Can You Pass an Oral Drug Test This Week?

Marijuana Oral Drug

Drug testing has been a thing forever, whether to check the existence of illicit drugs, alcohol or any other restricted substance like performance enhancing drugs in a person’s system. These have been a way to screen potential employees before recruiting them, or while selecting athletes for championships. 

While the tests still exist, one of the drugs previously categorized as an illicit drug has not been federally legalized. Well, kind of. 

Yup, we’re talking about cannabis. Whether you buy it with a medical marijuana card NY or recreationally with your state ID, you’re no longer committing a punishable offense. 

However, even with the legalization of hemp sourced cannabis, multiple companies still rely on drug screening for THC to accept or reject applicants. 

While states like New York and Nevada have laws protecting the consumption and employment rights of the people, others states have no such provisions. The laws limit a company’s right to reject an applicant simply for THC traces in their drug tests. On the contrary, states like California have no laws to protect these rights of the citizens. 

In states like CA, your cannabis consumption can cost you your dream job. And you obviously don’t want that. 

So if you have a drug test coming up, now might be a good time to put a hold on your consumption.  

Different Ways to Detect Marijuana During a Drug Test

With a variety of drug tests available, some could look for THC traces in your urine, another in the fluids found in your mouth or getting a sample of your hair. Depending on the type of test conducted, your test may or may not come out as positive. 

Hair Drug Test: With the longest window, these can show traces of upto 90 days

Urine Test: If you’ve consumed THC in the last 30 days, it might show up in the urinalysis

Blood Tests: These can show traces of upto a few weeks (3)

Oral Tests: These are best to find traces of immediate consumption (in the last 24 hours)

Your best gamble is to hope for an oral test. Both these tests only show traces of recent consumption unlike other tests. 

It is also important to remember that in these evaluations you are being tested for the presence of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and not any other cannabinoid. THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects, in other words, the high that comes with cannabis consumption. If you’ve consumed a cannabis product with no THC in it, such as a broad spectrum or isolated CBD product, you’re safe. 

As per the 2018 Farm Bill, all legally sold recreational hemp should have 0.3% THC or less, which may or may not show up on the drug test. Cannabis bought with a medical marijuana card NY can have much higher THC potency which is sure to show up on the test if you don’t take precautions.

How Long Can THC be Detected in the Mouth?

Let me explain how THC works. 

As long as THC is in the mouth it is still in its original form. However, when THC reaches the liver, it gets broken down into metabolites (THC-COOH). This metabolite gets stored in fatty tissue across the whole body, being removed from the body especially slowly. 

Most of these tests, therefore, look for the metabolite in the body which becomes easily detectable. 

But not oral tests. These are meant to find THC traces in the saliva, leaving a rather shorter window of detection. So if you smoked some high THC last week, you should be able to get away with a mouth swab. 

Unlike the metabolite that can be detected even a month after consumption, the THC traces in the mouth most often last between 24 hours (the usual) to 72 hours (with an advanced saliva test). This does not apply for chronic marijuana users. 

The duration of detectability depends on,

  • The THC potency of the product– Higher the THC content, the longer it’ll take
  • How often you consume it– More often the consumption, longer it’ll take to leave the body
  • How much you’re consuming– With more quantities consumed, more will have to be released
  • How much fat you have– More fatty tissues mean more space for THC storage
  • If you’ve consumed other products– If you’ve got other toxins to release, it’ll take longer

What are Some Things You Can Do to Pass a Saliva Test?

Honestly, you’ll be lucky to get a saliva test as the traces only last for so long. At the same time you can use some basic tricks to reduce the probability of showing up to the test with traces of THC in your mouth. 

Brush Your Teeth Multiple Times

Brushing your teeth a bunch of times can be a really neat trick to follow. Imagine you’re going to a dentist and get going.  Not just your teeth but be sure to clean your tongue and any part that could have traces of THC. Pay special attention to your gums. Make good use of floss to ensure there are no food particles stuck between your gaps.

Follow it up with good amounts of fluids to ensure no traces of THC remain. 

Over the Counter Mouthwash

It’s recommended that you follow up your brushing regime with some mouthwash. You’ll find a variety of over the counter mouthwashes or other special kits that you can find for this purpose. 

Consume Fatty Food

Food high in fats is known to increase cannabis’ bioavailability in the body. In other words, when you consume fatty food, it speeds up the THC absorption. This means that if you’re surprised with a urinalysis, you’re doomed. But with a saliva test, you should be good to go. 

Final Verdict

Consuming medical marijuana New York is guided by state laws which do not allow companies to reject applicants for traces of marijuana in their system. However, there are still some restrictions as to how much THC is acceptable in the system, especially for non-mmj users. 

Also the presence of traces might not be enough to shun your application but it can lead to biases or judgement at the workplace. It is therefore advisable to limit your consumption leading up to the D(rug test) day. 

A week’s time is enough to get rid of all THC traces from your mouth for a cotton swab test. While 24 hours might also be enough, you are recommended to stop all marijuana use the week leading up to your drug test. If you’re simply trying to take a tolerance break or are abstaining from cannabis, you’ve got plenty of time to get the hang of it.

Cannabis Inhaling Vs. Ingesting: What Should You Choose?

Cannabis Inhaling

Cannabis is everywhere, from what we put inside our bodies to what we put on it, the market is filled with varieties that we can’t wait to test and experiment with. But just because these products are out there does not mean they’re good for us. Whether the product you’re willing to try is a recreational gummy or a high potency medical vape you bought with a medical marijuana card NY, it’s necessary to be aware of all related implications.

Both inhalation and ingestion are the two most common ways of consuming cannabis. Both, however, have their own set of pros and cons.

In this article, we will pay attention to what these methods of cannabis consumption mean. How effective and convenient they are. And how they affect our health. By the end of the article, you should be able to decide the right method of consumption for yourself.

Cannabis Inhaling: Smoking and Vaping

Inhalation is definitely the most preferred method of administration when it comes to cannabis. Why? Because of how quickly it gets working. 

Smoking and vaping can get you feeling the effects the fastest, delivering the cannabis directly to the lungs, where it enters the bloodstream. You’re sure to start feeling the effects within a minute, that’s how efficient the method is. 

