At Natural Strains, we’re committed to providing our customers with the very best CBD Oil for sale. We have strived to work towards a line of products that are natural, pure and free from chemicals or impurities. We also offer a diverse range of CBD strains such as sativa and indica. Crafted with care, our organic CBD oil comes from licensed and organic providers and is regularly tested to
Acting Editor Gordon Stribling
Junior Journalist Oliver Smith
Contributor Caroline Debarra
Contributor Nathan Warby
Head of Design Hayley Parker
Lead Graphic Designer
Ayaz Arshad
Graphic Designer Aaron Rana
Design Support Lucy Booth
Marketing Manager Katie Loomes
Web Developer Kain Alden
Junior Web Developer Rafael Cardoso
Marketing Executive Carrie Strouther
Marketing Executive Jill Shah Marketing Executive Alicia Snow-Simpson
Photographer Rob Rutley
Finance Director Kris Worton
Finance Executive Rochelle Warsop Events Director Abida Razaque
Head of Sales Tom Slack
Client Partnership Manager Stephen Culf Sales Executive Peter Masters Sales Executive Joe Seale Sales Executive Baz Bassra
Director Pom Kaila
Managing Director David Turner CEO Paul Caplin
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 decision 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, Vapouround 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: roisin@cannavistmag.com
Hello, loyal reader and welcome to the allnew edition of The CANNAVIST.
We hope you have been enjoying freedom is much as we have. It’s been amazing to burst the bubble and return to something like the old normal – for now, at least. If you’re not quite ready to fully embrace it just yet, do read on for some expert advice from Dr Elisabeth Phillips and rugby pro, George Kruis.
You may be wondering what we’ve been up to since our last issue dropped through your letterbox. Well, we’ve been diligently working behind the scenes revamping the magazine. Expect the same quality CANNAVIST content, but with a twist.
True to the Autumn season, we are turning a new leaf in health and wellbeing.
The new-look CANNAVIST focuses on four pillars of wellness: Mind, Body, Nutrition and Relationships. The new formula gives us scope to explore beyond cannabis, covering topics such as virtual reality, pets and mental health, extreme fitness, fantastic fungi, edible insects and more, all in this issue alone.
Don’t worry: the mag is packed with cannabis content, too. This incredible plant will always be at the core of everything we do. And if you’re a business subscriber, keep an eye on your inbox for our new digital business supplement coming very soon.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for CBD Live. We hope you had as enjoyable a time on the virtual expo floor as we did putting the
event together. Huge thanks too to all the amazing contributors who gave up their time to speak in the Auditorium. This was my first experience of putting the schedule together, so I really appreciate you showing your support and getting involved.
Which reminds me – I’m Gordon, by the way! I’ve emerged from behind the ever-growing pile of CBD products on my desk and stepped into the role of Acting Editor.
I’m really excited to be bringing you the new look CANNAVIST. If you have any thoughts or suggestions for topics we can cover or on the magazine itself, email me at: gordon@cannavistmag.com
The Cannavist is published by Orange Fox Media Limited in Derby, United Kingdom.
The Cannavist is printed and distributed by Warners Group Publications in the UK.
The Cannavist is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation. We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and we are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
If you think such a standard has not been met in this issue of the magazine, and you would like to make a complaint, email the editor at editorial@cannavistmag.com. We will endeavour to respond to your complaint as soon as possible, or within five working days. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about the IPSO Editors’ Code, go to ipso.co.uk. The Cannavist (print) ISSN: 2633-4097. The Cannavist is a registered trademark. For all advertising enquiries email: advertising@cannavistmag.com. For event enquiries, email: events@cannavistmag.com. Got an editorial opportunity or work in PR? Email the editorial team: editorial@cannavistmag.com. For more information about this magazine, go to Cannavistmag.com or call the head office on 0044 (0) 1332 650 239. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Well lab makes CBD self-care simple and easy to navigate. Our products contain powerful, organically grown, natural ingredients.
Well lab premium CBD is blended with hand-picked herbal extracts such as Ashwagandha and Maca root, plus specific terpenes to help enhance the overall effect.
Dr Elisabeth Philipps offers her expert advice on how to embrace our new-found freedoms if it all feels a bit too much.
Greenheart CBD Ltd. An Irish seed to shelf company, whom have experienced exciting recent successes including being accredited funding round of the year for the funding activity with their crypto currency ‘Greenheart CBD Token’. Greenheart’s vision for their funding round and introduction to the blockchain, is to fund business development for Greenheart CBD’s global footprint. We are partnering with farms in different regions and providing a DeFi lending platform for these farmers to enter the Greenheart CBD Ecosystem. This will be conducted through our ‘Modular Partnership Program’. This will allow farmers to access to our technology in a modular style operation which can be drop shipped to any country. These services will also be financed by Greenheart CBD and the farmer will repay the loan with the products produced through the technologies.
Our currency can then also be traded, currently listed on PancakeSwap and further listing to come. We have a Mobile App being launched in Q3 of this year which will include a wallet, access to our store for discounted products from Greenheart and partner companies also staking options and other interactive features.
Greenheart CBD Token stands out in the crypto world as it is being brought by an award winning
profitable company that is using blockchain to enhance global visions and collect data from seed to currency. This is allowing Greenheart CBD to complete a full data chain and circular economy. Greenheart CBD collect the data in the field by using our AI drones, our latest drone ‘Air-Octo’ brought to us by our partner company ZenaTech has the ability to; scan the crops with multi spectrum imaging, remove unwanted plants from the fields with a robotic arm, spray crops if needs be and test soil using its final attachment. This drone will be ready for use and sale this summer. We are excited and honoured to be the first CBDTech company, bringing advanced technologies to the space from AI Drones to blockchain integration.
The so-called ‘psychedelic renaissance’ has inspired a whole wave of mindfulness and meditation apps. We speak to TRIPP CEO Nanea Reeves about how her early experiences with meditation inspired the VR app.
Words by Gordon Stribling
Our idea of therapy has changed drastically over the past decade. Gone is the image of the balding, bespectacled male therapist in a brown suit. In its place, virtual guided meditation, CBT apps and on-demand Zoom counselling.
there. It’s been interesting to take that idea and figure out how we can use it in ways that can be beneficial to people.”
Anonymised data has revealed different usage patterns across the userbase. There are the diehards who have been using TRIPP regularly for months or longer. Then there are others who may only be on the platform for two or three weeks, such as the ‘New Year’s Resolution Crew,’ as Nanea calls them, who may need a little more encouragement.
“If we look at our own patterns of how we turn to meditation, people like myself have it integrated throughout the day and have had a lifetime of practice. Other people do it under duress or stress and turn to it when they need it,” Nanea says.
Now, new therapies are emerging which simulate the psychedelic experience. Among them, TRIPP – a virtual reality (VR) meditation app that arrives just as psychedelic medicines break through the collective consciousness.
TRIPP is an immersive VR meditation platform that ‘combines proven meditation techniques, flow-inducing gameplay, binaural audio and breath visualization to transform how you feel.’
The app was co-created by CEO Nanea Reeves. The three-time TEDx speaker has a long background in gaming technology. Her CV includes a stint at Electronic Arts (EA) and early investment in the Oculus VR headset, which she trialled alongside late-husband Vic, TRIPP co-founder Zack Norman and her cousin, Keanu. Nanea’s therapy journey began in her teens. “My mother was a heroin addict. I experienced a lot of stress as a kid from a deep sense of responsibility for two younger sisters,” she says.
“I believe meditation saved my life. It wasn't something I talked about. I was actually embarrassed about it. But a therapist taught me how to do it and I believe it enabled me to rewire my decision framework.”
Nanea also relied on gaming. She says that games gave her a sense of control that was missing from her life. This passion for the technology would shape her career and TRIPP itself.
“We’ve found that giving people a sense of control over their environment has some positive benefits, especially if you feel your real-world environment is out of control. That's how I felt as a kid.
“I'm sure as a population, there are a lot of things we feel that we can't control in our lives right now. Online gaming has exploded during COVID and solutions like TRIPP filled a void
“The benefit of using technology in these positive use cases is that we can take all the tactics that technology companies have used to manipulate you to buy a product and stay engaged, but use them with beneficial intention.”
There is a clear overlap between apps like TRIPP and the new wave of psychedelic therapies.
Earlier this year, UK researchers published promising trial data which found psilocybin to be as effective as a leading antidepressant. Barriers to psychedelic medicine are slowly being eroded but it will be many years before we see a psychedelic antidepressant on the NHS. Apps like TRIPP which simulate the psychedelic experience are helping to fill the void in a more
accessible way.
“I've gone to Tibet and done 10 hours of meditation a day over several weeks,” Nanea says. “You can achieve these altered states of consciousness. I found them very helpful, but it’s incredibly challenging.
“I took everything I'd learned throughout the years and brought it all together into something else to see if we could trigger altered states in VR.”
TRIPP began life as a mindfulness app. But that’s just the beginning. The team are exploring the ‘Empower TRIPP’ designed to build confidence, as well as a sleep TRIPP, which is one of the top requests the team has received.
And while they cannot make any therapeutic claims just yet, studies are well underway.
Nanea says: “Some have completed their phase one pilots and they're up and running with double-blind or randomisedcontrolled trials (RCTs). We received a fast-track grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse for addiction recovery, which obviously has a deep personal connection to my mission.
“I'm also really excited about palliative care and end-of-life treatment. And we have a very exciting study up and running with the New York Office of Mental Health with the same
team that's working with (non-profit psychedelic research organisation) MAPS. So a lot of our research initiatives match the psychedelic industry’s focus areas and where they lean into their applications.”
Psychedelic clinics are beginning to open up across the US and now the UK with the Awakn clinics in London and Bristol. Is there scope to combine the two therapies?
“We have seen some organic adoption of our consumer product in the clinics. They're downloading our application and bringing Oculus Quest into their psychedelic clinics and ketamine clinics and using it as an anxiety-reduction tool. I think in the future, you'll see us focus on that in a more commercialised manner.”
We’re trying to trigger altered states of consciousness in VR
”
Navigating the emerging field of psychedelic medicine
In 1938, the Swiss pharmacist became the first known person to synthesise lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Hoffman said: “I see the true importance of LSD in the possibility of providing material aid to meditation aimed at the mystical experience of a deeper, comprehensive reality.”
The most culturally and scientifically known psychedelics: LSD, psilocybin, mescaline and DMT.
A strong psychedelic used for spiritual and recreational purposes. DMT has also shown therapeutic potential as a treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
whether ‘microdosing’ LSD could improve mood and cognition.
A hallucinogenic compound found in the peyote cactus. Mescaline is believed to have been used by Native Americans in Mexico for thousands of years.
Commonly known as ecstasy, MDMA is a recreational psychedelic which is being explored to boost the benefits of psychotherapy for PTSD patients.
A psychoactive medicine brewed for spiritual purposes by a number of tribes in the Amazon basin. Ayahuasca is a blend of two plants - the ayahuasca vine and the chacruna shrub, which contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
A think-tank and NGO dedicated to furthering scientific understanding of psychedelic drugs and driving reform. Founded by Amanda Fielding in 1998.
A psychoactive substance or preparation typically derived from a plant which is used in religious and spiritual contexts.
Ibogaine is derived from the iboga plant that grows in parts of Africa. The drug has been touted as a treatment for opiate addiction, with preliminary research showing that it could reduce withdrawal symptoms and dependency.
The principal psychoactive substance found in magic mushrooms. Recent research has explored its potential as a treatment for anxiety, depression and alcoholism.
Based at Imperial College London, the centre hit the headlines in May after a trial found that psilocybin could as effective as a conventional anti-depressant.
A medicine used for pain relief and anaesthesia. Ketamine has also been shown to have anti-depressant qualities. A ketamine-like nasal spray called Esketamine was approved by the FDA for depression in adults in 2019.
An iconic but controversial psychedelic. A recent study by the Beckley Foundation explored
An altered state of consciousness induced by the consumption of psychedelic substances. A trip can involve powerful visual and auditory hallucinations and mystical experiences.
Trust Payments has a small but expanding team based out in Atlanta, USA. One of the number one things we are asked about is how to help retailers take payments for CBD products in the US. We caught up with Pete Gove from our Commercial team in Atlanta to find out how we can support European entrepreneurs who want to sell into the US market.
P ete is a 15year industry veteran. He has worked for Verifone, TSYS, and Worldpay in addition to consulting for various ISO offices. Pete specializes in securing payment processing solutions for non-traditional merchants that face challenges establishing merchant accounts. Trust Payments has been operating out of Atlanta since 2014. The company saw an opportunity to help European and UK businesses become more global and take advantage of the golden opportunities offered by growth into the largest consumer market on the planet. The company has initially focused on supporting online gaming companies, offering payment and payment-related compliance services. Later, Trust Payments has expanded into other emerging verticals such as CBD and cryptocurrencies.
CBD has exploded globally in recent years, what do you think is driving its popularity?
Cannabidiol products have become some of the most in-demand wellness products of the last few years. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (or 2018 Farm Bill) legalized the farming and selling of industrial hemp and its derived products in all 50 U.S. states, making it suddenly accessible to consumers. CBD has soared in popularity since then. Customers can choose from CBD oils and drops, gummies, makeup, creams, shampoo, and even pet treats. It has captured the imagination of the 21st Century with its reported health benefits, making it popular with a young, educated and affluent crowd. It has even become available in mainstream stores such
as Walgreens. It’s no wonder the United States CBD market value was just over $4 billion in 2019 and is estimated by Brightfield Group to top $25 billion by 2025.
While CBD products are legal, they are heavily regulated. Businesses are only able to sell CBD products to consumers in the US if the CBD comes from industrial hemp containing less than 0.3 percent of THC (the main psychoactive compound in cannabis). Due to the regulations, payment providers need to be careful that they are not facilitating an illegal sale. So, any merchant who wants to use our service must be fully vetted to make sure they are marketing and operating correctly. For example, we would not be able to facilitate the payment of a product which is not FDA approved, nor which makes unproven claims on the label. There also only three banks in the entire US who will settle CBD payments (we work with all of them). This extra layer of complication means that not all payments providers are able or willing to work with retailers of CBD products in the US.
responded to in a timely manner. Our initial consultation with each client allows us to best determine how we can service their business, as no two CBD accounts are the same. We provide prospects with a list of accepted documents upfront so that their applications are turned around in a timely manner. We assign a designated account manager to make sure the process is seamless from application to implementation.
CBD payments processing is the no. 1 thing we are asked about, and we have a very smooth process which we are proud of. We manage our incoming lead flow via the US_Sales@trustpayments.com inbox to ensure each prospect is
Do not be afraid of stepping into the market. CBD is an emerging vertical that is worth exploring and may very well take your business to the next level. Reach out to our team at US_Sales@trustpayments. com , We would love to educate you and help you become a successful player in the CBD industry.
What are the complexities businesses face when trying to take payments for CBD products?
Fully vetting and onboarding a merchant who wants to sell CBD sounds quite timeconsuming. What sort of process should merchants expect if they want to set up payments for CBD products?
What tips would you give partners or merchants who want to start exploring adding CBD to their portfolio?
Dr Elisabeth Philipps offers her expert advice on how to embrace post-lockdown life if it all feels a bit too much.
Words by Dr Elisabeth PhillipsFor some people, leaving lockdown to resume everyday life seemed like a dream come true after more than a year of Covid restrictions, but for many others, post lockdown anxiety is a real issue.
In a recent survey of 900 people by Anxiety UK over quarter of participants said they were feeling anxious about the lifting of restrictions, 46% cited the pressures of socialising generally as their biggest concern, while 30% were anxious about going to a busy shopping centre; 23% worried about using public transport and just over 20% were anxious about returning to the workplace. So what can we do to ease ourselves into this new postlockdown world?
Well, help is at hand as there are a number of simple everyday
measures we can do to support our mood and energy and help us enjoy the summer times ahead.
1. If you’re feeling anxious, jittery and nervous about going out (or anything in general) then reduce the amount of caffeine you’re drinking. Caffeine may give us that energy feeling but ultimately it can
2. If you’re going out socialising and feel anxious, keep track of your alcohol intake. Alcohol may make us feel relaxed and more sociable but ultimately it acts as a depressant in the brain and can leave us with lower mood, especially impacting our sleep and making us feel even more anxious the next day.
make us feel more anxious. Switch to decaffeinated and herbal drinks, as well as water, to keep hydrated.
3. Keep your immune system strong by including at least five types of vegetable in your daily diet. Plants are full of nutrients that support immune health so eating plenty of veg of all different varieties will help keep your immune system healthy. Vitamin D is also an important immune-supporting vitamin and getting your daily dose of sunshine for your body to make a ready supply of this crucial nutrient is really important. If you’re wearing sunscreen, the skin can’t make vitamin D so while safe sun exposure is super important having 10-20mins (without burning) of direct sun exposure daily to your legs or arms is important for maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D in the body.
4. When you first start going out again, go to places that you feel comfortable in and with people you enjoy being around. This might mean avoiding public transport for now and sticking to enjoying outdoor gatherings with friends and family. Take it slow and remember, you’re probably not alone, as many people are feeling anxious about getting out and about again. Talk to others as this always helps to feel better.
