Cannavist Issue 16

Back cannabis... save the economy?

Could the UK’s potential £1bn cannabis industry be a remedy to the nation’s money woes?

IFS Labs:

The testing lab on the forefront of product safety.

Séance fiction or terrifying reality?

Fears rise over a ‘dystopian’ Amazon update that could see Alexa mimic voices from beyond the grave.

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How it works

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR BEHIND THE SCENES

I know what you must be thinking; who’s this dashing young man and what has he done with The CANNAVIST Editor Patrick Griffin?

Well, first of all…thank you, you’re too kind. Secondly, there’s no need to worry, Patrick is safe and sound but I’ll be taking the wheel from here on out.

If you’re a regular reader of The CANNAVIST, you’ve likely seen my name pop up before…just check the bylines of some of our top stories.

And if this is your first time with the magazine, then I implore you to take a look at some of our previous issues.

A few things about me; I’m a long-time writer for both The CANNAVIST and our sister publication Vapouround, I have an overwhelming obsession with Hawaiian shirts and I’m insanely proud of this magazine.

The team and I have curated an eclectic mix of stories from the worlds of cannabis, wellness and health, touching on developments from across the globe.

In this issue, we have an episodeby-episode breakdown of Netflix’s psychedelic mini-series ‘How to Change Your Mind’, dipping into the all-mighty wisdom of host

This publication and the products shown herein are intended for an 18+ audience.

The comments and opinions given by contributors to this publication are not the views of the editor or magazine, unless otherwise stated. The products featured in this magazine are not sponsored, were included at the discretion of the editor / publisher and were not seen or altered by the suppliers in any way prior to publication. While every effort is made to respect editorial and advertising standards, The CANNAVIST cannot accept liability for issues raised or comments made by those featured in this magazine. Should you have a query about the content in this publication, email the editor: editor@cannavistmag.com

Michael Pollan and hearing from an international cast of experts and advocates.

We also explore how the cannabis industry could be a remedy to the UK’s growing money woes as the nation is plunged into a cost-ofliving crisis.

On a…spookier note; we report on a ‘dystopian’ new announcement from Amazon, which would see personal assistant Alexa able to replicate the voices of dead relatives.

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t particularly like the idea of every random query and shopping request being artificially answered

fiction or terrifying reality?’ in the

Now anyway, that’s enough from me;

stuck in and see issue has to offer,

JOURNALISTS

Editorial Director Patrick Griffin

Editor Jordan Millar Journalist Oliver Smith

DESIGN

Head of Design Hayley Parker Head Designer Amy Harrison

Design Team Coordinator Lucy Booth

Graphic Designer Michelle Piovesan Design Support Anna Difusco

MARKETING

Marketing Director Katie Loomes

Marketing Executives Carrie Strouther Alicia Snow-Simpson

Web Developer Kain Alden Marketing Admin Lauren Pilliner

FINANCE

Head of Finance Rochelle Warsop

EVENTS

Events Director Abida Razaque Bus Manager Farooq ‘H’ Hussain Assistant Bus Manager Sid De Silva

SALES

Client Partnerships Manager Stephen Culf

Sales Executive Kirk Martin

Sales Executive Giovanni De Pietro Sales Executive Peter Masters

DIRECTORS

Managing Director Pom Kaila CEO Paul Caplin

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The testing lab at the forefront of product safety

As regulations in the CBD and Novel Foods sectors continue to evolve, we asked IFS Laboratories why product testing was crucial for compliance and consumer confidence.

When it comes to toxicology testing in the cannabis industry, it is important that the lab produces accurate and consistent results time after time.

IFS Laboratories was set up with exactly this in mind and it prides itself on providing a comprehensive and validated suite of analytical testing services.

Their UKAS accredited laboratory follows the strictest standards of testing in the UK to deliver accurate and trusted test results every time.

IFS Laboratories was founded by Karen Brooks and Zeb Alam in 1999. The two entrepreneurs pooled their rich experience and background in flammability and chemistry to serve the industry for over 25 years.

The lab offers tests to cover all stages of the cannabis supply chain and the vast experience of the team led by Brooks and Alam is especially important as the industry faces ever greater regulation.

Testing is crucial because at each part of the production process (from cultivation, manufacturing, storage and distribution) there is an opportunity for unintentional contaminants to go unnoticed. High quality lab testing can pick up on a range of

impurities including heavy metals, residual solvents from the extraction process, pesticides, mycotoxins (including Citrinin, Fumonisins, Orchratxin A, Patulin, and Trichothecenes) and more.

Brooks said:

“The stakes are getting higher as the cannabis industry evolves and the regulatory laws continue to change.

“This is why we continue to invest and develop the company with advanced testing services that provide high quality, reliable, and accurate results.

“We will continue to acquire the latest facilities, processes, and equipment in order to set the highest benchmarks for the cannabis industry in the UK.”

The CBD sector is currently undergoing a similar process to that experienced by the vape industry as it began to gain widespread acceptance.

As new regulations came in, many companies who were unable or unwilling to have their products properly tested found that they could no longer legally sell their products.

Also, testing allows companies to show that their products meet (or exceed) regulatory requirements to

“Our motto since day one has been to stay at the forefront of product safety and regulatory compliance and this is more important now than ever.

ensure they are safe for consumers to use.

Brooks added: “The entire IFS team is well aware that businesses depend on accurate and timely tests.

“We are equipped to test nearly everything and provide detailed reports on products. This service is important given the rise of the CBD industry and regulatory concerns in the market.

“Our motto since day one has been to stay at the forefront of product safety and regulatory compliance and this is more important now than ever.

“We use advanced instrumentation and detection samples to ensure that each sample is compliant and safe for the market.

“Whether it’s testing for novel food applications, complying with regulations in the cosmetics industry, medical cannabis product testing, or product regulations, IFS Laboratories can help.”

IFS Laboratories also takes into account the unique composition of each product to provide more accurate tests. This work extends into a wide range of matrices in the cannabis industry.

One key area where IFS Laboratories can help is with the complex process surrounding novel food applications.

Brooks said the comprehensive application process had many parts which needed expert assistance. She said: “It is important to get it right the first time around or risk having to start over, re-submitting evidence, and wait even longer for approval.

“As a UKAS-accredited laboratory, our analytical testing services include everything needed for companies to acquire their CBD Novel Food application.”

IFS Labs also has a wealth of experience across multiple industries including textiles, cosmetics, food supplements, transportation and environmental & agricultural commodities.

testing company

Before sending your sample to an independent laboratory for testing, make sure it is accredited by the UKAS.

Other factors to consider include:

A demonstrated history of work in the relevant industry

A roster of reliable clients for referencing

Fast turnaround times to stay ahead of deadlines

Accuracy of results

Must hold a valid Controlled Drug License to possess schedule 1 drugs for analysing raw cannabis plants

What to look for in a

4:20

CANNAVIST Editor Jordan Millar has compiled these four pages containing twenty bite-sized cannabis, wellness and lifestyle stories from across the globe.

‘AD ENOUGH?

ORANGE YOU GLAD YOU CHECKED THE LABEL

Leading supermarket chain Tesco recently came under fire for selling fruit that isn’t suitable for vegans.

AND THAT’S WHY ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN…

Scientists discovered that pooches and pups get so happy when their owners return home that they actually cry tears of joy.

Researchers from Japan’s Azabu University said the dogs’ eyes get teary due to a build-up of the love hormone oxytocin.

The team measured the tear volume in dogs before and after they were reunited with their owners after a separation of more than five hours.

They now want to learn whether they show a similar reaction when reunited with their canine chums.

The brand confirmed it uses animal-based waxes on some of its produce –including oranges, lemons and limes – meaning vegans cannot use the zest when cooking.

Many shoppers and plant-based advocates were shocked at the news, questioning how fruit of all things couldn’t be veganfriendly.

Tesco says it is looking at alternative wax options that don’t contain animal products and currently marks all affected fruit as ‘NOT SUITABLE FOR VEGANS’.

In a world’s first, the Dutch city of Haarlem will ban meat adverts in public spaces.

Taking effect in 2024, the new legislation hopes to address links between environmental concerns and the meat sector.

Ziggy Klazes of the GroenLinks Party –which drafted the ban – said: “Meat is harmful to the environment…we can’t tell people there’s a crisis and encourage them to buy products that are part of the cause.”

But while Klazes said they’re not trying to control what people are ‘baking and roasting in their own kitchen’, critics say the ban goes too far in ‘telling people what’s best’.

IN IT TO WIN IT

That’s right, the CANNAVIST Awards are back once again and you need to act fast if you want to be in with a chance of winning!

There are 15 prestigious trophies up for grabs – honouring some of the best of the CBD, health and wellbeing industries – so be

A SOBERING ‘CULTURAL SHIFT’

Almost one third of UK pub visits – and close to 40 percent of restaurant trips - are now alcohol-free, says new research.

A report from boozeless larger brand Lucky Saint and research firm KAM, suggested more people are considering their drinking habits and exploring the alternatives.

KAM managing director Katy Moses said the growing popularity of alcohol-free options isn’t driven by neverdrinkers…but rather the ‘huge number of Brits who simply want to moderate their intake’.

Lucky Saint founder Luke Boase added that we’re at the beginning of ‘a cultural shift in attitudes towards drinking in the UK’.

LEWIS CAPALDI OPENS UP

Award-winning singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi received a wave of support when he told fans about his battle with mental health.

The chart-topping artist recently revealed that he suffers with panic attacks, which he says were likely spurred by his rise to fame.

He also said he’s long struggled with anxiety and hypochondria.

In an interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast, Capaldi said he’s even had to share a bed with his mum due to panic attacks, but says therapy is helping him manage his anxieties.

‘EARTH IS NOW OUR ONLY SHAREHOLDER’

Patagonia boss Yvon Chouinard has given up his $3 billion outdoor apparel empire in an ambitious bid to protect the planet.

sure to enter your products for consideration before October 14.

After that, submissions are closed and we open voting to the public the following week.

For more information on the awards and the voting process, visit the CANNAVIST Awards website, or check out our awards breakdown later in this issue.

FIGHTING FANG AND NAIL

Vampire Diaries star and TV heartthrob Paul Wesley recently called for a ‘shift to veganism’ as he warned animal agriculture has ‘obliterated’ the environment.

His comments came as he signed the ‘Plant Based Treaty’, a grassroots initiative that hopes to ‘halt the widespread degradation of critical ecosystems’ by promoting sustainable eating habits.

Wesley said: “It’s time to mobilise in our communities to put pressure on our elected officials to negotiate a global Plant Based Treaty and avoid plantery collapse.

“I signed because animal farming has obliterated our beautiful forests and animals beyond recognition.”

In an open letter, the businessman and activist confirmed the brand would be split between the Patagonia Purpose Trust and the nonprofit Holdfast Collective, which is ‘dedicated to defending nature’. He said any money that wasn’t reinvested in the company would go towards helping ‘fight the crisis’, saying ‘we’ll use the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source of all wealth’. He said: “While we’re doing our best, it’s not enough…Earth is now our only shareholder.”

ALL EYES ON THE ‘DIRTY DOZEN’

Over 70 percent of branded litter in the UK comes from just 12 global companies, says charity Surfers Against Sewage.

Alongside almost 4,000 volunteers, the marine conservation group found 10,843 ‘items of packaging pollution’ across the nation’s streets and natural spaces. The so-called ‘dirty dozen’ included McDonalds, Nestle and Tesco, as well as Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola - who have been the top two on the list for three years running.

Surfers Against Sewage said: “Our findings highlight the systematic problem the UK faces…it’s critical that the spotlight continue to shine on the pollution habits of companies.”

A LONG TIME COMING AN A-MAIZE-ING ENDORSEMENT

TV personality Melanie Sykes took to social media after she was ‘finally’ granted a medical cannabis prescription.

Speaking candidly on Instagram, she explained that she’s been using CBD oil for years, but was able to meet with some GPs who agreed medical cannabis would help with her autism and anxiety.

The former co-host of chat show ‘Today with Des and Mel’ said that she’s been recovering from a ‘huge breakdown’ and was ‘thrilled’ with the prescription.

She said: “It’s going to be a huge experiment and hopefully it works for me…it’s been a long time coming.”

HOP, SKIP AND CYCLING TO A HEALTHIER NATION

GPs are handing out ‘social prescriptions’ like cycling and walking in a multi-million-pound bid to improve mental and physical health.

The trail will run in 11 areas across the UK –including Cornwall, Plymouth and Nottingham – and gives patients access to free bike loans, all-ability taster days and walking/cycling mental health groups.

According to National Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman, the 12.7-million-pound government scheme could reduce the ‘burden on the NHS’ and ‘lead to a healthier nation’.

He said: “This trial aims to show how bringing transport, active travel and health together can make a positive impact across communities in England.”

There are arguably few better advocates for eating vegetables than the internet’s latest social media sensation Tariq…better known as ‘The Corn Kid’.

Appearing on popular YouTube channel Recess Therapy, the seven-year-old delighted the masses with a wholesome endorsement of his favourite snack.