But the method isn’t without cons. Both smoking and vaping can have a negative impact on your lungs, leading to a bunch of other medical conditions. This is why a pro- medical marijuana New York doctor would not recommend this method of administration for an asthamatic patient or one prone to lung infections. 

Smoking is the most dangerous method of consumption, closely followed by vaping. While these methods aren’t as awful as nicotine smoking, they aren’t the most healthy form to get your dosage. 

Cannabis Ingesting: Edibles and Drinks

Anything cannabis that goes through your digestive tract before entering your bloodstream is ingestible. These could be your favorite CBD rich brownies, your Delta 8 energy drinks or broad spectrum gummy rings. It could even be food infused with CBD or your favorite lemon drink with peppermint CBD oil drops added to it. 

In other words, you’ll find the most diverse set of product bundles for ingestibles. 

What’s better, these are easier to dose. Gummies, capsules, chocolate bars, or other edibles, all come with easy dosage directions that you can follow. It’s always preferable to reassure yourself by reading through the certificate of analysis of the product. 

Here’s the thing- every ingestible has to be digested and metabolized by the liver before the CBD and THC can start showing their effects, making this one a slower process. At the same time, this method leads to stronger and long lasting effects as opposed to other fast acting methods. 

Unfortunately, there are a bunch of other factors that decide how you react to these doses. It could be what you’ve eaten or how much, how sensitive you are to the cannabinoids, if you’ve taken the right dosage etc. 

Making the Differences Clear

Difference Inhalation Ingestion
Fast Acting Smoking and vaping take between a few seconds to minutes in taking effect. All products that are digested first take somewhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours. 
Long Lasting The effects are quick but short lived. You can take a few puffs after a few hours.  The effects take longer to appear but stay for much longer as well. You need to wait a few hours before ingesting more. 
Easier Dosage It can be difficult to measure how much you’re consuming in puffs.  For packaged goods, doses are predefined so you can easily administer as per directions. 
Safer Administration Smoking and vaping can be harmful for the lungs.  These do not harm any organ specifically. 
Intoxication  Since you feel its effects early on, it’s not prone to over intoxication.  The effects can take a few hours to show, leading users to consume more doses that can lead to over intoxicity. 
Taste The flowers have a natural earthy flavor but you can opt for alternatives with added flavor.  The capsules have no flavor, while the gummies, and drinks are available in multiple flavors. 

Making the Choice

We’ve already discussed what comes with both inhalation and ingestion of CBD products. Now all that’s left is for you to make the choice. 

Picking the right type of product can be pretty easy, if you just keep these questions in mind.

  • Do you need quick effects or long lasting effects?
  • Are you capable of managing your own doses or do you prefer easy dosage?
  • Are you willing to put your lungs at risk or do you prefer a safer method of consumption?
  • What type of consumption does your medical marijuana NY doctor recommend? 

You can also go as far as experimenting with different products and modes of administration till you find the right one. In any case, if you’re a first time user, always opt for smaller doses and lighter potencies. 

For medical marijuana users, a piece of advice from your MMJ doctor can be extremely helpful. They can advise you against any strains, potencies, or modes that might interfere with your prescription medications. 

Once you’ve decided the type of product you want to consume, question yourself about the following.

  • What is your preferred CBD potency?
  • Do you need a full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate CBD product?
  • If broad spectrum, what THC concentration are you comfortable with? (With recreational products you cannot access a potency beyond 0.3%, but products bought with a medical marijuana card NY, you can get high concentrations of THC)
  • What other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids do you want in your products?

There are other modes of administration too that you can opt for. Sublinguals and topicals are also extremely effective and can be found in a wide variety of products. Depending on your suitability you can choose the product that is most beneficial for you. 

It is always better to consult a medical marijuana New York doctor and get their opinion on the most suitable method of consumption for you.

7 Tips to Consuming Marijuana the Right Way

Consuming Marijuana

How you consume your marijuana, how much, and for what purpose can determine what your experience is going to be like. And let me tell you, you don’t need an anxiety filled high, especially if it’s your first time. So how do you ensure that your experience is the best it can possibly be? By being mindful. 

Know what you’re getting into and how it can affect you, start from smaller doses and lighter potencies, weigh your sensitivity with cannabis before going all out. The NY marijuana laws have already given you enough safe space to experiment your way into cannabis, (legal-recreational and medical use) so you might as well use it to your advantage. 

So, before you dive right into clouds of smoke or gobble down some special brownies, there are things you can do to ensure you have a good experience. 

7 Things to Follow

There is a thin line between a high and a good one. That thin line is nothing but a combination of these 7 tips. Remember these and nothing can ruin your high time. 

Do Your Research

Have you ever read through the reviews to find just the right hotel for your stay during a trip? You just want to make sure everything goes as planned, your trip is comfortable and safe. Now if that’s a trip you plan for, you definitely should plan for this one too. 

So this is where a good experience starts. Learn about what you’re about to consume, its common effects, and what would be the right product for your needs. 

What is cannabis? What cannabinoids are most common? Which ones are the most beneficial for you? Will the product lead to a ‘high’ or will it help you relax? Will it have any side effects? Find answers to these questions before you start consuming cannabis. 

Know Your Purpose

Why are you consuming cannabis? Is it to simply enjoy the high? Or are you trying to alleviate your medical symptoms? Maybe you’ve had a long week and need some relief. Whatever the purpose of your consumption, know what effects you’re looking for. 

If you’re suffering from any medical condition that qualifies for medical marijuana use, you can be better prepared with a medical marijuana card and just the right recommendations from certified professionals. 

If you’re simply looking for a relaxing time, you can opt for recreational gummies, vapes, or oils, depending on your preferred method of administration. You can even choose to smoke on some delta 8 vapes if you’re trying to enjoy a little bit of a high time. 

Smoking, vaping, or consuming sublingual oils and tinctures can give you an immediate relief while consumption through digestibles (gummies, capsules, oils mixed with food and drinks, snacks, etc) can lead to delayed but longer effects. 

