WeedLife News Network

A new article claims higher levels of THC are affecting the health of teens.

Marijuana products can have THC levels of up to 100%. This is a relatively new development, with marijuana growers and handlers learning how to cultivate stronger products in recent years. According to The New York Times, these high levels of THC are affecting teens, increasing their odds of dependency and even resulting in conditions like cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome.

The article interviews several experts, teens and their parents and paints a picture of some of the marijuana products that are in circulation today, claiming that these are stronger than in years past and that they can affect consumers in adverse ways.

Elysse, one of the teenagers interviewed, shared that marijuana made her feel euphoric and happy. The oils and waxes she purchased had THC levels of up to 90%, which she consumed several times a day. After a few months of regular use, her positive highs morphed into sad and anxiety-inducing experiences, including one instance where she vomited more than 20 times within the span of two hours. She was diagnosed with cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a rare side effect of cannabis.

While there’s a lot we don’t know about marijuana, it’s clear that the drug has great medicinal capabilities. In terms of its side effects, they’re not wholly understood but cannabis has been linked with conditions like cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, cannabis addiction, mental health conditions, and more. These issues are more concerning in the case of teens, with the overuse of the drug affecting their brains in ways that may impact them for the rest of their lives.

More and more states are legalizing cannabis, but since the drug remains illegal on a federal level every state moves at its own pace. Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in 19 states, Washington DC and Guam. Only Vermont and Connecticut have caps on THC concentrations.

It helps with arthritis and overall inflammation.

Once you hit 40 years of age and over, your body can throw all kinds of curveballs at you. Some individuals already have or may start to develop health ailments at this stage of life, including chronic back pain, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and more. A healthcare professional will address your particular situation and decide the best course of treatment for you. But did you know there are also surprising side effects of taking CBDA after 40?

Let's start at the beginning. CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) can be found in hemp plants and it's a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds that make up the active ingredients of marijuana. The plant contains many of them, and they can affect the body in plenty of ways, including providing pain relief, helping with depression, decreasing nausea, and more.

We spoke with Inesa Ponomariovaite, a CBDA expert and CEO of Nesa's Hemp, who addresses how taking this cannabinoid is an extraordinary addition to your routine as you age, so read on to learn more about the surprising side effects of CBDA. And next up, don't miss The 6 Best Exercises for Strong and Toned Arms in 2022, Trainer Says.

Nesa's Hemp

According to Ponomariovaite, Nesa's Hemp is a key player when it comes to CBDA hemp oil. She explains to Eat This, Not That!, "There are so many people searching for holistic remedies to heal and ease suffering from cancer and other pathogens—Nesa's Hemp was created for this reason—to heal the world and restore happiness. I created what the industry was missing—the first living CBDA biological product on the market. That is certified beyond any organic levels. The safest, cleanest, and most effective product."

It's easy to get hemp CBDA products mixed up with marijuana products. Note that they differ greatly, and Ponomariovaite lets us in on their differences and legality. "Marijuana products contain mostly THC which is the compound that makes you high. Unlike THC, CBDA actually suppresses THC and works in different ways and doesn't make you high," she says.

The best way to make use of CBD for weight loss is to also approach it holistically, ensuring you are exercising regularly, eating nutritiously, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night.

For weight-conscious individuals, it can be confusing to navigate the CBD market. But it’s natural even for people at a healthy weight to be interested in maintaining it to avoid being overweight. After all, being overweight or worse, obese, has been associated with numerous preventable illnesses such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, coronary heart disease, and more. It’s always in your best interest to keep your weight at a healthy level as much as possible.

It’s known that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in marijuana products has been linked to inducing appetite and weight gain, albeit at healthy levels when taken in moderation or under medical supervision. So much so that it’s even being used for inducing the appetite of cancer and HIV patients, or those that struggle with eating disorders.

But when it comes to CBD, will it help you lose weight, or will it cause weight gain? The truth is, there’s no clear-cut answer, though the results can vary depending on many factors. Here’s some food for thought, based on existing studies:

How CBD Affects Metabolism

A 2016 study conducted by Korean researchers focused on the impact of CBD on preadipocytes, which are immature fat cells. Their findings suggest that CBD work in three ways to promote “fat browning” otherwise white fat tissue (scientifically known as white adipose tissue or WAT), since browned fat is more effective in weight loss as well as obesity treatments.

Additionally, brown fat is more efficient in metabolizing fat molecules and blood sugar to help us maintain our body’s temperature. The presence of more white fat in the body can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes while brown fat induces weight loss.

A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence explored the association between cannabis use and physical health among 308 sets of twins.

