Science

Psychedelic use linked to 20% decreased hypertension risk, study finds

New research from the University of Oxford found a link between use of psychedelics and a decreased risk of hypertension. The findings are published in the recent issue of the journal Hypertension. “These findings may prove valuable for understanding the physical health outcomes of classic psychedelic use, with rigorous randomized controlled trials warranted to investigate…

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Science

Why mental health researchers are studying psychedelics all wrong

Supposedly, we are living through a “psychedelic renaissance.” Psychedelic science portrays itself as a vanguard revolutionizing mental health care, while remaining firmly focused on developing treatments defined within these same antiquated models. As psychedelic advocates and practitioners with decades of experience, having worked with thousands of people, we believe we need a serious examination of…

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Modern Culture

The public’s perception of the harms of magic mushrooms is in line with science – but not with the law

The study, which appears in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that psilocybin-containing mushrooms are considered less dangerous than alcohol, tobacco, and other substances. For their study, the researchers asked 151 participants to rank the dangerousness of ten different substances: alcohol, tobacco, prescription opiates, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, magic mushrooms, cannabis, LSD, and GHB… participants considered magic…

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Science

An elusive pathogen is damaging cannabis crops…

Viroids are not viruses but, rather, a plant-specific pathogenic RNA. HpLVd was first publicly announced in cannabis in California in 2019… testing for HpLVd is still not common practice in the marijuana or hemp industries. The biggest challenge in controlling hop latent viroid is the “latent” nature of the viroid. It is possible for the…

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Science

Is hempcrete the future of construction?

Hemp insulation is a special niche in the construction market that is yet to be fully maximized. A meager 0.5% of the whopping 3.3 million tons of insulation done each year pertains to hemp. For the future of hempcrete to grow in the industry, players in the construction industry must be educated on the material.…

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Science

…study shows cannabis reduces inflammatory ‘storms’…

…offers data that some cannabis strains help reduce a specific type of inflammatory distress – called a “cytokine storm” – that proceeds severe cases of acute respiratory distress… One of the studies’ main researchers, University of Lethbridge’s Department of Biological Sciences’… team has studied the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabis for years. Were they surprised by…

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Science

When getting high is [adult] hobby, not a habit

…offers the information in a spirit of radical transparency because he believes that if “grown-ups” like him would talk freely about the role of drugs in their lives, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in… [Dr. Carl Hart, a tenured professor of psychology at Columbia University, an experienced neuroscientist, a father] argues that…

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Science

CDC [United States Centers for Disease Control] recommends drug-checking services

The CDC appears to be moving, at least in part, past a major barrier currently obstructs local harm reductionists interested in providing drug-checking and similar services: drug paraphernalia criminalization.  Currently, the range of institutionalized US drug-checking services pales in comparison to what’s offered by organizations in Canada and some western European countries. The Centre for Drug Policy…

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Science

…DMT trials to take place…

DMT is a naturally occurring molecule which is found in hundreds of plants… secured approval to begin clinical trials with DMT. Research has suggested that people who’ve taken DMT, along with other psychedelics, can enjoy a long-lasting sense of connection with nature. A study that gave DMT to rats, meanwhile, found that it made them less anxious.…

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