Test the Waters

The most common issue that comes with marijuana consumption is not knowing when to stop. If you’re unaware of how a certain strain interacts with your endocannabinoid system, how high it can make you feel, you can end up in a zone beyond your control. Even though there haven’t been too many reports of cannabis overdoses, a bad trip isn’t that unheard of. This means you can end up hallucinating, paranoid, and even injured and at the emergency room. 

And how do you balance your high in such a way that it doesn’t go beyond your control? You go slow.

Whether you’re entirely new to cannabis, new to a certain strain, or a particular potency, it’s always advised that you start small and work your way up.  

A few puffs followed by an hour of restraint might actually set you high enough that you might not need more. If you do, you can always follow it up with a puff or two. 

It’s a similar case with gummies, except for how long it takes to take effect. Unlike vapes, cigs or sublinguals, eatables can take somewhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours to take effect. This is why bad trips are more common with gummies rather than cigarettes. 

If the gummy you have consumed doesn’t have any effect, give it at least a few hours before you consume more. You do not want multiple high potency gummies taking effect simultaneously. 

Find a Safe Place

This could be the physical room you’re in, the people you’re with or your own mental state. When consuming marijuana for the first time, try and stay away from any place that can trigger your anxiety or make you uneasy. It’s always beneficial to surround yourself with people you trust so you feel safe when you’re intoxicated. At the same time if you’re more prone to the feelings of anxiety and paranoia, stay away from high THC products.

Whatever you do, a safe space is very important, not just to have a positive high but also for your own safety. 

Talk to Your Physician 

As a medical marijuana user, it is always advisable to be completely honest and forthcoming with your physician. Not only are they responsible for recommending marijuana to help with your condition, they’re also well aware of your overall health and can advise against certain products, strains, methods of administration, or potencies. 

With how liberating the New York weed laws are for the consumption of medical marijuana, you can easily experience your preferred effects by consulting with your physician. 

Also, ensure that you disclose any other medication that you might be consuming at the time of your recommendation. Cannabis is known to interact with other medications as well as intoxicating substances, and can be dangerous for you. 

Consult the Budtender

Getting your cannabis from a dispensary is often viewed as a green signal, especially in regards to the quality of your flower (or its products). If your medical condition qualifies for a medical recommendation as per the NY marijuana laws, you can access a wide range of varying potencies and products to try from. At the same time, your budtender is most likely to inform you about the legal dilemmas surrounding THC concentrations or how intoxicating it can be. 

However, they’ll not shy away from helping you out if you have questions or are confused about what to buy. This stands especially true for first time consumers and those who’ve just reached the legal age. 

You can discuss your condition, why you’re looking for a cannabis product, and what effects you’re looking for. 

Find Appropriate Method of Administration

No, it’s not just the potency but how you administer your dose that determines how great or not, your experience would be. 

As previously discussed, if you’re looking for an immediate effect, it’s preferable to opt for sublingual sprays, tinctures, whole flowers, or vapes. But if you’re looking for effects over an extended period, you should opt for edibles like snacks, brownies, gummies, or even oils mixed with drinks. These stay in your system for a longer period. 

Beware, these take longer to take effect which can often be confused with no effect. This has often led people into consuming more than required, leading into an inevitably bad high. 

Following these simple tips can help you have a great first experience. Just remember to go small and slow, and then work your way up.

Synthetic Marijuana: Another Name for Poison

Synthetic Marijuana

Synthetic marijuana has been, for the longest time, a dreaded ‘alternative’ of naturally occurring marijuana. Unlike other cannabinoids that are extracted from marijuana or hemp sources, these ones were once synthesized for the sole purpose of research. 

However, the widespread distribution of these toxic alternatives across different channels and amongst the citizens of NY has necessitated the use of marijuana products you can access with a New York medical card. 

While you can get these toxins from any shady vendors and drug dealers, medical cannabis can only be obtained from a licensed dispensary, making it legal and safe. 

But before we get into why you should choose medical cannabis over synthetic, let us learn a little more about synthetic marijuana. Why it is feared, its side effects and why we should move to better, cleaner and naturally occurring alternatives. 

What is synthetic marijuana?

As the name states, these cannabinoids have been synthesized in laboratories rather than being sourced out from natural hemp or marijuana sources. 

These are often a combination of naturally grown plants that are sprayed with chemicals that imitate the effects of THC, but at a much greater potency. These chemicals lead to extreme psychosis in humans due to how potent they are. 

These illicit drugs have a bunch of street names: K2, Spice, Smacked, AK-47, Ninja, Wicked, Skunk, Atomic, XXX Ultra and many more. 

Why were these synthesized? For research. 

John W. Huffman was the scientist who first started synthesizing cannabinoids to learn about the endocannabinoid system in humans in 1984. He worked to create terahydrocannobidol (THC) like cannabinoids- in other words, components capable of creating a psychoactive effect. 

However, the publication of all that he researched and concluded was made available to the public which has led to the present hijacking of basic research. 

At present, these synthesized cannabinoids can very easily be found circulating the market, being smuggled around and sold to college graduates. This blind circulation makes the drug even more dangerous than it already was.

The major issue lies here:

  • These synthetic cannabinoids are falsely labelled as legal and natural when being sold to ignorant customers, often marketed as incense, potpourri or herbal mixtures
  • A majority of these cannabinoids are actually controlled substances (either illegal on a federal level or banned by different states)
  • There aren’t any limit to these cannabinoids, these seem to be multiplying every year
  • The cannabinoids have unregulated psychoactive effects that can lead to major impairing symptoms and eventual death
  • Not a lot is clearly known about their effects, especially in the long run, due to their unregulated character
  • These are highly intoxicating and addictive, and can lead to very serious withdrawal syndrome symptoms
  • Use of the drugs at an early stage can be a leading cause of mental health issues and psychiatric disorders in adults
  • Unlike naturally occurring marijuana which is difficult to overdose on, synthetic marijuana overdoses can lead you to the emergency room or poison
  • These cannabinoids can be upto 100 times (or more) more potent than marijuana, leading to psychoactive effects that are beyond our control
  • These cannabinoids are created to learn their effects on human receptors. It’s purpose is to fully activate the CB receptors, while THC does it only partially
  • Some symptoms of synthetic cannabinoid use are agitation, hallucination, paranoia, tremor, seizure, vomiting, chest pain, cardiac arrests, tachycardia, hypokalemia, kidney damage, psychosis, brain damage and even death
  • Bruising and random bleeding are common reasons for emergency calls after the consumption of these cannabinoids.

