Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects 1 in every 10 women of childbearing age, from 15 to 44.

Being such a common condition, one would assume that there is a cure for PCOS. Unfortunately, up to this day, there hasn’t been any proven medical breakthrough that can completely heal this hormonal imbalance, only treatments that can decrease or (if you’re lucky) eliminate the symptoms of PCOS.

In recent years, however, there has been a lot of hype built up around cannabis being used as a treatment for PCOS.

In numerous studies, cannabis has been seen to effectively treat pain and stomach cramps, relieve anxiety and perform wonders with bad skin and hair, all of which are common symptoms of PCOS. But, can cannabis cure PCOS?

Let’s hear what science has to say about it.

What’s Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a medical condition that is caused by an imbalance in female hormone levels.

Women who suffer from the condition produce high levels of the male hormone Androgen (steroid hormones that affect the development of the male reproductive system) in their ovaries.

The most common symptoms of  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are:

• Irregular and very painful menstrual periods
• No menstrual periods, which can further lead to different health complications such as infertility and the development of cysts in the ovaries. 
• Hirsutism or excessive hair on the chin, cheeks, chest and other body parts where men commonly have hair (but women don’t)
• Severe acne and oily skin
• Thinning hair and hair loss (male pattern balding)
• Increase in body weight 
• Fatigue
• Skin tags

The exact cause of PCOS is still not entirely clear. Some evidence suggests it is a genetic disease, so if your mother, sister or close female relatives have PCOS, you’re at a higher risk. Additionally, those who are obese stand a good chance of developing PCOS.

Women suffering from PCOS are at increased risk of developing more serious health conditions such as:

• Glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes (more than 50% of women with PCOS develop this condition later in life) 
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression
• Sleep apnoea
• Endometrial cancer 

How is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome treated?

Although there is no cure for PCOS, it is a treatable condition. The course of treatment largely depends on the extent of the symptoms the woman may have.

If the symptoms aren’t severe, for example, changing unhealthy habits and losing weight can regulate and correct the hormonal imbalance of the body.

For more severe conditions of PCOS, a combination of a healthy diet and medication is necessary for treating symptoms.

Women who don’t wish to become pregnant can turn to birth control pills to restore their hormonal balance and help with regulating their menstrual cycle.

If a woman has developed insulin resistance, she’ll need to look to using different diabetes medication.

In addition, for women who suffer from problems associated with anxiety and depression, different antidepressants can be prescribed.

On top of that, pain killers are a commonly used medication that can be used to help alleviate painful menstrual cramps and pelvic pain.

What role does cannabis play in PCOS treatment?

In recent years, cannabis has attracted huge attention to its medical properties. But when it comes to PCOS, can cannabis treat or even cure this tough condition? This is what we know so far.

First of all, cannabis is a widely used form of medication for pain treatment, a symptom that is often associated with PCOS.

Most women who suffer from PCOS have very painful menstrual cramps, intense back pain during their menstrual cycle and sometimes abdominal pain due to the development of cysts in their ovaries.

In the case of depression, which is also a common symptom for women suffering from PCOS, marijuana can have both beneficial and harmful effects.

Although there is no consensus on this topic, the popular opinion seems to be that marijuana with a high dose of THC is going to improve symptoms of depression, while lower doses of THC and higher doses of CBD seem to have the effect of an antidepressant.

So, cannabis can be used as a palliative treatment for the numerous side effects of PCOS. But what we want to know is if cannabis can become a potential medical cure for this unpleasant condition?

The endocannabinoid system and ovarian function

In order to fully understand how cannabis can influence a hormonal disorder such as PCOS, we need to understand the biological processes that happen in the female body and the importance of the endocannabinoid system for reproductive health.

The endocannabinoid system is a signaling network of the body that consists of:

• Endocannabinoids (molecules created by our body that are structurally very similar to cannabinoids from cannabis).
• Different metabolic enzymes that break down endocannabinoids. 
• Endocannabinoid receptors that are located in the cell membranes and spread throughout the body.

The main purpose of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain homeostasis, or in simplified words, to maintain the balance of all physiological operations in our body. This is the reason why all physiological systems in our body have cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2).

CB1 receptors are mainly located within the central nervous system and CB2 receptors are predominantly found within cells of the immune system.

However, both of these receptors are also present in female sex organs and play a vital role in the regulation of reproductive health.

Ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce reproductive cells (gametes) for fertilization and reproductive hormones, namely estrogen, testosterone, inhibin, and progesterone. These play a crucial function in the menstrual cycle and fertility.

During the menstrual cycle, the ovaries undergo three series of changes: the follicular phase, ovulation, phase, and luteal phase.

