Psilocybin Skin Patches Psychedelic Treatments Through The Skin

With magic mushrooms and MDMA getting closer to some kind of federal legalization, its not surprising that the world of biotech is already formulating new and innovative products. What’s the latest? Different companies are working on psilocybin skin patches, which offer yet another way to benefit from magic mushrooms.

In just a few years, could psilocybin skin patches become the new norm? It sure would be interesting to get your psychedelic medicine treatment via your skin! There are already different ways of doing it, with more technological advances likely to come, and we’ll keep you up-to-date on all of it. We make sure to cover everything important in this new and groundbreaking medical field, which you can follow by subscribing to The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter. Check out all the latest news and gain access to new deals on psychedelic products and paraphernalia, as they become available.

---

What are skin patches?

Skin patches can have a variety of functions, and are used in different parts of medicine as a delivery system to give treatment. For example, some people use nicotine skin patches to try to avoid smoking. Some use fentanyl patches to deal with pain in a specific location. Some slap on a patch monthly for birth control measures, some stick them on warts to make them go away, and some have other functions that are met by sticking a patch on their skin.

Called transdermal patches, this delivery system is done by absorbing medication through the skin. Patches are generally made of plastic which has an adhesive coat on it. The adhesive coat is infused with a specific amount of a medication, depending on the needs of the patient, and the amount of time the patch is meant to be worn. Patches are beneficial in many cases because they allow for slow release and absorption, which can last from a few hours, to all day. Some patches, like pain patches, are meant for a localized ailment. Some, like birth control patches, are simply a way of getting medicine into the bloodstream in general.

There are several different kinds of transdermal patches. 1- Single-layer Drug-in-Adhesive patches, that contain medication in the adhesive layer, which absorbs through the skin through contact. 2 – Multi-layer Drug-in-Adhesive patches, these include two medicine-infused adhesive layers, often separated by a membrane, with one offering immediate release, and one slow release. 3 – Reservoir System patches, which contain a separate liquid compartment within their own layer with medication or suspension, which is behind the adhesive. 4 – Matrix System patches, which have a layer of semisolid matrix which holds the drug solution or suspension. The matrix layer is surrounded by adhesive. 5 – Vapour Patches, which contain the medicine in the adhesive, but which let it out as a vapor, and can be used for essential oils.

Nova Mentis and Mycrodose create psilocybin skin patches

As research on magic mushrooms shows more and more promise for help with all kinds of psychological and medical issues, its no surprise that different delivery methods and technologies are being looked at by biotech companies. One such recent partnership holds much promise for the future of psilocybin skin patches.

The companies Nova Mentis and Mycrodose have teamed up to investigate if psychedelics can be used effectively in skin patches, particularly psilocybin for use with fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder which causes intellectual disability. Nove Mentis created the psilocybin treatment for the condition, while Mycrodose produces the skin patch technology. While both companies have functional products, the question of how well they can be integrated together effectively is under investigation. Should it prove to be useful, this may very well be a future treatment option for fragile X, as well as other neuroinflammatory diseases.

Nova Mentis has already completed four pre-clinical studies showing the efficacy of its psilocybin treatment, and has identified therapeutic microdose levels. Nova President and CEO Will Rascan stated “This cooperative transdermal delivery technology expands the possibilities of treating chronic developmental disorders such as fragile X syndrome without exposing the child or adult to intolerable hallucinogenic side effects.”

Everything You Need To Know About Transdermal CBD Patches

This is because transdermal administration has the benefit of being absorbed into the bloodstream, without the issues associated with standard medications such as psychosis, liver toxicity, and larger-than-necessary dosing.

Ei.Ventures and Tioga Research also creating psilocybin skin patches

Nova Mentis and Mycrodose are not the only partnership getting in on this game. Last year Hawaiin start-up Ei.Ventures and Tioga research also announced a partnership to establish psilocybin skin patches for transdermal medicine delivery.

Tyler Strause, the project development specialist for Ei.Ventures had this to say about the benefits of this kind of new technology: “One of the unique challenges with psychedelics is managing the peak experience, where people may experience some adverse effects… By utilizing transdermal technology, our hope is that we’re going to be able to essentially flatten the curve, make the acute peek a little bit less acute and also allow for a more extended duration of the sort of threshold effects.”

Strauss also explained how “there are a range of potential, therapeutic applications from microdosing up through sort of breakthrough doses. And even, potentially, what have been sort of described as heroic doses”, showing the variable ways in which patches can be used.

The goal of the two companies is to create a spectrum of products that give patients new options for medication taking. However, they are not losing site of other aspects. Says Ei.Ventures president David Nikzad in regard to preventing misuse, “I think that the psychedelic experience at this point needs to be done with a therapist… I used to think differently about that, but I’ve seen where psychedelics can be taken and used in too much of a recreational manner.” For this reason, the companies are focusing on patches that would be used under therapeutic supervision.

What about micro-needle patches?

The types of patches listed in the first section all fit under the heading of ‘transdermal patches’, however there is new emerging technology that offers a different kind of medicinal skin patch: micro-needle patches. These patches differ in that they contain a surface layer with tons of micro-needles which enter the surface of the skin, where they biodegrade leaving medicine under the surface of the skin. The patch itself is made from a gelatinous substance.

Can You Smoke Magic Mushrooms?

Micro-needle patches were designed by researchers at The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI), and can be used for a range of issues, like for gene and stem cell therapy. Says TIBI’s director and CEO Ali Khademhosseini, Ph.D., “Our microneedle technology enables one to deliver medications and treatments in a safe, easy, painless and minimally-invasive manner… It also allows for controllable delivery, using materials that are highly biocompatible and biodegradable.” They also allow for water-soluble and insoluble drugs to be used.

In February of 2021 TIBI announced a partnership with Pharma Ther, Inc., a life sciences company that specializes in R&D for psychedelic treatments. The goal is to create micro-needle patches that can be used for these treatments. Currently, the company is working on creating treatments using MDMA, LSD, DMT, psilocybin, and ketamine. As of April 2021, the company had 17 patents granted, or still out as applications, and is looking to use the psychedelic patches for neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and pain disorders, according to CEO of PharmaTher., Fabio Chianelli. He also went on to say:

“We are excited to work with the Terasaki Institute and the inventors of the GelMA delivery technology, as it enables a solid foundation to expedite the product, and clinical development for a first-of-a-kind microdosing delivery system to treat serious unmet medical needs.” He went on, “Our focus is pursuing prescription-based psychedelic pharmaceuticals for FDA and international regulatory approval and unlocking the potential therapeutic value of these compounds via TIBI’s microneedle patch.”

The company is heavily into ketamine research as well, with several of its patents related to this part of the industry. The company is in the process of establishing medications for conditions like Parkinson’s disease, depression and Lou Gehrig’s disease using ketamine. For this, the company has struck up a patent and license agreement with The Queen’s University of Belfast for use of a hydrogel-forming microneedle patch delivery technology.

This patch comes with an added benefit of allowing patients to remotely dose their medication safely, without having to be directly under the supervision of a specialist, or in a medical facility at all. These micro-needle patches have hydrogel-forming micro-needles, along with a reservoir, which allows for more medication to be loaded into the needles, getting around issues of limitations in the amount of medication that can be used in a patch. They are specifically being studied with ketamine at the moment.

Conclusion

Though esketamine – a half-brother to ketamine – was quietly legalized in 2019, no other psychedelic has any federal legality at the moment, which makes it that much more interesting that this much research and technology is so far underway. It certainly says a lot about the expectation of future legalizations, and on where the market is expected to go. By the time legalizations occur, there will be full product lines out there for the public, with psychedelic medicine patches containing the likes of psilocybin and more, all ready to go.

Washington Wants to Legalize Magic Mushrooms Statewide

Welcome all readers! Thanks for making it to CBDtesters.co, your top internet spot for independent coverage of cannabis and psychedelics-related news relevant to today. Join us frequently to stay educated on the exciting world of cannabis and psychedelics, and make sure to subscribe to The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter, to keep up-to-date on everything going on.

Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional.

The post Psilocybin Skin Patches – Psychedelic Treatments Through The Skin appeared first on CBD Testers.

Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/03/31/psilocybin-skin-patches-psychedelic-treatments-through-the-skin/

source https://rosalinaklerkx.weebly.com/blog/psilocybin-skin-patches-psychedelic-treatments-through-the-skin

The Science Behind Cannabis Trichomes

When determining the quality of cannabis flowers, one of the visual characteristics you’ll be looking for are those lovely crystals that coat the outside of high-quality nugs – formally known as trichomes.

The most important compounds in the cannabis plant – the cannabinoids that produce all the desired effects, along with the terpenes that boost said effects and give us the aromas and flavors we enjoy so very much – all start out as trichomes. So, the reason we love weed so much is almost entirely attributable to these trichomes, but how much do we really know about them?

The cannabis plant is so interesting and complex, and we’re learning more about it every day. To stay current on everything important happening in the industry, subscribe to the THC Weekly Newsletter. Also, it’ll get you premium access to deals on cannabis flowers, vapes, edibles, and much more! We’ve also got standout offers on cannabinoids, like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC, which won’t kill your bank account. Head over to our “Best-of” lists to get these deals, and remember to enjoy responsibly!

---

Different types of cannabis trichomes

It can be hard to tell with the naked eye, but trichomes actually come in many different shapes and sizes. They can be unicellular or multicellular, as well as glandular or non-glandular. Glandular consists of a stalk ending in a glandular head, and non-glandular has elongated tapering structures at the end instead of a larger gland.
unicellular or multicellular and are either glandular, consisting of a stalk terminating in a glandular head, or nonglandular, consisting of elongated tapering structures.

Three types of trichomes are seen most frequently on the cannabis plant: Bulbous trichomes, capitate sessile trichomes, and capitate stalked trichomes. The smallest are bulbous trichomes, which are roughly 10-15 micrometers. Despite being found on the entire surface of the plant, they are still the least abundant trichome found on cannabis. The next size up are capitate sessile trichomes. These are slightly larger, slightly more prominent, and are comprised of two complete parts, a head and stalk.

The largest and most plentiful are capitate stalked trichomes. They range in size between 50-100 micrometers wide and these are the ones that you can see without any type of visual aid. They’re made of a stalk containing epidermal and hypodermic cells, that build up to a basal cell that is attached to the base of a large glandular head. The entire structure is held together by a waxy cuticle layer, acting as a sort of glue/cement for the trichome.

Within the capitate stalked trichomes is where all the cannabinoid and terpenoid magic happens, as these trichomes are responsible for the synthesis of all the fun compounds. Because of their size and abundance, they produce the highest concentration of essential oils. So, in other words, the more capitate stalked trichomes you have, the more fire your weed will be.

How are they created?

When cannabis plants move into their blooming stage, that’s when the trichomes begin to form. Trichomes develop along the outer surface of every exposed part of the plant, so basically everything except the roots and some sections of the stems. From there, they begin to transport vacuoles and plastids from their stalk into the gland head.

The cells within the gland head of the trichome will then begin to metabolize, forming precursor chemicals to what will eventually become cannabinoids. Plants containing high concentrations of trichomes usually produce a large number of cannabinoids and terpenes as well, but that’s not always the case. Both genetics and the growing environment have a significant impact on the development of trichomes and the rate at which they convert to cannabinoids and terpenes.

According to Patrick Bennett from Leafly, “Variables such as UV light greatly affect cannabinoid and terpene synthesis within the trichome head. Typically, plants that receive a broader spectrum of light will produce higher concentrations of cannabinoids, though in many cases these reactions will be strain-specific.”

Fresh Frozen Cannabis – Using Cold to Boost Flowers and Concentrates

The lifecycle of a cannabis trichome

The life of a trichome is incredibly similar to that of the cannabis plant itself, in the sense that they age at the same rate, so trichomes are a very accurate indicator of plant maturation. Throughout the lifecycle of the trichome, the opacity changes from almost translucent in its early stages, to a misty white, and then turning a darker, amber hue towards the end. This can vary based on the strain, but regardless, trichome coloration is the go-to standard for determining whether your buds are ready or not.

Once the trichome has reached full maturation, it’s time to harvest. Shortly after this point the trichomes will begin to degrade and the flowers will lose their potency and flavor. During handling, you will have to be very careful not to damage the trichomes, as they are sensitive to a number of different stimuli including physical contact, time, and exposure to heat, light and oxygen – to name a few.

There are numerous ways to extend the life of your cannabis trichomes such as careful handling, proper trimming, drying, and curing techniques, and correct storage. All this combined will help keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible, and that’s important regardless of what side of the production chain you’re on.

Plant protection

In cannabis, and all plants that produce them, trichomes serve as protection from insects and other animal, as well as a variety of environmental irritants. When female plants begin to produce flowers, they become vulnerable and just like animals, plants evolve and adapt over time, developing a range of mechanisms used for survival and protection.

Among these are trichomes. The strong aroma secreted by these trichomes is what attracts humans to cannabis. Other animals are deterred by the smell and it prevents them from eating the plant. The sticky/oiliness we discussed earlier, produced by the capitate stalked trichomes, serves as another defense mechanism that traps insects when they come in contact with plant.  

That oil also aids in a sort of self-regulation, by helping prevent excessive water loss from the leaves, as well as protecting the plant from extreme humidity, keeping it at the correct moisture level. The different trichome layers also help shield it from other harsh environmental conditions, such as pollution and smoke from wildfires.

With certain plants, Tragia for instance, the trichomes can form into small, stinging hairs that break off the plant and irritate whatever animal comes in contact with it. There were cactus species in my yard when I lived in the desert with these tiny, thread-like needles, and this is the same exact defense tactic used by tarantulas, who will rub their hind legs together to scatter small hairs into the eyes of their predators.

What are the effects in humans?

This is a very loaded question because the exact benefits and effects depend on what combination of cannabinoids and terpenoids are synthesized by the trichomes. In general, both of these compounds have proven effective in managing a myriad of different health conditions and diseases.

How Many THCs Are There… and Which One Is the Strongest?

From a medical standpoint, nearly every naturally-occurring cannabis compound serves a purpose and can be used therapeutically in the human body. The two most abundant cannabinoids, THC and CBD, are both highly beneficial plant medicines. Cannabidiol, or CBD, has no psychoactive properties and is utilized widely to treat anxiety, pain, neurological disorders, inflammation, and the list goes on. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound known for its intoxicating effects, but it’s also a powerhouse of medicinal goodness in its own right. THC is great for relieving pain, treating nausea, managing depression, and it is said to regenerate brain cells in elderly users, among many other benefits.

Recreationally, cannabis is considered a psychoactive substance. The high can range considerably, with some people feeling relaxed and at peace, while others get anxious and paranoid. Even within those confines, there are so many variations of the kind of high you will feel. Some strains make you feel lazy and chill, while others have you more energized, creative, and inquisitive. Again, it all boils down to the specific combination of cannabinoids and terpenes, which can be traced even further, to the plant trichomes.

The Endocannabinoid System

To understand why cannabinoids are so effective and capable of targeting such a varied range of conditions, you will need to have a base understanding of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors that can be found throughout the bodies of nearly all living creatures (minus insects, as far as we know currently). We naturally create cannabinoids in our bodies – called endocannabinoids – which bond to these receptors to regulate different processes in our bodies and maintain internal balance and harmony.

So far, researchers have been able to identify two separate endocannabinoids: 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA), as well as two main receptors: CB1 and CB2. 2-AG is a full agonist of both the CB1 and CB2 receptors but it has a more direct association with the CB2 receptor. Because of this, 2-AG is thought to have a substantial influence over the immune system.

Anandamide – or AEA – also casually known as the “bliss molecule”, has a major impact on our state of homeostasis. AEA can help manage things such as appetite, sleep wake cycles, pain response, and then some. Our bodies continuously cycle through anandamide. It breaks down very easily, so it doesn’t stay in the body for long. However, our bodies create it on-demand to maintain homeostasis.

