Category: Cannabis

Have you ever been inspired with a bout of novel creativity while high? Did these thoughts turn into tangible action during your high experience? These are essential questions to consider as we explore whether cannabis improves creativity or not. By the end of this article, you’ll discover some tips on how to maximize what cannabis has to offer and avoid potential pitfalls on the path to inspiration.

Creativity, Cannabis, and Human Evolution

Creativity can be expressed in unlimited ways to produce the entire spectrum of life all around us. Everything we humans have created and built started with some creativity – we certainly didn’t develop tools or learn to use fire without creativity.

We used this fire and our growing knowledge of agriculture to create our modern connection with the cannabis plant. Thank goodness we did! Whoever was creative enough to figure out what cannabis can do when smoked is worth thanking. Since we first expanded our minds with the psychoactive properties of cannabis, how has it impacted our creativity?

There are some who claim that cannabis was essential in our evolution. Humans took advantage of mutualistic coevolution to cover the globe. For example, think of dogs and agriculture. These pets and plants evolved into their modern forms alongside human evolution. Wolfs became guard-dogs (and our best friends) while plants evolved to taste even better to us humans. In return, we took these dogs and plants with us all over the world. This is co-evolution (Burns, 2020).

Modern cannabis has co-evolved with us humans. We spread cannabis seeds all over the world and bred strains to better meet our needs. While the modern cannabis plant is a result of this evolution, did we also evolve as a result? Many experts out there feel that cannabis and humans did co-evolve and mutually beneficial ways (Burns, 2020).

What benefit did cannabis provide to us? Creativity is one answer to this big question. Getting us to think in exciting and novel ways. Religion was interpreted and expressed through people who were high. Some go as far as to say that this new way of thinking was essential in our development into modern humans with big and powerful brains capable of critical thinking. It is similar to how more nutrient-dense and cooked foods helped our brains grow into their current size (Burns, 2020).

With this history in mind, what about our current connection with cannabis? Can it be used to inspire new works of art? Let’s see what the research has to say and what limitations underlie these studies.

The State of the Evidence: Creativity and Cannabis

Research on cannabis improving creativity has been inconclusive so far, even finding opposing results. Sadly, there are far too few studies on this fascinating topic. Moreover, there are too few studies that use methods that capture the real-world experiences of cannabis consumers.

Creativity is not a simple topic to study. We’ll explore some studies that get participants high and then use tasks to assess creativity. But first, let’s see what these participants think more generally while sober. This study by LaFrance and Cuttler (2017) found that sober cannabis consumers self-reported enhanced creativity. This self-reported boost was supported by the evidence they found. These sober cannabis consumers were found to demonstrate improved convergent thinking (LaFrance & Cuttler, 2017).

You can think of convergent thinking as deducing solutions to problems or using logical reasoning to perform a task. Convergent thinking is contrasted by divergent thinking, which will come up later in this article.

Another study found an increase in what they called ‘rare-creative’ responses. Think of these as more special epiphanies or inspirational moments. While high, you may gain some new insight or create an idea you may not have otherwise. The idea may be unique, but often it takes a sober second look. Other studies have demonstrated a certain lack of feasibility of ideas produced while high. Keep this in mind, your big high insight may be very creative, but that doesn’t guarantee that it is practical or realistic (Jones, Blagrove & Parrott, 2014).

Yet another study found results that present an interesting limitation that is worth considering. They concluded that cannabis could boost creativity for those who are low on it. But, people who were generally highly creative did not experience a boost using cannabis. They suggested a ceiling effect with cannabis as it relates to creativity (Minor, 2014).

With this in mind, let’s now consider the limitations of this research. What is creativity? How do you measure or assess whether it is enhanced or reduced? These are difficult questions to answer, and the studies we explore today use certain tests or tasks to assess creativity in objective ways. Whether these tasks reflect reality is worth considering.

The Contrast Between Research and Real Life

One study performed by Kowal and colleagues (2014) concluded that low potency cannabis has no effect on creativity. Furthermore, they found that high potency cannabis impaired divergent thinking.

But, let’s look a little bit more closely. What is divergent thinking, and how did they assess this? The first point worth noting is considering the research setting itself. How creative would you feel while getting high and being tested while having people watching you? While this may be a subjective point, most cannabis consumers and patients know what we mean.

Kowal and his team measured what is coined divergent thinking. In other words, how well we can generate ideas beyond the standard expectations and basic memorization. Divergent thinking was assessed in this study using an ‘Alternative Uses Task.’

What does this test involve? Pretend I give you a piece of paper with a common household item printed on it. The alternative uses task would require you to describe as many uses of that item as you can imagine in one minute. So, it could involve you considering how else a screwdriver could be used (it could be a stirring stick!).

Feel free to try this out while high to get an idea of what it is like. After you finish it, ask yourself if you would do better or worse while being monitored by actual researchers in a laboratory.

How can You use Cannabis to inspire Creativity?

There are several ways you can support and enhance your creative abilities while high.

• You could go for a walk while high and let your mind wander. These inspirational walks are fantastic opportunities for letting our brains do the heavy lifting. Walking around helps stimulate blood flow and provides us space to think.
• Pay close attention to your environment. If you are going to get high, put your drawing notebook on the table with a drink all ready to go. Don’t fall prey to hours of binge-watching media. When we do, our brains are passive and do little creative thinking. Now, there is nothing wrong with good TV shows and movies, but we’re talking about creativity here.
• Instead, put on some good music and turn off your devices. Ensure your environment is ready to support the task at hand. This is one of the reasons why walking is so good for creative thinking.
• If you’re going for some creative activities like painting, writing, or drawing – make those tasks as easy to start as possible. Try to remove any barriers to starting your creative task once you get high because it can be easy to find excuses to get out of it.
• You may not be comfortable with performing these tasks while high at first. And that’s ok! You may find that certain activities are better left for sober thinking. On the other hand, you may find that other creative outlets are enhanced by cannabis in exciting ways. You may also come up with a good idea while high. The actual ‘doing’ can occur later when you’re less high.

Find out what works for you by trying it out. Keep the pressure low, and try to have fun with it. If you experience discomfort, try to push through it. Once you do, you may find certain creative activities that you love doing while high. It is in these situations where cannabis can be a powerful creative stimulant. While your mindset and setting are significant, we cannot ignore the topic of dosage.

Dosage is Critical

One essential fact to consider is tolerance and dosing. You may find that a small dose helps you paint, while a large dose is better for creative walks. Everyone has different tolerance levels and reacts uniquely to being high. In general, a lower dose is more likely to stimulate your creative activity. Larger doses have been known to lead to ditching your creative task and instead watching some TV. Start low and go slow, using experimentation to determine your ideal creativity-enhancing dosage.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. You now have a solid grasp of the current opinions around cannabis and creativity. While researchers are skeptical and results have been inconclusive, there are reasons to hope. More importantly, how to set yourself up for success will have an impact on what cannabis can inspire. Use the tips provided here today to give yourself the best chance for inspiration, for that burst of creativity that takes us beyond old ways of thinking and looking at things.

Whether cannabis is a reason why humans evolved toward having such enormous creativity abilities or not is less important than what you do today and tomorrow. Start low and go slow – creativity often just requires a little bit of weed.

Citations

Kowal, M., Hazekamp, A., Colzato, L. et al. Cannabis and creativity: Highly potent cannabis impairs divergent thinking in regular cannabis users. Psychopharmacology 232, 1123–1134 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-014-3749-1.

Burns, J. (2020). How cannabis coevolved with humanity, and could save it now. Forbes, Editors pick. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2020/05/21/how-cannabis-coevolved-with-humans-and-could-save-us-covid19-economy/

Jones, K., Blagrove, M., & Parrott, A. (2014). Cannabis and ecstasy/MDMA: Empirical measures of creativity in recreational users. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 41, 4. Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2009.10399769.

LaFrance E. & Cuttler, C. (2017). Inspired by Mary Jane? Mechanisms underlying enhanced creativity in cannabis users. Consciousness and Cognition, 56, pp.68-76. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810017303744.

Minor, K., Firmin, R., Bonfils, K. et al. (2014). Predicting creativity: The role of psychometric schizotypy and cannabis use in divergent thinking. Retrieved from: ​https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165178114007410.

Discover everything you need to know about cannabis-infused edibles and beverages in Canada. We’ll explore how edibles differ from smoking or vaping, including how to read those labels. You’ll learn all about THC dosing and the importance of starting low and going slow. We’ll finish by providing our top tips for first-timers.

Cannabis-Infused Edibles and Beverages

Cannabis-infused edibles and beverages (or just edibles, for short) provide Canadians a smoke-free way to enjoy weed. You also know that the product inside the package is accurately reflected by the label on the outside – no more mystery dose edibles. For the first-time consumer of edibles, you want to have all the information before you get started. By the end of this article, you’ll understand why this is so important and how to make sure you are prepared.

Food and beverages can be infused with a single cannabinoid or multiple cannabinoids. It all depends on what cannabis plants are selected and what form of extraction is used. As a beginner, you don’t need to worry too much about the details behind extraction. You can think of each cannabinoid as a separate ingredient.

