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Why Did Avocado Fries Need To Be A Thing?

You know what I like about avocados? They never ever worry about being too much. It wasn’t enough for avocados when they almost ruined millennials’ financial futures. Nor was it enough when avocados became the new trendy way to propose. Nor was it enough when one food manufacturer chemically engineered a Diet Coke version of avocados called Avocado Light.

Because now avocados want to replace the most ubiquitous American food dish possible—fries. Yes, New York’s Avocado Appetit, the fetishistic restaurant that serves only avocados, has included avocado fries on their menu.  Yes, it’s that dish you didn’t know you didn’t need.

How do they make avocado fries? Well apparently they slice the fruit into fry-like slices. Slap on a quick batter, throw them in the fryer, and that’s it. Drizzle some Japanese mayo on top for added flavor, and we have a product that’s officially doing too much.

One Twitter user summed it up succinctly.

Avocados have officially become the superfood that never stops reminding you that it’s a superfood.

Managing Nausea With Cannabis: What You Need To Know

Laura was a physician who spent much of her clinical time treating substance abuse disorders, and she had no recent experience with cannabis herself. Her aversion to using cannabis when she was going through chemotherapy for breast cancer did not surprise me. Nausea, and the anxiety that preceded its inevitable occurrence, were disabling. I trained with Laura in family medicine, and I had appreciated the beneficial effects of cannabis used by my cancer patients, but it was hard getting Laura to accept my advice.

Finally, I introduced her to a calibrated vaporizer – a method of administration that could provide quick relief, but was different than the ‘smoke a joint out behind the barn’ approach she had imagined. She started with a CBD-rich herb that had a ratio of 2:1 CBD:THC, hoping that the resulting intoxication would be mild enough to tolerate.

I received a call from Laura three days after her latest chemo, and quickly answered it to see if her trial of cannabis had been helpful to her. At first, I was concerned because she was crying into the phone, but when I could understand her words I was thrilled. She reported, “It worked faster, better, and more completely than any of the prescriptions my oncologist gave me.”

If even reading about nausea and vomiting will make you queasy, you may want to jump to the end of this article and skip the potentially nauseating details. Nausea is like that – easy to feel if you are so inclined.

Nausea and vomiting are each distinctive, different problems – clearly related, but quite different when it comes to cause and treatment. Those who suffer know that nausea is worse to live with than vomiting because it is a continuous sensation, and is harder to control.

What Is Nausea?

Nausea and vomiting are protective defense mechanisms in the human body, and short-term episodes can be therapeutic, though miserable. But what if nausea is not short-term? What if it is an unavoidable side effect, or chronic, with no relief in sight?

If there is no clear trigger for nausea, a patient should work with their doctor to discover the underlying problem.  This is true especially if the nausea does not resolve within a day or two because that may be a sign of more serious problems.

Possible Causes of Nausea:

  • Migraine
  • Head injury
  • Seizures
  • Ear disorders, including infections
  • Motion sickness
  • Gastrointestinal disorders
  • Appendicitis
  • Hepatitis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Bacterial or viral infections
  • Medications–chemotherapy and others
  • Toxins – arsenic, pesticides, ricin
  • Pregnancy
  • Heart attack
  • Pain
  • Psychiatric or emotional disorders

How Does Nausea Work?

What is happening in the body when we get nauseated? The brain, the GI system, and the nervous system all have a part in this. We know more about the physiology of vomiting than we do about nausea, so we have better available therapies for its relief.

One key to controlling symptoms seems to be receptors in parts of the brain and in the GI tract that produce and bind with serotonin, a neurotransmitter.  Zofran, a well-known anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication, works by blocking the nauseating effects of serotonin release.

Cannabinoids To Manage Nausea

The non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD interacts with serotonin releasing receptors, and when given in relatively small doses has been shown to help alleviate both nausea and vomiting. CBD can also be effective in easing anxiety, which can help patients manage the angst of chronic nausea.