There is a condition referred to as ‘cannabinoid deficiency’, characterized by a body’s inability to produce endocannabinoids. Some experts theorize that many illnesses we suffer from, stem from this shortage of endocannabinoids.

Final Thoughts

To say that trichomes are an important part of the cannabis plant would be a monumental understatement. Not only do they act as a defense mechanism for the plant – protecting it from pests and environmental pathogens; but trichomes are also the reason cannabis has so many qualities that are beneficial to us, both medicinally and recreationally.

Hello and welcome! You’ve made it to CBDtesters.co/Cannadelics.com, the #1 web spot for the most comprehensive independent news coverage of the cannabis and psychedelics industries. Join us whenever possible to stay in-the-loop on the ever-changing landscape of cannabis and psychedelics, and subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter, so you’re always on top of what’s going on.

Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional.

The THC Weekly Newsletter

The post The Science Behind Cannabis Trichomes appeared first on CBD Testers.

Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/03/31/the-science-behind-cannabis-trichomes/

source https://rosalinaklerkx.weebly.com/blog/the-science-behind-cannabis-trichomes

To Vape or Not to Vape in Mexico

Mexico is a strange country when it comes to cannabis these days, with inconsistent rules, and general friction between the government and court system. We all know that Mexico legalized cannabis by way of the Supreme Court, and has been waiting on the official legislation for years. What might be less known is that there’s also been an ongoing controversy specifically with vape laws in Mexico. Here’s the story.

The vape issue in Mexico is just as nonsensical as in America, but at least Mexico’s Supreme Court shot down a ban on vape products. We report on everything related to the cannabis industry all over the world, which you can keep up with by subscribing to the THC Weekly Newsletter. As a bonus, you’ll receive access to stellar deals on products like vapes, edibles, and other paraphernalia! Further to that, we’ve got some great offers on cannabinoid compounds, like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC, which will save you lots of $$. Head over to our “Best-of” lists to take advantage of these deals, and enjoy your new products!

---

The vape ban

Much like in America, there is quite a discussion going on in Mexico over the idea of vaping. As a part of article 16 of Mexico’s General Law for Tobacco Control, instituted in 2005, “The trade, sale, distribution, display, promotion, and production of any object that resembles tobacco but is not tobacco, which includes e-cigarettes”, are all illegal.

The issue gained momentum on February 20^th, 2020, when Mexico’s president Andrés Obrador put out a presidential decree, which was published in the Federal Official Gazette on that day, and which worked to ban the import of ENDS products (electronic nicotine delivery systems), as well as non-nicotine vape products into Mexico, and all hardware involved.

The ban is an extension of article 16, and aimed at literally everything vape related, specifically speaking of imports to Mexico. While Obrador cited World Health Organization information for his decree (something that goes wildly in contrast to his initial stance when elected of not being prohibitionist toward drugs), very little substantial proof was provided. In fact, he made this statement:

“That it has been reported that the use of these devices generates inflammation of the respiratory tract, the increase of white blood cells, as well as bilateral pulmonary opacities (spots in the lung), low oxygenation of the blood or even respiratory failure, in addition to an increased sensitivity of airway cells to viral infections… Its long-term use is expected to increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.”

What’s the problem? None of this has ever been proven. In fact, the US, which is the home of the vape debate, couldn’t list more than 68 confirmed deaths from 29 states (and DC), from the start of vaping in general til February 2020, and this while the country boasts 480,000 smoking deaths yearly, including 41,000 from secondhand smoke alone. How much of a death toll in Mexico? According to Tobacco Free Kids, this amounts to 63,200 deaths a year, which is 9.7% of all deaths in the country yearly. Much like the FDA constantly trying to make smear campaigns on vaping in America, it seems Obrador is doing the same. He even went as far as saying as per the WHO, that vaping poses:

“health risks for people in the environment exposed to the aerosol exhaled by [vaping product] users”, and that it “turns out to be a new source of air pollution by particles, including fine and ultrafine particles, as well such as 1,2-propanediol, certain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals (such as nickel and chromium), and nicotine”, concluding that “therefore, the increase in the concentration of toxic substances in the foreign aerosol, in relation to ambient air levels , represents a greater risk to the health of any exposed person.”

FDA Still Trying to Limit Vaping, the Healthier Smoking Option

Apparently Mexico is pretty cool with that 63,200 yearly death rate from smoking. What’s the vape death rate? There actually isn’t one. In fact, a 2019 article listed the first confirmed vape death, with no further formal, or informal, statistics that I could find. That death was technically a pneumonia death, and I saw nothing definitively linking it to vapes, apart from the article stating it was. How vaping and smoking can be equated in this way, or even worse, vaping made to look more detrimental, is so fundamentally flawed… that the Supreme Court had to step in.

Supreme Court says its fine to vape in Mexico

These days, the Supreme Court of Mexico has been working overtime to undo bad policy. Not only did it overturn the ban on recreational cannabis, but it also overturned Obrador’s ban on vape products in Mexico. It did so in two steps, starting on July 16^th, 2021, when it struck down the import ban as unconstitutional for “heat-not-burn” products. This overturned the presidential decree, and released these products from article 16 oversite.

And then the Court when further. On October 19^th, 2021, the Supreme Court ruled yet again on the topic, this time making the judgement that article 16 of the General Law for the Control of Tobacco – the law which prohibited commercialized vape products in Mexico, was unconstitutional because it damages free trade.

The decision came when Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, Juan Luis Gónzalez Alcantara Carrancá, brought it in front of the Supreme Court for ruling, with an argument about the violation of the Constitutional freedom of equality. A vote went 4-2, however different arguments were used for those in favor of dropping the ban, creating even more confusion as to a final text.

This doesn’t actually create a written law for use of these products. Much like with cannabis in general, it sets case law, and makes it so that no lower court can go against this ruling. This is beneficial to offenders who were facing prosecution, but does not set up an outright legalization policy. Which is yet another example of Mexico having a distinction between Supreme Court rulings and written law.

Mexico and cannabis legalization

Where else is Mexico in immense gray area? With cannabis legalization in general. In 2018, the last of five consecutive Supreme Court rulings was made on the recreational use and cultivation of cannabis. This resulted in jurisprudencia kicking in, when court rulings override written law, which created new case law stating that cannabis prohibition is unconstitutional.

Mexican Cannabis Legalization: Why Hasn’t Legislation Passed?

After literally years of congress avoiding doing its job in writing up official legislation to match this, the Supreme Court finally dropped the laws of prohibition itself, but only related to private use and cultivation, and still without written laws to govern the decision. Which means, though the Court has ruled that cannabis is technically legal, and can be freely used and grown in private, the lack of written legislation provides no framework for a legalized market, or laws to govern any kind of use at all, even that which was legalized.

The Supreme Court even kicked it up a notch once again in December 2021, when it ruled on a case initiated by the company Xebra Mexico. This had to do with the commercial production of low-THC hemp with a limit of 1% THC. The court ruled that its unconstitutional to bar the production of low-THC hemp, meaning Xebra Mexico (a Canadian subsidiary) won the right for production, essentially forcing the opening of at least that market. The ruling is unappealable, which also creates case law once again.

What’s next?

I expect written laws will come out at some point for these matters, or at least, they’re supposed to. Not only does Mexico need its cannabis industry fully started and regulated, but it needs a regulatory framework for vapes now that all these products sit in legal gray area. What’s weirdest about all of this, is that every move forward has been made not by Mexico’s government, but by its Supreme Court.

The Mexican congress missed the end of the congressional season when 2021 passed, meaning when exactly laws will be put in place to regulate the cannabis industry is up in the air. Technically congress has missed several deadlines starting in December of 2019. At the last official deadline in April 2021 it did not ask the Supreme Court for an extension (like it did at all previous missed deadlines), which enabled the Supreme Court to go ahead and drop the laws it did, which happened on June 28^th, 2021.