One of the best parts of the regulated and legal Canadian edible market is that consumers can trust the product they buy. And when it comes to edibles, this is incredibly important to avoid the potential risks of edible consumption. All legal edibles sold in Canada contain no more than 10mg of THC per package – and so any consumer who sticks to one package can’t go too overboard. That said, we’ll give you the information to fine-tune your dosage so that you have the best first experience possible.

1. How Edibles Differ From Smoking or Vaping Cannabis

What novice edible consumers need to understand is that smoking and vaping are entirely different from edibles. Yes, they both result in getting you high, but everything about that ‘high’ can be different. These differences are a result of the delivery method and how the THC compounds move through our bodies.

Let’s compare the two journey’s taken by THC compounds delivered in these ways:

1. Smoked/vaped – from mouth > lungs > bloodstream > brain
2. Edibles – from mouth > stomach > intestines > liver > bloodstream > brain

Now, if you’re thinking so what, they both end in the brain? The critical factor at play here is the liver because it metabolizes THC compounds. When the liver processes THC, it gets rid of some but also turns some into 11-Hydroxyl-THC. This alternative form of THC is thought to be the reason why edibles have the potential to produce an intense body high with a nearly psychedelic cognitive effect (Peng & Shahidi, 2021).

When you smoke or vape, your liver performs the same task but to a lesser degree. Since the THC compounds quickly diffuse from your lungs into the bloodstream, many compounds reach targets like your brain without ever reaching the liver. Some of them follow the bloodstream and reach the liver, but you ultimately get a lower proportion of 11-Hydroxyl-THC in these cases.

According to Health Canada, edibles can take up to:

• 2 hours to start producing effects
• 4 hours to have max effects
• 12 hours for primary effects to subside

For comparison, smoking or vaping can produce effects nearly instantly that generally last under 6 hours and peak around an hour or two. This is because you get an immediate influx of THC with smoking/vaping, producing a rather rapid rise that declines quickly. With edibles, the onset is slower because the first THC compounds take time to reach your brain. But, it takes far longer to absorb all of the THC compounds inside our intestines, delivering a more sustained release.

We should note that the dosage will have a significant impact on these durations. This fact should make sense if you think of the intestines as the bottleneck point. Only so many THC compounds can be absorbed at once – so a larger dose means more of the compounds have to wait. Avoid large doses to prevent having to deal with any multi-day high.

2. Reading Labels on Edibles

Legal edibles in Canada must display standardized information to help keep customers informed. The most important numbers you’ll find on your cannabis package describe the THC and CBD content (Barrus et al., 2016). But that doesn’t mean they make it super clear or straightforward.

The key number you want to know is how many milligrams of THC are in the package. Most products contain around 10mg of THC because that is the current legal limit in Canada. You want to look for the “Total THC” to tell you how many mg’s are inside. If the package says “Total THC per unit” just multiply it by the number of units inside the container.

Here’s what else you’ll find on your Edible package label:

• THC warning symbol
• Producer and product names
• A yellow health warning box
• Cannabis excise stamp (what you break to open the box)
• Instructions on how to open the child-proof container (this can be surprisingly tricky)
• Nutrition fact table (similar to the nutrition tables on other food products in Canada)
• The equivalent amount of dried cannabis (this matters for the 30mg buying limit)
• Ingredients
• Batch details, contact number, and other technical details

3. What Dosage?

The correct dosage is a highly personal question that requires some individual experimentation. The problem is that over-consuming leads to some very crappy hours. Consuming too little means you may not feel anything, but this is the better option, especially for your first few times enjoying edibles. With that in mind, let us take a look at dosage.

10mg of THC is barely noticeable for some people, while others find it overwhelming (Schlienz et al., 2020). Most people will be somewhere in the middle. The hard part for beginners here is that you don’t know until you start. Plus, although novice edible consumers will quickly develop an initial tolerance after several sessions, they may start with none.

This is why ‘start low and go slow’ is such an accurate statement. As cheesy as it may sometimes sound, with edible cannabis, the slogan is fantastic advice. Examples of this look like a first-timer taking one puff of a joint, one nibble of an edible, one gup of an infused beverage. Consider doing an equivalently slow start to your edible journey to avoid potentially distressing symptoms.

In terms of dosage, a first-timer may want to start with 2.5mg or so. For most edibles in Canada, this works out to one-quarter of the treat. Yes, this may work out to a tiny bite or nibble. There are THC-infused beverages that contain between 2.5 and 10 mg of THC as well.

The key is not to try edibles for the first time on a big night. Go for a quiet night at home instead. Get familiar with the effects of edibles in a comfortable place with people you trust before taking them out on the town. First-timers can benefit significantly from making sure the first few times go well. Also, this way, if you feel nothing, it is no big loss.

And by first-timers, we do include people who have smoked and vaped plenty of cannabis in their lives. Often, it is people in this situation who get into distressing and unpleasant situations. There are endless stories of people who discovered that tolerance for smoked cannabis and tolerance around edibles are not the same. For example, a bad trip can arise when a daily cannabis smoker thinks they must have a tolerance already, so they start with well over 10 mg of THC.

Of the two major mistakes, you can make, taking large doses without working your way up is the first one. The second critical point in time where so many first-timers go wrong comes with taking a double dose. For example, you take 2.5mg of THC, but you want to feel high tonight. After 30 minutes, you don’t feel anything, so you double your dose. Shortly after, the first dose starts to take effect, and you might feel good. But an hour later, you may be curled up on a couch, unwilling to move.

4. Top Tips for Cannabis Edible First-Timers

Taking the excellent slogan from earlier, we can add a little to make it more complete: start low, go slow, and don’t double dose. Some people suggest waiting at least an hour or two before taking a second dose, but the issue is that cannabis can impact our time perception. Making a mistake with edibles can be as easy as one bite too many.

Here are a few general tips to complete our conversation:

1. Avoid edibles on an empty stomach, eat something else before or during
2. Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water
3. Avoid using alcohol alongside edibles
4. Make sure your edibles are not the only ‘treat’ available – If you crave more chocolate after that first bite, make sure you can get it from a non-infused option without overdoing the THC.

Conclusion

We hope you now feel confident in your ability to start low and go slow. Practicing extra caution with edibles over smoking or vaping is always the right idea. This is never more important than during those first few experiences. Get them right, and you may find a lasting and healthy relationship with edibles. Get it wrong, and you may never want to give them a try again.

And that would be unfortunate because, as we learned, edibles are great! They provide long-lasting and consistent effects that both consumers and medical patients love. With options that include weed gummies, cookies, pot brownies, and more, what’s not to like?

Going with edibles means you are not smoking or vaping, which saves your lungs from agitation. There is no more discrete and convenient way to accurately dose THC than with edibles. Remember to practice all the tips we provided here today to ensure your first time is a good experience.

Citations

Barrus, D., Capogrossi, K., Cates, S. et al., (2017). Tasty THC: Promises and challenges of cannabis edibles. Methods Rep RTI Press. doi:10.3768/rtipress.2016.op.0035.1611.

Peng, H. & Shahidi, F. (2021). Cannabis and cannabis edibles: A review. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(6),1751-1774. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c07472.

Schlienz, N., Spindle, T., Cone, E., et al., (2020). Pharmacodynamic dose effects of oral cannabis ingestion in healthy adults who infrequently use cannabis. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 211:107969. DOI:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107969.

There are two things guaranteed to happen each day for the average cannabis consumer. The first fact is that we all get a little bit older every day. The second constant in many Canadians’ lives is cannabis. How do these two aspects of daily life impact one another? In the following article, we’ll explore what the most recent research says about aging and cannabis.

Getting Older and Using Cannabis

We can learn much from new research exploring the world of cannabis and aging. Unfortunately, the major headline is that we do not know enough about this topic – more research is needed.

That said, some fascinating studies give us an early look at what effects cannabis may have on aging. Several systematic reviews published recently help provide an overview of the current state of the evidence. While there is much more we expect to learn in the coming years, let’s see what we know now.

Since research has heavily focused on the harms of cannabis, most of our understanding is based on the lack of negative findings. In other words, researchers have not looked toward the benefits of cannabis in any substantial way these last few decades.

Here is a perfect example of what we mean. A study from 1999 attempted to find a decline in cognitive abilities in a 12-year study. They specifically wanted to seek out the adverse effects of cannabis use on those under 65. In summary, they didn’t find much (Lyketsos et al., 1999).

For example, the major finding was a lack of significant differences between heavy, light, and non-users of cannabis regarding cognitive decline over the 12 years. The lack of noticeable differences also extended to male-female differences related to consuming cannabis (Lyketsos et al., 1999).

Overall, average and minor cognitive decline was seen across all individuals in this study – mediated by aging and educational level – but not affected by cannabis habits (Lyketsos et al., 1999).

1. The Growth of Research

Since that study, we have continued to explore cannabis and aging to help expand our understanding. We now have collections of studies we can use to analyze trends in the research literature. A perfect example is a systematic review by Scott and his team (2019). These researchers reviewed 26 studies exploring the cognitive outcomes of using cannabis.

The studies included a wide range of populations and different study conditions. Overall, they wanted to see whether cannabis may offer neuroprotective benefits of cognitive risks in older adults. In summary, they found that “modest reductions in cognitive performance” were detected. But, these declines were associated with higher doses and a heavier lifetime use overall (Scott et al., 2019).

