December 2019 - Page 5 of 5

Study: People Skip Sleep Aids When Legal Weed is Available

December 5, 2019 herb54_admin Herbs

The scientific community is still unclear on whether or not marijuana can actually help treat sleep disturbances such as insomnia. A new study, however, found that fewer people purchase over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications when they have legal access to cannabis.

“Our results show that the market share growth for sleep aids shrank with the entry of recreational cannabis dispensaries by more than 200% relative to the mean market share growth in our sample, and the strength of the association increased with each subsequent dispensary,” the paper, published in the December edition of Complementary Therapies in Medicine, concludes.

“In particular, cannabis appears to compete favorably with OTC sleep aids, especially those containing diphenhydramine and doxylamine, which constitute 87.4% of the market for OTC sleep aids,” the report read. “Recreational cannabis dispensaries greatly increase the number of individuals able to legally treat sleep disorders using cannabis, particularly those with mild to moderate sleep disorders.”

Researchers at the University of New Mexico and California State Polytechnic University used retail scanner data collected by the Nielsen Company to help them understand how access to recreational marijuana affected the sales of OTC sleep medications purchased at local stores in Colorado.

In their analysis, they studied the market shares of overall sleep aids — including supplements such as melatonin and pharmaceuticals such as diphenhydramine — at 587 stores. They also used monthly data from the Colorado Department of Revenue to compare the number of recreational dispensaries in each county as well as local cannabis retail sales figures.

“The negative association between cannabis access and sleep aid sales suggests a consumer preference for cannabis,” the report read.

It became legal for Colorado residents to purchase cannabis for adult use on January 1, 2014, and the study period covered December 2013 through December 2014.

According to the results, the market share for sleep aids was neither rising nor declining prior to a dispensary opening in the same county. After one did, however, the market share declined with each month of its existence. A regression model showed that sleep aid market share growth decreased by 236% after a dispensary entered the market, and this negative association increased as the number of dispensaries grew.

“The magnitude of the market share decline increases as more dispensaries enter a county and with higher county-level cannabis sales,” the authors wrote. “For the first time, we show a statistically significant negative association between recreational access to cannabis and OTC sleep aid sales, suggesting that at least some recreational purchasers are using cannabis for therapeutic rather than recreational purposes.”

“Additionally, despite a lack of direct clinical evidence on the effectiveness of self-managed cannabis as a sleep aid, our results indicate that enough individuals are switching from OTC sleep aids to recreational cannabis that we can identify a statistically significant reduction in the market share growth of OTC sleep aids in conjunction with access to recreational cannabis using a statistically conservative county-month-level treatment variable and a quasi-experimental research design,” the paper concluded.

“Our results are consistent with evidence that legal access to medical cannabis is associated with reductions in Scheduled II-V prescription medications (e.g., opioids and sedatives), many of which may be used in part as sleep aids,” the authors wrote. “These findings support survey evidence that many individuals use cannabis to treat insomnia, although sleep disturbances are not a specific qualifying condition under any U.S. state-level medical cannabis law.”

Study author Sarah Stith, an applied microeconomist at the University of New Mexico, explained in a statement: “From a public health perspective, the possible widespread use of cannabis for less severe medical conditions both highlights its therapeutic potential and raises concerns regarding the risk-benefit tradeoffs of substituting a substance associated with abuse and dependence for relatively ineffective OTC medications with typically low levels of abuse potential.”

“From an economic or business perspective, regardless of underlying mechanism, our documentation of changing purchase behaviors has implications for multimillion-dollar US markets with OTC sleep aids likely just one example,” she said. “It is important for the medical community to recognize that the lack of medical guidance does not necessarily lead to a lack of medical use. Dispensaries and online forums are stepping up to fill the information vacuum as individuals are forced to take treatment into their own hands, with statistically evident effects on treatment choices.”

Feature image from Shutterstock

This article has been republished from Marijuana Moment under a content-sharing agreement. Read the original article here.

The post Study: People Skip Sleep Aids When Legal Weed is Available appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

The Weedmaps Guide to Gifting Weed This Holiday Season

December 4, 2019 herb54_admin Herbs

The holidays are coming on fast and we’re well into the time of year when the giving spirit fills our hearts. As you make your list and check it twice, you may be considering cannabis as a gift. Maybe you’re shopping for that friend who’s constantly looking to relax or for a parent who’s just come out of the cannabis closet. Perhaps you have a friend who’s so into weed that you don’t even know where to begin. We’ve got you covered on all fronts.

While cannabis makes the perfect gift for your enhancement-loving cohorts, with all of the new products, their various forms, and the information out there, your basic baggie of Sour D just might not cut it. Knowing what to get your loved ones outside of the basic eighth, however, can be tough. You need to consider each individual you’re buying for. What’s their level of cannabis knowledge? What’s their tolerance? What do they enjoy in life?

