Category Archives: Cbd Oil

By now, CBD is the most popular kid at school. As you may know, cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in cannabis, that is non-psychoactive and legal yet contains plenty of plant medicine goodness. While we need more research on CBD (science is lacking in the cannabis field due to years of prohibition), evidence suggests that CBD can help with pain, and inflammation, which is often the source of pain. You can take it sublingually with a tincture when you're feeling under the weather, have a migraine, or even a hangover. And, if you have a bruise or sore muscles, a topical CBD helps relieve soreness when applied directly to the skin. However, with so many products on the market, you want high-quality and full-spectrum CBD, so keep reading for five safe choices for CBD for pain relief.

Aspen Green Full Spectrum CBD Oil

Aspen Green Full Spectrum 3000mg CBD Oil

USDA Certified organic hemp can be hard to come by, even in the nature-focused CBD market. However, aspen Greens family-owned hemp fits the bill and is grown in the Colorado Rockies, the ideal climate for the plant. As a result, their CBD oil is top-notch and excellent at knocking out pain. Their 3000mg full-spectrum CBD oil is potent enough to address arthritis, bone, joint, and ligament pain and safe enough for everyone from athletes to the elderly. Full-spectrum means that their formula keeps all the plants helpful terpenes and cannabinoids in the mix. Aspen Greens CBD products are available for pets, as topicals, and sublingual oils, with gummies on the way. The CBD oil is available in original, citrus, and mint flavors. Aspen Green is currently running a $46 off sale for Forbes readers.

Continuing the theme of giving, to help consumers and medical professionals, Aspen Green partners with nonprofits, Leaf411, a cannabis nurse hotline, and the Realm of Caring Foundation, dedicated to providing hemp and CBD research and education, supported by Johns Hopkins and Harvard, among other universities.

Shop online at aspengreen.com

Kanibi Full-spectrum CBD Oil Tincture

Kanibi Full Spectrum CBD Oil

Kanibis full-spectrum CBD oil offers the same pain-relieving properties as Aspen Green, although their tincture contains less CBD; yet is available in more flavors, from Skittles to peppermint and cinnamon. Their oils are sourced from organically grown Oregon hemp, complete with a full spectrum of cannabinoids for maximizing the entourage effect. Place some under your tongue, sublingually, or in your favorite tea or beverage the next time you get a nasty headache or feel under the weather.

Shop online at trykanibi.com

Stigma Coffee CBD Oil

Stigma Coffee CBD Oil

Sometimes, we need pain relief but can't take the day off to rest, whether due to work or family obligations. Stigma's Coffee CBD Oil is a craft collaboration that combines locally sourced hemp extract with expertly roasted single-origin coffee. As a result, you get energy from coffee and pain relief from CBD all in one. Stigma describes the product as intricately prepared in a unique cold extraction process that preserves the complex chemistry of the coffee bean. Then, when mixed with CBD, it should provide stimulating pain relief all day long.

Shop online at stigmahemp.com

planetarie Topical Salve

Planetarie Topical Salve

While tinctures work wonderfully for colds, hangovers, and internal pain, if you have muscle pain, you want a high-quality CBD topical, such as Planetarie's topical salve. It features 1000mg of their proprietary, water-extracted CBDa in a formulation targeting localized pain and soreness. It comes with a jojoba extract and beeswax base for rich and soothing hydration to relieve soreness. The salve works in localized areas such as knuckles and joints and on the temples for headache relief. It's available in unscented, pink grapefruit, brown sugar, and fig.

Shop online at planetarie.com

Noma Duo

Noma Duo

Sometimes you need a calming CBD tincture to help us fall asleep, and sometimes you need one made with caffeine to get us through the day. Other times, whether you have a cold, a migraine, or whatever else ails you, you need a combo pack to get you through all of it. Noma's Duo offers that 24-hour freedom and vitality. Their Rise formula works for daytime energy, while Dusk helps out by restoring your system while you sleep. And, of course, both products are made with full-spectrum hemp to provide the entourage effect.

Shop online at nomalife.com

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The Best CBD Products For Pain - Forbes

CS MEDICA ("CS MEDICA" or the "Company") announced that the Company has now finalised the Parts-per-billion (PBB) level THC test on their CANNASEN CBD products, showing no trace of THC. Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan are the countries that have legalized CBD products and with the PPB THC test results, CS MEDICA is now able to sell CANNASEN CBD products in those countries. In preparation for targeting the Asian market, CS MEDICA has performed a "1/billion no trace of THC" (PPB) test of their CANNASENCBD products to comply with the regulations of Asia, which currently has legalized CBD products in Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan. Where Europe requires a THC level below 0,02%(plant), the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO) of Asia requires a 0,00% level of THC currently messured by PPB test level 0,000000001(product). The PPB THC analysis of the CANNASEN CBD product line has been performed by the University of Naples Federico II, who certifies the PPB test by a quantitative analysis of cannabinoids and metabolites: CBDA, CBGA, CBG, CBD, D9-THC and acid D9-THC measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-solution mass spectrometry (UHPLC Q-Orbitrap HRMS). The PPB test found no traceable THC or below 1 PPB THC in the following CANNASEN CBD products: CannasenCBD Arthritis Gel. CannasenCBD Psoriasis Gel. CannasenCBD Anti-Hair loss serum. CannasenCBD Pain Patch. CannasenCBD Protective Nasal Gel. CannasenCBD PSOR + ATOPIC Lotion. CannasenCBD Wound Gel CS MEDICA now awaits the final approval from Hong Kong customs, before a test sale can be established in Hong Kong. Hence the company will extend the Asian area to also include the other countries, with cannabis products legalized (Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan). With the PPB test successfully finalized CS MEDICA will be at the forefront of the very strict cannabis medical market of Asia, where illegal CBD products are currently being removed from the market, by Hong Kong customs. Since mid-January, Hong Kong customs have initiated a special operation under the codename "Wind Rider", targeting cannabidiol (CBD) products containing tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC). The "Wind Rider" operation so far resulted in the seizing of about 25 000 items of CBD products from seven retail shops. The seized products containing THC included CBD oil, skincare products and pet treats with a total estimated market value of about $14,6 million. With the successfully performed THC PPB test, CS MEDICA now complies with the very strict requirements of DDO and can sell the CANNASEN CBD product line in Asia.

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CS MEDICA A/S Finalizes THC Test At PPB Level on Their CannasenCbd Products to Comply with the Strict Regulations on the Asian Market -...

Jodie Sharps days were all broken up the same way. I smoked to go to work, smoked to do the washing-up, smoked for chill time. Smoking marijuana was a totally regular habit and every time I did it, I was smoking in exactly the same way, getting the same experience all over again.

Sharp used a little metal pipe, and she often ran her tongue over the hard skin on her lip where the pipe sat. Her lungs hurt, her gums bled. She slept poorly and had no dream function. I thought, This is crazy. Why am I doing this at this time of my life?

She was 60, a self-employed market researcher, and had been smoking marijuana for most of her adult life. But one day, waiting on the corner for her weekly 60 bag of weed, she saw herself from the outside, and felt sick and tired of what she saw. Later that week, she typed weed withdrawal into a search engine. The questions on the Marijuana Anonymous homepage were confronting. Has smoking weed stopped being fun? Do you smoke alone? Do you smoke to deal with anxiety?

At her first meeting, Sharp explained that she wanted to stop. Although the meeting felt good, she wasnt ready to give up, believing marijuana eased her arthritis. She bought CBD oil but after three weeks was back on weed.

This was not how it was meant to be. At 17, when Sharp and her friends crumbled cannabis resin into their joints, marijuana felt countercultural, a rebellion against our parents way of life. She became a stoner, travelled. But then weed became ubiquitous, nothing to do with counterculture. You smell it everywhere in London, she says. Her horizons narrowed.

When did she realise she was addicted?

Thats tricky, because somewhere inside I knew probably after Id been smoking for 10 or 15 years. I knew how I felt when I didnt have it. In her early 30s, she says, I used to get restless, irritable, discontent. Whats missing, you know? Each time she felt like that, her mind reached for marijuana.

