CBD Health

“I am the raffinate!” These four cosmic words have stayed with me since John MacKay, Ph.D., said them. The scene was Concentration 2019 and the topic was cannabis extraction.

I introduced John as our keynote speaker and created a “John Mosaic” from the images I found, one of which showed the famous models. John had brought his soap, shampoo, and conditioner from his hotel room and he had them in a pile next to his molecular models.

The bath products were confusing. I had no idea where we were going, but after hearing John several times before, I really wanted to go.

Here John started talking about showering. He compared the process to cannabis extraction. The purpose of the shower is to remove dirt and debris to cleanse your body and leave it behind as raffinate.

True teachers can be hard to find. These are people who enjoy the chance to share their knowledge with other eager minds who are hungry for education. In addition, the best often spruce up their dialogue with a variety of analogies and unforgettable soundbites. John took a few things from his room to teach the audience in terms that everyone could understand. He added humor to the scary and made for a memorable and educational experience.

I recently spoke to John about his career, which put him in the heart of Cannabis sativa.

JSL: You’ve spent your career with natural products, haven’t you? How did you get into the cannabis industry? What was also different for you about working with an emerging industry that doesn’t have as many early structures as there are in other industries?

JM: I have spent my life developing tools for companies that relied on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of mixtures that could be separated using chromatography. In the 1980s, I focused on the initial development of photodiode array technology. In the 1990s this included interfacial chromatography with mass spectrometry. In the 2000s this included smaller packed chromatography columns and then the need for acquisition rates to keep up with the separation. Over the past decade, it has been scaling up the extraction and separation tools for the cannabis industry. In the early days of cannabis legalization, I helped bring the university-trained scientists together with the chemists trained by generations of practical knowledge. I believe both had the key to improving the processes in terms of the end product.

JSL: What are the three most important things you learned about cannabis that you didn’t know before entering the industry?

JM: Three out of hundreds of things I learned before I got into the industry? Take the number of days from late 2012 to 2021, multiply by at least three, and you will get a more precise value to choose from.

• My perception of the industry was based on prejudices about who was using the facility for what reason.
• My perception of the plant had a tendency based on “it’s just another natural product”.
• My perception of the work that had to be done to solve the challenges ahead was based on the first two. Politics, social affairs, science and economy.

JSL: What do you think is the most advanced cannabis extraction technology on the market right now? Are there techniques that you’ve seen in other industries that may work for cannabis but haven’t caught on yet?

JM: How long is a piece of string? Current technologies are based on what was done in dark laboratories in basements or garages. We have to be careful that technology is not limited to what it is today. When I pass fuel processing plants, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical facilities for medicine, universities with extensive research on natural products, and community colleges with facilities for training the next generation of keen minds in the science and chemical engineering of experimental processes, I see how bring it down Bring productivity and quality to market through design and new product formulations.

JSL: What do you think is the biggest misunderstanding in the world of cannabis extraction?

JM: The plant grows, magic happens and cannabis is on the shelf. Somewhere in the wondrous middle, magic happens. When people are faced with a phenomenon they do not understand, the mind invents things to bridge the unknown.

Concentration is the concept. Concentration has two main processes: extraction (using a different solvent, interacting with solutes – e.g. ethanol, hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide) and separation (using a mechanical separation that does not take into account the differences in solubility – e.g. hashish) .

JSL: In my crystal ball, I see you looking into your crystal ball and looking into the future of cannabis extraction and product purification techniques, do’s and don’ts, fads and mainstays. Can you describe the scene you see? Where is this industry going in 5 or 10 years?

JM: The turning point will come in the United States of America when research is allowed to be carried out in universities. This will open the doors for the creative minds of our enthusiastic youth. And then the experienced faculty will join the practitioners to make all phases of process control available to the market.

If this phase is not done correctly, there will be more political attitudes towards lobbyists, more media drama and more confusion due to the marketing of the products and formulations.