In the viral video, he said: “Ever since I was told corn was real, it tasted good; when I tried it with butter, everything changed…I can’t imagine a more beautiful thing.”

The original ‘CEO of Corn’ clip has more than 4.5 million views, inspiring a breakout musical remix from YouTube channel ‘schmoyoho’, which has over 6.5 million listens.

QUEEN’S FUNERAL ATTRACTED

‘HALF THE WORLD’S POPULATION’

Such was the outpouring of love for the late Queen Elizabeth II that more than half the world’s population – an estimated 4.1 billion people - watched her state funeral on TV.

As world leaders and dignitaries flew into London for the Westminster Abbey ceremony, TV expert Carolina Beltramo said it would be the most watched live broadcast in history.

Unprecedented numbers of visitors descended on the UK capital from around the world and hundreds of thousands queued for up to 14 hours to file past the Queen’s coffin as she lay in state ahead of the funeral.

SHHHHH…I’M QUITTING

A new global workplace protest sees staff, who are encouraged to ‘go above and beyond’ to impress their bosses, do exactly the opposite.

Social media is alive with ‘quiet quitting’ stories, where employees tell how they do the absolute minimum required to keep their jobs.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE NATURAL

Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood traded his western grit for animal advocacy in new wildlife documentary ‘Why on Earth’.

The flick – from filmmaker

Katie Clearly – put a spotlight on ‘deforestation and the illegal trade of threatened and endangered species’, exploring the harrowing impact on elephants, lions and a number of other animals.

Speaking in the ‘Why on Earth’ trailer, Eastwood said: “I’m an animal person, I appreciate the beauty of them…I just like to see everything live.”

Amelia Nagoski, who co-authored the book ‘Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle’ with her sister Emily, said it was an example of people ‘opting out of exploitative work cultures’.

She said workers were increasingly rejecting excessive demands from employers who wanted their ‘obedience, humanity and their souls’.

US SPACE FORCE EJECTS OUTDATED FITNESS TESTS

The US Space Force will ditch annual fitness tests for its personnel and replace them with round-the-clock health monitoring instead.

Bosses believe measuring fitness once a year with exercises including running, pushups and sit-ups is outdated and ineffective. From next year, smartwatches

and smart rings will constantly monitor heartrate, sleep patterns, exercise recovery times and much more. The agency believes this will lower health care costs and make staff more productive.

The USSF coordinates military satellite operations, monitors threats from enemy missiles and tracks space junk.

(DON’T) READ ALL ABOUT IT POT AND PARCEL OF THE JOB

If you’re obsessed with keeping up with current affairs, then we have some bad news…this could lead to increased stress, anxiety and ill health

A new study published in peer-reviewed journal Health Communication says regular exposure to the 24-hour news cycle can ‘seriously impact’ mental and physical wellbeing.

Professor Bryan McLaughlin from the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University said news addiction can ‘bring about a constant state of high alert in some people… making the world seem like a dark and dangerous place’.

PREVAILING POT

For the first time in history, more Americans now smoke cannabis than traditional cigarettes and the gap is set to keep growing.

Employers in California will no longer be able to make hiring or firing decisions based on a person’s cannabis use outside work.

When the new law comes into effect on January 1, 2024, test results showing that a person has used the drug, but is not currently impaired, must be disregarded.

This will make California the seventh US state to not discriminate against employees who smoke marijuana in their own free time when away from the workplace. There are exceptions for construction workers and for jobs requiring federal background checks.

PASS THE PRESCRIPTION

Campaigning mum Charlotte Caldwell, whose son Billy was the first to receive a UK medical cannabis prescription on the NHS, has won a victory for other parents.

She has secured ‘free-toaccess’ medical cannabis for other severely epileptic children, according to ‘The i’ newspaper.

The move will see prescription costs of up to £6,000 paid by medical firms while patients await a decision on whether they can get NHS treatment.

Billy, 17, who had up to 100 seizures every day, now goes for months without any thanks to the medical cannabis he receives.

A recent Gallup poll revealed that 16 percent of those surveyed said they lit up a joint in the past seven days, compared to 11 percent who said they had a cigarette.

In a similar survey in 2013 just seven percent said they regularly used

cannabis while 20 percent smoked tobacco. Senior Gallup scientist Frank Newport said he expected cannabis use to keep climbing.

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ON PHONE ANXIETY HANGING UP hanging up

Words: Oliver Smith

Have you ever had a well-earned moment of solitude, or a quiet sit-down with friends, interrupted by an unexpected and almost haunting buzz?

Suddenly, the comfortable silence or gentle conversation is pulled away, replaced by an ominous, pulsating hum that grows and demands your attention.

Those around you continue to talk and you wonder ‘have they not noticed, or were they struck by the same terror as you and are too anxious to acknowledge the sound’.

But the thought is short lived, as the world around you falls away until nothing is left but the monotonous screams of the electric phantom tucked in your back pocket.

Cautiously you reach in, your fingers are met by cold, vibrating metal and your worst fear is confirmed…you’re getting a phone call.

So you take a breath, gather as much courage as you can muster and hesitantly tap the screen, before bringing the device up to your face and whispering a timid ‘hello’.

If this sounds like you, then you may suffer with telephobia…more commonly known as the fear or

dislike of talking on the phone.

A ‘staggering’ 2019 UK survey revealed more than 60 percent of office-based workers ‘have reasons for experiencing call-related anxiety’, with many reporting ‘freezing’ on the phone or sounding ‘strange’ as sources of stress.

The Face for Business study – which gathered data from 500 respondents – also confirmed that telephobia affects age groups differently.

It uncovered that 76 percent of millennials have ‘anxious-based thoughts’ when their phone rings compared to 42 percent of baby boomers.

The survey also found that 61 percent of office workers will display ‘physical anxiety-induced behaviours’ when the phone rings while they’re alone.

Often, those with telephobia will feel overwhelmingly self-conscious and uneasy when faced with the prospect of taking or making a call, suffering similar symptoms to social anxiety.

But the condition doesn’t just have an in-themoment impact, with the Face for Business survey also reporting that it can affect long-term career prospects.

To help those who answer phone calls with an anxiety-induced mix of dread and nerves, we’ve highlighted a few helpful tips.

Ghouls, goblins, ghosts and…phone calls? In this story, we highlight the phobia affecting people across the globe and some tips on how to tackle it.

Preparation

, PREPARATION, PREPARATION

One way to soothe your stress would be to eliminate the element of surprise and put yourself in control.

By structuring your schedule, you have time to prepare before jumping on the line and may not be thrown off by unexpected calls.

This also gives you the opportunity to write out a few guiding notes, jot down any crucial topics of conversation and maybe even give yourself a short script to follow.

Another way to help calm your over-the-phone terror, would be with some classic exposure therapy…we know, scary right?

But by getting calls out of the way, you can get used to being on the phone and potentially ease some of your anxiety.

To reinforce this habit and shift your perspective, you could reward yourself at the end of the call; be this through giving yourself some time to cool off or doing something you enjoy.

BAD

It’s very easy for us to overthink situations and allow our worries to snowball…a problem that can be severely heighted for the

If you’re already full of fear stepping into a phone call, then any rejections, ‘no’s’ or pauses can quickly make you feel like you’ve done something wrong.

But you must remember not to read too much into things, as the person on the other end of the line could have any number of reasons for saying and doing what they do.

TAKE THINGS AT YOUR own pace

As with any other kind of anxiety or fear, you can’t expect it to just disappear overnight.

Working to overcome your nerves and phone-induced phobia is a personal journey and you shouldn’t get bogged down if you don’t think things are moving fast enough.

Listening to yourself and taking steps at a pace that makes you feel comfortable is crucial…you should work with yourself and not against.

MILLION POUND MISERY

Words: Jordan Millar

Jane Park was just 17-years-old when an eye-watering £1 million lotto win changed her life forever.

But what should have been a dream come true quickly turned into a ‘twisted fantasy’, as she faced years of harassment from strangers.

The now 26-year-old is campaigning for ‘government health warnings’ on the lottery, sharing her own story as a cautionary tale on the dangers of hitting the jackpot.

In the near decade since she became Britain’s youngest EuroMillions winner, Jane said she’s suffered a torrent of abuse, online hate and even ‘acid attack threats’.

She said: “I went from just going to work every day to this massive household name.

“I thought it was going to be amazing, that I was going to be this big celebrity, but I was literally sitting in my threebedroom house, crying myself to sleep.

“I’m proud that I invested my money wisely and I’m still living a good life, it just feels like people are waiting for the day I become broke and homeless…I won’t let that happen.”

Along with threats of violence, Jane said she’s also received unsolicited messages from people asking for money and ‘at least one marriage proposal a week’ from suiters who she says are only interested in her bank account.

Jane now wants lotto bosses to give a more realistic look into what life can be like for winners, saying that they have a ‘responsibility not to mislead the public’.

In addition to health warnings, she also wants lottery adverts to be restricted until ‘later in the evening’ and thinks children should be protected from promotional materials.

Many of us dream of winning the lottery, quitting our jobs and living it up on some far away beach… but is hitting the jackpot all it’s cracked up to be?

She said: “It sounds silly, but children dream of either being famous or winning the lottery…if it wasn’t as glamourised, maybe there would be more ambition instead of gambling.”

Jane, from Edinburgh, added that we can often view ‘playing the lottery’ as more innocent than it actually is.

She said: “It’s not playing, it’s just plain gambling…apart from picking a number, there is no game element to it.

“How it wasn’t held to the same legislation as gambling from the beginning baffles me.”

Camelot - which operates the EuroMillions - said it takes its duty of care to winners ‘very seriously’, offering advice and aftercare for ‘as long as they wish’.

Speaking with LADbible, it said: “Following her win, a dedicated advisor visited Jane at home to pay out her prize, arrange private banking and support her through the publicity when she chose to share the news of her win.

“We put Jane in touch with another winner who won at the same age to share their experience and help Jane adjust.”

Camelot added: “The door is always open and we will continue to support Jane in any way we can if that is what she decides she wants.”

The UK government recently increased the minimum age to play the National Lottery to 18, but Jane still thinks further action is needed.

I thought it was going to be amazing, that I was going to be this big celebrity, but I was literally sitting in my three-bedroom house, crying myself to sleep.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MIND:

AN EPISODE-BYEPISODE REVIEW

Join us as we break-down some of the highlights and most powerful moments from Netflix’s on-screen psychedelic phenomenon.

Words: Oliver Smith

Streaming supergiant Netflix recently took a trip into the realm of mind-altering substances with its critically acclaimed docuseries ‘How to Change Your Mind’.

Inspired by psychedelic champion Michael Pollan’s book of the same name, the four-part show gave viewers a peek behind the hysteria-fuelled veil of hallucinogens.

It addressed myths born from the war on drugs, hitting back at propagandist horror stories of psychosis and suicide with measured, evidencebased science.

The docuseries called on testimonies from researchers, patients and advocates, offering firsthand perspectives on the real-world effects of psychedelics and their potential to revolutionise psychiatric treatment.

It saw Pollan guide a global audience through the political, medical and spiritual landscape of drugs, reshaping perspectives on their relationship with mental health.

As one of the UK’s premier drug and wellness publications, we couldn’t help but dive headfirst into the show…here’s just a taste of what we observed.

EPISODE ONE:lsd

In the first episode, Pollan admits to being a ‘late bloomer when it comes to psychedelics’, saying that he once believed the ‘terrifying’ scare stories and propaganda.

But after doing some research and reporting on it himself, he realised there was a deep history buried behind the front lines of the war on drugs…specifically relating to LSD.

Otherwise known as lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD became one of the most demonised of the psychedelic family; despite pre-sixties research regarding it almost as a ‘miracle drug’.

Part one of the show focused on the history of this widely misunderstood substance, with creator Albert Hofmann detailing his own early-stage experiences with LSD.

Between old recordings and interview snippets, the Swiss chemist described the magnificent highs and torturous lows of a particular LSD trip.

He explained that the ‘despairing’ climax of his experience was marked by contorted, threatening visions and the thought that he was in ‘another world’.

However, when the effects started to subside, he enjoyed shows of ‘unprecedented colours and plays of shape’, being treated to ‘kaleidoscope-ish like images’.

Hofmann said: “The following day, I woke up feeling that I was starting a new life…that I was born again.”

This discovery was followed by a surge of investigations into LSD…a ‘fertile period of research’ that was derailed by rising tensions over drugs.

The episode tracked tales of secret CIA studies into the mind-altering substance and its eventual outlawing.

It also featured the heart wrenching story of one patient, whose crippling mood disorder and suicidal thoughts were eased by micro-dosing LSD.

EPISODE TWO: psilocybin

This episode paid particular attention to the ways psychedelic therapy can help address the growing ‘mental health crisis’.

It acknowledged the ‘incredible’ reality that humble magic mushrooms – otherwise known as psilocybin –can shift human consciousness and help us face one of life’s biggest challenges…death.

Pollan highlighted a revolutionary study in which terminal cancer patients were given the drug to ‘astonishing’ results.

He said: “Here were people who were facing their mortality in this place of existential dread; many of them paralyzed by fear of death.