Alternative to Synthetic Marijuana: Choose Your High Wisely

Synthetic cannabinoids are NOT meant for your consumption and should strictly be restricted to their academic purpose. Rather, you can always opt for a safely sourced marijuana strain that has been extracted for consumption. 

A majority of states have legalized the use of cannabis to varying degrees, allowing citizens to consume high quality and safe products. New York, for one, has legalized both medical and recreational (quite recently) use of the herb. This legal availability of the herb should end the consumption of any synthetic cannabinoid. 

But out of the two, which one should you opt for? 

Medical marijuana is definitely the better option. If you qualify for the medical conditions stated by your state authorities, you can apply for a medical marijuana new york card, that’ll allow you to possess, consume, travel with (inside state borders) and grow your stash without any legal loopholes. 

With a medical marijuana card, you get high quality, high potency products that won’t cause an unregulated high as synthesized marijuana does. These strong doses do not lead to similar levels of addiction nor are they responsible for all the side effects associated with synthetic cannabinoids. 

Any cannabis product can lead to some level of nausea, insomnia or anxiety if not consumed in regulated doses, or when a high dose is administered at an early stage. However, you aren’t prone to bruising, bleeding, strokes, seizures, or brain damage with marijuana use. 

Disclaimer: Some states like Oklahoma, don’t even have a set list of state approved medical conditions that qualify for the use of cannabis. In these situations, you can directly consult your physician to get a medical card. 

To apply for a New York medical card, you must qualify for the following medical conditions:

  • Cancer
  • HIV/ AIDS
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Chronic Pain
  • Severe Debilitating or Life Threatening Condition
  • Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
  • Severe and Chronic Pain
  • Severe Nausea
  • Seizures
  • Persistent Muscle Spasms
  • Opioid Use Disorder 

Even if your condition doesn’t qualify for medical marijuana recommendations, you can still use cannabis recreationally. While this limits the consumption to less variety of products and lower potency, these are safer options as opposed to unregulated synthetic substitutes. 

To ensure the the product you’re buying is of high quality, you should only buy cannabis products (CBD oils, edibles or flower with less than 0.3% THC) from licensed vendors. To verify if a retailer is legit, you can check the product specifications, read through the labels and ingredient list, and closely evaluate the certificate of analysis (COA). The absence of a COA should be the first red flag, and the only one you need. 

Conclusion

Synthetic Marijuana is a highly intoxicating drug that leads to more negative effects than positive. With most of these cannabinoids being federally illegal, their consumption should be avoided at all costs. 

Cannabis Tolerance Break: Meaning and Benefits

Cannabis Tolerance

Before we head towards the concept of a cannabis tolerance break, let’s first understand what is a tolerance. Tolerance is a state when a body becomes resistant to a medication or any substance when consumed on a regular basis. The tolerance leads to a stage where an individual requires a higher dosage of the substance to get the original effect. 

Same is the concept of cannabis tolerance. It simply means when you need a higher amount of cannabis to achieve the same desired results which you were getting earlier in a considerably lower dosage. Now, a cannabis tolerance break is when you need a break from your daily marijuana consumption as it makes you dependent. 

Medical marijuana may not make you as dependent as recreational usage can do. States like New York, California have a major chunk of cannabis users who go for tolerance breaks. Medical marijuana New York is easily available, being one of the reasons for the rising marijuana consumption and the need for tolerance break. You just need a medical marijuana card NYC or new york medical card and you can access legal cannabis. Coming back to our main topic, in this blog, we will be discussing cannabis tolerance break, its benefits, side-effects, etc. 

What Is a Cannabis Tolerance Break: Meaning 

As mentioned earlier, a cannabis tolerance break is a deliberate break from cannabis for a particular period of time in order to reduce the number of cannabinoids in the brain and body. 

Studies show that the chemicals in cannabis can build up to a level that may reduce its effects over time. People prefer taking tolerance breaks when they feel the need to consume more cannabis to get the same results they had experienced before. 

Importance of a Tolerance Break? 

Our body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), crucial for homeostasis, that is maintaining balance in the body. Its different functions include sleep, pain regulation, digestive system, stress and others. CBD and THC, the most prevalent compounds of cannabis are known for improving the endocannabinoid system. 

But the thing to be noted is that THC directly interacts with cannabinoid receptors which could be a bit dangerous as it may lower the amount of cannabinoids your body produces naturally. So, tolerance break is necessary as THC should be used to improve and not cause any form of dysfunction in the ECS. 

Also, people who have very little or no knowledge about marijuana think that break is important as tolerance is bad for health, but again that’s a misunderstood concept. 

Benefits of a Cannabis Tolerance Break 

Now, why do people take cannabis tolerance breaks? What are the benefits? Well, tolerance breaks offer a wide range of benefits. Taking regular breaks ensures your system doesn’t take too much THC, which could be problematic. THC interacts with CB 1 receptors in the brain which can trigger the neurological responses, increasing the probability of a person to crave that particular effect again.

 And it is said that there’s nothing wrong with cannabis being a rewarding substance but rewards can always be abused. Excessive consumption of THC could cause cannabis use disorder (CUD) and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. A tolerance break can help not get any of these disorders. 

Are There Any Side-effects of a Tolerance Break

The side-effects of a tolerance break may vary from person to person, their dependency on cannabis, and health conditions. Initially, a person will feel some physical and psychological discomfort such as restlessness, sweating, problem sleeping, etc. Below are some of the common side-effects of taking a tolerance break- 

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Changes in mood
  • Appetite change
  • Stomach aches 

Tips for a Successful Tolerance Break

  • Be Mentally Prepared

First and foremost, make up your mind. Talk to yourself and figure out why you want a tolerance break. What are your priorities. Write them out. As lame or silly as it sounds, it’s as effective as anything else. 

Clearing up your head and finding a purpose behind everything gives you courage to move forward with what’s best for you. Once you are mentally prepared for your break, slowly and steadily reduce your dosage and then gradually you would be able to take a complete break. But don’t go cold turkey as it might leave you with some serious side-effects. 