If done correctly, the United States will have over-the-counter formulations for personalized drugs made from compounds that are currently more illegal. Stores will have shelves of health and wellness products for the educated consumer to choose from. There will be an understanding of the effects and precautions of interactions with other compounds.

JSL: How do you suggest that those new to the industry search the marketing literature to lay a solid foundation for scientific fact?

JM: Marketing should be like natural products. This is not easy with the full spectrum products because there are so many compounds that could or should be in them. It is difficult to look at products with a full spectrum. More products are rated by consumers as more and more people use them and add their opinions.

JSL: Looking back on your career and all of your experiences, what do you think the cannabis industry offers that you may not have been able to achieve before?

JM: I’m going to give you three analog viewpoints (analogy and logic blending):

• Lewis and Clark Opportunity: President Lincoln funded the Program to Find the Easy Path to the Pacific. It was a time of a whole new world. They relied on the local experts to guide them. The expedition, combined with their “state-of-the-art” documentation of what they saw, opened the west to the industrial east coast and changed the world.

• It reminds me of the second verse of Chris Stapleton’s song “Starting Over”.

This may not be an easy time
There are rivers to cross and hills to climb

Some days we might fall apart
And some nights could feel cold and dark

But nobody gains fear of losing
And the tough roads are the ones worth choosing

One day we’ll look back and smile
And do you know it was worth every mile

• We bring pharmacognosy, ethnobotany and personalized medicine to the next generation with challenges in chemistry and chemical engineering.

Genetic mutation enhances the functioning of the endocannabinoid system, which blocks pain

Some rare and very happy families have inherited insensitivity to pain. From cuts and burns to usually painful hand surgeries, some people experience no pain. In the case study, “Microdeletion in an FAAH pseudogene identified in a patient with high anandamide levels and insensitivity to pain,” a 66-year-old woman with this rare disorder was examined and the researchers were amazed at what her DNA revealed.

The woman who feels no pain

In this case, it was found that the pain-insensitive patient has a genetic disorder that causes a deficiency in the function of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Doctors were surprised after she underwent hand surgery and had no post-operative pain. Also, in her previous medical interventions, including hip replacements and dental work, she did not need pain relievers (analgesics) and had quick healing without pain when it came to cuts and burns. She could even eat extremely hot peppers with no discomfort! Even more surprising is that she has not experienced any anxiety or depression and says that she does not panic in dangerous or anxious situations.

FAAH Mutation Enhanced Endocannabinoid Signaling

The researchers decided to examine the patient’s DNA and found that a deletion mutation on chromosome 1 was inherited from her father, who also had no pain sensation. This inheritable DNA deletion means that your FAAH enzymes won’t break down complex molecules into simpler ones as they should. FAAH normally breaks down fatty acid amides (FAAs) like anandamide (AEA), which are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). AEA is like the natural version of the cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and also affects how the ECS sends messages about pain and fear to the body.

New goals for drug development

The ECS helps regulate body functions such as pain perception and fear perception. Mice that lack a functioning FAAH, like the patient, have increased AEA blood concentrations, improved endocannabinoid signal transmission, rapid wound healing and a poor sense of pain. This has made FAAH inhibitors an exciting target for drug development. Previous attempts were unsuccessful, but this new genetic information may allow researchers to make progress in the future.

Picture: https://unsplash.com/photos/NFvdKIhxYlU from the National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

References

1. Habib AM, Okorokov AL, Hill MN et al. Microdeletion in an FAAH pseudogene identified in a patient with high levels of anandamide and insensitivity to pain. British Journal of Anesthesia. 2019; 123 (2): e249-e253. doi: 10.1016 / j.bja.2019.02.019 Accessed on April 5, 2021. ‌https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007091219301382

I heard differently CBD stories but none is as convincing as this for Leni Acosta Knight. This is a story of courage, healing, and hope despite the fortuitous curve balls of life.

Before we learn how Leni handled CBD and what she’s currently doing with it, here is some information to familiarize you with the main character of the story.

