Cannabis is finally getting its time in the re-search sun; here are a few of the new discover-ies have been made about the plant
Hold on to your hats, folks, because we’re diving into some seriously high-stakes research. Yes, you heard me right, we’re talking about the ganja, the Mary Jane, the wacky tobaccy, the good ol’ sticky icky.
That’s right, we’re talking about cannabis, and it turns out that science is finally catching up to what some of us have known all along: that this plant is more than just a way to mellow out and get the munchies.
In fact, recent studies have suggested that cannabis might even be the key to unlocking some of our most intimate desires. That’s right, we’re talking about how science is backing up the idea of using weed to spice up our love lives, folks — and there’s so much more interesting research to note, too.
So sit back, grab some popcorn (or maybe some brownies), and let’s explore the wild world of recent cannabis research studies.
A gateway drug no more!
Good news for marijuana enthusiasts: legalizing recreational cannabis at the state level doesn’t appear to be the harbinger of doom that some critics have made it out to be. A new study out of the University of Colorado Boulder has found that legalizing marijuana doesn’t lead to an increase in substance use disorders or the use of other illicit drugs among adults. In fact, it might even help reduce alcohol-related problems.
Lead author Stephanie Zellers, who started the research as a graduate student at CU Boulder’s Institute for Behavioral Genetics, said, “We really didn’t find any support for a lot of the harms people worry about with legalization. From a public health perspective, these results are reassuring.”
The study, published on January 5th in the journal Psychological Medicine, followed over 4,000 twins from Colorado and Minnesota, collecting data on their use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other illicit drugs, as well as their psychosocial health. The participants, now aged 24 to 49, have been tracked since adolescence.
Researchers tapped into data from two of the largest and longest-running twin studies in the United States: one at IBG and the other at the Minnesota Center for Twin Family Research. While recreational use of marijuana remains illegal in Minnesota, Colorado became one of the first states to legalize its use for recreational purposes in 2014.
The study’s findings also debunked the popular myth that marijuana use causes cognitive, psychological, social, relationship, or financial problems. So, for those who have been eagerly waiting for marijuana to be legalized, this study provides yet another reason to celebrate.
Gettin’ sexy with sativas (and indicas, and hybrids…)
A study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research has found that marijuana might just be the key to unlocking sexual pleasure. According to the study, over 70% of the 811 participants reported an increase in sexual desire and orgasm intensity after using cannabis.
And wait for it: 40% of the ladies even claimed to have achieved the impossible: multiple orgasms in a single session! Move over, Kama Sutra!
But before you trade in your date night candles for a joint, let’s take a closer look at the study.
The researchers used an online survey to gather their data, but here’s the kicker — they only surveyed people who already use cannabis. Not just that, but 62.6% of the respondents reported using cannabis every single day!.So, let’s just say it’s not exactly a representative sample of the general population.
Oh, and did we mention that the respondents were mostly white, college-educated, and predominantly female? Talk about a biased sample!
But hey, who knows, maybe the results are still worth considering. After all, when it comes to sexual pleasure, anything is worth a try, right? And if it involves weed? Well, we’re always in.
CBD to fight superbugs?
Who knew that the same plant that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside could also help fight off pesky bacteria?
Researchers are looking into the potential of certain cannabinoids, including CBD, to fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. And it’s not just some stoner’s wild idea – the US Centers for Disease Control reports that more than 35,000 people a year die from these stubborn infections.
One area of focus for the researchers is using CBD to disinfect the skin before surgery, helping to prevent post-operative infections. And early results from studies at the University of Queensland suggest that CBD might be just as effective as some antibiotics in treating drug-resistant bacteria.
But hold your horses, folks. The researchers admit that they don’t fully understand how CBD fights infections, and these studies are ongoing. So while it’s definitely exciting news, let’s not go throwing out our antibiotics just yet.
Who knows, maybe someday in the future we’ll all be rubbing CBD oil on our wounds instead of using antibiotic ointments. Just imagine – a world where weed not only makes you feel good, but keeps you healthy too.
Cannabis and the fight against cancer
Hold on to your bongs, folks! A group of scientists from the Israel Institute of Technology have discovered that cannabis might be the secret weapon in the fight against cancer.
Now, before you go and light up, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of this discovery. The scientists tested various extracts from the cannabis plant on cancer cells in the lab, and they found that certain combinations of cannabinoids could slow down the growth of cancer cells and even kill them off!
This is a huge deal because cannabis has long been used to help cancer patients deal with the side effects of chemotherapy, like nausea and pain. But now we’re talking about using it to actually treat cancer itself!
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies helps regulate things like sleep, pain, and appetite. The cannabis plant has over 500 chemical compounds, including at least 144 cannabinoids, that can interact with the ECS. The scientists at the Technion used 12 different canna-bis extracts, each with different combinations of cannabinoids, on 12 different cancer cell lines.
What they found was mind-blowing! Some cannabis extracts actually impaired the survival and reproduction of cancer cells, while others induced cancer cell death! And get this, different combinations of cannabinoids had different effects on different types of cancer cells. It’s like the cannabis plant has a secret arsenal of anti-tumor agents just waiting to be unleashed!
Now, let’s be clear. This doesn’t mean you should go out and self-medicate with cannabis. But it does mean that scientists are taking the potential of cannabis as
a cancer treatment seriously, and that we may be on the verge of some exciting breakthroughs in the field of cancer research.
So, let’s all light up a joint (or not, we’re not promoting anything illegal here!) to the scientists at the Technion for bringing us one step closer to finding a cure for cancer!
Cannabis and ASD study
Hey there, did you hear the news?
Apparently, high-CBD cannabis treatments could make a positive difference for kids on the spectrum. A new study found that after just six months of treatment,
over 83% of patients’ parents reported moderate to significant improvements in their children’s lives. That’s pretty impressive, right?
The researchers analyzed the data of 188 autistic patients, most of whom were on a relatively aggressive dosing strategy of consuming approximately 60 milligrams of total cannabinoids (20:1 CBD to THC) three times per day. And the results were amazing – when dosed on high-strength, high-CBD cannabis oil, pediatric patients became more independent, able to shower and dress themselves without assistance. Even sleeping patterns improved, and episodes of restlessness and rage – two common behavioral symptoms of autism – were greatly reduced.
The best part? The vast majority of these improvements came within the first month of the treatment protocol. So it seems like cannabis doesn’t waste any time getting to work!
Of course, the study has a major caveat – there was no control group, so the researchers can’t establish causality between cannabis therapy and improvement in patients’ wellbeing. But given these findings, cannabis may indeed be a promising breakthrough therapy for autism, and more rigorous trials and research are surely needed.
And it’s not just autism that could benefit from medical cannabis. Another Israel-led study found that 60 children prescribed a high-CBD cannabis oil also reported reduced behavioral outbreaks and significant improvements in communication and anxiety levels. And even parents and caregivers reported feeling less stressed!
So what can we learn from all of this? Well, for starters, medical cannabis dosing is very individualized, so starting low and going slow is probably the best general dosing strategy. And it’s not just autism – medical cannabis may help with social interaction for anyone.
In a world where “no specific treatments are currently available and interventions are focussing on lessening of the disruptive behaviors,” the potential of medical cannabis to improve the lives of autistic patients and their families is truly exciting. Who knows what other amazing benefits we might discover in the future?
