We’ve been talking about it for a while. About the addictions, and the misuse, and the overdoses, and the death. We’ve been talking about it for years now, and the only thing to happen, is for numbers to go up. A recent report points to record high opioid deaths in the US, and a record low in dealing with them. Opioid deaths are on the rise, fueling the enormous drug overdose rate in America. What will be done to end this epidemic, and where does ketamine fit in? We report on the growing cannabis and psychedelics industries. You can keep up with everything by subscribing to The Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, which will also put you in first place to receive promotions for psychedelic products, as they become available to the general public. What’s the latest?On May 11th, 2022, the CDC released preliminary data about overdose death rates for the previous year. In 2021, according to the CDC, there were approximately 107,622 overdose deaths, which is a 15% increase from 2020. 2020 set its own record that year, going up 30% from the year before. The overdose death number for 2020, was over 93,000. To be clear, these are only overdose deaths, not specifically opioid deaths. But opioid deaths most certainly drive these numbers, accounting for over 68,000 of the 2020 deaths. So it suffices to say that a quickly rising death rate, is spurred on greatly by opioids. This is called ‘provisional’ data in that it’s not final numbers, but rather, a first peak into the numbers for the year. Though it’s possible these numbers could change by the time of official release, they are not likely to change in a way that brings the numbers down to acceptable levels. So whether they’re the final and official numbers is inconsequential in this matter, as they show well the scope of the opioid issue in America. What was the official response to these numbers? White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta stated how it was not acceptable to lose so many lives (at the rate of one every five minutes). He went on to say, “That is why President Biden’s new National Drug Control Strategy signals a new era of drug policy centered on individuals and communities, focusing specifically on the actions we must take right now to reduce overdoses and save lives.” ![]() In April, Biden did send a strategy to Congress for dealing with national drug control, which involves dealing with the overdose epidemic. What that means has not been discussed. But other things have happened in the recent past to indicate that not only is the government not going to do anything useful, but that it actually intends to make the problem worse. Keep reading. Lower prescribing guidelines?If the whole idea is to try it actually minimize the opioid deaths issue, the government has made only moves in the opposite direction, and this is more than concerning. In 2016, the CDC issued guidelines for prescribing opioids, which were meant to limit their unnecessary prescription. These guidelines were not legal requirements, but they did set a certain standard for doctors writing prescriptions. In the midst of this growing issue, what did the CDC do? In February 2022, as in, about three months before these new numbers came out, the CDC proposed loosening these guidelines, which clearly haven’t worked to begin with. The backwards reasoning used relates to doctor’s having to cut off patients prematurely who need their opioids. As the issue has only deepened, this doesn’t make a lot of sense, and signals that its quite the other way around. To add to the confusion, the CDC doesn’t regulate these things anyway, that’s mainly for the FDA and DEA. And since they therefore aren’t legal regulatory changes, why they exist, or are the basis for news stories, is even more confounding. Loosening guidelines that technically never existed as anything more than illusion, therefore, isn’t a huge thing. But the more fear-inducing aspect is that in the midst of the rising death toll, that this story is the story to come out at all. It shows a lack of understanding of government bodies, and a lack of desire to make real changes that can improve the situation. What about the lawsuits?If there’s any question outside the horrifyingly high OD numbers that there’s a substantial and preventable issue – especially concerning opioid deaths, just look at the massive lawsuits against the pharmaceutical companies that make them. Just these lawsuits should indicate an immediate need to remove these medications, but even with this information in our faces, the government continues to not only allow these medications, but to promote their use by accepting money from the companies that make them, and not changing regulation for using them. One of the big lawsuit stories involves the Native American community, which has been hit particularly hard by this epidemic. In February 2022, Johnson & Johnson, along with AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson, offered a settlement of $590 million to members of any of the federally recognized tribes that are a part of the suit. This means tribes that did not initiate this lawsuit, can still take part in the settlement. It says quite a bit about understanding their own wrongdoing, that these companies offered such a high settlement. Obviously they didn’t want to go to court. ![]() And maybe that’s because these same companies have already agreed to pay out another $26 billion globally for their actions. Funny enough, this statement was made by Johnson & Johnson upon agreeing to this deal in February 2022: “This settlement is not an admission of any liability or wrongdoing and the company will continue to defend against any litigation that the final agreement does not resolve.” Really? Agreeing to settle global suits for an enormous $26 billion…because they feel like it? Imagine what the amount would have been if they had lost in court. Settlements aren’t made by parties that think they’re right, they’re made by parties who are afraid of the worse punishment they’ll incur by going to trial. However, all that aside, just the sheer amount is a clear indication of a mass amount of damage done. But that’s not the end of it for these Big Pharma companies. Last week, officials in Idaho announced a $119 million settlement against J&J and the other three companies related to the Native American settlement. This settlement is also to help recoup some of the damage done by these drugs to the community, which has suffered a huge amount of opioid deaths. What if every state did this? According to Governor Brad Little, “Idaho has made significant strides in recent years in combating the opioid crisis, and the culmination of our legal action against opioid manufacturers – led by Attorney General Wasden and his team – now offers additional resources. Altogether, our investments and activities will turn the tide on the opioid crisis.” Of course, what should be noted, is that Idaho did not ban these drugs from its state. No specific place has made such a move. And this says quite a bit. While everyone wants to capitalize on the blame aspect, and take money from these companies, none want to institute an actual policy (like banning opioids) that could help solve it. Which means even as these settlements happen, the drugs remain available, making for a striking contradiction. What about ketamine?If you’ll notice, I implied that these drugs should be removed entirely. Let’s be realistic for a second, the world and its population survived without opioids in the past, so this idea that we need them so badly, is unrealistic at best. We never needed them, we just got used to them. ![]() Now, the idea of removing a drug from someone that they are addicted to, is obviously not the answer either, as this can cause more trauma to the user, and possibly cause their death. So when I say the drugs should be removed, I certainly don’t mean without having another measure in place. And this is where ketamine comes in, as the obvious and practical answer to the opioid epidemic, which is roundly being ignored by the government. The reason ketamine is so important is because it’s a dissociative hallucinogen which is tightly associated with two things: the ability to help with a range of psychological issues – including addiction, as well as the ability to help with pain management. Both of these aspects are incredibly important right now. Ketamine doesn’t cause addictions, and is known to help people with them, so the idea of replacing one with the other, actually makes sense. Ketamine can help ease the addiction issue, which is a huge part of this crisis. Add onto that that ketamine can then control the pain issues without causing the addictions and death rates of opioids, and its more than obvious. It becomes criminal that its not being used properly to end this. If you’re asking yourself how that could be. That an answer could exist, and be known to the government, but ignored and not used in favor of more people dying, it’s actually not that far out. The government promotes plenty of bad things when money is put in representative’s pockets. Ketamine is easily created and exists as a wide gray market, unregulated by the US government. Ketamine is a synthetic product, so its pharmaceutical automatically. So why would the government care if one pharma product is used over another, if its main goal is to prop up pharma companies that give it money? Ketamine is made everywhere by everyone, and doesn’t rely on Big Pharma specifically to produce it. Which means the big pharmaceutical companies that work in tandem with the government (this can be said due to the large amount of money the government takes from these organizations), can’t control the industry. The US legalized esketamine in 2019 as a showing of this understanding, in an effort to divert from the ketamine market. But even then, it left pain treatment out, even though its now the most important aspect considering the opioid crisis. How long has it been known that ketamine is a great drug for pain which doesn’t cause the same issues of death and addiction? Since studies done on prisoners in the 1960’s. That means for almost 60 years this information has been known, and yet even now when its needed the most, its being suppressed in order to keep doling out the very drugs that are killing people. The very drugs that bring money into Big Pharma and therefore the US government. ConclusionWhen does this end? I suppose when people smarten up enough to let it. I think it really will require a better understanding by the population at large, of what exactly is going on and why. And the sad thing is, this might not happen, or could take years longer meaning more and more opioid deaths. Luckily, with ketamine on the rise, people should be making the connection soon enough, and hopefully if the pressure builds, the US government will be forced to do the right thing…finally. Welcome readers! We appreciate you joining us at CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, the #1 internet spot for comprehensive independent news of the growing cannabis and psychedelics industries. Stop on by frequently to stay in-the-loop on these morphing landscapes, and check out The Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, for updates on everything important going on. The post Record High Opioid Deaths For a Record Low in America appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/14/record-high-opioid-deaths-for-a-record-low-in-america/