The vape market is not huge in Mexico right now, likely at least partly because of legal issues. Other places like the US, Canada, and Europe have much higher vape usage numbers, which can be seen simply by watching the streets, or being out in public in general. Vapes can be found for nicotine and cannabis products, but in paltry numbers compared to the locations above. In Mexico, most smoke coming out of mouths is from cigarettes and joints by a wide majority, and it seems Mexico could benefit greatly from some safer smoking methods.

Conclusion

These days, it makes more sense in Mexico to watch the Supreme Court to see what policies will be instituted, but this is not how it should work. The Mexican government has repeatedly dropped the ball, and this vape issue is just another aspect of the Court having to fill in for the government not correctly doing its job.

Mexico Cannabis Update: Another Missed Deadline and Political Nepotism

Hello and welcome! You’ve made it to CBDtesters.co, the preeminent web location for the best overall comprehensive independent news coverage of the cannabis and psychedelics fields. Stop by frequently to stay educated on the fast-paced universe of cannabis and psychedelics, and subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter, so you never miss a single thing.

Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional.

The post To Vape or Not to Vape in Mexico appeared first on CBD Testers.

Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/03/31/to-vape-or-not-to-vape-in-mexico/

source https://rosalinaklerkx.weebly.com/blog/to-vape-or-not-to-vape-in-mexico

Look How Badly the Government Wants You to Use ITS Ketamine Only

The government sure loves running smear campaigns when it wants its people to believe a certain way, which sometimes seems to be to promote the sale of one product or service over another. These campaigns run rampant in the cannabis and psychedelics industries where Big Pharma is scrambling to gain control from black or gray markets. In just another showing of this, the government released yet another fear tactic smear campaign because it only wants patients to use its ketamine. Take a look.

The government approved one kind of ketamine, called esketamine, and it only wants you to use that one! Problem is, there’s a big wide gray market for ketamine that seems way more inviting, and comes with less restrictions. Why does the government care so much then, when both seem perfectly safe? We cover everything important in the emerging psychedelics industry, and work hard to bring you the best stories out there. Subscribe to The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter to keep up with everything going on. And make sure you’re up-to-snuff on all the important psychedelics talking points of today.

---

What is ketamine?

Ketamine has been very much in the spotlight recently, with a strange push-and-pull now going on between the legal market and the gray market. Ketamine (C₁₃H₁₆ClNO) is a dissociative psychedelic that sits in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances list because of its approval as an anesthetic. This makes it different then nearly every other psychedelic compound, which are Schedule I, meaning the federal government decided they are dangerous and with no medical value.

Ketamine was formulated by scientists at Parke-Davis pharmaceutical company in 1962, for use as a strong anesthetic. It is said to have cataleptic, analgesic, and sedative properties, but not hypnotic properties. It is considered dissociative because it can make users feel that different parts of their brains are disassociating from each other. It was written as “electrophysiological and functional dissociation between thalamocortical and limbic systems.”

It was approved for use as an anesthetic in 1970. But it was never approved for anything else, and this despite prisoner studies from the 1960’s showing that not only did ketamine have effects on psychological issues (which were not completely flushed out at the time, but which were later more elucidated), but that it was also a good treatment for pain issues. It became a staple recreational drug in the 1980’s club scene.

Since ketamine is Schedule III, and therefore legal, it can be prescribed by any doctor for off-label use. This refers to using it for something that’s not what it’s approved for, but which can be legally done if the doctor feels that the drug can still be useful for a patient. This is cleared by the FDA, so there’s nothing illegal about the practice, and the practice has led to a large and quickly growing ketamine gray market, where the drug is offered in clinics to help with psychological issues, and pain.

Though ketamine must be prescribed by a doctor, it has no regulation attached for its uses for pain and psychological disorders outside of major depression, meaning there is no added tax structure by the federal or local governments. This is because if a drug isn’t approved for what its being used for, it can’t have a tax regulation structure set for it. To give an idea how the government must feel about that, consider how many taxes are levied on the legal cannabis industry, often to the point of raising prices so far above black market prices, that legal markets, though they can bring in money, realistically have not shown the ability to fully compete.

And then came esketamine

Usually when a new drug is up for approval, especially when that drug comes from a controversial class of drugs like psychedelics or cannabis, it generally is the subject of intense debate. All conversations related to different states legalizing either of these drug classes, are riddled with debaters trying to prove points on both sides.

Why the Government Legalized Esketamine and Not Ketamine

So it’s a little shocking that in 2019, the US federal government legalized a psychedelic medication, without any conversation, or public knowledge of it at all. Under cover of night decisions and legislation are usually a tactic to get something through expressly without the public knowing, for fear of negative opinions causing issues.

Esketamine shares the same chemical formula, but was discovered much more recently in 1997. It was discovered by German scientists, who were in the search for a better anesthesia, and this was its initial purpose as well. While it was being used in this way, it was noticed that it provides strong anti-depressant effects. It was released in the US on March 5^th, 2019 as the Johnson & Johnson drug Spravato. Whereas regular ketamine is generally given by IV, Spravato has only been cleared as a nasal spray.

But the government didn’t approve the ketamine being used in the gray market, it legalized a nearly identical, but mildly different version, called ‘S-enantiomer’ ketamine. The kind being used in the gray market, is ‘racemic’ ketamine. In general, “Ketamine is a racemic mixture containing 2 mirror image molecules, R- and S-ketamine.”

A racemic mixture is a compound that has “equal quantities of two enantiomers, or substances that have dissymmetric molecular structures that are mirror images of one another.” Enantiomers are a “pair of objects related to each other as the right hand is to the left—that is, as mirror images that cannot be reoriented so as to appear identical.”

This means that ‘racemic ketamine’ is ketamine with both enantiomers, and ‘S-enantiomer ketamine’ (approved as esketamine) is only the S-enantiomer of ketamine. How much difference is there? Well, in one study from 2009 called Comparison of racemic ketamine and S-ketamine in treatment-resistant major depression: report of two cases, it was found that S-ketamine use was “reported to be less prone to psychomimetic side effects, such as derealisation and hallucinations.” The conclusion was that “S-ketamine might exert similar antidepressant effects as ketamine in drug-resistant depression but may be better tolerated by the patients.” It should be remembered that psychedelic therapy tends to rely on some of the effects mentioned. No one complains that psilocybin causes hallucinations in therapy.

Another one from 2021, Compounded intranasal racemic ketamine for major depressive disorder: A case report, which is a case study of one patient, found that racemic ketamine treatment of a patient with major depression was successful after three doses. As per study investigators “Intranasal ketamine was not associated with significant adverse drug effects and facilitated a relatively short hospital admission. The case report provides support for the use of intranasal racemic ketamine as adjunctive treatment for MDD.”

The Ketamine Loophole: Everything You Need to Know

Why the debate?

The ketamine loophole has allowed for a very large gray market to grow in the US, and which is spreading around the world. Back in 2015 there were about 60 operational clinics giving ketamine therapy in the US. By 2018, that number was up to about 300. With the boom in psychedelics felt all around, that number has surely increased greatly, and this can be seen by simply pulling up an app like Google Maps, going to a location, and looking for ketamine clinics. You might be surprised by how many there are. Most are independent locations, while some like Delic and Field Trip Health run chains with multiple locations across the US and beyond.

Obviously, the US government doesn’t want an industry it can’t control, and as Big Pharma pumps tons of money into the government, it suffices to say that the government will do its bidding. Except that it seems to have messed up with esketamine. Or maybe it wasn’t a mess-up at all. Esketamine prescriptions require use of a standard anti-depressant, which is a major detraction for those who do not want them. And more importantly, despite being well-researched for its ability to help with pain without causing an addiction, it was never cleared for this. Even though the opioid death rate increases every year.

Since esketamine has not seemed to make much chink in the ketamine market, the government has resorted to what it does best: smear campaigns. And this time, its geared toward compounded ketamine nasal sprays, which are in competition with the government-cleared esketamine nasal spray. A compounded drug is a drug formulation made specially for an individual patient, so in this case, it would be a ketamine formulation that involves something else as well, but which is based on racemic ketamine.

