According to a new case report a patient with a multi-year history of chronic pain and opioid use was weaned off prescription opiates following the use of medical cannabis. The report, titled Medical cannabis as an alternative for opioids for chronic pain: A case report, was published by Medical Case Reports.
Read moreReport: Cannabis May Help Wean Chronic Pain Patients Off of Opioids
Marijuana stocks are on the rise due to a recent surge in marijuana sales as people forced to stay home because of the coronavirus pandemic stock up, reports the Associated Press.
Read moreSurge in Cannabis Stocks as Virus Self-Isolation Leads to People Loading Up
According to new survey data published in the journal Complimentary Therapies in Medicine a epublished by the National Institute of Health, the majority of physicians-in-training in Canada say that they receive insufficient instruction with regard to the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
Read moreCanada: Physicians-in-Training Lack Sufficient Medical Cannabis Understanding, Finds Survey
The legalization of marijuana for recreational use is associated with an increase in home values. This is according to a new study published by the Social Science Research Network. The study is titled Retail marijuana deregulation and housing prices.
For the study researchers examined the relationship between marijuana legalization and regional home values.
Read moreMarijuana Legalization associated with Increase in Housing Values: Study
CBD is a part of the cannabis plant, but it is a specific cannabinoid that doesn’t have psychoactive effects. It won’t get you high, but it delivers other benefits, such as pain and anxiety relief and energy boosts. On top of that, sticking to recommended ranges rarely causes any side effects, let alone severe ones.
You could use a similar description for kratom, a plant that comes from Southeast Asia. Kratom is one of just a few sources of plant-based opioid alkaloids. It belongs to the same family as the coffee plant, which implies it has mild stimulant properties. Depending on the dose, it can also act as a substitute for opiates.
Traditional medicine utilizes kratom to deal with muscle pain, depression, fatigue, and other physical and mental health problems. These days people use it for anxiety and pain relief, but also during the opiate withdrawal process.
The legality of the plant varies from one country to another. Even the DEA added kratom to the list of Schedule I substances. It is because of the alkaloids included in the kratom plant, especially mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine.
Kratom has more than 20 alkaloids and a few of them managed to attract the attention of the scientific community and authorities. Mitragynine is the primary alkaloid since it counts for two-thirds of this plant’s extract. That compound is important because it has analgesic properties, and is as effective in relieving pain as codeine.
It is interesting to note that mitragynine works best when combined with other kratom alkaloids. That is why this compound might not be as effective in providing pain relief on its own. Mitragynine interacts with opioid receptors in the human organism, but it doesn’t share the same structure as opioids.
While opiates bind to receptors, mitragynine doesn’t do that. That is why many consider it as a better alternative to opioids, which frequently cause addiction.
A study published in 2012 confirmed that the analgesic characteristics of kratom aren’t directly related to mitragynine’s interaction with the CB1 receptor for cannabinoids. The same study mentions that the compound interacts with opioid receptors, and several other compounds mediate the plant’s physical properties. Those include GABA, serotonin, and dopamine.
Kratom has anti-inflammatory characteristics that involve reducing the production of prostaglandin. It works in a similar way as CBD, which is why people are frequently comparing these two compounds. Is it possible that kratom is the CBD of opioids?
The majority of studies related to kratom and its alkaloids like 7-OH-MG and MG were conducted on animals. Although there are not enough studies on humans, the existing research indicates that sticking to a certain dose of kratom ensures that this plant doesn’t have any toxic properties. The toxicity issue was what the DEA used when they decided to put kratom on the list of controlled substances, and these studies offer material to question that decision.
When given a single big dose of mitragynine, researchers didn’t notice any toxicity. Even when they gave rats regular 50mg/kg doses of the same compound for 30 days, the animals didn’t exhibit evident side effects.
As for dogs, they were given a dose of 16 mg/kg of mitragynine per day, and the results were the same, which means side effects weren’t noticed. It is worth noting that the findings did conclude there was a blood cell disorder called dyscrasia in dogs who took bigger doses for a longer period. Similar to codeine and morphine, extremely high doses can cause animals to fall into respiratory depression.
When it comes to people ingesting kratom, this plant isn’t connected to respiratory depression, and it is also not a potential reason behind pulmonary edemas, comas, and other serious health issues. In the South Pacific, kratom was a popular beverage for a long time. During that time, there were no adverse consequences for those who consumed the plant. Furthermore, it wasn’t noticed that it affected the social functioning of the consumers noticeably.