Sharp thinks now that fear dominated my life. I was so anxious. I felt I had to control everything. That has always been my drive: I have to be in control.

That urge comes from childhood, she says, from feeling abandoned. Because my mother wasnt able to give me the love that she I dont want to use the word should, but, you know, would have naturally given me, had her mental health not been so poor. Here I am at 62 years old trying to deal with that.

Sharps family has a history of alcoholism, and her fear was further amplified when a friend of her teenage child overdosed on a cocktail of drugs last May. It frightened us both, Sharp says. I used to do my usual stuff. Pipes and things I wasnt really there for my child. Now she thought, What the hell am I doing? I just wanted to feel safe. But instead of giving up smoking, she switched back to resin.

It was a random inconvenience two months later that proved transformational. A supply problem meant Sharp went two days without smoking. There was no conscious decision to abstain, but she accepted the accident. On the second day, she was out celebrating her brothers eighth sobriety birthday. I turned to him and said, I havent smoked in two days. He said, You should be getting to a meeting. That was the moment. It was like a switch had been thrown.

Sharp did go to a meeting and, nine months on, she is on step four of the Marijuana Anonymous 12-step programme. Steadily, she is teaching herself: The only thing you can control is how you react to things. She has not touched any mood or mind-altering substance since.

At first, life began to change in small ways. I was able to contemplate the whole day. Time stretched before her, unpunctuated by smoking. I got clearer thoughts. My sleep got better. I enjoyed food. I began to dream again. Most of all, she says, she lives now with an amazing feeling of freedom and happiness. We all have this presence within us our best self.

Jodie Sharp is a pseudonym

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A new start after 60: I gave up marijuana after a lifetime of smoking and began to dream again - The Guardian

Kacie Willis, a 34-year-old audio producer in Atlanta, suffers from panic attacks with no known cause. Shes tried cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), anti-anxiety medication, mindfulness meditation, and CBD oil. Although some of these have provided relief, one coping mechanism has consistently helped her manage her anxiety, particularly at night: Kasey Kangaroo, a stuffed animal shes had since she was four years old.

Willis cant quite pinpoint why her stuffed kangaroo helps her anxiety, but it does. Even if Im not holding it at night when I sleep, its close enough for me to know its there. Maybe thats the reason it helps with my anxietyjust the comfort factor, the familiarity.

Whether theyre dealing with anxiety, stress, grief, isolation, or memory loss, countless people find solace in stuffed animals, weighted blankets, and other soft comfort objects. Researchers and product developers have noticed, and in turn have been creating products specifically designed to help alleviate certain ailments. Theres now a fluffy robotic seal for people with dementia, a weighted teddy bear for grieving adults, and a cushion that mimics breathing to calm people down.

Because this is an emerging field, the science behind why certain objects soothe us is still being studied. But Dr. David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, says it makes sense that people find comfort in these objects. We know children love stuffed animalstheyre what we used to call a transitional object between just being by yourself and being connected with another human, he says. Objects like these likely play a similar role for adults. Its not surprising that humans can stimulate thoughts and feelings related to interpersonal contact with an inanimate stuffed object.

One small study published in 2020 in the Journal of Integrative Medicine found that weighted blankets reduced anxiety in patients at a psychiatric facility who chose to use them, compared to patients who did not. The authors attribute that calming effect to deep-touch pressure stimulation, a feeling that weighted blankets provide that soothes the nervous system. Another study published in 2013 in the journal Psychological Science found that simply holding a teddy bear could reduce existential fear in people with low self-esteem.

Another research study published in March 2022 in the journal PLOS One provided additional insight into why these types of objects might offer comfort. Researcher and roboticist Alice Haynes, a former member of the soft robotics group at Bristol Robotics Laboratory in the UK, joined forces with Annie Lywooda textile specialist who creates products for people with sensory needsto test out a breathing cushion students could use to relieve anxiety before an exam.

Students in the test group held the objecta plush, baby-blue cushion the size of a throw pillow that automatically inflates and deflates, mimicking inhaling and exhalingfor eight minutes before their exam. One control group did a guided breathing meditation instead, while another control group didnt do anything special. Haynes and her team found that clutching the stuffed breathing cushion reduced anxiety as much as doing the guided meditation.

This indicated that the cushion could be similarly effective as a breathing meditation for anxiety, says Haynes, who is now completing her postdoctoral fellowship at Saarland University in Germany. We didnt give the students in the experiment any guidance about using the cushion. We didnt tell them to follow it with their breathing or anythingit was just purely the act of holding it as it slowly breathed that eased their anxiety. I think we thought it would help with anxiety, but we were pleasantly surprised that it was as effective as the breathing meditation.

Lywoodwho is currently working on commercializing the breathing cushion through her company Sooothebelieves the findings highlight our innate need for touch, even if the source isnt human or alive, for that matter. We take touch for granted, she says. But because many people have been deprived of it during the pandemic, she points out, we are sort of rediscovering how valuable it is.

Some comfort objectslike the breathing cushion and weighted blanketswere designed specifically to help with stress and anxiety, while others were created to address other mental-health and movement concerns. The PARO robotic seal, for example, was introduced in 2003 to reduce stress, isolation, and loneliness in elderly people with dementia. Now in its eighth iteration, the cute stuffed sealwhich weighs six pounds and moves, makes noises, and responds to human interaction just like a real animal wouldhas been found to also improve things like motivation, socialization, and relaxation in this population.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association in 2017 looked at the use of the PARO seal in more than 400 patients with dementia at long-term care facilities in Queensland, Australia. People who interacted with PARO were more verbally and visually engaged and reported experiencing more pleasure than people with dementia who received their usual care. The robotic seal also helped reduce neutral affecta lack of facial expressions that can be common among patients with dementiaand made them less agitated. Interestingly, the study also tested a similar-looking plush toy without robotic features and found that while PARO was very effective, the simple plush toy offered many of the same benefits.

Sometimes, state-of-the-art robotics arent necessary to make a person feel more at ease; an ordinary teddy bear will do. When Marcella Johnson lost her fourth baby, George, shortly after he was born in 1999, she found herself overcome with an aching sensation in her arms and chest. A week after Georges death, she visited his gravesite with her father, who brought her a terracotta pot filled with flowers. The moment I got that cold, hard weighted pot in my arms, the aching in my heart and my arms immediately went away. It was the first time I felt comfort, and it was marked.

The Comfort Cub

Gabriel Kasor

Shortly after, Johnson read books about other women who had lost babies, and she noticed a startling and unexpected trend: Many of them sought out weighted objects to carry around with them. One woman carried a five-pound sack of flour, while another carried a pineapple that weighed as much as her baby. When I read that, I thought, If its happening to me and its happening to all these other women, then something should be created. She created the Comfort Cub, a four-pound weighted teddy bear designed for people across the country who are struggling with infant loss and other forms of trauma and grief. When you put a weighted object in your arms, it can just relieve that pain, Johnson says.

Researchers and inventors in this relatively young field are excited by the promise of cuddly weighted objects. Since the breathing cushion study, Haynes has begun researching wearable forms of sensory textiles, while Lywood has begun working on a calming musical cushion.

Designing around this sensory need for people of all ages is so valuable, Lywood says. I feel like were at the beginning of this journey.

More Must-Read Stories From TIME

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The Rise of Cuddly Comfort Objects for Anxious Adults - TIME

Tyler Meyer felt foggy while taking several different medications throughout the day to help treat his insomnia.

My energy levels were off and that was just impacting everything I was doing, he said. Youre working seven days a week and all these things, it just really took a toll on me.

While he was a general manager at Indian Motorcycle of San Diego, Meyer decided to stop taking all of his pharmaceuticals and switch to natural solutions. He found his own natural concoction of resources and tried CBD.

When 2020 hit, he decided to leave the industry and start his own CBD business with his wife Kristina. The couple now owns Dakota Labs, a locally based organic CBD oil manufacturing business certified by the USDA.