In a February 17^th, 2022 fear article called FDA: Safety Concerns With Compounded Ketamine Nasal Spray, its states that “In animal studies, the use of racemic ketamine has been shown to cause brain lesions in rodents, whereas this association was not observed with esketamine.” Except this doesn’t get mentioned much, not even in this 2016 review called Ketamine enantiomers in the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects, which sources from tons of research out on ketamine. In fact, of R-ketamine, it concludes, “R ketamine appears to be a potent and safe antidepressant relative to S ketamine.”

The FDA points out that: “In recent years, the FDA has received a number of reports of pharmacies compounding nasal spray formulations of ketamine either alone or in combination other ingredients.” If a patient is given ketamine, its by a doctor’s prescription and guidelines. Most ketamine therapy does take place in clinics, but this doesn’t mean a pharmacy can’t fill a valid doctor’s prescription. If this was illegal, the FDA wouldn’t complain about it, it would shut pharmacies down. Since it can’t, it’s trying to make them sound dangerous. Compounded medications may not be FDA-approved, but neither is ketamine for pain, and that doesn’t mean using it that way is illegal, because its not. And it also doesn’t seem to be dangerous.

And then the article continued with this fear tactic: “A search of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database and the medical literature revealed 5 cases that were associated with psychiatric events, as well as abuse and misuse between 2016 and 2021.” Five whole cases? Which didn’t end in death, and realistically might have been cleared up within a short period of time? And over five whole years? Kind of makes it sound pretty safe. In fact, with all those clinics in operation, and no stories of issues whatsoever besides this one, it kind of seems like this is the government trying to scare users into only using the legally approved and government taxed version of ketamine.

Where’d They Go? How Quaaludes Disappeared and Is Ketamine Next?

How this mirrors Quaaludes

Weirdly, the ketamine industry of today mirrors the Quaaludes industry of the 60’s and 70’s. Use of Quaaludes (or methaqualone) was so widespread, that in 1981 the DEA claimed that Quaaludes were second only to cannabis in popularity, and that 90% of production was exclusively for the black market. In 1980, the government announced there were more than 20 million Quaaludes on the street and that that number would likely double in a year. It was even being prescribed in ‘stress clinics’ whereby patients didn’t need to go to a primary care physician, much like the ketamine clinics of today.

So what happened? A bunch of smear campaigns about the danger of the drug that comically included complaints of about 117 deaths in a year (1980) from legally prescribed Quaaludes, which when compared to 70,000+ deaths a year from opioid overdoses, really puts the safety of Quaaludes in perspective. A statistic from Dade Country Florida backs this up (there are very few death statistics out there for Quaaludes), where it was reported there were 246 methaqualone deaths in an 11-year period from start of 1971 to the close of 1981. Considering that same county had 300 overdose deaths in 2019 alone, it speaks volumes to the actual safety of Quaaludes.

So the drug worked well, and for a sedative, had a pretty low death rate (so long as you don’t buy the government hype). But it was also nearly only existent on the black market, meaning no profit for government or Big Pharma. So the US went around the world and shut down almost all production of it, which essentially eradicated it entirely. It still exists in black markets in India (where it was made), and Africa (where it was first used as an anti-malaria medication), but is absent from the streets of America. Methaqualone was replaced by benzodiazepines which boast a higher kill rate, but which don’t exist so widely in a black or gray market. So, maybe it makes sense that the government is trying so hard to dissuade people from the ketamine gray market, which way overshadows the legal one. It would be harder these days to shut down production of ketamine all around the world.

Conclusion

It’s not my job to tell you if you should be hesitant to use a compounded ketamine nasal spray, racemic ketamine, or the government sanctioned version. But one thing is for sure, if you don’t want to take an antidepressant with your ketamine treatments, or want them for pain, you only have the choice of the gray market anyway. With no statistics showing a real concern – let alone a grave enough one for warnings from the FDA, it seems this is just another tactic of the US government to get you to take their drug, over the one you can also legally get in a ketamine clinic, but which the government doesn’t make extra money from.

Welcome to all readers! You’ve arrived at CBDtesters.co, your #1 internet location for current and thought-provoking cannabis and psychedelics-related news coverage, the world over. Come join us frequently to stay aware of what’s going on in the constantly-moving universe of cannabis and psychedelics, and subscribe to The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter, to make sure you never miss an important story.

Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional.

The Psychedelics Weekly Newsletter

The post Look How Badly the Government Wants You to Use ITS Ketamine Only appeared first on CBD Testers.

Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/03/31/look-how-badly-the-government-wants-you-to-use-its-ketamine-only/

source https://rosalinaklerkx.weebly.com/blog/look-how-badly-the-government-wants-you-to-use-its-ketamine-only

Does Quitting Smoking Really Does Make You Eat More? Study Says Yes!

One of the biggest complaints of people quitting smoking, is that they eat more and gain weight. According to new research, this is true, and those attempting to rid themselves of the habit are more likely to pack on the pounds. Here’s why, and some possible options for appetite control.

Quitting smoking is hard enough without considering the possibility for weight gain. With a little self-control, however, the withdrawal period can be traversed without extra pounds put on. We cover everything in the world of smoking and cannabis, which you can follow-along with by signing up for THC Weekly Newsletter. You’ll also receive direct access to deals on products like vapes, edibles, and tons of other cannabis paraphernalia! Along with deals on cannabinoid compounds like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC, which you can access in our “Best-of” lists. But… *If these products make you uncomfortable, we advise that you not use them. The cannabinoid industry is confusing and we don’t promote anyone doing anything they are not comfortable with.

---

Smoking withdrawal

Whether you’ve ever smoked a cigarette or not, you should be familiar with the effects of nicotine withdrawal. This is because so many people do smoke, and at any given point in time, plenty are trying to quit. By a certain age, unless you’re from a super restrictive community, you’ve either gone through it yourself, or witnessed someone else in the process.

Luckily, nicotine withdrawal is not a life-threatening withdrawal, and the worst of it is someone acting like a jerk for a few days to a couple weeks. This makes sense, as one of the biggest symptoms of this withdrawal (and pretty much any withdrawal) is agitation. Not only is the brain agitated over not having something it’s used to, but the person experiencing the withdrawal will be going without the constant reward to their pleasure system that cigarettes create by way of dopamine increases.

Nicotine withdrawal starts within the first few days of quitting cigarettes, and can last up to a few weeks. Symptoms vary between quitters, but generally involve some combination of the following: irritability, anger, impatience, sleep problems, concentration problems, depression, anxiety, restlessness, hunger, weight gain, and intense nicotine cravings. Nicotine binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the brain that cause extra dopamine release.

Repeatedly smoking nicotine causes neuroadaptation, which is tolerance to some effects. As a part of this, the number of binding sites increases on the nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, likely as a response to the desensitization of the nicotine-mediation of these receptors. This desensitization is “ligand-induced closure and unresponsiveness of the receptor”…and “is believed to play a role in tolerance and dependence: the symptoms of craving and withdrawal begin in smokers when desensitized α₄ β₂^* nicotinic cholinergic receptors become responsive during periods of abstinence, such as nighttime sleep. Nicotine binding of these receptors during smoking alleviates craving and withdrawal.”

When a person quits, those receptors become sensitized, and without the ability to desensitize them, the person will experience symptoms of withdrawal. “Thus, smokers are probably attempting to avoid withdrawal symptoms when maintaining a desensitized state. By sustaining sufficient levels of plasma nicotine to prevent withdrawal symptoms, they also derive rewarding effects from the conditioned reinforcements associated with smoking, such as the taste and feel of smoke.^”

Does quitting smoking, mean you eat more?

While it might not be the top reason for a smoker to continue smoking, one of the common complaints of quitters is the inability to control their appetite, and the subsequent weight gain, since the former smoker is eating more. How much are the two related? A study from last year delves right into it.