Leni’s story is fascinating and she can rightly be called an iron woman. In 2010 she moved to Sierra Leone to do a work assignment. There she rolled the dice and teamed up with some locals to look for gold. It took two years of hard work and sheer grit to go beyond the coyote hole and actually develop real nuggets. Needless to say, this venture was capital intensive and the iron lady Leni Knight happened to be the financier. At this point, it’s important to mention that she was the only woman on the mining team who was otherwise made up of black macho men.

You guessed right?

A lot of money was lost and Leni had to return to the USA in 2012 empty-handed. After Leni had lost almost all of her financial fortune, she was ready for a fresh start, which she had, but life had even more shockers ahead of her.

Leni withdrew prematurely from the financial world and was forced by a close friend to rekindle her passion for art painting.

Leni sold her first painting in 2015; Then she got into real business. She took the time to find a genre that she loves and that turned out to be an expression of her real life. Her art focuses on abstract expressionism and classical realism.

Art & symbolism

And then there was this special work of art.

There was a figure of a man and a woman hugging, and then later it erased the man and left the woman. The female had a red dot on her right breast.

Leni couldn’t think of a suitable way to get rid of the stubborn red dot.

So she wanted to throw the canvas away, but her husband urged her to hold on to it.

The painting is preserved, as is the red dot.

A month later, she did her regular mammogram and “the red dot” reappeared in the form of a lump on her right breast. A month later, her worst fears were confirmed – she had breast cancer. Being the brave woman she is Leni didn’t take much persuasion to perform an almost instant double mastectomy.

Looking back, she thinks the botched painting is a premonition.

Fortunately, by the end of 2018, all of the cancer cells were eliminated and she didn’t have to undergo chemotherapy. However, she was given cancer drugs, the side effects of which were so severe. In her opinion, the experience was worse than chemotherapy. She couldn’t get up or do anything for herself. After a while, she asked her doctor to stop the medication.

Leni’s CBD trip

When Leni stopped taking the hard medication, she had to find a replacement to keep going.

Eating properly and exercising regularly will drive you on the path to healthy recovery.

Back at the hospital, Leni had joined a self-help group for women that invited various doctors. It’s in this group that she got introduced in CBD that has less than 0.3% THC.

Marijuana is illegal in Hawaii, but CBD is not.

Leni quickly started with CBD. She reports that CBD relaxes her and leaves her with no side effects, so it’s much better than the medications she’s been on before. For Leni, CBD is all about relaxation and restful sleep. It’s a great substitute for the cancer drugs that would keep you in bed all day.

Leni also admits that art was a big part of her healing.

Lacosta CBD chocolates are born

Leni always wanted to do something with her brother, who is a professor of culinary arts. At first she wanted to get him to make some fancy recipes, and she wanted to design beautiful boxes for the recipes. But after starting with CBD, she came up with the idea of ​​making CBD with chocolate infusion. The ones she took were amazing, but she wanted to go a step further and make gourmet CBD chocolates.

Yes, this is Leni Acosta Knight for you.

As the driven siblings that they are, they moved quickly with the Lacosta chocolates. When their first order was announced, it was sold out within minutes.

Leni reports that the pralines are so delicious that she ate four bars at once when she first sent them! Each bar contains 200 mg of CBD and Leni fell asleep immediately after enjoying this. This is what you can expect from a culinary maestro!

Of course, Leni’s brand has an artistic touch. Each box of chocolates contains a characteristic work of art such as Desiderata or “Bring him home”, which has a war theme. Her original Desiderata painting was donated to the Hawaii Women’s Cancer Center.

The Lacosta chocolates are already causing waves in the market.

Leni’s story is inspiring in every way. Her resilient mind is insatiable and it’s no wonder she is already a force to be reckoned with in the CBD market.