It is important to note that other compounds found in kratom products are often the main reason for issues when consuming these items. If you have the luck of living in South Asia, you can purchase fresh kratom and enjoy a fine beverage and its benefits.
However, manufacturers for the Western world need to be creative to prolong the lifespan of their products. That is why they resort to concentrates, tablets, capsules, and other items. You will often find that these also other ingredients include caffeine and even synthetic compounds like Tramadol.
That is why you should only stick to using pure kratom variants and choose your products carefully. The exact benefits will depend on the strain, but make sure to pick potent variations like green vein kratom.
The kratom market isn’t well-regulated, and that is why this plant’s reputation suffers. Many manufacturers distribute fake products under the kratom’s name, and they use strains that are not fresh in their products.
As long as you use kratom the way it was meant to, and choose your products wisely, the plant is completely safe. Furthermore, it can deliver multiple benefits for physical health and well-being.
Since it belongs to the coffee family, kratom is capable of acting as an energy stimulant. That can come in handy for those tiring days when you didn’t get enough sleep, but you need to push through demanding tasks.
Kratom could also put you in a better mood thanks to its anti-depressant properties. That is why people who are dealing with anxiety and depression are using it.
Finally, this plant is also suitable for pain relief. That makes it an opioid alternative that could be particularly useful because it doesn’t cause addiction, and is free of toxic properties at recommended levels. That being said, it is important to follow the instructions for taking kratom. Apart from choosing pure kratom products, it is the best way to maximize its benefits and avoid any potential side effects.
Since its sudden boom in the medical industry, CBD is slowly unveiling more of its advantages when it comes to health and wellness. However, some people still mistakenly associate cannabidiol with other compounds found in Cannabis, such as hemp and marijuana. This unhelpful stigma hinders people from seeking out the medical benefits of CBD and trying it out for themselves.
To finally settle out misconceptions circulating CBD, it’s crucial to take note of the differences between this compound and other CBD compounds.
Here’s how CBD is different compared to other marijuana compounds:
The main stigma surrounding CBD is its association with the feeling of “high” when consuming it. This is not true for all. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound responsible for delivering euphoric sensations to its user, and CBD isn’t directly linked to it. CBD products, like CBD oils from Cheef Botanicals, have little to no amount of THC incorporated into their products.
What makes CBD non-psychoactive? Contrary to THC, CBD doesn’t induce a strong cognitive brain activity when used. But, CBD offers calm and soothing experiences for the user. Hence, by taking in CBD, you won’t feel high and anxious. That’s why CBD is utilized in solving sleeping problems.
Various products derived from Cannabis are often used interchangeably, just like CBD oil, hemp seed oil, and hemp extract. Although they’re all derived from the same plant, they’re not exactly synonymous with one another.
When CBD is extracted from the Cannabis plants, product manufacturers only obtain the CBD compound from the plant’s stems, flowers, and stalks, leaving out the seeds. When it comes to the Cannabis seeds, it’s used for the manufacture of another substance – hemp seed oil. If you’re currently using a “CBD oil” with hemp seed oil, you should definitely discard them now since they don’t actually contain any CBD at all.
CBD oils and hemp extracts are almost alike. But, hemp extract is specifically extracted from parts of the plant with a high concentration of cannabidiol, maximizing its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits.
When purchasing a CBD product, you’ll often come across choosing which of these three types you’d like to try: CBD in full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate extracts. You must be fully aware of these CBD categories as it can help you choose which one will fit your needs.
Here’s a quick distinction between the three:
Based on its name, full-spectrum CBDs don’t leave out all compounds included in the plant because it’ll deliver amplified benefits to users. Some users want to have a full spectrum of essential oils, terpenes, and cannabinoids to achieve maximized therapeutic benefits – “entourage effect.”
The chemical structure and formula of CBD and THC both contain 21 carbons, 30 hydrogens, and 2 oxygens, but they actually differ from how these atoms are arranged. This sets them apart from one another. A fundamental difference between CBD and THC is that the former contains a hydroxyl group while the latter has a cyclic ring, this is the reason why CBD is non-psychoactive.
The human body has CB1 receptors responding to a certain neurotransmitter known as anandamide. When CB1 receptors detect the presence of anandamide, euphoria, motivation, and pleasure is released. As THC is almost identical with the structure of these anandamides, the body mistakenly recognizes THC as anandamide and binds into CB1 receptors.
