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Exploring Cannabis as a Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa

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Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder attributed to sociocultural issues such as society’s attitudes towards weight and beauty and is defined by the National Eating Disorder Association as ‘a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.’ Symptoms and behaviors associated with the disease can include extremely low body weight, body dysmorphia, obsession with the self, and calorie counting. 

The concept that marijuana could benefit anorexia sufferers actually makes a lot of sense, being that cannabis is infamous for inducing the ‘munchies’, causing users to get incredibly hungry for all things edible and in their vicinity. Cannabis then is an appetite stimulant and it seems that anorexia sufferers could indeed make good use of the plant during recovery. But is there any scientific evidence to support this? Actually, yes. 

A number of studies have taken place to try and find out why and how cannabis usage increases appetite

A number of studies have taken place to try and find out why and how cannabis usage increases appetite. A study took place (Gomez at al., 2014) on animals in Europe which offered an explanation for why marijuana may be useful for helping treat eating disorders. People who suffer from Anorexia commonly stop finding eating pleasurable, meaning that they cease to enjoy food in most capacities. The researchers of this study actually found that the way THC activates the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 receptor elevates pleasure in eating because it increases the bodies sensitivity to taste and scent. 

There is still an awful lot of research to be done on using cannabis to treat anorexia, and the mainstream medical community is still to be convinced

There is still an awful lot of research to be done on using cannabis to treat anorexia, and the mainstream medical community is still to be convinced. Tamara Pryor, a director of clinical research at the Eating Disorder Center of Denver, says that ‘marijuana may be a helpful tool for some people – in conjunction with therapy.’ She also states that anorexia patients are empowered by not giving in to the temptation of eating, and so appetite stimulation won’t necessarily help at all. Also, it is true to say that anorexia is usually one of multiple mental disorders affecting an individual, in that anorexia sufferers usually have other disorders which accompany their eating disorder such as depression or anxiety related conditions. In turn, cannabis use may hinder a person getting better and may actually contribute to more problems and dependency. On the other hand, strains high in CBD have no habit-forming properties, so perhaps these are the strains scientists should be looking at to provide relief. 

Cannabis use for the treatment of eating disorders could very well be the way forward, but with the disease being so serious and having such a high mortality rate, it is clear that plenty more research should be done in the area. It’s important to remember that there are lots of different strains and intake methods, as well as many other factors that can all influence outcomes and so it will definitely take lots of trial and error to find out what works best for those with anorexia, as well as other health conditions.



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White House Finally Comments On Marijuana Industry

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Part of the cannabis industry supported the new president, betting he was going to move and move quickly on cannabis – the White House finally commented.

The cannabis industry has been a boon for consumers, medical patients, veterans and legal states, but for the thousands of mom and pop businesses is has been a roller coaster.  With a huge demand, it would seem to be easy money, but the federal, tax, and banking restrictions have made it difficult to grow and expand. Part of the industry were all for the new administration assuming they would support positive change, but many in the new cabinet and the House Speaker Mike Johnson are foes.  Now the White House finally comments on marijuana industry…and it doesn’t show a clear path.

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The administration’s current stance on marijuana reform is marked by inaction, despite campaign promises and earlier signals of support for cannabis-related reforms. A White House official recently confirmed that “no action is being considered at this time” regarding marijuana policy, leaving advocates and industry stakeholders uncertain about the administration’s priorities.

During his campaign, the resident expressed support for rescheduling marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which would move it from Schedule I to Schedule III, easing restrictions on medical use and enabling cannabis businesses to access banking and tax benefits. However, since taking office, no concrete steps have been taken to advance this initiative. A DEA hearing on rescheduling, initially planned for January 2025, was postponed due to procedural appeals and remains unscheduled.

The president has also voiced support for state autonomy in cannabis policy and endorsed state-level legalization initiatives, such as Florida’s failed 2024 ballot measure for recreational marijuana. While this reflects a more favorable stance compared to his first term, his administration has yet to prioritize federal reforms like the SAFE Banking Act, which would facilitate banking services for cannabis businesses. Efforts to include such measures in a government funding bill late last year were unsuccessful.

