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Is It Possible To Be Physically Addicted To Marijuana?

Richard Faulk
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Is It Possible To Be Physically Addicted To Marijuana?

Much of the discussion of cannabis addiction falls under the purview of psychology, where self-reported feelings and more-or-less arbitrary clinical definitions tend to dominate. Obviously, there are psychological drivers for marijuana use, which are well known to include feelings of existential dread in the face of a long, sober evening and a growing sense of dissatisfaction with basic-cable reruns of Hart to Hart. But what about the un-spinnable physical truth of the body? Are there biochemical aspects to those addicted to marijuana?

This is not at all well studied in human beings, but there are some intriguing observations from animal testing.

One way for scientists to simulate kicking cannabis cold turkey is to administer cannabinoid receptor antagonists. These are a substances that shut down the CB1 and CB2 receptors that are stimulated by the active ingredients in marijuana. If they are knocked out, it doesn’t matter how much cannabis you take in, you will not feel it.

When, in clinical settings, rats that have been turned into major pot-heads are administered cannabinoid receptor antagonists, they exhibit a variety of symptoms unseen in ordinary cannabis withdrawal. These include wet-dog shakes (a real clinical term); compulsive grooming, itching and face scratching; spasms; and moon-walking (not a real clinical term). Some of these symptoms are also characteristic of opioid withdrawal. Dogs in similar trials exhibit similar, though less colorful, symptoms.

A possible explanation for the startling effects of “precipitated cannabis withdrawal” is found in the unusual chemical structure of THC, which, unlike other intoxicants, is readily stored in the body’s fat cells. Unlike lab rats, people in the real world who quit marijuana still have functioning cannabinoid receptors. Thus for weeks, or even longer, after stopping cannabis, a former user will still be metabolizing tiny amounts of THC as it is burned up along with body fat. It’s not enough for a high, but it might be just enough to ease the worst biochemical aspects of withdrawal.

In other words, the body might have its own inbuilt cannabis rehab program. If it weren’t for this, quitting marijuana might feel a lot more like kicking heroin.

How To Know If Sex On First Date Is The Right Choice

Maria Loreto
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How To Know If Sex On First Date Is The Right Choice

Dating can cause a lot of anxiety, especially when it comes to knowing when is the right time to have sex. A lot of people set their own rules and boundaries, like sex after three dates or after you’ve known the person a little longer, but the rise of hook up culture has led to these beliefs feeling a little dated.

Is it okay to have sex on the first date? Will you regret it later? Will your date treat you as a prude if you’d rather wait for some time? These questions are all valid and none have clear cut answers. It’s healthy that you’re wondering about these things.

According to Suzanne Kyra, an expert from Your Tango, there’s a big difference between sleeping with a stranger and sleeping with someone you know, and this should always be taken into account. Even though there’s Tinder and apps that make it easy to hook up with someone attractive, it’s important to acknowledge that having sex with a stranger can put you on a dangerous situation.

So what is the right answer? Your opinions regarding sex on the first date can be positive or negative, mostly based on how you were raised, which means that the answer is up to you. Having sex on the first date could ruin a relationship that hasn’t begun, or it could be exactly what you needed.

The most important part of asking yourself all these questions is to figure out what you want, and to be prepared for the consequences of your actions. If you’re confident in your decision to have or not have sex, then you’ll be equipped to handle whatever comes next.

Netflix Wants To Pay You To Binge Watch Netflix

Brendan Bures
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Netflix Wants To Pay You To Binge Watch Netflix

Attention all binge-watchers—we have found the perfect job for you. With the plethora of content Netflix releases, the company is looking for an Editorial Analyst of their Originals programming.

Your job would be to “watch, research, rate, tag, annotate and write analysis for movie and TV content.” Not a bad gig, huh?

You’d get to watch Stranger Things before anyone else and explore the company’s more alternative shows like Dark or Ozark. You’d also be watching and tagging the robust documentary and comedy specials programming Netflix has dedicated weighted resources toward. Imagine watching Ava DuVernay’s The 13th or the new Chris Rock special, then getting to write the tagging and summaries for them.