“But a single experience with psilocybin had lifted the fear from their shoulders; many of them describe this as one of the most meaningful events in their lives.”

Audiences were introduced to Kathleen Karl, devout catholic and psychedelic patient, who talked Pollan through her divine experiences with the experimental treatment.

The cancer patient described conducting ‘extremely beautiful music’, enduring frightening chants, seeing visions of her ancestors and enjoying the happiness of generations of weddings.

She also saw ‘ferocious waves’ – a representation of her cancer – and was reminded of a miscarriage from decades before, with the trip allowing her to face her trauma and feel a ‘tremendous relief’.

Kathleen explained that many of her friends warned her not to take part in the treatment, but she thought that if there was a way to alleviate her depression…why not try it?

But Kathleen wasn’t the only person whose life has been changed by psychedelics, with the docuseries highlighting a number of patients who’ve used psilocybin to address mental health struggles.

This episode also featured a number of researchers and experts, who explained the therapeutic potential of mind-altering drugs.

Psychologist and psychedelic treatment pioneer Bill Richards said: “There are two kinds of science; there’s the one that only wants to look at what can be easily measured and ignore everything else.

“And then there’s the true science, that probes the very frontiers of human knowledge…and that’s where psychedelic research is right now.”

EPISODE THREE:mdma

This episode tracked the journey of MDMA, from the forgotten by-product of blood clot research to a future champion of mental health treatment.

After ‘sitting on the shelf’ and collecting dust for decades, the substance was rediscovered and synthesised by Dr. Alexander ‘Sasha’ Shulgin, who quickly realised its potential as a tool for therapy.

Alongside his wife Ann, the chemist introduced MDMA to a network of therapists and the drug became an exciting new development in the world of psychiatric treatment.

Speaking with show host Michael Pollan, Ann said: “The magic of MDMA is that it allows you to see who you are without selfrejection.

“It doesn’t have the moving walls or speaking roses, but it gives insight into yourself…its especially good for PTSD.”

Sadly the MDMA movement hit a roadblock, when it ‘escaped the lab’ and was rebranded as the party drug ‘Ecstasy’, eventually being outlawed in the US in 1985.

But as the episode highlighted, there was a handful of characters who refused to see MDMA’s therapeutic power stamped out…most notably psychedelic ‘hero’ Rick Doblin.

After the substance was outlawed, he started the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - and earned a PhD - in an ‘improbable mission’ to reintroduce MDMA as a mainstream medicine.

The docuseries showed Doblin was so dedicated to the cause, that he created a roadmap for getting psychedelics legalised for treatment as his PhD dissertation.

Fast forward to today and researchers are investigating the drug’s therapeutic roots, with ground-breaking new studies reaffirming its potential to address PTSD and addiction.

Over the course of the episode we were introduced to a number of veterans and trauma victims involved in experimental MDMA treatment.

One of these patients was Sgt Jonathan Lubecky, who greatly suffered with PTSD following a history of abuse and his time in the military.

Lubecky credited the drug with giving him a new lease of life, saying it allowed him to open up and called it the reason his son has ‘a father instead of a folded flag’.

As a result of support from advocates and researchers, host Michael Pollan said MDMA ‘looks poised’ to be the first of the docuseries’ four focus drugs to be legalised for treatment.

EPISODE FOUR: mescaline

Over the docuseries, there was a lot of talk about the legal and medical landscape of psychedelics, but there’s also a profound element of spirituality to explore…

…that’s where mescaline comes in.

A drug deeply embedded in Native American culture, this naturallyoccurring and illegal substance is found in just two cacti – the Huachuma and the Peyote.

At the start of this episode Pollan highlighted a bizarre legal ‘wrinkle’ that allows people to grow and possess Huachuma…but forbids the use of the psychedelic within.

For millennia the cacti were used in Native American ceremonies, with those who ingested them claiming to have seen and visited God.

However, Pollan said colonists saw this as a threat to their religion, saying that ‘you render the priesthood superfluous if everybody can talk to God on their own’.

And while Huachuma – which was given the Christian name ‘San Pedro’ for protection – remained safe, catholic invaders tried and failed to wipe out Peyote.

This episode explored the ancestral presence of the plants and the cultural trauma that hangs over Native Americans, touching on the social justice issues surrounding mescaline.

Pollan said that Peyote was swept up into the drug war and was shrouded in ‘suspicion’…eventually being prohibited on a federal level by the US government in 1967.

This sparked fierce campaigning from the Native American community, which resulted in a new 1994 law that allowed the use of Peyote strictly as part of indigenous ceremonies.

However, audiences were told that both the plant and mescaline are still prohibited by the US outside of these exceptional circumstances.

In an interview with Native American Church member Julius Not Afraid, Pollan explored how the plant can heal ‘both individuals and a culture’.

Julius used a Peyote ceremony as a means to overcome addiction brought on by mental health struggles after days spent using drugs and alcohol became ‘overwhelming’.

He said: “I’ve seen myself wasting away; over fifteen years of methamphetamine it became a daily use.

“The darkness and intensity was getting a lot stronger and I said to myself ‘you are going to be incarcerated or six feet under’…I didn’t want to be an addict.”

After the ceremony – in which he ‘made connections with ancient relatives’ – Julius said he had the courage to ‘take another route and have goodness’…he has since been substance-free for four years.

Pollan spoke with other Indigenous Americans and spiritual leaders, who raised concerns that increasing popularity outside the native community could lead to the over-farming of the treasured Peyote cactus.

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SPOILER WARNING!

This article contains spoilers for season one of ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’.

As Marvel’s newest hero, female icon and hotshot attorney SheHulk lands on screens across the world, we highlight what you can do to master your own fury.

Words: Jordan Millar

Whether it’s stress at work, getting stuck in morning traffic or that neighbour who just won’t keep it down, it’s natural to get angry from time to time.

What’s important is finding an effective way to control your emotions and keep your cool…especially if you’re a towering green superpowered lawyer.

And with Marvel’s latest television outing – She-Hulk: Attorney at Law –currently rolling out on Disney Plus, it seems we’re all getting a lesson in ‘finding balance’ and mastering our rage.

The newly released comic-inspired show follows Jennifer Walters – played by Tatiana Maslany – after a ‘freak accident’ leaves her with unwanted superpowers.

Over nine episodes, we’ll see Walters juggle her career as a ‘30-something lawyer’ and her She-Hulk persona, coming face-to-face with a few fan-favourite characters along the way.

The show’s first episode saw our titular hero gain her new abilities when a car crash exposed her to her cousin – MCU veteran Bruce Banners’ - radioactive blood.

Banner then whisked Walters away to a remote – and rather quaint – beach house lab to teach her the ways of being a Hulk…namely, now not to rage out and destroy everyone and everything in her path.

But to her cousin’s surprise, Walters was quick to ‘settle in’ to her new powers, saying a lifetime of dealing with routine sexism means she’s already an ‘expert at controlling her anger’.

Walters said: “I do it all the time…because if I don’t, I might get called emotional, or difficult, or might just literally get murdered.”

While Walters was quick to ace Banner’s school of self-control, not all of us have that same power over our emotions.

Here we highlight four tenets to keep your anger in check, so you can follow in She-Hulk’s – particularly large - footsteps and become a master of your own rage.

Photo Credit:

‘Being a Hulk asks for balance’

Yoga, mindfulness and meditation are all tools that we can use to focus our energy, let go of our stress and, let’s be honest, keep our butts ‘tight as hell’ too.

Granted, not many of us have to deal with same world-ending disasters and alien invasions that Marvel’s onscreen characters do, but it’s still a useful way to tackle everyday frustration.

As Banner explains to Walters, these techniques are about ‘presence’ and ‘accepting the situation you are in’…both key when you want to keep a level head.

HULK SMASHED… THAT WORKOUT

Exercise is another great way to release anger, giving us time to process our feelings and asking us to regulate breathing and movement.

Banner and Walters’ workout seemed to be a healthy mix of throwing massive boulders as far as the stratosphere, leaping miles across jungle terrain and the occasional cliff diving.

But since we don’t have the gamma-fuelled strength or nearinvulnerability of the Hulk cousins, we recommend some light running, boxing or cycling instead.

Banner and Walters’ training montage also taught us to look out for the positives; be that spending quality time with friends or, in the Hulk cousins’ case, the ability to process alcohol at an inhuman rate.

Often, it’s these ‘good times during the hard times’ that help us through and allow us to see beyond our rage and sadness.

If you’re struggling through anger or frustration, try to find those small moments of joy and allow them to steal your focus away from a rough situation.

Duke…talk it out

When there’s a particular person or group of people causing you grief, it can sometimes feel safer to just close off and shut them out.

But in many cases, having an amicable and non-hostile conversation about the issue is enough to clear it up…you never know, they may not even be aware there’s a problem.

Sadly, it took the Hulk cousins a little longer to figure this one out, who instead traded punches and sent each other flying through the jungle before they realised that violence may not be the way forward.

Look for the ‘good times during the hard times’

Photo Credit:

Photo Credit:

SPIDER-MAN ACTOR

Tom Holland DISAPPEARS FROM ‘OVERWHELMING’ SOCIAL MEDIA

Words: Jordan Millar

Millions have rallied behind Spider-man star Tom Holland after he candidly addressed his own mental health struggles and said he was ‘disappearing from

Hollywood actor Tom Holland has announced he is taking a break from social media for the sake of his mental health.

In a three-minute video, the star said he ‘spirals’ when reading things about himself online, admitting that he finds Instagram

‘about an hour’ to record the short clip, confessing that – despite more than a decade in front of the camera and on stage – he struggled with what to say.

Holland has appeared in a string of films and theatre shows over the past 14 years, but was thrust into the spotlight after he debuted as Marvel’s web slinging hero, Spiderman.

Over his career, he has featured in record-breaking movies and is a staple feature of the wildly successful MCU, earning himself scores of fans – and critics - across the globe.

In his announcement, he said: “I get caught up and I spiral when I read things about me online…it’s detrimental to my mental state and so I’ve decided to take a step back.”

The original video has been viewed more than 20 million times, with celebrity friends and devoted followers sharing their support for Holland.

tomholland2013

One fan account commented: “Thank you so much for spreading awareness about mental health, it truly means a lot.”

Another added: “Stay strong and well done for doing what works for you, not what’s expected of you.”

Holland also used the clip to endorse teen mental health charity Stem4, which helps ‘young kids who are suffering’ through a selection of apps and ‘clinicallyinformed’ resources.

He said: “There’s an awful stigma against mental health; I know that asking for help and seeking help isn’t something we should be ashamed of, but it’s something easier said than done.”

The star then thanked people for their love and support before ‘disappearing from Instagram’, leaving behind a caption that read: “Let’s get talking about mental health.”

Holland has received tens of thousands of comments from friends and fans around the world supporting his decision to leave social media.

Here’s what they had to say: stem4org

“Thank you for being so candid about your mental health experience and for supporting stem4 (and our apps) through @thebrotherstrust.”

notchlii

“Love that you’re opening up about this online. Not so much that you feel this way of course, but thanks for using your platform spreading mental health awareness.”

livelovelafes

“Celebrities deserve the same privacy and care that normal people do. We love you Tom, and thanks for the heads up on this awesome org!”

heroicstrength

“Good on you for taking a step back and focusing on your health. Hope you are doing well.”

ibrainparis

“Take your time and take care away from socials for as long as it feels right. Thank you for all the charities you’re supporting.”

itsmelxsv

“We understand you and we as fans must respect that. Take all the time you need and do what you think is necessary for your well-being. You are the best Tom, hugs.”

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THIS IS

After proving they’re champions on the pitch, England’s Lionesses are trading their studs and shin pads for political advocacy.

Words: Oliver Smith

“We’re inspiring young girls to play football, only for them to go to school and not being able to…but this generation deserves more.”

‘ONLY THE BEGINNING’

But, when England’s Lionesses secured a historic victory at the Women’s Euro 2022 final earlier this year, millions came together to cheer on the squad.

Now, after defeating Germany 2-1 in a heart-racing victory and securing our first major trophy since the World Cup in 1966, the champion team is facing a new kind of challenge.

In a letter to Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, the Lionesses revealed that just 63 percent of young girls are able to play football in PE lessons…a fact that they said needs to change.

The document said: “Woman’s football has come a long way; but it still has a long way to go.

“The reality is we’re inspiring young girls to play football, only for them to go to school and not being able to…but this generation deserves more.

“They deserve to play at lunchtime, they deserve to play in PE and they deserve to believe they can one day play for England; we want their dreams to come true too.”

The letter followed shocking new evidence from England Football, which showed just 44 percent of secondary schools provide equal access to the sport for boys and girls.

It also comes after the Department of Education refused to guarantee girls the same amount of football in school, instead

saying they should be offered ‘comparable’ options like netball and badminton.

The document – written as both Sunak and Truss were battling it out for the keys to Number 10 – urged the future PM to ‘make a difference’ for young girls up and down the country.

Signed by all 23 members of the winning Lionesses squad, it called for a minimum of two hours per week of PE for girls.