These findings highlight the importance of moderate and responsible cannabis consumption. This is especially important for recreational consumers who are not under the supervision of a medical professional.

2. Older Adults and Concerns over Cannabis

Understanding more about how cannabis impacts aging is critical. It is equally essential to spread this information to those who need it. Communication with older adults is lacking, which is unfortunate because this group is rapidly turning to cannabis, and they are also further along the aging curve to start. And so, it is essential to learn more about how cannabis may impact their aging and get this message across to older adults.

For example, a study from Colorado found that older adults were starting to use cannabis at a higher rate than all other age groups. The researchers also noted plenty of stigma getting in the way of conversations, especially with health professionals and older adults. Some of the biggest concerns of older adults were a lack of (Bobitt et al., 2019):

• Education about cannabis
• Research on cannabis and older adults
• Healthcare provider communication
• Access to medical cannabis
• Interest in discussing cannabis use

This study highlights areas of stigma and concern that need to be improved around cannabis education. While these concerns broadly apply to all adults considering cannabis, older adults need unique cannabis health messaging strategies. This health messaging should encourage talking to health professionals about prescription medications and cannabis (Bobitt et al., 2019).

3. Medical Cannabis and the Elderly

One consistent finding that occurs in all age groups around medical cannabis use relates to other medications. Studies continuously find that adults reduce their pharmaceutical usage over time when using medical cannabis. This includes reductions in drugs like opioids (Abuhasira et al., 2018).

But, particular medications may be negatively affected by cannabis. This is why older adults are strongly encouraged to talk to health professionals about weed. Medicines with a narrow therapeutic window are susceptible to cannabis usage. Safety must remain the top concern so that you can optimize the benefits of cannabis.

For example, older adults most commonly use cannabis to help manage pain and cancer. After six months of treatment, this study found that 93.7% of patients reported improvement in their condition. Furthermore, the number of reported falls was reduced (falls can be a significant danger for older adults). Studies like this one keep finding that medical cannabis can be safely and effectively used by the elderly population (Abuhasira et al., 2018).

4. The Effects of THC on Aging and Cognition

A brand new systematic review released in 2021 offers a close look at six studies exploring aging and cannabis. Of these studies, the three involving humans found pretty much nothing. The other three studies involved rodents and a closer look at how THC exposure can impact cognition. You’ll be amazed at what they found.

These well-controlled rodent studies found that age and THC exposure levels interact in fascinating ways. They found that low doses of THC improved cognition in elderly rodents. Slightly higher doses given over time led to improved cognition in aged rodents (Pocuca et al., 2021). You may be wondering how this all makes sense?

Unfortunately, as we stated earlier – we need more research. Aging is a fascinating but complex physiological process influenced by every action we take each day. Overall, these studies indicate no big flashing warning signs for cannabis (other than prescription drugs – see a doctor about those).

That said, moderate and responsible consumption of lower doses is likely better for cognition than higher doses of THC. We’d like to include a quick look at CBD, but this same systematic review noted no studies on this topic (Pocuca et al., 2021).

5. How Cannabis Impacts Your Overall Health

One final study we’ll explore helps provide some fantastic data on how long-term cannabis consumption affects our health as we age. There are no other studies like this one out there right now. The team of researchers kept track of over 1000 participants over 20 years. The volunteers were first surveyed at 18 with several follow-ups until the final one at 38-years-old. At every point in time, physical health and cannabis consumption habits were assessed (Meier et al., 2017).

So, what did they find? 

The young adults who used cannabis in their midlife did not have more physical health problems than non-consumers. Across most measures, there were no significant differences between users and non-users. The measures included lung health, systemic inflammation, glucose levels, cholesterol, and others (Meier et al., 2017).

There was one measure where cannabis consumers were worse and one where they were better than non-users. The bad news, 20-years of using cannabis does appear to increase the odds of periodontal disease. The good news is that the same group had better metabolic health (Meier et al., 2017).

Oral health is a potential problem for cannabis consumers. We do not know if this is solely from smoking or if it is related to something in cannabis. The best thing you can do is take good care of your dental health – brush and floss daily.

In terms of metabolic benefits, the group of cannabis consumers was better off in several exciting ways. For example, they had lower BMI, small waist circumference, and better glucose/lipid regulation (Meier et al., 2017).

Conclusion

Great work making it through this look at the effects of cannabis on aging. While the research may be dense, the content is of utmost importance. Older adults are using cannabis more than ever, and we need to know how cannabis may help or harm these people. The same goes for young adults who could be using cannabis for decades – we need to learn more.

In summary, we saw that the evidence around cannabis and aging is not strong enough to draw any firm conclusions. Older adults may benefit from cannabis regarding cognition, but careful attention should be paid to prescription drugs and cannabis health education. More broadly, adults who consume cannabis over long periods should devote extra attention to their oral health.

Citations

Abuhasira, R., Schleider, L., Mechoulam, R., & Novack, V. (2018). Epidemiological characteristics, safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in the elderly. Eur. J. Intern. Med. 49, 44–50. Available online: https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(18)30019-0/fulltext.

Bobitt, J., Qualls, S., Schuchman, M. et al. Qualitative analysis of cannabis use among older adults in Colorado. Drugs Aging 36, 655–666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-019-00665-w.

Lyketsos, C., Garrett, E., Liang, K., &Anthony, J. (1999). Cannabis use and cognitive decline in persons under 65 years of age. American Journal of Epidemiology, 149, 9(1), pp. 794–800. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009894.

Meier, M., Caspi, A., Cerdá, M., et al. (2016). Associations between cannabis use and physical health problems in early midlife: A longitudinal comparison of persistent cannabis vs tobacco users. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(7), 731–740. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0637.

Pocuca, N., Walter, T., Minassian, A., Young, J., Geyer, M., & Perry, W. (2021). The effects of cannabis use on cognitive function in healthy aging: A systematic scoping review. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 36, 5, 673–685, https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acaa105.

Scott, E, Brennan, E. & Benitez, A. (2019). A systematic review of the neurocognitive effects of cannabis use in older adults. Curr Addict Rep 6, 443–455. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-019-00285-9.

Have you wondered if men and women experience cannabis consumption differently? Today, we’re going to learn about what we know about sex differences and cannabis while recognizing the limitations of the literature. Topics include preferred delivery methods and products, medical cannabis and pain, withdrawal, and more.  By the end, you’ll understand what we know about how men and women are impacted by cannabis differently – and how much more we need to learn.

Cannabis and Sex Differences

There are many under-explored areas in the world of cannabis. The question of how cannabis affects men and women differently is a perfect example of this fact. Answering these sorts of questions with any degree of certainty requires far more research than we currently have available. Instead, we hope to stimulate a conversation based on preliminary and pre-clinical research.

Many of the studies exploring gender differences focus on topics related to cannabis use disorder. Also, research has focused on adolescents and young adults attempting to connect cannabis use with outcomes later in life. There are far fewer studies investigating the physiological or psychological differences between men and women. Far less attention has been paid to adult use, especially light and moderate consumption.

Because of these limitations, we understand far less about potential sex differences than we should. This fact is not exclusive to cannabis research but has been ubiquitous around the science world. Even mice studies use primarily male mice and often ignore possible sex differences.

A related note to make here is that we are discussing sex, not gender. The cannabis literature may be limited on sex differences, but it is nearly non-existent on appropriately nuanced topics of gender. We have animal model studies looking at sex hormones and a few surveys completed by humans. As we explore sex, not gender, differences in cannabis metabolism and effects, keep these limitations in mind.

Consumption Pattern Differences

As part of cannabis legalization in Canada, efforts were made to understand cannabis consumption in Canada better. Health Canada created the “Canadian Cannabis Survey” (CSS) to follow through on this goal. The 2020 summary of the CSS provides us with a wealth of information. While not all of these facts help answer our primary topic, we o provide interesting clues (Health Canada, 2020).

The CSS discovered that more males consume dried flower, hash, concentrates, and vape pens than females. Women, on the other hand, did consume edibles in higher numbers. Overall, the percentage differences were not dramatic but noticeable (Health Canada, 2020).

In general, men reported a higher percentage of cannabis consumption in the past year than women. Males also reported more daily or almost daily use relative to women. More womenthan men appear to use cannabis infrequently – less than monthly, to be more precise (Health Canada, 2020).

Do we know why men may use more potent extracts while women tend to like edibles more? We do not know, but the answer may rest on how cannabis affects men and women differently. Finally, we should mention that the differences are minor overall, indicating far more similarities than differences.

Pain and the Endocannabinoid System

A brand new study released in 2021 provides another fantastic example of what we know, what we don’t, and why the difference is important. In this paper, the researchers noted that female rodents are more sensitive to the effects produced by Δ9-THC. The researchers suggested that these sex differences were a combination of differences in metabolism, cannabinoid receptor expression, and ovarian hormones (Blanton et al., 2021).

These differences in THC sensitivity are an essential consideration for medical cannabis patients living with pain conditions. By understanding if these animal model findings translate to humans, medical professionals can help treat men and women better.

Sex Differences in the Cannabis High

One incredible study from 2016 helps provide a wealth of clues in regards to cannabis sex differences. Like the CCS discussed above, this study found that men use joints, blunts, and concentrates more frequently while women use more edibles. Moreover, women use more pipes while men prefer vaporizers (Cuttler, Mischley & Sexton, 2016).