Quit Smoking for the Last Time with Help from CBD

Entitled Tobacco withdrawal increases junk food intake: The role of the endogenous opioid system, the study intended to find if withdrawal leads to more junk food being eaten – specifically defined as foods high in salt, fat, and sugar. And if eating said junk food during this period involves the endogenous opioid system. In order to do this, 76 smokers were randomly split into two groups of 42 and 34. The group of 42 was made to abstain from smoking for 24 hours, and the group of 34 was left to keep smoking at normal rates. A third group of non-smokers, comprised of 29 people, was also used for comparison. All participants were between 18 and 75 years of age.

Two lab sessions were done with participants either being given placebo, or 50 mg of naltrexone, a drug used to reduce cravings. After the sessions, the participants were given a snack tray with different options of junk food, with self-report measures for mood taken right before the snack tray was introduced. “Generalized linear and logistic models were used to assess the effects of acute smoking withdrawal, drug, and sex on the intake of snack items and self-reported measures.”

Though no difference was found for low sugar and low fat foods, it was found that quitting smoking led participants to eat more calories, with those receiving naltrexone showing less likelihood to choose the high fat foods. Smokers going through withdrawal consumed more calories than the non-smokers did.

The study backs up the idea that those quitting smoking tend to not only eat more, but to consume lower quality food. It was also found that “the opioid system may be a mechanism of withdrawal-induced intake of junk foods.”

Why would this be the case?

In terms of why this is the case, the study didn’t seek to go into this, but there are things to consider that might explain the phenomenon. After all, smoking provides constant rewards for the brain in terms of a nicotine hit that leads to a dopamine increase, and the re-desensitization of receptors. What else causes dopamine increases? Eating. And what foods cause large dopamine increases? Foods high in sugar and fat.

At a time of withdrawal, the body is in a state of agitation since it can’t get the substance its used to getting, which allows for more dopamine to be released, and for the standard process of desensitization to occur. In order to help quell the withdrawal, the ex-user might be more inclined to consume foods that also give this same dopamine kick. Thereby replacing nicotine with food. Especially when cigarette cravings are high, junk food probably feels like a good replacement.

Studies Find Cannabis Effective Aid To Quit Cigarette Smoking

So it’s not shocking that people quitting cigarette smoking tend to eat more food, and not only that, to eat more low quality foods that kick off the pleasure centers in the brain. If a person no longer wants the junk food after the nicotine withdrawal has faded, then food replacing cigarettes is temporary. The problem with using such food to replace nicotine, however, is that such food – because it also causes similar dopamine releases – also has an addictive quality, and eating more could become a standard habit.

It should also be remembered that nicotine is a stimulant, and stimulants decrease appetite. Not only can junk food be addictive on its own, but once a person assimilated to a stimulant, isn’t getting that stimulant anymore, their body slows, and hunger increases. This might not be the case in every example of cigarette cessation, but it is a commonly seen effect of quitting smoking to eat more food, and to show more weight gain.

How to not gain weight when quitting smoking

Trading one bad habit for another isn’t really helpful in the end, and its not the idea of anyone quitting smoking, to eat more and gain weight. Since we know this can be expected, however, people attempting to quit have a few things they can do to stave off the hunger and weight gain, or at least to deal with it in a healthy way.

Like having healthy snacks around. Just because you might be craving something unhealthy, it doesn’t mean you can’t derail your brain by giving it something healthy instead. At a time when new patterns are being formed to replace old ones, it’s a good time to start with healthy patterns which hopefully become the norm.

Another thing often pointed at to help with weight gain due to increased eating, is to exercise. Not only is this a healthy behavior, but it helps to burn off extra calories that are eaten during this time. Exercise also helps the body regulate itself better, meaning at a time of instability, exercise can help a person feel better, and to keep their metabolism high.

Take notice of portion sizes. Just because you feel super hungry, doesn’t mean you have to lose all control. By being careful about how much you’re eating, you can make sure not to over-consume calories just because you feel more hungry than usual. Along with this, a person can eat several smaller meals in order to more frequently satiate the appetite, and to keep food intake consistent until the body stabilizes out.

Want Ketamine or Esketamine Therapy? Here’s What to Do…

Quitters might also want to access resources in the form of medications that can help. While there are prescription medications available like naltrexone, there are also options like CBD, and psychedelics, the latter of which have recently gained momentum for their ability to help with addiction. It’s okay to need assistance sometimes, and those dealing with withdrawal have non-addictive options that can help. Quitters interested in psychedelics can look into ketamine therapy, as its widely available in clinics, where it can be prescribed for off label use as an addiction treatment.

Conclusion

Fear of gaining weight is one of the things that might make a person reticent about quitting smoking. But it doesn’t have to be an issue so long as the quitter is mindful of their body during this time. Nothing lasts forever, and if an ex-user can get through the initial period of quitting smoking without allowing themselves to eat more, there is no reason to believe that the increased hunger should last forever. Smoking is a bad habit, and quitting is the healthier option. Just best not to replace an addiction to cigarettes, with an addiction to junk food.

Welcome to the site! You’ve arrived at CBDtesters.co/Cannadelics.com, your penultimate web spot for the most comprehensive independent news coverage of the cannabis and psychedelics industries. Join us frequently to stay informed on the quickly-moving landscape of cannabis and psychedelics, and sign up for The THC Weekly Newsletter, for your daily dose of industry news.

Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional.

The THC Weekly Newsletter

The post Does Quitting Smoking Really Does Make You Eat More? Study Says Yes! appeared first on CBD Testers.

Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/03/30/does-quitting-smoking-really-does-make-you-eat-more-study-says-yes/

source https://rosalinaklerkx.weebly.com/blog/does-quitting-smoking-really-does-make-you-eat-more-study-says-yes

Houseplant: Seth Rogens Cannabis Company

Seth Rogen; the man, the myth, the legend. When you think of cannabis, few individual figures stick out as much as Mr Rogen himself. Of course there’s Bob Marley – who may still hold the number one cannabis icon position. And then there’s the likes of Snoop Dogg, and maybe even Miley Cyrus, who are known for their love for the plant also. However, not only has Seth Rogen been a catalyst in the creation of the new generation of great stoner movies, but he’s also proven his genuine admiration for cannabis and its effects.

In 2021, Rogen opened up his own cannabis company entitled: Houseplant. A man who always supported cannabis legalization and the benefits of the plant. So, how influential has this man really been on cannabis in America and the world? Let’s take a deeper look. 

Celebrity products are fun, but not many are as memorable as these ear-shaped gummies. We’re excited to give them a try when they become available. In the meantime, stay current on everything important happening in the industry by subscribing to the THC Weekly Newsletter. Also, it’ll get you premium access to deals on cannabis flowers, vapes, edibles, and much more! We’ve also got standout offers on cannabinoids, like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC, which won’t kill your bank account. Head over to our “Best-of” lists to get these deals, and remember to enjoy responsibly!

---

The Influence of Fame

The platform, popularity and audience that specific individuals get in this world is staggering. Cristiano Ronaldo has 400 million Instagram followers, Barack Obama has around 140 million Twitter followers and Seth Rogen, well, he has 9.2 million Twitter followers. To be honest, it’s unlikely that anyone will know even close to 1 million people. In fact, according to Medium:

“the average American will meet 10,000 people in their lifetime”

The more people you meet or – in the case of social media – meet you, the more influence you have. Famous figures have a huge amount of influence over their fans. Whilst sometimes the famous can exploit this, other times they can use it in positive ways. For instance, Seth Rogen, has always been an avid supporter of cannabis and has never tried to hide that. His films, personality and social media makes it pretty clear. And now, with the US having legalized cannabis in 18 out 50 states, it does beg the question: did people like Seth Rogen help influence a nation?

Seth Rogen 

So, for those who might be wondering, who the heck is Seth Rogen? Well, Cinemablend writes:

“Rogen’s persona as a functioning weed head has endured him to film and television viewers as well as social media fans. It’s no secret that actor-writer-producer Seth Rogen is one of Hollywood’s biggest marijuana advocates.”