Research on the influence of cannabis use on cardiovascular functions, pulmonary functions, and other indicators is still growing, but one new study has shed new light on the topic. “The effects of cannabis use on physical health: A co-twin control study,” published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence explored the relationship between cannabis use and physical health among 308 sets of twins, with the results suggesting that cannabis use is not associated with detrimental physical effects.

Cannabis research is still catching up to studies surrounding tobacco and alcohol’s effect on physical health, though studies so far have indicated cannabis has an impact on respiratory health, cardiovascular health, and body mass index.

The data is from an ongoing study called “Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan Behavioral Development and Cognitive Aging,” through the University of Colorado Boulder. It is the first prospective study of cognitive aging from infancy through adulthood, with a purpose of studying “how early and current influences accumulate over one’s life to impact how well individuals build and maintain cognitive functioning,” according to the CU Boulder website.

As part of the study, researchers are tracing factors associated with decreases, maintenance or boosts in cognitive abilities. Through in-depth behavioral and health measurements, analysis of environmental settings, biomarker and genotype data, researchers are looking to assess the association of cognitive changes with possible physical and behavioral health precursors, “to trace the emergence of these associations,” researchers say on the CU Boulder site.

As part of the study, researchers are tracing factors associated with decreases, maintenance, or boosts in cognitive abilities. Through in-depth behavioral and health measurements, analysis of environmental settings, biomarker and genotype data, researchers are looking to assess the association of cognitive changes with possible physical and behavioral health precursors, “to trace the emergence of these associations,” researchers say on the CU Boulder site.

Dr. Ashley Serfis sees dozens of pets a week at the Greenfield Animal Hospital. And while most energetic pups are high off of life, Serfis has seen more and more pets that are actually high.

According to research by PLOS One, the legalization of marijuana has led to an increase of pets getting their paws on pot resulting in cannabis-induced toxicosis.

Serfis used to see THC-related cases a couple of times a year, but recently that’s changed.

“Since edibles have become more common, we have seen cases a lot more frequently, at least a few times a month,” said Serfis.

If you're worried your pup snuck into your stash, she said there's several signs pet owners should look out for, like dilated pupils.

“Lethargy, incoordination or being wobbly on their feet; marijuana toxicity can also have urine dribbling,” said Serfis.

That said, using marijuana recreationally may be beneficial for sleep onset

U.S. research exploring the relationship between self-reported recreational cannabis use and sleep outcomes found consumers fell asleep faster than non-users but experienced more nighttime awakenings.

The idea was to see if objective and subjective measures — namely sleep efficiency (percentage of time spent asleep while in bed), sleep onset latency (time it takes to fall asleep) and the number of nighttime awakenings — differed between those who used recreational cannabis and those who did not.

Study findings show the amount of cannabis consumed daily, measured in grams, was inversely related to both sleep onset latency and sleep efficiency, but positively related to how many times subjects woke up over the course of the night.

After controlling for covariates, the study author noted that regression models were statistically significant for predicting the three sleep outcomes.

“Subjective sleep measures did not differ from cannabis users versus non-cannabis users,” the study states.

Zelira Therapeutics, a global leader in the research, development and commercialization of clinically validated cannabinoid medicines, is about to begin a first-ever clinical trial of its own proprietary pain formula for the treatment of diabetic nerve pain against an as-yet-unidentified brand name pain medication, the company announced. (Benzinga)

The trial will evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Zelira’s patent-protected product.

How is the trial set up?

The trial is designed as a multi-arm, head-to-head comparison of 60 subjects, with 20 subjects in each arm, powered to show statistical difference. A total of 20 patients in the investigative drug arm have already been enrolled. 

“This product trial exemplifies Zelira’s strategy to continue generating clinical validation for cannabinoid-based medicines,” said Dr. Oludare Odumosu, CEO of Zelira Therapeutics.

“We look forward to what we hope will be positive results in this clinical trial and continue to deliver on our ‘multiple shots on goal’ strategy for both our OTC products and our RX prescription cannabinoid products worldwide.”

Salk Institute Neurobiologist Zhibin Liang discusses the neuroprotective effects of a cannabis compound known as cannabinol, and the road ahead to validate and build on the research of his team’s recent findings.

Scientists have been exploring the therapeutic effects of medical cannabis for a host of health conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Among the many compounds of cannabis, the best known are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which have received the bulk of the research community’s attention. However, lesser known compounds, such as cannabinol (CBN), are also making their way into research. Early study results suggest that CBN, for example, may be able to help protect brain cells in aging and neurodegenerative processes. 