All you need to do is be passionate about movies and TV, attaining some cursory knowledge of the entertainment industry writ large. You’d also need to write short blurbs to “distill the essence of a movie/show and share findings in a concise manner.” If you have experience in the film or TV industry, and can speak at length about the nuances of genre like horror and romance, you’ll have a leg up on the competition.

As they say, do what you love. If that’s binge-watching Netflix, why not get paid to do it?

[h/t Esquire]

Utah Gov. Says Medical Marijuana Is A Slippery Slope

Terry Hacienda
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Utah Gov. Says Medical Marijuana Is A Slippery Slope

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert is at odds with more than three-quarters of state residents when it comes to medical marijuana. Earlier this week, the conservative Republican came out against a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana.

According to the governor, the plan is too broad and, if passed, will be a slippery slope to recreational use. “We need to be cautious as we test and introduce cannabis into our formulary,” Herbert said in the statement. “I believe the consequences of this initiative, even if they are unintended, will do more harm than good.”

According to a story from The Salt Lake Tribune:

Herbert said earlier this year that he thought Utahns would legalize medical marijuana. His spokeswoman later clarified that he was talking generally about medical marijuana and not the current ballot-initiative drive.

 Herbert said his administration has worked with lawmakers for years on the issue, and he indicated he signed the bills despite wanting more study.

“I support efforts to allow medical researchers to better understand the medical properties of cannabis,” he said. “That, in turn, will allow physicians and pharmacists to prescribe and dispense cannabis as a controlled substance in accordance to the highest standards of medical science.”

More than three-fourths of Utah adults – 77 percent – “strongly” or “somewhat” favor legalizing medical marijuana, according to a poll from earlier this month. Only 21 percent of Utahns oppose legalization of medical cannabis, while three percent don’t know.

Supporters of legalization say a ballot initiative has nearly enough signatures to qualify for the Nov. 6 election. Utah Patients Coalition Director DJ Schanz believes the governor’s comments are a “scare tactic that has no basis in truth.” Schanz said in a statement that neither the Legislature nor governor should undermine the will of the people.

9 Easy Ways That Will Help You Recover From A Hangover

Sara Somerset
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9 Easy Ways That Will Help You Recover From A Hangover

The morning after: booze is oozing out of your pores and you still smell three sheets to the wind. You might be tempted to start your morning off with a beer, because “the hair of the dog.” You check your phone to find open bar tabs and mysterious overpriced Uber fees rearing their ugly heads. It is time to detox and recover from excessive merriment. The Fresh Toast has curated some personal, inexpensive recovery recommendations.

If your pallor is as green as your “Kiss me I’m Irish” t-shirt, start the morning after with a jade roller. Various vlogs have expounded that jade rollers are a thing. One will come in exceptionally handy for helping you to look more bright eyed and bushy tailed than you feel. It will make you appear and less bloated, puffy and hung over, especially if you put it in the freezer for a few minutes before you use it. The cheapest one imaginable is only $3, or you can ball out and buy one of these swaggier ones.

“Various mineral stones give off negative ions, and Jade rollers are beneficial because they exude curative, balancing energy,” said Practitioner Young Sun Moon of Numinous Health acupuncture. Ms. Moon has offices in New York and New Jersey where she specializes in administering beauty acupuncture treatments.

“Acupuncture is a perfectly appropriate treatment for resolving a hangover. It helps alleviate headaches, nausea, stagnant energy, and blocked pathways. As with any hangover, always drink plenty of water and coconut water to rehydrate your body, because drinking alcohol has a very dehydrating effect on the body,” said Practitioner Moon.

Drinking CBD water, such as Quantum CBD H20, helps to alleviate pain, discomfort, and inflammation.

Another lovely way to perk up is with a detoxifying facial. Mario Badescu skincare has been around since the 1960s. They are as reliable as your mother’s Maybelline mascara. An MB flower and tonic mask will cleanse the alcohol out of your pores. A gentle chamomile mask will calm the skin and reduce redness. A revitalizing aloe, cucumber and green tea facial spray, will perk you up, throughout the day.

A bentonite clay mask, such as Aztec Secret, will extract the alcohol that has pooled inside your pores and will slowly ooze out throughout the day, otherwise. (It supposedly works wonders on acne as well.)