5. One of the best ways to reduce anxiety and feel calm is to activate your endocannabinoid system (ECS) – we’ve all got one of these systems (it’s involved in everything from brain health, to immune function, to sleep and keeping us feeling calm) and the phytocannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) from the hemp plant is the quickest way to activate it. Try including a CBD mouth spray into your daily routine – either during the day or at night (it also helps with sleep) – to give your ECS a boost. I like to use @fourfive.uk. It’s still uncertain times but one thing is for sure, with the sunshine, everything feels that little bit better so I hope that you can get out and about and enjoy time with friends and family once again.
Dr Elisabeth Philipps is a clinical neuroscientist and runs a health consultancy specialising in the nutritional neurology, the endocannabinoid system and phytocannabinoids including CBD. She regularly presents at conferences and events, and provides expert opinion for the national press, specialist healthcare publications and health companies including FourFiveCBD.
drelisabethphilipps.com Instagram: @drelisabethphilipps Twitter: @drphilipps LinkedIn: Dr Elisabeth Philipps
A bit of green in the home can do wonders for our mental wellbeing. ‘Plant mum’ Caroline Debarra rounds up her favourite easy-to-maintain houseplants
Words by Caroline DebarraPlants provided a vital link to nature for many of us who were stuck indoors during lockdown.
In a survey by Urban Forestry and Urban Greenery, more than 74% of the 4000 people polled said that plants improved their mental wellbeing during those dark months.
But with so many plants on offer, how do you know if you want a begonia or a bromelia? Here are some of the easiest houseplants for the beginner gardener.
Pothos plants are a tropical vine normally found in Southeast Asia. They are low maintenance and require very little attention. Pothos thrive in offices and houses with little to no direct sunlight. They are thought to be great at removing toxins such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene from the home.
Originally from Southwest China, the Money Plant was thought to bring good luck, fortune and
wealth to its owners. It’s very easy to look after, requiring minimal watering.
It’s also very easy to propagate the plant to give as gifts to others.
The plant is perfect for rooms with low or indirect light. Each plant grows differently but as it matures, it expands vertically and may produce flowers. Legend says that if you place a coin in the soil, you could become rich!
There are more than 20 species of yucca plants in many different sizes. They tend to thrive on neglect, making them perfect for anyone who forgets to regularly water their plants.
Yucca plants love partially sunny spots and they are slow growing. It’s worth noting that the plant is toxic to animals so it’s important to keep curious office pets away.
You only need look at a spider plant to see where the name comes from. This household favourite prefers cooler
temperatures, making it perfect for a British home. The Spider Plant originates from South Africa and is believed to have air purification properties, but you would need a lot of them to feel the benefits.
English Ivy is a superb climber that, over time, can create a thick veil on a wall. They make excellent hanging plants, but they can cause damage to brickwork.
The ivy works well in humid houses and can help to remove mould particles. While they are easy to take care of, the plant needs to be out of reach of animals and children as it is toxic.
This succulent requires very little care or water to survive. It is great for bedrooms because it can convert CO2 into oxygen which is released at night. There are over 70 different varieties of the plant. It was once called Vipers Bowstring Hemp as the fibres were used to make bowstrings.
Cooped up at home for days on end, thousands of Britons have relied on pets for emotional support. But what happens when the owners go back to the office?
Words by Caroline DebarraPets offer us lot more than companionship. They help us to cope with stress, calm us when we’re feeling anxious and make us feel less alone. Research suggests that pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression as spending time with an animal can increase serotonin levels.
So it’s unsurprising that when pandemic panic set in, puppy prices went barking mad. Pet store chain Pets4Homes recently revealed that demand for puppies drove up the average price-perpooch by 131%.
Katie Adcock moved into a new home with a cat (and another human) during lockdown. She says that this helped her to cope with missing her family.
“Whenever I was feeling down, she jumped onto my bed and cuddled up next to me. This was especially welcome when I was
missing my family and friends. The sound of a cat purring calms me down like nothing else could.”
The RSPCA warns that we are now facing a huge dog welfare crisis. Forced back to the office, unprepared owners are returning pandemic puppies to shelters in their droves. RSPCA dog welfare expert, Lisa Hens, explains that charities are being expected to step in.
“We’re worried that while many families will have considered the long-term commitment of taking on a dog, some may not have been thinking about how they’ll care for their new pet when they return to work
or how they’ll pay for them if they should be hit by the recession.
“We expect that we’ll see a major dog welfare crisis this year as huge numbers are relinquished to rescue centres, sold online or even abandoned; with struggling charities forced to pick up the pieces.”
It’s not just abandoned animals Lisa is concerned about but also those suffering from separation anxiety as their owners go back to work. The additional stress could lead to behavioural issues as animals struggle to adapt.
“One of the major reasons dogs are relinquished is due to behaviour problems and research suggests that separation anxiety may affect 85% of dogs,” Lisa says.
“In addition to this, many of the puppies bought in lockdown will be approaching adolescence,
a time where big behavioural changes can occur. This period does typically pass but can bring additional challenges for unprepared owners.”
In a survey carried
out by flea medication company Itch, 40% of adults who adopted a dog during lockdown reported having regrets about doing so. A further 32% were considering putting them up for adoption.
Experts have warned that the UK faces a rise in unemployment as the furlough scheme comes to an end. The cost of food, vet bills, insurance, toys and kennels can mean extra, unplanned costs that could see more pets taken to shelters.
But for every pet returned to the shelter, another settles into their forever home.
Ashley Hamilton adopted two cats
with her husband. “My husband and I always wanted pets but figured we would wait for a dog. Sadly, we had a few traumatic incidents where loved ones passed away in late 2020 so we decided to go for it,” she says.
“I found two cats in a Facebook group then decided to go and see them.
“They hissed and hid but we loved them anyway. It was the best decision ever. The part that surprised me the most is how much joy it brought us amid so much sorrow.”
The part that surprised me the most is how much joy it brought us amid so much sorrow
A brand new – and unique – dedicated trade event to give the sector its own voice and support its future growth.
With the CBD market set to grow to $3.5 billion by 2026, this prestigious one day event will be critical opportunity for CBD beauty companies to showcase their latest products to a hand-picked audience of buyers across retail distributors, bloggers and beauty brands directly.
As home gardeners discover the fun of growing their own fungi, we meet Henry Roberts who made his lockdown hobby a new business.
Words by Caroline Debarra
The pandemic has changed how many of us view our work, relationships and down-time. One-third of us have taken up a new activity since the start of the pandemic, according to a poll by research site, OnePoll. Gardening and in particular vegetable-growing saw an increase, perhaps due to the difficulties people faced in accessing fresh produce at the start of Lockdown 1.0. Urban agriculture or farming is the practice of growing your own food in cities. Vegetables, plants, and fungi can be grown anywhere in many creative ways. The National Office of Statistics estimates that 21% of Londoners may be forced to grow things on windowsills and balconies.
growth,” he says. “I can’t think of any other plant with the same immediacy.”
Henry Roberts noticed this problem among his friends while living in London early in the pandemic. Suddenly, they were cooped up in their apartments with work and kids and little in the way of green space to cultivate fruit and veg. He soon found mushrooms cultivated a new world of opportunity. “Lockdown provided the perfect pace for watching mushrooms grow because once they start pinning, they double in size every day so it’s this exponential
Henry had no real interest in gardening before then and he admits he was pretty ‘clueless’ when it came to cultivating at home. He tried a few ‘grow-your-own’ kits, one of which was ‘ridiculously bad,’ he says. “I took it apart and realised there was no nutrition there, just coffee grounds and cardboard.
I wondered if I could make something better, so I did. I made a few bags to give to friends which was a revelation as everyone loved them.”
Although Henry describes himself as a novice mushroom grower, he has turned his love of experimenting with fungi into a small business, The Lockdown Garden. The company offers easy-to-use kits for beginner mushroom enthusiasts looking to take a foray into fungi.
Mushrooms can grow on many different surfaces, including straw,
used coffee grounds, sawdust and manure. Some are more difficult than others and while Henry is focused on oyster mushrooms for now, he has plans to experiment with different varieties.
“Lion’s Mane is relatively easy to grow,” Henry says. “It’s harder than oyster mushrooms which have the advantage that they grow well on straw. With Lion’s Mane, you need sterile conditions to transfer the spawn into the bag so they can go through and colonise everything without contamination.”
Lion’s Mane is thought to be a powerful antioxidant and antiinflammatory. Animal studies that show it could potentially benefit heart disease, cancer, ulcers and diabetes.
“There is nothing proven yet with humans. I think there is evidence to suggest that it’s likely to be good for your brain for preserving health or slowing down Alzheimer’s,” Henry says.
Before the pandemic, Henry suffered from depression, but he credits mushroom growing and the creation of his business for keeping him feeling positive. He hasn’t felt depressed in over a year and enjoys tending to the mushrooms every day.
“It keeps me busy. It’s easy to slip out of the routine of doing stuff, so this means I’m interacting with people again,” he says. “There is still stuff that makes me anxious or nervous, but the nicest thing is that people like what I’m doing. I’ve never had a job before where people message and call to say thank you.”
Henry plans to expand the Lockdown Garden over the next few months. Ideas so far include writing and sharing growing tips and selling basic grow supplies for a low and accessible price.
“It’s been a pleasure doing it, so I want to encourage people to try it,” he says. “Everyone I know who grows says that they enjoy it and that there is something therapeutic about it.”
“Lockdown provided the perfect pace for watching mushrooms grow because once they start pinning, they double in size every day. I can’t think of any other plant with the same immediacy.”
So, what do you grow if you have no garden?
.
VOXPO has created an expo in a box.
We are big on CBD here at The CANNAVIST, believe it or not. But there are countless other supplements out there that could provide mood-boosting benefits.
Words by Caroline Debarra
What it does: Saffron is a great source of carotenoids, crocin and crocetin, which are all thought to be naturally good for depression. In an analysis of five saffron trials, the spice reduced depressive symptoms in adults with depression compared to placebos. Saffron may increase mood-boosting serotonin and keep it in the brain for longer.
Fun fact: Saffron is the world's most expensive spice because each flower is hand-picked to collect just three stigmas.
Why not try: Saffrosun with B12 by The Naked Pharmacy. £35 Thenakedpharmacy.com
What it does: Passionflower is a climbing vine native to SouthEastern, Central and South America. There are over 500 species of passionflower, with the above-ground parts used to make medicine. The plant appears to boost the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which may help you relax and improve sleep.
Fact: Spanish missionaries gave the flower its name, comparing the structure of the flower to elements of the story, The Passion of the Christ.
Why not try: Organic Passionflower Tea by Hatton Hill. £4.57 Hattonhill.com
What it does: St. John’s Wort is a herb which contains the active chemical, hypericin. A review from 2016 suggested that the herb could be better than a placebo in treating mild or moderate depression. It can be bought as a tincture, capsule, tablet or in tea form. The herb can react with different medications especially the contraceptive pill and certain HIV medications.
Fact: The plant blooms around the time of the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24, hence its name.
Why not try: St John’s Wort Macerated Oil by Neal’s Yard Remedies. £10.00 Nealsyardremedies.com
What it does: Ashwagandha is a small shrub native to India and North Africa that has been used in medicine for 3000 years. The herb is classed as an adaptogen and could help to manage stress and anxiety. It is also thought to boost brain function and lower blood and cortisol levels. In a 64-patient study on chronic stress, those in the ashwagandha group reported a 69% reduction in anxiety and insomnia compared to just 11% in the placebo group.
Fact: Ashwagandha is Sanskrit for ‘smell of horses.’
Why not try: Ashwagandha Organic Tincture 100 ml by Fushi. £12.00 Fushi.co.uk
For a long time, gaming was seen as an antisocial activity. But now experts and a wider section of society are speaking out about the mental health benefits
WORDS BYEviolence and aggression. But the mood is gradually changing, and now society is starting to acknowledge that games can have a positive impact on our mental health.
Avid gamer Lewis Derrick, 24, relies on gaming as a form of escapism. He tells The CANNAVIST: “Sometimes it’s hard to switch off from things like work. You find yourself thinking about it even when you’re not there. But booting up a game lets me leave all that behind for a few hours and just immerse myself in whatever I’m playing. It’s not like just watching a film. You’re playing the role.”
We have always used entertainment for escapism - whether it be getting sucked into a sci-fi film or drifting
off into an album – and video games are no different. After a long day at the grind, escaping into a world where plumbers save princesses can be just what’s needed to recharge our mental batteries.
Mental health charity Young Minds supports this idea: “Gaming, when used positively, can be a really helpful way to look after your mental health - it can give us a space to unwind, relax and take time out from the pressures of daily life. “It can give us a sense of achievement and help us learn new
skills.”
For many, the term ‘gamer’ paints a picture of a teenager sitting alone in a dark room, hunkered over a monitor – but gamers say there is an incredibly social side to their hobby that is often overlooked. As the platform has evolved, more and more emphasis has been placed on ‘squadding-up’ and tackling games with your friends. But as gamers grow older and get lumbered with responsibilities, finding time to assemble the troops can prove increasingly difficult. For many, the ease of hopping online and chatting to old friends, or even the prospect of finding new ones, means that gaming has stepped up to plug the gap.
“If it wasn’t for chatting on the PlayStation, I don’t know how often I’d talk to my friends. We all work full-time and we live all around the country, so it’d probably just be birthdays and special occasions [without gaming],” Lewis says.
“But going online has stopped us from drifting apart the way you tend to after you leave school.” Lewis says that this social element has been ‘vital’ in maintaining his mental wellbeing in the past year.
“When you couldn’t even go outside, gaming was the only way to keep in touch with my friends in a way that still felt normal. Without it, I would have felt that ‘alone and isolated’ feeling much more than I did. I can’t imagine where I’d have been without it.”
There is still a long way to go before the stigma surrounding video games is fully washed away. But as more and more evidence and testimonies come out, the veil is slowly being lifted. Gaming hasn’t taken away the social lives of younger generations…it simply moved it.
“If it wasn’t for chatting on the PlayStation, I don’t know how often I’d talk to my friends”
Crohn’s Disease is estimated to affect 115,000 people in the UK. We meet one man who turned to cannabis to keep him healthy.
Dean Willis, product expert and Sales Director of Adelphi Manufacturing, addresses
challenges faced by CBD & Cannabidiol manufacturers, and solves
asked...
Although this has been a period of great uncertainty for many, I would say that there are plenty of opportunities for growth, and more solutions within your reach than you may realise.
In the latest government budget, a new incentive was announced to help stimulate business investment in the UK. The ‘Super-Deduction’ scheme effectively reduces the purchase price of your new equipment by up to 130%, through additional corporation tax relief. You can reach me using the contact details below if you’d like to find out more.
With the uncertainty surrounding potential future lockdowns, many of our clients are concerned about future-proofing their businesses. Do you believe this can be achieved, and if so, how?
Let me start by saying that this absolutely can be achieved. At Adelphi Manufacturing we developed our scalable ‘Response’ range of machinery to solve this very problem - before anyone had even heard of COVID! The entry-level Benchtop Filler fits into automated solutions from the same range, so you can increase your capacity as needed, without making the initial investment obsolete. You can also seperate the Benchtop Filler at any time, should you need to return to the convenience of smaller batch production.
I would also advise businesses to ask about a supplier’s remote support services, before committing to making a purchase, as this support will be invaluable in the case of any future lockdowns or other social restrictions.
This is a completely valid concern - thankfully there are a wealth of resources available to back-up your purchasing decision. Case studies, word of mouth recommendations and Trustpilot reviews are among the resources which you can ask suppliers to provide.
Buying locally from UK manufacturers is another great way to guarantee high quality after-sale care, so you won’t ever be left high and dry.
And lastly, I would urge CBD businesses to invest wisely - avoid purchasing the cheapest machinery on the market, as this can often turn out to be false economy in the long run.
Adelphi Manufacturing & Pharma Hygiene Products Ltd (part of the Adelphi Group of Companies) are ISO 9001:2015 certified, award-winning, leading CBD machinery and equipment suppliers worldwide.
Q
With over 33 years’ experience in the industry, Dean - what advice would you give to CBD companies looking to get back on track after COVID-19?
Q A
In the aftermath of lockdown, how can CBD businesses be sure that machinery suppliers aren’t simply looking for a quick sale, but will recommend equipment responsibly?
the biggest
the most frequent questions being
Rune Sydengen woke up partly paralysed from the waist down from an illness that doctors were at a loss to explain. Here, he shares the story of how the terrifying experience inspired his landmark brand Identity which is evolving the thinking around the “future of food.”
Words by Gordon Stribling
Europe is in the grip of a heatwave when we chat with Rune Sydengen. Identity’s founder is enjoying a rare break in his native Norway, albeit with frequent business calls and regular check-ins with his right-hand woman, Sølvi Barber. “I’m actually really enjoying life right now. To be in Norway - this is just magic,” Rune says. “We haven’t had this weather in years. It’s 30 degrees in the shade. Today we’ve been cliff jumping and my daughter managed to do 14 metres. She’s only 14, so I’m quite a proud father.”
