Month: March 2024

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Lifestyle and Wellness

Cannabis in Sports

Cannabis in Sports

In recent years there has been a growing conversation surrounding cannabis use for athletes. While traditionally used for recreational purposes, cannabis is increasingly being recognized for its therapeutic properties and potential to enhance athletic performance. 

There are a number of reasons why an athlete might want to use cannabis as well as a few reasons why they can’t.

Therapeutic Benefits

Cannabis contains a number of compounds that have therapeutic properties. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD have been known to help with things like pain perception, inflammation and more. 

Many athletes report experiencing chronic pain and inflammation due to the intense training, injuries, and physical demands of their sport. Research suggests that some cannabinoids have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making them effective for managing pain and promoting recovery. 

Similarly, cannabis may help athletes manage stress, anxiety, and improve sleep quality. It’s been shown that high-stress levels and inadequate sleep can negatively impact athletic performance and recovery.

Enhancing Performance and Recovery

In addition to its therapeutic effects, some athletes use cannabis to enhance their performance and recovery. While more research is needed in this area, some anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabis can help athletes enter a state of flow, improve focus, and enhance creativity.

Some athletes also report that cannabis helps to relax them prior to big games or competitions. It can help them to overcome performance anxiety and pre-competition jitters, leading to an overall better performance.

Additionally, the aforementioned anti-inflammatory properties can help to reduce muscle soreness and stiffness, allowing athletes to train harder and more frequently. This gives them more opportunities to improve at their sport and perhaps give them an edge on the competition.

Legal and Ethical Issues

Despite the potential benefits, cannabis use in sports is still considered controversial due to its legal status and concerns about fairness and ethics. 

While some sports organizations have relaxed their policies on cannabis use, others still have strict regulations and impose penalties for athletes who test positive for cannabinoids. 

For example, the World Anti-Doping Agency—who manages all of the anti-doping regulations for the Olympics—lists cannabis as prohibited substances in competition

Additionally, the legality of cannabis varies by jurisdiction, which can make it difficult for athletes who compete internationally or in states or countries where cannabis is illegal or heavily regulated.

Some organizations will allow exceptions for medical reasons but many don’t as it’s still considered performance enhancing. Even if the exemption is allowed it may not carry over into other organizations, making it difficult for athletes to compete at the local, national and international levels.

Note: The World Anti-Doping Agency and many other organizations list Cannabidiol (CBD) as an exception to their rules on cannabis usage. Using CBD-based products, especially topicals, is a great way to get some of the benefits of cannabis without breaking any rules.

 

The question of the usage of cannabis in sports is definitely a complex one but it’s one that we should be willing to tackle. The benefits to athletes are undeniable and as the general culture is warming to cannabis use, so might sports culture. 

Any athletes, thinking of using cannabis either to help their performance or in their daily life should make sure that they are familiar with all of the rules and regulations of the organization that they’re competing in. 

If you find that cannabis is something that you can and want to use in your daily life as an athlete, then stop by NatureMed and we’ll make sure that you have everything you need to have you playing and feeling your best.

Check out our online menu to see what you have to offer and check out our specials page to see the ways you can save.

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Education Starter Series

An Introduction to Cannabinoids

An Introduction to Cannabinoids. What are they and why are they important?

In recent years there has been an increased interest in cannabis and its potential health benefits. This interest has led more people to look into the various components of cannabis and what they can do for you. 

Some of the components that have received a lot of attention are Cannabinoids, and with good reason. Cannabinoids play a pivotal role in the therapeutic effects of cannabis, influencing everything from pain relief to mood regulation.

An Intro to Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are naturally found in the cannabis plant. When consumed, they interact in specific ways with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system is a network of receptors that are involved in regulating different physiological processes.

Every Cannabinoid is slightly different and interacts uniquely with your endocannabinoid system. This means that every cannabinoid has its own specific effect on the body. While some cannabinoids can be used for the same purposes they’re all going to have different variations, which is why it’s important to know exactly what these different compounds do.

The Most Common Types of Cannabinoids

There are over 100 different cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis plant, each of which has its own unique effects and potential benefits. However, these are the most common ones that you might encounter and what they can do.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):

THC is probably the most well-known cannabinoid and is one of the psychoactive compounds found in cannabis. That psychoactivity is what is responsible for the feeling of being high. It binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, altering mood, perception, and cognition. 