What the law ensures is not a guarantee of what companies insure. That is, just because medicinal cannabis is legal in 33 states, just because the majority of states allow residents to buy and use medicinal cannabis, just because the majority of studies draw the same conclusion that medicinal cannabis can improve health and well-being does not mean that every insurer in these states will reimburse patients who use medicinal cannabis. However, there is a cover. Policies are available, premiums affordable, providers accessible or: what is legal is insurable, although this fact deserves more attention.

Whether the party in need is a person or a private company, whether the person needs medical cannabis to work, or whether a company needs insurance for workers using medical cannabis, individual or group insurance is real.

More importantly, medical cannabis is no longer an excuse for insurers to charge higher premiums. Whatever stigma this or that person ascribes to this subject, whatever the stigma persists, despite numerous tests and extensive testimony from patients, the stigma is false.

The link between medical cannabis and health is too strong to be dismissed and too significant to be denied. The connection between medical cannabis and wellness is also too believable to reject and too compelling to reject. However, this connection is a disclosure requirement of an insurance professional.

This duty is a duty to inform: to act, not to react, so that people who need help – people who deserve help – can not only live better, but can also live well; Live with the knowledge that medical cannabis is not a vice; Live with insurance to buy good medical cannabis, the virtues of which are multiple and verifiable; Live more active and productive lives thanks to doctors, scientists, activists, lawyers, and insurance agents.

This duty is a matter of communication.

By investing the time to explain why insurance complements health in general, and the value of medicinal cannabis in particular, insurance professionals expand the possibilities. Parent with Parkinson’s, father with PTSD, mother with MS, coworker with cancer – if one or all of them can benefit from medical cannabis, no one should have to go bankrupt to get better. Everyone should know that insurance removes the cruelty of this wrong choice.

Then where do we go from here?

What can we do to promote health and wellbeing with the understanding that the cannabis industry is at the forefront of science and technology?

What we can do, what we have to do is: lead.

By leading the public to a solution, by showing the public that a solution is neither elusive nor expensive, by explaining to the public why a solution is essential, the public wins.

This victory is attainable provided knowledge and action are one. In other words, awareness is a recipe for planning – and acting. That we realize how medical cannabis can help people, that we realize that people need help, that we realize that we can help, that realizing these things requires us to do something. Not anything, but something.

Meritorious because it is right and right because it is moral, we must defend medical cannabis insurability. This defense promotes health and wellbeing, and increases support through education and ongoing public outreach.

This defense is a solemn cause.

That defense is our call to glory.

Thanks to them 2018 Farm BillHemp production has been legalized and is now different from other cannabis plants. Not only does this mean more protection for hemp farmers under the federal law on crop insurance, but it is an exciting opportunity for companies in the hemp apparel industry.

Hemp is still defined as a cannabis plant, but cannot contain more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As such, the plant cannot cause psychoactive experiences in those who consume it and its compounds.

However, hemp is much more than just a plant to eat. The plant has long been used for industrial purposes. Today, consumers can find numerous products made from hemp, including clothing and shoes.

Hemp: An ideal textile for sneakers and clothing

There are many materials currently used to make clothes and shoes, some better than others. However, hemp has many properties that make it an ideal material for making clothes and shoes:

• Hypoallergenic. The non-allergenic properties Hemp means that it won’t irritate the skin.
• Thermoregulation. Your feet won’t sweat as easily thanks to the ability of hemp thermoregulate.
• Antibacterial. Shoes tend to smell and hold on to odors. But if made from hemp, that antibacterial nature of the fabric means that bad smells are not kept as easily as with other fabrics, especially synthetic materials.
• Strength. Hemp fibers are known to be extremely strong, which can help shoes last longer.

Those who value the environmentally friendly nature of hemp for clothing and trainers will also find hemp as an attractive material. In particular, hemp has the following properties:

• Sustainable. There is no need to use harmful pesticides or herbicides to grow hemp, which makes it a sustainable crop.
• Bio. Hemp is grown and manufactured in such a way that it becomes an organic fiber.
• Light decomposed. Since hemp is a natural material, it has a very small carbon footprint compared to artificial materials.