These researchers also wanted to know if men and women experience cannabis high differently. The results provide some exciting results worth discussing. For example, men were more likely to report (Cuttler et al., 2016):

• Improved memory
• Enthusiasm
• Altered time perception
• Increased musicality

Women, on the other hand, were more likely to report:

• Increased appetite
• Desire to clean

We do not know if there are biological or social mechanisms impacting the list above. While no single study can provide all the answers, this one asked more of the right questions about sex differences. This wonderful group of researchers went even further into the world of sex differences by looking at medical cannabis usage and withdrawal symptoms.

They found that withdrawal symptoms experienced by men and women appear to differ. Women were more likely to report anxiety and nausea. On the other hand, more men reported insomnia and vivid dreams during withdrawal than women. Finally, the researchers did not find any significant sex differences in the conditions treated with medical cannabis or the efficacy of these treatments (Cuttler et al., 2016).

Cannabis Use Disorder and Sex Differences

The cannabis use disorder studies use a range of self-identified gender populations. That said, they generally involve youth or adults undergoing cannabis cessation treatment.

As we mentioned, many of the findings that include sex differences are from studies on cannabis use disorder. For example, women have been shown to have a higher risk of initiating the use of cannabis than men. Furthermore, the quantity and frequency of cannabis use were more strongly associated with women’s alcohol drinking problems than men’s (Buu et al., 2015).

Moreover, men have higher rates of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder. On the other hand, women progress from first use to cannabis use disorder more quickly. These differences were considered to be a result of sex differences in the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

To be more specific, cannabis exposure affects our brain function and structure,  mediated by the ECS. So far, research has found a few differences between the sexes regarding brain structure and function.

For example, female cannabis consumers appear to have larger amygdala volume associated with anxiety symptoms. Finally, women may be more vulnerable to an earlier onset of schizophrenia symptoms associated with cannabis use (Calakos et al., 2017).

Remember that far more research is needed to solidify these findings. We hope that there will be exciting new information on the topic of sex differences and cannabis coming out far more frequently.

Conclusion

Great work getting this far! You discovered a whole lot of information about sex differences and cannabis very quickly. Now you can let it all soak in.

Overall, the sexes have more in common than different. That said, there are slight differences in how we consume cannabis, such as how women seem to prefer edibles more than men. We saw that studies on mice indicate that women may be more sensitive to THC, but this hasn’t been studied on humans.

We have not even begun to understand how hormonal differences between men and women impact the endocannabinoid system and symptoms like pain. These topics are significant for medical cannabis patients to get the optimal treatment for their needs.

Citations

Blanton, H., Barnes, R., McHann, M., Bilbrey, J., Wilkerson, J. & Guindon, J. (2021). Sex differences and the endocannabinoid system in pain. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 202, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173107.

Buu, A., Dabrowska, A., Mygrants, M., Puttler, L., Jester, J., & Zucker, R. (2015). Gender differences in the developmental risk of onset of alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana use and the effects of nicotine and marijuana use on alcohol outcomes. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 75:5, 850-858. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2014.75.850.

Calakos, K., Bhatt, S., Foster, D. & Cosgrove, K. (2017). Mechanisms underlying sex differences in cannabis use. Curr Addict Rep 4, 439–453 (2017), https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-017-0174-7.

Cuttler, C., Mischley, L., & Sexton, M. (2016). Sex differences in cannabis use and effects: A cross-sectional survey of cannabis users. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.Dec 2016.166-175. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0010.

Health Canada (2020). Canadian cannabis survey 2020: Summary. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/research-data/canadian-cannabis-survey-2020-summary.html.

As the popularity of both cannabis and yoga continue to gain steam, it is important to consider the impact. The combination of cannabis and yoga is a logical progression of our pursuit of optimal mental health and physical wellness. After we discuss some of the primary considerations, we’ll explore the top strains of cannabis for yoga.

Historical and Modern Traditions

Yoga has been around a very long time. It is an Indian spiritual and meditative practice that has evolved into a popular fitness and relaxation activity. The co-ordination of thoughts, breathing, and body movements is thought to enhance the mind-body connection. Moreover, potential benefits include better endurance, flexibility, and strength (Deuel & Seeberger, 2020).

Cannabis has been used to enhance the mind-body connection for centuries. Many of the early traditions around cannabis involved spirituality, religious ceremonies, and mindfulness. Just like with yoga, being high impacts our thoughts, breathing, and body movements. The mind-body connection is said to be enhanced by many consumers of cannabis.

1. Cannabis and Yoga

While there is nothing wrong with doing yoga completely sober, today we are going to talk about the addition of yoga. Whether you use cannabis before, during, or after your yoga session can provide different benefits and potential downsides. One should consider the type of yoga and personal goals when considering whether to combine yoga with cannabis.

There are numerous types of yoga with varying degrees of intensity, heat, and balance poses. People who are seeking maximal intensity or personal bests for performance will want to consider the post-yoga period for their cannabis consumption. On the other hand, mindful and relaxing yoga types are far better suited for the benefits of cannabis.

Benefits and Limitations

One study found that the majority of participants (over 81%) held positive views around using cannabis during exercise. Participants also described the benefits they received from this combination. They listed the following benefits (York Williams et al., 2019):

• Enhanced enjoyment
• Enhanced recovery from exercise
• Increased motivation to exercise

Athletic Performance

The evidence on athletic performance suggests that cannabis is not a performance-enhancing substance. This is in regards to optimal performance, without considering the impact of cannabis on factors like recovery or endurance. Researchers did note that it is possible that cannabis produces pain reduction or psychotropic enhancement. Pain management appears to be a larger driver of using cannabis alongside exercise (Kramer et al., 2020).

2. Cannabis before Yoga

Getting high before you begin yoga can be great for getting the body ready for the task at hand. Cannabis can promote relaxation, but it also produces an elevated heart rate. This little boost can be great for getting started with your yoga session.

On the other hand, cannabis does not exactly increase everyone’s motivation to exercise. If you are the type of person less likely to make it to yoga after you get high, consider one of the other timing options discussed here.

3. Cannabis During Yoga

Cannabis can be used during yoga if you are in the right setting for it. This option is fantastic for those who want to make sure they get started on yoga. After you are warmed up, and completed some of the more strenuous poses, you can add some cannabis. This can create the perfect calming second-half of a yoga session.

The downside of smoking cannabis during yoga involves the practical difficulties, along with the fact that it breaks things up. Certain people would prefer to stay in the zone and complete yoga first. If this sounds like you, there is still one great option left.

4. Cannabis after Yoga

You do not have to consume cannabis prior to your yoga session to provide benefits. Knowing that you have a cannabis reward awaiting you after yoga can provide some extra motivation. This timing also ensures that you can perform optimally, and is better for those performing at high levels. Instead of enhancing the yoga experience itself, consuming cannabis afterwards serves a different set of purposes:

• Enhancing the recovery experience
• Promoting relaxation
• Appetite stimulation

5. Things to avoid

Cannabis and some versions of hot-yoga have some potential adverse consequences. High-heat and high-intensity yoga classes are probably better performed sober. These are the types of classes that you may want to use as a post-session cannabis reward motivator. Any time you consume cannabis around yoga, you should consider the need for more water than you would normally drink. Finally, try to be considerate of the needs of others when doing any group yoga class with some cannabis.

6. Top Strain of Cannabis for Yoga

Now that we understand the benefits and limitations of combining cannabis and yoga, we can turn to strains. We have discussed the various options around timing, and depending on which you select you may want very different strains.

Relaxation

When it comes to mindfulness and relaxation-based yoga practices, some strains are better than others. The muscle-melting effects of indica-dominant strains can be perfect for such situations. For example, Ice Cream Cake can help you get in the right mindset for some deep relaxation and gentle stretching. After your yoga session, you may want to ramp-up the sedation. Consider strains like Do-Si-Dos to help you get settled in your couch or ready for bedtime.

Stimulation

For more active versions of yoga, consumers may want to select a sativa-dominant strain. The cerebral stimulation and energizing high is perfect for precise movements and a deepening mind-body connection. For example, Lemon Z is a stimulating strain rich in limonene and pinene.

If you are seeking a closer connection with your body while doing yoga, Wedding Cake might just be your best best. This fruity and indica-dominant strain will help you sink into your body without falling off to sleep.

Recovery

When it comes to enjoying that post-yoga bliss, a higher potency strains becomes better suited for your needs. For example, Garlic Jelly is a high-THC strain with strong notes of petrol and spice. This potent strain may help promote the best recovery possible. Depending on the time of day, you may want different strains. For example, a sativa-dominant strain would be better after a morning class while an indica-dominant strain is better suited for after an evening class.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. Now is the time to get some cannabis and start doing yoga. Adding a few yoga sessions to your week can have tremendous benefits to your health and wellness. As always, ensure you start low and go slow – especially when combining cannabis with physical activity. Remember that some types of yoga are better suited for cannabis than others.

Finally, we discovered how indica strains promote relaxation while sativa strains are more stimulating. The different effects can be combined with different timings to produce the best experience possible. Whether you enjoy cannabis before or after yoga, there are so many benefits to discover.