THC also works well for many as an anti-nausea cannabinoid. When THC binds to the CB1 receptors in specific parts of the brain, it acts to reduce vomiting. The potentially uplifting side effects of THC can also be therapeutic in this case if not too intense. Creating a more positive state of mind is helpful for anyone going through chemotherapy, or for anyone experiencing difficult-to-treat, chronic nausea.

CBDA, the acidic, raw form of CBD, is even more active at the serotonin receptors, and preclinical (animal) studies indicate that CBDA is a potent anti-emetic, stronger than either CBD or THC.  CBDA is the form of CBD that exists in the growing CBD-rich plant, before the plant has been dried or heated. With heating, CBDAbecomes CBD, just like THCA decarboxylates to become THC.  Currently, the best source of CBDA would be juice from fresh, high-CBD plants, but in the future dispensaries may be able to offer CBDA products for patients with need.

Nausea Related To Cancer Treatment

State of mind during chemotherapy can include the “nocebo effect” –  negative expectations of treatment – that leads to anticipatory nausea. Just the thought of inevitable side effects can be overwhelming. This is especially true if the first round of chemo is not treated effectively. Prescription antiemetics are not helpful for anticipatory nausea, but cannabis shows promise. Prof. Linda Parker, a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, has found that several phytocannabinoids including THCCBD, and CBDA alleviate anticipatory nausea in conditioned lab animals. Clinical trials on humans are needed.

Where To Start

For patients who have nausea caused by chemotherapy, radiation, or other identifiable reasons, cannabis can provide relief. THCCBD, and CBDA all show promise in research labs and have already proven themselves in the homes of patients who have experience. Whole plant medicine is more effective than any isolated cannabinoid, but which cannabinoid profile should you start with if this is your goal?

That depends somewhat on your experience with the medicine. If you have never tried this before, it might be best to start with a CBD-rich medicine that still has some THC in the mix, like Laura did. As you get used to the medicine, you can increase the amount of THC as needed. And if you have access to the non-intoxicating CBDA, that would be a very good one to include.

The use of cannabis for nausea, and for vomiting due to chemotherapy or radiation, is accepted by many physicians who do not otherwise recommend cannabis. It is effective, well-tolerated, and while we may not understand all the mechanisms of action we do know it works. Patients should know where their medicine is grown and prepared, and use only lab analyzed cannabis that is free of contaminants. With quality medicine, the chances of relieving nausea may be a single dose away, just like it was for Laura.

Stacey Kerr, M.D. is a family physician who has provided family-centered childbirth experiences for her patients for more than fifteen years. She writes about current issues in medical practice and has been published extensively in medical journals, including JAMA, California Family Physician, and Sonoma Medicine. She writes a monthly health column for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. She is the editor of the TMCI comprehensive course on Clinical Cannabinoid Medicine, and the author of Home Birth in the Hospital. This article was originally published by Hawaiian Ethos

Meghan Markle Surprises The Crown By Openly Supporting ‘Me Too’ Movement

Being political is not something that’s generally attributed to the royal family, but Meghan Markle has once again turned expectations around.

Wednesday’s first annual Royal Foundation forum was the first to publicly bring together Prince Harry, Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Meghan Markle. Here, Markle showed open support of women’s issues and movements such as Time’s Up, and Me Too, claiming that these were great times for women to be empowered and for their voices to be heard.

I hear a lot of people speaking about girls’ empowerment, finding and knowing their worth, and women’s empowerment as well. You’ll often hear people saying but you’re helping women find their voices. I fundamentally disagree with that because women don’t need to find a voice, they have a voice, they need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be urged to listen.

There is no better time to really continue to shine a light on women feeling empowered and people really helping to support them, men included in that. It makes such a tremendous difference.

The Huffington Post claims that these types of statements are very strange coming from royals, who generally stay away from political stances or biases. William Hanson, British etiquette expert, says that royalty is meant to be above politics and related matters. He continued saying that Markle “may need to slightly adjust her forthrightness when she marries Prince Harry in May.”