The couple moved from California to Meyers hometown of Rapid City in December 2020. He said growing up in Rapid City, CBD and anything cannabis-related was very taboo.

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Just starting to see the attitude toward that change was really neat, Meyer said. We thought theres all kinds of stuff in California, the markets too saturated.

So they came home and brought the market, and education, to people who dont know too much about it. Kristina said theyre able to do pop-up shops and educate people about CBD. Meyer said education and having conversations about CBD oil is the majority of what they do at events or pop-up shops.

Meyer said it took about a year before the finished product was ready to go. He said he and Kristina worked with several different laboratories and formulators to determine the strengths and levels of the products.

Dakota Labs uses plants grown from farms in Montana and Colorado. Meyer said it took them a while to find the right farm to use, and focused on testing quality.

Kristina said all of the companys products are tested and each bottle features a QR code that customers can scan to see their lab results.

Meyer said they test for pesticides, heavy metals, cutting agents and the level of cannabinoids in each bottle. He said everything has to be less than 3% Delta-9 THC per net weight. Delta-9 THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana.

He also said the company has some products that have no THC, like their Broad Spectrum formula.

After farmers harvest the hemp, the plants are dried and then ground into a coarse powder. It is then shipped to a facility for processing. The company uses both medical-grade Ethanol extraction for signature formulas and CO2 extraction for the Full and Broad Spectrum formulas. For the latter two formulas, the company uses a purification process that involves supercritical CO2 that preserves phytocannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.

After processing, the hemp extract is separated from the CO2 or Ethanol compound and refined by removing compounds like wax, chlorophyll, pigments and other trace materials.

The products are then tested both in-house and using a third-party lab.

Meyer and Kristina said they both use their own products and have seen improvement in their sleep, anxiety and immune systems.

Meyer said hes the tester for any of their products, and thats one of the reasons they dont have a topical product yet. He said he hasnt found anything that works great on him, so if it doesnt work for him, hes not going to try to sell it.

I just wouldnt feel right about bringing something to market that I didnt really believe in, he said.

He said Dakota Labs will be releasing organic CBD gummies soon, and they are working on a topical solution. Dakota Labs products are carried at Black Hills Cultivation and Supply in Rapid City, Good Earth in Spearfish, and Back to Nature in Sturgis. Products are also available online at dakotalabs.com.

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Growing through the pain: Rapid City couple finds success in CBD oil - Rapid City Journal

A new Rockstar energy drink from Pepsi that contains hemp seed oil recently hit the shelvesbut members of the Navy were specifically warned on Wednesday that the beverage is off limits, claiming it will result in a positive drug test.

Regardless of the fact that hemp was federally legalized in 2018, and products containing its non-intoxicating derivatives like CBD are now widely available at grocery stores and gas stations across the country, military branches have made clear in a series of memos and warnings that service members arent allowed to partake.

But this latest advisory, which was sent by the Naval War Colleges (NWC) Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor and obtained by Marijuana Moment, is uniquely specific, calling attention to a single product thats emerged on the market while reminding members of the broader cannabis policy in effect.

Rockstar Energy now produces Rockstar Unplugged,' the advisory says, describing the product as a newer energy drink infused with hemp seed oil that will cause you and your Sailors to pop-positive on drug tests.

Rockstar is owned by PepsiCo.

Military branches have stressed that while hemp is now legal, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not developed regulations allowing for the marketing of cannabinoid-infused foods or drinks. Therefore, there may be a risk of mislabeling that could lead service members to inadvertently consume detectable levels of THC on a drug test.

NWCs notice says definitively that the drink will cause a positive drug test, but thats questionable. Hemp seed oil on its own contains just trace amounts of CBD, let alone THC. And it stands to reason that a corporation as large as Pepsi would be especially cautious about introducing a product to the market that was prepared in a such a way that would put people at risk of testing positive for THC.

In any case, members of the Navy have been put on noticeagain.

Sailors and Marines are prohibited from using any product made or derived from hemp, including CBD, regardless of the products THC concentration, claimed or actual, and regardless of whether such product may lawfully be bought, sold, and used under the law applicable to civilians, the new message says. Please be mindful of the food / beverages you consume.

Gary Ross, a public affairs officer for NWC told Marijuana Moment that the new warning was an internally distributed email at the college.

Routine policy reminders are always excellent practice, he said.

Marijuana Moment reached out to Pepsi for comment as well, but a representative was not immediately available.

The militarys messaging on hemp and CBD has been fairly consistent, though some notices have raised more eyebrows than others.

For example, a Massachusetts base of the U.S. Air Force told pilots last year that they could face disciplinary action for possessing any type of hemp product, even if its for your pet.

The Navy, for its part, issued an initial notice in 2018 informing ranks that theyre barred from using CBD and hemp productsno matter their legality. Then in 2020 it released an updateexplaining why it enacted the rule change.

In 2019, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced a policybarring all active and reserve service members from using hemp products, including CBD. DOD more broadly reaffirmed that CBD is off limits to service members in earlier notices published in 2020.

About one year after hemp was federally legalized, the Air Force sent out a notice thatsimilarly warned against using CBD productsthat are commonly found on the market.

Officials with the military branch also said the previous year that it wants its members to be extra careful around grandmas miracle sticky bunsthat might contain marijuana.

The Coast Guard said thatsailors cant use marijuanaor visit state-legal dispensaries.

And NASA, which is not part of the military, warned that CBD productscould contain unauthorized THC concentrationsthat could cost employees their jobs if they fail a drug test.

A factor that may have influenced these policy updates is that the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released guidance to federal agency drug program coordinatorsin 2019 that outlined concerns about THC turning up in CBD products and causing failed drug tests. The agencyissued an updated warning in 2020 after several more states voted to legalize marijuana.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has separately faced criticism over its stance on cannabis issues.

Last month, for example, VA made clear that it wont provide support for treatment involving marijuana as part of a new grants program aimed at preventing veteran suicide.

VAs position on marijuana has been a source of consistent frustration for advocates and veteran service organizations who have been pushing for expanded research into the therapeutic potential of cannabis.

House and Senate committeesheld joint hearings last month to hear from veterans service organizations(VSOs) about how Congress and the federal government can better serve their constituents, and several of the groups brought up the need to ease restrictions on marijuana.

The testimony echoes what theVSOs have repeatedly raised with lawmakers. The specifics ranged in scope between the various groups, but the overall message was made clear: military veterans uniquely stand to benefit from marijuana treatment and its time for Congress to do something about it.

Separately, military veteranswould be encouraged to discuss medical marijuana treatment without the fear of losing federal benefits under a recent bill being sponsored by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA). The main thrust of the legislation is to codify existing policies that allow VA doctors to talk about medical cannabis with patients as well as protections for veterans who are candid about their history with marijuana treatment. By doing so, it would enshrine these polices into law so that they could not later be changed administratively by future VA leaders.

Meanwhile, as more states move to legalize marijuana, the director of national intelligence (DNI) said earlier this year that federal employers shouldnt outright reject security clearance applicants over past use and should use discretion when it comes to those with cannabis investments in their stock portfolios.

The Department of Transportation also took a different approach to its cannabis policy in 2020, stating in a notice that it would not be testing drivers for CBD.

And while the Biden administration has instituted a policy ofgranting waivers to certain workerswho admit to prior cannabis use, its come under fire from advocates following reports that it fired or otherwise punished dozens of staffers who were honest about their history with marijuana.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has previouslyattempted to minimize the fallout, without much success, and her office released a statement last year stipulating that nobody was fired for marijuana usage from years ago,nor has anyone been terminated due to casual or infrequent use during the prior 12 months.

Meanwhile, FBI updated its hiring policies last year to make it so candidates are only automatically disqualified from joining the agency if theyadmit to having used marijuana within one yearof applying. Previously, prospective employees of the agency could not have used cannabis within the past three years.

A powerful congressional committeereleased a report last year that urges federal agencies to reconsider policies that result in the firing of employees who use marijuana legally in accordance with state law.