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We all know that cannabis can certainly mellow you out and make you feel happy, connected, and balanced – but does that equate to being a characteristically “nicer” person? Researchers from the University of New Mexico believe that it does. In a recent study titled “Cannabis Consumption and Prosociality” published on May 19th in the journal, Scientific Reports, UNM researchers found that healthy young adults with regular and recent exposure to cannabis demonstrated higher levels of prosocial behaviors, as well as a heightened sense of empathy, compared to non-users. Additionally, cannabis users scored higher on standardized measurements of moral decision-making based on the notions of being fair and not harming others. Cannabis research is fascinating, and we’re learning more about this, and other incredible plants, every day! To stay current on everything important happening in the cannabis and psychedelics industries, subscribe to The Cannadelics 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! Teaching empathyEmpathy is a key element of social interaction, and can be defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Empathy is a building block of successful communication that enables us to better comprehend and process the emotions behind what others are telling us, and thus, allows us to form the correct responses. According to a meta-analysis of US citizen empathy test scores conducted over the last 30 years, our collective levels of empathy are dwindling. Based on questions pulled from the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, researchers found the levels of “empathetic concern” have been dropping sharply. They’ve been tracking this phenomenon since 1979, but noted that the most pronounced declines occurred after the year 2000. Typically, women are more empathetic than men, but that’s not always the case. For decades, it was believed the empathy was an inborn trait – you either had it or you didn’t. But more recent research has shown us the empathy can be taught and improved using certain therapies and training methods. The ability to have empathy hinges on various, complex psychological and physiological processes. Because of the way cannabis interacts with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system, and cannabinoid receptors are highly concentrated in regions of the brain that regulate emotion, such as the amygdala, it’s believed that cannabis can help overcome these emotional hindrances. “Cannabis can have an impact on a person’s ability to understand and share the feelings of others,“ explained Dr. Jan Roberts, psychotherapist and CEO of The Cannabinoid Institute, a medical cannabis education company. “But it depends on intention, type of cultivar used, and dosage,” she continued. Too little and you won’t get what you’re looking for. Too much, “and you can suppress or dull your emotions.” About the studyNow, back to the aforementioned study. The research was broken down into two basic parts: testing for THC in 146 healthy university students aged 18 to 25, and providing the participants with a series of seven questions. Nearly half of the students tested positive for THC, and were aptly placed into a group together called “users”, and the rest of the students were the “non-users”. Researchers discovered that the “users” group scored higher in categories of “prosocial behaviors, moral fairness, moral harmlessness, and empathy quotient,”, but lower on “ingroup loyalty”. An interesting curveball here, is that female users scored higher in areas of “aggression” than non-users, whereas male users were found to be more “agreeable” than non-users. ![]() “Most investigations on the effects of using cannabis have focused on either negative consequences of cannabis addiction or on the physical health effects of cannabis use,” said lead investigator and Assistant Professor Jacob Miguel Vigil, UNM Department of Psychology. “Almost no formal scientific attention has been devoted to understanding other psychological and behavioral effects of consuming the plant, despite it being so widely used throughout human history.” Regarding other dimensions of personality, such as anger, hostility, trust of others, facial threat interpretation, extraversion, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness, as well as moral decision making centered on the principles of social correctness and respect for authority – no changes were noted. Researchers also found that the effects were not permanent, meaning they are almost certainly caused by the cannabis rather than being inherent personality traits in the study participants. “The transience of the effects supports that cannabis is triggering behavioral and perceptual changes rather than that cannabis users and non-user differ fundamentally in their baseline approaches to social interactions,” said co-author and Associate Professor Sarah Stith, UNM Department of Economics. “I often refer to the Cannabis plant as a super medication, relative to most other conventional pharmaceutical products, because it is not only effective for treating the symptoms of a wide range of health conditions, quickly and relatively safely, but now we have concrete evidence that it may also help improve the average person’s psychosocial health,” said Jacob Vigil, lead investigator and Assistant Professor at UNM Department of Psychology. “Prosociality is essential to society’s overall cohesiveness and vitality, and therefore, cannabis’ effects on our interpersonal interactions may eventually prove to be even more important to societal wellbeing than its medicinal effects,” he added. Research on animal modelsA second paper published the same month in the journal Neuroscience & Behavioral Reviews, titled Effects of endocannabinoid system modulation on social behaviour: A systematic review of animal studies, applied this same theory to animal subjects. In this review, researchers from University of Toronto analyzed 80 existing studies that were conducted on a variety of mammals including capuchin monkeys, rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils. ![]() Above all, it was important to determine whether cannabinoids influence social behaviors and interactions in animals, like they do in humans. As it turns out, they do. In a nutshell, what the study authors discovered was that direct cannabinoid receptor agonism – achieved through “experimental administration of a range of potent synthetic cannabinoids” – decreased social behaviors in animals, while indirect [receptor] activation via “enzyme inhibition or gene-knockout” increased social behaviors. Simply put, cannabinoids that had firsthand interactions with the endocannabinoid system, like Delta 9 THC and other psychoactive compounds in the plant, were said to decrease social behaviors, whereas compounds that had secondhand (indirect) effects on the cannabinoid receptors, like CBD, were believed to increase social behaviors. It’s worth pointing out that, although we do share many genetic similarities with the animals from the study, there are major differences as well, especially when it comes to learned social behaviors. That could explain why direct endocannabinoid activation in humans seems more helpful in social situations, as opposed to the way it affects animals. As the authors also note, “some research has suggested cannabis might provide some symptomatic relief for conditions involving impaired social behavior.” A growing body of evidence, both clinical and anecdotal, highlight the ability of cannabis therapies to treat anxiety and other mood disorders, which can have a profound impact on social interactions. Final thoughtsAlthough proven effective in some cases, the general consensus is that the connection between weed and empathy, or overall “niceness”, stems from a very personalized approach to cannabis use. “Everyone is different and for people who have had more stressors or trauma in their life, they may need more CBD or CBN to affect their level of empathy,” says Dr. Jan Roberts, psychotherapist and CEO of The Cannabinoid Institute. “Using cannabis can get you to go beyond your ego and defense mechanisms and communicate connection, reciprocity and growth but it must be based on an individual’s mind, body and, frankly, spirit,” she added. . Welcome to the site! Thanks for making it to CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, the top internet spot offering up fully-rounded independent news covering the growing cannabis and psychedelics industries. Stop by frequently to stay up-to-date on these dynamic industries, and make sure to sign up to The THC Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you’re never late on getting the news. The post Does Weed Make You Nicer? Cannabis Use and Prosocial Behavior appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/13/cannabis-prosocial-empathy/ Alternative culture events are nothing new. For example, there are dozens cannabis industry events every year, ranging from informative (Emerald Conference), to business-oriented (MJBizCon), to completely recreational (Cannabis Cups). Now, with growing interest in psychedelics, we’re seeing an upward trend of in-person events that are focused on these mind-altering compounds as well. Again, you’ll get quite a bit of variety from psychedelics industry events. Some are focused on the science and research, while others are more spiritual in nature. Some events will be covering business and investment opportunities, and some are centered around products and consumer needs. With that in mind, check out our list of the top psychedelics events going on in the United States this year, and stay tuned for part two about global industry conferences. 