During the follicular phase, a woman’s brain (the hypothalamus) releases the Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) that stimulates the secretion of two hormones in the anterior pituitary gland: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Those hormones travel through the blood to a woman’s ovaries where they produce 15-20 eggs in the ovarian follicles.

Estrogen is then synthesized in significant amounts from the preovulatory follicle to decrease the levels of LH and FSH.

Lower levels of these hormones will lead to the death of most of the produced follicles, and only one, dominant follicle will completely mature to release the egg. This phase is called ovulation.

Then comes the luteal phase when ovaries make a hormone called progesterone, which helps thicken the lining of the uterus in preparation for a possible pregnancy.

The reason why I’m explaining all the phases of the ovarian cycle is not that I want you to recall study material from 10th-grade biology classes, but to explain the effects that cannabinoids seem to have in this natural process.

The effect of cannabinoids on female hormones 

Science has discovered so far that CB1 receptors are localized in the hypothalamus, the brain areas where the GnRH is produced.

What this means is that a high level of endocannabinoids (produced in our body) and exogenous cannabinoids (from cannabis intake) restrain the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which further suppresses the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the anterior pituitary gland.

Consequently, this harms the female gonadal function and decreases estrogen and progesterone production.

To put it simply, chronic cannabis consumption can lead to the following:

1. Decrease in the concentration of the sex hormones.
2. Disruption of the menstrual cycle.
3. Delay in sexual maturation.
4. Depression of the ovarian follicular maturation.
5. Decline in female fertility.

Another study, published in 2009, was the first to discover the presence of an entire endocannabinoid system in the human ovary. It was also discovered that CB2 is concentrated at a much higher level in the ovarian follicle than CB1.

This finding could suggest that the endocannabinoid system has a very important immunological role in ovarian function, but this hypothesis has not been proven so far. 

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

When it comes to a direct connection between ECS and PCOS, one recent study has found that some of the most dangerous characteristics of PCOS (insulin resistance and obesity) may be associated with ECS activation.

This means that an increased level of endocannabinoids in your body and high stimulation of the CB1 receptors (both of which occur by consuming cannabis) can be a risk factor for insulin resistance in women that suffer from PCOS.

Based on this study, one wouldn’t suggest using cannabis as a treatment for PCOS, as it could potentially lead to the progression of PCOS.

On the other hand, a different study found evidence of increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, inflammatory cytokines and leucocyte count in women with PCOS.

In other words, PCOS could be an inflammatory process. And, we all know that cannabis is proven to be a great anti-inflammatory.

In fact, several compounds found in cannabis (THC, CBD, terpenes) are shown to have great capabilities in the treatment of many inflammatory disorders.

However, there haven’t been any studies to find a direct connection between cannabis smoking and PCOS.

Conclusion

Although the majority of studies on the effect of cannabinoids on ovarian function have been conducted in vitro, on animals, or on a small sample, it’s been implied that PCOS could be tied to a dysfunction in the endocannabinoid system.

Cannabis-derived cannabinoids may distort the delicate connection between the ECS and the homeostatic mechanism in the female’s reproductive process.

As such, it isn’t recommended to use marijuana as a potential cure for PCOS or any other female reproduction-related disorders.

Having said that, there haven’t been enough human studies to prove a negative linkage between cannabis consumption and female reproductive health either.

All we know so far is that ECS plays a vital role in keeping our reproductive health in balance, and exogenous cannabinoids in cannabis are certainly playing a significant role in keeping or disturbing that equilibrium.

References

1. Walker OS, Holloway AC, Raha S. The role of the endocannabinoid system in female reproductive tissues. J Ovarian Res. 2019;12(1):3. Published 2019
2. Gammon, C. M., Freeman, G. M., Xie, W., Petersen, S. L., & Wetsel, W. C. (2005). Regulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Secretion by Cannabinoids. Endocrinology, 146(10)
3. Brents LK. Marijuana, the Endocannabinoid System and the Female Reproductive System. Yale J Biol Med. 2016;89(2):175–191. Published 2016

Want to know the best way to grow the best marijuana? Start with great seeds. But once you find the perfect strain, how do you save those seeds so that you can use them for future plants? It’s not that hard; actually, you just need to keep them cold, dark, and dry. However, there are few other things that you could do to preserve your precious seeds – keep reading to learn more.

Storing Cannabis Seeds is Important

If you plan to grow marijuana for fun or profit, you’ll need to know how to store your seeds.

Why does it matter?

Those seeds are directly related to the quality of your plants. If they are not stored correctly, when you do get around to planting them, they will not germinate.  On the other hand, if you store them the right way, they are good to go indefinitely.