Rune’s life is a lot different to how it was in 2008. After helping launch several international fashion brands in the US, he moved back to Norway with his wife and daughter. The plan was to bring more brands to Europe and Scandinavia based on his success.
“I woke up one morning partly paralysed from my neck down. I didn’t know what happened. The hospital said it was a stroke, then ALS,” Rune says. “Over the next four years, numerous doctors suggested that I had everything from cancer
to HIV. All of them were very wrong.”
These doctors would go on to put Rune on a course of harsh chemotherapies, alongside a regimen of cortisol, only for him to end up with three blood clots. The treatments were so severe that at one point his heart stopped. After that experience, Rune took matters into his own hands and flew to the Mayo Clinic in the US for a second opinion.
“At that point, I was 40 kilos and shaking like I had Parkinson’s,”
he explains. “They looked at my journal and were like, ‘this regimen of medication is not sustainable. It can frankly kill you’. Eventually, they identified it as Lyme disease.”
Rune and his wife stayed in the US and began to explore the idea of medicating with cannabis.
“After all, the US was lightyears ahead of us (Norway) in 2014,” Rune says.
He then began to medicate with CBD and small doses of THC after consulting with his doctors.
“When you’re on lots of medication, the last thing you want to do is eat,” Rune says. “You want to vomit all the time. But then, suddenly, after the cannabis, I got an appetite and started gaining weight. That’s when I realised and thought, ‘I need to change this around.”
Rune managed to drop nine of 10 prescriptions and soon enjoyed a huge improvement to his quality of life. His doctor back home was supportive after hearing of the effect of CBD on the joint pain of extreme sports enthusiasts.
“The doctor said I would never be able to go cross country skiing, snowboarding, BASE jumping or free-diving again,” Rune says. “So, I started boosting up my food with CBD and now, I’m actually more or less back to normal.”
The experience inspired Rune to start his own company. Alongside Sølvi, the duo created Identity, a
forward-thinking CBD and future food brand that ‘prioritises health and wellness for happier and more productive lives.’
Having grown up in beautiful Norway, it’s no wonder that sustainability has been central to the business plan from the outset. The untouched nature along with small-scale farming practices create the perfect conditions for animals and plants to thrive in, ensuring top quality and safe materials. All Identity’s base materials come from the country’s sustainable agriculture with top-grade hempderived full spectrum CBD from Oregon and Colorado. “What we’re trying to do is to focus on people and the planet because there’s way too much GMO, antibiotics, growth hormones and steroids in regular food these days,” Rune says. “There is a strong global movement to change this and we at Identity want to be a part of this important change.
“Those potentially harmful additives are prohibited in Norway. Our products are produced using the most sustainable methods and
as part of a circular economy. We partner with the best in the country to seek out new and innovative ways to use every part of the animal and offer sustainable and quality products people want and need. “Our key Norwegian partner, Nortura, has been accepted to the UN Global Compact Initiative for their great and innovative work.” Throughout 2021, the focus has been on the US, a very thriving market for Identity which has quickly built a strong B2C presence and aligned with like-minded partners from health-driven supermarkets to coffee shops. Now the Norwegian/American company is looking to expand further within CBD-friendly territories, such as the UK, Spain, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. But always with sustainability in mind.
“And I’m not completely plantbased. I like steaks,” Rune says. “But I’d like to know where my meat is from and I like to know everything that’s in it. I really learned my lesson about healthy and clean eating when I was sick.”
Identity is soon to release a Bone Broth which looks to shake up the industry. The sachets come in Chicken, Chanterelle Mushroom and Ginger Ramen flavours, with and without CBD, and offer high quality bioactive proteins with positive effects on the body.
Beyond that, Rune is staying tight-lipped about what other science-backed products we can expect from Identity in the coming months. What he can say is that all the products in the pipeline will be created by combining cutting edge food science with organic seed-totable farming.
Rune is also excited about the new skincare line, tabled for winter release. He hopes to market the products in highend hotels, air travel, pharmacies and apothecaries. The range includes a plant that exclusively grows naturally in Norway among its ingredients.
Rune says: “This line will complement Identity’s CBD Topical Oil that I use on my joints and everyday ailments, including my bug bites!”
Now is the perfect time to change up your skincare routine.
Words by Caroline DebarraOur skin may not be looking its best right now. ‘Mascne,’ dryness and dullness are some of the issues many of us will be struggling with. These new ingredients will leave your skin singing.
Okay, hear us out. Wasabi may be a spicy choice when it comes to skincare, but it also has some great benefits. The plant is a proven natural antibacterial agent, with a high concentration of potassium, calcium, vitamin C and phytochemicals. Wasabi is added to skincare to strengthen the body’s antioxidant defences and help the skin fight free radicals.
Great for: Dull skin
Try: Lather Lemongrass Wasabi Hand Wash £10 | lather.com
Snow mushroom extract, or tremella fuciformis, looks more like a white flower than a mushroom. It has been used in Chinese skincare for centuries to promote youthful skin due to its hydrating properties. The extract has started to appear in serums recently as a protein-rich alternative to hyaluronic acid.
Great for: Dry skin that needs hydration
Try: Revolution Snow Mushroom Serum £10 | revolutionbeauty.com
Tiger grass has a bit of a cult following thanks to its antioxidant properties. These products also contain nutrients such as zinc, copper and amino acids which can help to reduce inflammation, colour correct and brighten dull skin. Tigers were thought to roll in the plant to help repair wounds.
Great for: Acne scarring
Try: Dr Jart+ Calming Mist £15- £30 | Drjart.co.uk
Silymarin is derived from the seeds of the milk thistle, which is a powerful antioxidant. Like many plant-based extracts, it is usually a complex mix of compounds. Silymarin is great for oily skin as it reduces sebum production. It’s also noncomedogenic so it doesn’t clog the pores. The use of milk thistle extract in skincare is patented by Skinceuticals, who say it is clinically proven to reduce lines by up to 24%.
Great for: Oily skin
Try: Skinceuticals Silymarin CF £145 | skinceuticals.co.uk
Bakuchiol is a natural chemical compound extracted from the seeds or leaves of the babchi plant. It is being hailed as the gentler alternative to retinol (vitamin A) in that it is great for drier or more sensitive skin. It is thought to boost cell turnover and stimulate collegen production and is safe to be used day or night. Another advantage over retinol is that it is sun safe.
Great for: Sensitive skin
Try: Acure Radically Rejuvenating Dual Phase Bakuciol Serum £9.19 | acure.com
New research has backed the so-called ‘entourage effect,’ where terpenes boost the pain-relieving effects of cannabinoids. Researchers believe the findings could lead to a whole new branch of therapy
Words by Nathan Warby
In a recent study, researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences found that terpenes mimic the effects of cannabinoids like CBD and THC when used on their own.
However, when cannabinoids and terpenes were combined in their rodent study, the soothing effects were amplified, despite a lower dose, without a visible increase in negative side effects.
The find has exciting implications, with the researchers involved believing it could open the door to a whole new branch of pain therapy.
A key factor of the research was the mystery of the “entourage effect,” wherein the pain-relieving effects of a whole plant are greater than that of its individual parts.
Lead researcher John Streicher, PhD, said:
“We're interested in the concept of the entourage effect, with the idea being that maybe we can boost the modest pain-relieving efficacy of THC and not boost the psychoactive side effects, so you could have a better therapeutic."
Dr Streicher and his team tested four terpenes alone and with a synthetic cannabinoid to see if they activated the same receptors as
THC. Ultimately, they discovered that each terpene did bind to the CB1R receptor, the most abundant in the human body and produced similar physiological effects.
He added: "It was our initial hypothesis, but we didn't necessarily expect terpenes, these simple compounds that are found in multiple plants, to produce cannabinoid-like effects."
Are you pinene for terpenes?
Cannabis contains plant terpenes, such as pinene, limonene and caryophyllene. These aromatic compounds are responsible for the characteristic scents associated with the cannabis plant.
In nature, terpenes protect plants from grazing animals and other threats.
Some of the terpenes in cannabis have been shown to produce a therapeutic effect. For example, myrcene has long been used as a sleep aid in folk medicine.
A 2011 evidence review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that combining cannabinoids and terpenes could have therapeutic benefits for conditions ranging from anxiety and pain to epilepsy and cancer.
Full spectrum CBD products are marketed as containing the ‘full spectrum’ of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Going by the entourage effect principle, these products should provide the greatest therapeutic effect.
Dr Streicher has also revealed that he will continue his research, focusing on using cannabis terpenes alongside opioids for treating specific kinds of cancerrelated pain.
He also outlined a long-term goal to craft a dose-reduction strategy across the US, where he hopes to use cannabinoids, opioids and terpenes to achieve the same levels of pain relief that are currently on offer, with lower doses of drugs.
But full spectrum CBD products come at a premium. And as they contain THC, they are not legal in all territories.
Broad spectrum is essentially full spectrum CBD without the THC. These products are great for those looking for a full spectrum effect without having to consume even trace amounts of THC.
Terpenes are found throughout nature, not just in the cannabis plant. Like cannabinoids, some terpenes are believed to have health benefits. We didn't necessarily expect these simple compounds to produce cannabinoid-like effects
“
Patient-Led Engagement for Access or PLEA in a non-profit community supporting medical cannabis patients across the UK. In our first profile, we meet advisory board member Callie Seaman who discovered the medical benefits of cannabis for epilepsy in her teens.
Words by Gordon Stribling
The tireless campaigning of mothers Charlotte Caldwell and Hannah Deacon opened the public’s eyes to the potential of medical cannabis in treating epilepsy, particularly in children. Plant chemist and cannabis advocate Callie Seaman had her first terrifying cluster of seizures at 15 while at school. After being rushed to hospital, medics used MRIs and ECGs to probe for an
explanation but found no damage. All they could say was that Callie had low-threshold epilepsy. She was prescribed carbamazepine and sent on her way.
The experience had a profound effect.
“All through school I had been a very academic person, always top of the class,” Callie says.
“But when I got to actually doing my GCSEs, I was averaging at Cs
as opposed to the As I had been predicted.” At 16, Callie found that cannabis – then relatively unknown as medicine in the UK – helped to control her epilepsy. Her dad began growing it to keep her medicated– a fact that they had to keep secret.
“We couldn’t speak about it to teachers or doctors, because it just wasn’t known. Cannabis was seen as a drug of misuse. ‘Reefer Madness’ and such,” Callie says. By the time
Callie moved on to sixth form, she’d been weaned off carbamazepine but continued to medicate with cannabis. Her grades improved ‘tremendously,’ leading her to secure a place at university to study Biochemical Sciences.
“I noticed the difference in myself that I didn’t feel like a zombie anymore,” she says. “I didn’t feel like anybody different.”
Callie continued to consume cannabis for 25 years until the lead-up to her PhD thesis. Wanting to clear her mind, she decided to stop using cannabis and ended up having a tonic-clonic seizure, collapsing in the toilet and smashing her teeth on the side of the sink.
So it was back to the doctor for more tests. Once again, they could not give a firm diagnosis. But by then, the world was opening its eyes to cannabis for epilepsy.
“There were more people coming forward about using cannabis for epilepsy and Alfie Dingley was in the news all the time,” Callie says. “So I started researching and got involved with more groups and talking to more people about it.”
Buoyed by the increasing accessibility of cannabis
“A THC strain will help me get to sleep better and CBN helps me get a full, more rested sleep, which means I’m not tired the next day. All that helps me stay seizurefree.”
Callie’s hugely positive experience with medical cannabis, as well as the brave actions of other advocates in the spotlight, have motivated her to speak out.
“I saw [Cancard-founder] Carly Barton speak in the Houses of Parliament. This was an educated woman saying, ‘this is helping’ me. And I realised, I needed to do that.
“I went to many other events and watched Hannah Deacon, too. She’s another completely inspirational woman who stood there, so powerful, so confident and put the facts forward and presented the data.”
Callie’s advocacy work has led her to team up with patient and advocacy groups CannPass and Medcan Support and appearing on a podcast using her 20 years of hydroponics experience to advise people on the cultivation side.
“I teamed up with PLEA as well and we’re putting videos together to just help to educate people and make it almost seem boring - not to glamourise it, not to
medicine, Callie tried the prescription route earlier this year. But having been director of a licensed cultivation facility, she was disappointed by the flower available via the clinic. So, for now, it’s back to the black market.
Callie says:
“I really believe that if people can grow their own and can find a strain that works for them, they shouldn’t be criminalised for doing so. It reduces the cost, takes the pressure off the NHS and puts the patient in control of their own health.”
One way or another, Callie will continue to medicate with cannabis as long as it helps her remain seizure-free. But the medicine is just one element of her treatment. She’s also had to make lifestyle changes, such as controlling her diet and meditating.
“If I don’t, I will become more anxious and I won’t sleep. Anybody who is epileptic will tell you: sleep is the number one Golden Rule,” Callie says.
sexualise it. It doesn’t need a woman with her top off. “The reality is, we consume cannabis to be able to get on with our lives.”
We’ve come a long way since Billy Caldwell and Alfie Dingley’s stories captured the public’s imagination. Yet many people remain reluctant to consider cannabis medicine for themselves, holding on to the stigma of prohibition.
Are things getting better? Callie thinks so.
“I knew things were changing when I got the blessing of my A level teacher, Mr. Bates. He shared my stuff on social media and my cadet leader was doing the same and being really supportive.
“These were the people that I’d been hiding this from. These were the people that I was so scared of finding out and throwing me out of school. Now they are proud of what I’m doing. It’s definitely changing.”
“If people can grow their own and can find a strain that works for them, they shouldn’t be criminalised for doing so”
Chronic illness and a serious car crash left Sarah Harland housebound and prescribed a cocktail of opiates that made her feel worse. Now a medical cannabis patient, Sarah volunteers for PLEA’s Patient Working Group.
Words by Gordon Stribling
The terror of going from young and healthy to chronically ill is a common thread among medical cannabis patients.
Then-22-year-old Sarah Harland was studying for a degree when a strep infection struck, triggering reactive arthritis. She never quite recovered and, two years later, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and hypermobility.
“They decided to give me fentanyl patches,” Sarah says.
“I was literally falling asleep at my desk. It was awful. I remember having to ring my mum to come and pick me up. It just knocked me off my feet.”
Sarah spent the new few years being prescribed different concoctions of opiates. Her original doctor was very supportive but then, two years down the line, she was given a new GP who doubled her prescription.
“The side effects were almost more disabling than the actual illness,” she says. “I feel like I lost a good few years of my life to these medications that were supposed to be making me better. By this time I was in my early thirties and pretty fed up with things.”
Then Sarah was dealt another blow when she was involved in a serious car crash that ‘turned my world upside down,’ leaving her housebound. It felt like life was moving on without her and she fell into a depression. She was then diagnosed with an underactive thyroid.
“That was when I needed to do something. I started experimenting with cannabis and it helped me get off ninety percent of my opiates,” Sarah explains.
Sarah experienced huge improvement to her quality of life. Her old meds left her feeling nauseous and itchy and did little to stem the pain. Switching to cannabis also did wonders for her state of mind as well as her physical health.
“It was such a relief from the [side effects of the]opiates and the anxiety from the crash,” she says.
“I was allowed to participate in life again.”
The black market by its very nature is inconsistent and unreliable.
Sarah couldn’t just go down the road and pick up an ‘indica-y’ strain that she knew would help with her pain. So she began to explore the
cannabis is a gateway drug’ perspective. But now, she’s fully on board.
“I think it can take that first experience for somebody to change their perspective and kill the propaganda we've been fed over the years,” Sarah says.
“She sees me benefit from it and not have to use my wheelchair anywhere near as much as I have done in the past. And I'm able to walk, standing up straight with one crutch instead of being hunched over like an eighty-yearold, you know? She's seen that transformation.”
medical route, which turned out to be a lot easier to nagivate than she expected.
“I just requested my Summary Care Record from my GP and Sapphire received it with no issues,” she says.
“I booked an appointment with the doctor and that was that. Being under [medical cannabis registry] Project Twenty21 was a bit of a blessing as well.”
Sarah’s friends and family have been very supportive of her using medical cannabis, including her mother.
The recently retired nurse was initially skeptical, having come from the ‘all drugs are bad,
Having experienced the transformative potential of medical cannabis first-hand, Sarah joined patient support group PLEA in November last year, around the time of Medical Cannabis Awareness Week. It’s all about reducing the stigma, both for medical cannabis itself and being a woman in the space, she says.
“We've got a really good group of people. I'm proud to be involved with these people. The organisation is just a really good thing.”
Cannabis helped me get off 90% of my opiates
“
Crohn’s Disease is estimated to affect 115,000 people in the UK. We meet one man who turned to cannabis to keep him healthy
Words by Caroline Debarra
Alex Fraser became ill while a student at university. It took three months of meetings with specialists before the diagnosis that changed everything.
“Towards the end of my first year in university, I started to have horrible symptoms like vomiting, stomach pains and diarrhoea,” Alex says.