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! Psychedelic Therapeutics & Drug Development Conference (Washington D.C.)So, this one already passed, but we thought it was important to include anyway, for a couple of different reasons. First, it was in its second year, so this event will likely be held again next year. Second, it took place in the nation’s capital, which is significant because it does seem to indicate that changes might be coming at the federal level. Now, a little more about this particular conference. It took place in late May, so it just ended recently, and we can expect a similar time frame for next year. The goal of this event is to highlight the progress being made as far as regulations and legality, as well as discuss the potential of psychedelic therapies to treat various conditions including: inflammatory/autoimmune disorders, brain injury, pain, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, headaches, depression, and opioid use disorder. Psychedelic Science and Spirituality on the Summer Solstice 2022 (Stowe, Vermont)This is a unique event that focuses on both the science behind entheogenic medicines, as well as the spiritual aspects of using these substances. It’s happening during the summer solstice, believed to be a time of heightened energy and connectivity, and includes a summer celebration in addition to about a dozen very interesting and informative sessions and panel discussions. The event is sponsored by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and The Psychedelic Society of Vermont. The in-person summit is for healthcare professionals only, but the solstice gathering is open to the public. It takes place at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, from June 20th to 21st. Although proof of vaccination will not be required, masks will be, and the owners of the lodge are encouraging attendees to take a rapid and/or PCR covid test prior to their arrival. Cannadelic (Miami, Florida)After a successful turnout at the very first Cannadelic expo in February, event organizers decided to put on another one during the summer. The last event drew in more than 8,000 attendees over the course of 2 days, and they expect more this time around. According to their own data, the breakdown of attendees was as follows: 60% of attendees are cannabis professionals, 30% of attendees were Florida MMJ patients, 20% of attendees were cannabis investors. Cannadelic is operated by the Florida Cannabis Coalition, who has been hosting cannabis business and lifestyle events throughout Florida since 2014. The summer Cannadelic expo will be located at Florida International University in Miami on July 9th and 10th. This event is free for FIU students and faculty. There will be 26 different speakers at this event including numerous veterans, healthcare professionals and therapists, industry stakeholders, a Lakota Tribal member, etymologists, and more. Telluride Mushroom Festival (Telluride, Colorado)This one is a bit different than the other events on this list, because it is not centered on psychedelics per se, but it’s a fun and engaging way to learn about mycology in general. Every year since 1981, fungus enthusiasts have been gathering in Telluride, Colorado, to celebrate and learn about all things mycological. ![]() The 42nd annual Telluride Mushroom Festival will be held from August 17th to 21st. The event will feature a variety of discussions from over 30 different speakers, as well as some unique events it has become known for including Wild Food Dinner Experience, Mushroom Chefs’ Dinner, Entheogenic Gourd Circles, Open Mic Night, MycoLicious MycoLuscious MycoLogical Poetry Show, and their Free Identification Tent. There will also be some informative films and panel discussions covering research and decriminalization/legalization of psilocybin. It a festivity for the entire town, so stay wherever you can, even try camping out if that’s an option. The weather in Colorado is wonderful in August and there will be many fun activities in town and in the surrounding areas that you can learn more about on their website. This event is hosted by the Telluride Institute. Wonderland (Miami, Florida)Wonderland is touted as the “world’s leading psychedelic event”, focused on music, art, healing, science, culture, business, technology, investing, history, future, and so much more. Three days in Miami and the turnout is expected to be over 5000. As of now, there are 24 confirmed speakers for Wonderland (although there could be more), covering a wide range of topics including art, technology, cultural impact, and “experiential transformations” of psychedelic medicine. This event is taking place from November 3rd to 5th at Mana Wynwood Convention Center. MAPS Psychedelic Science 2023 (Denver, Colorado)Despite this event being nearly a full year out, it’s worth covering because it will likely be the largest event on this list. This highly anticipated conference will be help by MAPS, and include an entire week of psychedelics-related lectures, seminars, and other activities. Join MAPS members, researchers, students, clinicians, advocates, patients, therapists, political leaders, and psychedelic enthusiasts from around the world between June 17th and 25th in Denver, Colorado. This is their fourth year running and the expected turnout is over 10,000 attendees. The bulk of the event will take place at the Colorado Convention Center, and there will be daily and nightly offsite cultural and social events from community partners throughout the city. Final thoughtsRegardless of whether you plan on attending any of these events or not, it’s undeniably exciting to see the level of growth that this industry is experiencing. Although psychedelics conferences are still somewhat sparse, we can expect to see their numbers grow over the next few years. If you know of any events that we didn’t add to the list, drop us a line in the comment section below so we can check it out! Welcome to the site! Thanks for making it to CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, the top internet spot offering up fully-rounded independent news covering the growing cannabis and psychedelics industries. Stop by frequently to stay up-to-date on these dynamic industries, and make sure to sign up to The THC Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you’re never late on getting the news. The post Mark Your Calendars: Psychedelics Industry Events Coming to a City Near You appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/11/mark-your-calendars-psychedelics-industry-events-coming-to-a-city-near-you/ The opioid epidemic is getting to a fever pitch, yet government bodies are not responding appropriately, even now. While there is no direct cure for hundreds of thousands of addicted people, there is an answer, that should at the very least work for some. Since we’ve already established it can work on different levels regarding addiction and pain, why is ketamine not immediately being used as an answer to the opioid epidemic? Ketamine might not be officially approved for it, but it could work as a solution to the growing opioid epidemic as it helps with addictive thought processes and can be used for pain control, without causing the addiction of opioids. Why is this ignored in the face of so many deaths? Welcome to a wholly independent publication focused on cannabis and psychedelics reporting. Play along by signing up for the The Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, and get a daily dose of updates, along with putting yourself in first place for all product promotions, as they become available to the public. What’s the deal with the opioid epidemic?Just that the word ‘epidemic’ is widely used for this problem, should get our attention. An epidemic generally refers to the widespread proliferation of a disease, although we now use it to describe the out-of-control use of synthetic opium drugs. Epidemic it most certainly is though, and its not slowing down at all. The problem is so bad, that anything that can help reduce deaths should be used, which brings up the question of why ketamine is not being employed as an alternative in this opioid epidemic. The latest numbers come from a May 11th release by the CDC, in which preliminary data for 2021 show that the overdose death numbers in the US have skyrocketed up to 107,622 for that year. This is a 15% increase from 2020, when the number was just over 93,000, which itself was a 30% increase over 2019, which saw about 73,000 deaths. These are total overdose death numbers, and apply to all drug overdoses. There were not over 100,000 opioid overdose deaths, but there were certainly enough to shock a person. Exact numbers aren’t out for 2021 in terms of how many of the overdose deaths were caused by opioids, but of the ~93,000 that died in 2020, over 68,000 were opioid deaths, and that’s pretty extreme. While these numbers are not finalized, small changes wouldn’t do much to change the heaviness of the reality, because give or take a few thousand, there’s still a massive problem at hand. ![]() To give an idea of why this is, consider that in 2017, over 191 million opioid prescriptions were written, which means 58.7 prescriptions written for every 100 people. 45% of these were written by primary care physicians, who are not supposed to write such prescriptions in the first place. They should be written by a specialist only. For 2017 the economic burden of these drugs on the entire country amounted to $78.5 billion between health care costs, emergency services, addiction treatment, lost productivity, and the criminal justice system. Opioids belong to a class of drugs that are based on compounds from opium, a component of poppy plants. Opioids bind to receptors in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract, mainly of the μ, κ, and δ (mu, kappa, and delta) varieties. They are used mostly to treat acute pain, though they have other functions as well, like cough suppression. Opioids are incredibly addictive, so regardless of why a person starts taking them, or if they want to continue, a powerful physical addiction can make it extremely hard to stop, and can threaten the life of the person if they do so without medical help. A bit about ketamineBefore getting into why ketamine can be an answer to the opioid epidemic, let’s get into what ketamine is. Ketamine is a dissociative hallucinogen that was created by Parke-Davis in 1962 for use as an anesthetic in both humans and animals. It has remained a schedule III drug with no other official uses beyond being an anesthetic, according to the US government. That isn’t to say that more isn’t known though. Ketamine was used in studies on prisoners in the 1960’s which made clear at that time a few things: ketamine is great at dealing with pain, that it doesn’t lower heart rate or breathing rate, that it has little-to-no direct death risk, and that it can affect psychological thought. This last point was noticed during these early studies, but its full abilities in this realm were not elucidated until after. However, it’s ability for pain control was made clear enough at this time, that ketamine was subsequently used on the fields of Vietnam. Ketamine has never shown much ability for physical addiction like opioids, meaning users can stop at will. In fact, ketamine’s ability to help people with psychological issues, like treatment-resistant depression, is so well understood, that it was recognized by the FDA. In 2019, the FDA approved ketamine’s half-brother esketamine for this purpose, updating the legalization to cover suicidal thoughts in 2020. Esketamine is put out by Johnson & Johnson, one of the main big pharma companies to pay out billions in