The letter also urged the government to provide more investment and resources for female PE teachers, stressing that we shouldn’t just give girls access to football, but also support the ‘key role models’ from which they can flourish.

It said: “Throughout the Euros, we spoke as a team about our legacy and goal to inspire a nation; many will think this has already been achieved, but we see this as only the beginning.

“We have made incredible strides in the women’s game…but we want every young girl to be able to play football in school.

“This is an opportunity to make a huge difference, a change that will impact millions of young girls lives.”

It concluded: “We – the 23 members of the England Senior Women’s Euro Squad - ask you to make it a priority to invest into girls football in schools, so that every girl has a choice.”

After receiving the letter, spokespeople for both Truss and Sunak released official statements, with the two candidates pledging to address the issue of gender and football.

Truss ‘committed’ to an investigation into what was preventing schools from delivering the two-hour PE minimum to girls, while Sunak said he would launch an ‘immediate review’ into women’s football if made PM.

And with Truss recently winning the leadership and Prime Minister election with more than 81,000 votes, time will tell if she follows through on her promises.

Between mounting political divide, clashing ideology and a seemingly ever-growing list of national crises, it’s clear that the nation is divided.

The letter received an impressive 36,000 likes on the team’s official Twitter alone, with thousands supporting the call for change.

The Lionesses’ impassioned plea has inspired a chorus of people demanding equal access to football for girls.

Nutrition

SKY-HIGH MEAT PRICES PLANT-BASED FOOD ALTERNATIVES

With spiralling food costs meaning that meat is off the menu for up to a third of UK shoppers, we look at some of the benefits of switching to plant-based alternatives.

Words: Oliver Smith

As more and more families feel the grip of the cost-of-living crisis in the UK, many consumers are now turning to new ways to reduce their weekly shopping bill.

According to new research, one third of UK shoppers have decided to either scale back, or cut out meat from their diets entirely, in order to reduce their costs.

Food prices are of massive concern, with The British Retail Consortium reporting that fresh produce was 10.5 percent more expensive in August – the highest levels since the global financial crisis of 2008.

Research from The Vegan Society revealed that more than half (53 percent) of those surveyed would be interested in trying a vegan diet if it ‘was proven to be more cost effective than a mainstream diet’.

Claire Ogley, the Society’s Head of Campaigns, Policy and Research, said: “A vegan diet is more affordable than a mainstream diet and includes many protein-rich, plant-based options that are quick and easy to prepare.

“While the cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact on individuals and families, it’s encouraging to see more people open to reducing meat and seeking plant-based options.

“With food costs on the rise, it’s certainly worth exploring how a vegan diet could help you save money.”

While it is true that many of the large plantbased businesses can have high prices, there are many affordable alternatives on the market.

Here are a just a few of the benefits of switching to plant-based alternatives.

Lower BLOOD PRESSURE

High blood pressure is responsible for a number of health issues, including heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

However, studies show that switching to a plantbased diet can bring blood pressure down.

One study involving 89,000 people, found that those consuming a meat-free diet had their risk of high blood pressure cut by 55 percent, while a vegan diet lowered risk by 75 percent.

Healthy HEART

Saturated fats found in meat contribute to some heart issues, so swapping roasts and fry-ups for plant-based foods could do your heart a favour.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that eating a greener diet reduced the risk of developing heart disease by 16 percent and dying from it by nearly 31 percent.

Remember, if you do switch, you should opt for healthy plant alternatives such as oats, grains, vegetables, fruits and healthy oils.

To maximise health benefits, try to avoid refined grains and drinks that are high in sugar.

BRAIN Functionality

There are many physical benefits of eating a plant-based diet, but it may also bring some neurological ones too.

Maya Feller, a certified dietitian nutritionist from Brooklyn, New York, said there was some ‘compelling research’ examining the role of plant-based diets in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Many fruits and vegetables are rich in polyphenols - powerful antioxidant-packed compounds which can prevent or help reverse cell damage caused by aging, lifestyle and the environment.

A vegan diet is more affordable than a mainstream diet and includes many proteinrich, plant-based options that are quick and easy to prepare.

TOO

good TRUE? TO BE miracle

A new hangover tablet has taken the UK by storm, but critics warn it may not be the everybody is hoping for.

‘ ’

Words: Jordan Millar

As a nation of drinkers, many of us Brits have struggled through the piercing headaches, the unrelenting nausea and the dry mouth that won’t go away.

In some cases, the morning-after misery can be so bad that we’ll fall back on some rather questionable remedies, gulping down raw eggs or pickle juice in a desperate bid to ease our post-party blues.

So it’s no surprise that, when a ‘breakthrough’ new anti-hangover pill landed in the UK, it sold out within 24 hours.

Suddenly, it seemed like Saturdays spent in a fragile, zombie state were a thing of the past and the prayers of every pub-goer and student had been answered.

But do the Myrkl – pronounced ‘Miracle’ – tablets really live up to the hype, or do they risk fuelling the nation’s already rampant culture of binge-drinking?

Manufactured by Swedish company De Faire Medical, the predrinking supplement reportedly helps fend off the unwanted consequences of a night out.

The fact this pill is now extremely accessible means we could easily see a rise in binge drinking…which could be extremely damaging for people’s health and wellbeing.

“

Oh the dreaded hangover; the all too familiar sign of a great night out…or that you’ve indulged in one too many pints and three-for-five shots.

The new tablets are said to break down as much as 70 percent of the alcohol in your body within 60 minutes, converting it into carbon dioxide and water BEFORE it reaches the liver.

Despite the Myrkl name, the brand say that their supplement does not work for everyone and the pills have certainly had mixed reviews so far.

Connor Boyd, Health Editor for the Daily Mail, was among the first in the UK to give the tablets a try, ultimately rating them a generous nine out of ten.

In his review, Boyd said he suffered ‘notoriously bad hangovers’, but, after a night of heavy drinking, said the usual ‘throbbing head and pangs of anxiety’ never came.

He said: “I had some brain fog and felt ever so slightly under-slept. But I was able to stomach a big breakfast and work out at the gym at full pelt a few hours later.

“By noon, my symptoms faded completely and I almost forgot I’d been out the night before. If they can work on me, they can work on anybody.”

However, not everyone is so optimistic about the tablets, with critics warning they could send the UK’s already alarming drinking culture spiralling.

Martin Preston of addiction rehab clinic Delamere said the Myrkl pill was a ‘scientific breakthrough’, but warned people may start using them as an ‘excuse’ to consume more alcohol.

He said: “We associate the morning after a heavy night out with dizziness, headaches and thirst…nobody likes this feeling, but it’s your body’s reaction to consuming more than it can handle.

“The fact this pill is now extremely accessible means we could easily see a rise in binge drinking…which could be extremely damaging for people’s health and wellbeing.”

The Delamere founder added that the tablets could even result in alcoholism, with people using the pill to ‘disguise symptoms’ and avoid seeking help before their ‘addiction becomes fatal’.

Preston’s skepticism was echoed by Dr Karan Rajan, who told his near five million Tik Tok followers that the evidence for the Myrkl pill comes from just one study with ‘a very limited data set’.

He said: “This just seems like a lot of hype and the best cure for a hangover remains drinking less alcohol.”

Mind

Relationships

Making new pals can be a terrifying prospect –especially as adults – but these handy tips show that finding connections may be easier than you think.

Words: Jordan Millar

If you want to expand your social circle, the best place to start may well be with the people you already know.

Whether through work or hobbies, we interact with dozens of people every day and some of these could very well be friends in the making.

By deepening those existing connections with acquaintances, colleagues or neighbours, you can start to build lasting relationships…and the best part is, the foundation has already been laid.

Just find a common interest – be that a shared favourite TV show or love of all things roller-skating – and use it as a leaping-off point to a potential future friendship.

But if there’s one thing the pop culture phenomenon taught audiences over its ten-season run, it’s that there are few things more fulfilling than having your pals at your side.

Sadly, for millions of people across the globe, being part of a tight-knit social group is more TV fantasy than reality, with many struggling to find and keep those allimportant connections.

This rings especially true for adults, whose hectic schedules and often out-of-whack work life balances leave very little time to focus on making friends.

Instead, we can be limited to occasional conversations with co-workers, fleeting phone calls with equally busy childhood buddies and Saturday nights spent alone at home.

But it doesn’t have to be this way; we’re here to tell you that, no matter how scary it may seem, you CAN shake that loneliness and make friends…even as an adult.

To help you get started on the mission to find new mates, we’ve outlined a few handy tips below.

And who knows, maybe you’ll be arranging regular coffee shop hangouts – à la Central Perk – sooner than you might think.

Though it often feels safer to step away, making yourself available for spontaneous meetups or after-work drinks can create valuable social opportunities.

Of course, this is easier said than done and you may not always want to say yes, but getting involved from time to time could help you find those muchwanted connections.

Next time a colleague suggests a weekend hangout or your neighbour invites you to an afternoon barbeque, why not give it a go?

Just remember to respect your own boundaries and don’t feel that you have to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation if you’re not ready.

If you’d rather keep work and play separate, or don’t see your casual relationships evolving into anything more serious…don’t fear.

Sometimes, expanding your social circle means exploring new ground and creating opportunities to meet people.

By joining a local club or society, you can put yourself out there in a safe space, all while doing something you enjoy and taking the pressure off the conversation.

Even volunteering for a community project can breed new friendships…and if not, at least you can be happy that you’re doing some good.

It might feel like your friendship group needs to be big enough to populate a small village, especially when you look to social media, but the reality can be far different.

Some research suggests that the ideal number of close friends is actually between three and five.

We use the internet for just about everything, from finding dates, to ordering take-out and catching up with our favourite content creators.

So why on earth wouldn’t we utilise this virtually limitless resource when looking for new pals?

There are mountains of friendship apps, social media groups and dedicated websites all set to help lonely people find one another…all you have to do is search.

Some of the top-rated platforms include Bumble BFF, Yubo and Meetup.com – which connects people based on their interests – but there are plenty more to check out.

There is significant evidence to show that friendships can promote improved physical and mental wellbeing, helping you cope with stress and potentially reducing the negative health implications that come with it.

TERRIFYING REALITY?

Watch out psychics and mediums, Amazon’s newest feature could allow users to hear the voices of loved ones from beyond the grave.

Words: Jordan Millar

Your confused children – unsure why everyone is crying if nan has ‘moved on to a better place’ – ask for a snack to ease their sadness.

But when you open the fridge, you’re met with empty shelves and a half bottle of curdled milk…the heartbreak of the past few weeks has left little room to visit the supermarket.

As if on autopilot, you clear your throat and shakily call out: ‘Hey Alexa, remind me to go food shopping’.

But to your shock, that familiar, artificial voice doesn’t answer back and you’re instead met with a warm yet haunting reply from your mum – or Alexa’s best impression – saying ‘Ok, setting your reminder now’.

This may sound like a scene from some dystopian sci-fi show, where the ghosts of our loved ones live on through machines, but new developments from Amazon mean this could soon be a reality.

During its recent re:MARS conference, the tech giant unveiled an experimental new feature that allowed Alexa to mimic the voices of dead relatives using less than a minute of recording.

Amazon Senior Vice President Rohit Prasad said the development came as part of efforts to bring ‘human attributes’ – such as empathy and affect – to the smart assistant.

Speaking at the event, he said: “One thing that surprised me the most about Alexa is the companionship relationship we have with it.

“And while AI can’t eliminate that pain of loss…it can definitely make memories last.”

To demonstrate the tech, Prasad also showed a video of a young boy asking if his grandma could read the Wizard of Oz.

Alexa then acknowledged the request and started to recite a sample from the famous children’s story, quickly transitioning to a computer-generated replica of his grandmother’s voice.

The Amazon boss added: “We’re unquestionably living in the golden era of AI, where dreams and science fiction are becoming a reality.”

Imagine you return home from your mother’s funeral; cheeks wet with tears and still numb with grief.

While some have hailed the development as a tool to help people grieve lost loved ones, the announcement sparked a major backlash.

Unsurprisingly, a chorus of thousands took to social media to insist that this is one piece of tech that they’d rather live without.

Many likened the new feature to dark sci-fi series Black Mirror, calling it the latest step towards an inevitable dystopian future.

Others urged Amazon to take a page from cult classic Jurassic Park, asking them to focus on ‘whether they should’ instead of being so preoccupied with ‘whether they could’.

One Twitter user joked: “Between this and the CGI zombies of dead actors, I am becoming increasingly serious about my belief that there should be laws against necromancy.”

Critics also highlighted that the new tech could threaten privacy and personal security, with hackers and scammers using the advanced voice replication to impersonate unsuspecting victims.

In an article for technology publication Input, dystopian pop culture writer Andrew Paul warned the development has ‘obvious potential for rampant abuse and misuse’.

He said: “Amazon seemingly wants to push blindly forward with advancing deepfake capabilities in even the most rudimentary and ubiquitous of personal home electronics.

“If people are barely comfortable with letting a voice assistant answer their search queries, would they really co-sign one parroting a dead parent… the problems here are numerous.”

It’s unclear as to when and if Amazon is officially rolling out this controversial feature, but it seems the tech giant may not get the reception it was hoping for.

