some of Illinois’ largest suburbs.

The Aurora Beacon News reports that marijuana-related crimes in the state dropped by a range of 63 to 80 percent from the years of 2015 to 2018, with numbers suggesting that the drop will continue on to 2019.

Although recreational marijuana was legalized in Illinois earlier this year, the measure will become effective January 1, 2020. This change has caused police officers to reduce the number of arrests made for cannabis possession and manufacture ahead of time. One factor that was also instrumental to this decrease in marijuana related arrests was a law introduced in 2016, which prompted officers to issue citations over arrests when encountering people carrying small amounts of marijuana.

FBI Data Shows Marijuana Arrests Increases For Third Straight Year — Photo by jirkaejc/Getty Images

It also helps that law enforcers and the general population’s opinions have shifted regarding marijuana. “We arrest somebody for marijuana, and the courts just throw it out because they look at it as just a real minor offense,” says Steven Stelter, president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. “The real mindset is, what’s the big deal?”

According to police department data, some of the communities that experienced this drop, such as Aurora, Naperville, Elgin, Joliet and Waukegan, were some of the most affected by cannabis arrests in the past. These cities are also among the most populated areas of the state.

Don’t Believe Most Of What You Read About CBD Laws Online

Griffen Thorne

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December 30, 2019

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Don’t Believe Most Of What You Read About CBD Laws Online

There can be some pretty severe consequences for Hemp CBD businesses that rely on what they read after a five-minute Google search to make big-picture business decisions.

When it comes to hemp-derived CBD (“Hemp CBD”), the best advice we can give is not to trust most of what’s out there on the internet. No, I am not talking about the claims of medical benefits for Hemp CBD (which could be the subject of its own entire post), but rather about whether or not Hemp CBD is legal.

As I write this post, the 2018 Farm Bill is just over a year old. Generally, when such a significant law has been on the books for about a year, it’s easy to find reliable and accurate information about that law online. But for whatever reason, there is still so much inaccurate information about Hemp CBD online in the wake of the 2018 Farm Bill.

For example, anyone who does a Google search for “Is CBD legal in X state” will likely see numerous sources that claim that CBD is completely legal, or at least fail to address critical legal nuances that may clearly bar one class of products (such as Hemp CBD foods) while leaving others in a gray area (such as cosmetics). A person can even find websites making claims that Hemp CBD is lawful in states like California that have made clear since months before the 2018 Farm Bill was passed that certain Hemp CBD products are not lawful.

Many dubious sources also ignore the FDA’s long-stated position that some Hemp CBD products are not lawful. I still even hear, on a semi-regular basis, people say that “I read online that the 2018 Farm Bill legalized all Hemp CBD products, right?” (If you couldn’t guess where I was going with this, the answer is no.) The persistence is remarkable.

5 Google Search Hacks That Will Make You Ruler Of The World — Photo by 377053 via Pixabay

I can’t comment on the reason why there is so much incorrect information about Hemp CBD online. But I can say that there can be some pretty severe consequences for Hemp CBD businesses who rely on what they read after a five-minute Google search to make big-picture business decisions. On numerous occasions, our Hemp CBD lawyers have spoken with business owners who have done just that, and in some cases have invested a lot of money into proposed ventures that need to be completely scrapped or at least heavily retooled.

The moral of the story is that businesses need to do their homework before jumping into the Hemp CBD game. It’s not always easy to do tons of up-front work in an industry that is so rapidly evolving and when getting in first can mean more success. But doing the leg work up front can often mean the difference between being on the FDA or some state agency’s short list for an enforcement action, or operating without avoidable problems.

While Google can be a valuable starting point in many industries, it should not be the only source that Hemp CBD businesses should look to when developing products or strategies.

Griffen Thorne is an attorney at Harris Bricken. This article originally appeared on the Canna Law Blog.

Pete Buttigieg Says Incarceration Is Not The Answer To Drug Possession

Nina Zdinjak

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December 30, 2019

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Pete Buttigieg Says Incarceration Is Not The Answer To Drug Possession

As an alternative to incarceration, Buttigieg proposed diversion programs, saying the benefits are higher rates of rehabilitation, no incarceration costs and no harm to people being separated from their family.

Democratic presidential candidate and South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg is on the record as saying incarceration should not be the response to simple drug possession.

He disclosed the viewpoint in an interview with the Des Moines Register last week.

When asked if he is referring to various drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine or ecstasy, the politician and Navy Reserve veteran said yes, adding: “that doesn’t mean legalization of everything.”

He gave the example of synthetic marijuana, which he said receives “dramatically less” attention than some other forms of addiction.

The mayor said he witnessed an overdose and is “very much alive to the harm that drug use can cause,” but is also aware that substances as harmful as “rat poison sprayed onto grass” are being sold in some cases.

“You’d be much better off with real marijuana.”

Pete Buttigieg Admits Marijuana Use, Calls For Legalization Nationwide — Photo by Craig Barritt/Stringer/Getty Images

“The idea that you can criminalize addiction, or the idea that incarceration is the right way to handle possession I think has been disproven by the American experience over the course of my lifetime.”

As an alternative to incarceration, Buttigieg proposed diversion programs, saying the benefits are higher rates of rehabilitation, no incarceration costs and no harm to people being separated from their family, loved ones or any supporting group they need the most.

Buttigieg’s official campaign webpage states the following on the topic of criminal justice reform:

“Eliminate incarceration for drug possession, reduce sentences for other drug offenses and apply these reductions retroactively, legalize marijuana, and expunge past convictions.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Anandamide: How This Natural Cannabinoid Makes Us Happy

This almost undiscovered compound, present in every singe person — even the most miserable of the breed — plays an important role in regulating mood.

Looking For Love In 2020? Try These 4 New Year’s Resolutions

Instead of aiming for marriage, how about setting smaller, more attainable goals, like going on two dates per week or striking up a conversation with 5 people this month?

Smile

Set realistic goals

Get out of your comfort zone

Give second chances

Why Dry January Is Dumb And What You Should Do Instead

Dry January might add to such confusion giving the message that a month of abstinence does away with the need for regular breaks from drinking.

Things Have Been Getting Worse

More Harm Than Good?

5 Important Cannabis Discoveries Of 2019

2019 was a big year for cannabis. Here are some of the most important findings that researchers discovered.

Bees love male hemp flowers

Flavonoids in cannabis are potent painkillers

Our genes might explain why we experience different highs

CBD for childhood autism

Cannabis does not shrink brains

4 Items You Should Toss From Your Pantry Before 2020

Your pantry could use a New Year’s cleaning. Here are 4 items you should consider throwing out.

Flours

Teas

Oils

Canned goods

Questions About Champagne You Always Wanted Answered

It is the champagne season and people are enjoying the fizzy treat! But what do you know about this nose-tickling delight?

Where Do The Bubbles Come From?

What Is Champagne?

Wait, What Else Do They Do?

What Are Some Wines To Look For?

So, I Should Get Out My Flutes?

Why Enforcement Is Not The Best Way To Combat The Illicit Market

It seems that California is following the traditional path of other states with regulated cannabis markets and stepping up enforcement.

Don’t Believe Most Of What You Read About CBD Laws Online

There can be some pretty severe consequences for Hemp CBD businesses that rely on what they read after a five-minute Google search to make big-picture business decisions.

Pete Buttigieg Says Incarceration Is Not The Answer To Drug Possession

As an alternative to incarceration, Buttigieg proposed diversion programs, saying the benefits are higher rates of rehabilitation, no incarceration costs and no harm to people being separated from their family.

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