But let’s start from the beginning. Seth Rogen is an American comedian, writer, producer and actor born in 1982, and now aged 39. He broke into the scene as a young comedian, doing the circuits like many before him. Then, out of the blue, he got himself a part in hit-series Freaks & Geeks. After this, he went on to write and star in a variety of well-known films, such as Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, Superbad, 40-year Old Virgin and the Green Hornet. Himself and Evan Goldberg, who met at school, are known as one of the best comedy writer duos of their generation. Whilst, of course, Seth Rogen is known for being a famous stoner, his actual career cannot and should not be undervalued. The Manual writes:

“Besides being an overall good and goofy guy, Seth Rogan has been behind and in front of some of the most hilarious and absolutely ridiculous comedies of the past few decades”

But whilst his passion and love for comedy has taken him to some remarkable places, he has also always been a huge advocate for cannabis. That is why, perhaps, he was a huge influence over the new era of stoner film culture. 

Stoner Films

Stoner films are, in short, movies that are watched by stoners or about stoners – sometimes both. These films are usually enjoyable, easy-to-watch and full of action. But also, it’s sort of hard to nail down and define why some films are stoner movies and others aren’t. The Rolling Stone writes:

“Practically anything can count as a stoner movie if you’re high enough…But the greatest stoner flicks have something more – a certain sticky green magic that makes you crack up laughing like the very first time you saw them, even on your ten-thousandth viewing”

The Marijuana Conspiracy and the Strangest Experiment in Modern History

Cheech and Chong in the 80s were some of the first stoner films, and Harold and Kumar also followed in the early 2000s. Most of these films had similar narratives – two guys on a search for cannabis or for food. However, It seems Seth Rogen has been the pioneer for changing stoner film culture. His films do not revolve around cannabis, like the other ones do. Instead, it shows ordinary people, in extraordinary situations…who also enjoy some weed now and then. In a sense, you could say that Seth Rogen has successfully normalised cannabis through his films. He shows normal people smoking cannabis in a normal way. After years of anti-cannabis adverts trying to highlight how dangerous cannabis is, Seth Rogen and others like him have hit back; highlighting how cannabis can relax you, not kill you. Rogen stated in the Times:

“I think we live in a world where the wrong drugs are prominent”

He highlights how alcohol is often perceived to be a good drug, despite its death rate and causes of many diseases. For Rogen, perhaps now the next battle is to make the opposition believe that cannabis doesn’t make users lazy – as this is often portrayed in stoner movies. Some things need to be done through protest and poltical engagement, which Seth Rogen has always played a part in.

Rogen & Cannabis

Seth Rogen has not only shown his support of cannabis through the films he makes, and the substances he smokes, but also through his political activism. In 2021, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman and other advocacy groups launched a campaign to encourage US voters to force senators into legalizing cannabis in the entirety of America. Rogen appeared on US Cannabis Council and said:

“Here’s the thing about elected officials: they actually spend most of their time worrying about getting reelected. So when their inboxes and their phone lines are blowing up with constituents all rallying behind something specific, that is when things actually start to happen.”

According to Rogen and statistics, two thirds of the US population agree on cannabis legalization, which is an example of a rare agreement. When it comes Rogen and cannabis, he is very open about spending all day, everyday enjoying it. He doesn’t pretend anything else is the case – he’s very vocal about it. Not only that, but Seth Rogen frequently discusses how he believes the importance of cannabis is undervalued. The medical benefits, as well as the recreational ones, are super important to Rogen. He, like many others, are examples of people who can smoke cannabis and it does not stop their creativity. If anything, it enhances it. Seth Rogen said in a Forbes interview:

“It really bothers me that people downplay its importance and downplay how meaningful it is to some people’s lives…there’s always been lies that have been told to control weed, it’ll make you go crazy, it’ll make you lazy, it’ll do this and do that. Right now, I think the biggest lie is that it’s just not important”

It’s no surprise that, in light of his huge support for cannabis, Seth Rogen opened up his own cannabis company in 2021.

Houseplant

Seth Rogen has himself stated that he spends as much time on his cannabis company, Houseplant, as he does working on his recent films. The company runs in California, where of course cannabis is legal. Houseplant not only sells Seth and Evan’s favourite cannabis strains, it also sells ashtrays, lighters and ceramic products. Plus, Seth Rogen and his company have made their own special vinyl records with selected songs for specific highs. On the website, it states their values and goals. It’s moving.

“We will always use our platform to educate people about the devastating history of the War on Drugs and help end the senseless, racist cannabis laws that, despite progress, still exist today. We won’t stop until every adult in America is able to enjoy cannabis without fear of being labelled a criminal.” 

Seth Rogen has created a cannabis company that not only sells great products, but also stands for a better, greener future. 

Conclusion

Seth Rogen is a famous individual who is known for his incredible comedic scripts and performances, as well as his super charming laugh and persona. However, he deserves credit and recognition for all he’s done to raise proper and educated awareness around the cannabis debate. Through his films, platform and now cannabis company, he has always aimed to normalise the use of cannabis and highlight the importance of it. Let’s hope more people like Seth continue his message.

Hello and welcome! You’ve made it to CBDtesters.co/Cannadelics.com, the #1 web spot for the most comprehensive independent news coverage of the cannabis and psychedelics industries. Join us whenever possible to stay in-the-loop on the ever-changing landscape of cannabis and psychedelics, and subscribe to The THC Weekly Newsletter, so you’re always on top of what’s going on.

Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional.

The THC Weekly Newsletter

The post Houseplant: Seth Rogen’s Cannabis Company appeared first on CBD Testers.

Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/03/30/seth-rogen-and-his-cannabis-company-houseplant/

source https://rosalinaklerkx.weebly.com/blog/houseplant-seth-rogens-cannabis-company

Can I Smoke a Tincture Gummy Capsule or Oil?

Okay, these aren’t standard questions, but the reason I bring this up today, is because standard or not, the internet is full of them, and I think it’s good to go over exactly what can be smoked…and what cannot. When it comes to questions of whether a person can smoke a tincture, a gummy, an oil, a capsule, or some other cannabis product, it’s not just about whether it can be done, but what issues could arise from such use. Let’s get into it!

Can you smoke a tincture or a pot edible? Probably best to be careful of these things, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of smokable and vapable cannabis products. We cover everything interesting in the cannabis industry, and you can stay up-to-date by signing up for THC Weekly Newsletter, which will also net you premium access to deals on products like vapes, edibles, and cannabis paraphernalia! We also offer a range of cannabinoid products like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC, which you can find in our “Best-of” lists. As always… *If you are unsure of these products and don’t feel comfortable using them… we do not advise that you do. There are plenty of options, stick with what you feel safe with.

---

Can a person smoke a tincture?

I’m putting this first because in some ways, it’s the most important one of these to answer. So to start with, can you physically do it? Sure, but you can physically do many things that aren’t a good idea. Like stepping off a cliff, juggling knives without training, or running up to pat that super friendly looking alligator. Sometimes it’s not about the physical ability, but how much sense something makes.

Yes, tinctures are a great extraction method for cannabinoids like THC. A tincture denotes the idea of putting the cannabis into a substance, and having the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds leach out into the substance. The most popular way to do this is with ethyl alcohol (NOT methyl), and usually a strong version of it. When I used to make weed tinctures I used 96% Russian alcohol, that I had to promise I wouldn’t drink right down to the guys in the liquor store selling it to me.

Alcohol isn’t the only thing that can be used though. Glycerin is popular for those who’d prefer no alcohol, as well as vinegar, which can be used. The idea is to soak the plant material for quite some time, with different techniques involving how and when to shake it, whether cold should be used, and the length of time it sits. At the end of the leaching process, the plant matter is separated by running the tincture through cheesecloth to take out the plant material, and to leave the user with a strongly infused substance that can be taken in as little as drops.