We’ve all been there, experiencing a cannabis high, wondering when it will end. At times, we want these effects to last as long as possible. But, there are also those days where you need to sober up quickly and efficiently. Today, we’re going to learn all about sobering up from a cannabis high. 

Getting Yourself Back to Normal 

The gold standard for sobering up is simply time. As your body processes the cannabinoids you’ve consumed, they are dispersed, broken down, and excreted. The more you’ve consumed, the longer it will take for your body to work through this task. 

The effects of smoking cannabis can subside after 6 hours or more, depending on your tolerance. This timeframe can be as long as 12 hours or more when it comes to edibles. (Government of Canada, 2019). 

Consumers should avoid driving vehicles or other dangerous activities while high. Furthermore, you should avoid attempting to sober up so that you can drive. It is far better not to drive at all after consuming cannabis. Consider staying over where you are or taking a cab instead (Canada, 2019). 

Fortunately, there is plenty you can do during this time to help sober you up more effectively. Let’s get started on learning six ways to sober up after a cannabis high!

1. Drink Lots of Water

The first suggestion involves drinking plenty of water. It’s an old tip, but a classic for a reason. Using cannabis may not dehydrate bodies as severely as drinking alcohol, but it still has a moderate effect. The best way to counter this potential dehydration is by drinking lots of water. 

You’ve probably noticed that a lot of cannabis consumers love their water. It is not uncommon to find a water bottle along with other cannabis accessories when on the go. Experienced consumers of cannabis understand the pure simplicity and satisfaction that comes with a simple sip of water.

In summary, if you want to sober up, you need to get your body back to normal. The first step in this task should be drinking lots of water. Take a drink to soothe your throat after you smoke, and keep sipping while enjoying your high. Avoid sugary drinks and stick with plain water. If you don’t enjoy drinking water, maybe you’ll find it more enjoyable while high than you think. 

2. Drink Coffee

If you need to sober up and stay awake, there is nothing better than a cup of coffee. Those who don’t drink coffee can substitute tea or other caffeinated beverages. The stimulating effects of coffee can help counter the fatigue that cannabis can induce. 

Drinking coffee does not mean that you can avoid drinking water, however. Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning that it increases our rate of urination. While the amount of water in your coffee may overcome this future loss, it is still a good idea to drink plain water. You may find a 1:1 ratio best. In other words, drink one cup of coffee, then one glass of water, and repeat.

3. Go to Sleep

In situations where you need to sober up but have plenty of time, going to sleep might be all you need. Whether this is a mid-day nap or heading to bed at night, sleeping provides your body with the time to process and recover from cannabis consumption. Be careful with napping. If you have somewhere to be later, make sure to set an alarm. 

When people consume too much cannabis, it is not uncommon to ‘green out.’ This term describes the act of falling asleep from the sedation produced by cannabis. You may have seen people at parties falling asleep on couches for this very reason. We do not do this randomly. Instead, it is one way that our bodies help us sober up. If you have the time, getting a nap or a good night’s sleep can help you get back to 100%. 

4. Consume some Cannabidiol (CBD)

There is plenty of evidence to help support the fact that Cannabidiol (CBD) counters some effects of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unfortunately, most research involves co-administration or pre-administering CBD. Evidence supporting the use of CBD after THC is currently lacking (Morgan et al., 2018). 

That said, there are plenty of reasons to try adding some CBD to your recovery regime. For example, CBD may help lower your anxiety levels and promote a good night’s sleep. These and other effects of CBD may be beneficial for sobering up after consuming cannabis. A 5-10mg dose of CBD can be just right, but everyone responds slightly differently. The best thing you can do is try it for yourself and if you benefit from it, keep using CBD to help you sober up. Pay attention to whether it helps you feel more normal the morning after to determine if it is right for you. 

5. Have a Shower or Take a Bath

There is something so calming and refreshing about showering or taking a bath. These activities can be adjusted to suit your needs. Are you looking to head to bed? Go with cooler temperatures and shorter durations for either a bath or shower. Is it time to wake up and get out? Longer showers and baths can give you the time and stimulation you need to restore your energy levels. 

So, the next time you need to sober up, experiment with a shower or bath to determine how you can use them best. The benefits include sobering up, reducing anxiety, and calming your body. All of these effects are beneficial, and you can easily adjust the time/temperature for your needs at the time. 

6. Enjoy a Light Healthy Snack

Whether you are trying to wake up or get to bed, a small snack can provide your body with the nutrients it needs. Consider fruits, vegetables, and other healthy snacks to avoid the adverse effects of junk food or fast food. Keep the snack light not to overwhelm your stomach and digestive tract as you sober up. 

Healthy foods will provide carbohydrates, vitamins, and other nutritious nutrients that can help your body restore normal functioning. Not only will this food taste delicious, but it will also help you in your journey to sober up effectively. If you feel tired, light-headed, or dizzy, these are signs that your body will benefit from a healthy snack. 

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. You’ve now discovered six easy ways to help you sober up from a cannabis high. While reducing your consumption is the best way to avoid problems in the first place, when you need to sober up, these tips will get you through. Make sure you drink lots of water, get some rest, take a shower, and enjoy a healthy snack. After it is all said and done, you’re be feeling much more like yourself.

Whether you have errands to run or a meeting to be ready for the following day, these tips can help you get where you need to go. As always, start low and go slow to avoid overconsumption. After you’ve enjoyed the high that cannabis produces, use these easy tips to recover and restore a healthy state of mind. 

Citations

Canada (2019). Cannabis Impairment. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis/impairment.html.

Morgan, C., Schafer, G., Freeman, T., & Curran, H. (2018). Impact of cannabidiol on the acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of smoked cannabis: naturalistic study. British Journal of Psychiatry, 197(4). Retrieved from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/impact-of-cannabidiol-on-the-acute-memory-and-psychotomimetic-effects-of-smoked-cannabis-naturalistic-study/54EB46D7698008BA4A9E5A27A57AA281.

Government of Canada (2019). Consumer Information – Cannabis. Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/laws-regulations/regulations-support-cannabis-act/consumer-information.html.

Anyone who has consumed cannabis before understands how powerful the munchies can be. That said, regular consumers also know that these urges don’t always remain so strong. The following article will discover what scientists found when they started exploring whether cannabis consumers gain more weight. 

What Are the Effects of Cannabis on Bodyweight?

When researchers decided to explore whether cannabis consumers tend to have higher rates of obesity, the results were surprising. But, as we’ll see in the upcoming sections, the results were consistent and clear: cannabis consumers have lower rates of obesity than comparable groups of non-consumers. 

While there are several guesses at why this is the case, the answer is still far from certain. Nonetheless, the widely accepted stereotypes around stoners and munchies proved to be far more complicated. As a result, two critical questions come to mind. 1. Do cannabis consumers eat more overall? 2. Are cannabis consumers more likely to be obese than non-consumers?

1. The Paradox of Cannabis and Body Weight

Early evidence came from anecdotal reports, pre-clinical studies, and cross-sectional studies. The evidence seemed to point to an association between using cannabis and body weight that may counter our expectations. After all, doesn’t weed produce the munchies? (Alshaarawy & Anthony, 2019; Sansone & Sansone, 2014).

While it may seem counter-intuitive, early evidence suggested an inverse association between using cannabis and obesity. In other words, using cannabis appeared connected to lower rates of obesity. This fascinating finding inspired many researchers to explore this seemingly nonsensical finding  (Alshaarawy & Anthony, 2019). 

2. The Munchies and Hypotheses

Anyone who has ever smoked cannabis before has likely experienced the increased urge to snack. So how can we resist yummy snacks that taste even better with our heightened sensations while high? 

Although individuals suffering from various diseases often use cannabis to stimulate their appetite and enhance their ability to eat, this doesn’t always lead to the expected outcome. In otherwise healthy individuals, one would expect the use of cannabis to increase snacking. Therefore, it would be logical to assume that cannabis consumers may suffer from higher rates of obesity. Fortunately, researchers soon discovered the opposite (Sansone & Sansone, 2014).  

Extensive epidemiological studies found early data supporting the opposite claim – that cannabis consumers report lower rates of obesity. Finding a consistent trend of lower body mass index scores in cannabis users led researchers on a wild chase for answers (Sansone & Sansone, 2014).  

One of the early explanations focused on the differing effects of acute cannabis consumption and chronic cannabis habits. While cannabis can increase our appetite, using cannabis regularly appears to reverse this finding (Sansone & Sansone, 2014). 

Another hypothesis suggested that using cannabis implied the potential for using other illicit drugs. And these other drugs must be responsible, right? Many may recognize the old ‘gateway hypothesis’ popping up here. However, years of research have learly demonstrated that the gateway hypothesis is wrong, and using cannabis does not inevitably lead to using illicit drugs (Sansone & Sansone, 2014). 

Yet another idea suggested that using cannabis leads to competition in the reward sites of our brain. In other words, consumers of cannabis spend less time seeking food because cannabis produces similar positive reward sensations (Sansone & Sansone, 2014). 

3. Of Mice and Munchies

Studies performed on mice also provide clues about the mechanisms behind cannabis and body weight. One of these studies gave mice chronic THC treatments and assessed the effects. They found that this THC treatment reduced energy intake for these mice. Furthermore, there were no increases in body weight and adiposity (Cluny et al., 2015).

These researchers did not find that THC-induced sedation or changes in gastrointestinal actions play a significant role. Instead, they suggested that changes in gut microbiota may have contributed to the positive effects of THC on body weight.  The difference in gut microbiota appeared to modify the production of adipose (fat cells) via the actions of the endocannabinoid system (Cluny et al., 2015).

4. Studying The Role of Cannabis on Bodyweight In Humans

There has been extensive research into the role of cannabis and endocannabinoids (natural cannabinoids produced by our bodies, including Anandamide and 2-AG) in human appetite regulation. That said, investigating the association between cannabis and the general population bodyweight is less developed (Le Strat & Le Foll, 2011). 

However, a handful of studies do provide a fascinating look at the associations found between using cannabis and body weight. In the future, well-controlled studies may help determine whether we can make claims around causation.  

Two US-based studies explored the presence of obesity and cannabis use. Amongst participants who reported using cannabis at least three days per week, significant differences in the prevalence of obesity were seen. Among people who never used cannabis, the prevalence of obesity was 22% and 25.3% in these two studies. Compare this to the group of people who reported using cannabis more than three times per week, who had rates of 14.3% and 17.2%, respectively (Le Strat & Le Foll, 2011). 

Researchers noted that tobacco smoking status could not account for these differences. Even when adjusting for sex and age, cannabis was associated with lower body mass index scores. And so, they concluded that there is an association between lower rates of obesity and using cannabis (Le Strat & Le Foll, 2011). 

5. Do Cannabis Consumers Eat More?

While cannabis consumers are not heavier than non-users, do they eat more? The evidence appears to say yes. By enhancing our sensations and perceptions, cannabis often leads the munchies. It seems that chronic cannabis consumers do consume more calories (Clark et al., 2018).

Yet, this does not appear to lead to a higher body mass index than non-consumers. Clark and colleagues proposed several mechanisms at play here. First, they suggested that the cannabinoid receptors that THC activates downregulate over time. In other words, when activating human receptors frequently, they lower their sensitivity. Receptors constantly perform this balancing act to maintain balance or homeostasis.

Second, these authors suggested that cannabis consumption leads to reduced energy storage in our cells. And third, the effects of THC on our mitochondria lead to increased energy usage. Taken together, this means that our cells use more of their energy stores to ramp up operations. Practically, these effects can be seen via the rapid heart rate and increased body temperature that occurs after consuming THC (Clark et al., 2018).

6. Will Cannabis Help You Lose Weight?

Evidence supports the claim that cannabis consumption is associated with lower body weight. But does this mean that cannabis can be used for weight loss? Currently, there is no research exploring whether cannabis can be effectively used this way.

Theoretically, if cannabis consumption increases our metabolic activity (increased cell energy output), it could support weight loss. But, on the other hand, if you give in to the munchies, you can quickly eat away these benefits. Therefore, it would be wiser to focus on eating healthily and getting more activity each day for productive weight loss. That said, if you do consume cannabis, fending off the munchies (or eating healthy snacks) can result in some weight loss over time. 

Final Thoughts

The evidence is clear that cannabis consumers tend to have a lower body mass index than non-consumers. This paradox has confused scientists and anyone who has ever experienced the munchies. We do not yet know why this is the case precisely. But, we do have some ideas. Research has shown us that cannabis can increase metabolic activity inside our cells. This ramping up of energy usage appears to offset the mild increase in the total daily calories seen in cannabis consumers. 

So, can you use cannabis to lose weight? The answer seems to be yes, especially if you combine cannabis with healthy food and daily physical activity. While cannabis may be beneficial, anyone considering making significant life changes should have a conversation with their medical physician. Furthermore, those who are new to cannabis should always start low and go slow. Cannabis by itself should not be considered a weight-loss supplement, but it may provide a minor boost to support healthy body weight.

Citations

Alshaarawy, O. & Anthony, J. (2019). Are cannabis users less likely to gain weight? Results from a national 3-year prospective study. Int J Epidemiol, Oct 1;48(5):1695-1700. DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz044. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30879064/.

Clark, T., Jones, J., Tabner, S., & Kmiec, R. (2018). Theoretical Explanation for Reduced Body Mass Index and Obesity Rates in Cannabis Users. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 3(1). Retrieved from: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2018.0045.

Cluny, N., Keenan, C., Reimer R., Le Foll, B., & Sharkey, K. (2015). Prevention of Diet-Induced Obesity Effects on Body Weight and Gut Microbiota in Mice Treated Chronically with Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. PLOS One. Retrieved from: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0144270.

Le Strat, Y. & Le Foll, B. (2011). Obesity and Cannabis Use: Results From 2 Representative National Surveys. American J Epi, 174(8), 929–933. Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/174/8/929/155851.

Sansone, R.  & Sansone, L. (2014). Marijuana and Body Weight. Innov Clin Neurosci. Jul-Aug; 11(7-8): 50–54. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204468/.

Today, you’ll learn how to create edibles by using tinctures and via cannabutter/oil infusion. The former is as easy as it gets, while the latter provides far more utility. The best part about making DIY edibles at home is that you can make whatever recipe you like. No matter what dietary restrictions you have, you can cater your cooking and baking to your needs. All the while adding cannabis to the mix. 

The Ultimate Guide to Making Cannabis Oil and Cannabutter

The good news is that cooking with cannabis is easy enough for any adult to handle. Furthermore, you likely already have everything you need in your kitchen to get the job done. No special tools or accessories are required, and there are options aplenty. 

After discussing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potency and picking the right strain, we’ll dive into the steps behind baking with cannabis. 

Let’s get to work!

1. Potency

When it comes to estimating the THC potency of homemade edibles, the math isn’t always straightforward. You can still get a pretty decent estimate as long as you know the potency of your tincture or dried flower potency. With tinctures, you can measure out the milliliters used and multiply it by the THC potency. When you use dry flower, measuring its weight will allow you to estimate the milligrams of THC found inside. 

Either way, when it comes to edibles, it is critical to start low and go slow. In other words, sample the homemade edible in small portions before going bigger. As always, never drive while impaired by cannabis or operate other heavy machinery. While you won’t know the exact dose, you’ll get in the ballpark through some simple math and personal sampling. 

2. Picking the Right Strain

The first choice to make before creating infused foods revolves around your choice of strain? Whether you go with a sativa or indica strain depends purely on personal preference. Generally speaking, an indica strain is better for nighttime couch-locking sedation. On the other hand, sativa strains can provide a stimulating daytime boost. 

Beyond the strain type, you’ll want to consider the potency and terpene profile. As discussed above, estimating your edible strength can be difficult, and there are benefits to picking a lower potency strain. For example, the less potent the edible, the more you can eat. Seeking strains with high CBD content can help balance the effects and enhance the overall experience. 

Finally, the terpene profile can have an impact on smell and flavor. Once again, this is a personal preference, so take a whiff and go with your gut. Don’t get too bogged down by this at this point, but you may find certain terpenes go better with specific flavors over time. 

3. Infusing with Cannabis Tinctures

Using a tincture to create an instant infused treat is as simple as it gets. All you need to do is add some drops to your food, mix it around, and enjoy. There are only two major considerations here. First, if you are using high heat to make this food, add the tincture afterward. Second, tinctures are oil-based and will not blend well with beverages and certain foods. That said, this method can be used with most food, including your Uber Eats or DoorDash delivery. Finally, while this method is the simplest, it can be more expensive than the other options presented here. 

4. The Oil/Butter Infusion Method

Since cannabinoids like THC and CBD are lipids, they infuse much more readily with fat-based substances. For this reason, many DIY edibles involve infusing butter or oil with cannabis. You can use canola, olive oil, coconut oil, or any other oil you like. Just keep in mind the different boiling or smoking point for each, as you would typically do. 

Once you have an infused oil/butter, all you need to do is swap your infusion for the regular butter/oil in the recipe. This simple 1-for-1 swap is the reason people love making infused cannabutter. You can take just about any recipe and make it work with this method. 

So, let’s learn how to make cannabutter. 

Step 1: Grind Your Weed

Let’s get started with an easy step 1. Go ahead and grind up your desired amount of dried flower or bud. You can grind it up any way you like, but by far, the easiest is simply using a grinder/busker. You should not finely grind your bud. In fact, you want it to be a bit chunky for easier straining. 

Step 2: Combine the cannabis and butter/oil

If you’re using a solid oil or butter, you’ll want to warm it up till it becomes liquid. Combine your oil with the ground weed to fully submerge the bud. You can perform this step using a saucepan, double-boiler, or slow cooker. 

How much bud you use depends on the recipes you’ll be using. Many people prefer to make a larger portion and save the infused oil for future baking. In general, a good starting point is a ratio of 3:1 (3 parts oil to 1 part cannabis). For a more mild mixture, you can do as high as 16:1. 

Depending on what you plan on doing with the oil, you can adjust the potency. If you’re making a recipe that only requires a little bit of oil, you’ll want sufficient potency for the intended serving size. On the other hand, if you find the oil to be too potent, you can substitute a portion of the oil in the recipe with your infused oil and use regular oil for the rest. 

When making cannabutter, use a single stick of salted butter. In a slow cooker, butter takes around 8-24 hours to infuse fully. Generally speaking, use between a quarter and half an ounce of weed per butter stick. 