“I thought it must be food poisoning, so I went to my GP who gave me drugs to control it. However, my symptoms never went away and I was starting to lose weight and had trouble sleeping.”
Alex was left wondering what the Crohn’s diagnosis would mean for him for the rest of his life.
“What could I achieve? To be honest,
I wondered if life was worth living.” Alex went on various medications and steroids which helped a little. He was also using cannabis recreationally at the time to help his creativity and to relax him. He soon noticed that the cannabis was helping him keep food down, giving him an appetite and making it easier to fall asleep. It also helped ease his gut pain.
“I did a lot of research into how cannabis was helping me and found forums where people said it was helping them with the same symptoms I was finding. It’s absolutely [been] lifesaving [for me].”
Following a second surgery, Alex was fitted with a colostomy bag
which he says saved his life. But it took a lot of getting used to.
“I was told I was going to have one after my surgery, so it wasn’t a shock. But until you have one, you don’t know the full implications. It’s something I have to pay attention to every minute of every day. When I first had it, I was incredibly upset, and it took a long time to regain my body image as I lost a bit of weight too. I was skin and bone with this bag hanging off me. I came to terms with the fact it was saving my life.”
Although he says cannabis helped him, Alex is keen to point out that it’s just one element of his treatment and self-care that’s keeping him healthy.
“I am in complete remission where
I deal with minor discomfort from the colostomy bag. I’m starting to put on weight again, but I’ve been trying to keep fit and go for jogs. I have a big smile because I can do these things.
“It’s important to point out that you can’t give up on traditional pharmaceuticals, treatments or surgery to replace those with cannabis. I saw it as ‘either/or’ which isn’t the case at all. It’s all part of a toolbox that doctors have to make sure that
live our best possible lives.” In recognising his privilege, he mentions that he has never experienced issues with the police, but he knows that other patients aren’t as lucky. This prompted a move into cannabis activism. Alex
helped to found the United Patients’ Alliance (UPA) who campaign for equal access for patients. Alex has now made cannabis his career, taking on the Patient Access
Lead role at Grow Biotech while running cannabis podcast, Grow Conversations.
“Grow Biotech is our research and development division and Grow Pharma is our market access or pharma arm. We educate doctors, source cannabis products to import into the UK and facilitate the delivery of prescriptions to patients.”
“It is pain relief, helps with nausea and assists with sleep and appetite. It’s absolutely lifesaving”
we
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Wherever you are located, many medical cannabis specialists are hosting consultancies via telemedicine.
Where: Bishops Stortford
About: Integro Medical Clinic provides patient centric high-quality medical care. Their aim is to prescribe appropriate licensed or unlicensed medicine which includes cannabis medicines to patients. integroclinics.com
Where: London and Stirling
About: Sapphire Medical Clinics enable access to medicinal cannabis for patients and provide telemedicine consultation with expert doctors. Sapphire is also the first British clinic to offer cut price medical cannabis prescriptions.
sapphireclinics.com
Where: London and Manchester
About: The Medical Cannabis Clinics offer innovative cannabis-based therapies for a range of people living with chronic and debilitating conditions when previous treatments have failed. themedicalcannabisclinics.com
Where: London
About: The first 100% online medical cannabis service in the UK proving better access to their prescribers.
cannabisaccessclinics.co.uk
Where: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester
About: My Access Clinics offer affordable specialist care for people suffering from debilitating and chronic conditions across England.
myaccessclinics.co.uk
Where: Solihull Health Check Clinic, Solihull
About: One of the only medical cannabis consultancies in the Midlands, this purpose-built clinic is situated in the beautiful village of Dickens Heath outside Birmingham.
solihullhealthcheckclinic.co.uk
Where: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
About: Until now, patients on the Channel Islands have had to appeal to doctors on the UK mainland to get a prescription. Both they and the cannabis company would have to then apply for importexport licenses. It is hoped the establishment of on-island facilities like this will make access to medical cannabis a lot easier. medicann.co.uk
INTEGRO CLINIC
SAPPHIRE MEDICAL CLINIC
THE MEDICAL CANNABIS CLINIC
CANNABIS ACCESS CLINIC MY ACCESS CLINICS
SOLIHULL CANNABIS CLINIC MEDICANN
Actors and sportspeople at the top of their game often take drastic measures to keep themselves fit and healthy, ranging from the intense to the downright bizarre.
Words by Nathan Warby
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to stun fans with his incredible fitness levels, despite being in the latter stages of his glittering career. On top of a strict diet, consisting mainly of lean proteins and wholegrains, and steering well clear of alcohol, it is the sleep pattern which is arguably the most bizarre. Rather than the usual eight hours a night that most of us enjoy, Ronaldo takes five 90-minute naps every day. It stems from a book by Professor Nick Littlehales, entitled Sleep: The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps... and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind, which argues that sleeping for eight continuous hours creates unnatural rhythms and makes us most tired between 1pm and 3pm in the day. Which happens to be when most football matches are played.
It takes a gruelling amount of effort to get to the top of the NBA – from long, arduous hours in the gym to a strict regimen of superfoods. But LeBron went the extra mile to ensure he stayed at peak performance. After a workout, the basketball star utilises a treatment known as cryotherapy – which involves climbing into a chamber and having his body blasted by liquid nitrogen.
It has become a popular technique among athletes in aiding muscle recovery, but LeBron took huge strides in normalising it. Freezing temperatures of less than -100 degrees sends the body into survival mode, which is said to help the replenishment of red blood cells rich in oxygen.
Fans continue to be amazed with the way that Jennifer Aniston seems to transcend time, looking almost identical to when she burst onto the TV scene. Recently, the Friends star, alongside the likes of Reece Witherspoon, has resorted to a bizarre way of managing her diet. In what appears to be a new trend, the actress has swapped out the majority of her meals for pureed baby food.
The plan was created by celebrity trainer, Tracy Anderson, and allows for 14 portions of baby food every day, as well as a normally portioned healthy meal in the evening. The logic is that the tiny jars help with portion control and eliminate bad habits, while the reduction in solid meals cleanse the body. We’ll take their word for it.
Exercise in the modern era is often as much about the mind as it is the body, something that popstar Britney Spears ingeniously incorporated into her fitness regimen. She combines yoga, pilates, calisthenics and aerial acrobatics into one, all while hanging from a hammock-like apparatus. It has become a staple among actresses and singers who are keen to keep their flexibility up.
The main aim of the activity is to stretch the body, particularly the spine, out to increase its range of movement and allow blood to flow more freely. While the inclusion of yoga poses is designed to keep you more relaxed while carelessly floating in the air.
More and more professional athletes a turning to CBD to help their recovery. FourFive co-founder and professional rugby player George Kruis offers his insight on the trend and advices readers on how to get fit post-lockdown.
Words by Gordon StriblingThe Olympics and Euro 2020 ‘Summer of Sport’ inspired many of us to take up a new sport or get ‘back on the wagon.’
We chatted with rugby pro and FourFive cofounder George Kruis about how athletes are incorporating CBD into their game and asked what the rest of us can do to get back out there.
When did the FourFive journey begin?
It was in 2018. Co-founder Dom Day and I both had injuries at around the time that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) took CBD off the banned substance list. We’d seen a lot of interest among athletes in the US and thought it was a good opportunity to explore an alternative method for recovery.
How can CBD fit into an active lifestyle?
We just think it's a supplement that people should and will be taking in the future, regularly, very much like vitamin D3. But it’s important that athletes in particular know what they are getting. We're very happy with our testing programme. We spent a lot of time and effort making sure that our CBD is spot-on for tested professionals.
Who are some of the athletes signed up with FourFive?
We’ve got Paralympian Richard Whitehead, Liverpool goalkeeper Rylee Foster, England
rugby international Jack Nowell, golfer Leon Fricker, Naomi Brody, a British tennis player… These guys are all on board with our Teamplayers programme, which supplies them with a very good product but also looks at what we can do for them [in their careers] as well.
Aside from CBD, what steps can us non-professionals take to get back into shape?
I've spoken to a fair few people who have done Couch to 5K. You can start off with a 10-minute walk and then built it up as you go. I like that idea of slowly and steadily building a habit. It's got to be something that can turned into a habit rather than 'let's blast it for five weeks, get a six pack,' only to end up eating cake a month later.
How important is physical exercise to maintaining good mental health?
It’s definitely a balanced lifestyle thing. I'll get very grouchy if I don’t exercise and keeping fit makes me tired at night so I can sleep better. I take a full view approach on my health. I just try to eat a little bit better, do a decent amount of exercise and look at my nutrition.
More and more companies are now offering vitamins alongside CBD. Is this something you are doing?
We've got multivitamins and vitamin C, vitamin D3, biotic and a fish oil. And that's definitely a route we'll be continuing to go down. Again, they’re tested for athletes and other
tested professionals like the military. We want to create a really good product and market it in an honest way because there's so a lot of conning going around.
They are very much geared towards people who are who are active, but they don’t necessarily have to be professionals. You've got to look at what you can get through your
food, I think that that's essential. Research suggest that people should be taking a decent amount of D3, for example. Our trials with athletes and customers show that D3 levels are well below what they need to be.
I think you should start on your health and your wellness, tick the big boxes and then really get into drilling down on your gaps and weaknesses and start filling them.
Are your multivitamins just for tested professionals?
I like that idea of slowly and steadily building a habit
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WORDS BY CAROLINE DEBARRA
Clingfilm is incredibly useful for wrapping lunches. But the material is usually made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which can be harmful to our health. Exposure to PVC has been linked to an increased risk of rare liver cancer, leukaemia and brain and lung cancers. It’s also single use, so heads straight to landfill.
Beeswax wraps are great for keeping food fresh. You can also make them at home by cutting up old clothes and treating them with wax. Beeswax wraps be used repeatedly
Nothing beats a warm cup of tea. But do we really know what’s in our favourite brew? A recent study by Greenpeace found a total of 34 pesticides in 46 branded teas with 94% of those containing at least one. The most common pesicide is epichlorhydrine which is classed as a ‘probable human carcinogen’ by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.)
Tea strainers are quick and surprisingly easy to use. Pop some dry tea leaves into the infuser and transfer into your cup or teapot. The hot water interacts with the leaves through the holes in the infuser without leaving a mess. This solution cuts down on waste as only 70-80% of tea bags can biodegrade due to levels of plastic in them.
Try: Sass and Belle Brass Star Strainer sassandbelle.co.uk
More of us are striving for sustainability than
We’ve found some great products to help you contribute to a more caring future
It’s estimated that people with periods use 240 tampons a year, amounting to 16,800 a lifetime. That’s a lot of waste with some nasty chemicals – and that’s just tampons. Activist group Women’s Voices for the Earth tested four major high street sanitary pads and found acetone, styrene and chloroform. When these products are dumped, the chemicals can leach into the ground and water.
There are multiple options on offer now, from period pants to mooncups. Some people prefer mooncups as they can hold more than three times what a tampon can. Period pants offer a non-invasive option. You can also buy washable sanitary pads. The reusable nature of these product is great for the environment and will save you money, too.
Try: Mooncup Menstrual Cup mooncup.co.uk
Toilet paper is not something we think about when it comes to the environment. However, the average consumer uses 127 rolls a year which means the UK gets through 1.3 tonnes of the stuff. The demand for virgin wood is leading to serious deforestation in places like Sweden’s Great Northern Forest.
There are many ethical options to consider. The founders of Who Gives a Crap discovered that 2.4 billion people do not have access to a toilet – that’s 40% of the global population. Their product is made from recycled paper sourced from production facilities. Bumboo is another company offering sustainable alternatives. Their toilet paper is made from 100% bamboo and they plant a tree for every box sold. whogivesacrap.org
A naturally occurring chemical found in cannabis plants. There are more than 100 cannabinoids known to science so far, with CBD and THC the most well understood.
A genus of plants in the Cannabaceae family. The three recognised species are sativa, indica and ruderalis.
A food or drink containing a cannabis extract such as CBD or THC. A CBD edible would typically be consumed for its wellness or therapeutic benefits while THC edibles, illegal in the UK, are used recreationally.
A form of holographic ID used to identify a user of medical cannabis. Possession of a cannabis card such as Cancard or Medcann ID does not permit a person to use or carry cannabis with them. However, they may offer some level of protection if the police try to proceed with prosecution.
Cannabichromene
Cannabidiol is a major cannabinoid known for its anti-inflammatory properties and plays a role in working with the endocannabinoid system.
After exposure to UV light or heat, THC can break down into cannabinol or CBN, which is less potent. Like THC, CBN is a controlled substance in the UK. Emerging research in the UK suggests that it could help treat insomnia.
Cannabis Based Products for Medicinal Use in Humans.
The Endocannabinoid System works with CBD to help the body find its homeostasis. The ECS consists of a chain of two primary receptors; CB1 found in the brain and many periphery tissues and CB2 found primarily in immune cells. The ECS has been found to play a role in mood, memory, appetite, pain and fertility.
This is said to happen when a group of cannabinoids and/or terpenes are found together, enhancing their efficacy and absorption by acting in synergy with one another. Full spectrum and broad spectrum extracts give the average end user the best chance of experiencing the entourage effect. Medical cannabis patients who take a prescribed whole plant cannabisbased medicine may benefit from this effect.
A type of cannabis cultivated to contain very low levels of THC. Hemp was traditionally grown for its fibres, but it recent years has become known as the source of compliant CBD.
A type of cannabis containing high levels of THC. CBD can also be abundant in these plants – however, the cultivation of marijuana for CBD extraction is prohibited in the UK.
A medical-grade cannabis preparation, typically presented as an unprocessed flower or as an oil. There are only two cannabis medicines prescribed on the NHS –Sativex and Epidyolex. The majority of medical cannabis patients rely on private practices.
An aromatic compound found in leafy green plants. Terpenes are organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants such as pine trees, as well as in some animals.
Culturally speaking, tetrahydrocannabinol is primarily known for the mind-altering ‘high’ effect associated with marijuana. However, it has also been shown to have medical benefi ts, either on its own or in combination with other cannabinoids and terpenes.
The common name given to a cannabis extract taken sublingually (under the tongue). Traditionally, in holistic medicine, a tincture is a plant extract that has been soaked in ethanol. A tincture usually comes as a small glass bottle in a spray cap or with a glass dropper known as a pipette. CBPM
A device used to inhale cannabis that has been heated rather that burned. Many UK patients consume their medicine in this way on the instruction of their prescribing doctor. Vaporised cannabis is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and is believed to present a much lower risk to health than smoking.
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“CBD” short for cannabidiol, is a chemical compound from the Cannabis sativa plant, whish is also known as marijuana or hemp.
It's a naturally occurring substance that's used in products like oils and edibles to impart a feeling of relaxation and calm. Unlike its cousin, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the major active ingredient in marijuana, CBD is not psychoactive.
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Mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine for centuries and now the UK is waking up to their benefits. But before you go foraging, make sure you know what you’re looking for as poisonous mushrooms can be deadly.
The European Industrial Hemp Association has put together an incredible collection of hemp recipes.
We do love a good CBD recipe. Resident chef Carrie brings us a new sweet, savoury, spicey or just generally sensational dish each issue.
But when heard that our friends at the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) had put together a hemp recipe book, we knew we just had to share.
Cooking with Hemp was lovingly created by the EIHA and its members. The book is crammed with delicious dishes: sweet, savoury, sauces, soups. The book has it all.
Victoria Troyano Fernández, Communications & Advocacy Officer at the EIHA, said:
“One of the main purposes of this book is to raise awareness about the endless possibilities of hemp and strengthen its position as a traditional food that is healthy and sustainable. This way, we will be promoting positive and friendly communication on hemp as a food, which is extremely positive from an advocacy point of view.”
We’ve selected our two favourites from the recipe book. But you can download the whole thing now from EIHA.org.
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Peel two bananas and mash them with a fork in a bowl into a banana puree. Mix with the maple syrup, vegetable milk, coconut oil and apple cider vinegar.
Chop the nuts. Put the chopped nuts, flour, organic hemp protein powder, rolled oats, salt and baking powder in a separate bowl, then mix everything together well. Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture until an even dough is formed.
Line a loaf tin with baking paper. Carefully pour the dough into
it and smooth it out. Cut the third banana in half lengthwise, place on top of the pastry and press in lightly.
Bake on the middle shelf at 180 degrees for about 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 150 degrees and bake for another 15 minutes. Test with chopsticks. Remove the banana bread and allow to cool well before serving.
You can use blueberries and chocolate drops in this recipe if you like. Either add them directly to the baking mixture or carefully press them into the dough together with the halved banana in Step 4.
Tea is a staple of British culture and few of us would go a day with at least a couple of brews. A recent evidence review has backed the drink for a range of mental and physical health benefi ts.
Words by Nathan Warby
If there’s one thing we love here in the UK, it’s a nice cuppa. But what if we told you that sipping three cups a day might just be the secret to achieving the maximum state of wellness? Well, a new evidence review commissioned by the Tea Advisory Panel is claiming exactly that.