Some growers keep seeds for years. However, it’s common to leave a few seeds in storage for less than a year, especially when there are limits around how much you can grow at one time. There’s no reason why those extra seeds should go to waste, simply learn how to store them correctly.

Tip: make sure to download my free Grow Bible for more information 

Use the Right Storage Container

When storing cannabis seeds, the first thing to think about is your container. Do not use just any random container that you come across. The ideal container should be made of one material.

Avoid containers with a mixture of materials. An example of this would be a plastic container with a metal lid or a glass container with a plastic cover. Containers made from more than one material react differently to temperature and other changes, and this can create room for undesirable conditions to reach your stored cannabis seeds. For instance, the metal lid on a glass jar will expand at a different rate when the temperature rises, and this may allow some moisture to enter the container.

Many people suggest using plastic containers for long term storage when asked how to store marijuana seeds, but that isn’t a great idea either. Plastic has tiny (microscopic) pores that can let air infiltrate the container and damage your seeds. If you want your seeds to last, don’t store them in a plastic container. Glass is a much better solution. 

Label the Containers

Chances are you are storing more than one strain of cannabis seeds. Even if you are storing just one variety of seed, you must label the container. Otherwise, if you store the seeds for years, you may forget which strain they are and that they are even marijuana seeds!

Keep Light Out

This part is simple; germination needs light. If you do not want your seeds to sprout, keep the light out. That’s why the most immediate answer to “how to store cannabis seeds” is “keep the environment light free.”

Want an easy way?

Try using an opaque container. If the glass jars you used aren’t opaque, then place your seeds in something opaque, such as black plastic wrap, then put that in the glass jar. Again, keep in mind, plastic is not the best for long term (years), but if you are purchasing at the end of one grow season in preparation for the next, it should work just fine

You can also place your cannabis seeds in a fridge that doesn’t get opened much or another dark location. 

Keep the Temperature Constant

Another thing that you need to think about when storing cannabis seeds is to maintain a stable temperature. Try and keep the seeds around 40° Fahrenheit. You do not want them to freeze.

Many people do this by keeping their seeds in a fridge or freezer. (Again, do not allow the seeds to freeze.) The most critical thing is keeping that temperature constant. Your marijuana seeds can deteriorate when the temperature fluctuates.

Keep Moisture Out

Moisture is the other condition that is required for germination, so you’ll need to keep your seeds dry as well. Depending on how much moisture your marijuana seeds are exposed to, they could either germinate or even rot while in storage.

For the best results, keep moisture levels between 5% and 9%.  An airtight, sealed container is a great way to do this. You could also add something to help absorb any moisture, such as silica packets or even cooked rice.

TIP: Buy the best seeds at my seed shop

If you decide to use one of these methods, make sure you use something food-grade. Remember, this material will be sitting in storage next to your seeds. It’s also a good idea to use some sort of barrier, such as some cotton wool, between your moisture-absorbing packs and the marijuana seeds. This will leave the seeds undisturbed while the moisture problems are addressed. 

Keep the Storage Environment Clean

How to store marijuana seeds properly also means keeping the storage environment clean. If you’re not careful, pests can quickly destroy your cannabis seeds if they access the storage container and its contents.

A clean environment also keeps other contaminants, such as microbes, from compromising the quality of your seeds. After all, you will eventually plant those seeds, and you don’t want to consume cannabis grown from contaminated seeds.

Nature designed seeds to last until the ideal germination environment occurs. Therefore, if you follow these storage tips and prevent that environment from happening, you could store cannabis seeds indefinitely.  

Does it need to be perfect?

No. If you only need to store cannabis seeds for a few months, you don’t need to be that strict.  However, if you’d like to keep your seeds for years, plan ahead and take the necessary precautions, and you’ll be delighted that you did.

The marijuana stock market has seen some massive ups and downs over the past few months. This is of course due to the infancy of the market as a whole which we have seen since its inception. The volatility of the marijuana stock market, however, gives two advantages. For one, it allows investors the ability to find cannabis stocks that are below the value that analysts say they should be at. 

The second advantage comes as volatility can give the opportunity to make big gains. With this, one should also keep in mind that there is also the potential for big losses with volatility. Despite this, marijuana stocks have continued to garner attention across the market. With so much potential moving forward, marijuana stocks to watch are showing more promise than ever. 

One Cannabis Stock Looks to Corner the Market

SOL Global Investments Corp. (SOL Stock Report) (SOLCF Stock Report) is widely regarded as one of the leading international investment companies working in the cannabis industry. The company works both out of the U.S. and European marijuana markets including hemp and CBD related products.  SOL Global Investments has made a strong emphasis on increasing partnerships with cultivators, distributors, and retailers throughout the industry. Additionally, they have worked to build their research and development program with the prestigious University of Miami. With all of their future prospects being lined up, the company is a massive player in the growing marijuana stock market. For these reasons, they remain a key pot stock to watch. 

