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Scram, Scale: Here’s How To *Really* Tell If You’re Overweight

Amy Hansen
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Scram, Scale: Here’s How To *Really* Tell If You’re Overweight

You’ve likely heard that obsessing over the number on the scale is a great way to sabotage weight loss. Now, a growing body (no pun intended) of evidence says weighing yourself isn’t even an accurate way of telling if you’re gaining weight.

Instead, studies suggest that you should be using a…measuring tape.

Here’s what you do: instead of stepping on a scale, take a tape measure and wrap it around the area of your belly that’s roughly two inches above your hips. Business Insider did some digging on this subject and found that your waist circumference is more accurate in determining your risk of developing diabetes, having a heart attack and dropping dead.

Unlike your body mass index, which doesn’t take take into account your body fat or muscle composition, your belly measurement does.

According to Business Insider:

In general if you’re a woman, you want a measurement that’s less than 34.5 inches. If you’re a man, a number below 40 inches is ideal.

A measurement that’s higher than those isn’t a death sentence, but it has been strongly linked with a higher risk of several serious diseases including type 2 diabetes. A study published in March in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggested that a high waist circumference may also be linked to your risk of heart attack.

So, what’s the connection between a large waist circumference and poor health? Scientists are still trying to figure that out, but the consensus seems to be that the fat inside your body may be keeping your internal organs from functioning properly.

This New Paint Absorbs The Smell Of Marijuana And Cleans The Air

Amy Hansen
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This New Paint Absorbs The Smell Of Marijuana And Cleans The Air

Getting that familar skunky, dank smell out of your home after you smoke up just got a ton easier. A new paint has hit the market that claims to get the weed stench out of your walls, while also cleaning the air. Say, what?

The incredible new product comes from Ecobond Paint. And it not only works on marijuana smell, but also cigarettes, fire, pets and anything else that comes with a distinct smell that tends to permeate a room.

It’s called OdorDefender and it’s made with all-natural ingredients.

As Paul Barthel of EcoBond explained via press release:

The formulation includes resins, food-grade mineral additives, and alginate from seaweed; nature’s most effective absorber of toxic pollutants. This powerful combination gives the peace of mind that odor issues will be sealed and blocked, while protecting human health.

The seaweed is the ingredient that cleans the air because it gives off oxygen.

According to the press release:

  • In 2016, the CDC reported that 37.8 MILLION U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers. This represents an estimated 14,590,800 households impacted by cigarette smoke.
  • In 2016, Gallup reported that over 40 MILLION U.S. adults say they smoke pot. This represents an estimated 15,440,000 households impacted by pot smoke.

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“Our intention was to help homes where the smoker might still be living, or that has been vacated,” Barthel explained to Green Rush Daily.

GRD reports that in the process of developing the paint, Ecobond performed years of testing, and that “at one point, they left marijuana burning for days to test the paint would absorb the smell.”

This Is Why Kate Middleton May Go Into Hiding Until October

Amy Hansen
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This Is Why Kate Middleton May Go Into Hiding Until October

Last weekend, Kate Middleton was front and center at the Trooping The Colour festivities in honor of the Queen’s “official” birthday, but it may be autumn before we get to see the Duchess of Cambridge again.

After giving birth to her third child, Prince Louis, in late April, Kate now gets six months of maternity leave, which she hasn’t even cracked the surface of.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said:

Kate will be resuming Royal duties after taking extended maternity leave as expected after Louis’s birth, probably in the autumn.

That means it may be October before Kate is seen publicly, not counting family events, like Harry and Meghan’s wedding, which she attended less than three weeks after giving birth. And if we don’t see Kate until October, we likely won’t see her new bundle of joy until then, either.

“His Christening, reportedly in the summer, is likely to be when he is next seen,” Fitzwilliams told Express.

Prince William will be traveling solo for awhile, picking up the slack of royal duties, charity engagements and tours, while Kate takes care of their son.

South Carolina Voters Want Medical Marijuana

Mike Adams
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South Carolina Voters Want Medical Marijuana

Although the legislative grind in South Carolina has shown very little interest in the legalization of marijuana, there is a desire, among the taxpayers, to bring the herb out of the underground for medical purposes.