In the wake of the re:MARS announcement, many took to social media to hit back at the new tech.

Here ’s what they had to say :

If people are barely comfortable with letting a voice assistant answer their search queries, would they really co-sign one parroting a dead parent?”

LUST IN translation

Communication is key for any relationship…but what if your partner doesn’t actually understand what you’re saying?

Words: Jordan Millar

But never fear, as marriage counsellor and prolific author Gary Chapman has literally written the guide on understanding your spouse.

In his 1992 book ‘Secrets to Love that Lasts’, Chapman called on his experience working with couples to outline the different ways people express affection.

The best-selling marriage manual introduced the world to the five love languages; physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time and receiving gifts.

Chapman, a pastor and anthropologist, said that, if you want to effectively communicate with your partner, you need to learn their primary love language… otherwise your message might not get through.

He said: “Your emotional love language and that of your spouse may be as different as Chinese from English.

“Once you identify and learn to

speak your spouse’s primary love language, I believe you will have discovered the secret to a longlasting, loving marriage.”

But the theory doesn’t just apply to romantic partners, with the counsellor releasing a library of books on the ways teens, singles and children all express emotion.

Even friends and family members can use Chapman’s five languages to better understand one another, using them as a bedrock for closer connections.

Over the past three decades, the languages have solidified their place in pop culture, with many looking to them almost as romantic scripture.

So much so, that they still appear in online dating guides and relationship how-tos, even today.

But before you can better understand your own primary language and that of those around you, you first need to know exactly what they mean.

WHAT ARE THE

love

LANGUAGES?

Words of Affirmation

Do you prefer to exchange love and appreciation through notes, texts and speech…if so, ‘Words of Affirmation’ may well be your primary language.

For many, simply checking in or being reminded that they’re loved can make them feel cared for, though there are countless ways to express affection through words.

Like the others, this language doesn’t have to be just romantic, with a kind message or ‘thank you for being my friend’ going a long way between pals as well.

Physical Touch

For many of us, words just aren’t enough…we need something more tangible when expressing love. This can range from more romantically-charged hand holding, kissing and spooning, to platonic high-fives and friendly hugs.

There’s often a misconception that the language of physical touch is inherently sexual, but this isn’t always the case.

Instead, it’s more about people looking to connect with their loved ones through contact.

Have you ever had one of those relationships where it feels like you and your partner are speaking completely different languages…well that might just be the case.

Acts of Service

Does it make your heart soar when your partner steps in to do the dishes, or when a friend kindly offers to help you run errands?

For many, acts of service like these are the best way for them to express and feel love, letting them know that somebody cares enough to lend a selfless hand.

This doesn’t mean you have to make impossibly grand gestures every other day to let the person know you appreciate them…just small thing here are there are usually enough.

Quality Time

To those who prefer ‘Quality Time’, one of the greatest gifts of all is quite literally the presence of loved ones.

Whether date nights with a partner, regular hangouts with friends or even just relaxing with those they care about…this language is all about being together.

It’s important to remember that this truly needs to be quality time, you can’t just sit on your phone or gorm out at the TV and expect that to be enough.

Receiving Gifts

Yes, yes, we know what this sounds like…but this language is about more than just forcing your partner to spend wads of cash on pricey tokens of love.

In many cases, the act of giving and receiving gifts is more about the thought and not the item itself. This can be as simple as picking up your partner’s favourite sugary treat on the way home, or a small keepsake inspired by an inside joke with a friend.

NOW YOU’RE SPEAKING MY language

As with questionable IQ checkers and bizarre Buzzfeed quizzes, the internet is chock-full of love language tests…the latest of which is taking TikTok by storm. Using the tenets of Chapman’s popular 1992 book, the viral quiz promises to help participants determine how they best give and receive affection.

It begins by asking users if they are adults, teens or completing the test on behalf of their child, as well as what their relationship status is. The quiz then jumps into a series of questions set to measure your connection to the five love languages, providing a percentage breakdown of your results at the end.

Users are also offered a deeper insight into what the languages mean, giving them a better understanding of the different ways we can express love.

The test – which is hosted on the official ‘5 love languages’ website – has seen major popularity online, with TikTok users across the globe posting their own results on social media.

And while I’m always sceptical about how accurate tests like this truly are, I can confirm that it encouraged me to think more introspectively about the way I personally show love.

When I took the test, it suggested physical touch was my primary love language and that I connected the least with receiving gifts.

It also revealed that words of affirmation was my second most preferable language, which was a surprise considering I –like many – find it difficult to accept praise.

If you’re even the slightest bit curious about how you best express affection –and have a few minutes to spare – why not give the test a go?

Culture

Wellness CHANNELING

There are countless TV characters who endure season after season of trauma and stress, here are our picks for just four who deserve to hit pause and take a wellbeing break.

Words: Jordan Millar

How do you escape the pressures of day-to-day life, unwind after a tough week at work and – at least momentarily – forget about the paperwork building up on your desk?

For some, a pint or two at the local pub seems to do the trick, while others prefer to sweat their stress away with a mammoth nightly gym session.

But if you’re anything like me, you instead find refuge in the world of television, soothing the aches and emotional pains of office life with a healthy dose of your favourite show.

But what about the on-screen heroes and villains who spend episode after episode fending off world ending disasters or battling through brutal personal trauma…don’t they deserve a break too?

Well, we at The CANNAVIST say yes! It’s high time for us viewers to respect those television gems whose own wellbeing is thrown out the window just to keep us entertained.

Here we highlight four TV characters who are LONG overdue a self-care break and more than deserve some time to focus on their wellness.

Jim Hopper STRANGER THINGS Five

Everyone’s favourite smalltown cop turned sci-fi hero, Jim Hopper, has long been a tragic character; even before the events of Netflix’s 80s-inspired smash-hit.

At just 18 he was shipped off to Vietnam, where he was tasked with mixing up barrels of the deadly herbicide ‘Agent Orange’.

And in a heart-wrenching season four speech, he confessed that the ‘horrors’ of war had followed him home and his time spent inhaling dangerous chemicals had led to the early death of his daughter.

After years spent living a ‘cursed’ existence, Hopper was swept into the story of Stranger Things; being thrown fist-first into a desperate battle to fend off the otherworldly terrors of the Upside Down.

During his tenure as the show’s tragic brawn – and resident badass – he has defeated goreish monsters, suffered merciless torture and survived a stint in a Russian prison.

Preventing the apocalypse is bad enough…but trying to stop THREE world-ending events, all while juggling superpowered family drama, must be a waking nightmare.

Five’s introduction to a lifetime of headaches and caffeine addiction started when he was just 13 years old.

The crankiest member of a dysfunctional adopted family/ superhero team, Five decided to push his space and time hopping abilities to the limits… accidently teleporting to a postapocalyptic future.

Trapped, he then spent the next 40 years wandering the wastelands alone – other than his mannequin bride – trying to figure out how to return to his own time and prevent the end of the world.

Eventually Five was recruited as a ruthless hitman before he finally made his way back to his original time and accidently regressed to his teenage body.

Now, as a 58-year-old trapped as a pre-pubescent killer, he’s stuck babysitting his adoptive siblings, bouncing across time and the multiverse in an attempt to save literally all life in the universe.

Guillermo de la Cruz

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS

We all have dreams; some want to become famous actors, others hope to start their own business…and Guillermo wants to become a vampire. So much so that he’s spent over a decade as a dutiful familiar to his undying – and rather quirky – master Nandor the Relentless, with the promise that he would one day become an immortal being.

But when we meet Guillermo in season one, it doesn’t look likely that he’s ever going to achieve vampire status, meaning years of endless cleaning, rounding up victims and gruesome busy work were for nothing.

While he grapples with the disappointing reality of his servitude, he discovers he’s related to famed vampireslayer Van Helsing, sparking his transition from meek familiar to stake-wielding badass.

He then had to suffer through the antics of his socially inept master – and his rag tag trio of vampire roommates – all while protecting them from scores of supernatural assassination attempts and paranormal beasts.

Even when things were looking up and it seemed Guillermo was finally going to be turned at the end of season three, he was shoved into a crate and shipped off to the other side of the world.

Wanda Maximoff

(SCARLET WITCH)

WANDAVISION

As one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most tragic characters, almost all of Wanda’s film and TV appearances have been marked by pain and loss.

During her first on-screen outing in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ we learned that her parents died in an explosion and watched as her twin brother was killed by a hail of bullets.

She later found happiness in the arms of her android partner Vision in subsequent films, but was forced to kill him in an attempt to prevent half of all life in the universe from being wiped out.

Sadly though, her efforts were in vain, as Marvel villain Thanos quickly rewound time to steal the Mind Stone that powered Vision, killing him a second time to achieve his genocidal mission.

Wanda eventually helped defeat Thanos in ‘Avengers: Endgame’, but it was clear that the trauma of the past few years was too much.

In her grief, she unknowingly took an entire town hostage, puppeteering the citizens of Westview in an idyllic reality of her own creation during the events of TV’s WandaVision.

In her fantasy, she manifested a living version of Vision and gave herself two sons, but had to erase them all once again to set the people of Westview free.

She most recently appeared as the villain of ‘Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness’, where her desperate mission to regain her family had driven her to take extreme measures.

HITTING THE high notes

While the saying goes ‘drugs, sex and rock ‘n’ roll’, in reality substances have long influenced music across countless artists and genres…here are a few of our favourites.

Words: Jordan Millar

Pop quiz! What do Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Gold Dust Woman’, Black Sabbath’s ‘Sweet Leaf’ and The 1975’s ‘Chocolate’ have in common?

They’re all songs created by wildly popular artists who’ve left their mark on music history…and all just happen to be inspired by drugs.

For centuries, musicians across genres have used mind-altering substances – both illegal and not –to help guide their tracks, calling on the power of psychedelics and cannabis to fuel their sound.

In fact, music and drugs are so intertwined that it seems you can’t spend two minutes browsing Spotify, Apple Music or any number of other audio streaming platforms without stumbling on a sonic ode to substances.

In the past, when political tensions over drugs were arguably at their highest, musicians would use veiled metaphors and carefully crafted lyricism to disguise the true subjects of their songs.

But as the world has grown more accepting, artists have become increasingly open about their mindaltering musical muses…I mean, there’s a Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre song that literally ends with ‘smoke weed everyday’.

To honour the longstanding relationship between drugs and music, we’ve outlined our top four cannabis and psychedelic inspired tracks in music history.

Pass the Dutchie MUSICAL YOUTH

Initially released in 1982, this nostalgic number from Birmingham reggae band Musical Youth was an undeniable hit.

Not only did it reach number one on the UK Singles Chart, but it also saw massive international success, performing well in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands and more.

The track was a more family-friendly cover of The Mighty Diamonds’ song ‘Pass the Kouchie’, replacing ‘Kouchie’ – a reference to cannabis – with ‘Dutchie’, a commonly used cooking pot.

However, despite the change, the Musical Youth

hit has still been immortalised as a stoner anthem. The song recently made a resurgence in the charts after it featured in the latest season of Stranger Things, where it was used as a theme for the show’s resident pothead duo Jonathan and Argyle.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds THE BEATLES

Although John Lennon denied this 1967 song ever had anything to do with drugs…that didn’t stop it from becoming one of the most famous psychedelic tracks in history.

According to the singer and Beatle’s bassist, he wrote the song after his son Julian came home from pre-school with picture he’d drawn of a friend titled ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’.

However, eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed that the capital letters of the track spelled out ‘LSD’, with many believing it was actually inspired by Lennon’s experiences with drugs.

People have pointed to lyrics like ‘tangerine trees’ and ‘rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies’ as further evidence that the song had some hallucinogenic influence.

Music journalist and Beatles writer Steve Turner said: “The imagery in the song is partly a reflection of John’s drug experiences and partly his love of ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

“At the time it came out it seemed overtly psychedelic, it sounded like some kind of trip…to me, it’s very evocative of the period.”

Mary Jane

RICK JAMES

This 1978 funk classic saw Rick James confess his love for Mary Jane, with the soul superstar saying she ‘makes my heart sing’ and ‘takes me to paradise’.

And while this sounds like a heartfelt musical dedication to a special lady, it’s widely understood that the track is actually a loving tribute to cannabis.

The phrase ‘Mary Jane’ has long been used as slang for marijuana and it’s a VERY short

leap for many of the song’s lyrics to be recontextualised as lines about drugs.

TO

LITTER WHERE NO MAN HAS LITTERED BEFORE

Humanity’s litterbug reputation hit cosmic new heights after man-made trash was found on Mars.

Words: Jordan Millar

Eco-warriors are turning their attention to Mars after NASA’s Perseverance Rover made a rather ‘unexpected’ discovery.

While searching the red planet’s dusty landscape, it spotted a mysterious metallic glimmer between some rocks.

To the dismay of sci-fi fans everywhere, the rover hadn’t uncovered the entrance to a hidden Martian city, or perhaps the hull of an alien space craft. Instead, it had amazingly found a stray piece of man-made litter, confirming that humans are already polluting a planet that they’ve never even been to.