Weedmaps News has broken down over two dozen product guides that will lead you on your gift-giving journey. Your thoughtfulness will shine through, as we’ve outlined the best of the best cannabis products from must-haves to tech, edibles to put your partner in the mood, to the perfect presents for parents. We draft out everything you need to know to make the best cannabis gifting decisions possible.

It’s the little things (like prerolls and rolling papers)

We all know that sometimes it’s the little things in life that make it all the better. And most cannabis consumers love a good joint. It’s simple, but it’s the perfect delivery method for many. For an affordable gift that’s just right for anyone from the newbie to the lifestyler, check out these preroll joint packs that are head and shoulders above the rest.

Just looking for a small something, a stocking stuffer, perhaps? Here are the best rolling papers for joints, vetted by Weedmaps.

Shopping for an enthusiast? These are the must-haves

There are indeed weed essentials out there in the ether. Luckily for you, we’ve plucked them from mystery and put them out for your consideration. These are the products that a cannabis lover absolutely needs in their life.

For example, you likely have a millennial on your list who’s doing their best to break even, and also doing their best to stay mellow. Maybe you need to save a little dough yourself. Somewhere within these nine affordable, yet innovative, cannabis products lies your answer.

Looking for a more traditional present, but you still want the WOW factor? Here are the eighths of cannabis flower that are pretty much worth their weight in gold for how good they get ya. While the eighths are thoughtful in and of themselves, what better present pairing than to give the gift of utility. These bongs break the mold and give the perfect snap-through.

Is your loved one an edible fan? Someone who takes gummies on the weekend and rolls into the party high af? Then surprise them this year with a delicious cannabis drink. Drinkables are the new edibles in the world of weed and these bevies will show your savvy. (Some of them are CBD drinks, so make sure you know your audience and especially your product.)

Did somebody say CBD?

Health and wellness are so important for peace of mind and general life enjoyment. CBD has hit the mainstream hard in the last few years and created demand from people who may otherwise not dabble in cannabis. There are many nuances to CBD, however, from the ratio of CBD to THC in a product to where the CBD is sourced. Luckily, we have five guides that each cater to a specific need.

If you’re new to CBD yourself, start with learning the differences between CBD vape oil, full-spectrum CBD, and ratioed tinctures. You may find the perfect product to give or you may just be able to make a better-informed decision between the best CBD gummies for pain, anxiety, and sleep or the best CBD oil for the same set of concerns.

Other popular methods of CBD consumption to consider include vape pens and topicals. Vape pens administer metered inhales of CBD oil that is often meant to soothe the nerves, these CBD vape pens are the best of the best. CBD is a known anti-inflammatory as well, however, and if you or a loved one are experiencing joint pain or swelling, arthritis, minor skin conditions, or the like, these topical CBD creams can be lifesavers.

Cannabis gifts that spark romance

If it’s your lover, lifer, partner-in-crime, or favorite late-night delight who you’re shopping for, this is the section for you. Our Valentine’s gift guide for stoners is relevant all year long and has some of the steamiest, most caring products just for your sweetie.

Perhaps there’s a lovely lady in your life who could use a thoughtful gift. These eight cannabis brands are not only made for women, but they’re also made by women. You just can’t go wrong giving the powerful, stoner woman in your life something unique from this guide.

When cannabis is a lifestyle, these gifts hit

Weed can certainly be more than a way to unwind at the end of the day, it can be anything to anyone from the master microdoser to the true wake-and-baker. If the person you’re shopping for speaks cannabis jargon with ease and is constantly up on the politics of pot, you’ve reached your section. Start here if you’re looking for insider goodies at a dope price.

Getting high on cannabis is full of nuance. No matter the level of experience one has with the plant, each plant will affect each person a little differently. It’s all in the chemical makeup of the plant and our bodies. Science shows that terpenes can enhance a high. These terpene-infused products will delight anyone living la vida cannabis.

Drilling deeper into the stoner lifestyle, you find sweet weed apparel and streetwear brands that delve into the fashion sense of the cannabis aficionado. On the softer side, this guide takes you through CBD beauty routines that aren’t just great for the skin but are easy on the wallet.

Impress the true stoner in your life

There’s living that high life and there’s deep canna-involvement. We all have that person who knows everything there is to know about weed. From its deep-rooted history to its current status on various political stages, they’ve got it all down pat. So, if you’re going to get them something, you’re going to need to think outside the box. Our 4/20 buyers guide is the perfect place to start shopping for the person who does and knows it all.

For the tech-savvy weed consumer, these must-have high tech products have all the excitement factor needed to geek out on. If your favorite stoner is more mechanical than techy, however, check out these tools of the trade in glass and paper. Maybe the person you’re shopping for is a cannabis fashionista. In that case, our stay fitted apparel and accessories gift guide is where to start.

The family that tokes together…

We all know Mom and Dad used to smoke back in the day (whether they admit it or not), but now they’re looking for a different cannabis experience. From parents to aunts and uncles to grandparents, here are the products for the ladies and for the gents that will go over best this holiday season.