If you still feel a bit run down, try breathing in a Monq personal aromatherapy diffuser in Healthy aroma. It is a restorative essential oil blend. Healthy contains cinnamon, which may relax tense muscles. Dehydrated muscles tend to cramp. It also has turmeric, which produces an anti-inflammatory effect.

There are several strains of cannabis that can help alleviate a hangover as well. Choose a gentle strain, preferably in a vape and take short puffs; because, the last thing you want to do is inhale too deeply and cough your brains out, with a bad hangover headache.

After vaping, acupuncture and personal aromatherapy, complete your transformation by using breath mints (such as CBD-infused Mr. Moxie’s Mints), throughout the day.

Can Medical Marijuana Actually Heal Wounds?

Sam Jones
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Can Medical Marijuana Actually Heal Wounds?

Marijuana-infused topical creams and lotions are useful for everything from tired feet and bags under your eyes, to your sex life. But could they also help heal serious wounds?

In a report published in the Journal of Symptom and Pain Management, researchers used the case study of a 44 year old Canadian man diagnosed with oral cancer. Malignant wounds, they write, affect approximately 15 percent of cancer patients and are often a source of constant pain.

According to the study:

The patient was prescribed vaporized cannabis to ease pain associated with the condition. This also helped reduce his reliance on prescription opioids. Eventually, he had to stop treatment due to a hole that formed on his cheek. Maida then issued the use of cannabis oil as an alternative to vaporized cannabis. While applying the topical at a rate of four times per day for an entire month, the patient noticed that the wound stopped growing.

Moreover, it also decreased in size, by roughly five percent in the following month. Pain relief that came with the treatment lasted for two hours after applying the cannabis oil. In a major twist of events, the patient died from cancer-related complications arising out of severe deterioration of his condition.

So, is marijuana a miracle balm for treating open wounds? Before you start slathering weed lotion all over a sliced-open finger, remember: As with most medical marijuana research, more studies are needed on a wider variety of patients to make a claim one way or the other. But this is a positive sign for people coping with the the symptoms of cancer and managing their treatments better.

Siri Is Spilling The Tea When Your iPhone Is Locked And Apple Is Trying To Shut Her Up

Amy Hansen
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Siri Is Spilling The Tea When Your iPhone Is Locked And Apple Is Trying To Shut Her Up

Carrying around your iPhone doesn’t exactly come with a Fort Knox like sense of security.  But up until now, we always thought we at least had a bad bitch watching our backs. Her name is Siri and she’s apparently loose lipped.

A recent bug has been detected on the iPhone X that basically lets Siri announce the contents of apps, even when your phone is locked. So, when someone (anyone) asks: “Hey Siri, read my notifications,” she’ll just go ahead and do it without asking for authentication. Not cool, girl.

https://giphy.com/gifs/colbertlateshow-donald-trump-stephen-colbert-3oEhmGkYA1eJprD2qk

As Mac Magazine first reported:

It turns out that by asking Siri to read your notifications on the locked screen (without authenticating), she simply goes through everything, including those that are “hidden”!

As the content of these messages is not appearing on the iPhone screen, it is clear that Siri should not have access to it. After all, anyone can pick up their phone, see that there are “hidden” notifications and ask Siri to open her mouth by exposing all previously protected content.

Fortunately, according to Mac Mag, the bug does not affect text messages or iMessages received in the Messages app.

For some reason, iOS does not interpret messages it receives as notifications, so the only way to listen to them is by asking Siri to read your messages. Then yes, in that case the system correctly requires the iPhone to be authenticated via Face ID or Touch ID to proceed.

Apple says they’re  aware of the bug and will be addressing it in an upcoming software update. But who knows when that will happen.

Here’s how to fix the problem in the interim, courtesy of Business Insider (which has visuals):

  • Turn off notifications for apps you’re worried about by going into Settings >Notifications and picking individual apps to turn off lock-screen notifications from, like WhatsApp and/or Facebook Messenger.

Alternatively, according to iDownloadBlog:

  • You can disable notification previews all together on the lock screen for any messaging apps you have installed by going to Settings > Notifications and choosing your messaging app from the list, then tapping Show Preview and Never.

You can also disable Siri when the device is locked, but be warned that’ll make it way harder for her to assist you with basic stuff, like music and directions.

  • Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Allow Siri When Locked and slide it to off.
Maybe this was her plan all along!

10 High-CBD Strains Perfect For Sharing With Boomers

Mike Adams
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10 High-CBD Strains Perfect For Sharing With Boomers

We believe grandma and grandpa will completely flip their script over these 10 high CBD strains.

There have been a number of scientific studies to surface over the past few years suggesting that medical marijuana may be the safest and most effective medicine for senior citizens. A large percentage of the golden generation suffers from common conditions including arthritis, chronic pain and even glaucoma. But many traditional treatments, which often include the use of dangerous prescription drugs, can bring about unsettling side effects.

Marijuana, especially those strains high in cannabidiol (CBD), has shown promise in calming the symptoms of these conditions without producing intense stoned effects. It is for this reason that we believe grandma and grandpa will completely flip their script over these 10 high CBD strains.

RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

Valentine X

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Valentine X is a high CBD strain that still has a decent level of THC. It is popular among cancer and epilepsy patients. It is also a nice strain for the senior experiencing chronic pain.

AC/DC

https://giphy.com/gifs/vintage-cartoon-rock-gui67fZ3xIneM

Related: Medical Marijuana Can Help Your Stress-Induced Depression

Don’t let the name fool you. AC/DC is a CBD-dominant hybrid that has an extremely low THC content. Although this strain will not get the user stoned, it has a wealth of health benefits. A patient with chronic pain or epilepsy might benefit the most.

Cannatonic

Some strain names are a bit deceiving. Cannatonic, which contains only traces of THC, is a prime example. It has a mild, relaxing effect that still promotes an energetic and focused mind. This is a nice daily medical marijuana strain for patients with pain issues.

Critical Mass

Critical Mass is a great nighttime strain. It is a high-CBD indica that is known for its ability to sooth the soul and alleviate pain. It does have a decent amount of THC, so it can also bring about some nice dreams. This makes it a preferred strain for treating sleep disorders.

Harle-Tsu

Looking for something to target anxiety or chronic pain without the stoned effects? Harle-Tsu is a good choice. It is a CBD-dominant strain that keeps the user’s head clear. It comes with a relaxed feeling without weighing down the body. Seniors looking for the therapeutic benefits of a strain without feeling medicated, this one is for you.

Harlequin

Harlequin is one of the most popular strains on the medical marijuana market. It is a Sativa, which produces a calm, uplifting effect that does not prevent the user from completing the tasks of the day. It’s perfect for the active senior.

Pennywise

https://giphy.com/gifs/pennywise-it-movie-scary-clown-xT9IgvEOwRzUcZDRiU

RELATED: California May Slash Marijuana Taxes To Lure Legal Consumers

This is IT! No, not the frightening clown. Pennywise is a versatile strain. Although high in CBD, it also contains around 15 percent THC. It produces a unique, mild high that most patients like because of its lack of intensity. It is great for a multitude of health conditions including anxiety and cancer pain. Some people even like this one as a recreational strain.

Ringo’s Gift

Ringo’s Gift is a solid everyday medical marijuana strain for seniors. It is super mild, while still producing energizing effects. It is good in the treatment of arthritis and a variety of pain conditions.

Stephen Hawking Kush

Stephen Hawking Kush is a high CBD Indica that is known for its low-key effects. It is a popular strain for patients with severe conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, as it is good for muscle spasms and inflammatory pain. What makes the strain a favorite is it still allows the patient to function throughout the day without feeling too bogged down.

Sweet and Sour Widow

Sweet and Sour Widow is the best of both worlds. It initially produces a slight euphoric effect, while gradually moving into a more relaxing state. Its great for chronic stress, fatigue and pain.

