Marijuana concentrates spike THC levels but don't boost impairment
June 10, 2020
Science Daily/University of Colorado at Boulder
A study of 121 regular users of legal market cannabis found that higher potency does not necessarily mean greater intoxication. It also found that while balance and memory are impaired immediately after use, that impairment fades within in an hour.
Smoking high-potency marijuana concentrates boosts blood levels of THC more than twice as much as smoking conventional weed, but it doesn't necessarily get you higher, according to a new study of regular users published today by University of Colorado Boulder researchers.
"Surprisingly, we found that potency did not track with intoxication levels," said lead author Cinnamon Bidwell, an assistant professor in the Institute of Cognitive Science. "While we saw striking differences in blood levels between the two groups, they were similarly impaired."
The paper, published June 10 in JAMA Psychiatry, is the first to assess the acute impact of cannabis among real-world users of legal market products. It could inform everything from roadside sobriety tests to decisions about personal recreational or medicinal use.
But the study also raises concerns that using concentrates could unnecessarily put people at greater long-term risk of side-effects.
"It raises a lot of questions about how quickly the body builds up tolerance to cannabis and whether people might be able to achieve desired results at lower doses," said Bidwell.
While 33 states have legalized medicinal marijuana use, and 11 have legalized recreational use, both uses remain illegal at the federal level. Researchers are also prohibited from handling or administering marijuana. Some previous studies have used strains supplied by the government, but those strains contain far less THC than real-world products.
In order to study what people really use, Bidwell and her colleagues utilize two white Dodge Sprinter vans, also known as the "cannavans," as mobile laboratories. They drive the vans to the residences of study subjects who use cannabis they purchase on their own inside their homes and then walk out for tests.
"We cannot bring legal market cannabis into a university lab, but we can bring the mobile lab to the people," she said.
For the current study, the team assessed 121 regular cannabis users. Half typically used concentrates (oils and waxes that include the active ingredients without the leaves and stems). The other half typically used flower from the plant. Flower users purchased a product containing either 16% or 24% [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)], the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Concentrate users were assigned to a product containing either 70% or 90% THC.
On test day, researchers drew the subjects' blood, measured their mood and intoxication level and assessed their cognitive function and balance at three time points: before, directly after and one hour after they used.
Those who used concentrates had much higher THC levels at all three points, with levels spiking to 1,016 micrograms per milliliter in the few minutes after use, while flower users spiked at 455 micrograms per milliliter. (Previous studies have shown that THC levels hover around 160 to 380 micrograms per milliliter after marijuana use).
Regardless of what type or potency of cannabis participants used, their self-reports of intoxication, or "feeling high," were remarkably similar, as were their measures of balance and cognitive impairment.
"People in the high concentration group were much less compromised than we thought they were going to be," said coauthor Kent Hutchison, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at CU Boulder who also studies alcohol addiction. "If we gave people that high a concentration of alcohol it would have been a different story."
The study also found that, among all users, balance was about 11% worse after using cannabis, and memory was compromised. But within about an hour, that impairment faded.
"This could be used to develop a roadside test, or even to help people make personal decisions," said Bidwell.
The researchers aren't sure how the concentrate group could have such high THC levels without greater intoxication, but they suspect a few things are at play: Regular users of concentrates likely develop a tolerance over time. There may be genetic or biological differences that make some people metabolize THC more quickly. And it may be that once compounds in marijuana, called cannabinoids, fill receptors in the brain that spark intoxication, additional cannabinoids have little impact.
"Cannabinoid receptors may become saturated with THC at higher levels, beyond which there is a diminishing effect of additional THC," they write.
The authors caution that the study examined regular users who have learned to meter their use based on the desired effect, and does not apply to inexperienced users. Those users should still be extremely cautious with concentrates, said Hutchison.
Ultimately, the researchers hope to learn what, if any, long-term health risks concentrates truly pose.
"Does long-term, concentrated exposure mess with your cannabinoid receptors in a way that could have long-term repercussions? Does it make it harder to quit when you want to?" said Hutchison. "We just don't know yet."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200610135016.htm
5 Amazing Ways People Use CBD To Release Stress
Independent article provided by: Crystal Willson, Content Strategist-CBD/Health
The global CBD market is exploding with products, be it cosmetics, medicines, beverages, or food products. CBD has become the latest consumer trend, owing to the increasing awareness among people regarding its therapeutic potential to treat various medical conditions- stress being a prominent one.
Despite the advancements in the modern world to make our lives easier, stress is an inevitable part of our busy schedules. However, ongoing chronic stress may affect mental and physical health, leading to issues such as depression, and increased risk of conditions such as obesity and heart disease. CBD can help relieve stress and increase the overall quality of life.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is one of the prominent cannabinoids extracted from the marijuana and hemp plants from the same species- Cannabis Sativa. It is safe for you to consume CBD as its non-psychoactive in nature. You can purchase CBD Canada from various online dispensaries or your nearby local store.
There are numerous ways to consume CBD, each taking a different time to get absorbed in the bloodstream for you to experience the effects. As a beginner, feeling confused with the choices is normal. Take your time to figure out what suits you the best.
Read on to learn about five ways people consume CBD to release stress.
1) Tinctures:
Tinctures are made by soaking CBD-rich leaves in alcohol, then cooking on low flame for a few hours. Consuming tinctures after your meal or some high-fat snack would be ideal. It facilitates quick absorption into the bloodstream when taken sublingually i.e., putting a few drops of it under the tongue and holding it for 30 to 90 seconds before swallowing it.