The analysis of over 60 different pieces of research found that drinking regular tea from a young age could reduce stress, improve gut health and even lower the risk of heart disease.
Dr Tim Bond, co-author of the evidence review, said: “We know that tea drinking is a marker of reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease – and dying from a stroke or heart attack. Tea polyphenols also relax blood vessels, smooth muscle and boost nitric oxide levels – both of which help to lower blood pressure.”
Tea has a long and storied history dating back thousands of years. One of the oldest tales speaks of an ancient Chinese emperor, scholar and herbalist known as Shen Nung, who supposedly first discovered the drink when overhanging leaves fell into his cauldron of boiling water. It would go on to form a trusted digestive aid and become an integral part of formal ceremonies during the Han Dynasty between 206 and 220 AD.
Jane Pettigrew, a tea specialist and historian, told The CANNAVIST: “Ever since tea was discovered 5000 years ago in China, its perceived health benefits have been understood and used to help promote consumption. “Chinese tea master and writer Lu Yu, who published The Classic of Tea in the 8th century AD, said ‘tea tempers the spirits and harmonises the mind, dispels lassitude and relieves fatigue, awakens thought and prevents drowsiness, lightens or refreshes the body, and clears the perceptive faculties.”
China’s little secret eventually spread to the West, after Dutch traders began transporting large quantities into Europe during the 1600s. When it wound up on the shores of the UK, it was actually marketed as much more than a simple hot beverage.
Jane added: “When tea first arrived in London, it was advertised as a
health-giving tonic that was good for headaches, stomach upsets, the eyes, kidney stones, skin problems, insomnia, sleepiness, loss of appetite, poor memory, fevers, colds and much more.
“As technology advanced, we began to learn exactly what it was about this simple plant that made us feel so much better first thing in the morning. Caffeine in the tea is what helps us kickstart our day, but L-theanine, which only exists in three plants in the entire world, keeps away the jittery feeling that often comes from coffee. Polyphenols also act as antioxidants in our bodies and help protect us against age-related diseases such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.”
Jane believes that regularly drinking tea has just as much impact on mental wellbeing today as it did in ancient China. As life becomes increasingly chaotic and demanding,
sitting down with a nice brew may be more important than ever before.
“The ancient ritual of tea brewing helps us to focus on the small but beautiful aspects of life, it takes our mind away from work and worries, and helps us to maintain a good mental balance.”
Drink three or more cups of tea a day and you’ll sigh with contentment and feel that everything is alright with the world!
Words by Caroline Debarra
THC is well-known among cannabis advocates for its painrelieving potential in humans. But what about sea-dwelling invertebrates?
Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine wanted to know whether the cannabinoid could help to reduce the pain felt by lobsters when dropped into boiling water.
The researchers were inspired by claims made by Charlotte Gill. The Maine restaurantowner said she had seen first-hand (or perhaps claw) that vaporised THC had a calming effect on the creatures. Gill said it was a more humane way of cooking them and that the THC did not affect customers, who could
choose between dining on untreated or canna-cooked critters.
To test Gill’s theory , the researchers built a sealed chamber in which they exposed lobsters to 60 minutes of vaporised THC from an e-cigarette. The team measured THC levels in the crustaceans’ tissue to look for behavioural changes, such as their perception of hot and cold temperatures.
The lobsters were then dropped into a tank of 48°c water. The researchers took samples from the gills, claw, heart and liver of the wild lobsters to check that the THC had been absorbed. Their tail, claw and antenna movements were monitored to see if they reacted.
Sadly for the sea-dwellers, the results indicate that the THC only slowed down the lobsters’ movements but did
not stop them from feeling pain. The researchers wrote: “Vapour exposure of lobsters, using an e-cigarette based model, produces dose-dependent THC levels in all tissues and reduces locomotor activity. Hot water nociception is temperature dependent in the lobster, but no clear effects of THC inhalation were confirmed.”
The team noted that further research was needed to see how THC affected anxiety levels.
Gill started treating the lobsters with cannabis three years ago after she ‘hot-boxed a particularly aggressive lobster’ named Roscoe. After the experiment, Roscoe’s claw bands were removed and kept off for nearly three weeks. Gill reported that his mood improved and he was less violent towards the other lobsters.
Roscoe was later released into the ocean as a thank you for being a test subject.
The debate continues as to how much pain lobsters, crabs and other shellfish can feel when being cooked alive.
Switzerland and New Zealand have already banned the practice.
Southern African snack Biltong has been around for hundreds of years. Now, gym-goers and health-conscious office workers here are embracing its high protein, low carb potential.
Words by Gordon StriblingSnacking is a guilty pleasure for many of us. A mid-morning munch on posh crisps, some cheeky chocolate to see us through the afternoon… Sometimes it just has to be done. But as we become more health conscious, we look to alternative ways to get through the day that don’t involve piling on the pounds. One alternative snack I have relied on heavily over the years is biltong. This cured meat treat is hugely popular in my mother’s homeland of South Africa, so I would often reach for it as a child long before I had any interest in its potential health benefits.
• Raw, air-dried meat traditionally marinated in salt, pepper, coriander and vinegar
• Meats used in biltong include beef, ostrich, venison and fish
• It can be served in slices or in stick form
• Originating in Southern African countries such Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, biltong has been consumed for hundreds of years.
Biltong is becoming increasingly popular as a healthier snack alternative due to its nutritional profile. Values vary brand-to-brand, but whichever you go for you can be sure that it’s packed with protein.
According to the US Department of Agriculture, a 28-gram serving off beef biltong contains:
• 80 calories
• 1 gram of carbohydrates
• 16 grams of protein
• 2 grams of fat
• 35% of your recommended daily intake of iron
Sadly, biltong does come with some health risks. It typically contains high sodium levels –sometimes as much as 20% of your recommended daily allowance. Some varieties can also be made using fatty cuts of meat, so bare that in mind if you are counting calories. As always, moderation is the way to go.
Looking for a snack for the office or the gym? Look no further. This biltong bounty will do the job. From beef to venison, fish to game, our selection will give you something to chew on.
By Raging Bull
How much: £11.99 (250g) Buy: Ragingbullbiltong.com
How much: £36 (12x35g) Buy: m-eat.co.uk
By The Biltong Factory
How much: £14.95 (80g) Buy: Thebiltongfactory.co.uk
By Myprotein
How much: £3.99 (50g) Buy: Myprotein.com
By Cheshire Biltong Company
How much: £5.50 (35g) Buy: Thecheshirebiltongcompany.
From I’m a Celebrity to the mezcal worm, bugs have always been seen as a novelty in the West. But now, protein-rich insects are well and truly on the menu.
Words by Caroline DebarraCricket flour pizza, anyone? Or how about ant-sprinkled salad? While this might not sound too appetising to UK readers, other countries have been cooking with creepy crawlies for centuries. In southern Thailand, for example, you can enjoy soup made from red ants that give the dish a unique, sour flavour.
The global insect food industry is set to reach $1.5 billion by 2026, according to Global Market Research. International demand is clearly growing, but the UK has some catching up to do.
Nick Cooper is the owner of insect food company, Crunchy Critters. He got into the industry after I’m a Celebrity created demand from curious consumers.
“I have been involved with this for over ten years now, so it’s quite normal to me,” Nick says.
“I have to remind myself that for the vast majority of the population, it isn’t. They don’t put insects in their mouths.”
The Crunchy Critters range includes buffalo worms, locusts and honeyroasted crickets. These crawlycreations are an excellent source of protein and healthy fat (editor’s note: the crickets are delicious, too).
Alex White is a Nutrition Scientist from the British Nutrition Foundation. He says that there is more to learn about how our bodies
absorb insect nutrients.
“Although data is limited, insects may have similar amounts of protein to meat and fish. Most edible insects are reported to be good sources of iron, but we don’t know how well this is absorbed into the body.
“It may be that it is overcoming the aversion to eating insects, rather than the nutritional composition, that will have the biggest impact on whether they become a part of a Western diet.”
Before Brexit, manufacturers could buy whatever they wanted and just send off samples to a lab for
pathogen testing to confirm their safety. Now, only insects from certain countries are permitted, limiting the products companies can offer their customers.
Nick says: “People want the weird and wonderful. It's hugely
frustrating when we keep being asked for the things we used to sell like scorpions and spiders. It’s a massive market and the UK is missing the boat.”
Tiziana Di Costanzo is the cofounder of Horizon Insects, an urban insect farm based in London. She shares the frustration at the industry’s uncertain future.
“Novel food regulations mean that each insect has to have its own approval. There are about 2000 different crickets. We need to submit an application with the FSA which could take 12 to 16 months during which we don’t know the legal status.
“It’s a strange thing because everyone must apply for the same thing, which makes you wonder what on earth we are doing. If the food is not safe for one company, then it’s not safe for another.”
Think CBD edibles are nothing more than sugar-packed gummies and homemade brownies? Think again.
Words by Caroline DebarraCannabis cuisine has come a long way in the past couple of years. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite creations that take CBD edibles to the next level.
MOODS AND BEARS ORGANIC LIME HONEY £27.50
Moods and Bears’ Organic Honey is a delicious way to incorporate CBD into your diet. The brand offers a range of plant-inspired jars for sleep, peace and energy. Their Energy blend is made from honey produced by bees that have extracted nectar from lime flowers, giving the final product a hint of zest. Lime flowers are thought to be an anti-depressant, sedative and good for relaxation. Bee-autiful. moodsandbears.com
GIBSON’S GOODOLOGY JASMINE TEA AND RHUBARB £14.99
It’s not often you come across a tea made by a Michelin-Starred mixologist. Enter Goodson’s Goodology. The company has developed a range of fruity CBDinfused teas that contain just five ingredients plus 25 mg of CBD, making Gibson’s teas one of the most CBD-packed ranges on the market. gibsonsgoodology.com
MY LIFELINE SPICED CBD COLD BREW COFFEE 6-PACK £33
A cold brew drink that fuses natural ingredients, caffeine and CBD. My Lifeline aims to keep you cool, calm and collected with its trio of icy coffee blends. OG ‘Cool’ is the original organic vegan coffee, ‘Calm’ utilises vanilla, coconut and cardamon for their potential antioxidant properties and ‘Collected’ blends spiced poached pear and liquorice. my-lifeline.co.uk
This ultimate plant-based snack promises to take ‘Netflix and chill’ to a whole new level. But it’s not just you who benefits from a purchase. Roar has partnered with Panthera, an organisation dedicated to the conservation of wild cats. Their Tigers Forever program aims to help increase tiger numbers by 50% over the next 10 years. roaricecream.com
The Carolina Reaper is one of the most potent chillis on the market, coming in at 1,400,000 on the Scoville Scale. In comparison, the Jalapeño pepper averages about 5,000 Scoville Heat Units. The sauce was created in North Carolina by Chef Paul Booker, who blended of six fireroasted peppers including Serranos, Habaneros and Carolina Reapers. satansbreathhotsauce.bigcartel.com
Gimber is an alcohol-free drink that contains herbs, lemon and spices and high-quality ginger sourced from Peru. Ginger is thought to be loaded with antioxidants that help to prevent stress and damage to the body. my-lifeline.co.uk
Society has become increasingly healthconscious over the past decade thanks to government campaigns, industry marketing and influencer culture. But for some people, striving to achieve a health goal can have devastating consequences.
Orthorexia is the unhealthy obsession with eating ‘clean’ plantbased or non-processed foods. Those affected can develop rigid rules around what foods they can and can’t eat. While not yet classed as an eating disorder, orthorexia can result in serious mental emotional or physical health issues.
Rachel Evans is a chartered psychologist specialising in eating disorders. She has had her own personal experience with the condition.
“It started when I was doing my Master’s in health psychology,” she says. “I was already interested in healthy eating, so I started reading
academic papers which mentioned things like reducing sugar. I thought if I want to go into health promotion then I must be healthy which started the slippery slope.” Rachel developed anorexic-type thinking, where she would worry about the quantity of food she was
was ‘bad.’ Rachel says: “You almost think that behaviour is normal because you rationalise it.”
Social media platforms have been accused of perpetuating the problem. Rachel acknowledges that algorithms make it easy for people to see the same clean eating content repeatedly.
“People who might be interested in clean eating search for these things. They start seeing a person’s content and think they should stop eating certain things. The algorithms don’t help because it thinks you like seeing that, so they show you more. You get a distorted perspective.” When does a healthy lifestyle become a dangerous habit? Rachel says it’s difficult to recognise where the line is.
eating. After she restricted for a few years, her condition morphed into binge-eating and then bulimia, where she would make herself sick if she ate something she thought
“If you want to be healthy, you need to prioritise that over other things in your life. But if you are choosing to go for a run for three hours over spending time with your family, it’s taking up too much brain room.
Orthorexia is the unhealthy obsession with so-called ‘clean eating’. Is social media making the problem worse?
Worrying about food can become a focus where you have very black and white rules that you feel guilty for breaking.”
Event coordinator and mental health advocate Jason Wood has also experienced orthorexia. He tells The CANNAVIST:
“I had a close call with colorectal cancer, which killed my dad when I was 11. It scared me and I didn’t want to die so I thought I had to
eat as healthily as possible to avoid contaminating my body. That was when my unhealthy relationship with food morphed into orthorexia.” Jason struggled when it came to social media and often compared himself to the influencers he saw.
“I saw people who looked perfect and happy who were getting thousands of likes. I thought if I ate like them then I would feel the same. They were always posting about a new diet or detox and I would fall for it because, in my mind, they had everything I wanted.
“Little did I know, I was only getting a snapshot of their real lives. A lot of the time, they were pushing these diets or fads to make money. They were sponsored or asked to promote an item.”
Jason feels his orthorexia was missed by doctors because eating disorders tend to be attributed to women. He wishes there were better screening practices in place so that cases like his would not slip through
the cracks. “I would go to the doctor who would say my blood pressure was amazing and that I must be an athlete,” Jason says. “Those were all signs something was manifesting because I later found out I was at risk of a major cardiac event. It went undetected because I was a guy.”
Jason has taken positive steps towards his ongoing recovery process, including writing a book about his experiences which is set to be published next year. He has now changed how he views social media.
“I still see these accounts now and I get so angry as I know there are other people out there falling for it.
I’ve called out several influencers asking them to promote healthy boundaries.
“But then I’ve been able to connect with people all over the world who have orthorexia. It’s been an awesome healing experience for me.”
You have very black and white rules that you feel guilty for breaking
Mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine for centuries and now the UK is waking up to their benefits. But before you go foraging, make sure you know what you’re looking for as poisonous mushrooms can be deadly.
Words by Caroli ne Debarra
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. They are thought to improve health and increase longevity by boosting heart health. These mushrooms contain three compounds: eritadenine that inhibits an enzyme that produces cholesterol, sterols that block cholesterol absorption in the gut and beta-glucans, which are a fibre that can lower cholesterol.
Growing on decaying, hardwood trees.
Shiitake mushrooms have been growing for centuries in China and were first cultivated by Wu San Kwung during the Sung Dynasty.
Maitake means ‘dancing mushroom’ in Japanese. They are said to have got their name after people danced with happiness at finding them in the wild. This mushroom is a type of adaptogen. Adaptogens help the body to fight off mental or physical difficulties while regulating the systems which have become unbalanced.
A study from 2019 of more than 36,000 Japanese men suggested a link between mushroom consumption and lowered cases of prostate cancer. This is thought to be because of ergothioneine, which is an antioxidant present in these mushrooms.
This wild mushroom grows in Japan, China and North America at the bottom of Oak, Elm, and Maple trees.
Maitake can be expensive to buy. This is because they are in high demand and the harvesting process is very labour-intensive.
allergies. However, there is some concern about the safety of reishi mushrooms as they may be harmful to the liver.
Reishi mushrooms grow in various hot and humid locations in Asia.
Another term for this type of mushroom is Lingzhi, which means ‘divine mushroom’ in Chinese.
Lion’s mane mushrooms are large, usually white mushrooms that look, unsurprisingly, like a lion’s mane. They can be eaten raw, cooked, dried or added to teas. They can also be found as a health supplement. It is thought that Lion’s Mane could help with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
These mushrooms can be found on decaying trees throughout the United States and Canada.
The Lion’s mane jellyfish It is one of the largest known species of jellyfish in the world.
The reishi mushroom is one of the most popular mushrooms in Eastern medicine and is believed to have a lot of benefits such as boosting the immune system. Some studies show it could affect the genes in white blood cells which are important for your immune system health. Reishi may also help to fight
Chaga mushrooms are thought to be a powerful antioxidant. They may help prevent against oxidative stress which is linked to skin ageing. Chaga mushrooms are one of the biggest skincare trends for 2021 for this very reason.
Chaga mushrooms grow mainly on birch trees in cold areas in Northern Europe, Siberia, Russia, Korea and Northern Canada.
The chaga mushroom appears in Russian folklore as a treatment for many different ailments.
CBD drinks offer a delicious way to enjoy cannabinoids, whether you’re a drinker or prefer to keep to the sweet stuff.