Earlier this week, voters in the Democratic primary tendered their support for a non-binding measure asking “Do you support passing a state law allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients? An impressive 82 percent of the voters responded favorably, while less than 20 percent were opposed, according to the Post and Courier.

Although the outcome of this vote does not change the law, nor does it require lawmakers to take any action, it does send a clear message to legislative channels that medical marijuana is something the majority of the citizens can get onboard with.

So far, this opinion has not been represented in the State Capitol, where lawmakers have managed to introduce legislation designed to put a medical marijuana program on the books but failed to take anything comprehensive to the next level. All of the proposals aimed at allowing patients to use marijuana for therapeutic purposes were completely disregarded this year by the South Carolina House and Senate. This means it is a dead scene for 2018.

But the latest ballot question could be the pressure lawmakers need to take medical marijuana seriously next year. Advocates believe the ballot question was a necessary move to put them in good standings for this reform next.

“It will show the legislators at the State House that their constituents support this issue and they should vote for it,” Janel Ralph of Conway, executive director of the Compassionate South Carolina patient advocacy group, told The State prior to the vote.

While taking the “temperature of the electorate,” as it was explained by former U.S. Attorney General of South Carolina Bill Nettles, turned out a positive result for medical marijuana, there was some concern that the numbers would be close. A poll published earlier this year showed only 53 percent of South Carolina was in favor of medical marijuana, while 35 percent is opposed.

Still, the latest figures from this week’s ballot measure represents immense support on this issue. A similar ballot measure was put to the voters in Illinois earlier this year, tuning up a similar outcome with respect to full legalization. Sixty-three percent of the voters responded “yes” when asked in a referendum, “Shall the State of Illinois legalize the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products for recreational use by adults 21 and older subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance?”

It remains to be seen what lawmakers plan to do with the voice of the people.

Are Sore Breasts Normal

Maria Loreto
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Are Sore Breasts Normal

When your period comes around, your boobs get unpredictable. A minute ago everything was normal and now your back and your chest hurt, and your boobs look weirder than usual. You feel sore and you know your period is on its way. You wave your fist angrily at the sun and reach for a bottle of Advil.

Cosmopolitan spoke with Rebecca Brightman and Alyssa Dweck, two OBGYNs from New York who gave their takes on breast health. They discussed painful breasts, what you should expect when your period comes around, and when the symptoms are strange and you should go to the doctor. Check out some of the most useful bits of information:

Why Are Your Boobs Swollen And Tender And You Want To Cry?

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Premenstrual symptoms can be felt throughout your entire body because of hormonal changes. Your progesterone levels start to rise, and that can make your body all sorts of weird, including your breasts. Some women experience pain while some don’t. Most women will probably experience it in their forties, when their estrogen levels are very high. You can’t escape that boob pain.

Related: 5 Scary Things That Can Happen After An Orgasm

Dweck claims that you can expect most swelling and tenderness over the course of the week before your period, between day 14 and 28 of your cycle. “Breast soreness typically occurs right before the period is about to come on. It’s part of the whole PMS phenomenon, and can be up to a week’s worth of swelling to the point where your bra size might change,” she says.

Why Does One Boob Hurt?

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While pain in both breasts is fine and normal, you should be on the lookout for pain on one breast since it could be a sign of a health issue. An infection can be the cause of this pain and it could also cause some discharge. A cyst could also be the cause discomfort and it should go away once your next period starts.

Why Do My Boobs Hurt All The Time?

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A change in birth control could cause constant boob pain, especially during the first month or two while your body is getting used to the new hormones. Tender breasts could also be a sign of pregnancy.

If the pain in your breasts is too much or if it impairs you in one way or the other, then you should definitely talk to a doctor.

How Can You Make The Pain Less Awful?

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While there’s not a lot of things you can do to treat breast pain, Dweck and Brightman recommend a tight and comfortable fitting bra that’ll eliminate bouncing and that will bring relief to your poor chest. Cold or hot compresses provide relief for some women, even though there’s not a lot of science behind it, and drinking lots of water can also keep your body hydrated and make you feel better. Then there’s Advil and prayers.

Legal Hemp: Coming Soon Nationwide?

Daniel Shortt
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Legal Hemp: Coming Soon Nationwide?