Read the full text of the NWC advisory on Rockstars hemp-infused energy drink below:

Subject: DAPA Note: Rockstar Energy Drinks infused with hemp seed oil

NWC Team,

See below for a product advisory for the new Rockstar Energy drink called Rockstar Unplugged.

BLUF: Rockstar Energy now produces Rockstar Unplugged. A newer energy drink infused with hemp seed oil that will cause you and your Sailors to pop-positive on drug tests.

DETAILS: On December 20, 2018, the President signed into law the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, removing industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(16)) and excluding from the definition of marijuana those hemp products containing up to 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on a dry weight basis. THC in marijuana and in hemp products containing more than 0.3 percent THC remain illegal. Due to this change in the law, new hemp products are commercially available in the United States, the normal use of which could cause a positive urinalysis result. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not determine or certify the THC concentration of commercially available hemp products, such as cannabidiol (CBD). Accordingly, these products may contain appreciable levels of THC, yet omit any reference to THC on the product label and/or list an inaccurate THC concentration. Consequently, Sailors and Marines cannot rely on the packaging and labeling of hemp products in determining whether the product contains THC concentrations that could cause a positive urinalysis result.

Product information for Rockstar Unplugged can be found at: https://nypost.com/2022/02/01/pepsico-launches-hemp-infused-rockstar-energy-drink/

COMMENT: Sailors and Marines are prohibited from using any product made or derived from hemp, including CBD, regardless of the products THC concentration, claimed or actual, and regardless of whether such product may lawfully be bought, sold, and used under the law applicable to civilians. Please be mindful of the food / beverages you consume.

Very Respectfully,

U.S. Naval War College

Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA)

States Collected More Than $3.7 Billion In Recreational Marijuana Tax Revenue In 2021, Report Finds

Photo courtesy of Flickr/U.S. Navy.

Original post:

Pepsi's Hemp-Infused Energy Drink Will Cause Sailors And Marines To Test Positive For Drugs, Navy College Claims - Marijuana Moment

Children who were exposed to cannabis in utero may be at risk for obesity and high blood sugar later in life, according to new research.

The study, which was published Thursday in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, measured cannabis levels in over 100 pregnant women and evaluated the health of their children around five years of age.

Of the children involved in the study, those who had been exposed to cannabis in the womb had a 2.6 percent greater fat mass and higher fasting glucose levels compared to those who werent exposed to cannabis in the womb.

The study adds to the growing evidence suggesting cannabis use in pregnancy may affect a babys health and interfere with their development.

I am not surprised that prenatal exposure to cannabis has [an] impact on the offspring. In principle, any significant pharmacological intervention (and cannabis is surely one) may impact the newborn either directly (by affecting the fetus) or indirectly (by affecting first the mother and then the fetus), Dr. Daniele Piomelli, the director of the University of California Irvine Center for the Study of Cannabis, told Healthline.

The study looked at 103 mother-child pairs living in Colorado.

The researchers collected urine samples from the pregnant women and found that 15 percent had detectable levels of cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, in their bodies, which suggests the fetuses had been exposed to the cannabinoids.

A follow-up visit was scheduled when the children were nearly five years old, at which point the children underwent blood draws after an overnight fast. The childrens fat mass was also measured.

The kids who had been exposed to cannabis in the womb were more likely to be at risk for obesity and high blood sugar.

Its unclear why fetal exposure to cannabis could have had this effect.

Piomelli says cannabis could interfere with the fetuss endogenous cannabinoid system or cannabis may impact the mothers behavior and physiology, altering the babys development.

Cannabis use among pregnant women has been increasing in the United States as more states have legalized the recreational use of cannabis, although overall rates remain very low.

From 2002 to 2017, self-reported use of cannabis during pregnancy jumped from 3.4 percent of pregnant women to 7 percent.

Previous research has linked maternal cannabis use to negative health outcomes in the baby.

Fetuses exposed to cannabis are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome later in life.

Development and behavioral issues including visual problem-solving challenges and decreased attention span have been recorded in kids exposed to cannabis in utero as well.

Babies of active cannabis users are more likely to have intrauterine growth problems and low birth weight.

If cannabis is smoked frequently, this may cause lower oxygen levels in the bloodstream which in turn might perturb growth, Piomelli said, adding that we do not know if this applies to other forms of cannabis use like vaping or edibles.

According to Dr. S. Monty Ghosh, an assistant professor and doctor of internal medicine, disaster medicine, and addiction medicine at the University of Alberta, these findings mirror the impact of cigarette smoking during pregnancy.

It would be interesting [to] explore if this was related to smoking cannabis or ingested cannabis, Ghosh said.

Ghosh says the chemicals from cannabis may be able to cross the placenta and reach the fetus.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) all advise against using cannabis products during pregnancy and lactation.

It is best and safest to resume smoking marijuana post lactation due to our limited understanding of the effects of cannabis on the child. Limiting secondhand exposure from cannabis smoke should be a priority, says Ghosh.

A new study has found that children who were exposed to cannabis, including CBD or THC, in utero may be at risk for obesity and high blood sugar later in life. The research adds to the growing evidence that cannabis use during pregnancy may be harmful to the babys health and interfere with their development.

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Children Exposed to Cannabis at Risk of High Blood Sugar - Healthline

High Times Cup competitions are a unique way for the industry to go up against the best of the best in the cannabis space not only for high THC but hemp products as well. The Hemp Cup: Peoples Choice 2022 unites both competitors and judges across the entire hemp space.

We are pleased to announce the High Times Hemp Cup winners, presented by Hemp Hop. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor, Orange County CBD, and to our Bronze Sponsor, Sweet Sensi CBD.

First Place: Flow Gardens Blue Cheese #12 Flower

Second Place: Healing Canopy White Triploid CBG Flower

Third Place: Grateful Beginnings Farm Sour Lifter Flower

First Place: Sweet Sensi CBD Improved Berry Blossom #17 Cigar

Second Place: Hemp Hop Pacific Cooler HHC Pre-Roll

Third Place: CBD Hemp Direct Honolulu Haze #3 Pre-Roll

First Place: Metta Hemp HHC Wet Sugar

Second Place: Alliance Hemp Co. Gas CBD Terpsolate

Third Place: Piur Select Tennessee Tangie Flower Sift Rosin

First Place: 3Chi Blue Dream HHC Vape

Second Place: STNR Tangie HHC Sativa Vape

Third Place: Rove Remedies Uplift Vape

First Place: Pow-Pow: OG Kush Blood Orange Live Resin Gummies

Second Place: Galaxy Treats Tropical Kush Moon Babies

Third Place: Martha Stewart Harvest Medley Wellness Gummies

First Place: Realize Citrus-Mango Drink Mix

Second Place: Buddys Chocolate Haus Hemp Oil Infused Mint Chocolate Bar

Third Place: Sweet Sensi CBD CBD Chocolate Truffles

First Place: By George! CBD CBD Salve

Second Place: Care Division Carefree Pain Relief Cream

Third Place: Horn Creek Hemp Redemption Body Recovery Oil

First Place: Rove Remedies Sleep Tincture

Second Place: Care Division Dream Sleep Aid Tincture

Third Place: Lifessence All Natural CBD Oil

First Place: Tayco R.S.O Capsules

Second Place: Vivimu #Relax CBN Softgels

First Place: Marys Tails Calm & Quiet Hemp Canine Chewables

Second Place: Mary Palmer Best Buds Bacon-Flavored CBD Dog Treats

Third Place: CBD Living Peanut Butter CBD Calming Support Dog Chews

First Place: Euphorica Maui Wowie D8:D10 Sativa Vape

Second Place: Rove Remedies D8 Vape

Third Place: Sugar Extrax Lemonade Kush D8:D10:THC-O Vape

First Place: Derived Creations Chewy Sea Salt Caramels

Second Place: 3Chi Watermelon Delta 8 THC Gummies

Third Place: JustCBD Delta 8 Peaches Interstellar Gummies

Here is the original post:

The Winners of The Hemp Cup: People's Choice 2022 - High Times

By Julius Few, MD; Michael Lee, MD; Alec Semersky; Emily Mariscal, LE; and Ginny Vachon, PhD

This article originally appeared in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Retinol is known to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but is associated with irritating effects. Cannabidiol (CBD) acts to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, mitigating irritation from retinol, and further improving the skins appearance through independent anti-aging mechanisms.

