Latest news with #ClinicalNeuroimaging
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
THC seltzers rise in popularity: What to know about the drinks
Seltzer selections are growing in local grocery stores, gas stations, and liquor stores to include a new iteration, THC-infused seltzers. THC-infused beverages, sometimes referred to as "gardening drinks" on social media, are catching the eyes of consumers looking for alternatives to alcoholic beverages. The THC beverage industry is expected to be a $4 billion industry by 2028, according to Euromonitor International, a London-based market research company. Here is what to know about the increasingly popular drinks. THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound found in marijuana, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. THC seltzers are made by infusing THC into carbonated drinks, creating a new subcategory of seltzers and a new means of cannabis consumption. The drinks come with different percentages of THC per serving. Marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa plant which contains many chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. The most well-known cannabinoid is THC, recognized for causing feelings of euphoria or intoxication. Cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC are classified as hemp, while those with higher levels of THC - the compound responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effects - are considered marijuana. In 2018, President Donald Trump signed the 2018 farm bill into law, which legalized industrial hemp. Under the law, products containing cannabis byproducts, such as cannabanoid oil, must be below 0.3 percent THC. The law also moved the regulation and testing of industrial hemp to states. Not your recess refreshment: New SunnyD Vodka Seltzer draws in nostalgic appeal and new criticisms Currently, only 18 states have regulations on hemp, many of which are similar to regulations on alcohol, according to Diana Eberlein, chair of the Coalition of Adult Beverage Alternatives, an advocacy organization that includes hemp beverage manufacturers, partners and alcohol retailers and distributors. Eberlein told "Good Morning America" the coalition is working to put regulations in place across more states. Consuming THC produces a psychoactive effect, according to the DEA. THC seltzers are sold in a wide range of potencies -- ranging from 2.5 MG to 100 MG -- that can affect different people in different ways, according to Staci Gruber, Ph.D., director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core and the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery program at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts. CBD hit the mainstream as a trendy sleep aid, but does it work? In states where there are no regulations, THC seltzers may be found on store shelves next to non-THC seltzer drinks and energy drinks. Gruber, also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, noted that side effects of drinking THC seltzers may include increased heart rate, nausea and feelings of anxiousness and paranoia. According to the DEA, side effects of THC also include feelings of relaxation and disinhibition, as well as increased appetite, sedation, increased sociability, difficulty in thinking and problem-solving, hallucinations, impaired judgment, reduced coordination and distorted perception. Experts advise that if you are going to consume THC seltzers, start with a low dose and take it slow. THC seltzers rise in popularity: What to know about the drinks originally appeared on
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
CBD For Inflammation: Does It Work?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a popular supplement for a range of purported health benefits, including anti-inflammatory effects. But does research support the anti-inflammatory claims often touted by CBD retailers and some health care practitioners? While research indicates CBD may reduce inflammation in the body, scientists and experts agree further clinical trials are necessary to understand this specific effect of CBD. Read on to learn more about what experts know about CBD's potential effect on inflammation, including types of CBD available, pros and cons of using CBD for inflammation, recommended dosages and more. Forbes Health covers CBD and cannabis products in accordance with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines. Learn more about Forbes Health's practices and policies regarding how we cover CBD and cannabis as a publisher. Thanks to its potentially beneficial health effects, CBD—a naturally occurring active ingredient in the cannabis sativa plant—is popular in products like CBD oils, CBD gummies and topical CBD creams and lotions. Unlike the intoxicatingly psychoactive effects of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another abundant cannabinoid in hemp, CBD is not psychoactive. Among health benefits like supporting sleep and reducing anxiety, researchers believe CBD may help reduce inflammation. While inflammation is a natural and protective bodily response to injury and illness, excessive and chronic inflammation can lead to negative health effects, such as chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, heart disease and more. 'As CBD has been shown to have significant anti-inflammatory properties, there is clear interest and investment in exploring CBD-containing products for inflammatory conditions,' says Staci Gruber, Ph.D., director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core and Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) program at Mass General Brigham's McLean Hospital. Along with other naturally occurring cannabinoids, CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex and widespread network of cannabinoid receptors and enzymes that influence metabolism, appetite, movement, emotional regulation and many other biological functions. Researchers are still working to understand exactly how the ECS functions in the human body, as well as how consuming external cannabinoids, such as CBD oils or gummies, interact with and affect its functions, including reducing inflammation. A 2019 review in Antioxidants confirms early research is promising regarding CBD's ability to lower systemic inflammation, noting CBD's favorable lack of psychoactive effects. Additional research suggests CBD may be beneficial in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic digestive condition in which inflammation may play a role, according to a 2023 review in Current Developments in Nutrition. Researchers agree further clinical studies are needed to fully understand CBD's role in mitigating inflammation. Potential CBD Side Effects and Risks of CBD for Inflammation CBD is often touted as a natural and holistic remedy, but using CBD products may pose risks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), potentially harmful side effects of CBD may include: Damage to the liver Appetite changes and digestive problems, such as diarrhea Potentially harmful interactions with prescription medications Sedation Mood changes, including irritability The CDC advises pregnant and breastfeeding individuals against using products containing CBD due to lack of comprehensive safety data. Consumers can find retail CBD products in various forms, from topical creams and ointments to orally administered oils, tinctures and edibles. 'Some individuals find clinical benefit from using products that are applied directly to the skin, either in forms like topicals or transdermal patches,' says Dr. Gruber. 'Importantly, however, bioavailability (the amount of a substance which actively enters circulation in order to have an effect) is considered fairly low for skin-based applications, and as a result, many choose to supplement these products with an orally administered, more 'systemic' approach.' With any type of CBD product, bioavailability is difficult to predict, says Dr. Gruber. She suggests that CBD oils held under the tongue for several seconds before swallowing may have enhanced bioavailability and therefore a more potent effect. 'Some newer formulation types are designed to have exponentially greater bioavailability, and I look forward to actual empirical data regarding their impact,' notes Dr. Gruber. Those interested in using CBD for acute or systemic inflammation should first consult a health care provider to ensure the cannabinoid is appropriate for their unique needs. 'First and foremost, it is important for anyone with an inflammatory condition to be highly vigilant and mindful of what is in the [CBD] product and what is not,' advises Dr. Gruber. 'Insist on certificates of analyses (COAs) that match the batch of product you're choosing to ensure the specific amounts of cannabinoids on the label are actually contained in the product.' COAs should confirm the absence of health-compromising contaminants, including pesticides, yeast, mold and heavy metals, among others, she adds. In addition to COAs, individuals interested in using CBD for inflammation may want to consider whether a product is organic, taste preferences for orally consumed products like oils and gummies, known allergies, personal budget and more. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't provide official dosing recommendations for retail CBD products, so consumers should consult a knowledgeable health care professional about appropriate dosing and duration of treatment, as well as carefully read manufacturer recommendations. A 2024 review in Molecules found that daily oral doses of CBD between 15 to 160 milligrams demonstrated no negative side effects. However, Dr. Gruber notes that oral CBD dosing is highly nuanced. 'Dosing depends so much on a variety of individual factors, including age, sex, previous history with cannabis, genetics, family history (if considering products that contain THC), metabolism and use of other medications or substances, to name a few,' she explains. 'There is no 'one size fits all' or even 'one size fits most' when it comes to cannabis and cannabinoid-based therapies.'