While it may be breaking protocol, it’s refreshing to see Markle standing next to monarchs and taking a stance on something that she obviously cares about. Maybe it’s time for the royal protocol to evolve, and to be more in touch with reality and day-to-day events.

Markle has been known to take an interest in women’s issues since the beginning of her career, publicly stating her opinions and being an advocate for UN Women.

Cannabis Products Will Surpass Craft Beer Sales In California

Californians love their beer — especially microbrews. But according to a new report, the cannabis industry will surpass the beer business in the state by early as next year.

The Golden State is the birthplace of the American craft brewing movement and, along with its neighboring state of Oregon, is at the forefront of the industry’s growth. California is home to 900 craft breweries, more than any other state in the nation. Supermarket sales of craft beer in the state amounted to more than $150 million a year and craft beer accounts for nearly 20 percent of total beer sales. 

But recreational cannabis, which has been sold for only two months so far, will take a huge chunk of market share from beer. A report from research firm BDS Analytics forecasts cannabis sales to hit $3.7 billion by the end of this year. The report predicts that sales will increase to $5.1 billion in 2019.

For comparison, overall beer sales in California hit $5 billion in 2017, according to IBIS World, a beer industry research group.

As Business Insider reports:

  • California — the world’s sixth largest economy with a population of close to 40 million — will be a huge chunk of the total market for cannabis in North America. Legal marijuana sales hit $9.7 billion across the seven states where recreational marijuana is legal, excluding California, and Canada in 2017 alone, according to BDS. That number is expected to hit $24.5 billion in sales by 2021, despite continued federal prohibition.

By 2021, BDS Analytics says the state will collect nearly $1.5 billion in taxes from recreational marijuana sales.

Sales of alcohol typically decline in states that enact medical marijuana programs, according to a report from researchers from the University of Connecticut and Georgia State University.

The researchers concluded:

States legalizing medical marijuana use experience significant decreases in the aggregate sale of alcohol, beer and wine. Moreover, the effects are not short-lived, with significant reductions observed up to 24 months after the passage of the law.

A 2016 analysis of beer sales in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington reported that retail sales “collectively underperformed” in the years following the enactment of adult-use marijuana regulation.

Nearly All Cancer Patients Medicating With Cannabis Report Improvement

The European Journal of Internal Medicine recently published a study that should wake even the most steadfast deniers of the effectiveness of cannabis as medicine. The Israeli research team included the godfather of cannabis research, Raphael Mechoulam, the man who first identified cannabinoids (active compounds in the plant) and the system of receptors that make them effective.

The study was a large population analysis over a two-year period of nearly 3,000 patients, each with various types of cancer. Just over half of participants were in stage 4 of the disease when studied. About the same percentage said that the pain they had been experiencing was extreme. Their average age was 60.

Specific strains of cannabis from one producer were made available to patients. The specific reasons for use were primarily for pain, inducing sleep, nausea and lack of appetite. 

While outcomes of studies like this can sometimes be ambiguous, the results of this one could not have been foretold. At a six-month follow-up a whopping “96% reported an improvement in their condition.”

As may be expected, the researchers concluded, “Cannabis as a palliative treatment for cancer patients seems to be well tolerated, effective and safe option to help patients cope with the malignancy-related symptoms.”

The efficacy of cannabis for these symptoms is documented and the evidence grows. Research has shown that the active components of cannabis are effective for pain, sleeplessness, nausea and vomiting, among others.

Although cautious in their messaging even the National Cancer Institute has admitted, “Cannabinoids may have benefits in the treatment of cancer-related side effects.” The American Cancer Society has published on their website that, “Studies have long shown that people who took marijuana extracts in clinical trials tended to need less pain medicine.”

The FDA has still not approved marijuana as a safe and effective drug for any indication but seems to believe that synthetic versions are acceptable, as evidenced by their approval of a handful of lab-created cannabinoid knockoffs.

As more patients have the opportunity to try cannabis products, we may expect more of the same type of positive reaction. Many who are in need of relief will not wait for government agencies and official organizations to get on board, not in the age of social media and patients sharing their success stories.