Words by Gordon StriblingMixed Pack, £17.99 (6 cans), Trip
These CBD-infused drinks are less than 21 calories per can, zero added sugar, vegan and gluten-free. The multipack comes with Elderflower Mint, Peach Ginger and the brand-new Lemon Basil flavour, each with 15mg of CBD.
Fo’ Swizzle, £13.50 (3x270ml), Behind This Wall
Hard seltzers offer a great way to enjoy a tipple without downing calories. The spiced rum and hemp are complemented by sour honey, ginger, cardamon and aromatic bitters. Add 15mg of CBD and a 5.4% ABV and you have a full spectrum of flavour.
Cola Sparkling CBD Drink, £14.49 (6x330ml), Little Rick
The branding of this cheeky beverage will be familiar to fans of a certain inter-dimensional animation show. But this cola creation is more than a gimmick and wears its cannabinoids on its sleeve. Along with a decent 32mg of CBD, each can comes with 6mg of cannabinoid de jour, CBG, plus 1.2mg of CBC. Other flavours in the range include Raspberry Lemonade, Pineapple and Mint & Lime.
Cream Soda, £2.80, Rebelicious
The Rebelicious range is all about ‘classics remastered’ and that’s exactly what you have here. Cream soda takes this old timer back to the endless summers of his increasingly distant youth. At 15mg of CBD, this one packs less of a punch than some of our other offerings. But with a nostalgic vanilla taste, this modern take on a vintage classic will linger on the mind and the palate.
Hemp Infused Gin, £39.99 (500ml),
The gin trend is not lost on the CBD industry. Barely a month goes by without another one popping up on the market. Gindica has been around for a while though, and with good reason. This smooth, hemp-infused spirit is distilled with nine, hand-picked botanicals for a rich flavour.
It’s also 100% organic which wins extra points.
Taster Pack, £29.98, Gibson’s Goodology
Gibson’s Goodlology present a multi award-winning CBD drinks range. Each can comes with an impressive 25mg of ‘triple lab tested’ CBD. The three creative flavours are ‘Joy’ (green tea and passion fruit), ‘Pure Harmony’ (jasmine tea and rhubarb) and ‘Pure Love’ (Shiso tea with blueberry).
Easy Times IPA, £30 (12x 330ml),
If you’re looking to cut down on the booze but miss the taste of beer, Easy Times IPA could be the tipple for you. This 0.5% ABV beer contains 8mg of broad spectrum CBD and hops Citra, Cascade and Mosaic. H&H also offer a ‘Lockdown Lager’ if you fancy something lighter.
Leah saved best friend Giselle’s life by donating an organ. The pair have nicknamed the kidney after world heavyweight boxing champion, Mike Tyson.
Representation in the sex industry matters. We meet Jennie Williams from Enhance the UK to talk about disability visibility, education…and vibrators.
Words by Caroline Debarra
Undressing Disability is a campaign launched by charity, Enhance the UK.
It aims to give disabled people access to resources and information on how to have a fulfilling sex life.
Jennie Williams set up Undressing Disability to look at the sexual needs of disabled people. The CEO worked in care homes that looked after elderly people and those with physical or learning disabilities.
She started to realise that there was nothing around people’s sexual needs in any of the care home plans.
“I started working with someone who lost their sight pretty much overnight from a rare disease,” Jennie says.
“He said he wanted to meet someone, so I set him up with someone I knew. They are now married with a child, but she had a hurdle to get over in that he was blind. It was a big deal for her, but she fell in love with him. It made me realise that we were on to something, so we decided to do something about it.” Jennie stresses that a lack of disability-inclusive sex
education can have dangerous consequences for young people who may feel left out. They may believe that they will never be sexually active because they are disabled. And if you don’t have access to information, you may be left open to getting an STD or targeted for physical or sexual abuse.
It’s not just about education around the how, where and what when it comes to sex but also, how to fall back in love with your body.
“You have older people who may not have had any sex education,” Jennie says.
“There are people who have been left out because no one looks at their care plan. People need to learn to love their bodies again, remap their erogenous zones and learn what to do if penetrative sex isn’t achievable.”
The campaign has evolved over the years to include podcasts and a sex advice platform called Love Lounge. Anyone can submit a question to be answered by professionals.
Questions have included, ‘how to lose your virginity when you have cerebral palsy’ and ‘how to navigate
online dating.’ This year, the team will launch Quest – their first sex toy collection. Jennie explains how it started.
“It wasn’t initiated by us but a company we work with called Rocks Off. I was sceptical at first because I don’t want anything to be a novelty item as it must have integrity. There is no point in creating a sex toy range unless it is inclusive. If people can’t open the packaging, buy it or charge it, it won’t work.”
The difficulty of designing sex toys is that the variety is huge. How do you choose just five items when the options are endless?
Jennie’s team put a focus group together and looked at what products they felt were missing or lacking in the market. They are launching the range with five products and will grow the range as they learn more about what people want from a sex toy.
“We are looking at what ‘accessible’ means to people and pushing out training for those who support disabled people, particularly those who are finding it harder to use sex toys. It’s not exclusively for disabled people but an inclusive mainstream range,” Jennie says.
“It could also be for pregnant people, those who are slightly overweight or those who may have broken their wrist.
“It would be unrealistic to say that that this is going to encompass every single impairment. But hopefully, it’s a start in getting people thinking about what access actually means when it comes to sex toys.”
If you are talking about things you can’t do then you are simply left out”
We’ve done things a little backwards, but it’s worked out perfectly. He’s my soulmate.
Vaccines have given dating apps a shot-in-the-arm. Have the jab and our lockdown habits changed how we date?
WORDS BY CAROLINE DEBARRAThe end of lockdown sparked a boom for dating apps.
According to Tinder, 6.5 million people downloaded the app in May alone. The Match Group, which owns Tinder, OkCupid and Plenty of Fish saw global profits rise by 23% in the first quarter.
The surge in sign-ups led app companies to declare a ‘summer of love’ as we got back to being more social and less distant.
Now daters can add a vaccination sticker to their profile to encourage other young people to get on board.
Naomi Walkland, Bumble’s Vice President said that it’s about making people comfortable.
“Single people are looking to take control of their dating lives.
The ‘Covid conversation’ is already front of mind for two in three people on Bumble, so it’s important to make it easier to feel safe on a date.
“We’ve launched a new ‘vaccinated’ badge along with in-app preferences so you can easily communicate if you’re comfortable dating indoors or outdoors only.”
Eoin Ó Súilleabháin uses Gindr,
Bumble and Tinder. The vaccine makes him feel more secure in terms of his own health. But what are his views on dating unvaccinated people?
“It would depend on someone’s reasons as to why they haven’t [been vaccinated],” Eoin says. “If it’s something to do with conspiracy theories, then I would be reluctant because I would struggle to agree with the reasoning because I’m not suspicious about the vaccines. If it was a health reason, then that would make sense.”
While three quarters of the population are double-jabbed, users of dating apps report are still having discussions about Covid safety with prospective dates. Tinder revealed that 17% of its Gen-Z users discuss Covid precautions while 16% ask for consent before touching a date. Lockdown may have been lifted, but not everyone is mentally ready to get out there again. Lockdown allowed Aoife Nolan to get to know a guy she had met on one of the apps as they couldn’t meet up. But once restriction were relaxed and vaccinations were underway, he stopped messaging
her. “We met on Tinder then we had Zoom dates and phone calls because he lived in another city. When I got vaccinated, I messaged him to say that we were one step closer to meeting, but he was quiet,” Aoife says. “As places reopened, he wouldn’t commit to a date then his messages got fewer until they stopped completely. He could have told me if he wasn’t ready to meet as I knew he wasn’t due to be vaccinated for a while.”
For some of those who coupled up in Covid, lockdown served to incubate fledgling relationships.
Daisy Scarlett-Kennedy matched with her partner on Bumble just before the third lockdown.
They talked as if they had been best friends for years and ended up making each other their Covid bubble. They spent a lot of time together and fell in love quickly.
Daisy says: “I moved into his place then we got a place together. We now have all the exciting steps of meeting friends and family.
“When the world started to open, it felt odd to be on proper dates. We are doing a lot of firsts that would normally happen at the start like cinema trips.
“We’ve done things a little backwards, but it’s worked out perfectly. He’s my soulmate.”
The legalisation of cannabis has become a hot topic in the debate leading up to the federal elections in Germany, reports CBD-Intel.
With federal elections due in September, Germany’s Free Democratic Party (FDP) has called on the government to draft a law permitting the controlled distribution of cannabis for adult use. However, even the FDP expects its proposal to fizzle out, with opposition from the ruling Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU).
Although the Social Democratic Party (SDP) – the second-biggest party in the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament – would “probably like to vote for a more liberal cannabis policy”, the CDU/CSU has so far blocked any loosening of cannabis rules, said Peter Altemeier, office manager for FDP representative Wieland Schinnenburg.
“I do not expect anything to happen in this legislative period, and not by 31 May [the arbitrary deadline by which the FDP wanted the Bundestag to prepare a draft law],” he told CBD-Intel. “As the opposition, however, we wish to make an offer to the government factions, and we always hope for approval.”
The pro-business FDP holds just 80 of the 709 seats in the Bundestag, while the CDU/CSU has 246 seats. The SDP, the junior partner in government with the CDU/CSU bloc, has 153 seats.
The SDP favours liberalisation of cannabis rules, as do the minority parties the Greens and Die
Linke. The third-largest party, the right-wing nationalist Alternative for Germany, staunchly opposes cannabis legalisation.
One hopeful sign for those who favour more liberal cannabis laws is that the Greens are surging ahead in the polls, becoming “the most popular party in Germany”, according to a survey by the Forsa polling institute on behalf of the RTL media group.
If Greens nominee Annalena Baerbock becomes chancellor, German policy on cannabis could change dramatically. The party has announced on social media that it would like to legalise cannabis for recreational use.
The FDP, which has also seen an increase in support in recent polls, submitted an application for cannabis model projects to the Bundestag in January 2018, but the government rejected the request. It introduced a nine-point proposal at the start of this year, which is not only broader, but also includes new arguments.
It says adults should be allowed to buy up to 15 g of cannabis for “pleasure purposes” in pharmacies and licensed shops. Marijuana would be grown in specially secured greenhouses rather than high-security bunkers, like medical cannabis, and genetically modified plants could also be cultivated “if this is compatible with EU law”.
The maximum legal content of THC “and other health-endangering ingredients” would be determined “on a scientific basis” and “light” or flavoured cannabis products would not be allowed.
The proposal would be expected to boost tax revenues, which the proposal says could be used to combat organised crime and tackle addiction.
CBD-Intel provides impartial, independent and premium market and regulatory analysis, legal tracking, and quantitative data for the cannabidiol (CBD) sector worldwide.
We provide our clients with the tools to navigate this fast-moving sector, tailor their business strategy, optimise resources and make informed decisions. In addition, we offer customised research and consultancy support.
Leah
Giselle Kennedy was on her gap year from university when she first noticed something wasn’t right.
“I went to a music festival in Spain and noticed my urine had gone foamy. I didn’t think too much of it but then my clothes started to get tight. I went up about three dress sizes quickly,” Giselle says. “When I got home, I felt something was wrong, so my mum made me go to my GP.” The doctors ran several tests, including urine screening. The reading was ‘off the charts’ due to all the protein in Giselle’s system. She was sent to the hospital to see the renal team. “They decided to do a kidney
biopsy where they stuck a giant needle in my back. The results came back showing I had something called Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.”
Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis or FSGS is an autoimmune condition which occurs when clusters of tiny blood vessels become scarred or harden which makes them unable to remove
waste. Over time, this progressive damage leads to decreased function and potential failure. It is estimated to affect seven out of every million people.
“They treat it with high doses of steroids. It slowed down the rate of the disease, but it didn’t stop it completely,” Giselle says.
“The prognosis was, ‘you might need a transplant someday, but we can keep going with the immunosuppressants and steroids.’
Over time, I needed other things like blood pressure and cholesterol medication.”
A university climbing trip led to Giselle meeting Leah Philbin. The two clicked immediately although they had no idea Leah would go on to save Giselle’s life. Giselle describes it as ‘fate.’
“She has been part of my kidney
journey for a long time so I would talk to her about what was going on with my health. As I approached end-stage renal failure, it was inevitable that I would need a kidney and she came forward about being a possible donor without me even asking her.”
Leah underwent radiation, blood and urine tests along with ultrasounds for 18 months to assess her suitability for the transplant. They were delighted when she was discovered to be a perfect match. Before anything could happen, Covid hit, but, thankfully, the operation went ahead as planned.
“I’m incredibly grateful that I was able to have mine as soon as the doctors could do it.”
The operation could not have come at a better time.
On a spa weekend with her mother, Giselle began to feel very ill. She was constantly itchy – a classic symptom of major kidney failure. With hey kidney function now at a dangerously low 3%, she needed dialysis to stay alive.
“I’d been hoping for a pre-emptive transplant, but my health was declining, and my sodium level became dangerously low,” Giselle
says. “Without dialysis, my doctors thought it would probably be too risky to do my surgery. A tunnel line was fitted into my chest and dialysis started immediately.” The operation transformed Giselle’s life straight away.
“You can see the impact in my skin as my dark circles are gone thanks to the toxins being removed. I have about 90% kidney function and it’s healing perfectly. It’s given me my life back.”
Leah is still recovering at the time of writing. Transplants tend to hit the donor a lot harder. She’s also in the midst of moving house. But she maintains an upbeat perspective on the experience.
“We’ve called the kidney Tyson because he’s a champion fighter,” Giselle says.
“Leah always said to me, ‘I was just looking after the kidney for you. It
was always meant to be with you.’”
The plasma in Giselle’s blood is now being monitored to check that the disease does not return in the transplanted kidney. But there have been no signs of protein in her urine. Giselle’s doctors want her to potentially try out a new drug.
“In the longer term, they would like to try Rituximab which isn’t available on the NHS. As it’s expensive, they would need to submit a bid for me to get it so I may have to self-fund. It’s shown to be effective with my disease and would stop it coming back. “The other thing I must do is match my water intake to my output – I’ve never drunk so much in my life! “At first, it was 14 litres but now it’s down to four which is manageable.”
Giselle is excited to be able to get back to extreme sports.
“I’m quite sporty so I can’t wait to get back to water rafting or bungee jumping. It’s going to be nice to be able to do those things again. It’s great to have my energy back.”
Giselle and Leah are fundraising to support Kidney Care UK. You can donate via their JustGiving page: justgiving.com/fundraising/ kidneybeanybaby
Leah always said she was just looking after the kidney for me
The pandemic and on-off lockdowns redirected activism to often hostile online spaces. We speak to three women who have been targeted after speaking up for cannabis.
Words by Caroline Barry
The cannabis industry would not be where it is today without the tireless efforts of activists, patients and advocates. But cancelled protests, rallies and events during the pandemic forced a lot of activism online, making activists more visible than ever. This increased visibility, especially for women, can come at an alarming cost. A recent survey of 500 women by Amnesty International found that 1 in 5 reported online abuse and 27% said they had been threatened with sexual or physical violence. Sadly, cannabis activism appears to be no different.
Carly Barton is a campaigner, patient and the founder of Cancard. Her experiences of online abuse have ranged from messages to threats. She notes that the abuse started alongside her cannabis campaigns.
“It began when I put my face on the internet and started talking. The more front-and-centre I’ve become, the more I have tried to help and the worse it has got.
I completely came off Twitter because it’s easier for them to make anonymous accounts. The abuse on there was quite violent.”
Nicole Lonergan, the founder of Cork Cannabis Activist Network (CCAN) agrees that abuse often starts with online visibility. She worries she isn’t as safe as she thinks.
“I think it’s a shame when you speak up about something because it means you’re
The online world can blend into real life very quickly. The United Nations (UN) described the online abuse of female journalists as ‘an epidemic’ that is rapidly spilling over into real-life attacks. Female activists have reported accounts of attacks, stalking, and sexual violence taking place offline.
Adrienne Lynch, @enlightenedladytoker, activist and host of cannabis podcast, ‘Bitches of Eire,’ says her abuse spiralled offline quickly.
passionate about it. I’m running accounts as an activist network, so people feel there is a disconnect there and say whatever they want,” she says.
“I hate that I have to use social media for this as I leave myself exposed to a lot of weird people. I’ve received weird comments because I’ve done video interviews or podcasts that people follow me through, which is uncomfortable. Some of the stuff is positive but there are few negative comments that make me rethink what I’m doing.”
“There is one person who targeted me on social media by taking all my images. And then five years ago, she sexually assaulted me. She would create Twitter accounts and message me pretending to be my fiancé so I would send her photos and information. It was completely about infiltrating all areas of my life by trying to get things she could use against me. “When I got sick and ended up in the hospital, she was messaging me on an app. She came into the hospital despite having never met me in person. She started to bring food to my house because I was sick. I never asked her to do any of those things.”
Carly has also experienced the abuse seeping into her personal life.
“There was an event that I was supposed to speak at as part of 4/20 in London. I didn’t go because I was sent a load of
“Someone might say something on social media, which is untrue or violent then I spend the night in total agony because this stress is a trigger.”
anonymous messages and pictures of my front door. I had my car registration and address sent to me, along with messages saying, ‘if you go anywhere near that event, you are going to be sliced up.’”