What’s Next for SOL Global Investments?

The company recently announced that they have completed a $50 million debenture financing program. With this new capital, they will be able to finance and build out their large hemp and CBD prospects. The company has stated that they have a heavy focus on moving into Florida, Michigan, and California as they represent some of the largest statewide markets in the nation. 

Because of this new debenture financing, the company will be able to better plan out their long term strategies. This involved both their movement toward CBD and THC based products including the hemp industry as well. SOL Global Investments continues to show that they are a major pot stock to watch. 

Marijuana Stock Competiton on The Rise​

CannTrust Holdings (CTST Stock Report) is one of the largest marijuana growers in the whole of the industry. The company has seen some large downtrends in the past few months, but this has been somewhat of a trend for some of the larger companies in the industry. While this may seem like a downside, the reality is that cannabis has a huge future forecast for it.  This is in no way a guarantee that the largest companies will succeed, but it does give some hope.

The opportunity here is that CannTrust could be a potential value buy if viewed as such due to its current lowered price. Of course, this is up to the amount of research done by the investor and how they determine the value of the company. Regardless, CannTrust has been working hard to continue as one of the key pot stocks to watch in the industry.

If there was an election in cannabis, women would vote for health and wellness products over anything else. They also prefer flower and vape pens to prerolls and capsules. 

These are just some of the findings in Headset’s Cannabis Data Intelligence, which provides insight into the year-over-year differences between the sexes and their cannabis shopping patterns.

While women may not consume as much cannabis as men, they make up an important one-third of the cannabis market. And if businesses want to capture women buyers, it’s worth taking a look at not only what they buy, but why they buy it.

Headset’s Cannabis Market Intelligence confirms what we all know —that men and women have their own motives, preferences, rationales, and considerations when it comes to shopping for cannabis products. 

Here are some trends worth noting. 

It's all about flower and vapes

At the top of the female “gotta-have-it” list are flower and vapor pens. Interestingly, those are the top two for men, as well, albeit men buy more of these than women. In flower, men hold 56% of the category share. Women hold 44%. Men edge women out by a little more than a percent with vapor pens. Men hold 52% of the category share; women are at 48%.

*Cannabis Categories Market Share – Male and Female

Edibles and topicals are hot

Where women’s tastes start to differ is with edibles, topicals, and tinctures, and sublinguals. They’ll fill their carts with these before concentrates (which men love, by the way). Women account for 58 percent of the edible category share while men make up 42 percent. For tinctures and sublinguals, women make up 64 percent of the category. Moreover, topical numbers —while a small percentage of overall sales— skew the most female, making up 68 percent of sales.

Experts think women are increasingly gravitating to the edibles, topicals, and tinctures, and sublinguals because they are becoming more concerned about their health and wellness. It’s not about getting high. Women -- especially those in their 40s and 50s—are using lower-dose cannabis to address concerns such as sleep, anxiety and sexual pleasure.

This theory is backed up by spending data. From 2017 to 2018 the amount of money spent on concentrates dropped 15% for women. Pre-roll spending dropped 18 percent during the same time period. Vapor pens spending increased19%, but the real increase came with tinctures and sublinguals and topicals. From 2017 to 2018, tinctures and sublinguals spending skyrocketed 42 perfect. Topical sales were even better than that, increasing 47%.

Wellness reigns supreme

If you look at specific products women bought in 2018, the eye toward wellness is evident. Women over-indexed for the popular Humboldt Apothecary 3:1 Calm CBD Tincture, which contains 3 mg of CBD for every 1 mg of THC. Women also purchased Papa and Barkley’s 3:1 Releaf Balm, meant to target areas of muscle pain and inflammation. It’s notable that these two products are marketed for their healing and calming effects.

But women also over-indexed for Milk Chocolate Blueberry Terra Bites by Kiva, which contain 5 mg of THC per bite. Despite the stereotype, there’s no real science proving women crave chocolate more than men. They just admit to it more.

Cannabusinesses are already taking notice of women shoppers. A perfect example is Colorado-based become. The company offers a line of vapor pens scientifically formulated for women, by women. There are three options -- Elevated for those needing energy, Mellow for relaxation and Balanced for focusing on what matters. Females have already over-indexed with become products in 2019.

In the end, while no single product or category is exclusive to one sex, it seems more women are engaging in some of the more nuanced methods of cannabis consumption, especially with low-dose cannabis products.