In addition to getting you high THC can be used in a number of therapeutic ways. It’s been known to help treat both acute and chronic pain and has also been used as a muscle relaxant. People have also used it to help with nausea and as an appetite stimulant.  

Cannabidiol (CBD):

CBD is another very common cannabinoid that is found in the cannabis plant. It’s known for its therapeutic properties and is not psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you high. 

One of main things that CBD is known for is its pain relieving properties, making products that contain CBD very popular with people experiencing chronic pain. It also has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties, making it a valuable compound for various other health conditions.

Cannabigerol (CBG):

CBG is considered the precursor to other cannabinoids and is sometimes referred to as the “mother cannabinoid”. During the growing process, CBG is one of the first cannabinoids to form and as the plant continues to grow, other cannabinoids like THC and CBD are developed from it.

It’s known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. It’s been known to be helpful in treating diseases like Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. CBG has also been used as an appetite stimulant to help treat eating disorders and appetite loss because of chemotherapy.

Cannabinol (CBN):

While not as common as some other cannabinoids, CBN is still fairly popular. It occurs when THC is exposed to heat, light, and oxygen over time, degrading it. Because it’s originally derived from THC, CBN is mildly psychoactive.

CBN is most commonly used as a sleep aid due to its sedating properties. It has also been known to help with pain relief which makes it popular with people who have trouble sleeping due to medical conditions or persistant pain. 

Cannabichromene (CBC):

CBC is a less popular cannabinoid, mostly because it is found in smaller quantities than cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Structurally it is actually pretty similar to CBD and other cannabinoids. 

It also has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties like other cannabinoids but studies have shown that it may have antidepressant effects. This makes products that contain CBC potentially helpful tools in lessening the effects of depression.

Why it’s Important to Know Your Cannabinoids

Knowing about the cannabinoids that are in the products you’re consuming is going to help you to better curate your cannabis experience. You’ll be able to better understand the effects that they might have on you and as you try more products you’ll be able to catalog exactly how each cannabinoid affects you personally. You will also be able to better choose the correct product for your specific problems or needs.

Understanding the diverse effects of cannabinoids and their interactions with the body’s endocannabinoid system is essential for harnessing the full potential of cannabis as a medicinal and wellness aid.

As our understanding of cannabinoids continues to grow, so does our appreciation for all of the benefits they offer. By exploring the intricacies of cannabinoids and their interactions with our bodies, we can unlock new avenues for treatment and discovery in the fascinating world of cannabis.

If you’re looking to try out some new products featuring some of the cannabinoids mentioned here, stop by NatureMed and we’ll make sure that you find what you’re looking for. 

Check out our online menu to see everything we have to offer and check our specials page to see all the ways you can save.

Categories
Holidays and Events

Infused Beverages for St. Patricks Day

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Infused Beverages for St. Patricks Day

St. Patricks Day is one of those holidays that is often associated with drinking and parties. It’s a great excuse to let loose and have a little fun. However, the morning after is usually less fun, especially if the holiday falls in the middle of the week and you need to go to work the next day.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day without the hangover, then you might want to consider adding infused beverages to your plans. 

We’ve pulled together a couple infused beverages to elevate your celebration or ways that they can be added to what you’re already planning.

Infused Seltzers

If you’re looking for something easy, then you might want to consider an infused seltzer. They’re similar to a White Claw or a Truly in that they’re light and easy to drink. 

They usually come in a couple of different flavors so you have a variety of options to choose from. Here at NatureMed, we’re a big fan of High Tide. 

These 30mg 1:1:1 seltzers are a delicious edition to any party or celebration. (If you’re looking to stay on theme for St. Patrick’s Day, then might we suggest the Prickly Pear Lime).

Infused Mocktails

If you don’t mind putting in a couple more minutes of work, you can make yourself some really tasty mocktails. If you have a favorite mocktail recipe then you can easily add a couple of drops of cannabis tincture or replace one of the ingredients with an already infused juice or seltzer.

If you’re in the market for a new drink then we’ve got you covered

Cannabis-Infused Lemon and Lime Mocktail

Dissolvables

Dissolvables are another great option if you really want to be able to customize your drink. If you’re unfamiliar, dissolvables are packages of powder that you can mix into almost anything to give it a little cannabis kick.

Cannabis-Infused Mimosa Mocktail

This is great if you have a cocktail/mocktail recipe you really love but can’t find the right infused drink to mix it with. It also gives you a little bit more control over how strong you want your drinks to be.

For St. Patrick’s day, a great option could be some lime jell-o shots. The dissolvables will combine really well with the jell-o mix and give you the perfect addition to your party or a great way to pregame your night out.

However you want to celebrate this St. Paddy’s Day, NatureMed has your back for all of your cannabis needs.

Check out our online menu to see everything we have to offer and see our drink menu for all of our infused beverages. Check our specials page to see all the ways you can save.

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Lifestyle and Wellness

4 Ways to Incorporate Cannabis into Your Wellness Routine

4 Ways to Incorporate Cannabis into Your Wellness Routine

Establishing an easy to maintain and consistent wellness routine is key to living a balanced and healthy life. That being said, a lot of people have a very specific idea of what a wellness regiment is and will oftentimes write it off as too much or too difficult.

However, your wellness routine doesn’t have to look like that. The best wellness routine is one that fits with your lifestyle and if you’re here it probably means that weed figures somewhere into that lifestyle. So here are four ways that you can incorporate cannabis into your wellness journey.

Exercise

Using cannabis before or during exercise might not be your first thought but it can be helpful, especially if you’re struggling to get started. Many people have reported that using cannabis in conjunction with their workout has made it more enjoyable. 

Many athletes have also reported that it helps them to concentrate and really get into their workout. Depending on the strain or product that you’re using it can also give you a little boost in energy to kickstart your workout or keep you moving if you start fading.

There really isn’t a limit to the activities that you can incorporate cannabis into, yoga is a popular one but things like running, strength training or other gym workouts are also great options.

Additionally, many people have found that using CBG and CBD before or after their workouts can be very beneficial. CBG is known to give you a boost in energy and both help with recovery. When taken together they balance well, complimenting each other and negating potential side effects.

Tip: Edibles are a great way to consume before a workout because there’s a much lower chance of it interfering with your lung capacity. You’re also probably going to want to find a Sativa strain to give you that energy boost.

Meditation

Meditating is a great way to ground yourself and work on mindfulness. It’s been known to reduce stress and anxiety and improve mental health. Using Cannabis can help improve your meditative experience. 

Many strains are known to have calming and relaxing properties, this can help you to focus during your mediation. 

Cannabis can also be helpful for people who struggle to meditate. One of the main complaints that people have about meditation is that they can’t get their mind to slow down enough to successfully meditate. Using cannabis is a great way to help slow your brain down and comfortably sink into a meditative state.

Tip: You’re probably going to want to find an Indica strain for your meditation session, as Sativa and even Hybrid strains might excite your brain too much and impede your ability to slow down and relax.

Start Your Day Right

Beginning your day on the right note sets the tone for the rest of your day and helps to put you in the right headspace to accomplish all of your goals. While many people struggle to get up in the morning and experience fatigue for a while after getting up, cannabis can help to alleviate some of those problems

Working cannabis into your morning routine can help you to start the day on the right foot and if you pick the right strain it can help to ease you out of sleep and into a relaxed state of wakefulness, ready to take on whatever the day brings. 

Sleep Aids

On the opposite end of the spectrum it’s also important to end your day the right way and to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep. We need at least 8 hours of sleep every night to be able to function optimally and if you’re struggling to get to sleep and stay asleep. 

If you’re struggling to get to sleep then you might want to consider adding a little cannabis to your nighttime routine. As previously mentioned, cannabis can help you to relax and slow your mind down, this is super helpful when it comes to getting to sleep. 

Additionally, people have reported that they will stay asleep longer when using cannabis before bed. It can also help to soothe some aches and pains that might be keeping you up at night.

Tip: Choosing an Indica strain is definitely the right option here but you also might want to consider finding something that contains CBN as well. CBN is known to have calming, sedative qualities which makes it perfect for helping you get some Z’s.

 

Working Cannabis into your everyday wellness routine is not only easy but it can also help to improve your quality of life and make it easier to stick to your new routine.

If you’re looking to add a little something extra to your wellness journey, then make sure that you stop by NatureMed and we’ll make sure you’ve got what you need. 

Check out our online menu to see everything we have to offer and check our specials page to see all the ways you can save.

Categories
Holidays and Events

Women and Their Contributions to the Cannabis Industry

Women and Their Contributions to the Cannabis Industry

The Cannabis industry in recent history has been dominated by and is often associated with men, but women have been involved in cannabis for as long as people have been cultivating and using it.