The psychological effects of online abuse are significant. It is estimated that we spend on average 145 minutes per day online sharing intimate details about our lives. When exposed to harassment for prolonged periods, victims can suffer increased stress, anxiety, fear and depression. Nicole says this does affect her. “I would love to be super-strong where it doesn’t matter to me, but their words affect me as a person. It makes me wonder what I’m doing. Should I keep going? Why do they hate me? Words impact us and I wish people would think for a minute or two before hitting send.”
Alongside the toll this can have on a person’s well-being, the resulting stresses can exascerbate conditions like fibromyalgia.
Carly says the effects on her body have been devastating.
“Not only is it a huge emotional impact and disheartening, but it makes it difficult to carry on doing the job I’m doing. It’s landed me in hospital. My blood count and health are worse than ever. I’ve had to be referred to specialists where I’ve had two new diagnoses. I’ve had what they think is another stroke. If my emotional well-being takes a hit, then my body will just kick-off.”
Carly has also suffered from dystonia, where the body clenches and goes into painful spasms. She describes the pain as starting at the feet and ‘climbing up the body.’
“Those episodes are very closely related to stress. Someone might say something on social media, which is untrue or violent then I spend the night in total agony because this stress is a trigger,” she says.
For Adrienne, this has challenged her ability to trust others. She loves interacting with people about her content but now feels that she has to question everyone who contacts her.
“I want to keep Instagram where people can contact me to explain how cannabis is helping them but now, I have to triple-check everything,” she says.
Social media apps have trialled various methods of extra identification, options for reporting and also increased privacy options in a bid to cut down on online abuse especially post-high-profile suicides such as Caroline Flack. But while the activists wait for social media to catch up to the realities of being visible online, is there anything that can be done?
Carly has a few people who help her monitor her social media, allowing her to take a step back. She says that another thing people can do is spend less time online and more time with people they love ‘in 3D.’
“Someone once said to me, ‘if you won £100,000 and someone stole a tenner of that, would you be bothered?’ That’s what it’s like with the comments. You can get hundreds of amazing comments then get one bad one that you focus on. It’s like you are focusing on the lack of that tenner. I think that sums it up for me.”
We ask activist and patient advocate Felicia Carbajal what needs to be done to support the diverse communities who helped change the conversation around cannabis
Words by C a ro l i n e D e b a rra
Cannabis has come a long way since the 1980s and the days of Dennis Peron and Proposition 215. The LGBT+ community demanded access to cannabis to help those who were suffering from HIV/AIDS symptoms such as nausea and weight loss from a lack of appetite.
However, the hurt and damage from the War on Drugs endures, especially when it comes to minority communities. As brands, celebrities and corporations move into the industry, the LGBT+ communities who fought for cannabis access are finding themselves forced out.
Felicia Carbajal is a Latinx activist, patient advocate and educator. She is currently director of the Social Impact Center - a non-profit organisation that serves as a link between grassroots organisations, people in underrepresented communities and the US government.
Helping provide cannabis for the sick in the mid-90s led Felicia to her lifetime of activism.
“I feel like it’s the same for every generation, that LGBT+ people get cast out of their homes and disowned by their families,” she says.
health coming out of incarceration.
“The San Francisco Bay Area is synonymous with being a haven for queer people who were looking to live their life with a bit of dignity. I would never have gotten involved with the movement if it weren’t for a friend who had HIV+ and this was their medicine.”
Although Felicia was around cannabis, it took her a while to associate the plant as medicine. But she was amazed by the benefits she noticed after she started to take CBD.
“I got involved with cannabis in the middle of the AIDS health crisis,” she explains.
“I didn’t consume much at that time, but I found it beneficial for my mental
“I did an event where I was given a tincture bottle and found I didn’t have the anxiety I normally have. Although I had been involved in the cannabis movement and its intersection with the LGBT+ community, I still had a lot of stigma in my head.” Cannabis is sadly no exception when it comes to ‘pink washing,’ where brands plaster their products in rainbows during Pride season but show little interest in LGBT+ causes for the rest of the year. Pride merchandising can be made with the best of intentions, but the community is quick to notice those who continue this throughout the year.
“A couple of things are happening where these ‘Brads and Chads’ are trying to normalise something that has been counterculture for so long.
It creates different camps which ultimately hurts us because the message is convoluted,” Felicia says.
“It’s disappointing to recognise how many queer people built the industry foundations and we only have a tiny portion of market share. I’m super queer every day of the year. I think, for the LGBT+ community and all of those who have been negatively impacted by the War on Drugs, we need to hold
the industry’s feet to the fire. That’s how we ensure there is diversity, by challenging folks to do better.”
It’s not just the lack of diversity that creates a problem but also, the issue of healing for communities that have been destroyed by the War on Drugs. Felicia says that this will take time.
“In our juvenile justice system, researchers estimate that 20% of the youths are queer. But when it comes to healing, I sit at so many different intersections because I identify as a person of colour, as queer, formerly incarcerated. I think a lot of us are becoming more comfortable with ourselves and who we are while utilising this plant to help with our healing,” she says.
Having a collective safe environment, such as The Social Impact Centre is crucial for recovery. The vision behind the centre was to create an inclusive space for people who understand the significance of intersectionality.
Felicia says: “It’s a safe space to be able to come together and have conversations and build in a stigma-free zone, where people are just treated as individuals and treated with dignity and honour and respect.”
“We ensure there is diversity by challenging folks to do better”
We meet the author of the UK’s first cannabis education book for children which aims to make it easier for parents to talk about the plant
Words by Caroline Barry
Although legal cannabis products like hemp and CBD are becoming more mainstream, the stigma surrounding the cannabis plant persists. One way to reduce this is for consumers to start having more conversation about their experiences.
But there is one conversation that remains very difficult to navigate: how do we talk to kids about cannabis?
Allison Littlefair is a medical cannabis patient and mum of two. Having experienced the benefits of cannabis in her own life, Allison decided to write a children’s book about the plant focused on ‘changing the narrative for the next generation.’ And so, Walter the Wizard and the Magic Seed was born.
“I’d been on a mountain of prescription drugs for various diagnoses such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and hypermobility,” Allison says.
“The doctors kept putting me on different tablets which took me about two years to come off completely. As I started to research CBD, I connected with families that were getting the oils for their kids to help with seizures.”
Allison was ‘really troubled’ that there was still a lot of stigma attached to cannabis despite the positive impact it was having on people’s lives. With the book, she hopes to help change that.
“I wanted to create a different learning narrative around the plant so that parents could have a properly informed conversation about the
environmental aspects of it as well as its medical uses.”
So, what does a children’s book about cannabis actually look like?
Allison explains the plot. “Walter the Wizard has a couple of friends called Terence the Troll and a little girl called Titch. Titch is suffering from seizures, but they don’t know why. They start to research different things which is when they discover the cannabis plant. They go through a whole process where they sow the seeds and watch the plant grow before making the oil for Titch.”
Allison has a special connection to cannabis and feels that she owes a debt to the plant for saving her life. She finds it frustrating that the endocannabinoid system is barely heard of outside of cannabis circles. “The endocannabinoid system isn’t
just missing from healthcare, it’s not on the skills or educational platforms either,” Allison says. “You need to have a conversation with kids about these things.” Until now, children’s books about cannabis have been a predominately American concept which makes this a UK first. There was clearly a demand as the first run of Allison’s book sold out in just six months. The book has resonated with parents who are struggling to find a way to discuss the subject. Allison explains that feedback has been emotional. “People have said it brought them to tears because they can’t believe they are reading something like this. It is like a book from the future, and not something you would expect to see. It’s made it so much easier as its difficult to approach the subject with
kids.” This is not the last of Walter’s adventures. Allison has a lot more has planned for the future.
“I’m working on a new book called Walter and the Worry Dragon about kids with unhelpful thoughts and self-sabotage,” she says.
“I’m going to put colouring sheets on the website so kids can go online, print them off and colour them in, along with fact sheets and flashcards, too. “There is more than one conversation to be had.”
“A lot of people have said it’s brought them to tears because they can’t believe they are reading something like that”
Findings from the report will support the organisation’s ‘Proposal for Change’
Words by Gordon StriblingCancard has announced the launch of a nationwide study which it hopes will inform the government’s longterm drug strategy. The study will take a ‘deep dive’ into the needs, concerns and experiences of all medical cannabis patients – not just those enrolled on the Cancard scheme.
Cancard will be looking to better understand what needs to change so that patients do not feel discriminated against for their choice of medicine, the organisation said.
Findings from the study will help inform a report titled ‘A Proposal for Change.’
The document, which will be handed in person to Number 10, will include policy and legal recommendations for the government’s upcoming long-term drug strategy set to be published by the end of the year.
Cancard founder, Carly Barton, said: “For too long the government, policy makers, industry and activists have made wild assumptions about consumers’ needs. Personally, I don’t feel anyone is better placed to answer than the person affected by the issue at hand.
“We want to give the patient back their voice and also to directly consult with them about what they want to see change.”
Cannabis policy ‘affects every part of a consumer’s life,’ including basic needs such as the right to be housed, to work and to be seen as a ‘safe parent’ while managing a health condition, Barton added.
The announcement came as Cancard began recruiting patients for a cannabigerol (CBG) study in collaboration with Bod Australia. Selected patients with Fibromyalgia or IBD will be given a three-month supply of Bod MediCabilis CBG50 and asked to complete a monthly questionnaire to help track improvements to their symptoms.
The full-spectrum cannabis extract contains 50ml of CBG per millilitre and no THC.
Research suggests that CBG has antiinflammatory and neuroprotective properties. However, UK patients do not have access to CBG-rich strains popular in the US and Canada.
Barton told The CANNAVIST she felt that CBG alongside her usual flower and oils helped her with her lupus inflammation.
“Looking at what the majority of patients in the UK are consuming, which relies on illicit market trends, there is limited choice around cannabinoid ratios and rarely would a patient have the opportunity to increase the levels of CBG that they were consuming.
“I felt that it was worth pursuing options to assist patients to access additional CBG to use as companion products to what they are already consuming.”
A spokesperson for BOD Australia said of the collaboration:
“We are delighted to collaborate with Carly on this CBG pilot study. Bod Australia are very patient-centric and we will look to collaborate in the future and with other patient advocacy groups.”
Cancard is the biggest cannabis working group in Europe, with almost 40,000 members.
“We want to give the patient back their voice”
Podcasting has been around since the early 2000s but is now more popular than ever. Last year, music streaming app Spotify revealed that 700,000 podcasts were signed up to the streaming platform and they now estimate that 16% of their users listen to podcasts through the app.
Is there a podcast for… nutrition?
Host Adrienne Herbert asks: What would you do if you had one extra hour per day to focus on improving your life? Her podcast is dedicated to helping you wake up and make the best of your day. Adrienne interviews the best coaches, creatives, innovators and business owners to find out how they start each day. Adrienne channels her energy into creating books and classes and interacting with her 80,000 Instagram followers. Listen on: Apple, Spotify, Podbean and Acast adriennelondon.com
The Food Medic is the perfect place to get some nutritional advice that is simple, easy to understand and even easier to put into practice. Dr. Hazel Wallace uses her experience as a medical doctor and personal trainer to talk through some of the more difficult aspects of the wellness industry. It’s an educational platform that aims to bridge the gap between traditional medical advice and the latest thoughts and developments in nutrition. Listen on: Apple, Spotify, Podtail thefoodmedic.co.uk
Is there a podcast for… motivation?
Looking for some sonic food for your ears and mind? We’ve listed a few of our favourite podcasts covering everything from mental health and nutrition to… dog yoga.
There are a lot of podcasts on healthy eating out there, but few can boast an NHS doctor at the helm. The Doctor’s Kitchen serves up food inspiration and lifestyle advice that can help you eat and live more healthily. Dr. Rupy Aujla interviews professionals from the health and wellness sector along with other doctors. The podcast deciphers the fact from fiction on topics ranging from keto to cannabis.
Listen on: Apple, Spotify, Podbean and Acast
We don’t need to live life in the fast lane, according to Ben and Brooke, the husbandand-wife team behind the Slow Home Podcast. As one of Australia’s longest-running podcasts, the pod focuses on ways to mind your mental health, including tips on self-care, meditation and balancing stress. There is plenty of content to jump into, with over 300 episodes available.
Listen on: Apple, Spotify and Stitcher
Sara and Serena host a new guest each week for an honest, topical conversation. They ask their guests to challenge them with a ‘healthy habit’ that they use daily to enhance their physical or mental wellbeing. They test the theory before discussing the results on the podcast. When she isn’t podcasting, Sarah is a trained yoga instructor who offers ‘flows on demand’ meditation and yoga videos if you sign up to her platform.
Listen on: Apple, Acast and Listen Notes
Is there a podcast for… women?
Is there a podcast for… slowing down?
Is there a podcast for… healthy eating?
Is there any better way to spend a lazy day than kicking back with a good book? Here are some of the best new health and wellness titles out now.
Words by Caroline Debarra
We live in a culture where drinks after work are par for the course. Have you ever wondered if there is more to life and better ways to experience connections that don’t involve booze?
The Sober Lush provides a roadmap to enjoying a full, fun and alcohol-free life.
by Rebecca Dennis
Let It Go is a friendly support book that can help you tackle the stress and anxiety of everyday life using breathwork. Breathwork is an ancient practice combined with modern science that can help to boost health and happiness. The book offers bite-sized sections focused on anxiety, stress, grief and energy. Rebecca Dennis is the UK’s leading breath coach with over 20 years' experience in holistic and alternative therapies.
by Ramla Ali
Ramla Ali is a Somali-born professional boxer, philanthropist, model and now author. Her debut book recounts ten vital fights in and out of the ring which helped to shape the person she is today. Ali started boxing in secret at the age of 12 and made history by becoming the first boxer to win an international gold medal while representing Somalia. The book deals with confidence, following your dreams, being open to love and how to deal with defeat.
by Monty Lyman
The Painful Truth is a philosophical and medical journey through the experience of pain. Monty Lyman examines questions such as: What causes the placebo effect? What is phantom limb pain? And why do we experience pain even after healing? Monty Lyman is a doctor and research fellow at the University of Oxford.
Every day, we replay conflicts, dynamics and relationships from the past which cause us to avoid conflict or suffer from imposter syndrome, anxiety or perfectionism. When it comes to work, we can all get trapped in our own patterns of behaviour which stem from our upbringing.
Naomi Shragai is a psychotherapist with over 30 years' experience in the NHS and private hospitals. She offers intimate stories and insights to help readers tackle issues that cause us the most problems at work.
The World CBD Awards brings together companies in the CBD industr y from all around the world in one location We took advantage of this & planned the full event to compliment as many networking opportunities as possible; it is unprecedented to leave without gaining great contacts, leads & friends…
The World CBD Awards is an annual event spotlighting safe, compliant & effective CBD/Hemp products, devices & ser vices on a global scale!
If you want to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in the industr y then why don’t you meet us in Barcelona? Celebrating the industr y the way it deser ves to be celebrated. Attend the full event, conference and gala awards or just stop for the day with our 1 day pass.
Nominate for one of our 30+ categories and pick up an award in many fields within the industr y. Enter our most competitive categories like Best Industr y Newcomer or Best Extract Based Tincture. Showcase ourself as an industr y leader at our awards.
With 3 different packages to choose from you can become involved with the awards on a much bigger scale, get the exposure through the awards not just while you’re there but also through press releases, social media campaigns, emails and more. See your name in lights in 2022.
The Awards are designed to recognise & reward those who go the “extra mile” making the industr y a safe & respected marketplace; showing they operate with integrity, transparency & ethical business practices.
The theme of our 2022 Awards continues to be “we can do better”. The objective is to pull together all the industr y pioneers worldwide.
We have implemented an objective to define a unique judging process that does not exist anywhere else across the industr y; providing an independent group of judges made up of scientists, physicians, & professionals in the CBD/Hemp industr y.
The CBD LIVE auditorium featured some incredible
The end of lockdown and borders opening up should have meant a return of the global expo circuit. All that networking, learning and advocacy had been sorely missed. But with all pandemic matters, reality has not been that straightforward. Virtual events continue to plug the gap as the world finds a way to live with Covid.
We launched CBD Live last year on a simple premise – a virtual CBD and medical cannabis event where consumers, patients and businesses could connect without worrying about restrictions.
On August 11-13 we returned our focus to the UK. Once again, we welcomed people from all around the world who wanted to learn from expert panellists and passionate advocates.
We put together our Auditorium line-up over the months leading up to the event. Past events have focused on business, science and data. This time, we felt it was important to explore medical cannabis in depth, with a particular focus on patient experiences. We were also delighted to bring CBD yoga, the latest investment news, the Pure Sport CBD 5K Challenge and much more. We hope you enjoyed watching as much as we did putting it together.
Remember: You can watch all CBD Live content on demand via the VOXPO platform.