Skin aging is influenced by a number of factors, including extrinsic factors like exposure to UV light, poor diet, or pollutants, and intrinsic factors such as collagen and elastin loss over time.1 Within the skin, intrinsic aging is due, in part, to the decreased capacity of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and melanocytes to proliferate, and the degeneration of the fibrous extracellular matrix, while 80% of extrinsic aging can be attributed to UV radiation.2-4 Interestingly, for both intrinsic and extrinsic aging, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and associated oxidative stress can accelerate these processes in the skin through multiple mechanisms and contribute to dyspigmentation, reduced barrier function, laxity, and uneven texture.1-5 In addition, ROS are associated with inflammation, which can further negatively impact the skins appearance.5,6

In clinical practice, one of the few topical treatments for which there is strong clinical evidence of efficacy for reducing the signs of aging is retinol.7 The anti-aging effects of retinol are manifested by promoting proliferation of keratinocytes, strengthening the epidermis, and increasing collagen. However, retinol may indirectly decrease the antioxidative effects of the skin, leaving it prone to damage from ROS.8-10 Furthermore, skin reactions such as redness, drying, peeling, or burning associated with retinol treatment can lead to inconsistent use or discontinuation by patients.

In the current study, purified, water-soluble CBD was evaluated with 0.2% retinol as a combination product (CR-Topical, Afor, Chicago IL). By combining these agents, CR-Topical face cream was designed to combat both the intrinsic and extrinsic factors involved in skin aging by increasing skin turnover while protecting the skin through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, such that both efficacy and tolerability is improved.

In the current pilot study, due to the novelty of the combination and the need to characterize the impact of these treatments on the skin, a more granular approach was taken to measuring outcomes. Typically, aesthetic conditions are measured using validated and non-validated scales (e.g., FACE-Q, GAIS) using static photos taken from multiple angles.11,12 Subject satisfaction questionnaires may also be used to gauge perceptions of efficacy, satisfaction, and overall impressions. However, these scales are limited in their ability to detect specific changes to features such as skin quality. Therefore, the nine-domain Global Ranking Scale (GRS) and four-domain Skin Quality assessment was applied.13 The GRS is unique in that it is used as a collaborative tool by the physician with the patient, and therefore additional methods, described below, were used to confirm observations, including: blinded review and ordering of before and after images by a board-certified plastic surgeon, and inclusion of patient survey questions, which were completed independently, that overlap with GRS skin quality domains to confirm outcomes.

In addition to the capture of static images, this study evaluated patients using video of a series of facial expressions as an exploratory endpoint. Even the best before and after static images represent an incomplete picture of treatment efficacy. Moreover, optimal static correction can result in unnatural mimetic movement, overfilling, and/or inadequate or imbalanced correction. Compared with static images, dynamic videos are better able to capture global improvement across four dimensions, encompassing glide plane movement and multiple facial expressions (Table 1). The use of videos in this study was exploratory in nature and represents the first time that this four-dimensional beauty (4D Beauty, Afor, LLC, Chicago IL) assessment has been used in a clinical study. So much of how patients perceive themselves and are perceived by others is embedded in expressions, and even qualities like facial positioning and openness can be appreciated with video. This type of assessment is in its infancy, and development will likely involve extensive multidisciplinary research and development of novel measures, as well as protocols for video capture, however, its inclusion here paves the way for further development. In this pilot study, the use of 4D Beauty assessment is detailed, but is not part of the formal evaluation of efficacy. However, this work paves the way for use in clinical practice and study.13,14

Subjects who had botulinum toxin or filler within 3 months of study enrollment were excluded. Additionally, subjects who used topical, inhaled, or ingested cannabis and/or hemp-derived products including CBD or tetrahydrocannabinol within 30 days of the study start date or during the study period were excluded. Further key exclusionary characteristics included facial rejuvenation procedures (e.g., chemical peels, microneedling, microdermabrasion, etc.); pregnancy; advanced or poorly controlled diabetes; current smoker or history of heavy smoking; the use of anti-inflammatory topical products during the study period; or regular continuous use of systemic or topical corticosteroids on the area to be treated.

The primary efficacy endpoint consisted of clinical evaluations of the face based on comparison of GRS scores at each time point, compared to baseline, as well as qualitative comparison of standardized before and after photographs on days 1, 21, and 42. During visits on day 1 (baseline), 21, and 42, standardized photographs of the treatment areas were taken and global skin appearance was assessed using the GRS with Comprehensive Skin Analysis by joint evaluation of severity by the lead investigator and the subject (Figure 1).13

Note, the investigator and subject were blinded to their original assessment scores at the time of evaluation. Each of the scales 13 domains, including loss of elasticity, surface roughness, dehydration, static and dynamic wrinkles, volume loss, sagging, asymmetry, imbalance, scar presence, visible pores, pigmentation, and vasculature, were graded from 0-3 (0, none; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, severe), and mean scores at baseline and at 42 days were calculated for each domain and compared.13 Paired mean difference with each subject used as their own control, and lower and upper 95% confidence intervals for each domain was calculated. Due to the small number of subjects and the use of a 4-point scale across numerous domains, paired t-tests with p-values are less informative (p-values calculated using a paired two-tailed t-test were significant for all measures assessed), and are not presented here.

Because the GRS is intended to be used as a collaborative tool by the physician with the patient, it is not conducive to blinded review. Instead, a blinded reviewer was asked to order the static baseline and 42-day images as before and after, and percent agreement with whether the actual photograph was taken at baseline or day 42 was calculated. In addition, questions overlapping with GRS skin quality domains were included in the subject questionnaire to confirm outcomes. These questionnaires were completed by subjects independently, following completion of the GRS.

Secondary efficacy endpoints included subject observations from satisfaction questionnaires regarding major cutaneous changes such as smoothness, irritation, pruritus, burning, and erythema. Exploratory endpoints included the use of 4D assessment as an assessment tool for qualitative measure of dynamic and animation-related patient features. On days 21 and 42, daily subject diaries were reviewed for compliance and tolerability, and subjects completed an 8-question satisfaction survey. Filmed video evaluations occurred on days 1 and 42 for 4D assessment.

Safety was monitored by the investigator through application site assessment during each follow-up visit (days 1, 21, and 42). Because of the established propensity for retinol to cause irritation, an additional, virtual safety assessment of the application site occurred on day 3. At each follow-up visit, study medication tubes were weighed for compliance. This study was IRB approved (Advarra IRB, Columbia, MD) and adhered to the Good Clinical Practice and standards set forth in the World Medical Associations Declaration of Helsinki. Written consent was provided, by which the patients agreed to the use and analysis of their data.

At 42 days, GRS with Comprehensive Skin Analysis score improvement was observed from baseline to day 42 across all 13 domains, including domains for which improvement was unexpected (e.g., sagging). While improvement was consistent, some areas improved more than others, generally those most consistent with a topical treatment (Figure 2). Among subjects, the highest mean scores at baseline were visible pores (2.6), dynamic wrinkles (2.5), surface roughness (2.4), pigmentation (2.3), and static wrinkles (2.1); Higher mean scores correlate to worse skin quality [0, none; 1, mild; 2, moderate; 3, severe]).

When assessing the relative degree of improvement for each domain, those with 1-point improvement from day 0 to day 42 were found to be consistent with topical treatments (Figure 3, black dotted line). While statistically significant changes were observed for each domain, including both the GRS and skin quality measures, the areas of greatest change were visible pores (2.0-point change; 95% CI, 1.5-2.5), dehydration (2.0-point change; 95% CI, 1.4-2.6), surface roughness (1.8-point change; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4) static wrinkles (1.8-point change; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5), and dynamic wrinkles (1.6-point change; 95% CI, 0.8-2.3). Notably, while the greatest possible score change is 3, not all subjects began with severe skin quality, making a 3-point change impossible. However, a two-point change represents a change from severe to mild or moderate to none, both of which represent very impactful improvements.