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently introduced S.2667, a bill which would allow states and tribes to regulate hemp production. The proposed law is appropriately titled the “Hemp Farming Act of 2018” (the “Act”). As the Senate Majority Leader, McConnell is one of the most powerful politicians in Washington, so it goes without saying that this is a big deal. In addition, the Act is being fast-tracked through the Senate, bypassing the standard committee review process.

The Act is currently in draft form and the details are subject to change. As written, “hemp” would be defined as:

the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-0 [THC] concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.”

This proposed definition is significant, because it specifically includes the term “extracts”, thereby undermining the DEA’s much-maligned “marihuana extract” rule, which broadly defines any extract from the cannabis plant as “marijuana” and not hemp. The proposed “hemp” definition also includes “cannabinoids” contained in hemp which could add much needed legal certainty to the already booming CBD market. The Act would also explicitly remove hemp from the Controlled Substances Act’s definition of marijuana.

The authority to regulate legal hemp would be placed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. One major issue with the current federal “Industrial Hemp” program is that the 2014 Farm Bill, which established the program, does not name a federal agency to oversee it. Feel free to debate whether government regulations help or hurt an industry, but at least this bill provides some guidance as to who is responsible for the program.

Speaking of the 2014 Farm Bill, the Act would repeal and replace the “Industrial Hemp” section of that the 2014 Farm Bill one year after Act is passed into law.  The 2014 Farm Bill allows states to enact pilot programs for hemp research making hemp legal within the state’s borders. Hemp cultivated in compliance with a State’s program is expressly legal under the Farm Bill. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other federal agencies have issued a joint Statement of Principles claiming that the commercial sale and/or the interstate transfer of Industrial Hemp is outside the scope of the Farm Bill and therefore unlawful. However, Congress has limited the DEA’s ability to use federal funds “to prohibit the transportation, processing, sale, or use of industrial hemp” grown in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill.

Ultimately, the Act would require that states and tribes submit a plan to the US Department of Agriculture in order to cultivate hemp. The plan must include details on how to track the land where hemp is produced, a procedure for testing the THC concentration in hemp, a procedure for disposing of products that are not in compliance, and procedures for enforcing the Act. The Act would also allow hemp researchers to apply for grants from the and make hemp farmers eligible for crop insurance.

McConnell introduced the Act in the Senate on April 12, 2018, and it was co-sponsored by Oregon senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. That same day saw Representatives James Comer of Kentucky introduce companion bill H.R. 5485 in the House of Representatives with and Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado co-sponsoring.

McConnell hails from Kentucky and it’s no surprise that lawmakers from Kentucky, Oregon, and Colorado would support hemp legalization. In 2014,  we predicted Kentucky would lead the nation in industrial hemp as it was one of the first states to implement a hemp cultivation program under the 2014 Farm Bill. Kentucky was also one of the first states to legally obtain hemp seeds after it stepped up to fight the DEA in federal court in order to obtain those seeds. Since then, farmers in Kentucky have been happily producing hemp as a replacement for tobacco crops. McConnell and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles highlighted Kentucky’s hemp program in announcing the Act:

McConnell: Hemp has played a foundational role in Kentucky’s agricultural heritage, and I believe that it can be an important part of our future. I am grateful to join our Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles in this effort. He and his predecessor, Jamie Comer, have been real champions for the research and development of industrial hemp in the Commonwealth. The work of Commissioner Quarles here in Kentucky has become a nationwide example for the right way to cultivate hemp. I am proud to stand here with him today, because I believe that we are ready to take the next step and build upon the successes we’ve seen with Kentucky’s hemp pilot program.

Quarles: Here in Kentucky, we have built the best Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program in the country and have established a model for how other states can do the same with buy-in from growers, processors, and law enforcement. I want to thank Leader McConnell for introducing this legislation which allows us to harness the economic viability of this crop and presents the best opportunity to put hemp on a path to commercialization.”

In addition to Kentucky’s leadership on hemp, Oregon has reconfigured its hemp program and is a national bellwether in this space. Oregon hemp growers and handlers are able to sell their products to state-licensed marijuana businesses (as well as anyone else in the country). The merger of Oregon’s hemp and marijuana markets is unique and other states will likely follow suit, especially if the Act becomes law. Finally, Colorado has more acreage dedicated to hemp cultivation than any other state at present.