A few added benefits of tinctures are convenience, a high shelf life, and various flavors, such as vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate. This disguises the otherwise nutty taste of CBD. You can adjust the dose by administering the number of drops you take.
Stress may, at times, interfere with your sleep patterns, keeping you awake till late. When taken regularly, CBD can help you sleep much better and reduce stress by not allowing unwanted thoughts to weigh you down.
2) Edibles:
When you infuse any food item with CBD, it is known as an edible. The CBD-infused edible market is brimming with extensive options for consumers, including treats such as CBD-infused chocolates, cookies, gummy bears, etc., and healthier alternatives to these sugary treats such as almonds, and protein bars. What’s more, you can prepare your CBD-infused snack at home as well.
As compared to tinctures, the timeframe for these edibles to show effect is longer, usually anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours. You can include CBD edibles in your stress management plan as they may help you unwind and relax. This relaxation induced by CBD depends upon the serotonin levels in your central nervous system.
3) Capsules:
If you’re a beginner, CBD capsules might be the ideal choice for you, because of how convenient they are. You can carry these small capsules wherever you want, and take them when required. They contain precise servings, so you do not need to worry about calculating your dosing. Moreover, you can easily avoid the herbal taste of CBD, as these capsules are usually flavorless. People accustomed to taking pills might find it very easy to include CBD in their daily routine.
You have to ingest these capsules containing CBD oil or gel orally. Taking them on an empty stomach might help speed up the effect. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors to maintain homeostasis in the body. It would take about 90 minutes for these capsules to show effect and make you feel considerably calm.
4) Vaping:
Vaping is becoming increasingly popular, especially amongst the young generation, as it is one of the quickest ways to feel the effects of CBD. A vape or vaporizer is an electronic device that heats CBD vape juice and produces vapor that is safe to inhale. They are available in different sizes, shapes, designs, and colors to meet your requirements. Though disposable vapes are available, you should invest in a quality vape. This one-time investment will benefit you for years at a stretch.
You can vape CBD oil, flowers, etc. with each of them giving you a slightly different experience. As vaping provides almost immediate relief to your body, it might be the perfect choice for you in situations of extreme stress or acute anxiety.
5) Isolate:
CBD isolate comes in crystalline solid or powder form and comprises pure CBD. Most of the other products contain some additional compounds like THC. For an isolate, the refinement process removes all the other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, leaving behind 99% pure CBD in crystal form.
CBD isolate works well with a variety of consumption methods. You can infuse it into olive oil or drink it with liquids such as water, coffee, or juice. However, vaping would be the most efficient method to administer CBD isolate. Studies suggest that CBD can affect non-cannabinoid receptors, such as the 5-HTP serotonin receptor. This way, it may help you reduce anxiety and increase your sleep quality, two of the major consequences of stress.
Final thoughts:
Stress has become prevalent in today’s world. However, excessive stress can hamper your productivity and weigh you down. CBD can work wonders to ease this emotional and physical tension in your body. Instead of taking synthetic medicines, CBD can be an organic alternative to relieve the burden of your thoughts.
With so many ways to consume CBD, you need to choose a way that works best for you.
Reference Links:
https://thesleepdoctor.com/2017/08/10/understanding-cbd/ https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-for-insomnia https://papaandbarkley.com/cbd-oil-for-sleep/
Omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation via cannabinoids
July 18, 2017
Science Daily/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Chemical compounds called cannabinoids are found in marijuana and also are produced naturally in the body from omega-3 fatty acids. A well-known cannabinoid in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for some of its euphoric effects, but it also has anti-inflammatory benefits. A new study in animal tissue reveals the cascade of chemical reactions that convert omega-3 fatty acids into cannabinoids that have anti-inflammatory benefits - but without the psychotropic high.
Foods such as meat, eggs, fish and nuts contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which the body converts into endocannabinoids -- cannabinoids that the body produces naturally, said Aditi Das, a University of Illinois professor of comparative biosciences and biochemistry, who led the study. Cannabinoids in marijuana and endocannabinoids produced in the body can support the body's immune system and therefore are attractive targets for the development of anti-inflammatory therapeutics, she said.
In 1964, the Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam was the first to discover and isolate THC from marijuana. To test whether he had found the compound that produces euphoria, he dosed cake slices with 10 milligrams of pure THC and gave them to willing friends at a party. Their reactions, from nonstop laughter, to lethargy, to talkativeness, confirmed that THC was a psychotropic cannabinoid.
It wasn't until 1992 that researchers discovered endocannabinoids produced naturally in the body. Since then, several other endocannabinoids have been identified, but not all have known functions.
Cannabinoids bind to two types of cannabinoid receptors in the body -- one that is found predominantly in the nervous system and one in the immune system, Das said.
"Some cannabinoids, such as THC in marijuana or endocannabinoids can bind to these receptors and elicit anti-inflammatory and anti-pain action," she said.
"Our team discovered an enzymatic pathway that converts omega-3-derived endocannabinoids into more potent anti-inflammatory molecules that predominantly bind to the receptors found in the immune system," Das said. "This finding demonstrates how omega-3 fatty acids can produce some of the same medicinal qualities as marijuana, but without a psychotropic effect."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170718142909.htm