Each subject who reported severe static wrinkles, dynamic wrinkles, surface roughness, scars, visible pores or vasculature at baseline reported at least mild severity for these domains at study completion. Moreover, all subjects with severe dehydration reported none at the end of the study. The blinded reviewer correctly ordered before and after images for 80% of the subjects.

Satisfaction and functional outcomes assessed using subject questionnaires completed on days 21 and 42 revealed that at day 42, 90% of subjects either agreed (50%) or strongly agreed (40%) that they experienced visible reduction of facial fine lines and wrinkles (Figure 4). Overall, 100% of subjects felt that CR-Topical made them more confident in the physical appearance of their face. In agreement with GRS outcomes, subjects strongly agreed that the use of CR-Topical significantly improved the texture/smoothness (90%) and pore size (70%) of the skin, outcomes consistent with those measured with the GRS. Subjects either agreed or strongly agreed (30% vs 70%, respectively) with the statement that they experienced minimal irritation for the duration of the study, demonstrating the excellent tolerability of CR-Topical. Furthermore, 90% of subjects strongly agreed that they were very satisfied with the product, with 90% expressing both their willingness to use CR-Topical again and recommend the cream to family and friends.

Representative patient images illustrate improvement across a range of GRS domains (Figure 5). Changes in skin quality are apparent in before and after images and show a close-up view of patients so that changes in skin quality can be appreciated.

Although research on CBD oil as a topical agent is still emerging, supplementary use has been shown to decrease inflammation and improve therapeutic outcomes for severe inflammatory skin diseases, supporting this potential role.16-18 Anecdotally, the improvements observed for the combination of retinol and water-soluble CBD are better than for either product alone, suggesting an additive, or potentially synergistic benefit. Larger controlled studies will need to be carried out in order to understand the relative effects of CR-Topical and retinol, and to define any synergistic activity for the two ingredients. Importantly in these studies, a larger number of patients should be followed for an extended period of time to best understand the impact of treatment.

When considering the potential for synergistic activity, the mechanism of action for both retinol and CBD is informative. Through the combined effects of promoting cell proliferation and reducing oxidative stress, these agents may work synergistically to combat both the extrinsic and intrinsic causes of aging. While the mechanism of action of CBD in the skin has yet to be fully elucidated, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are well recognized, and can be partially attributed to its activation of Nrf2-target activation genes, including HMOX1, which plays crucial roles in modulating inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress.19

Importantly, CBD-induced activation of HMOX1 expression occurs through a Nrf2-independent mechanism.19 Because retinol suppresses expression of Nrf2-target antioxidative genes, the addition of CBD oil can potentially restore antioxidative effects inhibited by retinol while allowing for retention of skin strengthening properties.8,10,18 This activity of CBD is in addition to independent mechanisms, including modulation of the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is linked to anti-aging effects through its role in maintaining skin homeostasis and barrier function, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as optimal sebum production.18-20

For retinol, independent effects are manifested through promoting keratinocyte proliferation, strengthening of the epidermis and increasing collagen (through protection of existing collagen and stimulation of neocollagenesis) in the skin.8,9 Importantly, the combination of CBD and retinol appears to reduce skin irritation often observed with retinol alone. Notably, 100% of subjects who reported severe dehydration at baseline reported none at the conclusion of the study, indicating that CBD may combat the irritation characteristic of retinol topicals, providing considerable benefit to subject tolerability and indirect improvement in efficacy due to increasing the likelihood of adherence. Importantly, the CBD used in this study is water soluble. Most often, CBD is administered dissolved in oil, commonly coconut oil or medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. The absence of oils in this formulation that could potentially clog pores or otherwise irritate skin is also an important contributor.

While improvement across all 13 domains for all subjects suggests a global effect of CR-Topical, improvements in areas such as sagging or asymmetry may signal some variability in day-to-day perceptions, some level of bias that stems from the investigator and the subject completing the assessment together, or incomplete ability of the subject to differentiate entirely between the contributions of individual domains to overall global improvement. In future studies, placebo control and blinding both the subject and evaluating investigator will shed light on this topic. Additionally, when interpreting results, it is important to consider that the rating scale ranged from 0 to 3. Therefore, seemingly modest changes (e.g., severe at 3 to mild at 1) do indeed reflect a significant improvement. Because of the granular nature of the GRS scale, it is possible that future studies could also evaluate combination treatment with other products or modalities versus monotherapy, further characterizing the effects of distinct interventions on global outcome when used together.

As skin treatments continue to emerge and become increasingly multi-modal in nature, it is essential to better understand the specific effects that different treatments have on the skin. While historical measurements for skin treatment efficacy have relied on static imagery, this methodology cannot capture the movement of glide planes and facial expressions, and it is how our faces move during communication that most informs perceptions of beauty. Capturing movements of the face with short videos more accurately reflects what is observed in day-to-day life as opposed to static imagery, and provides a real-world context for evaluating the most relevant effects of treatment. This novel and dynamic 4D assessment may prevent overcorrection or unnatural looking results by encouraging consideration of youthful dynamics in expression as well as facial proportion.21 Further, 4D assessment can be used in conjunction with new or existing scales and opens the door for incorporation of new measures rating naturalness of outcomes, projection or correction across multiple facial expressions, apparent confidence, openness, or other characteristics that are not traditionally thought of as study outcomes. Moreover, subjects can use the videos to better evaluate their overall satisfaction and experience by observing their facial movements before and after treatment. Like the GRS, 4D assessment can be used as a tool for patient education, treatment planning, and encouraging pursuit of natural-looking results. The exploratory assessment using 4D dynamic imagery in this study revealed that video documentation and 4D beauty is an important element of a comprehensive efficacy profile for any product or device and paved the way for video and dynamic assessments as measures of treatment effect.

Shortcomings of this study include the small sample size and short duration of follow-up time. A larger cohort and increased length of the study could lead to more robust results, especially if the design includes a control group or is a split-face study. Future studies will compare the efficacy of CR-Topical with retinol alone.

When used in combination, water-soluble CBD and retinol offer significant improvements in skin quality, as well as in static and dynamic lines, with minimal irritation. Synergistic activity of CBD and retinol may explain this high level of efficacy. Additionally, a more granular assessment of aesthetic outcomes is long overdue and should be incorporated into future clinical studies evaluating topical skin treatments. Dynamic, 4D beauty assessment is a newly emerging mode of evaluation that could be fully developed and applied to better capture the effects of treatment.