The Perseverance team posted the sighting on Twitter, explaining that the unknown object was a piece of thermal blanket likely used to control the rover’s temperature during its descent to Mars last year.

They added that they were ‘surprised’ to find the litter around 2km from the original landing site, questioning whether it was blown away by the wind.

The discovery sparked major backlash online, with critics condemning the fact that we haven’t even set foot on Mars and yet we are already spoiling our celestial neighbour.

One commenter said: “This is what we do. No matter where in the galaxy we go, we’re going to cover it with garbage.”

Another joked: “Is this going in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the most distant pieces of Earth made trash?”

Some highlighted that humans have a long history as galactic litterbugs, stressing that there’s already a mass of space junk currently hurtling around our planet.

Shockingly, this isn’t even the first time we’ve left debris on Mars, with NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter sending back images of the Perseverance’s deliberately discarded protective shell and ‘dusty parachute’ earlier this year.

The rover’s recent discovery had many green advocates – or in this case, red advocates –and critics hitting back at the issue of interplanetary pollution.

HERE’S WHAT SOME HAD TO SAY:

THE ‘MAGICAL, MIRACLE PLANT’ Cannabis Cannabis

Olivia NewtonJohn’s legacy as a medicinal cannabis campaigner lives on through her charity, which champions global research into plant medicine for cancer.

August after a decades-long battle with cancer, leaving behind a trailblazing legacy of medical cannabis advocacy.

She once described cannabis as a ‘magical, miracle plant’ and used it to help cope with the pain from her illness.

Olivia spent years trying to influence the Australian government to allow medicinal cannabis to be used for cancer patients.

She held meetings with policymakers, poured her own resources into funding cannabis and cancer research as well as speaking at conferences.

years sharing her journey with breast cancer.” Her medical campaigning reached new heights when she opened the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Australia, set to help ‘discover and develop breakthrough cancer therapies’.

The Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund was also created to support medical research of the cannabis plant and other possible plant-based medicines.

When four-time Grammy Award winner Olivia Newton-John died peacefully at her Californian home, it sent shockwaves around the world.

The Grease star had a glittering career in film and music and the soundtrack to the iconic 1978 musical is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

She was adored by millions for her exceptional talents, but she was also an impassioned activist for breast cancer research as well as animal and environmental causes.

The iconic entertainer died in

Speaking about the power of the plant, she said: “Medicinal cannabis is something that should be available to everyone who is going through a chronic illness or has pain.

“It really is a magical miracle plant.”

Olivia’s husband John Easterling grew medicinal cannabis on their ranch to help with her symptoms.

When he announced her death on her Facebook page he said: “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30

When she launched the charity, she said: “I have seen the incredible beauty of the plants and their healing abilities...I am excited to start this foundation.”

Describing her personal journey with cannabis, she said: “It’s really helped me with the pain, with sleep, with anxiety and, I believe, with inflammation.

“I’m totally off painkillers, I’m totally off morphine and I attribute that to the cannabis.”

The actress had tried many therapies - including meditation, acupuncture and massage sessions - along with the plant medicine, to help heal her body after chemo and radiotherapy.

Words: Oliver Smith

Halloween BUCKET LIST SPECIAL

As we move towards autumn and spooky-fever grips the nation, we’ve listed five of the most hair-raising horror-themed activities for you to try… if you dare

Between piles of auburn leaves, comforting crisp air and dusting off those cosy cold-weather jumpers, there’s just something special about autumn.

We can finally wave goodbye to that sweltering summer heat and trade in those ‘too hot to move’ days for evenings spent tucked under blankets.

But autumn is about more than just

snuggling up and enjoying a pumpkin spice infused…well everything; it’s also the season of horror.

It’s a time when shop windows are lined with cobwebs and stick-on skeletons and an army of costume-clad children descend on their neighbourhoods as they hunt for sugary treats.

Or when fear-fanatics honour all things spooky, celebrating the petrifying pleasures of our eeriest holiday…Halloween.

So, to get you into the sinister spirit, we’ve outlined five bonechilling bucket list ideas that you NEED to try.

Words: Jordan Millar

From its sleepy villages to stacked apartment complexes and sprawling wildland, the UK is haunted by endless tales of tormented ghosts.

And while this is bad news for the people who share their homes with supposed spirits, it’s great for those who want to come face to face with a potential ghoul.

With so many supernatural hubs scattered across the country, including Pluckley Village in Kent and Chillingham Castle, why not plan a nationwide horrorfuelled road trip?

92 CULTURE

ATTEND A

horror MOVIE

There’s no better way to kick off the spooky season then to catch a re-run of one of those classic horror flicks.

Whether it’s ‘Poltergeist’, ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ or ‘The Exorcist’, there are plenty of hair-raising movies to get your blood pumping.

You could even take things old school and check out some of the very first fear-inducing films ever released, like 1922’s ‘Nosferatu’ or 1931’s ‘Dracula’.

As Halloween draws nearer, there are sure to be screening events – or rather, screaming events –popping up across the country, simply find one near you and let the fun begin.

Have you ever wondered how you’d hold up in an 80’s slasher movie, would you be the first to go, or make it through the night – relatively – unharmed. Well, why not rent out a cabin, drag your friends into the woods, scare yourselves with stories by the campfire and find out?

Let’s be clear, were not telling you to go toe to toe with a machete-wielding maniac, but we are suggesting you could experience a true horror atmosphere by shacking up in some remote digs.

A quick trip to Airbnb will find you plenty of options to choose from…though most come with luxury bedding and hot tubs, so you may have to do some serious searching if you want a truly creepy cabin.

While bravery is an important tool for surviving any spooky situation, you might as well be zombie-food if you don’t have the brains to match.

Which is why visiting a fright-themed escape room should be a definite feature on your bucket – and horror preparation –list.

There’s at least one of these puzzler’s paradises in almost every major city, each boasting a selection of themes ranging from alien invasions to gruesome experiments and runaway monsters.

Just find a location near you and find out if you really have the smarts to outwit fictional spectres and serial killers.

If you’re looking for a way to show your spooky spirit, all while getting your daily steps in, then a zombie walk might just be the bucket list item for you.

Every year swarms of undead devotees gather for these marches, donning gory makeup and tattered clothes before turning their city streets into scenes from 28 Days Later.

This celebration of all things zombie is an international phenomenon, with people across Europe, the US and Asia all getting in on the action.

Just throw on that torn shirt, practice your best snarl, sign up to a local event and join the crowd of ‘living dead’ slowly making its way across a town near you.

The CANNAVIST recommends you do your own research before trying anything on this list and encourages you to take any essential health and safety precautions.

…TO BE A HIT

Up and coming director Clarence Lin Thein gives a look behind the lens at Springbound’, a cinematic exploration of isolation and human connection.

Words: Jordan Millar

‘Green Screenings’ film festival.

The virtual event was a silver screen exploration of mental, physical and environmental health, showcasing projects from directors across the globe.

And while the viewing schedule was packed with outstanding short movies, there was one project that put in an absolutely stellar performance.

We recently sat down with Green Screenings’ stand out star and winner of the ‘Best Short’ award Clarence Lin Thein for a deeper insight into his film ‘Springbound’.

In a word? Elating. A lot of us involved, including myself, didn’t have a lot of experience in making films at the time, so having this film win ‘Best Short’ at the Green Screenings was exciting for all of us.

The CANNAVIST recently gave its wellness mission a blockbuster boost with the launch of its inaugural

First of all, how does it feel to win The CANNAVIST Green Screenings’ ‘Best Short’ award?

A month after I started university, I met a group of people who were doing the same media degree as me…but other than that, we didn’t really know a lot about one another.

One day, this group organised a house party; people got drunk, people got rowdy and, as the night went on, we all huddled up on a trampoline.

We shared quite intimate and personal stories about ourselves, we laughed with each other and cried with each other.

In the end, we not only left the trampoline as friends, but also with an idea for a movie that eventually became Springbound.

At the time of production, COVID was re-emerging here in Sydney, so almost everything other than the actual filming had to be done through Zoom or Discord.

From writing sessions to auditions, table reads and meetings, the whole process had a different pace and vibe, but it kind of worked out in the end.

Since all of us lived in different areas –some quite far away from one another – being online actually saved time…COVID kind of shifted the workflow.

In our exclusive online interview, you took our viewers through the conception of the fi lm… could you give our readers an insight into the inspiration for Springbound?

What was the creative process like, were there any highlights, any regrets, any unexpected surprises and, of course, any bumps in the road?

As

That shot is great, but I can’t take all the credit. Both myself and my co-writer Jack actually had the same image in our heads for that scene.

I actually loved the shot at the beginning of the film, when the house is split into quadrants and you can actually see something interesting going on no matter where you look in the background.

Whether its Tommy standing alone outside, the couple taking a moment to celebrate good news or partygoers dancing, the shot has a lot happening visually.

Another one I love is when ‘The Girl’ is lying down on the trampoline and there are fairy lights beneath her that look like stars.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World was definitely a big one, but we drew inspiration from other films such as The Edge of Seventeen and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

We wanted to take on the coming-of-age genre and almost subvert certain tropes in order to create a somewhat more realistic feeling film…I hope we succeeded with that.

By far, my favourite moment of Springbound was the overhead shot, which saw the main boy – Tommy - settle into his loneliness as the credits rolled.

director and mastermind of the project, did you have any particular favourite shots or moments?

I’m certainly not the fi rst to point out the similarities between Springbound and cult classic ‘Scott Pilgrim vs The World’…were there any other fi lms that you drew from when creating the project?

I’m really looking forward to ‘Isle Child’an independent film that tackles Asian identity – and ‘I think I’m sick’.

I’m also excited for ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’…a lot of sequels.

Springbound has seen a massively positive reception from our Green Screenings audience and beyond, is there anybody you want to thank for their involvement in the fi lm?

It might seem cliché, but I’d just like to thank everybody; everyone who worked on this film, who watched the film, who liked it and disliked it.

Thank you to everyone who believed in Springbound and believed in me…I especially want to thank my mum; I wouldn’t be doing this without her support.

As both a fi lmmaker and a movie fan, are there any upcoming releases that you are particularly excited about?

Business Corner

SAVE THE ECONOMY?

A study published by media group Prohibition Partners details how the UK’s cannabis industry could be worth £1bn by 2026.

Words: Oliver Smith

If the UK government moves fast to legalise cannabis, then the sector could be worth more than £1bn within four years, according to analysts.

A new study published by Prohibition Partners says that if recreational sales were allowed from 2024, the sector could be worth over £627m by 2026.

When the sales of CBD and cannabis-infused products are factored in, this would bring the UK’s overall cannabis market size to the billion-pound mark.

Prohibition Partners said the industry could help boost the UK’s economy through ‘significant levels of foreign direct investment into the UK’.

It also said the potential for job creation opportunities within the cannabis industry would also support the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ ambitions.

Stephen Murphy, CEO and co-founder of Prohibition Partners said: “The sector has shown it can deliver huge levels of investment, economic growth and jobs for economies that embrace it.

“At a time when the UK sorely needs similar economic boosts, going green and backing cannabis will deliver

for the UK economy.

“The UK now has to ensure it isn’t left behind as investors turn toward Europe as the next frontier of the cannabis industry.”

European powerhouses like Germany and Denmark have already cashed in on this increasing industry but the UK has still not seen the true potential of proper medical cannabis in the UK.

In 2018, the UK government announced that it would grant medical cannabis prescriptions to rare-illness patients under a specialised doctor’s authority.

Despite the UK being one of the world’s largest cultivators of medical cannabis, it currently imports all domestic use cannabis medicine and the majority of CBD products too.

Prof. Mike Barnes, co-founder of Maple Tree, a global medical cannabis consultancy said: “If we were able to develop and export more cannabis-based medicines, we could continue to be a global heavyweight and increase our market share even further.”

“At a time when the UK sorely needs similar economic boosts, going green and backing cannabis will deliver for the UK economy.”

the red carpet SKINCARE WORTHY OF

The CANNAVIST spoke with TV star Dr.Martin Kinsella - the mastermind behind Dr. Kinsella Skincare –to find out more details on his brand-new debut range.

It’s hard to ignore the star-power behind the Dr. Kinsella brand; do you think your celebrity presence will encourage more people to give the products a go?

If I wasn’t who I was, I wouldn’t launch a skincare line, because there’s too much going on.

Without having some form of reputation or persona, it’s phenomenally hard to actually break into the industry.

But the fact is, I have a public platform, all my years of experience are great and I can use my profile to benefit people…that’s the reason I did it.

You recently held a launch party for the Dr. Kinsella Skincare line, can you give us an insight into how that went?

What a cracking night it was! People were laughing, there were drinks, everything just came together perfectly to create a really good atmosphere.

I think sometimes, especially when it’s your own event, you don’t really get to enjoy it… but I can honestly say I did.

The whole night was a great experience; it was actually the best launch event I’ve ever been to…I’m just really proud to say it was for my own product.

Why is it you chose to launch with a face cream, eye serum and glow oil, is there a reason you wanted to kick things off with this trio of products?

