The Bengal Bite 🐯 | The Science of Cannabis | October 16, 2020
From helping with insomnia to managing and mitigating migraines, studies are beginning to show the efficacy of cannabis and cannabinoids as medicine. Since Delta-9-THC (commonly referred to simply as “THC,” the most common active ingredient in cannabis) remains illegal at the federal level, industry and academia alike have only just begun to understand the “science of cannabis.” However, preliminary findings are highly encouraging and we are excited to see deeper studies into how cannabinoids can be harnessed to benefit patients in need.
The Bengal Capital Team
Study finds cannabis effective for 82% of migraine patients
A survey of nearly 10,000 U.S. and Canadian migraine patients found that a third have tried medical cannabis to relieve their pain, and that 82% of those who have tried cannabis found it effective in providing pain relief. Read more in the Pain News Network.
Medical cannabis isn’t associated with cognitive problems for older adults, study finds
A new study suggests medical cannabis use is not associated with cognitive problems in older adults. The results of the study conducted by researchers in Israel showed no statistically relevant differences between non-cannabis and cannabis users when it came to cognitive function. Read more on this study in Forbes.
Study: cannabis use increases for older Americans
A University of San Diego School of Medicine study shows that the stigma around cannabis continues to dissipate, especially in older Americans. They found that of the 600 patients surveyed (all over the age of 60), 15% of patients reported that they used the plant regularly for medical purposes, of which 61% of patients had only started using cannabis after age 60. Read more on how perspectives are changing on cannabis in Green Flower.
The race for artificial cannabinoids heats up
As of today, the cheapest way of generating the main active ingredient in cannabis, Delta-9-THC, is through traditional cultivation and extraction. However, some scientists anticipate that cannabinoids will be produced cost effectively in laboratories someday soon. “Soon” is the operative word, however, as the timeline for these moonshot projects is uncertain. The company that does solve the artificial cannabinoid puzzle will be positioned to reap vast rewards. Read more in Bloomberg News Network.
Delta-8-THC promises to get you high without the paranoia or anxiety
Delta-9-THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis plants, is a potent medicine capable of treating nausea, pain, and insomnia effectively. However, too much Delta-9-THC can trigger side effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and dizziness. Now some cannabis consumers are turning to an obscure analogue called Delta-8-THC. The difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 is subtle. Both have medicinal benefits and are naturally occurring in the cannabis plant, but Delta-8 is about half as potent as Delta-9. Also, Delta-8 is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Read more on this exotic cannabinoid in Discover Magazine.