Studies like this one from European researchers will undoubtedly create interest, more opportunity for funding and, ultimately, more information. Because if we know one thing about cannabis, its skeptics must be deluged with data before they will budge.

How Medical Marijuana Relieves Glaucoma’s Intraocular Pressure

We can stop making jokes about the elderly smoking cannabis to get high, when in fact, they might be really trying to relieve symptoms of glaucoma. The disease affects women and Asians at a higher rate, causing blindness because of retina and optic nerve deterioration caused by Intraocular Pressure (IOP) of the eye.

There have been hundreds of pieces of anecdotal evidence citing cannabis’ power to treat glaucoma, but the truth is in the science. Studies have been conducted since the early ’70s and they all seem to point to cannabis as an effective source of alleviating glaucoma symptoms.

A 1971 study called Marihuana Smoking and Intraocular Pressure concluded that cannabis is a good addition for treatment where other medications fall short. The study reported that cannabis users suffering from glaucoma saw their IOP drop by 25-30 percent. Although relief only lasted for about four hours, it is safe to say that the cannabis was effective.

In another study from 1975, researchers noted that cannabis users who smoked a significant amount of cannabis with THC (the chemical responsible for the high), saw a reduction in IOP as well, although they didn’t note patients experienced levels of psychoactive effects.

At the start of millennium, scientists observed the effects of synthetic forms of cannabis on reducing pressure. They administered HU-211, a synthetic non-psychoactive form of cannabinoid to one of eye rabbits and noted that the synthetic was able to decrease intraocular pressure. The drug took about 90 minutes to kick and relief lasted for more than six hours.

In another study from 1975, researchers noted that cannabis users who smoked a significant amount of cannabis with THC (the chemical responsible for the high), saw a reduction in IOP as well, although they didn’t note patients experienced levels of psychoactive effects.

Most recently, a study from this year concluded what cannabis users have always seemed to know, “Marijuana is an effective ocular hypotensive agent.” In other words, cannabis has the power to lower blood pressure in the eyes, which should come as a huge relief to the 200,000 people seeking treatment.

Here’s Why There Has Never Been A Death From Cannabis Overdose

They’re popular mantras in the cannabis community: “There have been no overdoses on marijuana,” and “You can’t overdose on marijuana.” On the other side of the fence, there are handfuls of people left who were taught their entire lives that cannabis is a dangerous drug and can indeed lead one to overdose. The truth does not lie in the middle, the truth is that cannabis is simply not toxic, even in high doses.

Our bodies are absolutely saturated in cannabinoid receptors. Naturopathic medicine practitioner Dr. Dustin Sulak explains the receptors as thus, “The endogenous cannabinoid system, named after the plant that led to its discovery, is perhaps the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks… But the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment.”

So in other words, cannabis is doing good things to your body beyond heightened sensations, enhanced tastes and activities and generally easing hundreds if not thousands of ailments. Cannabinoids have been shown to attack certain cancer cells and aging cells that can lead to cancer and other diseases. These important attacks are where the “killing brain cells” myth came from.

There are risks to one’s health that come with cannabis, but they aren’t from the plant itself. If pot is not properly flushed of chemicals, pesticides or nutrients it poses a threat in that way. There is also the chance that a grower allowed for a crop with powdery mildew or mold to make its way out of the grow area. When patients are sick, these types of irritants can exacerbate conditions, especially those of the lungs.

Willie Nelson once said, “[Cannabis] won’t kill you unless you let a bale of it fall on you.” Bill Murray Tweeted in June 2014, “I find it quite ironic that the most dangerous thing about weed is getting caught with it.” Their fame doesn’t make them right, but facts do. No one has ever died of a cannabis overdose.

Another factor to this point is that one of the most psychoactive components of cannabis, THC, produces pregnenolone when stimulated by high dosages of the plant. This substance actually inhibits THC, thus protecting the individual from a scary experience, let alone a life threatening one.