We are constantly looking to evolve the brand and have noticed a couple of things we could improve on.

But we are quite happy with the limited range at the moment as we wanted a streamlined collection of three products... these are the bread and butter of skincare.

There are more than 15 years of ‘medical aesthetics’ experience fuelling the brand, how will this wealth expertise guide the direction of your company and any future product releases?

I’ve been involved in medical aesthetics – or cosmetic dermatology – for almost sixteen years now and over that time I’ve met patients from all aspects of life.

As a result, I’ve been exposed to lots of different skincare products and there’s one thing I’ve noticed…almost all of them fall into one of two main groups. They are

either doctor-led but aren’t very nicely branded, or are very high-end but nobody really knows if they do anything for the skin…what I wanted to do was bring these two things together.

I wanted a product with all the hallmarks of a scientifically backed brand, that is clinically proven to help the skin, but also has the luxury feel of a premium skincare line.

You promise to create vegan-friendly, sustainable products for your consumers, why did you choose to go in this direction and how do you ensure your products remain cruelty-free?

One thing we’re very interested in as a brand is championing and spearheading sustainability…it’s not a marketing thing, it’s an ethical issue.

We owe it to the world to invest in products that are kind on the environment and to animals, which is why we are so committed to delivering vegan and eco-friendly skincare options.

All new businesses should position themselves in the same way; as a new kid on the block, we have a responsibility to lead the way and help create a more considered future.

I’m sure you’ll agree that arming your consumers with products is only half the battle, what are you doing to educate

them on improved skincare?

We’ve been investing a lot of time into providing funny, light-hearted and engaging content to people on social media…especially through TikTok.

For us, it’s the perfect platform to educate our audience and hopefully convert people to our way of thinking; obviously we’d like to see more customers through this, but we’re also able to inform people about skin.

It’s about building a community of likeminded people; I could sit in my ivory tower clinic and charge people £200 for a brief consultation, but I’d rather be able to give them that advice for free.

It’s fair to say that CBD is still a relatively young commercial product, why did you decide to include it in your skincare range?

When it comes to the Dr. Kinsella Skincare line, CBD is more a featured star than a leading player.

A lot of other CBD products out there only really contain CBD…but that’s really not going to cut it when it comes to good skin.

Our products are packed with a list of hallmark ingredients that are targeted and designed to improve skincare – including Vitamin C, coconut oil and rosehip oil - and CBD works in synergy with these.

ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU DRIBBLE.

California and cannabis are virtually synonymous; so much so that when the state’s basketball team earned yet another championship win…it received an unexpected gift.

ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU DRIBBLE

assortment of local marijuana products.

Put together by San Francisco brand Sunset Connect CEO Ali Jamalian, the jam-packed toke-ns of support included pre-rolls, topical balms, edibles and even branded shirts.

After the Golden State Warriors secured their seventh NBA victory, the players were given goodie bags packed with an

In a video showing off the bags, the brand said: “Yeah we did that! Hope our champion warriors are enjoying their treats on their well-deserved vacation.”

DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU SEE ON TV.

New research has dismissed the unmotivated and apathetic stoner character we so often see in the media as nothing more than a ‘lazy stereotype’.

In a study of over 270 adult and adolescent cannabis users, experts at the University of Cambridge found that the drug did not negatively impact motivation or the ability to ‘enjoy life’s pleasures’.

The researchers matched the ‘stoner’ group with non-users of the same age and gender and had them fill out questionnaires designed to gauge ‘anhedonia’ (the inability to feel pleasure).

According to the university, participants were also quizzed on their apathy, answering

questions about ‘their interest in learning new things’ and ‘how likely they were to see a job through to the end’.

The study found that there was ‘no link’ between the frequency of cannabis use and both apathy and anhedonia.

PhD candidate for the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry, Martine Skumlien, said the results were a ‘surprise’ and contrasted the representation of cannabis users in TV and film.

She said: “We’re so used to seeing ‘lazy stoners’ on our screens that we don’t stop to ask whether they’re an accurate representation…our work implies this is in itself a lazy stereotype.”

106 BUSINESS CORNER

MLB TO STRIKE UP CBD DEALS.

In a homerun for the cannabis industry, Major League Baseball and its teams are now permitted to sell CBD sponsorships and advertisements.

In a conference call earlier this year, MLB bosses confirmed that the cannabinoid is now an ‘approved category’. However, they also clarified that any products had to first be tested by independent organisation NSF to ensure

OF LOVE BREAKING

they don’t have psychoactive levels of THC.

MLB Chief Revenue Officer Noah Garden said: “We’ve been watching this category for a while and waiting for it to mature to the point that we can get comfortable with it.

“Our fans are very much the kind of customers they are looking for…it’s a good opportunity for us and the clubs.”

He said that there are ‘around three to five’ CBD brands currently making their way through the NSF certification process… though ‘none of them are there yet’.

BREAKING NEWS.

US President Joe Biden was urged to ‘use his executive authority’ and take action on the decriminalisation of cannabis during a recent Labour Day meeting.

The head of state met with democratic senate candidate and marijuana advocate John Fetterman ahead of an event in Pittsburgh, where they discussed controversial policy surrounding the drug. According to his campaign communications director, Joe Calvello, Fetterman continued to champion cannabis during the private sit-down.

Speaking to MarijuanaMoment, Calvello confirmed Fetterman urged the president

In a recent briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president ‘supports leaving decisions regarding legalisation for recreational use up to states’.

She said: “At the federal level he supports decrimialising marijuana use and automatically expunging any prior criminal records…and believes there are too many people serving unduly long sentences for non-violent drug crimes.”

Karine added that Biden already granted clemency to more than 70 people earlier this year, but there is nothing new to report on the matter of decriminalising cannabis at this time.

Cannavist on Tour

Dr Kinsella

Words: Carrie Strouther

It isn’t often you’re invited to a starstudded CBD launch party…so when I found out I was heading to the release night of Dr Kinsella Skin, I was ecstatic.

Walking into the beautifully dressed ‘The Library’ –located at The Edwardian in Manchester – I was met by white and gold branding, which played background to the celebrity crowd.

The Dr Kinsella Skin range is the brainchild of TV star and aesthetics expert Martin Kinsella who, along with his wife Hanna, are staple features on the Real Housewives of Cheshire.

The pair attracted an esteemed guest list, inviting a host of influencers and celebrities, as well as their housewives co-stars.

Martin’s new brand is made up of three key products – a face cream, eye serum and glow oil – which were front and centre at the event.

As someone who has tried and tested the products myself – in issue 15 of The CANNAVIST – I can safely say they smell and feel incredible.

There was even a dedicated gifting area, where guests could grab themselves a jam-packed goodie bag, including the Kinsella products and some desirable extras.

The gifting room also featured a ‘grab a glass’ wall, where people were treated to glasses of prosecco

given out by a disembodied hand from behind a glittery curtain.

During the evening, the Kinsella team also teased about the next phase of the brand - which incorporates CBD alongside an intricate blend of other ingredients – but didn’t give any details.

The night was fuelled by a mouth-watering menu of canapés and desserts – as well as a foot-tapping blend of dance music – with guests indulging in delicate steak frites, chocolate cake pops and more.

There were also three specially themed cocktails for the night, including the Fountain of Youth Mojito, Dr K Bellini and the Skinsella Martini.

As the energy of the night hit its peak, guests were treated to a speech from the man of the hour himself.

Martin took a moment to thank all those who had helped him along in creating the brand, namely his wife who helped with the creation of the products and the attendees for giving him their support.

And though he was away from the office and in party mode, Martin must have had his doctor’s gear tucked away somewhere, as he also took a moment to deliver some skincare advice.

If there’s one thing that was made clear by this event, it was that the life of a real housewife star and aesthetics expert is nonstop!

All in all, it was a brilliant launch party and I look forward to seeing how the Dr Kinsella team step even more into the world of CBD.

CANNABIS EUROPA

LONDON 2022

The cannabis industry was firmly focused on London earlier this year for the must-attend Cannabis Europa event...here’s what went down.

Words: Oliver Smith

The global cannabis industry recently convened in London for one of the biggest shows that the sector has to offer – Cannabis Europa.

I was fortunate enough to catch the second day of the show, where I was blown away by the cuttingedge knowledge on display from government officials, experts and leading companies.

Walking into the stunning venue –London’s Old Billingsgate building – I felt like a kid in a candy shop, meeting the packed hall with a giddy excitement and eagerness to get stuck in.

There were more than 1,200 professionals in attendancehailing from 30 countries across the globe - meaning world-leading expertise was in no short supply.

Before the day’s packed agenda even commenced, visitors were treated to a few opening remarks from Prohibition Partners’ CEO and co-founder Stephen Murphy.

He said that the European cannabis industry gives him hope that things ‘can and will get better’, especially in a political and economic climate where we all ‘need reasons to be optimistic’.

Murphy said: “We’re in a bear market economically…but European cannabis is a bull and it’s only getting started.

“Europe is still yet to significantly scale and valuations are still very attractive for international investors.”

He added that companies need to ‘stay committed and focused’, saying that it’s ‘impossible to succeed alone’.

After the Prohibition Partners boss warmed the crowd – so to speak –attendees then enjoyed a bumper pack of thought-provoking talks

from professionals and specialists.

This included a number of panel discussions on the forecasted growth of the European industry and potential future investment opportunities.

These were an echo of Murphy’s previous comments, detailing how the Euro cannabis industry is just beginning to realise its full untapped potential.

And with continued support of cannabis legalisation, these talks made me feel more confident that we could see an increase in the adoption of regulatory compliance across the nation.

Later sessions also expanded beyond Europe, with one talk on international supply chains highlighting that a ‘harmonised global system’ is key to eliminating the black market.

There was also a social element to the event, with some sessions focusing on advocacy and the ever-passionate campaigns for governments to rethink their drug policies.

One talk that really hit home the power of cannabis was the patient discussion, which shined a light on the harrowing stories of child epilepsy and multiple sclerosis that we so often hear in the news.

““ CANNAVIST ON TOUR

CBD-INFUSED

HarissaHoumous

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cans of chickpeas

• 5 tbsp olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves

• 2 lemons

• 1 tbsp tahini

• 1 tsp of at least 500mg natural CBD oil

• 2 tbsp harissa spice mix

• 1 tbsp tomato puree

• Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

1. Put three quarters of the chickpeas in a food processor with 3 tbsp olive oil, garlic and half a tin of chickpea juice.

2. Blitz until a smooth, creamy consistency forms

3. Add tahini, harissa paste, salt, pepper, lemon and garlic.

4. Mix together some harissa spice mix, tomato puree, CBD oil and olive oil and drizzle over the houmous when ready to serve.

RHUBARB & GRAPEFRUIT

YOU WILL NEED For the pastry

• 350g plain flour

• 225g unsalted butter

• 50g icing sugar

• 1 large egg yolk

• 1 tbsp polenta

• ½ tsp hemp oil paste

METHOD TO MAKE THE PASTRY

For the curd For the topping

• 2 grapefruit

• Zest of a lemon

• 200g caster sugar

• 80g butter

• 4 egg yolks • 1 egg

• 1 tbsp hemp oil paste

• 1 sheet of gelatin

Tart• 50g butter

• 70g sugar

• 2 stalks of rhubarb

• 1 tsp vanilla

1. Combine the flour with the butter and then add the sugar.

2. Whisk one egg yolk with two tablespoons of water and the hemp oil paste.

3. Blend the mixture together and knead until smooth. Be careful not to overwork.

4. Wrap in clingfilm and allow to chill for at least 30 minutes.

TO MAKE THE GRAPEFRUIT CURD

1. Add the grapefruit juice, zest, butter, sugar and hemp oil paste to a pan and heat.

2. Soak the gelatin sheet and add to the pan mixture, turning off the heat.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and gradually add the hot mixture.

4. Tip back into the saucepan and stir on a medium heat until the curd thickens. Leave to cool at room temperature.

5. Take the dough out of the fridge and roll out onto a flour covered surface. Place into your chosen lined tin or dish.

6 . Scatter the polenta along the bottom of the pastry and blind bake for five minutes.

7. Pour the grapefruit curd into the pastry dish once it has finished its blind bake.

TO MAKE THE CARAMELISED RHUBARB

1. Wash and cut the rhubarb stalks

2

. Melt the butter, sugar, vanilla and hemp oil paste in a saucepan on low heat until fully melted.

3. Add the rhubarb and cook until tender for about seven minutes (ensure the rhubarb still holds shape).

4. Place the rhubarb on top of the tart and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Refreshing CBD-Infused Mocktail

Words Carrie Strouther

You’ll need

• 200 ml apple juice

• 200 ml cranberry juice

• 200 ml orange juice

• Crushed ice

• Orange slices for garnish

• 4 sprays Full Spectrum Water Soluble CBD

Method

Staying off the booze for a bit? Here are some handy support tools to help you stay alcohol-free..

Alcoholchange.org.uk

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Drink Free Days App

This is an NHS app designed to help regular drinkers monitor just how much alcohol they consume. Drink Free Days is free and is designed to help us all cut back.