No matter who you’re shopping for or what you land on, it’s the thought that counts and the time you’ve put into your research are going to light up the gift-giving sesh. Enjoy the festivities, whatever you do or buy, and happy holidaze from your Weedmaps crew!

Feature image by Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

The post The Weedmaps Guide to Gifting Weed This Holiday Season appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

How to Use Cannabis to Help with Holiday Stress

December 2, 2019 herb54_admin Herbs

People talk about the holidays as a happy and carefree time, but the reality is, for many of us, they’re a recipe for stress.

Thirty-eight percent of people in one Greenberg Quinlan Rosner survey said their stress increases around the holidays, citing lack of time and money, the pressure of gift exchanges, and family gatherings among the top stressors. Another survey by Healthline found that 62% of people consider the holidays stressful, with money being the biggest source of anxiety.

“The holiday season is notorious for being a stressful time as consumers decorate their homes, shop for gifts, and plan travel accommodation while also handling the usual day-to-day rituals of work, family, and home management,” said Nimesh Patel, MD, co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Redbird Bioscience. “Even though it all pays off in the end, seeing family and enjoying their company, the stress buildup can be extremely unhealthy.”

We may not be able to make our families easier to deal with or avoid all the costs of the season, but cannabis can be one means to alleviate holiday-induced stress. There’s a reason, after all, for the stereotype of the chill stoner. One study in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that, on average, medical cannabis users experienced a 58% reduction in anxiety and stress shortly after smoking.

“The pressure to perform over the holidays is enough to take anyone over the edge. Cannabis can be a great medication to use to alleviate your symptoms,” said Jarret Patton, MD, who runs a cannabis-based practice in Pennsylvania.

Cannabis can help manage stress and anxiety.

If there’s an upcoming event that you know will be stressful, like a family meal or a shopping trip, Patton suggests using cannabis beforehand to take the edge off. However, there are disadvantages to smoking during the day, since being intoxicated can mess with your performance at work and other responsibilities, said Jordan Tishler, MD, President of the Association of Cannabis Specialists and CEO of InhaleMD. If you can, it’s best to stick to a low dose before bed. This will actually help you throughout the next day.

The holiday season is known to be a stressful time for many concerned with finances, travel, and family relationships. Cannabis is one tool people can use to help manage stress and anxiety.

While some say the stress reduction they get from weed depends on whether they’re using an indica or sativa, the strain isn’t really important, said Tishler. “There are thousands of strains, but frankly, any will do,” he said. “For the most part, the chemical composition of strains overlaps to the point of no clear difference when assessing medical outcomes.” The thing to pay attention to instead is the CBD:THC ratio.

If you don’t have much experience using cannabis for stress relief, it’s best to start with a CBD-dominant strain, because these generally have the most relaxing effects, said Patton. Plain CBD is a good bet if your main goal is stress relief.

“CBD interacts directly with your endocannabinoid system to regulate important chemical messengers that are responsible for mood,” Patton explains. “This is the best alternative to pharmaceuticals such as prescription anxiety medication, which can often come with a slew of unwanted side effects.”

However, some people find that strains with more THC work better for them, so you may need to do some experimenting. Tishler usually recommends 15% to 20% THC to provide an “entourage effect” — that is, to take advantage of the synergistic actions of different cannabis compounds. The research on CBD’s use for anxiety is still inconclusive, as the animal studies done so far use very high doses, he said. Plus, CBD is especially prone to interactions with other substances, so you should talk to your doctor before using it.

People new to cannabis may want to opt for high-CBD strains. CBD is known to help regulate important chemical messengers that are responsible for mood.

At the same time, it’s not a case of “the more THC, the better.” THC alone isn’t usually a good bet because CBD and, possibly, other cannabinoids modulate the effects of THC, which can decrease the likelihood of the weed actually increasing your anxiety, Tishler explains. “It has been shown, for example, that CBD binds to the CB1 receptor that is stimulated by THC and decreases the responsiveness of that receptor to THC.” Cannabis users with higher THC content in their bodies are more likely to experience anxiety than those with more CBD, according to a study in Psychological Medicine.

If you’re caught up in holiday drama and need immediate relief, vaping is the fastest way to get it, said Patton. If you’re planning ahead of time, you can use edibles, since they set in the slowest. Other than the timing, it doesn’t make too much of a difference. “Delivery method is less important for anxiety than for many other illnesses,” said Tishler. “A few puffs on a flower vaporizer (not oil) or a few milligrams of a small edible will be effective.”

All that said, the best way to use weed for holiday anxiety or stress depends a lot on your specific needs as an individual, so seek medical advice whenever you can. “Overall, while cannabis can be effective for anxiety, no patient should have to go it alone or get advice from unqualified sources,” says Tishler. “Seek a medical cannabis specialist or endocannabinologist.”

Feature illustration by David Lozada

The post How to Use Cannabis to Help with Holiday Stress appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm