Browsing Cannabis Classroom

There are two main types, or classifications, that make up the majority of all cannabis ‘strains’ that appear on dispensary menus; Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. It is generally accepted that Cannabis Indica originated in the hash-making countries of the world like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Morrocco, or possibly even from the Asian subcontinent near Tibet, where they thrived in the freezing winters and hot summers. According to the Hash Museum, European botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamark first published a description of his newly discovered species in India back in 1785 — hence the “Indi-” prefix in the name ‘Indica’.

It is one of the most common and well-known side effects of consuming cannabis: a seemingly insatiable appetite. The phenomenon dubbed for decades as “the munchies” is one that has permeated throughout our culture so much that even people who have never experienced the process at least know of it. But what actually causes these hunger-inducing effects after a good toke? Before we can explain what makes you ready and able to run through a full package of Oreos in one sitting, there are a few fundamental things that are …

THC Can Protect From Brain Deficits Cannabis research has continued to grow in popularity in recent years, and it has recently been suggested that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) offers protection for the brain. In a study published in September 2012, researchers intentionally caused injuries to the brains of mice with: Repeated exposure to MDMA (ecstasy) Carbon monoxide exposure Anesthesia caused by pentobarbital, an anesthetic which is sometimes used for execution. They also administered a single ultra-low dosage of the cannabinoid THC (.002mg/kg) either: 1-7 days before the …

Small Amounts Of THC Defend Against Heart Attacks A recent study conducted by the Felsenstein Medical Research Center in Israel offered some new evidence of the medical value of Cannabis. The study, published in the Journal of Biochemical Pharmacology, was conducted to determine what effect small amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has on heart protection. In order to do so, they conducted an experiment using mice as the subjects. “A single ultra low dose of THC before ischemia [Insufficient Blood flow] …

What is Cannabis Sativa? Cannabis Sativa is a species of the Cannabaceae family (hemp) that grows tall with narrow leaves. Cannabis Sativa strains originated in the equatorial countries of Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, and South East Asia and thrive in warmer weather. Fully grown Sativa plants can stretch to extraordinary heights of up to 20 feet when grown outside, and have much longer vegetation periods than their Indica cousins. Once the plant begins to flower, it can take anywhere from ten to sixteen weeks to fully mature. Most landrace (pure) strains of Cannabis Sativa require …

According to a recent study, cannabis use may help relieve withdrawal symptoms during Methadone treatment. The study that was performed at Thomas Jefferson University and recently published online shows the cannabinoid system may have a place in future substance abuse treatment. This Pennsylvania-based university was the home for observing 91 patients undergoing Methadone treatment. Methadone is common form of treatment for opiate dependence. It can be effective, but it has a number of negative side effects. There are quite a few reported side effects of Methadone treatment, such as: anxiety, insomnia, …

Research Suggests CBD’s Anxiety Relief Is Due To Neurogenesis Neurogenesis is responsible for creating new neurons within the brain. These neurons process and carry information to the necessary destinations in the body, improving overall function. For some time, neurogenesis was believed to be limited to childhood, but evidence now shows that the brain’s production of new neurons continues well into adulthood. A study published in The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology points to cannabidiol (CBD) as a therapeutically promising component on mental health ailments such as psychosis, anxiety and depression. Researchers studied the potential involvement …

New Evidence in Support of Medicinal Cannabis A study conducted by researchers at The Roskamp Institute in Sarasota, FL suggests a relationship between the cannabinoid system and the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. According to Corbin Bachmeier, the study’s head researcher, patients with Alzheimer’s disease could benefit from cannabinoid receptor stimulation. What Is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating – not only to individual patients, but entire families. It is the most common form of dementia (“a general term for a decline in mental ability severe …

For those in medical marijuana accepted states, your eyes have probably been opened to the extensive range of cannabis, both medicinally, and in variety. This has caused many medical marijuana patients to become rather picky when it comes to choosing their herbal medicine. While that may come across as pretentious, it is purely a matter of being informed of the medicinal, and psychoactive effects of different varieties of cannabis and knowing how each affects you. While we recognize the fact that most people do not share the same luxury, we recommend becoming familiar with the different types of cannabis and …

Did you know? Research published in the current issue of The American Journal of Medicine concluded that regular cannabis users have a lower chance of obesity and diabetes mellitus than people who have never used cannabis. The study was done by the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, where the 4657 men and women in the study were assessed after a 9-hour fast. Glucose and fasting insulin were tested for by way of blood samples, and a Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance (IR) was calculated to evaluate insulin resistance. Their …