Latest news with #Cannabisindica
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
'I'm changing my name because my parents named me after a drug'
A 28-year-old woman has taken to the internet to ask for help on choosing a new name for herself - after disclosing that her parents named her after a herbal drug. A woman is considering a name change due to her parents' decision to name her after a drug. Naming a child is a significant task for many parents, as they must select a moniker that will suit their offspring both in childhood and adulthood. While some parents opt for popular, traditional names, others choose unique ones, which can sometimes lead to issues for the child. Most people retain the names given to them at birth, but there are instances where individuals decide to change their names in adulthood, a decision that can be even more challenging. A 28-year-old woman turned to Reddit to seek advice on choosing a new name, revealing that her parents named her after a recreational narcotic. She told the forum that her birth name was Sativa, "as in Cannabis sativa." In her post, she elaborated: "Although I think my name is pretty, I have faced a few problems. "As a child, friends' parents not wanting their kid to hang out with me because of my name, odd stares and jokes when i'm introduced ('Do you have any twin named Indica?' is one I get a lot), having trouble applying to jobs, and just not being taken seriously. So I have decided to change it." Cannabis sativa plants are tall and slender with finger-like leaves, known for producing a 'mind high' or an energising, anxiety-reducing effect. In contrast, Cannabis indica plants are short and stout with bushy greenery and chunky leaves, reports the Mirror. According to Healthline, Indica is "sought after for its intensely relaxing effects". Sativa has decided to change her name, particularly as she plans to have children soon and the thought of her child introducing her as 'my mum, Sativa' makes her feel "uncomfortable." But she also realised that choosing a new name for herself is not as straightforward as she initially believed. The Reddit user elaborated: "I would like something classic but unique since having a different name is one of the things I do enjoy about my name. I need help choosing a name for myself. Help me, Reddit." Her plea has attracted 1,500 upvotes and nearly 800 comments with name suggestions. And several users offered ideas that were close to her birth name. The top comment suggests: "Sylvia? Kinda similar to Sativa, but it's an established name that I don't hear very often." Another person proposed: "Or Sylvie. Prettier in my opinion." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A third chimed in: "One of my partner's friends named his baby Sylvia, and I loved the name immediately. It's a good choice if OP doesn't want to change the sound of their name too much." Another commenter recommended the name Saskia, with someone responding: "I was going to suggest this. "It has similar sounds, so will most likely be easier to get used to than something that sounds completely different. "Really pretty and uncommon, but not so unusual that people would have a hard time with it. Truly a beautiful option."
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'My parents named me after a herbal drug so I'm changing my name'
A woman has revealed that she is changing her name as her parents named her after a herbal drug so this caused her some issues when she was a child, as well as now as an adult A woman is trying to think of a new name for herself because her parents named her after a herbal drug. Choosing a name for your baby is an important decision for parents as they have to decide on a moniker that will suit them as a child and an adult. Some parents opt for popular, traditional names while others choose unique monikers but this can cause issues for the child. Most of the time, people keep the names given to them by their parents when they were born but there are some cases where a person changes their name as an adult, which can be even more difficult to decide. A 28-year-old woman on Reddit took to the platform to ask for help on choosing a new name for herself after disclosing that her parents named her Sativa 'as in Cannabis sativa.' In her post she explained: 'Although I think my name is pretty, I have faced a few problems. As a child, friends' parents not wanting their kid to hang out with me because of my name, odd stares and jokes when i'm introduced (do you have any twin named indica is one I get a lot), having trouble applying to jobs, and just not being taken seriously. So I have decided to change it.' Cannabis sativa plants are tall and thin with finger-like leaves and produce a 'mind high' or an energising, anxiety-reducing effect, whereas Cannabis indica plants are short and stocky with bushy greenery and chunky leaves. Indica is 'sought after for its intensely relaxing effects', according to Healthline. Sativa added that she has especially decided to change her name because she wants to have children soon and imagining her child saying 'this is my mom, Sativa' makes her feel 'uncomfortable.' She has also learned that naming yourself isn't easy as she initially thought. The Reddit user continued: 'I would like something classic but unique since having a different name is one of the things I do enjoy about my name. 'I need help choosing a name for myself. Help me, Reddit.' Her post has garnered 1,500 upvotes and nearly 800 comments from other people on the platform giving suggestions of names. The most-liked comment is: 'Sylvia? Kinda similar to Sativa, but it's an established name that I don't hear very often.' Someone else replied: 'Or Sylvie. Prettier in my opinion.' A third had their say: 'One of my partner's friends named his baby Sylvia, and I loved the name immediately. 'It's a good choice if OP doesn't want to change the sound of their name too much. A fourth suggested the name Saskia and another replied to their comment: 'I was going to suggest this. 'It has similar sounds, so will most likely be easier to get used to than something that sounds completely different. 'Really pretty and uncommon, but not so unusual that people would have a hard time with it. Truly a beautiful option.'