Step 3: Dissolve and Infuse

The next step involves turning up the heat. Use low heat to dissolve the bud and slowly heat the oil. When using a saucepan or double-boiler, you’ll need at least three hours to infuse the oil. Keep a close eye the entire time to avoid boiling over. You can add water at any point in this process if you see the bud getting scorched. Stir the mixture frequently throughout. 

A slow cooker requires more time, somewhere between six hours and three days. You won’t need to check on your mixture as often, but don’t forget to stir the mixture occasionally. Generally speaking, the longer you spend infusing the mixture, the higher the potency will be (up to a point, at least). 

The key part of this step is using high-enough heat to decarboxylate THC and CBD. Decarbing cannabinoids transform the compounds into their more potent and biologically active versions. Achieving sufficient temperatures is essential to producing the cannabis high from THC. Here are some quick guidelines:

• Going slow with temperatures of no more than 200°F or 93°C 
• A sweet spot of 225°F or 107°C is thought to optimize decarbing
• Using temperatures of 250°F or 121°C may help to access more cannabinoids 

Step 4: Strain Your Mixture

Turn off the heat and strain the mixture while it is still hot. Exercise caution while handling your mixture, and be patient as this step can take some time. Use a wire strainer to remove the large chunks slowly. 

Next, you will want to use a coffee filter or cheesecloth. If possible, go with cheesecloth as they work more quickly and efficiently. Make sure you use several layers of cheesecloth. An easy way to complete this task is by using rubber bands to secure the layers around the lip of a salad mixing bowl. Go with bigger versus smaller to avoid spilling and decrease the time needed. Do not add force or squeeze the cheesecloth. Instead, letting gravity do the work. 

Consider straining the mixture in small batches, demonstrating patience along the way. This may be the most tedious part of the process, but it is critical for creating high-quality edibles. After straining the mixture, you pour it into an airtight glass jar. Since the mixture can be pretty hot still, run the glass jar under hot water before starting. This small step can help to avoid cracking the glass and possibly making a giant mess. 

Step 5: Store or Use the Infusion

You now have cannabis oil or cannabutter that is ready to be used. The hard part is all done!

If you decide to use the oil immediately, have your recipe ready. Substitute a portion of the oil/butter in the recipe for your cannabis oil or cannabutter. For those seeking higher potency, substitute all of it instead of some of it. Until you know the potency and how it impacts you, going with less is a good idea. 

Baking with cannabutter is best performed with recipes that do not require high heat. Generally speaking, you’ll want to keep your baking temperature to no more than 300-325°F or 148-162°C. This will ensure that you do not destroy all the valuable cannabinoids. 

When it comes to storing this infusion, oxygen and light are your enemies. Use an airtight container and store it somewhere dark and cool. Otherwise, potency can rapidly decline. Keep in mind. Your infused oil can last only around 60 to 90 days. If you’d like to store it for longer, you can freeze the mixture. Storing your infusion in the fridge can also help extend the lifespan.

Final Thoughts

That wasn’t so bad! With a little bit of patience and enough preparation time, you can easily make an infused oil or butter to be used for baking. Experiment with different recipes and strains to find the perfect combinations for you. 

As always, start low and go slow with edibles. Avoid taking a second dose until you can fully appreciate the effects of the first. Edibles can take several hours to take full effect, and double-dosing can lead to unwanted side effects. Make sure you test out any edibles before gifting them to others. And, if you do share, be crystal clear about uncertain potency and warn people to start small. 

Maintaining a positive sex life comes with so many benefits beyond feeling good. There are great ways to include weed as part of the all-important foreplay that adds to the overall experience. By the end of this article, you’ll learn how to incorporate cannabis into your sexual habits safely and appropriately.  

Having High Sex

We all know how important sex is to a satisfying life. While life goes on without sex or cannabis, it tends to be better with both included. In this article, we’ll dive into the details about combining these two sensitive activities to produce the best experience possible. Based on scientific research and consumer experiences, there is little doubt that cannabis can dramatically improve your sex life.

The key to this objective is ensuring comfort with both sex and cannabis before combining them. Cannabis is not always helpful when it comes to having sex. That said, most of the downsides can easily be avoided or mitigated through a few simple tips.

1. Establish a Baseline Through Experience. 

Cannabis and sex don’t always go well together when it comes to firsts. If you’ve never had sex before, you should be sober the first time you do. Likewise, if you are having sex with a person for the first time, it is better to stay clear-headed. 

Now, the same goes for cannabis itself. You should not be smoking cannabis for the first time before having sex. This extends to experimenting with new strains or new product types. It is better to establish some baseline experience with cannabis before you bring it into the bedroom. 

In summary, cannabis during sex is best when you are comfortable with the other person and with the strain itself. You should only combine sex and cannabis when you are experienced with both alone. 

2. Avoiding Side-Effects by Starting Low

Avoiding the downsides of weed consumption is critical for ensuring enjoyable sex. Cannabis is known to produce paranoia, anxiety, fatigue, and introversion. These are certainly undesirable effects when it comes to time spent in bed. 

The key to avoiding side effects is dosing. When consuming weed, it is always a good idea to adjust the dose based on the activity at hand. If you’re thinking about smoking weed before having sex, it is always better to play it safe. Start low, and go slow. It is better to smoke less than more in these situations to avoid things going badly. 

Furthermore, it is critical that you openly discuss your intentions with your partner. As part of the normal consent process, you should assess whether your partner is comfortable with your cannabis use. If it turns them off, it may be better to avoid it until the situation changes. Having an honest discussion with your partner can ensure you are on the same page. 

3. The Benefits of Cannabis in Bed 

Cannabis can help enhance the sexual experience. Smoking weed before coitus can improve sensory pleasures, ease inhibitions, and enhance orgasms. Moreover, a small dose of cannabis can lower anxiety (a significant cause of erectile dysfunction in males). 

According to people who combine cannabis and sex, they report lasting longer during sex while still achieving successful orgasms. Women have described having less pain and more enjoyment without any adverse effects to lubrication. Men have reported benefits to their sexual experiences as well. All in all, it seems like sex is good for many adults when used correctly. Let’s look at some of the research that supports these claims. 

4. The Research Behind Cannabis and Sex

In findings from one informal survey, 67% of participants reported that sex was better with marijuana. Consumers reported increased sex drive and enjoyment of sex. Some people reported using sativa strains, while others enjoyed indica more. As we discussed, personal opinions here are what matter in this personal topic (Castleman, 2011). 

Another respondent confirmed our discussion around being comfortable with the person, as they noted how awkward hook-ups could be with weed. Also, some people did note long-term negative outcomes from chronic consumption (Castleman, 2011). To avoid these, take tolerance breaks as needed and avoid daily consumption of cannabis. 

Researchers from Standford conducted an extensive study of over 50,000 adults. They found that those who reported using cannabis more than weekly had more sex overall. More specifically, these men were found to have 22% more sex while the women had 34% more (Casetleman, 2018).

A study completed by St. Louis University in Missouri assessed the opinions of 133 adult women and cannabis. They found that 68% reported that cannabis made sex more enjoyable. In the women who reported that cannabis enhanced sex, 72% said it always increased erotic pleasure, while 24% said it sometimes does. You may be wondering why cannabis doesn’t always enhance sex, and so we’ll discuss some of the critical factors below (Castleman, 2018). 

In a more recent study completed in 2019, 373 female participants were asked about cannabis and sex. Out of those, 127 reported using marijuana prior to sex. The women in this group reported decreases in pain, increases in sex drive, and improved orgasms. Moreover, there was no change in lubrication noted. While there are questions yet to be answered around how cannabis improves sex via the endocannabinoid system, the fact remains that it just does (Lynn et al., 2019). 

4. Picking the Right Strain

While not as important as the dosage consumed, the type of cannabis smoked also plays a role. When it comes to considering whether you select an indica or sativa, many people prefer sativa strains. Indica strains are well-known for their ability to produce sedation and couch-lock, but these are not desirable effects for having sex. On the other hand, the stimulation of sativa strains induces a head high that can maximize sensory pleasures. 

Whether you smoke an indica or a sativa, the dosage is critical. Too much indica can produce sedative effects that can overpower the urge to get laid. Likewise, too much of a sativa strain can cause anxiety that prevents optimal performance and the enjoyment of sex. 

Ultimately, consumers have experienced high-quality sex while using either sativa or indica strains. You know better than anyone when it comes to how certain strains impact you. The strains you smoke while having sex should already be consumed so that you know their effects on you. Trying a new strain can lead to unwanted effects that spoil the mood. 

To give you a running head-start, try going with a sativa strain for your sexual enjoyment. Considering the benefits of sativa strains, take a look at our Wedding Cake or Lemon Z. As we all know, there is nothing that gets you more in the mood for sex than wedding cake. 

5. Picking the Right Delivery Method

When it comes to weed and sex, certain product types appear to be better than others. You may want to avoid edibles unless you are certain about how they impact you. And, those impacts are positive for having sex. Smoking or vaping weed is beneficial due to the rapid onset of effects. This allows you to start with a small dose and smoke more if needed. These little adjustments can help avoid unwanted side effects and maximize the benefits of having sex while high. 