multiple recent opioid lawsuits related to the damage these drugs have done. Of course, ketamine itself isn’t only used as an anesthetic, thanks to a helpful little loophole. Since it’s legal for medical use, ketamine is often prescribed off-label for both pain management, and for help with a range of psychological issues, which is above-board according to the FDA. As such, there is a large and growing gray ketamine clinic industry in which patients can access ketamine as medicine, by receiving a prescription in the clinic. This is preferable for those who do not want to take a standard antidepressant, which is a government requirement for using esketamine. Plus, ketamine cannot officially be prescribed for pain, but is used for pain treatment in these clinics. ![]() Though ketamine is a pharma product (it certainly doesn’t exist in nature), it’s a pharma product that is made by any pharmaceutical company, big or small, or even in a person’s basement should they have the right training. This means ketamine isn’t a big money-maker for the big pharma companies that pump money into government representative pockets, and therefore, it doesn’t make extra money for the government either. Ketamine as the yet-unused treatment for opioid epidemicThe more amazing thing about the existence of ketamine in an opioid epidemic like this, is that its been shown to work with compulsive thoughts, which are a part of any addiction. For example, an eating disorder study found that after ketamine administration, the majority of patients reduced or eliminated their compulsive thoughts well after the ketamine administration. While it’s not 100% understood how, its thought that the following mechanism was in action: “Memory is a neocortical neuronal network, excitation of which involves the hippocampus, with recall occurring by re-excitement of the same specific network. Excitement of the hippocampus by glutamate-NMDA receptors, leading to long-term potentiation (LTP), can be blocked by ketamine.” To clarify the point, ketamine has the ability to allow someone to exit their normal thought cycle, and create a new one. The same has been found with other psychedelics, including MDMA. In ongoing trials by the organization MAPS into PTSD, it has already been found that over half of the treatment resistant cases treated with MDMA, no longer qualified as PTSD a year after treatment. Ketamine makes a better candidate for opioid replacement, as it can also satisfy the pain issue, which got so many addicts in this mess in the first place. This means a hallucinogenic drug exists with essentially no real death toll, that can take care of the pain issue that led to the opioid crisis, and that can help with the circular thinking of addiction that keeps many people addicted. Can someone think of a reason why its not immediately being used to treat this problem? Possibly because it’s not a money-maker for big pharma or the US government. And people without addictions… don’t keep buying medications. Funny how the only approved version is made by the same pharma company that helped get everyone addicted to opioids in the first place. Back in the 1980’s Johnson & Johnson was selling Tylenol with codeine (Tylenol 3) and needed a better supply of raw materials. The company bought a farm in Tanzania to produce the raw materials, becoming the top provider for opioid raw materials by 2015. This is one reason that J&J is paying out billions of dollars in settlements right now, including to virtually the entire Native American population, and the whole state of Idaho, with more likely on the way. ![]() Where did this issue come from?When 2019 information was released, it made clear how people were dying, and from what. That year, of approximately 73,000 drug overdose deaths, less than 15,000 were heroin overdoses, and a massive 48,000 were from synthetic opioids like oxycodone and fentanyl. The thing about synthetic opioids, is that they’re the ones made by pharmaceutical companies and prescribed by doctors. In comparison, heroin causes problems, but nothing that can’t be kept in check. This is evident with its over 100 years of use, starting with legal sales in 1898 by the company Bayer. But then in 1996 Purdue came out with Oxycontin, surrounded by tons of lies that got it propelled to a top-prescribed medication, despite immediate issues coming up regarding the time the pills last, and the mass ability for addiction due to the strength. Technically, opioids are in generic form, like ketamine, meaning anyone can make them. However a 2019 report made clear that between 2006-2012, of the over 76 billion opioid pills that made it to market, three companies were responsible for manufacturing 88%: SpecGx, a subsidiary of Mallinckrodt; Actavis Pharma; and Par Pharmaceutical, a subsidiary of Endo Pharmaceuticals. The creator of this epidemic, Purdue, which consistently lied about its product Oxycontin in terms of how long it lasted and safety information, was fourth. In 2006 8.4 billion pills were put on the market, in 2012, that number was up to 12.6 billion, and that was 10 years ago, when the death rate wasn’t nearly as high. This is a 100% pharmaceutically made, and government promoted epidemic. And we know the government is complicit because it takes money from the companies, allows the situation to keep going, and has tried ruthlessly to cover the information I am talking about now (particularly through the DEA and the Justice Department). In fact, if the government wasn’t complicit, it probably would have released way more information, and the reason I’m giving numbers from years ago, is because the government, along with the big pharma companies involved, have made that information extremely hard to get to. What we can glean, is that the four companies that are paying out the most, probably caused the biggest issues. That would be Johnson & Johnson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, and McKesson, the latter three being drug wholesale companies. Together, these four companies are set to pay $21 billion from global lawsuits, out of a $26 billion total. So even though a practically-no-death-toll drug like quaaludes was banished because of its lied-about threat (when in reality it was a black market that the government wasn’t profiting from), opioids are still allowed while killing people by the tens of thousands. In fact, the government just made it clear it wants fewer prescribing guidelines in the face of all this controversy, which makes them easier to get. ![]() For whatever its worth, I am not the only one with this idea, and in fact, there is medical research on the issue of ketamine vs opioids already. Like this review which showed ketamine as a safe and effective alternative to opioid treatment, through the analyzation of 76 relate papers. And this study of 870 adult patients who showed up in emergency rooms with severe pain, that showed ketamine as a comparable treatment to opioids for control of acute pain. ConclusionIt’s not shocking that the government doesn’t want to correct the problem; because it likes the problem. And it certainly doesn’t want to be considered complicit in it. Much like with big tobacco, it might never have to pay the price for its complicity; it might even wage its own lawsuit similarly in this industry, just to make it look like it was never involved. Forget that the government has to approve medications, regulate their safety, and has the power to take them off the market… If it didn’t want this, if it really didn’t want this, it would already be substituting ketamine for opioids, banning them, and trying to get as many people as possible, to find a different option than the one killing them. Perhaps if you’re someone who hasn’t ever questioned your government, now is the time to start. Thanks for stopping by, guys! We appreciate you joining us at CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, your penultimate web platform for honest and direct, independent reporting of the growing cannabis and psychedelics industries. Give the site a read-thru regularly to keep updated on talking points, and subscribe to The Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, so you’re up on everything important going down. The post Ketamine: The Unused Answer to the Opioid Epidemic appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/11/ketamine-the-unused-answer-to-the-opioid-epidemic/ The International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) is the premier B2B event to attend for cannabis industry professionals from across the globe. Every year, ICBC is attended by executives, entrepreneurs and policymakers from over 80 nations. Scroll down to learn more about the event and get ticket discounts! Events are a great way to network and learn about products 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! About ICBC BerlinKnown as the largest business-oriented cannabis event in Europe, ICBC prides itself on promoting an atmosphere of professionalism and open discussion. ICBC has teamed up with numerous different organizations over the years to put on some of the biggest and best cannabis events and after parties that Europe has ever seen. They have worked with CannaTrade, Spannabis, and this year they are partnering with Mary Jane Berlin. This year’s event will take place from July 19th to 20th, and will be part of the larger “European Cannabis Week” which include the aforementioned events, as well as the Global Investment Forum and some other industry-related activities. Expect to engage with numerous different professionals such as distributors, brokers, equipment producers, consultants, bio-tech reps, pharmacies, investors, extractors, cultivators, processors, policy makers, politicians, and many other industry stakeholders. Click the image below and use the coupon code ‘CBDTESTERSVIP25’ to get 25% off the total price of your tickets!![]() ICBC is also known for putting on some excellent after parties. This year’s will feature reggae sensation Morgan Heritage with Rocker T. Activities will take place at the Estrel Berlin Hotel and Convention Center. Early bird special on tickets available until Wednesday, June 22nd at midnight, and you can save even more by using our coupon code. “We are particularly excited about European Cannabis Week given the favorable political climate for cannabis legalization in many parts of the continent. It is going to be extra special for our team to offer world-class cannabis industry and policy education, networking, and entertainment to attendees alongside Mary Jane Berlin at such a crucial juncture for Europe’s cannabis community,” says Alex Rogers, founder of the International Cannabis Business Conference. When and WhereThis year’s International Cannabis Business Conference will be at held at the Estrel Berlin Hotel and Convention Center from July 19th to 20th. CLICK HERE and use the coupon code ‘CBDTESTERSVIP25’ to get 25% of the total price of your ticket. The Estrel Hotel is situated in