Another thing you could do is to make sure that any form of cannabis which you were consuming, is not anywhere near you. Most people take a break from smoking, so ensuring that your place doesn’t have any vaporizers and other smoking devices is necessary. 

  • Exercise  

Exercise is a great tool for keeping yourself away from THC and it’s dependency. Research suggests that intense cardio workouts can help you take out THC out of your body and feel much better. Any form of physical activity would help your body not crave much about cannabis. Whether you want to do yoga sessions, take dance classes, do zumba, anything you like, just stay consistent with it and gradually you will notice a big change. 

  • Stay Busy

Staying busy is probably one of the major things you can focus on while being on your tolerance break. See what you enjoy and choose your activities for the day accordingly. You can hit the gym if you want. Do not skip your work days and try to work with full concentration. Hang out with your family, friends or even meet new people, if that helps. There are a lot of things you can do in order to keep your attention away from cannabis. 

Final Thoughts 

Tolerance breaks are an imperative part of any treatment regime, especially when you feel you are no longer getting the same effects. Before you go on a tolerance break, you need to take care of some things.

If you are a medical cannabis patient and use marijuana for any of your health conditions, then make sure you first consult with your doctor and measure all pros and cons. Taking a break surely sounds cool but it’s not that easy, so make sure you do your proper research first.

Can Marijuana Be The Source Of Your Paranoia? Here’s What You Need To Know!

Paranoia

Marijuana has, for the longest time, been associated with mental disorders and paranoia, but in vastly varying degrees. While some studies have shown positive effects of marijuana on patients suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even conditions like schizophrenia and alziemers, there are a bunch of studies that advise against it. 

But it all comes down to your source of marijuana, your concentration of THC, if you’re biologically receptive to the drug, what age you begin using marijuana, and the other medications you might be using. 

This is why, when buying marijuana, you should always go for a medical consultation from a certified cannabis doctor, and only buy recommended products or doses with your New York state medical marijuana card. The NY marijuana laws have made it easy for all adults to get their hands on some high quality & potent marijuana products as long as their condition requires its use. 

Now, let’s dig deeper into what part of marijuana can lead to paranoia in patients and medical marijuana users.

What is your Strain Made Of?

Cannabis or marijuana have a bunch of cannabinoids that work together to give you a relaxing, relieving, and euphoric experience. However, what your strain has more of, could decide how your trip goes. 

CBD, one of the two most researched cannabinoids found in the herb is known to give a relaxing and relieving experience to users. Whether on a recreational level or a medical standpoint, high CBD potent products are usually recommended for patients of anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, epilepsy, AIDS, and multiple other conditions. 

THC, on the other hand, is the most talked about cannabinoid, responsible for the psychoactive effects that you might refer to as intoxication or the ‘high’. While THC is also responsible for alleviating a lot of the symptoms that come with the conditions stated above, it is also known to create an atmosphere of psychosis. 

High THC consumption over longer periods can make a person more prone to paranoia. Since THC consumption is also linked with hallucinations, one should be careful while consuming THC potent products. 

As a patient suffering from anxiety, or any mental disorders that make you more susceptible to paranoid episodes, it is not recommended to get a strain with high THC concentrations. 

Your cannabis doctor can recommend any broad spectrum or CBD isolates to help you calm your nerves and get the benefits of cannabis without the unwanted high and paranoia.

Are you naturally at a disadvantage?

If you’ve always been more of an overthinker, making anxiety your everyday pal, cannabis use(with high THC levels) isn’t the best option for you. In cases like these, you should depend on higher CBD dosage.

Research also shows a great compatibility between the psychosis caused due to cannabis use and people with a specific variant of SKT1 gene. The gene is responsible for governing an enzyme that controls the dopamine levels in the brain’s stratum. And do you know what condition is associated with fluctuations in dopamine levels? Schizophrenia. 

When Did You Start Using Cannabis?

Adolescent use of cannabis has been closely related to mental health issues going into adulthood. It has shown decline in performance, and basic coordination and eventual long term use may lead to addictive behaviour. The use of the drug at an early age (which is illegal) would require teens to get it from an unreliable source. This could mean that the THC levels would be unregulated, leading to potential side effects. 

Teens with a family history of psychosis are also at a high probability of showing similar symptoms after unregulated use of cannabis at an early age. 

When combined with the previous point discussed, early use of the drug and a natural vulnerability to its effects can turn out to be the perfect recipe for a psychiatric condition. 

Reasons like these can make the use of recreational marijuana dicey, especially with unreliable vendors. NY marijuana laws make it easier for you to not go down that path. 

You can easily apply for a new york state medical marijuana card if you think your condition requires marijuana use. All you need to do is fill a form with all your details, sit through an online consultation, and if your condition is MMJ use approved, you can get your recommendation via email the same day. You only have to follow it up by registering with your state authorities. 

Are You On Any Medication? 

Cannabis interactions with other medications or even other substances like alcohol can be very dangerous for you. These can alter the way a medication is supposed to be broken down by the body, leading to alterations in effect. Some can even lead to extremely low heart rate to the point that you have to be carried to the emergency room. This isn’t hypothetical, it actually happened! 

In other cases, this can lead to high blood pressure, elevation of THC effects like hallucinations and paranoia. It is always recommended to be completely honest with your cannabis doctor, when it comes to the medications or substances you might be indulging in. 

You also have to take the physician’s guidance very seriously when it comes to mixing your medications with other substances. 

Conclusion 

The whole idea of whether cannabis can reduce your paranoia or increase it is relative. Relative to what kind of product you consume and if it has higher THC levels or CBD levels. It depends on what age you start consuming cannabis and whether you and your family are naturally receptive to the drug. As long as you’re crystal clear with your physician about your conditions, you’ll get a recommendation that creates the right balance for your symptoms. 

