In a recent study at the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service (ICEERS), Barcelona, Spain, a sample of 419 regular Cannabis users were recruited to answer a public health survey. The participants, those who had used Cannabis at least once in the past 30 days, were compared to the general population in Catalan, Spain.
Regular users of Cannabis had better perception of health, BMI, cholesterol/blood pressure values, less presence of chronic diseases, and less physical limitations in day-to-day activities. Concerning nutrition and exercise, Cannabis users reported eating slightly more vegetables, and riding their bicycle more than the general population. These results contradict a World Health Organization report that attempts to establish a causal relationship between Cannabis use and poor health outcomes. Prior reports also appear to indicate that regular Cannabis use produces more psychiatric symptoms, including depression, produces chronic and acute bronchitis, and triggers myocardial infarction or stroke among other issues. These results were not apparent in this Catalan sample of respondents. Rather, the cohort of regular Cannabis users reduced health care visits (25%) and reduced their use of prescription drugs (32%). In this study, regular Cannabis users scored better than the general population on a list of health indicators. These results were obtained using validated health indicators, especially designed and used by several governments to assess population health and compare this information between countries or specific populations. Additionally, regular Cannabis users showed potential Cannabis dependence, suggesting that sustained use of cannabis for years might be associated with a risk of developing such dependence. Although 40% of regular Cannabis users wanted to discontinue Cannabis and expressed some association with sleep problems, the overall conclusion was not poor health. These findings suggest that regular Cannabis use might play a favorable role in public health, However, health behaviors and complex variables other than Cannabis use are more likely to effect public health. It’s January and you want to garden. Well, it’s time to start thinking about this year’s Cannabis Garden. Yes, I mean growing your own Cannabis plants. Even if you don’t plan to grow your own Cannabis, if you benefit from a plant, you should know a little something about how it is made. The act of tending to live things is nourishing, productive, and addictive as you realize the sum benefits of gardening are greater than its parts. Once you get started, you may want to add tomatoes, herbs, and maybe other medicinal plants to your garden. Let’s get going!
The Benevolent Female You must grow a female plant to produce the Cannabis flower. Flowers in the Cannabis world contain the highest content of active ingredients. Botany 101: Male plants create pollen that encounters flowers to produce seeds. If you wish to produce seeds, this is an easy task. However, most consumers are interested in the resinous oil found in the waxy crystal like trichomes of the Cannabis flowers. Cannabis flowers that grow without pollination are called Sinsemilla Seeds or Plant Cuttings? Your choice. Seeds generally produce stronger, more disease resistant plants. However, it’s difficult to predict whether a seed will become a female or male plant. Feminized cannabis seeds are created through a process of genetic manipulation. Essentially, the idea is to induce female plants to make pollen. Normally, only male plants produce pollen, but if you can somehow make a female plant produce pollen, then what you have is pollen containing only female chromosomes. On the other hand, cloning Cannabis or the Cannabis clone is a branch from a Cannabis plant that is cut in a such a way that it will grow into a plant itself. A cutting from a female Cannabis plant will most likely be female. Indoor or Outdoor? Another choice to make. Your living situation dictates this journey. It’s difficult to plant an outdoor garden in an urban environment. The impediment is most likely your neighbor. A greenhouse or closet grow allows you to establish secure barriers to your neighbors’ prying. But indoor growing produces other problems. Plants prefer fresh air and sunshine and tend to get sick indoor. You must be careful to keep the indoor space clean. Either that or learn to make a biosphere. Indoor lighting is costly and critical. The sun produces a broad spectrum of wavelengths and sun grown plants produce a broad spectrum of active plant constituents. However, if you can’t grow outdoor, do what you must. Soil If you just started thinking about soil, then it’s too late to make your own. It’s January. You’ll have to buy it. Hydroponic is a self-contained option that does not require soil. Make sure there are no leaks in your system. Soil is best when it’s full of life. Some might say that growing plants is really growing soil. If you are buying your soil, you will need to consider Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus supplementation. There are many who have opinions on the bests soil for growing Cannabis. Do your homework, but don’t get too caught up in it. Composting is best in my opinion. Water Water is for plants like air is for humans. Rainwater and spring water are great at helping plants grow. Tap water and distilled water may not hurt plants, but you will notice that they don’t grow as tall and sturdy as the plants that were given rainwater and spring water. Too much sugar or salt in water can kill plants. Chemicals like iodine or chlorine (often found in tap water) can stunt growth. A common mistake first-time growers make is to overwater plants. A cycle of wet and dry is healthy and necessary for the roots of a plant to grow out and reach deeper into the soil. Roots pull in oxygen as soil dries and when soil is too wet, the plant can't pull in oxygen efficiently and essentially can't breathe. During the holidays, we are often inundated with scenes, signs, and messages of alcohol drinking. What is it about this time of year that permits, or insists on drinking? Instead of the usual message, I thought it might be a good idea to discuss alcohol and Cannabis