southeastern Berlin, central to many fine dining establishments, bars, and nightclubs. A wonderful city for a quick work-vacation. Welcome all! Thanks for dropping by CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, a top offering for comprehensive news covering the burgeoning cannabis and psychedelics industries. Stop by daily for a dose of news on these dynamically changing fields, and sign up for The THC Weekly Newsletter, so you’re up on everything important going on. The post Join Us in Berlin for the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/08/join-us-in-berlin-for-the-international-cannabis-business-conference-icbc/ Now that vaping is the big thing, there are certainly a lot of vapes around. In some places, you’ll see used-up batteries or cartridges lying on the street. How good is it for us or our environment to have so much vape waste? The disposable vape issue is growing and requires some better alternatives. The disposable vape trend proposes several issues, and there aren’t as many current alternatives as there should be. In the future, more options hopefully will become available to the vaping public. This news publication specializes in reporting on the cannabis and psychedelics industries, which you can be a part of by subscribing to the THC Weekly Newsletter. Along with general updates, this will put you in first place for a range of deals on various 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! What’s a vape cart?A vape cart is a small container that’s filled with oil, and then attached to a battery, which heats the oil to produce a vapor. The cartridges are usually made of polycarbonate plastic, but can also be made of other materials like stainless steel, ceramic, or glass. The cartridge contains a metal coil, called an atomizer, and metal solders as well. The coil heats up to heat the oil in the cartridge. The cartridge is attached to a battery device, which usually is a 510 threaded, lithium-ion battery. Exceptions include pods, and some carts which require bigger batteries. Though not all 510 threaded batteries work with all carts made for 510 threaded, for the most part, if that’s what you buy, they’ll work together. When buying a disposable, its all one piece, and nothing has to be attached. Many batteries are rechargeable, and simply need to be plugged in every so often before vaping again. These batteries go with individual cartridges that are bought separately, and which are generally disposable, even if the battery is not. The other option is a disposable cartridge which comes attached to a disposable battery, which all gets tossed upon completion. These are cheaper than rechargeable vapes when buying one at a time, but tend to be bought more frequently. Their main benefit is that they don’t require traveling with hardware, as they can be picked up on the go. ![]() Obviously we are a world of trash-producers, and we know this by our streets lined with litter, and our overflowing trashcans. Despite recycling programs, our continued use of disposable products is leading to massive environmental issues in our oceans, ground soil, and air. And this isn’t helped along by the increase in tech waste that’s joined the standard papers, and plastics of life. So imagine how not helpful it is that we’re throwing away cartridges and batteries like their nothing, even considering that batteries were never supposed to go with regular trash anyway. The disposable vape problem is growing, as vaping grows in popularity. There are, however, some alternatives, that can help bring down the waste, as well as offer healthier, and more cost-efficient options, in the long term. Disposable vape alternativesFor one thing, the vape carts themselves propose issues. Most are made of plastic, and they often contain metal that we now know leaches into the vape oil. Generally speaking, disposable products are of lesser quality than reusable products. Product makers aren’t going to waste more expensive production materials on something not meant to have a long lifespan. So it already makes sense to consider better options for a healthier experience. There are several companies making metal-free vape carts, although it doesn’t appear that any have set up a model for re-using them, meaning they’re currently paying out more to produce a better product, which will cost more money. Obviously, this doesn’t actually solve the waste issue, but it does start in the right direction. A more expensive, better product, is more likely to be attached to some kind of program to re-use it. How could this be done? Well, for one thing, retailers could give cashback, or a discount, to those who return a disposable vape cart or battery. I know a lot of people who bring their beer bottles back to the store to get a discount, and it probably wouldn’t be different with vape carts. This would allow them to stay disposable as well. On the other hand, another option is refillable cartridges. So long as cartridges aren’t being thrown out, batteries aren’t either, and this would reduce waste the most. If consumers could bring their carts back to their local dispensary for reloading, it would promote the continued usage of products, plus, bring down the price for buyers, as they would only need to pay for the oil, and not the device. This can work with mail-order products as well, if the oil is shipped in a syringe, with an easy enough way to reload the cart. Right now, most disposable carts are not easy to load with new oil, believe me, I’ve tried. I’m probably not the only person who doesn’t like plastic hits at the end, but also doesn’t want to waste that last drop. In the beginning of my vape use, I tried a couple times to take the last drops from different carts and add them together, but it was incredibly hard to both scrape out what was there, and deposit it elsewhere. If carts are specifically made for reloading, this problem can be worked out. For right now, manufacturers would probably rather have you keep buying new ones, as it’s the current sales model. ![]() How much of a waste issue is there?When getting into the disposable vape issue, and why we need some good alternatives, here’s some basic information to consider. For one thing, carts and batteries produce three kinds of waste, including plastic waste, which we already know is one of the most detrimental parts of our environmental issues, making entire swaths of ocean water deadly for anything living. They also produce hazardous waste and electronic waste, because each and every battery, is a battery. This vape waste issue comes from both weed smokers and e-cigarette smokers, as both come in disposable versions. A standard Juul, for example, offers about 200 puffs. Consider how many puffs an average smoker takes in a day, and how frequently this would have to be updated. For heavy smokers, its not uncommon to go through disposable vapes very quickly. In terms of how high usage is, consider that in 2016, 2.2 million vape devices were sold, and that in just one year that went up to 16.2 million. Much of this growth was specifically related to disposable products. According to a CDC release in March 2021, between September 6, 2020 and March 21, 2021, there was a 96.4% increase in disposable vape sales, which accounts for a rise from 4 million to 7.8 million batteries. Prefilled carts went up 9.1% from 12.7 million to 13.8 million. That’s a lot of stuff to throw away! What about recycling?As of right now, carts actually can’t be recycled with other products. They contain chemical residues that make them considered ‘hazardous waste’. They’re also not standard in that they mix plastic and metal. Add onto that, that recycling programs for them literally don’t exist, and it means every cart gets thrown away, and tons of batteries too. One thing to consider for disposable vape alternatives, is recycling. The batteries can be recycled more easily as most cities have programs for this. To be perfectly honest, in all my years alive, I’ve never found this easy to do. For as much damage as we’re told throwing batteries away causes, very few places are responsible about getting citizens to dispose of them properly. The idea that most people will never dispose of a battery correctly, coupled with the growing use of these batteries for disposable vape products, leads to a worrying level of hazardous waste material. Technically, we’ve encountered this before. Prior to rechargeable batteries making it big in the 90’s, we were all about standard disposable batteries, and they were thrown in the regular garbage all the time. Perhaps enough time has gone by that this issue was forgotten. Or maybe it lends more to the idea that people want a cheaper option in the immediate. ![]() One of the biggest issues with getting people to care about this problem, is that the disposable option is generally the much cheaper option, at least when buying individual products. Until programs are started to more easily recycle these materials, or provide easy refill options which can bring down prices more, complaining about the issue is essentially useless. On a positive note, recent statistics do point to a much bigger rechargeable market, even if its growing slower. According to Grand View Research, in 2021, over 40% of the vape market was for rechargeable products. Coming across this data is not easy though, and how accurate this is, is hard to say. As with most product categories where there are higher and lower price points, for either better or cheaper products, the cheaper disposable vapes only seem cheaper, while over time, rechargeable is shown to be the more cost-effective option. ConclusionDisposable vapes propose an environmental issue, as well as promoting unhealthy vaping options by using cheaper materials. As the industry trucks along, more disposable vape alternatives should be expected, like cartridge return, recycling programs, refill programs, and the use of better quality cartridges. For now, when buying a product, think about where it’ll end up when you’re done with it, and if you might be better off spending a few extra dollars, for a better overall device. Welcome all! Thanks for joining us at CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, your #1 web spot for comprehensive news covering everything going on in the burgeoning cannabis and psychedelics spaces. Come by daily for a dose of news updates, and sign up for The THC Weekly Newsletter, so you’re first to get all important stories and latest deals. Please remember, you’ve got a lot of cannabis product choices, and there’s no reason to purchase a product you’re uncomfortable with using. The post The Disposable Vape Problem, And Alternatives to Consider appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/08/the-disposable-vape-problem-and-alternatives-to-consider/ It’s usual to wonder where you can get the cheapest cannabis in the world, but it’s not normal to go out of your way to search for the most expensive. However, knowledge is power. If you’re aware of where cannabis is priced the highest, then you’ll know where to avoid. However, perhaps this weed is worth the price? Perhaps the most expensive gram in the world is so pricey because of its sheer quality. Perhaps you’ll experience the greatest high of your life. Does the price tag match the quality? Let’s see. We’re going to be finding out which country sells the most expensive gram of cannabis and why this is. 