1. Zhang S, Duan E. Fighting against skin aging: the way from bench to bedside. Cell Transplant. 2018;27(5):729-738. doi:10.1177/09636897177257552. Dimri GP, Lee X, Basile G, et al. A biomarker that identifies senescent human cells in culture and in aging skin in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995;92(20):9363-9367. doi:10.1073/pnas.92.20.93633. Kohl E, Steinbauer J, Landthaler M, Szeimies RM. Skin ageing. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2011;25(8):873-884. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2010.03963.x4. Friedman O. Changes associated with the aging face. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2005;13(3):371-380. doi:10.1016/j.fsc.2005.04.0045. Rinnerthaler M, Bischof J, Streubel MK, et al. Oxidative stress in aging human skin. Biomolecules. 2015;5(2):545-589. doi:10.3390/biom50205456. Tsuchida K, Kobayashi M. Oxidative stress in human facial skin observed by ultraweak photon emission imaging and its correlation with biophysical properties of skin. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):9626. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-66723-17. Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, et al. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(4):327-348. doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.3278. Zasada M, Budzisz E. Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2019;36(4):392-397. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.874439. Hubbard BA, Unger JG, Rohrich RJ. Reversal of skin aging with topical retinoids. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;133(4):481e-490e. doi:10.1097/PRS.000000000000004310. Wang H, Liu K, Geng M, et al. RXR inhibits the NRF2-ARE signaling pathway through a direct interaction with the Neh7 domain of NRF2. Cancer Res. 2013;73(10):3097-3108. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-12-338611. Klassen AF, Cano SJ, Schwitzer JA, Scott AM, Pusic AL. FACE-Q scales for health-related quality of life, early life impact, satisfaction with outcomes, and decision to have treatment: development and validation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;135(2):375-386. doi:10.1097/PRS.000000000000089512. Narins RS, Brandt F, Leyden J, Lorenc ZP, Rubin M, Smith S. A randomized, double-blind, multicenter comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of Restylane versus Zyplast for the correction of nasolabial folds. Dermatol Surg. 2003;29(6):588-595. doi:10.1046/j.1524-4725.2003.29150.x13. Jain R, Huang P, Ferraz RM. A new tool to improve delivery of patient-engaged care and satisfaction in facial treatments: the Aesthetic Global Ranking Scale. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017;16(1):132-143. doi:10.1111/jocd.1229714. Cartier H, Hedn P, Delmar H, et al. Repeated full-face aesthetic combination treatment with abobotulinumtoxinA, hyaluronic acid filler, and skin-boosting hyaluronic acid after monotherapy with abobotulinumtoxinA or hyaluronic acid filler. Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(4):475-482. doi:10.1097/DSS.000000000000216515. Kim BH, Lee YS, Kang KS. The mechanism of retinol-induced irritation and its application to anti-irritant development. Toxicol Lett. 2003;146(1):65-73. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2003.09.00116. Sholler DJ, Schoene L, Spindle TR. Therapeutic efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD): a review of the evidence from clinical trials and human laboratory studies. Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(3):405-412. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00326-817. Palmieri B, Laurino C, Vadal M. A therapeutic effect of cbd-enriched ointment in inflammatory skin diseases and cutaneous scars. Clin Ter. 2019;170(2):e93-e99. doi:10.7417/CT.2019.211618. Olh A, Tth BI, Borbr I, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713-3724. doi:10.1172/JCI6462819. Casares L, Garca V, Garrido-Rodrguez M, et al. Cannabidiol induces antioxidant pathways in keratinocytes by targeting BACH1. Redox Biol. 2020;28:101321. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2019.10132120. Baswan SM, Klosner AE, Glynn K, et al. Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:927-942. doi:10.2147/CCID.S28641121. Few JW, Pintas S, Smith JR, Vachon G. Nonsurgical Tissue Repositioning: Analysis of Long-Term Results and Patient Satisfaction From 100 Absorbable Suture Suspension Cases. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2019;2(1):ojz029. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojz029

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A Single-Center Study Evaluating the Effects of a Novel Retinol and Cannabidiol Combination Topical - Beauty Packaging Magazine

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is the newest form of hemp extract. It has only been in the market for a few years, yet there is a lot of talk about its benefits as positive feedback attesting to its unique effects. Despite the rave, many people are still not familiar with HHC.

HHC is very similar to the delta-9 THC, but unlike the delta-9 THC, it has federal legal backings despite its high and other properties. This and more make the HHC one of the hemp derived cannabinoids considered worthwhile.

Understanding the entire concept of HHC at a go is a little bit difficult, especially when you consider the fact that it is still new in the market. Currently, only a few retail outlets sell it, and most of these outlets sell naturally occurring hemp cannabinoid in the form of HHC products. HHC has shown promises, so expect to hear more about the cannabinoid.

Now, it is worthy of note that there is an increase of hostility by state and federal agencies towards delta-9 THC; this has given room for HHC to serve as a more legal alternative for canna-enthusiasts. This is probably because HHC is not a THC compound. However, just like I stated earlier, we still need to know much about HHC.

HHC is a hydrogenated form of THC. It is a natural cannabis extract also considered semi-synthetic if chemically hydrogenated from THC.

Analyses show that it has approximately between 70-80% THC strength. This means that HHC is more potent than delta-8 and delta-10. Just a little consumption is enough to give a euphoric high like delta-9, but with a more soothing and relaxing quality like the delta-8.

One thing remains constant with most CBD products like THC and other cannabinoids; not all brands have the same excellent quality that you might want in a product. HHC is no exception. From the ingredients used to the formulas, all the manufacturing processes play a significant role in how the end product would turn out. Thats why we researched the best HHC brands and came up with what we consider the top three in the market.

Exhale-Wellness is a relatively new brand in the HHC arena and has become one of the major players in the flourishing HHC industry. The brand has its headquarters in L.A, California. Exhale Wellness was established by experts who have decades of experience with hemp. They get their hemp from nothing short of the best farms in Colorado, with strict controls for growing and processing.

Exhale Wellness brand has not only come up with organic, vegan, and all-natural products but has also added certain superfoods to their cannabinoid offerings. The Exhale Wellness brand has a passion for quality. Thats why their HHC product is made from cannabis sourced from local farmers with a complete focus on all-natural ingredients. Thats how they manage to get maximum potency.

Exhale Wellness is fully committed to bringing up the best that HHC offers. Exhale Wellness passed a third-party lab-tested CBD to ensure high quality and potency.

At Exhale Wellness, their team comprises hemp farmers, researchers, and general cannabis enthusiasts. Many of them have been in the organic food industry for years. This expert team is one of the reasons why their HHC product is top-notch.

You would certainly be at ease knowing that Exhale Wellness ensures all its products are compliant with the Federal Farm Bill. That is, they have less than 0.3% THC. This makes Exhale Wellness HHC products legal in the United States, among other countries.

Exhale has a fairly straightforward philosophy. They are convinced that the key to wellness resides with nature. In addition, Exhale believes in the power of alternative medicine and its ability to balance the entire body. Exhale Wellness stands out for its commitment to research and dedication to quality.

Exhale Wellness makes their marijuana derived HHC potent and pure. They ensure these products give users a sensational experience while bringing balance to the body. All their products are created from locally sourced hemp, and the potency, purity, and quality of the products are unquestionable.

Finally, Exhale Wellness products have passed through lab tests at their Los Angeles unit to ensure they meet the required standard. They also use third-party labs to carry out tests.

From the reviews available online, it is clear that this HHC product stands up to the companys claims and can be relied on 100 percent. Moreover, people seem to be satisfied with the products potency level. Over 80% of reviewers gave this HHC brand five stars.

=> Click here to visit the official website of Exhale Wellness

Hollyweed HHC is one of the top brands for CBD-related products. It is run by a group of individuals who strive to create their products around the six pillars of Wellness spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, environmental, and social. These pillars put together will facilitate wholeness in the individual.

Hollyweed is consistent and transparent in its products, including the HHC. These qualities are lacking in the CBD market. As such, Hollyweed having them in abundance certainly helped put it on our list. They are a quality product that you can trust.

Hollyweed is committed to providing the highest quality hemp products available. Thats why they source hemp from only the most premium Oregon hemp farms with the highest standard of care.

The entire process of manufacturing HHC is done utilizing the cleanest, most natural, and technically advanced processes available. They aim to maintain their brand reputation by producing the highest quality HHC products on the market.

The result of paying attention to detail is a product with the sort of quality thats hard to come by in the industry. It represents the excellence found in hemp when it is given the love and care it deserves.

Hollyweed offers exceptional, premium HHC made from hemp grown in Oregon. This HHC product is designed to provide you with the best experience. Each pack comes in a secure glass jar with a child-resistant cap to ensure the safety of children.

Another feature worth mentioning is that their products are Federal Farm Bill compliant. This shows the legality of the cannabinoid that they use. They abide by federal and state regulations, and their ingredients are obtained from licensed growers.

Hollyweed has built its reputation on efficiency, safety, customer service, a user-friendly website interface, and transparency.

Moreover, Hollyweed follows rigorous methods to test and rectify each product variant, and unbiased, third-party labs perform the tests to ensure product safety and authenticity.

Although Hollyweed HHC is still new in the market, there are already a lot of positive reviews surrounding it, with over 80% of reviewers giving the product 5 stars. This says a lot because it is still a new market. Hollyweed is one of the most prominent players in the HHC market.