5 Reasons CBD Is Not Working for You!

CBD

Why is CBD not working for me? Does it even show any effects? If you have questions like these, you are not alone and we understand you. CBD is the most talked and used term in cannabis culture. Though it is used by a wide range of patients, it might not work for you sometimes. And just because CBD is not working for you, it does not necessarily mean that the whole health industry is fraud. There might be some reasons why CBD is not working for you. Before jumping into the reasons, let’s understand what CBD is and what role does it play-

CBD or cannabidiol is one of the most active components of the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, that gives you a mind high, CBD has some really amazing therapeutic properties. A lot of patients across the US state use CBD as a treatment for the following conditions – 

  1. Chronic Pain 
  2. Anxiety
  3. Depression
  4. Arthritis
  5. Inflammation
  6. Cancer
  7. Wasting Syndrome
  8. Seizures, etc. 

CBD is legal in almost all the US states, however you require a medical card to access other cannabis products. Every state follows different guidelines regarding the issue of medical cards. Let’s say you are a New Yorker, then you need a NY medical card to access cannabis near your area and in the state. CBD, however, is easily accessible on online stores and dispensaries. Now, coming back to the main topic, here are 5 possible reasons why CBD is not working for you – 

You are Impatient and Not Giving It Enough Time 

One of the major reasons why CBD might not be working for you is because of your attitude towards it. You might have tried some CBD oil for your chronic joint pain but you did not feel any relief. And all of that is okay as CBD takes time to display its effects on your mind and body. The instant effects from CBD are not that common. It is advised to take CBD for a few weeks and in some cases, a few months in order to get the ultimate effects. So, make sure you are patient with your CBD treatment. 

Check the Right Dosage for You 

Finding the right dosage is a practice that needs time, be it any treatment. Your body may have a different requirement for CBD depending on the unique biology that we all have. And your wrong dosage might be one of the reasons you are not feeling the CBD effects. So, the main question is how do you find the right dosage for you? 

It’s simple. Start off with a low dose and see how it works for you. If you feel you’re not getting the desired results, then you can increase the dosage accordingly. After a few weeks, you will eventually figure out what works for you and what not! Also, make a note of how you have been experimenting with the dosage and then analyse what works the best for you. 

Your Consumption Method 

The next possible reason could be your consumption method. So, CBD comes in different forms including CBD oil & tinctures, edibles, topicals, pills, vapes, etc. The safest and effective method of consuming CBD is CBD oil. We take oil sublingually, which makes it go directly into the bloodstream, showing quicker results. On the other hand, edibles like gummies and chocolates take a maximum of 2 hours to get into your system and show out the effects. This is one of the reasons the majority of the people prefer CBD oil rather than edibles. So, if CBD is not working for you, you might want to change the delivery system. 

Is Your CBD From a Trusted Source?

This has to be the most crucial and concerning reasons behind CBD not responding for you. Where did you purchase your CBD products? Did you check the brand properly? Are you sure it was from a trusted source? 

Well, with the growing demand for CBD, so many CBD products are hitting the health market. Taking advantage of the situation, there are some scammers who are circulating low-quality CBD in the market without proper labeling, in order to make profits. And some of you might be buying that low-quality CBD just because of your lack of knowledge. And that is why your CBD is not showing the effects. So, be aware of the scammers and gain knowledge about how to recognize the trusted brand.

Maybe CBD Is Not for You 

Last but not least, this could be the major reason why CBD is not working for you. Maybe CBD is not the right treatment for you. There are people who are not even aware about their health condition and are taking CBD treatment just because of the hype around the subject. But is that how you should take care of yourself? Absolutely not. Firstly, analyse yourself and see if there’s a problem or not. If there is, then probably consult a doctor and get guidance on whether you need cannabis or not. If yes, then only go on about purchasing CBD. Though CBD is not harmful, it is not an option. 

Bottom Line 

CBD has become a vast topic in the cannabis culture. Owing to its amazing healing properties, an increasing number of people are choosing CBD as the right treatment for them. Having said that, it is extremely vital to first acquire knowledge about CBD and then move forward towards its consumption. As mentioned earlier, though CBD is legal in almost all of the states of America, consulting your primary doctor about it would not be a harmful choice.

CBD: The New Beauty Ingredient on the Block

CBD and Skincare

CBD is an extraordinary ingredient with several therapeutic benefits. 

It’s needless to doubt CBD’s remarkable powers. 

To prove what I just said, here’s a factful explanation. 

Have you ever heard of Sephora? 

If yes, you are pretty much aware of the worldwide recognition this brand receives. 

For those who are unsure, let me help you understand why CBD is a huge trend.

Sephora introduced a wide range of CBD skincare products in 2018. 

Since then, it has seen a significant shift in how people buy skincare products. 

Especially those that treat skin care problems. 

And without a doubt, CBD is one component that helps skin junkies deal with several skin conditions. 

To name a few, eczema, acne, dry skin, itchiness, pain, etc. 

Not only this, but according to a report, the  CBD skincare market will be $1.7 worth by 2025. 

And I think it’s safe to say that the CBD industry has successfully managed to make a significant impact. 

Be it chocolates, mocktails, or clothing, CBD is everywhere. 

So, if you wish to jump on the CBD skincare bandwagon, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. 

CBD Is Considered Safe for the Skin

Owing to the therapeutic benefits, CBD is largely considered beneficial in the treatment of mild to normal skin conditions. 

In particular, those who either have sensitive skin or problems such as dryness, acne, and redness. 

CBD also showcases anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. 

This indicates that CBD can easily help fight the signs of aging while alleviating pain and inflammation. 

To add more, here’s a study that will help you understand the other benefits of hemp or CBD-derived hemp. 

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, hemp acts as an emollient, cleanser, and surfactant. 

And these properties further allow users to apply CBD in areas that are dry and itchy. 

So, CBD definitely has some potential otherwise, why would you see thousands of Americans buying CBD skincare products from online stores. 

Nanotechnology and CBD 

Let’s not forget that nanotechnology plays a huge role in increasing the absorption capacity of a product. 

One of the biggest reasons why the skincare industry believes in nanotechnology. 

What’s the motive? 

Well, it’s simple – to build effective products with 100% reliability. 

So, in order to meet the customer requirement, more and more brands are leaning towards nanotechnology. 

In fact, some famous brands, such as CBD Living, use nanotechnology to enhance skin retention properties. 

And the best part is that nanotechnology has helped a lot of companies attain the traction they desire. 

While also helping them gain an edge over competitors. 