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! PricesThe price of any service or goods can vary from nation to nation. This is true with televisions, with meals, with accommodation and, of course, with cannabis. However, many people in the west usually believe in the ‘tens’ rule. That is, for ten pounds, euros or dollars, you should be getting around 0.8-1.2 grams of cannabis. Basically, 10 (pounds, euros or dollars) of your currency will get you 1 gram-ish. However, that isn’t how the entire world works. In fact, it’s far from it. There are certain places on Earth that will allow you to purchase cannabis for a gobsmacking amount, both good and bad. But why does this happen? Well, a Yahoo Finance survey found that there were major differences in prices between various countries when it came to certain electrical goods. The article writes: “According to the research, if a person bought all the items it would cost him or her $1,757 in Tokyo; $1,969 in New York City; $2,012 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; $2,450 in Copenhagen; $2,441 in Vienna; $2,540 in Cape Town, South Africa; $2,965 in Reykjavik, Iceland; and $3,387 in Sao Paulo.” The reasons for a difference in price are multiple. Some argue that poorer countries usually have cheaper goods and services because of the standards of living there, including average wages. However, it’s all relative of course. If you are comparing a country with a strong currency, to a weaker one, then you will usually be able to afford more in the latter. For instance, in India, the price of a room is usually around 5-10 dollars per night. This is a lot cheaper than anywhere in the west. Plus, the Broke Backpacker notes the price of a month’s rent in India being around 100 dollars, which again is far less than the US. He writes: “Thankfully, the cost of living in India is generally much lower than it is in Europe and North America. If you’re earning a similar income, it will definitely go much further.” ![]() As you can see, it’s all relative to those living in the specific country. Perhaps someone from India would come over to the west and be horrified by the prices. But, if they were living and working in the US, then they would be being paid more relative to their currency. That is why those who live in poorer countries, but maintain their jobs in richer ones, usually end up living like a god. Date Topics writes: “Prices of goods and services differ across countries. For example, travellers often find that the price of a product abroad can be very different from the same product back home, when using market currency exchange rate to make comparisons. Typically, prices are lower in poorer countries and higher in richer ones.” It’s important to mention too that the price of a good or service will also be altered by other factors. These include: costs of production, legal issues and market competition. Costs of ProductionThe costs of production will dictate how much a good or service costs. If it costs $50 to make a pair of sunglasses, then the seller may price them at $100. But if those sunglasses cost $25 to produce, then perhaps they will sell them at $50. Profit is, of course, crucial to any business. But these costs of production also include the price of workers. How much does it cost to pay a worker or workers for them to make it? Minimum wages in nations are usually there to protect people from being exploited in this situation. However, it’s common for big monopoly countries to use overseas workers to do their production in order to take advantage of the cheaper wages. Legal IssuesAnother reason why goods like cannabis may be priced higher or lower is because of the legal issues surrounding them. A free and healthy market will allow for many businesses to produce one item, and therefore the buyer has more options. However, if it is hard and perhaps illegal to produce cannabis, it is likely that the market won’t be as healthy and free. This could lead to less competition, and therefore higher prices. But, ironically, sometimes the dark web and illegal drug markets can be a more competitive market than legal ones. This is because there is less regulation on who can and can’t sell drugs. The illegal market is, without a doubt, booming. “Cocaine, heroin and marijuana have become cheaper and stronger over the past two decades, despite increases in drug seizures by authorities fighting the global illegal drug market, a new study found…The global illegal drug industry is estimated to do about $350 billion in business annually, according to recent United Nations’ reports.” So, with this in mind, it’s hard to guess where the most expensive cannabis gram will come from. Will it come from a country that hasn’t legalized cannabis? Or will it come from one that has? The Most Expensive Gram of CannabisIt isn’t easy to state, with complete accuracy, where the most expensive gram of cannabis comes from. That is because we are comparing black markets with legal markets, as well not taking into account how some strains are more expensive than others. However, we can make a good attempt. It seems that, on average, the most expensive gram of cannabis comes from the United Emirates. ![]() United Arab EmiratesThe United Arab Emirates is a country in Western Asia and shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is believed that the average cost of a gram of cannabis in the UAE is 101 euros. That is about 109 dollars. Can you imagine going up to your dispensary or dealer and paying that much for a gram of weed? This price is based on the black market prices because cannabis is not legal in this country. Cannigma writes: “Cannabis use of any kind is not tolerated in the UAE. Anyone found to be in possession of weed in Dubai – which includes having it in their system – is liable to face jail time and a hefty fine, while until recently expats faced immediate expulsion from the country.” On the whole, UAE is not the cheapest of places for western travellers – whether you’re eating, sleeping or wanting to smoke highly illegal cannabis. However, the UAE is not the only county with high cannabis prices. Other NationsGrow Barato writes about a UN Office of Drugs and Crime report that has researched the average price of cannabis around the world. Other than United Arab Emirates, the study also highlights: “Brunei, where marijuana is still quite expensive but the price drops a bit to 68.293 euro. The third in our top 3 most expensive countries is Japan, where you can get one gram for 63.281 euro. Cyprus is the most expensive European country in which to buy marijuana, with a cost of approximately 36.729 euro per gram.” As you can see, there does seem to be a correlation here. Japan, Brunei and UAE are all extremely wealthy nations. However, Cyprus would not be considered on the same level as them. Also, none of these countries have very open policies towards cannabis, so the cost of production would also be increased. However, saying that, the USA has also proved to sell some extremely expensive cannabis too. USASince legalizing cannabis in 18 states in America, the US has begun to dominate the cannabis market. The average price for a gram of cannabis in the USA is $7.69, which is impressively cheap. However, there’s also an alternative world of extremely expensive cannabis strains. In fact, in a Vice Youtube video, the rapper 2 chainz tried a cannabis cigar (cannagar), which sells for around $50,000. There is also an incredible strain of cannabis, known as cannabis caviar, which sells for around $1400 per ounce. Westword writes about this crazy strain: “This isn’t stuff you are sitting around puffing all day,” says Jake, general manager of the ReLeaf Center, a Denver dispensary that’s selling caviar made in house for $60 a gram. “This is the definition of a one-hitter quitter.” Whilst the US has a healthy cannabis market, which allows for cheap grams. It also allows for more expensive ones – like cannabis caviar. ConclusionThe research seems to show that the most expensive gram of cannabis comes from the United Arab Emirates. It shows that the wealthier countries seem to have the more expensive cannabis, especially if it is also illegal and hard to produce/ sell. However, it’s also important to note that even in nations with booming cannabis markets – like the US, they have also allowed space for expensive cannabis too. Welcome to the site! Thanks for making it to CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, the top internet spot offering up fully-rounded independent news covering the growing cannabis and psychedelics industries. Stop by frequently to stay up-to-date on these dynamic industries, and make sure to sign up to The THC Weekly Newsletter, to ensure you’re never late on getting the news. The post Where is the Most Expensive Gram of Cannabis in the World? appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/08/where-is-the-most-expensive-gram-of-cannabis/ CBD is now massively popular with people from all walks of life, but this non-intoxicating cannabinoid hasn’t quite shaken itself off its connection with an intoxicating, illegal plant. What’s the difference between CBD from hemp and CBD from marijuana, and which type of CBD is better to use? With searches for topics like “hemp-derived CBD verse marijuana-derived CBD” on the rise, it’s time to definitively define the differences between CBD produced using legal hemp and CBD extracted from federally illegal marijuana. In this guide, learn everything you need to know to ensure you’re using the right kind of CBD. What Is CBD?CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid naturally found in cannabis. Derived from cultivars of the Cannabis sativa plant that contain less than 0.3% THC, CBD is generally considered an industrial hemp product, placing hemp-derived CBD oil in a very different legal category from marijuana products. Used primarily to help with pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep, hemp-derived CBD products are sold widely online. As long as they contain less than 0.3% THC, industrial hemp plants are usually considered federally legal, leading to a boom in hemp production across the nation. What Are Cannabinoids?Cannabinoids are unique substances only found in cannabis plants. Some cannabinoids, like THC, are intoxicating, but others, like CBD, do not have any profound psychoactive properties. Most cannabinoids are alike, however, in that they’re being intensively researched for their potential medicinal benefits. Scientists are very interested in determining the natural healing power of cannabinoids, and CBD is at the center of international research into the usefulness of these fascinating substances. What Is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?To understand the differences between hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD, we must first address the differences between hemp and marijuana. Despite both being members of the cannabis species, hemp and marijuana plants are different both genetically and from a regulatory perspective. What Is Cannabis?