The Guardian
18-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
More people aged 65+ are trying out cannabis. Here's what to know about the risks and benefits
Polls suggest Americans aged 65 and older are trying cannabis for the first time more than any other group in the country. This trend is propelled by decreased stigma and increased legalization, with 24 states and the District of Columbia allowing recreational use (in the UK, recreational use is still illegal). But there's something else too. Getting older comes with its challenges, physically and emotionally. Some people are betting on cannabis as a way to navigate these hurdles. Research indicates older adults primarily use cannabis for health-related issues, like poor sleep, pain and mental health concerns such as anxiety. Dr Alison Moore, a geriatrician and University of California San Diego professor, can see a future in which cannabis plays a part in older patient healthcare. The issue is that current science can't prove most of the reasons why this group wants to use it. Despite the lack of evidence, 'we do know people find it useful', she says. 'Older adults are the fastest-growing market, and there's a reason for that.' We spoke to experts about the benefits and risks of using cannabis as an older adult. Cannabis is a group of plant varieties, or strains – notably Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Its main chemicals, called cannabinoids, are THC and CBD. THC has a psychoactive effect. CBD does not, but can create a feeling of relaxation. State laws typically require legal dispensaries to disclose the amounts of THC and CBD in products, explains Angela Bryan, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder who studies the potential risks and benefits of cannabis use among older adults. These amounts are typically shown as a ratio. 'Regardless of whether someone wants to use cannabis recreationally or medicinally, the recommendation is to start low, go slow,' says Bryan. Cannabinoids such as THC bind to receptors in the body's endocannabinoid system, leading to the drug's effects. This system maintains homeostasis and regulates metabolism, but becomes less efficient with age, Bryan explains. As a result, cannabis is metabolized more slowly. That said, because people don't age the same, there will be differences. Additionally, THC can accumulate in fat. Because older adults tend to experience an increase in fat mass and a decrease in muscle mass, THC effects are more pronounced, explains Moore. Older adults often take multiple medications, so they should consult a healthcare provider before using cannabis, says Moore. Some data suggests people may not adjust prescription doses when adding cannabis, increasing the risk of harmful side effects like impaired cognition or increased anxiety. Cannabis has become more potent over the years. Bryan advises starting with low THC before trying stronger options. Low THC may also reduce reactions like paranoia and anxiety, she says. Before using cannabis, discuss it with your doctor, says Moore. You can go over your medical history, including current and past medications, and why you want to try the drug. There is little clarity on which cannabis products are most effective for specific medical needs, says Christopher Kaufmann, an assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He emphasizes the need for more research on cannabis use, specifically in older adults, who may face greater risks due to conditions like tachycardia and poor blood pressure. While there's insufficient evidence for recommending cannabis, doctors can advise on potential benefits and risks. In older adults, common side effects like dizziness, drowsiness and confusion may increase fall risk, and cannabis could worsen cognitive impairment in those already affected, explains Dr Mark Lachs, chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. If patients already use cannabis, Moore asks them to bring it to their next appointment to review whether the dosage and method of administration are appropriate. Because products can be mislabeled, she emphasizes the importance of purchasing from licensed dispensaries, where accuracy is more likely. Certain forms may suit specific needs better, says Bryan. For instance, smoked products offer faster relief than edibles, making them preferable for immediate pain. But if you have a history of lung disease, avoid vaping and smoking. A downside of edibles is that you can't undo overconsumption. 'People tend not to oversmoke,' Bryan says. 'They feel the effect they want and stop.' Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion Moore, Kaufmann and colleagues co-authored a 2020 study of 568 adults surveyed at a geriatric clinic, where most used cannabis for health issues like sleeping troubles, aches and anxiety. Three-quarters of participants found it 'somewhat' or 'extremely' helpful. While such use is common, scientific evidence supporting these health benefits is limited. Research is stronger on cannabis's effectiveness for neuropathic pain, spasticity and nausea. The gap between self-reported benefits and scientific evidence is partly due to missing data and a reliance on observational studies, which are prone to biases. Bryan calls for more double-blind randomized controlled trials using legal cannabis products, though these are challenging to conduct because of the tightly regulated schedule I status of cannabis. Self-reported benefits still matter, Bryan says, even if there's a placebo effect. 'If people experience relief, if they find a way to do it that fits into their life and is safe for them, then that is fantastic,' she says. Moore thinks cannabis has 'the potential to address some of the common issues we see with ageing', but the barriers to studying it have impeded progress. Because short-term use of cannabis may improve positive mood, this might explain why people find it helpful, regardless of whether cause and effect can be validated, she explains. Aaron Greenstein, a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist, says patients inquire about cannabis for sleep, pain and general wellbeing. But whether it's helpful, and how much, can be very subjective, he says, and he's observed that most of his patients who have hoped cannabis could help with wellbeing end up not sticking with it. 'Part of the fascination with marijuana is that it is advertised as a quick fix,' he says. 'But there's a limit to how effective it can be.' In a 2020 study on people aged 21 to 70, Bryan and colleagues found that frequent use of edibles for sleep was linked to poorer sleep over time. She notes this pattern mirrors findings on other sleep aids: they work initially but lose effectiveness eventually. Sparing, as-needed use is generally more helpful. The study also found participants, especially older adults, slept better with higher CBD intake. While products with more THC may offer short-term relief, those with high-dose CBD and low-dose THC were better for sleep. 'A combination of occasional CBD use along with some behavioral changes is probably the best recommendation' for people experiencing persistent, disruptive sleep problems, says Bryan. Moore has come across seniors who want to transition from hypnotic medications, like Ambien, to cannabis. But there's a lack of data comparing the two, she says. When it comes to improving sleep, there are often more effective alternatives to cannabis and medications such as Ambien, says Lachs. These include options like gabapentin and melatonin, but he particularly recommends behavioral interventions like CBT-I, or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Ultimately, 'the jury is still out on whether cannabis can be used to treat sleep', says Kaufmann. 'There definitely needs to be more studies.'