So, can you smoke a tincture? You probably should not. Yes, there are some concentrated weed compounds, but there’s also a whole bunch of alcohol, glycerin, or vinegar, and some of these substances should NOT be smoked. Inhaling alcohol vapors makes a person intoxicated extremely fast, and its very easy to overdose as the body cannot vomit to get it out, as with standard drinking. In this case, the alcohol doesn’t go through the digestive tract, but straight to the bloodstream. And while this method is actually used medically for treating pulmonary edema and viral pneumonia, this is done in a strict medical setting under intense supervision. Plus, the vapors can cause damage to the brain and lungs much worse than drinking.

This also comes up with the idea of whether its cool to put alcohol in your bong for flavoring purposes. And though some sites promote the use of low-alcohol wines, it always comes with the warning that smoking alcohol vapors – especially from a strong spirit, is a very bad idea. Keep in mind, if you do this, you’ll most likely be dealing with the effects of the alcohol, which isn’t the intended purpose of smoking a weed product.

Can I smoke a glycerin tincture?

On the other hand, vegetable glycerin, is a safer compound, but how it reacts when heated for smoking remains unknown. While there is evidence that smoking glycerin can lead to lung inflammation, especially over time, it doesn’t seem to hold the danger that smoking alcohol does. It’s always good to remember, that something safe to ingest, or rub on the skin, isn’t always going to react well under high heat, so while it’s not associated with the same dangers as alcohol, the idea of smoking it is certainly an experimental way to see what happens to glycerin under high heat.

Mixing Cannabis Delivery Systems: What Will It Do?

Vegetable glycerin is nonetheless used in many vape liquids, though vaping does not involve the same heat level of smoking. Smoking something can mean burning it at a temperature as high as 4000° F (2200° C), while vaping is done at 325°F (163°C) – 430°F (221°C). This is a massive difference. Smoking also produces smoke, while vaporizing produces a vapor. Smoke comes from combustion – or burning a material, and vaping comes from heating it essentially to a boiling point. This produces different byproducts, which create different levels of danger. So while it might be okay to vape glycerin, the idea to smoke a glycerin tincture is something else entirely.

As far as vinegar, there’s literally no info out there on the results of smoking it, and it’s not as popular for use with tinctures anyway. The lack of general information, however, would indicate that this is not a practice generally done, and should be gone into with much caution.

Can I smoke a gummy?

Much like the question of whether its safe to smoke a tincture, smoking a gummy, or edible of any kind, means also smoking all that other stuff involved. Gummies are food products with sugar, food coloring, and other ingredients not meant to be smoked. In fact, a little known piece of info is that sugar is often used to help ease the harshness of cigarettes, and its also known to produce higher toxin levels in cigarettes as well. Of course, we already know that cigarettes aren’t the best thing for life and health, and few pay attention to yet another additive put in them that shouldn’t be inhaled.

Once again, the idea of using an edible product for use with high heat means that every ingredient will be exposed to this high heat, and many chemicals either react badly with heat, or have reactions that have not been tested enough to be deemed safe. Though it might seem like a super cool personal science experiment, there are better ways to spend your time, and investigate the world around, than to attempt to inhale things not meant to be inhaled.

This is the same when considering smoking a weed capsule. Capsules have a coating that is made of several chemicals. If you look at the ingredient list, there are often other chemicals used that help them to keep from going bad, called ‘excipients’, which also involve chemicals to color, or act as fillers. We question all the time whether these are safe to eat, so the idea of lighting them up, is definitely questionable at best. Online searches don’t turn up much about smoking edibles in general, which indicates that not only is this practice not generally done, but that it probably won’t have good effects.

Can I smoke an oil?

This is the one part that gets a yes. You can either smoke or vape an oil, and this is done all the time. Not only are vape cartridges oil-based, but it’s common to put cannabis oil on a cigarette or joint, or smoke it directly in a pipe (though this is functionally difficult). Once again, the idea of smoking vs vaping comes in, and as always, lower heat is generally desirable when it comes to how the particles will react with each other, and with your body. Smoking is always the less safe method, but it is done very frequently with oils. Oils don’t actually burn well, which is why when smoked, they’re usually added to flowers or tobacco.

Why the Vape Ban Is Happening, and How It Will Impact Online Vape Sales

As with many products, this doesn’t mean it’s always safe. A pure oil is different than one with added chemicals like excipients. Many store bought oils have added chemicals and this can make it questionable as to how healthy they are to smoke – or even vape. For this reason, it matters which product you buy, and if its from a store, you might want to take it as directed internally, rather than experiment with lighting it on fire. If you make your own, you can know better what’s in it.

The last point to make is that while we know that burning anything and breathing it in is bad, the idea of breathing in oils is questionable as well. Think about it, our lungs weren’t fundamentally made for this, they were made for breathing in air. Though vaping has certainly not shown the same injury and death statistics as smoking, oil vapes are relatively new, and the long term effects of breathing in oil, are not exactly known.

Most research on vaping is unfortunately scare tactics actually related to other chemicals involved, but it should be remembered that breathing in oil is not natural for humans, and this should always be kept in mind. It also should be remembered when reading scare tactic articles about diffusing essential oils, that a diffuser merely put s certain amount in the air, while directly vaping (or smoking) is taking a powerful hit right into the lungs. These are wildly different things.

What about mushrooms?

We’ve established that vaping any of these materials is better than smoking them, and that some, like smoking an alcohol tincture, or a weed gummy, are never a good idea. But what about other substances? Magic mushrooms for example are also very popular, and also almost always eaten. Is it possible to smoke a mushroom?

The answer here is that whether its detrimental or not, this is almost secondary to the fact that you’re not going to get the desired result of getting super high. In most forums, anyone who tried it was generally disappointed at best, with some going as far as to say it made them feel not well after. And this makes sense. We know how dangerous mushrooms can be. Eat the wrong one, and well, you’re dead. Part of the reason for it not working – though this has not been well investigated yet, is that psilocybin is not thermally labile, which means it breaks down at high temperatures.

On anther level, besides once again worrying about how heat can affect things, smoking a fungus also promotes getting mold in the lungs which can promote infection. New technology coming out with psilocybin is generally geared toward use with skin patches, as this method does seem to be useful, whereas smoking them is not.

Can You Smoke Magic Mushrooms?

The one exception here may be fly agaric mushrooms, the mushrooms that actually look like the standard idea of magic mushrooms, with a red and white spotted cap. These mushrooms contain muscimol and ibotenic acid rather than psilocybin, and effect GABA more than serotonin receptors. In forums there are mixed reactions, with some saying they got psychedelic effects, some just saying they felt better, or more intensely experienced current feelings, and some who didn’t get a reaction at all. Some spoke of negative symptoms like chest pains, and feeling unwell. Like other mushrooms, smoking these is an at-your-own-risk activity, and should be considered heavily before trying.

Conclusion

Not everything is meant to be smoked in life, and this is okay. Sure, we’re curious and experimental, but sometimes its best to be reasonable in our personal experimentation. No, its not a great idea to smoke a tincture with alcohol, and questionable to smoke any other. No, you shouldn’t be smoking something meant to be eaten, and yes oil gets a pass, but always consider that we’re air breathing animals, not oil breathing animals. Weed products are great! But they should be used as directed.

Welcome to our little publication! Thanks for dropping by CBDtesters.co/Cannadelics.com, the preeminent internet location for the best comprehensive independent coverage of news in the cannabis and psychedelics fields. Stop by daily to stay aware of the always-moving universe of cannabis and psychedelics, and remember to sign up for The THC Weekly Newsletter, so you’re first to get every important story.

Disclaimer: Hi, I’m a researcher and writer. I’m not a doctor, lawyer, or businessperson. All information in my articles is sourced and referenced, and all opinions stated are mine. I am not giving anyone advice, and though I am more than happy to discuss topics, should someone have a further question or concern, they should seek guidance from a relevant professional.

The THC Weekly Newsletter

The post Can I Smoke a Tincture, Gummy, Capsule, or Oil? appeared first on CBD Testers.

Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/03/30/can-i-smoke-a-tincture-gummy-capsule-or-oil/

source https://rosalinaklerkx.weebly.com/blog/can-i-smoke-a-tincture-gummy-capsule-or-oil