Zhibin Liang, Glenn Postdoctoral Fellow in Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory and The Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at Salk Institute for Biological Studies, joins Being Patient’s LiveTalk series to discuss the progress that scientists have made in studying cannabis’s potential benefits when it comes to aging and Alzheimer’s. He also shares insight into his team’s research on CBN.

 Broadly, what do scientists know and don’t know about the potential protective effects of cannabis in the context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases? 

Zhibin Liang: Medical cannabis [is an] emerging research field. Phytocannabinoids from the cannabis plant [are] well known for acting on the cannabinoid receptors [CB1 and CB2] in the brain, in the central nervous system, or in the peripheral nervous systems. 

It’s well known that this kind of compounds, especially tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive compound – have pharmacological effects. For example, [they] can relieve pain. Some research [shows they can] fight cancer and improve memory or behavior. There is also some research [showing that] neurological disorders can benefit [from phytocannabinoids]. 

Right now, most people study two compounds: THC and cannabidiol (CBD). Less studied are the minor cannabinoids. There are over 150 cannabinoids identified from the plant. 

While there are only a few studies focusing on cannabis exclusively for TMJ disorders compared to other illnesses, their results have been promising.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the jaw as well as the muscles responsible for controlling movement in the jaw. The temporomandibular joint functions similarly to a sliding hinge and connects the skull and jawbone. The human body has one of these jaws on each side.

The symptoms of TMJ include tenderness or pain in the jaw, pain in the left, right, or both jaws, clicking sound when you open your mouth, pain around the ear and face, muscle spasms, joint locking, difficulty chewing, and more. These can be caused by various factors such as damage in the joint or the joint cartilage due to impact, eroding of the disk, or misalignment of the jaw disk. In most cases of people with TMJ, the exact cause is unclear.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are some 10 million Americans that have temporomandibular joint disorders. They tend to affect people between the ages of 20 to 40, and it’s more common in women compared to men. Most cases of TMJ disorders are mild and when diagnosed early, they are not expected to worsen over time.

Lifestyle changes such as eating soft food, application of ice packs, avoiding extreme jaw movements as well as relaxation techniques are recommended. If this is not enough, pain medications and NSAIDS may be recommended by doctors and in severe cases, the use of a stabilization splint, a type of oral appliance, may be needed. In rare cases, botox and surgery may be required.

Millions of people with TMJ struggle with the severe pain and discomfort brought on by this condition.

Scientists link weed smoking to greater empathy, agreeableness, and moral fairness.

Following the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, last week, Fox News host Laura Ingraham blithely blamed the perpetrator’s “psychotic behavior” on his alleged marijuana use. Then she claimed without evidence that cannabis legalization is having “violent consequences” for “an entire generation of Americans.”

For all the wrong reasons, Ingraham is right about one thing: cannabis can have a profound influence on social behavior. Depending on dose, strain, and other factors, it may induce a range of emotions and behaviors: withdrawn introspection and peaceful calm, playfulness and joy, and sometimes anxiety or irritability.

In any case, these effects are mediated largely by the cannabinoid receptors, in particular CB1, the prime target of psychoactive THC. And if CB1 is involved, it follows that the broader endocannabinoid system – including the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and 2-AG, which also bind to CB1, and the enzymes that create and degrade them – must play an important role in modulating human social behavior.

But Ingraham’s rant was more unhinged scapegoating than sound science. In fact, a newly published study suggests that recent cannabis use is associated with prosocial and “humanitarian” behaviors, greater empathy and agreeableness, and greater fairness and harmlessness. Below, read more about it and two other recent studies exploring the link between cannabis, the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and social behavior.

Cannabis consumption boosts empathy

Noting that the existing scientific literature around cannabis use is generally focused on health risks or disease treatment, researchers with the University of New Mexico set out to investigate something different: associations with prosocial behavior among otherwise healthy people.

Hemp Shampoo is amazing for dry, itching scalps. Hemp is the sister plant of cannabis. Like cannabis, hemp also produces CBD (cannabidiol).

Hemp is grown specifically for medicinal and industrial purposes. Hemp is rich in healthy, fatty acids like omega-3, which makes for an exceptionally nourishing shampoo.

To use, squirt shampoo into the palm of your hand and lather into wet hair. Be sure to work the shampoo through your roots, down to the ends of your hair. Rinse your hair until the water runs clear.

After consistent use, your hair will be more hydrated and generally healthier. If you suffer from dry, flaky skin on your scalp, hemp shampoo will get rid of this in no time. We also love this Loxa Beauty CBD Hand Lotion. The natural CBD oils in the lotion make it a great moisturiser for your hard-working, rough hands. 