Since CBD has a unique structure, which contains a hydroxyl group, and not a cyclic ring similar to anandamide, it doesn’t connect with CB1 receptors, thus it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects. However, full spectrum CBDs can deliver a bit of the euphoric sensation since it has trace amounts of THC that can still bind into these CB1 receptors.
Though it’s previously mentioned that CBD doesn’t deliver euphoric effects compared to THC despite the same chemical formula, THC might still act on the user’s system once CBD products with trace amounts of THC have been used. Once THC starts interacting and binding to the CB1 receptors, CBD can counteract this response by inhibiting THC from binding with the CB1 receptors. This phenomenon also explains why people using CBD-rich products don’t feel as high compared to users of THC-rich products.
Furthermore, CBD can combat the negative effects induced by THC once it has entered the system. These side effects include reestablishing the memory from short-term memory impairment and relieving stress, anxiety, and paranoia experienced by individuals consuming cannabis.
Due to reported abuse of utilizing marijuana compounds into non-health related purposes, many countries have set strict limitations on the usage of these substances. However, some regions imposed the legal use of marijuana in medical landscapes, given a physician’s prescription. You might be scared to try using CBD since it’s chemically similar to THC’s structure, but worry no more as drug tests don’t focus on detecting CBD.
When absorbed into the body, cannabinoids from THC and CBD are stored on fats, staying for weeks inside your system. But, CBD is less likely to be detected from drug tests because THC-related compounds are targeted by these diagnoses.
In some cases, an individual can be tested positive since trace amounts of THC can be incorporated in CBD products, specifically those hemp-derived ones.
Cannabidiol is well recognized for its health wonders concerning therapeutic and wellness spaces. This is because of CBD’s relationship with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which, as mentioned, regulates numerous bodily functions associated with wellness, such as sleep, mood, and appetite, among others. Also, CBD works well in bringing back internal balance in your bodily systems. Thanks to almost THC-free CBD products in the market, users can immediately feel the soothing effects of CBD without feeling high.
Aside from CBD’s benefits for the endocannabinoid system, here are more wellness advantages that a CBD user can reap:
On the other hand, hemp products, like hemp oils, are utilized as a superfood due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids. Their great nutritional value puts them in a spot in kitchens and recipes. Hemp is also incorporated in cosmetic products, such as shampoos, conditioners, soaps, and lotions because its seed oil form has the ability to retain the skin’s moisture.
By identifying how CBD differs from other marijuana or cannabis compounds, people who are new to CBD consumption can choose better products to fulfill their varying health needs. These differences set CBD apart from others, accountable for its amazing health advantages that every member of the family can rely on.
When trying a CBD product for the first time, make sure that you’re educated enough and well aware of these differences.
According to a marijuana testing lab in San Diego, almost 80% of the unregulated cannabis vape cartridges they tested were deemed “unfit for consumption”, reports ABC10 News.
Platinum Vape manufacturing company produces high-potency, pesticide-free cannabis products that go through rigorous testing, reports ABC10. Co-founder George Sadler is on a mission to spread awareness about the serious potential health risks of using products from unlicensed vape makers and sellers.
Read moreLab: Almost 80% of Unregulated Vape Cartridges “Unfit for Consumption”
According to a new study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, the sustained use of marijuana in patients with chronic conditions is associated with quality of life maintenance and a lack of cognitive decline. The study, titled Quality of life, mental health, personality and patterns of use in self-medicated cannabis users with chronic diseases: A 12-month longitudinal study, was also published by the National Institute of Health.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe (located on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota) passed a referendum to legalize medical and recreational marijuana according to preliminary results from the tribe’s election commission.
According to the Associated Press, the results of Tuesday’s vote will be certified by the end of the month. In the tally from all precincts announced on Wednesday morning, both medical and recreational marijuana passed by wide margins, with 82% of voters approving medical marijuana and 74% approving recreational marijuana.
Read moreSouth Dakota Tribe Votes to Legalize Medical and Recreational Marijuana
On Monday Pure Oasis, a legally licensed marijuana retail outlet in Boston, opened its doors. Not only is Pure Oasis the first recreational marijuana store in Boston, its the first in any of the major East Coast cities.
“This is only the beginning,” Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, told the Associated Press. “The fact that this is just the first in Boston shows how this is such an early market on this coast.”
Read moreThe First Marijuana Store in a Major East Coast City Now Open