We love speaking to medical cannabis. Not only are they hugely passionate about the cause, they also have a better understanding of how the process actually works than many of those who work in it.
Xavier Clarke is no exception.
The keen martial artist was injured in an accident at home, leading to chronic and debilitating pain. Physio followed, along with numerous trips to see a specialist. All they could offer for the pain was opiates like morphine, alongside benzodiazepines and SSRIs. At one stage, Xavier was on 28 tablets a day.
Xavier would eventually obtain a private medical cannabis prescription which proved to be a gamechanger. He now wants to switch from opiates for good, but his GP does not approve, despite cannabis evidently leading to a huge improvement to his quality of life.
Xavier said:
“I hate the fact that I’m still dependent on these medications and I don’t quite know how I’m going to get off them just yet because there’s no real support for someone like me under the NHS.
“I’m probably costing the NHS more by taking the opioids and than I would if I wasn’t on them anymore. Also, the panic and paranoia and fear from withdrawal can trigger me thinking that I need to see a doctor and when clearly I don’t. But if I wasn’t taking these tablets, and I wouldn’t be in that position.”
start of my journey. But in my more recent times, I felt like no, you know what, this unfairness is driving a fire in me to do what I can to sort this out.”
Alex Fraser, Patient Access Lead at Grow Pharma (chair)
Sophie Hayes, Specialist Nurse at Integro
Terri Baker, Integro patient Jessica Smith, Integro patient and PR director
Marc Leadbeater, Politician, States of Guernsey
This fascinating panel gave a real insight into medical cannabis from multiple perspectives.
We heard from Guernsey politician and Integro patient Marc Leadbeater who is helping to drive the island’s ever-growing cannabis economy.
Jim is one of the most recognisable medical cannabis advocates on social media. The YouTuber went viral when he showed the world the transformative effect of medical cannabis on his Tourette’s syndrome.
Jim developed the condition alongside fibromyalgia after a serious car crash. Like Xavier, he experienced serious side-effects from his prescribed medication. He felt depressed and couldn’t get out of bed.
Medical cannabis gave Jim his fire back, he said. But there’s still a long way to go before patients get the treatment they deserve.
Jim said:
“I find it I find it very difficult to take that the government’s fine for me to be spending all this money on this treatment, but it’s not okay for me to get the treatment on the NHS.
“I did go through a period of feeling it was really unfair. That was at the
Marc said:
“In my role as a politician in Guernsey, I’ve tried to do as much as I can to open up access to medicinal cannabis and create some sort of level playing field, because at the moment, it’s only people that can afford medicinal cannabis, regardless if they need it more than the next person.
“If they haven’t got the £500 a month to spare, they’re not going to get it and we need to address that that inequality.”
In one of the most moving moments of the weekend, we heard from Integro patient, Terri Baker about how medical cannabis is helping her:
“It’s not going to cure my cancer. I’m not going to be the person that says it will, because there isn’t enough evidence on that. But what it does do is give you the strength and gives you the time for your body to heal, for you to eat, for you to sleep, for you to rest and recover and not have that anxiety.
“That means you can face the next day, the next hospital appointment, the next chemotherapy; you can face the next scan and you can get up in the morning and help your daughter get ready for school without her having to say ‘Mummy, I’m gonna open up the curtains for you so that you can help me get ready.”
“To have a three-year-old do that is heartbreaking. And I don’t have to do that anymore because I get the sleep that I need. I get the medication that is helping me to eat and giving me the strength to do the things I want to do for however long I’ve got.”
Boy, did we miss going to events last year. We may not be back in full swing quite yet, but there are still plenty of activities to keep our bodies and minds busy.
When: August 28-29
Where: Evolution Battersea, Queenstown Road, London SW8 4NW
Tickets: £45-£195
A full Bank Holiday weekend festival of seminars, coaching masterclasses, parties, guest DJs and more. Saturday is a ‘festival and party for everyone,’ while, on Sunday, the hosts will bring you major industry event, International Fitness Summit 2021.
InternationalFitnessSummit.com
When: September 10-12
Where: Gooseberry Field Glamping, Smarden Road, Ashford, TN27 0RE Tickets: £216.19
Find your magic with twice daily yoga classes, hot tubs, late night chats under the stars, delicious home-made vegetarian food and cocktails. Guests can enjoy a twonight stay in a luxury bell tent while taking advantage of some truly stunning countryside. facebook.com/ GooseberryFieldGlamping
Billed as the ‘ultimate reset,’ Verve Festival is set deep in the Wilshire countryside. The expansive programme offers a wealth of activities designed to celebrate health, wellness and nature. Indulge in ‘Pure Bliss’ yoga on the Orchard Stage, take the plunge into forest bathing in the Woodland area and have a boogie at the Happy Hour disco.
FeeltheVerve.com
When: September 10
Where: Hot Box Live Events, 28 Viaduct Road, Chelmsford
Tickets: Free
Neuropharmacologist Roland Jones shares how brain rhythms work in healthy nerve cells and why they go wrong in neurological disorders like epilepsy. Discover what cannabinoids offer to the future of treatment for epilepsy and other brain disorders, getting those out-of-sync brain waves to find their rhythm again.
BritishScienceFestival.org
When: September 25
Where: Pyt House Kitchen Garden, West Hatch, Tisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6PA
Tickets: Adults - £71.37; Children - £6.09
When: September 25
Where: London Excel, Royal Docks, London E16 1XL
Tickets: £10-£129
Around the world athletes compete in the same race, on the same course with each event hosting up to 3,000 participants. The competition starts with a 1 km run, followed by a functional workout repeated eight times. Each season culminates with the World Championships where the athletes with the fastest times from each division in each city go head-tohead.
Hyrox.com
The pandemic has made international travel an uncertain prospect. But fear not – there are plenty of incredible self-care getaways all around the country
Words by Caroline Debarra
Canopy & Stars: Badger’s Bower
Glamping takes the horror out of slumming it in a tent. Canopy and Stars has unusual glamping sites across the UK. Our favourite is Badger’s Bower, a tabernacle in the woods of Buckinghamshire surrounded by bluebells and badgers.
Among the gorgeous scenery, the retreat has everything you need for a relaxing weekend getaway, with rocking chairs, large baths, hammocks and an outside, woodburning hot tub. If you are still somehow feeling stressed after all that, book in with the hosts for complimentary aromatherapy, massage, reflexology or reiki. Wendover, Buckinghamshire £375 for a two-night mid-week stay canopyandstars.co.uk
The Thermae Bath Spa has some of the best views of Bath best enjoyed from their open-air rooftop pools. The pools contain mineral-rich water, the actual source of which remains a mystery. It has been suggested that the rainwater enters through carboniferous limestone near the city. The thermal waters contain over 42 different minerals. While visiting the indoor and outdoor pools, you can also book a variety of treatments, including facials and bamboo massage.
Hot Bath Street, Bath £35- £40 for a two-hour visit thermaebathspa.com
Banya No.1
Banya No.1 is not your average day spa. It brings the authentic Russian bath experience to London. Choose from the Russian steam room, hot stones and alternative treatments before treating yourself to some traditional food and drink. Of all the treatments, the one to try is the Siberian body wash, which uses fragrant and exfoliating birch branches and a hot stone. Micawber Street, London, N1/ Chiswick High Road, London, W4 £24 - £177 gobanya.co.uk
If your idea of a weekend treat is more wine than wellness, why not consider a vineyard tour?
Sharpham Wines host two-hour guided tours through their vineyard where you get to try a variety of their products.
It’s not just wine but cheese too as the company has its own creamery. There are plenty of different cheeses to try, including brie and rustic chive and garlic.
Where to find it: Sharpam Estate, Totnes £25 Per person sharpham.com
If you fancy an entire weekend of wellness, The Grange by the Sea could be just what you need. They offer a range of retreats such as comedy writing, painting, life coaching and yoga in a beautiful Georgian house on the Isle of Wight. As well as the retreat, you can book treatments such as hot stone, Indian head or lava shell massage.
Where to find it: Shanklin, Isle of Wight £52+ per person, per night thegrangebythesea.com
The perfect staycation for anyone who likes to combine the comfort of glamping with fitness. Wildfitness is spread over 750 acres of beautiful Norfolk countryside. It combines activities such as yoga, parkour, dance and martial arts. While we may be sticking to the UK for now, it's worth noting that the company also offers retreats in Iceland, Manora and Crete. Where to find it: Norfolk £975 wildfitness.com
Ongoing restrictions mean that many of us will be playing it safe for another year. So where do you go if you want to relax, rewind and recharge before the cold creeps back in?
An exciting new event is set to launch this November at the Coventry Building Society Arena encouraging visitors to “Look Good and Feel Good”.
Set to be the ultimate day out, Look Good Live is coming to the Coventry Building Society Arena from 26 to 28 November 2021. This brandnew shopping event will provide a unique opportunity to explore the hottest brands in beauty, hair, fashion, fitness, aesthetics, wellness and home accessories across one spectacular weekend. The three-day extravaganza, brought to you by Beauty Exhibitions Ltd, is ideally timed to coincide with the Black Friday weekend and pre-Christmas period. With plenty of special promotions, offers and savings available, it’s the perfect opportunity for visitors to purchase last-minute festive gifts,
as well as treat themselves to their favourite and must-have products. There will also be a fabulous line-up of influencers, brand ambassadors and industry experts to present free masterclasses and tutorials on the newest trends. Show attendees can select up to two live talks each, covering topics such as how to recreate the latest make-up and hair looks to skin care tips and the tricks to self-tanning like a pro. Look Good Live will offer two ticket options – Standard £15/VIP £25 –with booking available now. Both will include entry to the show, free parking at the Coventry Building Society Arena (usually £8), and attendance at any of the free stages
(limited to two talks per person). Additionally, VIP ticket holders will receive exclusive offers from exhibitors before, during, and after the event, along with a luxury goody bag worth over £35 containing manicure products from leading nail brand Cuccio. Anyone interested in finding out more about Look Good Live or purchasing tickets can visit www.LookGoodLive. com. For up-to-date show news and announcements, follow @LookGoodLiveUK on social media.
For press enquiries and further information about Look Good Live, contact: Olivia Beesley, Marketing Manager olivia@beautyserve.net 01332 226603
Our in-house reviewers give their thoughts on the latest CBD skincare products.
Our reviewers give their thoughts on the latest CBD skincare products
by Caroline Debarra
I am a huge fan of facial oils, especially those with CBD. I was delighted to try the Sweet Jane Active Super Seed Face Oil because of two ingredients: full-spectrum CBD and meadowfoam seed oil. Meadowfoam is thought to be an absolute skin saver, especially for acne sufferers. I found the lightweight oil helped to lock in moisture without weighing my skin down. The CBD helped to soothe any irritation I was feeling from breakouts or redness. This oil has become a firm favourite in my skin routine.
Review by Jill Shah
My skin tends to dry out when humidity is low. And when you factor in frequent hand washing and sanitising, the dryness is intensified, leading to uncomfortable, itchy skin. Thankfully I have CBD to combat this. Applying CBD-infused body lotion relieves my itchy hands, feet, arms and legs and smooths my shin. The CBD Shaman body lotion has become a go-to pick and one of the few must-have lotions in this price bracket. The lotion is loaded with skin-soothing ingredients such as cocoa butter, shea butter and terpenerich CBD hemp oil, which soothes dryness. A little goes a long way with this lotion. A thin layer applied to the skin is silky-smooth, fast-acting and ultra-hydrating.
Review by Caroline Debarra
Grassroots products always smell incredible due to their natural ingredients. This massage oil is no exception, with neroli and frankincense essential oils to thank on this occasion. I’ve been using the oil for aromatherapy to help me wind down before bed. It can be used on the face, body, décolletage and neck to soften, nourish and hydrate. I find the incredible 1000 mg of CBD, the essential oils and massage help me to feel more relaxed. It’s an absolutely huge bottle too and I’m delighted that it will last me the whole year.
Review by Carrie Strouther
When I discovered an SPF with CBD, I just had to give it ago. This is definitely the thickest SPF I’ve used. The consistency is more like a face cream than a conventional SPF. There is a slight blue light to the cream too, so it may be best to mix it with your face cream before applying. I started using the SPF when it was particularly sunny and I noticed a level of protection that would not have been there if it wasn’t for the Dermaquest SPF. As this is lower SPF than what I would traditionally use, I would reach for it on those indoor or cloudy days.
Review by Caroline Debarra
My skincare routine needs a serious overhaul after all the sunshine we’ve enjoyed lately. Suddenly, a lot of my heavier creams are just too oily for the season. I was happy to see the all-natural Nature Drops face cream melt into my skin without leaving an oily residue. The soothing effects of the lavender and the anti-inflammatory properties of the ginger have helped keep my skin feeling soft. I’m making an effort to cut down on plastic so the glass jar container wins Nature Drops full marks for presentation.
Review by Alicia Snow-Simpson
This little green bottle contains natural ingredients like shea butter extract, blackcurrant, rosemary leaf extract and chamomile. Best of all it’s syntheticfree, mineral oil-free, paraben-free and completely vegan friendly. What I enjoy the most about the serum is that you can use it directly on your skin or by adding a couple of drops into your daily skincare products. I tried the serum over the course of a week, applying it directly onto my skin and incorporating it into my moisturiser. I personally preferred to use the serum in conjunction with my moisturiser as it saved time and added hydration. There is a slight tingling sensation when applied but this dies down after a couple of minutes. Overall, I enjoyed Cerious’ Soothing Skin Serum and shall definitely carry on using it in my skincare routine.
I suffer from dry and cracked lips, even in the warmer months. I’ve used so many different products designed to help with this, yet nothing seems to work. The Rya Organics Lip Conditioner was a lovely change from using balms. It felt incredibly moisturising on my skin and provided good coverage which helped my lips to feel much softer. Arnica oil combined with moisture-locking meadowfoam seed stopped my lips from cracking while the CBD and CBG provided relief from existing cuts.
Review by Caroline Debarra Review by Caroline Debarra
I’ve been looking for a lighter cleanser that can help keep my skin clean. J’tanicals CBD Gel Cleanser has provided me with the perfect way to balance the extra oil and sensitivity my skin has been experiencing of late. It contains aloe vera which has helped to soothe any redness from spending too many hours in my garden while the broccoli and citrus has given my skin a lift. I love how soft my skin feels after using the cleanser. It’s really hydrating and gives my skin a refreshing, deep-pore cleanse.
Review by Carrie Strouther
Well Lab’s branding is out of this world and it seems that their oils are, too. Having seen a lot from this company, I decided that it was time to give them a go. For the past week, I have been using their 2400mg 04 Soothe Oil with terpenes and herbal extracts. On first tasting the oil, I was immediately met with hints of turmeric and black pepper. These flavours helped to mask that botanical hemp taste which tends to divide a room. Turmeric and black pepper is a nice alternative to what I’m used to with tinctures and will definitely appeal to those who aren’t into hard-hitting flavours. I took the oil at 5pm every night for a week and noticed a difference the minute I awoke every morning. The oil helped me to stay asleep and get a full eight hours. I’ve recently been having trouble staying asleep and feeling well-rested in the morning. But the Well Lab oil has turned this around and made my day, every day.
Review by Katie Loomes
Glasgow-based brand Nutrivive offers a premium broad spectrum CBD range spanning oils, a cream and a joint and muscle balm. The 2000mg oil is the perfect strength for daily users like myself who require a stronger dose. From my experience, stronger tinctures can often mean a bitter taste, but the Nutrivive Natural flavour is much more palatable than others I’ve tried. After using the tincture for a week, I was very impressed with the quality of my sleep despite the soaring night-time temperatures. I’ve also experienced virtually no muscular aches following hard workouts at the gym, so that gets a big thumbs up from me. The brand also offers an amazing “Try Before You Buy” service, which is the perfect way to give one of their products a go before making a financial commitment.
Review by Rheanna CadeyI’d heard a lot about CBD oils and their benefits but had never taken the plunge into regular usage. However, anxiety-filled days can often get the better of me when it’s time to unwind in the evening and I struggle a lot with stress-induced headaches. So one evening after work I thought, what better time to try it than now? Initially, I found this oil to have a very strong botanical taste but after a few uses I became accustomed to it and found myself quite enjoying it. Within 30 minutes of using the oil, my anxiety slowly subsided and my headache eased, too. I was initially sceptical about whether the effects were psychological or a direct result of using the product. But after consistent use for a week I haven’t had trouble getting to sleep, I’m experiencing higher energy levels and I haven’t had to take a single painkiller. The product gives me a feeling of physical and mental relief. A promising start to my CBD journey, for sure.
Review by Caroline Debarra
I’ve always been interested in how different terpenes found in plants could affect my mood. The Papilio range which comes with added terpenes presented a great opportunity to see what they could do. I tried the orange and grapefruit oil which has a lovely zesty flavour and contains the terpene, limonene. Limonene is thought to be great for helping with stress. As I’ve just adopted a new kitten, I feel quite stressed at the thought of leaving them alone in my home. The drops helped me feel less panicked about it on my way to work. I also love that it doesn’t taste strongly of hemp which can be off-putting.