Not only is cannabis non-toxic, it is a healing herb with so much medical value that 30 states plus the District of Columbia have deemed it “medical marijuana.” Medical, recreational or somewhere inbetween, it’s time for the facts to not only come out of the grow closet, but to be explained in ways that those unfamiliar with the plant can understand that it is simply safe.

These ‘Hidden’ Netflix Codes Reveal All Sorts Of Secret Movie Genres

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Netflix, like all cool services and fast-food restaurants, has its hacks and secret menus that are revealed only to their most devoted followers. Luckily, several websites have discovered and published all of Netflix’s hidden codes — a myth that’s been circulating the web for a while — organizing them neatly onto lists and making it easy for millions of viewers to find all sorts of genres without having to scroll through endless content.

Normally, if you’re feeling like watching a comedy you’d have to scroll through Netflix’s comedy tab, which shows seemingly random suggestions that can range from Disney’s Frozen, to weird movies that are clearly not comedies. Netflix has a really weird way of organizing their content and finding an interesting movie can sometimes feel like an impossible task.

With these codes, that’s a thing of the past, allowing you be as specific as you want to be. Netflixcodes.me, allows you to look through different genres, which are much more varied than “Comedy” and “Drama.” You can even type in what you feel like watching on their search bar. Aliens? Vampires? Dogs? Sure thing.

The code for Comedies is ‘6548’, so you’d have to add those numbers onto the end of your Netflix URL, like so: www.netflix.com/browse/genre/6548. Sadly, you can only use these codes on a laptop.

There are tons of different codes, ranging from obscure topics such as Werewolf Horror Movies (75930) to genres you didn’t even know you needed, like Satanic Stories (6998). You can check out the full list of codes here.

Women Look At Porn On Their Phones More Than Men

The pornography website PornHub released a study showing which is quite surprise. Data shows women look at porn on their phones more than men. The surprise discovery is based on research from the top adult entertainment website Pornhub.

In February, almost 80 percent of women who visited the site did so via a mobile device, while just 69 (heh) percent of men did. The study also shows that the younger you are, the more likely you are to watch porn on your phone or tablet: 78 percent of millennials (18 to 34-year olds) got their virtual needs met on a mobile device while just 51 percent of people over 65 were.

No matter what the age group, though, women used mobile device more often by an average of 10 percent.

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

Check out the full findings below.



RELATED: Marijuana Use And Guy’s Member


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Porn has been around for thousands of years with the oldest artifacts considered pornographic were discovered in Germany in 2008 CE and are dated to be at least 35,000 years old.[b] Throughout the history of erotic depictions, various people made attempts to suppress them under obscenity laws, censor, or make them illegal. Such grounds and even the definition of pornography have differed in various historical, cultural, and national contexts. The Indian Sanskrit text Kama Sutra (3rd century CE) contained prose, poetry, and illustrations regarding sexual behavior, and the book was celebrated; while the British English text Fanny Hill (1748), considered “the first original English prose pornography,” has been one of the most prosecuted and banned books. In the late 19th century, a film by Thomas Edison that depicted a kiss was denounced as obscene in the United States, whereas Eugène Pirou‘s 1896 film Bedtime for the Bride was received very favorably in France.

4 Cool Products To Try Now That Weed Is Legal In California

The western coastline of North America is so close to being entirely recreationally legal ever since California shifted its marijuana policies on January 1st of this year. Now that the everyday person visiting California can buy its legendary array of cannabis products, all bets are off.

When heading to the West, make sure to have a current government issued photo ID on hand, and a photo of the front and the back if you plan to use a delivery service. In some cities, the flow of recreational permits has been extremely slow, so it’s trickier to find shops that will take out of state customers right now in the beginning of the process. Weedmaps is helpful to a degree, but finding smaller collectives to patronize is just a few clicks and a phone call away. Some are willing to sell to you, but not willing to advertise that on the internet. A little patience and some sleuthing goes far.