Drink Compare Quiz

The Drink Compare Quiz helps you see how much your habits might be putting your health at risk. It also compares your habits with others in the UK.

Reviews

HØJ GRINDER, PAPERS & PIPE

Words: Oliver Smith

to use, with the blades cutting down the material to the exact consistency I like.

KØL MINI 2.0 PIPE

I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest pipe fan…but this is probably one the strangest and coolest looking pipes I’ve ever used.

I’ve seen the name on YouTube a number of times before, with some of my favourite cannabis-based creators having nothing but praise for the brand.

So I couldn’t have been more excited when I was handed the ‘KLIP’, ‘HAMP’ and ‘KØL Mini 2.0’ and got to see if HØJ lived up to the hype.

KLIP GRINDER

This was probably the product I’d heard the most about online and, naturally, was the first thing I decided to try.

As soon as I got home, I threw some material into the three available grinder spaces and set to work.

And I couldn’t believe how brilliant the KLIP truly was! It was the least amount of effort I’ve ever had

It has to be said that the KØL allowed me to get a quick and clean hit, but that wasn’t the unique selling point for me.

As a two-piece magnetised pipe, the KØL Mini 2.0 can be taken apart for cleaning, which essentially eliminates the chances of getting annoying bits of rosin stuck.

HAMP ROLLING PAPERS

Rounding of this trio of choice products from HØJ, was the set of HAMP rolling papers…and what a way to finish.

They had everything a roller needs, with high quality paper, easily foldable filter cards and a sturdy magnetic book to keep it all together.

I’ve reviewed many a product in my time with The CANNAVIST, from CBD-infused creams to vegan snacks, but I’m yet to try anything like these offerings from HØJ.

CATALYSE LIFE DRINKS

Words: Oliver Smith

MIZU – GINGER & HIBISCUS

This was probably the strangest can for me, as I am not normally the biggest fan of ginger.

However, with that being said, after trying this can – which also had subtle hints of black pepper and hibiscus - I think now I have a newfound appreciation for ginger.

Being handed a box full of drinks while dripping with sweat and suffering through baking 40-degree highs was certainly an unexpected treat.

I know, sad right?

I had the pleasure of trying four different flavours from Catalyse Life Drinks – one infused with CBD –this is how they fared.

CORAL – LEMON BALM & MINT

This is the flavour I was most interested in trying… due in large part to the fact that it came complete with 10mg of CBD.

I tried this can after I had my daily run – as I normally like to consume cannabinoids after I train – and at the first sip was greeted with a cooling combo of lemon and mint.

It was a really enjoyable drink to have post-exercise, especially in some uncomfortable heat, helping me feel refreshed.

MAYI – VANILLA & GREEN TEA

While I was pleasantly surprised with this can, I also have to admit that it was my least favourite of the bunch.

It was rather early in the morning when I cracked it open and I was hoping that the Vanilla and Green Tea combo would help wake me up for my commute.

The drink was packed full of both vitamin C and D3, which was certainly a bonus…but the taste notes were sadly not for me.

ACQUA – BLOOD ORANGE & JUNIPER

This was the final can I tried as I naturally expected to prefer the citrus flavours and wanted to save the best until last.

The instant hits of blood orange gave me a welcome jolt and I have to say that this drink would be the perfect mixer for a gin.

Given the sweltering summer heat that the UK had to endure this year, I can’t tell you how happy I was to receive this review product.

ETHICA CBD RELIEVE AND SOOTHE SPORTS GEL

Words: Jordan Millar

At the risk of revealing my very own ‘Achilles heel’ – though I’m pretty sure I don’t have any secret nemeses to worry about - I have long suffered with frequent and severe shoulder pain.

Brought on by teenage antics, my injury means I almost always have an underlying ache running through my left arm and will often struggle through bouts of more extreme discomfort.

My journey to find relief has taken me across countless brands and holistic remedies…though positive results have been limited and fleeting.

But as the weather turns colder and winter’s sharp air threatens to worsen my pain, the hunt for a soothing solution has only grown more desperate.

Luckily, I had the pleasure of reviewing this CBDinfused sports gel – courtesy of EthicaCBD – which may well help me fight through my heightened winter aches.

I’ve been using this product quite a lot on my shoulder – as well as a few other ‘creaky’ joints and sore points – over the past month…and have to say I’m impressed with the results.

It was particularly effective after doing some work around the house or as a post-workout remedy – it’s in the name after all – though I’ve been using it as a one stop solution for those lighter pains as well.

And though, for me at least, it didn’t eliminate the problem entirely, the gel has certainly been a big help in alleviating my longstanding aches.

The actual packet was deceptively small, taking up a very limited space on my daily-essentials shelf, but lasted for much longer than expected.

Almost every time I picked it up I thought to myself ‘this is it, there’s no way there’s any left’, yet – to my joy – I’d still be met by a handful of this super soothing gel.

Though it’s probably not the main selling point, I was also a massive fan of the minty smell.

Along with my shoulder issues, I’m also prone to congested sinuses and the cooling aroma of this gel really helped to clear my nose.

I’m not sure if it was actually the gel’s doing or something else entirely, but either way, I felt like I could breathe more clearly when I had this product.

As we march towards the coldest time of the year, I can’t say how happy I am to have a product that I know can help soothe my increasingly painful shoulder.

CBD ONE - ONE SHOT

Words: Oliver Smith

When trying to incorporate CBD into your daily routine, many of the obvious strategies spring to mind…oils, tinctures, gummies and topicals.

But there’s another way that you can infuse a little CBD into your life and all it takes is ‘one shot’.

CBD One has released a quick and natural solution for those people like me, who want to keep hydrated and have CBD with them on the go.

I’ve already tried the Hatcha Powder from CBD One

and was not disappointed, so the One Shot had big boots to fill when I first cracked it open.

The full-spectrum solution could be added to either hot or cold beverages and the foolproof pump made it as easy as possible.

I liked to keep things simple and found it paired perfectly with water, as there was no bitter aftertaste and it left me feeling ready for the day.

I have already recommended it to many of my friends who consume CBD as a fast and effective way at looking to get your daily dose.

inflamed muscles, sore joints, and dry, cracked, itchy skin?

Problem Salved. This anti-inflammatory CBD-infused salve is just the thing to soothe your dry, irritated skin while the CBD goes to work on easing your joint pain and muscle inflammation, making Problem Salved the solution to bend Eucalyptus Peppermint, Chamomile Vanilla, Lavender, or Natural formulations.

VOON HEMP POUCHES

Words: Oliver Smith

I was previously

This meant I had some idea of what to expect from these hemp pouches when I was given them for review.

The sample pack contained two of the four available Voon flavours, Pink Grape and Winter Green, with the missing options – Snazzy Tangerine and Cool Spearmint – certainly being something I want to try.

I was a very big fan of the simple design of the product, with the small pouch containers being compact enough to keep in my backpack alongside my daily essentials.

The pouches in both of the packs were stuffed with 20mg of hemp extract each, giving me a little boost during the day without the presence of nicotine or THC.

When opening the packs, I was greeted with 15 small white pouches that give off a nice subtle smell of the relevant flavour.

After popping the Pink Grape pouch at the top of my gum, I sat back and waited for the effects to kick in.

The taste was very different from anything I’d had before – as I’m used to basic mint nicotine pouches – and it was brilliant to have the chance to try something new.

This welcome change extended to the Winter Green pack, with the choice of mint used in the pouch being noticeably different to the artificial flavours of some nicotine ones.

When I finished using each of the 15 pouches, I was able to store them in a small compartment that was built into the pack…a great way to discourage littering.

This is the perfect little companion for those looking to get their daily dose of cannabinoids in a simple to use form.

a smoker – a habit that I’ve thankfully now kicked – and looked to nicotine pouches as one option to help me quit.

ENAGIC - KANGEN WATER

Words: Oliver Smith

The ‘Strong Acidic Water’ – which is strictly for cleaning and not consumption - has a pH of 2.7 and the ‘Clean Water’ has a neutral pH and is for drinking, baby food and taking medication…don’t get those confused.

Well Japanese brand Enagic – and its Kangen machines –are hoping to clear up some of the mystery and offer some insight into what they say the water has to offer.

There’s been a lot of back and forth over the years as to the supposed ‘health benefits’ of alkaline water, but Kangen claims its products are ‘superior’ to regular tap and bottled alternatives.

The brand’s water machines change the pH of regular water by running it through a process of filtration and electrolysis.

Through this process, the brand say they can produce five ‘water types’ – including Strong Kangen Water, Kangen Water, Clean Water, Beauty Water and Strong Acidic Water - each suited to different uses.

The ‘Kangen Water’ can have a pH of between 8.5 and 9.5, with the brand saying this is intended for drinking, food preparation, cooking and watering plants.

For details on the other kinds of water, you can visit the Enagic website, where there is more information on the brand’s uses for each water type and on the filtration and electrolysis process.

Enagic also says its machines are good for the environment, saying that they eliminate the need for harmful plastic bottles.

The brand’s focus is on the fact that ‘not all water is created equal’, saying that we are 70 percent water and so what we drink and use should be of major consideration.

During a demonstration of the machine, I was shown the ‘tomato test’, which showed a pack of store-bought tomatoes reacted differently in Kangen treated water and regular tap water.

As someone who isn’t deeply rooted in the world of alkaline water, I’m interested to see how this industry develops and stands against traditional water options.

Have you ever heard whisperings about the elusive ‘alkaline water’ and scratched your head with confusion?

VITALITY CBD CANABAR DISPOSABLE VAPES

Words: Oliver Smith

In this review, I’m looking at six CBD disposable vapes from the Canabar Disposable Vape range.

Each device was packed with both 350mg of CBD isolate and 150mg of CBG, providing people with a quick and easy way to access their cannabinoids.

The brand recommends you can get your typical 70mg daily dose of CBD by taking 100 puffs per day and each device contained enough CBD e-liquid for around a week of use (700 puffs).

I had the pleasure of trying six different flavours for this review… this is how they all fared.

Blue Razz

Not knowing what to expect from this blue raspberry offering, I took a few hits of the device and waited for the full flavour to come through. And I must say, I was pleasantly surprised; there was a smooth inhale and a very fruity exhale. Much like other blue raspberry flavours I’ve tried in the past, this offering did have a slightly artificial

aftertaste, but this didn’t stop me from enjoying the device.

Strawberry & Watermelon

This was definitely a favourite flavour for me, with the strawberry and watermelon taste notes coming together in a smooth and refreshing blend. I’m generally a big fan of fruit flavour and this one really hit the spot; I found it incredibly moreish and would happily return to this disposable as a way to get my dose of CBD.

Grapeberry Lemonade

I had big hopes for this offering when I opened the box, with my mouth watering at the unique and beverage-based flavour. But sadly this flavour was just not for me, as the notes of lemon were a touch too sharp for my liking.

I can certainly see the appeal of this flavour – especially to those who are already fans of grapeberry lemonade – but I have to admit this is not one I’ll be coming back to.

Mango & Guava Ice

Another undeniable winner, this offering blew my expectations

out of the water and then some. The mango and guava notes were absolutely bursting with flavour, but weren’t so overwhelming that I was hit with an undiscernible taste concoction.

Getting that guava flavour right is a challenge – one that plenty of CBD and regular vape brands have tried and failed – but this Canabar gets it spot on.

Pink Lemonade

Ah, pink lemonade; a love or hate flavour. Much like the drink, this disposable is an acquired taste and I have to say…I’m on board.

The tangier, sweeter notes really satisfied my ever-present fruit cravings and I found myself hitting that recommended 100 daily puffs in no time at all.

Raspberry & Pineapple

What a way to finish! This flavour was a delicate blend of all the best bits of raspberry and pineapple. It didn’t take long before I was blasted with a strong and droolworthy combo of the two titular fruits, with a delightful aftertaste allowing me to enjoy the flavour long after the exhale.

NEUBRIA – COGNIFUEL ‘THINK DRINK’

Words: Oliver Smith

Like many of us, my hectic working schedule means I can suffer the occasional pang of burn out.

So when I was handed some review products labelled ‘Think Drink’, my curiosity definitely peaked.

Neubria’s ‘body, brain and wellness boosting’ Cognifuel offerings are packed with vitamins, minerals and more…perfect for someone who often forgets to keep on top of their daily intake.

The drink was easy enough to prepare – you just have to mix the sachet’s contents with 400ml of water using a shaker – but how did the flavours I tried hold up?

Orange and Pineapple

This flavour was an instant hit for me; it was exactly what I needed to help shake off that all-too-familiar cloudy, groggy feeling.

I don’t know why, but I expected some sort of bad aftertaste – likely due to my experience with other sachet drink mixes – but I didn’t suffer that grimacing fate here.

If you are a fan of tropical drinks and struggle to keep on top of your vitamin and mineral intake like me, then I would recommend you give this a try.

Blueberry and Pomegranate

After the highs of the orange and pineapple sachet, I had big expectations for this second flavour.

Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy this sachet, but it just wasn’t as good as the other in my opinion…mostly due to the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of pomegranate.

However, I will not knock the overall flavour of this ‘think drink’ as I know many people enjoy the fruit.