The delay in federal action has significant implications for the cannabis industry. Rescheduling marijuana could alleviate financial burdens by eliminating restrictions under IRS Code Section 280E and promoting medical research. However, the stalled process leaves businesses navigating regulatory uncertainties and limited financial access.

RELATED: The Science Behind Why Music Sounds So Much Better When You’re High

While stakeholders continue lobbying for reform, the administration appears focused on other priorities such as immigration and foreign policy. Advocates hope the President will leverage his influence to advance cannabis reform, but for now, the issue remains sidelined. Until then the industry struggles and waits.



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Stop Using Bat Poop to Fertilize Your Weed Plants Immediately, Here is Why…

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bat poop for weed

Don’t Fertilize Your Weed with Bat Poop

 

Fertilization is a critical step for growing healthy marijuana plants.

They help provide essential nutrients for marijuana in various stages of growth, while promoting plant growth. There are dozens of different fertilizers to choose from in the market; growers can choose based on budget, nutrients needed, location, season, and much more. But not all fertilizers are made equally – of course, some are of better quality than others.

That said, there are some rather unusual fertilizers that can be used on plants. These may include, but are not limited to: coffee, milk, grass clippings, banana peels, fish tank water, potato water, and even urine! Yes, it does sound strange, but to gardening enthusiasts, there is nutritional value to be found in each of these things, which can make them suitable fertilizers depending on the circumstances.

For example, grass clippings make excellent mulch and can provide potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Urine is a potent source of nitrogen as well as phosphorus. Banana peels are rich in calcium, which is excellent for promoting root growth while helping supply oxygen to the soil.

But what about bat poop? Also known as guano, bat poop has been said to work as a plant fertilizer because it’s rich in nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. Unfortunately, using bat poop as a plant fertilizer can also be dangerous. So if you don’t really know what you are doing, bat poop as a fertilizer can be extremely risky.

Bat Poop Fertilizer Kills 2 NY Men

On December 2024, news of two men hailing from Rochester, New York, dying went viral.

The cause of death was dangerous fungus, in the bat poop that they were using to fertilize their marijuana plants. Both men grew their own marijuana plants for medical consumption, but unfortunately developed histoplasmosis after breathing toxic fungal spores from the guano.

One of the men was aged 59 years old; he bought bat poop online to use as fertilizer for his plants. Meanwhile, the other was a 64-year-old male who found guano in his attic, then decided to use it to fertilize his cannabis plants. They both developed similar symptoms, including chronic coughs, fever, severe weight loss, and respiratory failure. The case was also discussed in the Open Forum Infectious Diseases medical journal.

Is there a safe way to use bat poop as fertilizer? If you ask me, I truly can’t understand why one would use guano as fertilizer when there are so many other proven safe alternatives out there that are simply not as risky. According to the University of Washington, one must always wear a dust mask each time you open a bag containing soil amendments. That’s because a mask will greatly decrease the chances of breathing in fungal spores, which could be potentially dangerous. They also go on to explain that yes, guano is indeed used as fertilizer for its valuable nitrogen content but it still isn’t without its own risks, particularly of developing Histoplasma – the same condition that killed the two men.

Make Your Own Safe Fertilizers At Home

There are many other safe, affordable – and even free – fertilizers you can feed your marijuana plants with. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune nor does it have to be risky to your health.

Check out these easy, low-cost, DIY fertilizers for weed:

 

  • Coffee grounds are abundant in nitrogen, which makes it perfect for the vegetative stage of marijuana plants. They are also a fantastic source of organic materials and green waste, which contain other vital nutrients. When the coffee grounds decompose, they create soil aggregates that improve soil aeration and its water retention capabilities.

 

Mix around 2 grams of coffee ground for every liter of soil. Measuring its pH levels is also helpful, since you want it to be between 6 to 6.5

 

  • Crushed eggshells are a great way to ensure no eggshells go to waste. It’s rich in calcium plus other minerals that are effective in improving overall plant structure, health, and growth. In fact, so many gardeners and farmers commonly use crushed eggshells to help boost plant growth – and it will work just as well for marijuana plants.

 

They’re really easy to use, too! Just mix eggshells into the soil, or steep them into water then pour into the soil for a calcium-packed feed.