“Cannabis” is the genus name of an annual herbaceous plant family, the most prominent member of which is Cannabis sativa. Scientists once thought Cannabis indica was a different species entirely, but it’s now widely accepted that the two plants come from the same species. Similarly, no official species differentiation has been made between cannabis that bears THC and cannabis that bears CBD. Members of the Cannabis sativa species that are rich in CBD have simply been bred that way, and they’re called “hemp” to differentiate them from intoxicating (and often illegal) marijuana. What Is Marijuana?“Marijuana” is an outdated regulatory term used to refer to cannabis plants containing more than 0.3% THC. Under the Controlled Substances Act of 1971, marijuana is considered a Schedule I drug, the category carrying the harshest legal penalties and designed only to pertain to substances with no medical properties whatsoever. CBD products are considered marijuana when they contain over 0.3% THC. While this type of CBD might be legal in states with medical or recreational dispensaries, it is federally illegal. What Is Hemp?The term “hemp” refers to cannabis plants that have been determined to have no psychoactive value since they contain less than 0.3% THC. Used to make fiber, food, and even fuel, hemp is a multi-purpose crop that has recently been bred for use in making CBD products. CBD hemp oil can be sold online and across state lines, unlike marijuana-derived CBD oil. As a result, consumers can now use non-intoxicating forms of cannabis even in states without medical marijuana programs or recreational marijuana markets. What Is Hemp Seed Oil?Hemp seed oil is an extract made from hemp seeds, which do not contain CBD or any other cannabinoids. Instead, hemp seed oil is an excellent source of essential nutrients and essential fatty acids. If you eat hemp seeds, they’re also an excellent source of fiber and protein. No matter how many hemp seeds you eat, though, you won’t get high or experience the benefits of CBD. Difference Between CBD from Hemp vs. MarijuanaMarijuana-derived CBD and hemp-derived CBD are different, but why, exactly, is marijuana-derived CBD oil illegal while CBD hemp oil isn’t? Is there any reason you’d want to use marijuana-derived CBD oils despite their high THC content? Let’s find out: Hemp CBD vs. Marijuana CBDHemp-derived CBD oil contains less than 0.3% THC, but CBD derived from a marijuana plant will contain considerably more THC than that. Even though CBD appears to partially block the activity of THC, ingesting large concentrations of THC in your CBD oil will still get you high. Plus, using marijuana CBD oil in the wrong part of the country could violate federal or state laws. Is CBD from Marijuana Better than Hemp?CBD from marijuana has both advantages and disadvantages. For certain severe medical conditions, some experts might recommend the analgesic properties of THC despite its potential disadvantage of getting you high. For many CBD consumers, however, THC intoxication provides a disruptive feeling of physical and mental discomfort. Combined with the fact that THC-rich CBD is illegal to buy online and only available through dispensaries in states that have legalized marijuana, the potential advantages of marijuana CBD start to seem insubstantial. Is CBD from Marjiuana Legal?No, CBD from marijuana — meaning it contains more than 0.3% THC — is illegal to ship across state lines. Despite certain states moving to create legal medical and recreational marijuana markets, THC remains a federally illicit Schedule I drug, and it’s only allowed in hemp products in concentrations under 0.3%. Should I Buy CBD Oil from Hemp or Marijuana?If they’re both considered “cannabis-derived CBD,” why should I buy CBD from hemp instead of CBD from marijuana? Despite the legal difference between hemp and cannabis, a CBD molecule is a CBD molecule, right? What matters, in this case, is the other molecules accompanying CBD. While the presence of minor cannabinoids strengthens the benefits of CBD, one particular cannabinoid — THC — should be kept low for both regulatory and safety reasons. Whatever else it might be, THC is an intoxicating drug that not everyone who likes CBD wants to use. The less THC and the more CBD your CBD oil contains, the more legal it will be, and the more you’ll like its effects if you don’t enjoy getting high. CBD Isolate vs. Full Spectrum CBDYou now know the difference between the type of hemp CBD you can buy online and the cannabis CBD you can buy in a recreational marijuana market, but there’s one more subtlety we should tease out before we finish. Even within the online hemp CBD market, there are different types of CBD to choose from, and chief among your options are isolate and full-spectrum CBD. At the cost of not including any minor cannabinoids or terpenes whatsoever, isolate CBD consists entirely of the CBD molecule and does not contain any detectable traces of THC. The various cannabinoids present in cannabis work synergistically together, though, leading to the rising popularity of full-spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum CBD can contain up to 0.3% THC, which isn’t enough to get you high but may strengthen the benefits of the entourage effect. It’s now even possible to extract CBD in a way that leaves the THC behind but keeps terpenes and other minor cannabinoids intact — try broad-spectrum CBD for the best of both worlds. Summary of the Difference Between CBD Oil from Hemp vs. MarijuanaCBD derived from the hemp plant is usually legal wherever you are in the country, while CBD derived from marijuana is often illegal. Hemp CBD won’t get you high, but marijuana CBD might. In the end, those are the two most important differences between these two very dissimilar types of CBD. One other factor worth mentioning is how much easier it is to get hemp CBD. Anytime you want to try a new CBD product, simply head to the internet and purchase a product that will be at your door in a few days. In most places, buying marijuana CBD involves going to a dispensary in person only to pick through a few meager options — some of which you could have just bought online anyway. Unless you have a serious medical condition and you’ve been recommended marijuana CBD by a doctor, there’s no real reason to venture beyond the world of hemp CBD. It’s non-intoxicating, more legal, and easier to get — what is there to lose? The post Hemp Derived CBD vs. Marijuana Derived CBD: Which is Better? appeared first on Colorado Botanicals. via Colorado Botanicals https://cobocbd.com/hemp-cbd-vs-marijuana-cbd/ The third annual, World CBD Awards are taking place in Barcelona, Spain, from July 12th to 15th, 2022. This is a unique, black-tie event focused on highlighting the very best CBD products on the market today! In total, 19 award categories – including best vape, top product safety, most loved brand, best topical and more – will be presented by a panel of industry experts. Scroll down to learn more about the event and for an exclusive discount on tickets! Events are a great way to network and learn about products 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! About The World CBD AwardsThe World CBD Awards is an annual event focused on highlighting some of the best CBD/hemp products, services, and brands in the industry. They look at safety, compliance, effectiveness, and overall consumer satisfaction to decide. According to their website, the theme of the 2022 awards event will be “we can do better”, and the objective is to bring together as many global industry leaders as possible. There will be 19 award nomination categories to vote on: best device, best CBD isolate tincture, best CBD extract tincture, best CBD edible, best clinically studied product, best CBD topical, best cosmetic product, best CBD vape, best pet range, best CBD flower, best CBD beverage, packaging company, best CBD sexual wellness product, best magazine, best book, best social media campaign, most charitable CBD company, most innovative product, best international retailer, best international distributor, best European retailer, best European distributor, best CBD influencer, best raw material supplier, best CBD white label brand, most loved CBD brand, best hemp flower, bet industry newcomer, best international payment merchant, best European payment merchant, and best CBD laboratory. The organizers of the World CBD Awards pride themselves on the due diligence they undergo during the screening process. They have a detailed scoring structure and point system that allows for extremely accurate awarding. As they say, their goal is to “recognize & reward those who go the ‘extra mile’ making the industry a safe & respected marketplace; showing they operate with integrity, transparency & ethical business practices.” When and WhereThe World CBD Awards will be taking place this summer, from July 12-15 in Barcelona, Spain. The event will take place at the city’s well-known convention center, Palau de Congressos. In addition to being in the heart of the beautiful city of Barcelona, the event is situated close to many prime tourist locations including the historic Gothic district, numerous live music venues and museums, and the beach. There are a few different ticket options to choose from. The best value is the 4-day ticket that includes a full day B2B expo on the 12th, conference and network and the 13th, the formal Gala and awards ceremony, as well as the after party on the 14th, and finally, a day of meetings and networking to end things on the 15th. To get your tickets, CLICK HERE, and use the coupon code “CBDTesters20” to get 20% off the total price. Happy travels and we look forward to seeing some of you guys at the event! Welcome all! Thanks for dropping by CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, a top offering for comprehensive news covering the burgeoning cannabis and psychedelics industries. Stop by daily for a dose of news on these dynamically changing fields, and sign up for The THC Weekly Newsletter, so you’re up on everything important going on. The post Don’t Miss The World CBD Awards In Barcelona This July appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/07/dont-miss-the-world-cbd-awards-in-barcelona-this-july/ The struggle is real, guys! Somewhere along the way, getting rid of a few extra pounds turned into fending off diabetes, worrying about heart problems, and giving up on fitting into anything within 