Hemp-based clothing and shoe brands

Here are just a few of the hemp-based apparel and shoe brands:

• Sanuk
• Virblatt
• Bohemia
• Jungmaven
• Rawganique
• Patagonia hemp clothing collection
• Recoverers
• Hempy’s
• Tact & stone
• Valani
• Outerknown

Consumers looking for an organic, natural textile that is sustainable and non-polluting will find hemp-based clothing and shoes an attractive alternative to other fabrics, especially synthetic ones.

Image source: StockSnap from Pixabay

One of the problems with cannabis use is the decreased semen quality in men and the increased risk of testicular germ cell cancer.[1] Researchers at the University of Denmark are conducting studies to answer some of the questions about how cannabis affects male fertility. The use of cannabis products creates pharmacological effects in our body by acting on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). To gain more information about the interaction between plant cannabinoids and the endocannabinoids produced in our bodies, researchers examined the expression of components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the tissues and cells of the human testes. This included cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), the enzymes that produce the endocannabinoids, and the enzymes that break down endocannabinoids. [2] The aim of this study was to investigate at which stages of sperm production the ECS components begin to express and to determine whether other reproductive cells contain components of the ECS.

Using specific antibody staining techniques, the researchers were able to map where the various components of the ECS were located in human testis tissues. This allowed for a visual representation of receptors and enzymes that are present in developing sperm. By examining both germ cells in various stages of spermatogenesis and somatic cells, we know that the ECS components are expressed in a stage-specific manner during the maturation of the sperm. The most robust expression of the ECS components was demonstrated in postmeiotic spermatids. [1]

Previous reports had highlighted the presence of CB1 receptors in human spermatogony, but this was the first study to highlight the presence of both CB1 and CB2 receptor expression. Several detection methods confirmed this. Questions remain as to which isoforms of the cannabinoid receptors are present due to specific methodological restrictions. Both enzymes responsible for the production of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerin (2-AG) were detected in the tissue of the testes, but only the 2-AG molecule was seen in the samples and in very low concentrations . 2-AG needs to be removed from a specific duct to facilitate fertilization of the sperm. The enzymes that remove 2-AG were also detected in spermatogonia, but not in early-stage spermatocytes, suggesting the involvement of the ECS in reproductive cells prior to meiosis. [3]

Remarkably, the expression of the synthesizing and degrading enzymes of the ECS was not continuously expressed in the reproductive cells. Instead, the expression patterns were different depending on the stage of growth of the sperm. This suggests that endocannabinoids are likely involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and therefore a disruption of normal ECS functions could lead to impaired sperm production.

photo::

https://pixabay.com/photos/sperm-egg-fertilization-sex-cell-956481/

References:

[1] Nielsen JE et al. Characterization and localization of the endocannabinoid system components in the adult human testis. Sci Rep. 2019; 9 (12866): 10.1038 / s41598-019-49177-y. Times quoted = 17th Journal Impact Factor = 3.998.
[2] Lu H et al. An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Biol psychiatry. 2016; 79 (7): 10.1016 / j.biopsych.2015.07.028. Times quoted = 509. Journal Impact Factor = 12,095.
[3] Miller MR et al. Unconventional endocannabinoid signals control sperm activation via the sex hormone progesterone. Science. 2017; 352 (6285): 10.1126 / science.aad6887. Times quoted = 140. Journal Impact Factor = 41.845.

Can cannabinoids help with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

Cannabinoid-based therapies have taken center stage as a new point of interest in clinical research. To date, there are thousands of clinical studies and case reports examining the effects of cannabinoids on diseases such as cancer, anorexia, HIV & AIDS, Alzheimer’s, COPD, migraines, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma, among others.

When it comes to obsessive-compulsive disorder, many cannabis enthusiasts can agree that this was out of the question.