Hemp-Derived CBD Is Noncomedogenic 

Hempseed oil or CBD oil is one of the two main oils to attain a zero rating on the non-comedogenic scale. 

In contrast, oils such as olive, coconut, and almond are rated very high on the comedogenic scale. 

What does this mean for the CBD skincare industry? 

It simply means that CBD is a good skincare ingredient for people who suffer from acne and sensitive skin problems. 

In addition to this, its non-comedogenic nature allows users to apply oils without having to worry about blocking skin pores. 

CBD Helps Your Skin Produce Its Own Moisture 

There are several skincare products out there. 

Some will lure you into believing that they can help lock moisture.

The others will work for a few hours and cause the skin to dry again. 

But that’s not the case with CBD. 

CBD is a unique component.  

It allows your skin to produce its own moisture.

And the best part is that it does not drive your sebaceous glands crazy. 

CBD locks enough moisture and helps improve skin retention properties. 

Which, in turn, allows you to feel more comfortable in your own skin. 

Hemp-Derived CBD Is Legal

Yes, you hard it right, CBD derived from the hemp plant containing at least 0.3% THC is federally legal.  

All thanks to the Hemp Farm Bill. 

The bill was passed in 2018, allowing manufacturers, processors, distributors, and sellers to conduct legal CBD businesses. 

However, there’s a twist here.

Because cannabis is still illegal on the federal level, there are certain things that you have to keep in mind. 

For instance, products containing more than the legal THC limit naturally fall under the illegal category. 

So, make sure that you get a medical marijuana recommendation or check in with the state rules. 

To put things into perspective, here’s an example: 

New York marijuana program allows only patients with a qualifying condition to purchase medical marijuana. 

In particular, products that contain high concentrations of CBD. 

On the other hand, states like California allow patients to buy CBD over the counter. 

To be honest, it’s best if you consult a doctor and get medical advice before treating a specific medical condition. 

Final Thoughts

Regardless of what the anti-cannabis community may suggest, the wave of CBD is real and trending. 

From New York marijuana to California legal cannabis, we have it all. 

In fact, you can look at the statistical data or approach people who are benefiting from CBD. 

Every data and example points towards CBD’s therapeutic potential. 

And to say the least, the CBD skincare industry has a bright future, especially in terms of skincare. 

So, anyone looking for a skin-soothing ingredient must give CBD a try. 

It may not work as expected, but it will definitely not have any side effects. 

Moreover, CBD will not let you down or make you high. 

Nothing to lose here! 

What Happens If a Kid Accidentally Eats an Edible?

Take These Steps if Your Child Accidentally Swallows an Edible

If you have cannabis edible in your house, there’s a chance your kid could eat them. With the rising popularity of cannabis also comes along a wave of questions, doubts, and uncertainties. These uncertainties point out at the loopholes in the existing legal structure and most questions concern the research aspects of the cannabinoids. What’s more interesting is that despite discrepancies cannabis sales continue to skyrocket. Plus, recreational and medical cannabis users constantly use state MMJ programs to get a medical marijuana card in New York and other cities and counties.

However, rising cases of kids being admitted for accidental cannabis consumption in hospitals requires immediate attention. After all, the legal and research battle will continue until the authorities come up with a concrete solution. For now, we will focus on the steps you can take if your child accidentally swallows an edible. Let’s begin.

Find Out What Did They Ingest?

First and foremost, you need to find out what did your child ingest? If you caught your child in the act, you are most likely to figure out everything easily. However, in other case scenarios, you have to politely ask your child to share information. Once you know the root cause of the problem, act accordingly. For instance, CBD edibles are non-psychoactive in nature, so worry about how much your child must have ingested. In contrast, THC edibles have strong intoxicating effects. So, you have to be sure about how many edibles were consumed and what was the THC ratio per serving. If you saw your kid eating a handful of THC gummies, the situation is not life-threatening, but you have to act immediately. 

Try to Stay Composed 

It will be hard for you to stay focused and calm during an uninvited situation. However, you have to keep in mind that nobody died after eating marijuana. So, panicking during a crucial time will not only make things worse for your child, but you won’t be able to pay attention to the vital details. You see, edibles show their effects after the process of digestion is complete. So you have to be patient for a few hours and closely notice any unusual changes in the behavior. The best thing you can do is tuck your child and provide them with a blanket and a comforting environment. They will help your child and you stay calm while you figure out what to do next. Also, if you see your child going off to sleep do not wake them up as long as they are sleeping soundly. 

Work Out a Plan

This step basically caters to the requirements of parents who do not know about cannabis. If your child consumes cannabis edibles, take a pen and paper and note down everything. You have to jot down the symptoms, amount of edibles ingested, and the time period from the moment you saw your child to the appearance of symptoms. You also have to note down the type of edible ingested and THC content per serving. Details like these will help you a lot during the evaluation process. 

In addition to this, do not forget to look for critical signs and symptoms. For instance, lethargy and lack of balance are quite common signs but nausea, vomiting, or difficulty breathing requires immediate medical attention. In the former case, you as a parent have to ensure that your child drinks a lot of water and sleeps for a few hours. The latter requires you to take your child to the ER or a nearby hospital. 

Talk to Health professionals

If you feel the situation is getting out of your hand. The first thing you can do is call poison control operators. Follow the instructions given by them carefully and don’t forget to write down everything the operator says. Depending on the situation, you as a parent have to decide whether or not to take your child to the ER, if you are concerned about something in particular. For example, your child has an underlying medical condition or your child is sensitive to cannabis. You have to keep all the nuances in mind before taking your child to the hospital. Once you enter the ER the medical health professionals will take care of the situation. 

Also, before you take your child to the ER, carry the notes that you made. These notes will help the doctor evaluate your child’s medical condition properly. More vitally, don’t forget to drive carefully. Rushing to the hospital will complicate the situation and prevent you from reaching the destination. So, drive safely and once you meet the doctor tells him or her everything. You can also hand over the notes if you feel a little hesitant.

What To Do if My 3 Year Old Ate an Edible?