In fact, they are important to the industry right down to the plant itself. The cannabis plants that produce the flowers that are then harvested for consumption, are the female plants! Female plants also tend to produce more THC than male plants.

It is difficult to talk about the history of cannabis without talking about all of the women who have been involved in the industry since the start, from cultivation and distribution, to the fight for legalization. Women have been and will continue to be integral parts of the cannabis industry.

Why is it important to talk about Women in Cannabis

It’s important to continue to talk about women in the cannabis space because for a long time it has been a space that has catered mostly to men. 

Much of the research done on the effects of cannabis on the body has not included women. This means that there can be a larger disparity between the reported effects of a product and the actual effects that women feel when they use it. 

Additionally, there is an obvious gender gap when it comes to people in positions of power within the cannabis industry. Many brands, cultivations and dispensaries are owned by men which can make it harder for women to break into the industry. 

Similarly, as more states are legalizing cannabis, larger companies, some with outdated business practices, are moving into the industry and bringing those practices with them. This is causing even more of a gender gap within the industry.

Important Women in the Cannabis industry

Throughout the history of cannabis, there have been a lot of important female figures. These women helped to move us along that path to where we are now. 

Historical Figures

There have been a number of powerful female leaders and thinkers who have used or spoken about the positive effects of cannabis. One of the few documented female Pharaohs in Egypt, Pharaoh Hatshepsut, used hemp to help manage menstrual pain. 

In fact it was common enough to use hemp to help with menstrual pain as well as childbirth that there are medical texts from that time that detail those usages for the plant. 

Another ruler that reportedly used cannabis for a similar purpose was Queen Victoria of England. She not only used it to help ease menstrual cramps but also apparently used it to help combat morning sickness.

Margaret Mead

Bringing things up closer to modern times, Margaret Mead was an anthropologist and in 1969, she testified before Congress that marijuana should be legalized. She is quoted as saying “marijuana is not harmful unless it is taken in enormous and excessive amounts”. 

She also spoke about how she believed that outlawing cannabis would do more harm than good in America and how in other countries, it was very common to consume cannabis, both medicinally and recreationally. 

She faced a lot of backlash for her opinions but ultimately she helped to bring awareness to the cultural significance of cannabis and introduced the wider public to the idea that it was not inherently good or bad.

Mary Jane Rathburn

Also known as “Brownie Mary”, Mary Jane Rathburn was a strong advocate for medical marijuana in the 1960s. 

During the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s, she would volunteer at San Francisco General Hospital and illegally offer AIDS patients cannabis brownies to help with their pain. This led to her being arrested multiple times.

She eventually would go on to help pass legislation in California allowing for the use of medical marijuana. She also helped to open the very first legal dispensary in the United States 

Because of all of the work that she did, she was often referred to as “Florence Nightingale of the medical marijuana movement”.

Allyn Howlett

Working as a biochemical neuropharmacologist in the late 1980’s, Allyn Howlett contributed to the discovery of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the endocannabinoid system. This discovery helped us to understand how cannabinoids interact with the receptors in our brain. 

It also brought a wider understanding to the public on how cannabis works and it reignited the conversation around medical marijuana, eventually leading to its legalization in California in 1996.

Women-Owned Brands

If you’re looking to support women in the Cannabis industry, a good way is to support women own-brands. We at NatureMed wanted to highlight two amazing woman-owned brands that we carry in store.

Kiva Confections

Back in 2010 Kristi Palmer along with her husband Scott began Kiva Confections out of the kitchen in their home. Over the past decade Kiva has grown into one of the largest and most successful edibles brands in the country. 

Image from Kiva Confections

They believe in making a quality product, stating “We believe that the principles of consistency, efficacy, and food safety are fundamental to creating a high-quality edible that you can always feel confident sharing with friends and family.”

Ladylike

The goal for the Ladylike team is to create a high quality product that’s made by women, for women. Leaning into traditionally feminine colors, packaging, and product names, Ladylike is carving a unique space for themselves in a traditionally male dominated industry.

Image from Ladylike

“We’re here to give women a safe space to learn, heal, and enjoy plant-based products. We’re also here to say goodbye to the stigma, shame, and fear around hemp derived product use for women.”

 

We at NatureMed are excited to be celebrating Women’s History Month along with all of the amazing women who have worked and continue to work to make the cannabis industry better every day!

Check out our online menu to see all that we have to offer as well as our specials page to see all the ways you can save!