5. Stay lubricated

We all know that cannabis can cause dry mouth (also called cottonmouth). Unfortunately, cannabis may also reduce lubrication in the vaginal area, although not everyone reports this experience. Regardless, it is a good idea to stay lubricated. This includes drinking lots of water but also having lube available when it is needed. Once the sex is over, consider having another glass of water to help keep your body hydrated. 

6. Pushing the Boundaries 

When it comes to sex and cannabis, it is best to start low and go slow. That said, once you are comfortable with sex while high, you can consider pushing the boundaries. For example, you may try to consume larger doses before sex. Just keep in mind, too much of a good thing can ultimately become a bad thing.

Furthermore, cannabis can inspire creativity that can also be useful in bed. Don’t be afraid to try new positions and do things you’ve never done before. As always, ensure there is proper consent before trying anything spicy. 

Conclusion

In summary, cannabis and sex go as well together as peanut butter and jam. That said, you should avoid some pitfalls. For example, we discussed how it is best to be comfortable with sex, your partner, and the weed before combining them all. This includes having an open and honest discussion around informed consent. 

Avoiding the side effects of cannabis is critical and can easily be achieved through testing your baseline and adjusting the dosage. It is always better to start low and go slow when it comes to cannabis (and sex!). Once you and your partner discover the benefits of high sex, you can start to test your boundaries and take things to the next level. Just don’t forget to stay hydrated and have lube available when needed. 

Citations

Castleman, M. (2011). Marijuana and Sex: Surprising Results of This Blogger’s Informal Survey. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-sex/201105/marijuana-and-sex-surprising-results-blogger-s-informal-survey.

Castleman, M. (2018). The Largest, Best Studies Yet on Sex and Marijuana. Retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/all-about-sex/201808/the-largest-best-studies-yet-sex-and-marijuana.

Lynn, B., Lopez, J., Miller, C., Thompson, J., & Campian, E. (2019). The Relationship between Marijuana Use Prior to Sex and Sexual Function in Women. Sex Med. 2019 Jun; 7(2): 192–197. doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2019.01.003.

We all have certain cannabis strains (or cultivars) that we hold dear to our hearts. Today, we will learn about two of the most popular strains in Canada, Pink Kush and Blue Dream. Discover the lineage of these cultivars, their significant characteristics, and what consumers and patients say about the effects. 

Exploring Two Legendary Cannabis Strains

Blue Dream and Pink Kush emerged on the West Coast, as have many of the best strains in the world. In this competitive market with experienced consumers, both cultivars emerged from the masses. This emergence occurred because the buds produced by these strains made their mark on the world of cannabis. 

Discover what we know about the history of these two prominent strains and the buds they produce. We’ll discuss potency, aroma, and what you can expect from smoking both of these legendary plants. 

Here are all the key facts you need to know about Blue Dream and Pink Kush. Discover why both cultivars have become massive stars in Canada. 

Let’s get started!

1. Pink Kush

Pink kush came to Canada sometime in the 2000s, producing an instant craze on the West Coast. Thanks to its potent punch, Pink Kush became a mainstay in British Columbia (BC). There was a point when it seemed like Pink Kush was the only strain that mattered in BC.  

Pink kush is a relative of the highly respected OG Kush strain. That said, it has made a name for itself by providing consumers with a heavy body high. Genetics also come from Hindu Kush, a Himalayan landrace strain known for producing sedation. 

This indica-dominant strain needs around 10-11 weeks to reach harvest, but it is worth the effort. The end product provides much to appreciate. You’ll first note the pink and orange pistils emerge from vibrant green buds. The sweet aroma with hints of vanilla and citrus will hit you next. 

The buds may be on the smaller side, but you’ll quickly find they are dense buds. Looking closely, you’ll find a thick blanket of sugar-like trichomes. Inside these crystals, you’ll find plenty of THC, with Pink Kush commonly reaching 18-30% THC content. There is no denying the potency of this strain, as you find yourself quickly being absorbed by your couch. 

Consumers love the calming and relaxing effects, producing a perfect nighttime strain. Over time, this strain has become associated with the term couch-lock. If you’ve ever tried it, you likely understand why. If you have, you also probably remember the bouquet of aromas includes hints of sweet vanilla, earthy pine, and citrus.

Pink Kush became a household name, and consumers continue to flock to it in the legal cannabis market. With substantial effects, high potency, and a recognizable street name, it is easy to see why Canadians love it. Generally, the most prominent terpene you’ll find inside is myrcene. 

Consistency and More

A significant reason why this strain is so beloved is because of its consistency. The ever-consistent effects of this strain helped consumers learn what to expect. It is easy to see why sales of this strain in Canada are so high when we consider this consistency. There are no good reasons to dislike this incredible strain. Cannabis consumers widely adore the smell, smoking experience, and effects produced by this strain. 

Canadian producers have been growing Pink Kush from coast to coast. The popularity of this strain may not be as high in America, but Canadians understand why it is so special. Expect to pay around $10/gram for Pink Kush in Canada. The strain is widely available in-store and online throughout the country. 

Side-effects may include dry mouth and dry eyes. Stress tends to melt away after you smoke Pink Kush. Medical patients find that this strain helps alleviate pain, tension, and insomnia. You can expect a euphoric wave of happiness that is followed by relaxation and sleepiness.

Now, let us turn to the second strain that Canadians consistently enjoy!

2. Blue Dream

Blue Dream is one of the most popular strains in North America, and it has been for quite some time. This legendary West Coast strain has rapidly spread throughout Canada. And Canadians could not be happier about it! 

Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant hybrid that is said to have originated in California. It was created by crossing Blueberry and Sativa Haze strains. These parents produced the balanced high that combines the best of both Sativa and Indica cultivars. For example, you can expect full-body relaxation with a clear head high.  

The aroma has been described as a mixture of sweet mango and citrus notes combined with earthy spice. You can expect to see myrcene as the most prevalent terpene. Altogether, the deep flavor is the first thing you’ll notice when you open a Blue Dream package. 

Blue Dream buds are usually a rich green with orange pistils. You’ll often find a solid coating of trichomes, reflecting the high THC potency. Depending on the growing conditions, this strain comes in at 20-25% THC potency. 

Blue Dream Genetics

In 2019, a group of researchers set out to explore the genetics behind common cannabis strains. They also wanted to assess whether strain names aligned with plant genetics. Samples of Blue Dream were found to be highly consistent and unique compared to other cultivars. While there was some variation between different versions of Blue Dream, comparisons demonstrated a high degree of similarity (Schwabe & McGlaughlin, 2019). 

Evidence like that study supports everything we hear from consumers. The consistency found in this strain, like Pink Kush, helps consumers trust the product they are buying. When you understand how a strain will precisely impact you, it helps develop trust. Canadians have discovered that Blue Dream is a strain they can trust, and that is why they keep buying so much of it. 

Medical Cannabis Research

Blue Dream has become incredibly popular in Canada, partly alongside the medical cannabis market. Consumers commonly find plenty of benefits after smoking or vaping this strain. A study performed in the US helps us understand why.

First, the researcher discovered just how widespread this strain is. They found that Blue Dream was the second most preferred strain in their study. Specifically, these researchers were looking at Maine, and Rhode Island states. Here is what one participant had to say about the effects (Piper, 2018).

Quote: “The strain Blueberry and Blue Dream both work well for me, one is a primarily Indica (Blueberry) and the other is a primarily Sativa (Blue Dream) and both work well in different ways for the pain…The Sativa is better for pain management during the day when I need to maintain a clearer head.”

As you can see from this quote, Blue Dream was the sativa of the sativa of choice for this participant. Along with this fact, consumers often described their daytime use when describing this strain. Another individual from the study explained why they use this strain (Piper, 2018).

Quote: “I am also using Blue Dream to Help with my PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression during the day.“

Overall, the study found ‘extremely tentative’ findings to suggest that Blue Dream is beneficial for people with chronic pain. This is because it was a relatively small study exploring the lived experiences of medical cannabis patients. Nonetheless, it helps provide support for the benefits of this Blue Dream Piper, 2018).

Blue Dream costs around $10/gram in Canada, depending on the producer. And just like Pink Kush, it is widely available to recreational consumers and medical patients in Canada. Make sure you keep an eye out for this strain the next time you shop online or in-store. 

Final Thoughts about Blue Dream and Pink Kush

You now see why these two cultivars rose to prominence and were able to become consistent household names. With a daytime sativa and bedtime indica, these two strains got your entire day covered. On the other hand, remember that not all products are of the same quality. Review the cultivation and processing practices to determine which versions of Blue Dream and Pink Kush will work best for you. 

In Summary, Blue Dream is a fantastic sativa-dominant strain that medical cannabis patients enjoy for their daytime dosage. Alternatively, Pink Kush is an Indica-dominant strain that consistently provides a muscle tension melting experience. Both cultivars emerged from the West Coast, but they are widely available throughout Canada. 

Citations

Piper B. J. (2018). Mother of Berries, ACDC, or Chocolope: Examination of the Strains Used by Medical Cannabis Patients in New England. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 50(2), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2017.1390179

Schwabe, A.L., McGlaughlin, M.E. Genetic tools weed out misconceptions of strain reliability in Cannabis sativa: implications for a budding industry. J Cannabis Res 1, 3 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-019-0001-1.