CBD makes for a great skin and hair product, but it also works miracles on back pain. You may ask how does cbd cream help back pain?

Well, CBD can significantly improve your quality of life if you suffer from chronic or acute back pain. Back pain can appear as a result of old age or overuse. Alternatively, a strained muscle or injured spinal ligament may cause pain.

A new study in South Africa aims to examine the effect of psilocybin on treating depression in HIV-positive women with the goal of increasing treatment compliance.

No matter how effective HIV and AIDS treatment have become in the so-called “first world,” the disease is still devastating in places like South Africa. Indeed, HIV infection represents one of the most serious public health challenges in the country. South Africa has the tragic distinction of being the country with the highest number of people infected with the disease globally and the fourth highest adult HIV prevalence rate according to UN statistics. A whopping 13% of the population is infected.

Further the demographics are different than they have been in Western countries. It is not a disease mostly of gay and bisexual men, but straight, Black women. In fact, women are twice as likely to contract HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Tragically, women between 15-19 years old account for 6 out of 7 new infections and represent 63% of the newly infected. In 2020, 4,200 women between 15 and 24 became infected weekly.

AIDS contributes to about a quarter of all deaths in the country.

Beyond the complications of AIDS, however, are two other large and looming problems.

About one third of all South African HIV patients are also comorbid with tuberculosis. Beyond this, mental illness, specifically major depressive disorder is a widespread and unaddressed problem. According to available data, 40% of South Africans living with HIV also suffer from depression and 60% suffer from PTSD.

Pay attention to these signs.

Many people find marijuana beneficial, either for recreation or relief from a medical condition. But some people have a less pleasant experience with cannabis. Marijuana can cause side effects, which can range from unpleasant to risky for health. This is what it may feel like to experience some of the most common side effects of marijuana. 

Smoking marijuana involves inhaling, well, smoke, and that can irritate your lungs. "Research shows that smoking marijuana causes chronic bronchitis and marijuana smoke has been shown to injure the cell linings of the large airways, which could explain why smoking marijuana leads to symptoms such as chronic cough, phlegm production, wheezing, and acute bronchitis," says the American Lung Association.

THC, the main ingredient in marijuana, can raise heart rate by 20 to 50 beats a minute, causing a feeling that your heart is racing. This may last for several hours.

"Marijuana can make the heart beat faster and can make blood pressure higher immediately after use," says the CDC.

"It could also lead to increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and other vascular diseases." Researchers think THC may cause inflammation in blood vessels, damaging them.

People have argued for over a century about whether the benefits of medicinal marijuana outweigh the risks. Supporters of marijuana as medication claim that it has many potential benefits and can alleviate symptoms more effectively than conventional pharmaceuticals. Risks are low since marijuana is generally effective at low doses. Marijuana also may allow patients to reduce or stop using other pain relievers or medications. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to look into each state’s regulations. If you are interested about the laws in our state you can see here a guide on how to get a medical marijuana card in Maryland, fully online.

Here are eight potential benefits of medicinal marijuana.

1. Reducing inflammation

Researchers have found that THC can suppress inflammatory processes, resulting in less pain. They showed the levels of inflammation in patients with osteoarthritis to be significantly lower after they were treated with THC compared with other analgesics. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who used marijuana had less swelling, reported less pain, and experienced faster recovery than those who did not use marijuana. In several studies, the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids were effective in treating both arthritis and neuropathic pain.

2. Increase appetite

The FDA has approved a synthetic cannabinoid spray known as dronabinol to increase appetite and manage weight loss in people with AIDS. This drug is sometimes prescribed “off-label” to cancer, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis patients. Studies have shown that marijuana can be useful in treating anorexia and weight loss in people with cancer, HIV, and other conditions that cause side effects such as nausea or vomiting.

Former Governor joins healthcare professionals to launch testing facility in new medicalmarijuana program for Mississippi.  

Former Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove will is joining an executive hospital team to form Magnolia Tech Labs. This new business will be a state of the art testing facility service for the state’s new medical marijuana industry.

Beginning yesterday, the Mississippi Department of Health opened applications for growers, dispensaries, and testing facilities to operate in the medical marijuana business. These applications are required to be filed in order to receive certification.

Quentin Whitewell and Dr. Kenneth Williams, as well as a Nashville partner Bappa Mukherji, have developed a comprehensive health care system in underserved areas of the North Delta. Over the years they have developed a friendship with Governor Musgrove leading to the most recent business venture.

“Governor Musgrove’s roots are where we have planted our healthcare flag, and his experience has brought a common bond. We share a passion of helping communities that were losing their hospitals,” said Whitwell.

“Musgrove had been involved in the trade association that helped the get the initiative passed. No one was really talking about safety testing of the product at that time, and we knew that was going to be a very necessary part of the public trust in the industry.”

OneLavi will soon carry Vido’s Health & Beauty USA skincare products that contain Hemp Seed Oil.

“We are thrilled that OneLavi, a boutique health, wellness, and beauty website, will offer our skincare products with HSO to its customers,” said Iva Plummer, one of the co-founders of Vido’s Health & Beauty USA.

“We are launching our products in the U.S. this year, and OneLavi will be one of the first retailers to see our HSO skincare products.”

Plummer said Hemp Seed Oil is perfect for the skin because it moisturizes and reduces inflammation.

“Because of HSO, our skincare products also are rich in anti-oxidants, ‘which can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals,’” Plummer said.

“Antioxidants help reduce inflammation, which is a common cause for a variety of skin conditions.”

Encouraging outcomes in recent studies have the authors of a recent review calling for more research on the effect of cannabinoids on sleep disorders.

It may not seem like a big deal to the millions of Americans living in legal cannabis states, but Wednesday is huge for medical marijuana supporters in Mississippi. June 1 is the first day for medical marijuana patients to submit their applications for a card in the Magnolia State. Businesses will also be able to apply for licenses. (Benzinga)

Long Time Coming

In February, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation into law, making Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical marijuana. At the time the governor said, "There is no doubt that there are individuals in our state who could do significantly better if they had access to medically prescribed doses of cannabis." 74% of Mississippi voters approved the medical marijuana program. 

Ken Newburger, director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, said the law itself did not include a directive for municipalities to report. At the same time, the lack of an official list should not embolden anyone to attempt to get around the system, he warned. 

“If you try to open a dispensary in a city that has opted out, the local officials have every power to 1. Stop you and 2. Report you to the state,” Newburger said. 

Keep in mind that doctors are a wealth of knowledge, but medical marijuana and its benefits are a very new science and not all medical professionals are up to date with the latest developments. 

It is completely understandable to have skepticism towards prescription pain medication. America’s opioid crisis continues to take record numbers of lives, while many others live quietly addicted to pain medication. 

If you injure yourself or require surgery, you are likely going to experience pain. You also might want nothing to do with potentially-addictive pain medication when it is offered. Marijuana, as we have previously reported, can be a great alternative to opioids. But will your doctor prescribe you weed instead of painkillers?

Health care professionals can’t actually prescribe pot because the federal government still classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 drug. In other words, your doctor can’t exactly toss out your opioid prescription and write a new one for medical marijuana. Depending on the state, however, the doctor might be able to assist you in using marijuana as medical therapy for your recovery. The bigger question is, is your doctor willing to sign off on this?

Be honest with your physician

There is no point in beating around the bush, or trying to deceive your doctor. They have seen it all, and can spot a liar. If you want marijuana instead of other pain medication, just plead your case.

The current opioid crisis in the country is not a secret. A physician is likely going to be far more receptive to a patient who is honest about not wanting to use opioids, but instead prefers the marijuana route. If you are afraid of the dangers of opioids, or their adverse side effects – be vocal. This won’t guarantee you a medical marijuana card, but it opens up a dialogue to alternative treatments.

A recently published study has revealed that THC levels in blood or breath do not correlate to impairment or the time of last cannabis use.

A new study published this month adds further evidence that levels of THC detected in the blood or breath of cannabis users is not a reliable indicator of impairment. Researchers also found that levels of THC in blood and breath did not provide reliable evidence of how recently a test subject had used cannabis.

In their introduction to the study, the researchers noted that “finding an objective measure of recent cannabis use that correlates with impairment has proven to be an elusive goal.” Some states have enacted laws that set per se legal limits on the amount of THC a driver may have in their blood, similar to the 0.08% blood alcohol concentration limit in effect nationwide.

Critics of per se limits on THC concentrations in blood or breath have argued that such limits have little bearing on the level of impairment or intoxication, which can vary widely from person to person despite similar levels of THC concentration.

“These findings provide further evidence that single measurements of specific delta-9-THC blood concentrations do not correlate with impairment, and that the use of per se legal limits for delta-9-THC is not scientifically justifiable at the present time,” wrote the authors of the study published by the journal Scientific Reports.

To conduct the study, the researchers recruited a group of test subjects, most of whom were daily cannabis users. The scientists then determined the THC levels in their blood and breath prior to and after inhaling cannabis.