As the name indicates, OCD is a condition that is an obsession with performing repetitive tasks in a way that the rest of the population will interpret as “abnormal”. For example, people who are too conscious of cleanliness or tidiness often joke that they are obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many may not realize that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a disability that can prevent one from having an everyday life.

But can cannabinoids really help with OCD?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder has been associated with high levels of dysfunction. Common symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder include fear of dirt contamination, obsession with symmetry, fear of insecurity, aggression, and fear of shaking hands.

Where does cannabis come from?

Cannabinoids are bioactive compounds that exert therapeutic benefits by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS maintains homeostasis by modulating various processes such as pain control, moods, and memory.

Have there been studies linking cannabinoids to obsessive-compulsive disorder?

To date, no clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of cannabinoids in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder.

However, recent research has shown that cannabinoids can help relieve anxiety and other symptoms related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. [1]

In this study, the ECS showed that it plays an important role in regulating anxiety, stress, and repetitive behaviors.

Researchers went through PubMed studies from early 2018 to look for studies involving cannabis, cannabinoids, or the ECS that have been linked to disorders or anxiety or disorders of the OC spectrum. About 150 articles were referred to in the first draft.

The researchers hypothesized that “the ECS may affect the neural circuitry that underlies Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and be a target for novel treatments.”

They concluded that the ECS plays a critical role in the underlying pathology and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. [1]

In addition, individual reports have shown that certain cannabinoids such as CBD can help relieve anxiety and insomnia, which are common symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

To date, there is no definitive medical cure for this condition. The Federal Drug Agency (FDA) has approved the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) to manage OCD. Unfortunately, SSRIs have some setbacks. For example, they can increase anxiety and anxiety, which in some cases makes them counterproductive. They also need a longer duration of action before patients can fully appreciate their effects.

Such studies have shown the potential that needs further investigation.

Image source

https://www.flickr.com/photos/91261194@N06/49723508176

References

Reilly R. Kayser, Ivar Snorrason, Margaret Haney, Francis S. Lee, and H. Blair Simpson. (2019). Cannabis and cannabinoid research. Volume: 4 Issue 2, pp. 77-87.

Clinical trials examining cannabidiol (CBD) as a potential treatment for gum disease are underway set to start in Australia. The groundbreaking research is being carried out by the medical cannabis company Impression Healthcare with products from the US cannabis manufacturer AXIM Biotechnologies.

Study participants use CBD-infused mouthwash and toothpaste. Researchers want to know if these products affect gingivitis and periodontal disease, common gum disease. The randomized controlled study included 40 affected participants. Everyone will use the products three times a day for 30 days so the researchers can monitor gum health.

“The formal registration of the gingivitis and periodontal study marks a significant advance in IHL’s medical cannabis activities and is the culmination of months of work by our team and research partners,” said Joel Latham, CEO of Impression, in a statement.

“We are pleased to have brought together highly qualified researchers for the world’s first study of the use of CBD in the treatment of gingivitis and gum disease, which are major problems that represent an important market.”

Medical interest in CBD has increased dramatically in recent years. Some studies show that CBD can have antibacterial propertiesthat might come into play in the gum disease study. Researchers from the University of Queensland’s Center for Superbug Solutions in Australia have demonstrated the ability of CBD to destroy many dangerous bacteria. [1]

“Cannabidiol showed little tendency to induce resistance in bacteria … We believe so [CBD] kills bacteria by rupturing their outer cell membranes. ” explained Mark Blaskovich, PhD, senior research fellow at the center. CBD’s ability to kill bacteria even includes antibiotic-resistant strains like MRSA (methicillin-resistant) Staphylococcus aureus).

It’s not exactly clear how the antibacterial properties of CBD work. Research is still young and unlike gum disease, many CBD studies have not left the animal testing phase behind. However, numerous clinical studies are in progress.

Image source: AlbanyColley of Pixabay

reference

1. Blaskovich MAT et al.The antimicrobial potential of cannabidiol. Commun Biol. 2021; 4 (7). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-020-01530-y