Premium Pre-Rolls

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Pre-rolls aren’t always the greatest, but when they’re spot on, life is sweet and convenient. Chuuuch, the cannabis brand developed by legendary pimp and Snoop Dogg’s spiritual adviser, Bishop Don Magic Juan, is nailing classy branding that is more than eye popping colors and textures: the smoke is primo as well.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Three giant pre-rolls come in a pack, and though price varies from shop to shop, you know it’s a deal when they’re too big for even the biggest head to finish alone. When you want to deploy the ease and style of pre-rolls, buying from one of the biggest cannabis advocates for literal decades is a way smarter and more satisfying move than any random shop’s shake cones!

Indie Edibles

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Before the world of cannabis becomes fully standardized, patronizing independent shops is your best bet to sample the OG spirit of California cannabis.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Fruit Slabs are for the healthy set, as fresh fruits and organic oils turn into the fruit leathers of childhood, but amped up with 100mg of THC and fully vegan. I tried both the Mango Maui Wowie and the Tropical Haze and they were as tasty as something that potent can be. A tiny strip was enough to kick period pain to the curb, which is all I can want out of an edible.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

K-Town Collective’s Edibles ’R’ Us is the snack mecca of Melrose in Los Angeles. Everything from Flamin’ Hot cheese curls to cereals and candies are souped up and duped to look like regular food.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

The treats are not only insanely tasty as junk food is known to be, they are dosed at various levels to give you lots of options. Feeling chill? Pop one 3mg Sour Gummy from a 60mg bag. If you’re wanting to be extra, down the whole 60mg bag of cheese-os, and go to space. The snack world is your weed oyster.

Notable Vapes

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Vapes are arguably the most common method of cannabis consumption you see around SoCal, so it’s no surprise that there are literally dozens of companies injecting their concentrates into cartridges. Here’s some of the most unique ones we tried:

Treebase Klear is making a new category of vape cartridge with a special twist: the clear concentrate that maintains superior flavor and strain likeness. The Gelato Cart is pure divinity, and indica heavy Mendo Breath is the best nighttime vape I’ve ever used.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

The W Vape is a sleek and small vape pen that holds full 1000mg cartridges, which is a bit harder to find in other models. Their branded and proprietary cartridges are single-strain and color coded for indica, sativa, or hybrid, which makes quick buying so much easier.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

The Pax Era has gotta be the classiest vape pen around right now. It’s small and discreet, and it’s no small help that it looks almost identical to their tobacco model, the Juul, which has converted smokers as much as when e-cigarettes first dropped. The concentrate producers fill their own Era brand empty cartridges, and it’s pure synergy. Brands that want to ride the wave have gotten on board, and the Jetty Extracts Girl Scout Cookies and Legion of Bloom the Terrapen were two amazing choices of the dozens of premium options. K-Town Collective is the spot to try for the most Pax Era options in LA.

Topicals

Photos by Maria Penaloza

This category is getting more attention, which is overdue in my humble opinion. Topicals are essential to pain management with cannabis, especially in the case of soreness and chronic pain. Finally becoming more than just mystery creams, brands are taking different approaches to topicals.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

A liquid oil roll-on formula, Legion of Bloom’s Zana Ayurveda + CBD is a nice choice for acute pain and general soreness. Loaded with a long list of cooperative essential oils, Zana provides a unique approach to the CBD topical. It’s free of THC so there’s no buzz, just a few notches knocked off the pain scale.

Using a very different blend of EO’s Loki Lotion uses a THC/CBD balance to go after the bad stuff. I find this to be really something for tension and severe pain, the THC seems to help for longer especially when paired with CBD. Loki Lotion comes in a jar and has a salve-like texture that sinks into skin, so there’s no greasy aftermath if you apply the right amount.

Photos by Maria Penaloza

Now that the floodgates are open, choosing the good stuff doesn’t have to be as tricky as it seems when you’re in the dispensary. Doing your research and reading reviews before heading in to purchase is the best way to tackle the sheer and glorious variety of it all. Navigating the best of legal California is more than what’s on sale or popular, it’s about your needs and wants first.

Photos: Maria Penaloza

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