As mentioned above, it appears that McConnell is flexing his considerable political muscle to get this bill fast-tracked through Senate. McConnell is using procedural Rule 14 which allows a bill to skip over the committee process so that legislation may be brought up on the Senate floor. This doesn’t guarantee that the Hemp Farming Act will get a vote, but it does indicate that McConnell means business.

Daniel Shortt is an attorney at Harris Bricken, a law firm with lawyers in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Barcelona, and Beijing. This story was originally published on the Canna Law Blog.

Has Psychedelics Changed Your Life? These Scientists Want To Hear From You

Brendan Bures
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Has Psychedelics Changed Your Life? These Scientists Want To Hear From You

You might react suspiciously upon hearing that an institution wants to talk with you regarding your experience with drugs, but no need to act all paranoid, dude. That institution would be Johns Hopkins University and they want to hear from you if you’ve had any experience with substances like psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, DMT, or any other hallucinogenic substances.

The university is currently “working on a research study about psychologically insightful experiences that occurred after taking a psychedelic substance.” Those who’ve taken hallucinogenic substances and wish to participate will be asked to submit a completely anonymous survey with specific emphasis on “psychological insight,” and its short-term and long-term effects.

Previously, as VICE’s Motherboard noted, the groups studied those who might have experienced extraterrestrial or extra-dimensional entities while using DMT. But the group is now investigating something called quantum change.

“Quantum change is a theory that states that psychological insight or mystical experiences can bring about powerful changes in mood, behavior, thoughts etc,” Alan Davis told Motherboard. “When psychological insight and mystical experiences occur together they might produce even more profound changes. The importance of this quantum change model is incredible as it will expand our current framework of psychedelic therapy models and help provide evidence that mystical and insightful experiences that are brought about by psychedelics might explain why they are so powerfully associated with positive behavioral, emotional, and cognitive change.”

This study runs in conjunction with a newfound interest from scientists into the world of psychedelics, a substance previously shunned in the 20th century. Just last month, researchers in the United Kingdom found that psilocybin mushrooms could help those with treatment-resistant depression. In addition, two new books from well-known writers have recently explored the world of psychedelics—Michael Pollan’s How To Change Your Mind and Tao Lin’s Trip.

If you’re interested in participating in the Johns Hopkins study, you can check more out here.

There’s A Good Reason Why Meghan Markle Looks Like A Robot In This Video

Amy Hansen
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There’s A Good Reason Why Meghan Markle Looks Like A Robot In This Video

There’s something…different about Meghan Markle, now that she’s back from her honeymoon. While some say it’s the newlywed “glow,” others think she’s become a little more plastic. And not in a botox sort of way.

A video has surfaced of what appears to be Harry and Meghan in the audience of the “Britain’s Got Talent” finale, which should be clue number one. Take a look. You’ll see the Duchess’s face doesn’t move. And people are freaking out about it.

https://twitter.com/KendallRaeOnYT/status/1006053713788559360

But just when we started to believe that the Royal couple was a little too much like us, in true Scooby Doo style it’s revealed that those faces are just masks, and we can all get on with our lives now.

The fact that anyone actually believed Harry and Meghan would be in the audience of a television show is bananas. The Royal newlyweds are far too busy planning their important life together to mingle with the plebeians of a TV taping.

The stunt was intended to promote the new Live Figures exhibit at Madame Tussauds London, where the museum recently unveiled Markle’s wax likeness. It was not intended to freak people the eff out.

Survey: Cannabis Makes TV Time With Your Kids More Enjoyable

Terry Hacienda
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Survey: Cannabis Makes TV Time With Your Kids More Enjoyable

Parents of children under the age of 18 reveal that consuming cannabis enhances their family’s TV time and say they’re more engaged with their kids and the content they are watching, according to a survey released this week.

Nearly eight of 10 (79 percent) report that they regularly consume cannabis when watching or getting ready to watch TV with their kids, ranging from occasionally (17 percent) to frequently (35 percent). The interesting findings are the result of a survey conducted by Miner and Co. Studio, a New York-based strategic research agency with a history of providing TV audience insights.

