The Electron beam (E-beam) irradiation process is a technique where electrons are used to bombard a substance.[1] This can be used for a variety of procedures, but ultimately it is seen as a way to quickly and efficiently sterilize something without having any chemical residue left over. This technique is commonly used for food products or medical supplies, but what about cannabis? Does E-beam irradiation have any negative consequences when used with cannabis?   The Effects of E-Beam Irradiation E-beams are produced by accelerators that provide a constant stream of highly charged electron ..read more

Microbial contamination is a concern in medicinal cannabis, especially for those whose immunity is compromised and are hence susceptible to opportunistic infections. Unfortunately, this makes up a large percentage of medical cannabis patients. Ideally, exposing cannabis to heat should kill microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi and thus make the cannabis “safe.” A study that was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration and published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology has however revealed that vaporizing cannabis does not address microbial contamination. Vaporizing is o ..read more

For the longest time, cannabis use (“gateway drug”) has been associated with the abuse of harder drugs.  A recent study has contrasted this theory again by demonstrating that in states where recreational use of cannabis is legal, cannabis provided an alternative to opioid misuse. This led to reduced pharmacy sales of codeine which is highly likely to be abused non-medically. Opioid abuse is at epidemic levels in the US and affects about 3 million adults. A group of researchers analyzed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) data that tracks the use of controlled substances through the Auto ..read more

THCA is the form THC takes in nature, but when it’s heated and reaches the temperature of 145 degrees Celsius, THCA is decarboxylated and transforms into THC.[1] Though THCA is a precursor to THC, there are some remarkable differences between the two cannabinoids. Thanks to legal blockades, THC research has been limited for years, but now it has become a massive topic for various research projects. For THCA, though, the research is only just beginning. The question becomes, how much do we know about THCA, and what are the possible benefits that scientists have identified?   Differences Be ..read more

Kratom, a psychoactive botanical substance grown primarily in Southeast Asia, is not currently regulated by the federal government.[1][2] This means that it falls into a gray area legally. While it is possible to buy it online and in a variety of specialty stores, there is also no baseline for quality or safety confirmed by the FDA. This leaves two questions: Is it legal in my state, and what kind of quality am I getting?   Kratom Legality By State Kratom is primarily purchased over the internet, and the entire United States market was valued at approximately $1.3 billion in 2019.[3] Even ..read more

Cannabinoids are the primary chemical compounds that bond to the endocannabinoid system.[1] While most primary cannabinoids are naturally occurring and are found in the cannabis plant, there are also several synthetic cannabinoids that have been created as well. In order for cannabinoids to work within this system, they famously require heat. In fact, heat is one of the primary components of activating several cannabinoids. However, not every cannabinoid is the same. For some, only a small amount of thermal energy is needed before the cannabinoid starts to break down or change to their non-aci ..read more

If there’s one undisputed therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD), it is in the treatment of intractable childhood seizures. Even the FDA, with all its resistance to medical cannabis, has approved a CBD-based drug (Epidiolex) for this indication. According to a recently published UK study, pure CBD has shown poorer results compared to a combination of CBD/THC when it comes to controlling epileptic seizures in children. Could we have been wrong all along? Let’s take a look at the facts of this study. A group of British researchers conducted a case series and analyzed data on childr ..read more

In a “randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled” phase 3 clinical trial, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) demonstrated higher efficacy in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as compared to the mainstream pharmacotherapies sertraline and paroxetine. Such promising results demonstrate the potential of psychedelics as a breakthrough therapy for the millions of patients globally who suffer from PTSD and other forms of severe mental disorders. Details of the Study This study was sponsored by MAPS Public Benefit Corporation and the results published in Nature Medicine in May ..read more

While the medical benefits are still being investigated, ketamine use has spiked in recent years as a recreational drug.[1] Ketamine is an anesthetic with dissociative principles, but what does that really mean?[2] For many potential ketamine users, it is not enough to understand what the drug does, it is more important to evaluate how it feels. This provides a better sense of what the experience is really like, and whether it is something they really want to pursue.   Ketamine’s Objective Facts  Every drug is different, and every user’s response is different. In fact, many people ma ..read more

Borneol is a bicyclic monoterpene, meaning its molecular structure is made up of two rings fused together. But what’s more important are the practical, real-life implications which borneol’s chemical characteristics translate into, since borneol actually has a wide range of powerful medicinal properties. Scent Like all terpenes, borneol’s aroma is an evolutionary defense mechanism, meant to protect the cannabis plant from predators and pests. Its scent is usually described as earthy, along the lines of camphor, balsam, or even menthol. Medicinal Properties   Pain and inflammation Borneol ..read more