Since there is still no available standardized testing structure, purity is one of the major concerns. Reviews of Hollyweed show that the product passed the purity testing standard. Although the effect of the product varies from person to person, there is currently no complaint.

=> Click here to visit the official website of Hollyweed CBD

Delta Extrax (formerly Delta Effex) is an HHC-producing company that stands out for its efficiency. Delta Extrax has a long history in the Hemp and CBD industry. Delta Extrax prioritises innovation while also focusing on purity, quality, and safety.

This HHC brand is one that has managed to build a niche for itself in the hemp industry, despite the stiff competition that seems to be popping up nearly everyday, especially in the United States. This HHC brand is one of the few brands that has been identified as 100% reliable for a number of reasons. For starters, it has strict adherence to federal regulations. Secondly, it is one of the most talked-about HHC brands on forums and social media. Many users have reviewed their products positively and have given them high ratings.

Over the years, Delta Extrax has acquired a firm grip in the market, and this grip is only getting stronger as the compound is becoming more and more popular.

Delta Extrax is one of the top brands for making some of the most potent cannabinoid-related products. HHC from Delta Extrax is efficient and very safe for consumption.

When buying cannabis- or hemp-derived products, we must adhere to some standard practices; one of them is going for a reputable brand.

This HHC brand is entirely reliable. Most customers can attest to its safety and efficiency. One other factor that allows it to stand out is its strict adherence to federal regulations and safety requirements at every production stage.

Delta Extrax surpasses its competitors thanks to the few extra ingredients used in manufacturing it. This brand sources nothing less than the best delta-8 distillate and the purest terpenes to create its HHC. It infuses them into its products to bring you an experience that will not disappoint you.

This extract makes a great alternative to delta-9 THC. It provides the same benefits without unwanted side effects like increased anxiety or tension. Since HHC is not as potent as the delta-9 THC, its perfect for anyone that doesnt like to take too much THC.

There is a third-party lab test to verify its quality. Third-party testing means that Delta Extrax sends its products to an independent laboratory to verify the in-house results. Industry leaders test for potency alongside contamination, heavy metals, and pesticides.

The potency level makes it a little tricky not to attract a loyal fan base. There are a lot of reviews online that acknowledge its quality and affordability. This is not surprising since the manufacturer focuses on scientific research throughout its manufacturing process. This involvement has paid off, as seen from the broad customer base.

With regards to customer satisfaction, the brand has successfully retained buyers for the most part.

=> Click here to visit the official website of Delta Extrax

Bringing together the top three HHC brands is an uphill task, from filtering through all the companies to finalizing the top three products that we can vouch for. Here are some of the factors we put into consideration:

What people say about a product matters to a large extent. That is why we researched what people who were customers think about the products. We checked for reviews on the companys website and other third-party reviewing platforms. This helped us understand what people are saying about the product.

Since there are currently no testing standards for HHC products, we had to pay extra attention to how transparent the company is about testing. We made sure all the brands on our list placed consumers health as their priority. As a result, we removed companies that did not meet the requirement.

Getting the value for your money goes far beyond simply buying cheap products. Because, to stand the competition, many companies sell their products affordably to woo customers.

Therefore, we took pricing a step further. That is, we painstakingly put the price of each brands product side by side with the value it was offering.

The next step was to look at all the ingredients used. We picked only cruelty-free, dairy-free, GMO-free, and vegan products. We favored brands that provide additional certifications and documents that showed us whats contained in the product as well as its efficacy.

Another factor that we put into consideration is how the brand operates. We immediately crossed out companies that dont offer return policies and flexible shipping. Besides, a product cannot be great if it is not easily accessible.

Do you want to try out HHC? If so, you must begin by understanding what your prospective brands have to offer. You cannot simply pick the first thing you see and jump right into it. Once you have a good grasp of what each brands HHC entails, you are a step closer to getting the best product for you. Infact, with a good understanding of the product, practically everything else is going to be easy.

With that being said, HHC is new and legalized at both the federal and state levels. There are several brands in the market making different promises; you should be able to see through these promises and evaluate the products without bias. The following should also be on your checklist:

Should I give it a Try?: Before buying HHC, you should have already decided whether or not HHC is suitable for you. It would help if you had also come to terms with the effects of taking HHC and the best ways for you to utilize it for optimal results.

Check if it is a High-Quality Product: This is a significant factor you need to consider. Before buying an HHC product, you need to ensure that the dealer sells only high-quality products.

Find Out What The Product is Good For: HHC helps relieve daily stress, pains, and aches and improve endocannabinoid system functioning, which is responsible for enhancing stress relief, pain relief, sleep health, anti-inflammation, mood, lack of appetite, and cramps. Figure out what the product you want to buy is good for before you invest in it.

Can I Order Delta-8 THC In My State?: Before you order for an HHC, you must check your local states policies regarding HHC and other hemp products. While HHC has similar regulations with CBD oil and other hemp products, it is still essential that you check so that you wont be on the wrong side of the law.

HHC or Hexahydrocannabinol is a chemical compound that occurs naturally and in tiny amounts in cannabis and hemp (marijuana) plants. Its becoming increasingly popular and is available in some retail stores online.

People use HHC for recreational and medical use. It is also great for individuals looking for pain relief. It also comes in handy for relaxation without the adverse side effects typically associated with THC consumption.

From a medical standpoint, pure HHC is safe. HHC has no known side effects. They meet both state and federal regulations. HHC is also a safer choice than delta-9 products. Lab testing, accurate labeling, and childproof packaging of HHC products, as well as other basic safety assurances make HHC even safer.

To begin with, the chemical structure is similar to delta-9 THCs structure. Both of them share the primary psychoactive element that marijuana contains.

The difference between both products is that HHC is not a form of THC while the delta-9 is. When THC pops up in conversations among people, they often mean the highly concentrated delta-9 in marijuana. Both, however, produce a fuzzy and euphoric feeling.

The answer to this question is not exactly a one-size-fits-all scenario. Different brands produce different levels of quality. However, all HHC brands on our list meet the required quality without any compromise. They are 100 percent natural and plant-based products.

HHC has, over the years, attracted a lot of customers who seemed to have enjoyed HHC for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. For example, it can help with anxiety or sleep disorders, it works well for several conditions. The manner in which many users consistently use it for different purposes is a testament to its reliability.

The source of the HHC product, and production process will determine which category it belongs. That is why HHC is classified as both a natural and semi-synthetic cannabinoid.

HHC is, however small, is an extract of marijuana. When THC oxidizes into CBN over time, tiny quantities of HHC occur alongside delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC. CBN also cannabinoid, is a component of marijuana.

The conversion of THC to HHC is a straightforward procedure. THC is chemically saturated with hydrogen atoms, then exposed to a nickel or zinc catalyst, then converted into HHC.

HHC may or may not show up in a drug test, depending on a number of factors.

THC-COOH forms in the body an individual consumes THC. Drug tests, in most cases, would detect THC-COOH.

HHC metabolizes into 8 alpha-hydroxy-HHC and 8 beta-hydroxy-HHC. Both of these compounds are identical to THC-COOH, according to an early investigation on animal test subjects.

It is worthy of note that there is no available research that indicates that drug tests can detect HHC metabolites or are responsible for false-positive results.

Moreover, theres also the issue of leftover or residual THC in HHC products after chemical hydrogenation.

HHC is one of the top-selling cannabinoids. As a result, many hemp enthusiasts are excited about its potential, but you shouldnt just jump into buying any product. For starters, you have to make sure that youre buying from an HHC brand that is transparent, and secondly, make sure that you can trust their quality.

Chemically hydrogenated semi-synthetic THC is used to make HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) products.

Finally, semi-synthetic cannabinoids arent inherently toxic or dangerous, but the process used for manufacturing can be. Because of inadequate production or hydrogenation procedures, your chosen HHC product may have more pollutants or impurities. We encourage buying from reputable and legitimate HHC sellers who have third-party tested products.

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Best HHC Brands To Buy Hemp Products In 2022 - Blog - The Island Now