YouTube Wants To ‘Frustrate and Seduce’ You Into Buying A Music Subscription

Brendan Bures
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YouTube Wants To ‘Frustrate and Seduce’ You Into Buying A Music Subscription

The biggest free music streaming platform online isn’t Spotify, it’s YouTube. Around 400 hours worth of content is uploaded to YouTube every hour and if you’ve ever watched one of those strange lyric music videos for a song you like (because who doesn’t want to see the lyrics to Shake It Off streamed across your screen?), a quick scroll through the platform’s suggested videos will proliferate with more of the same. Look hard enough and you can find virtually any song you want on YouTube. The catch: getting through a pre-roll advertisement.

Not a bad price of admission, really. But YouTube plans to interrupt every cheap internet user’s favorite music streaming service very soon, according to music industry vet and YouTube global head of music Lyor Cohen.

Users can expect to see more ads in between music videos, and for those listening to those very same YouTube music videos for long stretches of time? You can expect an uptick in ads as well. Not unlike Spotify’s free subscription model, YouTube plans to “frustrate and seduce” free users of its platform into buying its long rumored music subscription service Remix.

“There’s a lot more people in our funnel that we can frustrate and seduce to become subscribers,” Cohen told Bloomberg. “Once we do that, trust me, all that noise will be gone and articles people write about that noise will be gone.”

YouTube has long been criticized for hurting the music industry by allowing free music to spread across its platform. Though previous paid subscription models from YouTube have stalled, all that was before Cohen arrived. As Bloomberg notes, Cohen has serious credibility in the music industry as a road manager for Run-DMC and was a Warner Music Group senior executive before starting his own successful independent label, 300 Entertainment.

However, a YouTube spokesperson clarified in a Gizmodo article that not all users will experience this onset of advertisements.

“Our top priority at YouTube is to deliver a great user experience and that includes ensuring users do not encounter excessive ad loads,” the spokesperson told Gizmodo. “We do not seek to specifically increase ad loads across YouTube. For a specific subset of users who use YouTube like a paid music service today—and would benefit most from additional features—we may show more ads or promotional prompts to upsell to our paid service.”

Vaping Essential Oils Is A Thing And Here’s How To Do It

Sara Somerset
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Vaping Essential Oils Is A Thing And Here’s How To Do It

Nowadays, new vape companies are popping up faster than you can blow smoke. Pot pundits are inundated with products and occasionally, a true innovation is innocently discovered and authentically advocated, rather than touted by an “influencer.” MONQ, a company out of Tennessee, makes portable essential oil diffusers that look like sexy e-sticks, and are designed for vaping essential oils, distilled from herbs.

Seth Stevenson wrote on Slate,”Vaporizers heat your ‘herbal material.’ This euphemism pops up in all public vape discussions; but let’s be honest, very few of us are jazzed about huffing lavender.”

Well, actually, bro, thousands of MONQ users are jazzed about “huffing lavender,” and coriander, cinnamon, and turmeric too.

Technically, MONQ’s products are intended to be inhaled through the mouth and out through the nose, not into the lungs, so they hit the body’s olfactory receptors.

They come in scrumptious scents like frankincense, ylang-ylang and sweet orange for feeling Zen or jasmine, lime and patchouli for feeling Sexy.

Dr. Eric Fishman, MONQ’s founder, is a retired orthopedic surgeon. He met MONQ’s wholesale manager, Rea Royer, five years ago in yoga class. Six months later, MONQ was born. Their company’s philosophy stemmed from an East meets West approach. As a doctor of Western medicine, Eric is also interested in the healing power of essential oils and terpenes.

Rea, who is based in Florida, has all the effervescent cheerfulness of a So Cal baby. “Our Science department is from Vanderbilt University,” she said. “They are really smart hippies,” she giggled.

Her email signature says, “love and light.” It is easy to imagine her puffing on a Love Monq, while reading her email.

MONQ used to get calls from over 20 vape shops a day. Initially, Dr. Fishman was adamantly against selling to them, because, like any good doctor he didn’t want to encourage sales to smoke shops or minors. The head shops were persistent. Some were even menacing and threatened to stock cheap imitation brands instead.

“MONQ finally partnered with Greenlane for distribution. We have embraced the vapers. We have gotten positive feedback that our products are helpful for the cessation of smoking,” said Rea.

Even if wanting to quit smoking isn’t an issue, having access to personal aromatherapy, anytime, anywhere, is awesome.

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