If your 3 year old ate an edible, your first action should be to get a hold of them, make sure that they are in their senses, and call the poison control. Here are some tips that you can follow if your 3 year old ate an edible-

  • Talk to your toddler and get as much information as you can. For example, how much they consumed, what type of edible they ate and the amount of THC the edible contained.
  • Call 911 for poison control immediately.
  • Be around your kid and see how they are feeling.
  • Do not panic and try to calm your toddler down too.
  • If they are feeling nauseous, dizzy, or experience shortness of breath, take them to a hospital.

Children of different ages will experience different effects and at a different level so when it comes to a toddler, taking action and getting help as soon as possible to ensure safety is recommended.

What’s More

It’s natural to be hesitant and protective of your child. We are sure things like child protective services will come across your mind once you reach the hospital. However, you don’t have to worry about a possible CPS interrogation. It’s highly unlikely for medical health professionals to call child protective services for an accidental cannabis ingestion case, of course, unless you sell illegal cannabis. If child services are contacted, do not panic or create a scene because they will only ask a few questions. Answer all the questions honestly and you will be good to go. 

How to Recognize Severe Intoxication?

In order to identify the symptoms associated with acute cannabis intoxication, you have to closely notice the behavioral activities. You can do the same by taking a look at the following symptoms: 

  • Increased heart rate 
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness 
  • Paranoia
  • Confusion
  • Red eyes
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting 
  • Loss of focus and balance

These symptoms will largely appear in overdose situations. Ideally, a normal to mildly ranged dose will cause lethargy and relaxation. So, keep track of the dose ingested and ensure that you look out for all the symptoms while taking care of your child. 

Is Cannabis Dangerous for Children? 

If a child accidentally swallows an edible, I think you don’t have to worry about the long term effects. The short term effects will range from lethargy to nausea and all these symptoms go away as soon as the toxicity levels deteriorate. The things that you have to be worried about include situations that go out of our hands. And it’s unlikely to come across such situations. So, stay relaxed and do not panic. Also, remember that marijuana is said to have long term negative effects on individuals who smoke or vape cannabis regularly. They can suffer from cognitive dysfunctions. 

Some studies suggest that early and regular use of cannabis can cause long-term effects on the brain. In fact, teenage cannabis use is often associated with cognitive function failure. This is why parents have to be extra careful while using cannabis edibles around children and teenagers. 

You Are Not a Bad Parent

You might get a medical marijuana card in New York and purchase high-end edibles form state-licensed cannabis dispensaries. And you might accidentally keep them in plain sight. That doesn’t make you a bad parent. Yes, more and more kids are easily attracted to edibles such as candies and gummy bears, but if you are careful nothing will go wrong. Things happen sometimes and handling the situation is crucial than blaming yourself. 

Myths About Medical Cannabis You Must Stop Following Now

medical-cannabis-myths

Medical cannabis is truly a magical grass. Various studies have shown that medical cannabis can help in treating symptoms related to many diseases. Many health conditions qualify for medical cannabis; like anxiety, stress, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, inflammation, chronic pain, cancer, and more. If you also suffer from any of such conditions, get a medical marijuana card in New York to buy medical cannabis for your condition.

With the rise in popularity of medical cannabis, many myths and misconceptions surrounding it also develop. These myths can be misleading and convey wrong information about medical cannabis. So, if you are new to the cannabis world, it’s important for you to educate yourself about these myths. Read along to clarify all the doubts you have. Having said that, here are some of the most common myths surrounding medical cannabis.

Myth 1: Any Medical Cannabis Can Get You ‘High’

There are many chemical compounds in the cannabis plant. But, the two main components are THC and CBD. And THC is the compound responsible for the psychoactivity or the ‘high’ people feel after consuming cannabis. THC connects with CB1 receptors in your brain and activate them, which causes psychoactive effects.

On the other hand, CBD does not connect with CB1 receptors and does not cause any ‘high’. In fact, it can reduce the ‘high’ effect. Cannabis that more CBD than THC will not get you ‘high’ too much. And if you don’t need even a little bit of ‘high’, you can buy products that have only CBD and no THC.

Myth 2: Smoking is The Only Way to Experience Its Benefits

Smoking is undoubtedly the most common way to consume cannabis. It also offers instantaneous effects. But, it is not the only way you can consume your medical herb. The method you choose to consume cannabis depends upon your condition. So, it’s always better to consult your doctor before trying a new way of consumption. These include vaporization, edibles, and oils.

Myth 3: Cannabis is a ‘Gateway Drug’

A lot of people think that cannabis can lead to using more drugs, and hence giving it the name ‘gateway drug’. But that’s not true at all. In fact, medical cannabis is widely used as an alternative to opioid-based medication for various conditions like insomnia. It is considered as a safer alternative to the pharmaceutical medicines as it does not have any severe side effects. Also, there is no definite proof of cannabis being a ‘gateway drug’.

Myth 4: Medical Cannabis Can Kill Your Brain Cells

Again, a very popular myth surrounding medical cannabis. But, it’s absolutely wrong. Cannabis has cannabinoids that are neurodegenerative. That means, they build new neurons in your brain instead of killing them. It also protects your brain from many injuries like concussions, head trauma, and stroke.

These compounds also protect your DNA from any damage that can be caused by the environment and biological toxins.

Myth 5: Effects of Eating And Smoking Medical Cannabis are the same

There are many ways in which you can consume cannabis. And every method has its own effects. Smoking cannabis can offer instantaneous effects (mostly within 30 minutes). These effects may last up to 1.5 hours.

On the other hand, if you eat cannabis-infused foods (edibles), you may start feeling the effects only after 45 minutes to 2 hours. Also, these effects can last for 8 hours, sometimes even more.

Myth 6: Medical Cannabis is Linked to Memory Loss

This is more like a piece of incomplete information. How? Well, this sentence is true to some extent. But, this is just a short-term thing. This temporary memory loss is related to THC effects. And as soon as these effects wear off, this short-term memory loss problem will also go away.

Also, medical cannabis can affect the memory only if it is abused while the brain is still developing (young age). That’s why the legal age for cannabis use is 21 years old and above.

Conclusion

All these myths surrounding medical cannabis are wrong and misleading. So, it’s better for you to educate yourself about medical cannabis before believing these myths. Medical cannabis is a natural remedy. But, remember, excess of anything can be hazardous. So, properly consume your cannabis. And consult a doctor before buying any cannabis product.