10 sizes. The obesity issue has ballooned out (all pun intended), and the collective health of America has been hit in the jugular. Products that promise to help often fall short, and the ability to keep weight off becomes harder and harder to do. Perhaps it won’t be the cure-all that people hope for when something new comes out, but it’s possible that magic mushrooms are a new answer to the growing issue of how to lose weight. If magic mushrooms can help humans lose weight, it will sure shake up the weight loss industry. We’ll find out soon enough how useful these fungi are for keeping the pounds off. This publication reports on the cannabis and psychedelics industries of today, which you can follow along with by subscribing to The Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter. This will put you in first place for all new psychedelic product promotions as they come out, though you can already take advantage of deals for cannabinoids, like HHC-O, Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCO, THCV, THCP & HHC. Can magic mushrooms help a person lose weight?Let’s jump right in, shall we? There isn’t a large body of research on mushrooms in general (though it’s certainly growing), and the majority is geared toward mental health issues. This first look into mushrooms as a measure to lose weight is a new concept, and the research on it is sparse. Here is what there is to know. In 2018, researchers put out this review called Anti-Obesity Effects of Medicinal and Edible Mushrooms, in which they investigated research done into the “cellular mechanisms of obesity that attenuate by antioxidant potentials of medicinal and edible mushrooms.” The idea being that “studies have showed that mushrooms potentially have antioxidant capacities, which increase the antioxidant defense systems in cells.” And that “they boost anti-inflammatory actions and thereby protect against obesity-related hypertension and dyslipidemia.” It was pointed out within the review that mushrooms “produce low energy which is favorable for weight loss; they contain low glucose, and high mannitol, that is exactly appropriate for diabetics; and have no cholesterol and low sodium, which is good for people suffering from hypertension.” The authors cite previous research that states “mushrooms help to regulate dysbiosis and augment antiobesity effects.” And that “modulating microbiota with the consumption of mushroom could also help maintain glucose homeostasis and reduce insulin resistance linked to diabetes and obesity.” ![]() They concluded, “mushrooms are highly nutritive species containing enormous amounts of bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, fibers, terpenes, polyphenols, sterols, flavonoids, and alkaloids) that are potentially antioxidant-rich constituents with effects on numerous cardiac biomarkers to treat obesity-related cardiovascular system illnesses. Various animal studies have demonstrated that regular consumption of mushrooms significantly reduces hypertension, atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and obesity. Nevertheless, this practice ought to be combined with regular physical exercise, as well as dietary and lifestyle alterations. The practice of regular consumption of mushroom might however result in synergistic and improved effects.” Preclinical trialsBefore testing on people is done, there is often experimentation done on animals. As such, whether a person agrees with this idea or not, a lot is often gained from animal research. In this case lab rats were used in trials relating to the use of psilocybin for appetite control, ran by a company called NeonMind. For the trials, the rats were fed a very high calorie diet of Nutella. Some rats received small doses of psilocybin, some received bigger doses, and some were part of a control group that did not receive psilocybin at all. The results showed that rats fed more psilocybin were less likely to eat as much, with a thought being that the psilocybin might suppress appetite. This offers two possible benefits. One is the possible ability to suppress the appetite leading to less desire for food. And the other is the ability to change patterned thinking, allowing for new thought processes to be made, which can help a person get out of their old eating habits, and establish new, healthier ones. This ability for neuroplasticity is seen with other hallucinogens as well. Overall, investigators concluded a few things. First, that there was statistical significance in terms of weight gain between the control group and the experimental groups. Second, that results were seen within a few days. Third, that the experimental groups did consume less food than the control. And four, there weren’t any safety issues with using psilocybin. Next up come clinical trials for humans. NeonMind wants to use mushrooms to lose weightMagic mushrooms aren’t legal yet, but there is already a whole industry sprouting up around them. Many companies are currently selling non-psychedelic mushrooms in an effort to get things going while waiting for new regulation. And some companies are already planning for impending legal changes. NeonMind is a company out of Canada which is behind the trials mentioned above. NeonMind Biosciences is a publicly traded biotech company that is currently examining how magic mushrooms, and specifically psilocybin, can help a person lose weight by helping to improve eating habits, and change patterned thinking about food. The company functions on two main pathways, 1) as a pharmaceutical company developing psychedelic drugs targeting obesity, and 2) providing medical services through specialty mental health clinics. ![]() Says CEO of NeonMind Penny White, “psilocybin causes neuroplasticity, which means it can remove our Pavlovian-like responses to environmental stimuli”, and that “psilocybin has the potential to serve as a new and different tool to help people lose weight and maintain their weight loss by changing neural pathways.” She explained, “changed habits and cognitions can increase caloric expenditure and reset the behaviors and cognitions that link life stress and trauma to eating behavior.” In terms of clinical trials, White stated, “psilocybin is known to activate serotonin receptors. Serotonin can curb cravings, shut off appetite and reduce eating.” She explained the initial trials, saying, “we are currently conducting a preclinical trial at the University of British Columbia examining psilocybin as a treatment for weight loss. We are also designing a phase 2 human clinical trial which we hope will be application ready by the spring.” This came from an interview in early 2021, and the Phase I trials were released in 2022. The preclinical trials were done with the backing of Health Canada. NeonMind has since then filed five US provisional patent applications for weight loss therapeutics, including for compulsive eating disorders; obesity or related issues; and for altering diets for better health. The company completed its IPO in late 2020, raising $4.6 million. The stock is traded under NEON on the Canadian Securities Exchange. This makes them one of the growing number of psychedelics companies that are now publicly traded. NeonMind isn’t the only organization looking into magic mushrooms for weight-related issues. The company COMPASS Pathways (Nasdaq – CMPS) is investigating treating anorexia-nervosa with psilocybin in Phase II trials, and the company Tryp Therapeutics (CSE – TRYP) (OTCQB – TRYPF) is recruiting for Phase II trials to treat binge eating with its own version of psilocybin. The overweight epidemicHow big is the overweight issue in America, and how much do we need to pay attention? Oh, it’s pretty bad. First let’s define things. There’s a difference between the terms ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’. Whereas ‘overweight’ implies a body mass index (BMI) of over 25%, ‘obese’ refers to those who are 30% above the weight they should be. BMI is a measure of a person’s weight (measured in kg), divided by their height (in m2). It’s written like this: mg/kg. Standard BMI’s are about 18.5-24.9%. In terms of how this problem can be explained for a population, consider that as of a CDC reporting for 2017-2018, 42.4% of the US population weighed in as obese. Not overweight, remember, but obese, meaning this entire 42.4% of the population has a BMI of 30% or more. This qualifies nearly half the population as being incredibly overweight. Considering the requirement to be called overweight is several percentages less, it implies that over half the population could be considered heavier than what is healthy. ![]() This hasn’t always been a problem, and there’s been a steady increase in the last couple decades. Between 1999-2018, the rate of obesity shot up 30.5% signaling major issues in the food we eat, and the sedentary way we live our lives. Within that period, the incidence of severe obesity (BMI of 40%+) also went up to 9.2% from 4.7%. I’ll make this even worse. It’s not just the adults it affects, but the children of the country too. From 1975 to 2016, the rate of obesity among children aged 5-19 shot up from 4% to 18%, according to the WHO’s global burden of disease statistics from 2017. This means not only are we not able to control ourselves in terms of what we eat, but we can’t helpfully impact children with healthy eating habits, either. ConclusionThough magic mushrooms propose an interesting solution to the problem, possibly offering users a way to lose weight, the entire idea of using them comes with a major stipulation. Just like with tons of other medications, and supplements, how well they work, is often determined by how much effort we’re willing to put in. Magic mushrooms might prove to be a good aid to lose weight, but it probably won’t be accomplished without changing eating and exercise habits. This might not be the super easy answer hoped for by a country with out-of-control weight issues, but it might be the only one in reality for those who want lasting results. Hello all! Thanks for dropping by CBDtesters.co / Cannadelics.com, the #1 web platform for fully-rounded independent news of the burgeoning cannabis and psychedelics fields. Stop by whenever possible for a daily dose of industry news, and check out The Cannadelics Weekly Newsletter, for updates on everything important going on. The post How Magic Mushrooms Can Help You Lose Weight appeared first on CBD Testers. Via https://cbdtesters.co/2022/06/07/how-magic-mushrooms-can-help-you-lose-weight/ |
ABOUT MEHallo, ik ben Rosalina Klerkx, ik ben een RHIA-gecertificeerde zorgbeheerder met meer dan 6 jaar ervaring in het creëren van een productieve omgeving voor zorgprofessionals. Leiding gegeven aan een team van 12 opname- en verkoopmedewerkers in een instelling voor langdurige zorg met meer dan 170 patiënten. Opstellen van complexe HIPAA-conforme rapporten aan patiëntendienstcoördinatoren in een zorgkliniek. Archives
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