 

  • Banana tea or water is rich in potassium and magnesium, making it perfect as a feed during the marijuana plant’s flowering stage. You can use banana peels differently: with 3 to 5 banana peels, soak it in water for 2 days. Then you can use the water on your plants, and even leave the banana peels as compost for your garden.

 

  • Wood ash from your fireplace or other sources is a great source of phosphorus and potassium. Simply sprinkle some wood ash over marijuana during the final flower phase. Just use 1 or 2 grams of ash for every liter of substrate. Be careful not to use too much wood ash, or it can make the soil too alkaline.

 

  • Animal manure, such as those from cows, rabbits, or horses, make excellent organic fertilizers. Just be sure that they’re composed properly so that you avoid introducing weed seeds, or pathogens.

 

These low-cost fertilizers are also natural and effective. There’s no reason for you to turn to bat poop as fertilizer, even if you’re in a bind.


Conclusion

Guano or bat poop is a poor choice of fertilizer if you don’t know what you are doing. It’s risky and potentially dangerous – just not worth it. Instead, fertilize your marijuana plants with these options mentioned.

 

BEST POOP FOR CANNABIS PLANTS, KEEP READING…

BEST POOP FOR CANNABIS PLANTS

WHAT IS THE BEST POOP FOR USING ON CANNABIS PLANTS?



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The History Behind April Fool’s Day

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Love it or hate it – April Fool’s Day is here to stay…and here is the history behind this unique tradition

From Britain to India, it is a popular day of pranks, laughs and silliness. From Google to Burger King has participated and some people spend endless hours planning the perfect joke.  But what is the history behind April Fool’s Day? It is celebrated annually on April 1, is a global tradition marked by pranks and jokes. Despite its widespread popularity, the origins of this playful holiday remain uncertain, with several theories tracing its roots to different historical events and cultural practices.

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Both April Fools’ Day and Día de Los Inocentes mark days when people play practical jokes on one another. April Fools’ Day is primarily celebrated in English-speaking countries, while Día de Los Inocentes is more widely marked in Spanish-speaking countries. A key way Día de Los Inocentes differs from April Fools’ Day is it celebrated on December 28th every year 

Some of the most famous April Fool’s pranks include The Swiss Spaghetti Harvest, where the BBC broadcast a segment showing peasants harvesting spaghetti from trees in Switzerland. Another notable prank was when radio station KGB-FM in San Diego announced that the Space Shuttle was landing at a local airport, drawing over 1,000 people. Google has also been known for its annual April Fool’s jokes, such as the “Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol”. Additionally, brands like Pornhub have participated with humorous site name changes, such as “Cornhub” and “Hornhub”

One popular theory links April Fool’s Day to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, initiated by Pope Gregory XIII. Before this change, many European countries followed the Julian calendar, where the new year began around late March or early April. Those who continued celebrating the old New Year date were mocked as “April fools,” giving rise to the holiday’s name and customs.

A Burger Kind April Fool's prank....

Another theory suggests that April Fool’s Day may have originated from ancient spring festivals such as Rome’s Hilaria or India’s Holi. Hilaria, celebrated in late March, involved games, disguises, and mockery of neighbors, while Holi featured playful pranks and joyous festivities marking the arrival of spring.

The first definitive reference to April Fool’s Day comes from a 1561 Flemish poem by Eduard de Dene. In this humorous tale, a nobleman sends his servant on absurd errands for nonexistent items, a prank still known as a “fool’s errand.” This poem solidifies April Fool’s Day as an established tradition by the late Middle Ages.

In France, the day became known as poisson d’avril (“April fish”), where children would pin paper fish on unsuspecting friends’ backs. This tradition symbolizes gullibility, likening victims to young fish easily caught.

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By the 18th century, April Fool’s Day had spread across Europe and North America. In Scotland, it evolved into “Gowkie Day,” where people were sent on wild goose chases. The following day, “Tailie Day,” involved pranks like pinning “kick me” signs on others. Media outlets also began participating in the holiday by publishing fake headlines and stories—a tradition that continues today.

While the exact origin remains debated, April Fool’s Day thrives as an opportunity for lighthearted fun worldwide. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to bring laughter and mischief into everyday life, transcending cultural boundaries and historical uncertainties.



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