According to data published in the journal, Health Policy, medical Cannabis in Canada was associated with a reduction in alcohol sales over an 8-year period. The results have important public health implications. From a public health perspective, the potential reduction in alcohol related harm might partly offset any increases in cannabis-related harm that Cannabis brings. The study found significant negative association between legal Medical Cannabis sales and liquor store alcohol sales, which means when Medical Cannabis sales increase alcohol sales go down. Each Cannabis sales dollar was associated with an average alcohol sales reduction of between $0.74 and $0.84. The study is like a 2017 US study where alcohol sales fell by 15% in several states following the introduction of medical Cannabis laws. The states experienced a significant decrease in the aggregate sale of alcohol, beer, and wine. The study authors concluded, “We feel that Cannabis and alcohol are strong substitutes.” Moreover, the effects of Medical Cannabis law are not short lived with significant reductions in sales for up to 24 months after passage. In another study published in 2021, data from the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey suggested that adolescents had a lower risk of initiating alcohol use in states with Medical Cannabis laws. Although, some demographics used more alcohol, tending to combine it with Cannabis. We know that Cannabis has a better safety profile than alcohol. For those who enjoy alcohol, it’s not the enemy. History indicates that prohibition is not the best way to reduce harm. I propose autonomy, acceptance, and education. As my mother likes to say, “Everything in moderation.” Alcohol when used in appropriate doses can be safe and beneficial. As well, some alcohol might pair nicely with Cannabis for an improved experience. So, as you plan your holiday parties, remember Cannabis and Alcohol dosage matters. You can keep track of your dosage with the CESC’s Dosing Project Be safe and don’t drive intoxicated. Does Cannabis actually relieve pain – or is something else going on?
Treating pain is by far the most common reason many millions of Americans use Cannabis. Often, the Cannabis is used instead of opiates or other prescription medicine. The therapeutic benefit is implicit. Most patients seeking medical Cannabis have pain. This is real world evidence. Is it belief or faith in Cannabis? The placebo effect is the suggestion or belief in a substance resulting in therapeutic benefit. Research suggests Cannabis and placebos provide similar pain relief, but that may not be the whole story. Many drugs have similar effects to placebo. These drugs are sold in the marketplace because they improve lives. In the end, does it matter how they work if they are safe and effective? Traditional studies are meant to be models of the real world. They are controlled studies, and, therefore, not ideal for studying variable, multi-agent botanicals. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association proposes that Cannabis is no better at relieving pain than placebos. The authors suggest that “positive expectations may contribute to the improvements” of pain. The conclusion was based on a literature review with selection bias in searching only published studies where single agent drugs are used. And in the real world, It’s clear that the plant’s broad spectrum of active ingredients is more desirable for pain. Cannabis products used by community consumers are not single agents. Harvard neuroscientists believe that the placebo effect is triggered through specific nerve pathways involving neurotransmitters, including endocannabinoids. According to Dr. Ted Kaptchuk, director of the Program in Placebo Studies, the effects of a placebo rival or mimic the physiological effects of certain active medications. An additional consideration is that some people are predisposed to having a placebo effect. That may explain why some Cannabis users respond to lower doses of Cannabis and others require higher doses. The FDA requires the “gold standard” trial to regulate the pharmaceutical industry. The studies are developed to identify safe and effective pharmaceutical drugs. Health care professionals are accustomed to assessing the effectiveness of a single agent pharmaceutical with the gold standard in research, a double blind, randomized, controlled trial. In that regard, they are not accustomed to assessing the benefits of botanicals Real world evidence is the best scientific path to understanding Cannabis. Cannabis is a plant that has been used for thousands of years. Its components are influenced by cultivator, season, and location. Despite the variability, real world evidence demonstrates a safety profile that rivals or beats pharmaceuticals. Many pharmaceuticals approved by traditional studies have side effects and adverse events despite blinded controlled trials. Altered |
AuthorJean Talleyrand, M.D., Archives
January 2023
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