According to the survey, incorporating cannabis into a passive family experience such as TV viewing creates a more pleasant environment. The findings show 79 percent believe:

  • Consuming cannabis makes watching their kids’ TV shows with them more enjoyable.
  • They spend more time watching their kids’ TV shows with them when they’ve been consuming cannabis.
  • They’re more engaged discussing their kids’ TV shows with them when they’ve been consuming cannabis.

Cannabis-consuming parents are more likely to say they are better able to bond with their children over the TV programs they view together. Interestingly, 80 percent are more likely to seek out shows from their own childhood to watch with their kids when they’ve been consuming cannabis. (Hey kids! Gilligan’s Island is on in 10 minutes!)

It must be stressed that these parents are mindful of their cannabis consumption and are discrete about it. They are careful not to consume too much and are more likely to consume edibles than smoke or vape when they’re watching TV with their kids.

The survey was conducted online with 575 cannabis-consuming parents who live in states where cannabis is legal for recreational and/or medical purposes. The demographic information of the respondents:

  • Parents of children under the age of 18.
  • Consumers of cannabis for recreational and/or medical use in states where it is legal.
  • 21 to 55 years old.
  • 51 percent male; 49 percent female.
  • 77 percent have a household income of $75K or more.

This data could be important for networks and studios planning future programming. According to the survey, 75 percent report that they watch more TV when consuming cannabis and 86 percent say cannabis enhances the overall experience of the shows they’re watching. They’re also more willing to invest in having more shows to watch. Six of 10 say they’ve purchased episodes, full series, and movies when they’ve been consuming cannabis and are more likely to check out recommendations and what’s available for purchase On Demand.

These cannabis-consuming parents do not self-identify as “stoners,” instead roughly 90 percent consider themselves as:

  • Present
  • Mindful
  • Relaxed
  • Professional

“The stoner stereotype is so prevalent and persistent in TV and media that it continues to stigmatize those for whom cannabis is part of their active and healthful lifestyle,” said Robert Miner, president of Miner & Co. Studio. “This is especially true for cannabis consuming parents who feel that cannabis plays a positive role in their lives and in some ways, improves their parenting and time spent with their families – including watching TV.”

For Nearly Half Of All Cannabis Consumers, It’s Not About Getting High

Terry Hacienda
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For Nearly Half Of All Cannabis Consumers, It’s Not About Getting High

As cannabis legalization spreads across the nation, noticeable trends are quickly developing. One promising development is that cannabis consumers are focusing more on the wellness benefits rather than the euphoria, according to a first-of-its-kind survey released on Wednesday.

Even in states where recreational use has been legalized, nearly half (44 percent) of cannabis consumers are using cannabis for medical purposes, including for pain relief (69 percent) and sleep assistance (65 percent), and to manage anxiety (54 percent), according to a report from High Yield Insights, a Chicago-based consumer behavior research firm.

Medical marijuana patients are twice as likely to check CBD levels when they purchase cannabis, with 47 percent verifying CBD concentrations versus 25 percent of recreational users. Medical users also seek out more convenient and discrete ways to consume, such as edibles, topicals, oils and tinctures. Notably, medical users are twice as likely as recreational consumers to use topicals (22 percent vs 11 percent) and over three times as likely to use tinctures (17 percent vs 5 percent).

“The industry generally understands that the adult use consumer differs significantly from the medical user. We saw an opportunity to quantify this customer segment’s behaviors and preferences in a way to yield deeper understanding and reveal untapped market opportunities,” said Mike Luce, co-founder of High Yield Insights and a 15-year veteran in consumer and market research.

“Flower will always play a significant role, but medical users are seeking solutions that feel familiar and accessible. With edibles, we’re seeing a demand for low- dose, fast-onset options that meet users’ needs for discretion and convenience. CBD-focused companies also have an opportunity for growth if aligned with medical cannabis users’ interest in what today are niche product forms,” Luce added.

High Yield Insights’ report is the first to shed light on micro-level medical industry demographics, product and form preferences. The report provides proprietary intelligence based on exclusive feedback from current medical marijuana users in fully legal states. By limiting results only to current users, the findings best represent the mindset of today’s medical cannabis consumer.

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