The Canadian government is investing $24 million to establish the Canadian Cannabis and Brain Health Consortium. The new consortium will include 10 multidisciplinary research teams that will investigate topics ranging from the therapeutic potential of cannabis to its effects on brain health, sleep, prenatal exposure, and among people with conditions such as psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and epilepsy. 

In a statement, Minister of Health Marjorie Michel said the investment “will bring together researchers from across the country to advance our understanding of how cannabis affects brain health and generate knowledge that helps improve care, inform policy and supports the health of Canadians.” 

Dr. Patricia Conrod, scientific director for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction, said in the statement that the consortium “will help researchers build a stronger understanding of how cannabis affects people’s health at every stage of life, generating knowledge that can guide prevention, care and evidence-informed policies for years to come.” 

In 2025, more than one in three Canadian adults reported consuming cannabis, and the 2024 Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act examined how the broad legalization of cannabis in 2018 has impacted the country. The consortium is meant to address key knowledge gaps identified in that review. 

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A plant nutrition schedule is the process of providing plants with the nutrients they need at the right time in an accurate and balanced way to support their growth, development, and production. Just as humans need different nutrients at different stages of life, plants also need specific nutrients throughout germination, vegetative growth, blooming, and fruit production.

A well-planned nutrition strategy ensures plants receive the proper nutrients at the right time, which leads to stronger growth, higher yields, and better adaptability to environmental stress. This is where a methodical feeding approach makes all the difference. It provides growers with a reliable road map for producing stronger, more productive plants year after year.

What Nutrients Are Essential for Plant Growth?

Plants need 16 vital nutrients to grow and develop to their maximum ability. These nutrients can be divided into macronutrients and micronutrients according to how much the plant needs. 

Potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen are the primary macronutrients needed in larger quantities for plant growth and development. Macronutrients provide the building blocks for energy transfer, metabolic processes, and plant structure. 

Plants also require lesser amounts of micronutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, and chlorine for different metabolic activities and enzyme functions. Micronutrients are important for specific enzyme activities and biochemical processes necessary for plant growth, development, and nutrient consumption. 

These nutrients all have different functions. Nitrogen stimulates vegetative, leafy development. Both root systems and flowering are made stronger by phosphorus. Potassium improves immunity to illness and stress and controls water absorption. Yellowing leaves, weak stems, or poor fruit and flower growth are immediate symptoms of any one of these being absent or out of balance.

The Importance of Plant Nutrient Schedules

A nutrient schedule is an organized plan specifying the amounts and timing of nutrients plants should receive at different stages of growth. Proper plant nutrient schedules help eliminate guesswork and ensure that nutrient delivery aligns with the plant’s changing needs. 

Without a proper nutrient schedule, plants can suffer from imbalances, toxicities, or nutritional deficiencies that can block growth and lower yield.

A proper plant nutrient schedule must include:

• When to increase nitrogen levels during vegetative growth to help leaves and stems develop.
• When to switch to potassium and phosphorus as plants approach flowering.
• How much taper feeding should be reduced before harvest to preserve quality and flavor.
• How to change concentrations based on the plant response.

This type of framework removes the unpredictability associated with growing and creates consistency that plants react favorably to.

What are the Benefits of Following a Plant Nutrient Schedule?

Growers who follow a consistent feeding schedule usually observe measurable improvements in almost every stage of plant performance. Here is how a plant nutrient schedule could benefit your cultivation:

• Stronger Root Development

A well-balanced early nutrition promotes strong, healthy root systems. Plants with strong roots are better able to absorb water and nutrients during each following stage of growth.

• Improved Disease Resistance

Plants with adequate nutrition develop denser tissue and more powerful defenses. As a result, they are much less prone to common diseases, mold, and pests that feed on weak, malnourished growth.

Plants can reach their maximum genetic potential when nutrition availability is matched to each growth stage. This leads to larger foliage, healthier flowers, and overall more plentiful, higher-quality harvests.

• Better Resource Efficiency

Applying nutrients only when plants actually require them reduces fertilizer waste and runoff. This reduces unnecessary costs and the environmental effect of each growing cycle.

• More Predictable Outcomes

Maintaining consistency during growing cycles enables problem-solving, results tracking, and refining feeding techniques. This leads to more reliable outcomes with each successive harvest.

It can be expensive and harmful to the environment to overfeed plants. Growers can minimize waste and runoff while maintaining ideal growth conditions by using structured plant nutrition schedules to apply exactly the amounts that are required.

How Do Nutrient Needs Change Throughout Growth Stages?

The fact that plant nutritional needs vary throughout time is one of the main reasons nutrient schedules work so well. Below are the different growth stages of plants that need to be maintained by a proper nutrient schedule:

During their early growth stages, plants need relatively small amounts of nutrients. At this point, the focus should be on:

• Gentle nutrient concentrations
• Root establishment
• Balanced nutrient availability

Overfeeding can harm sensitive roots and limit growth.

As plants start to grow leaves and stems, nitrogen becomes more important. Proper nutrition during this stage provides the following advantages:

• Strong stem development
• Larger leaf production
• Enhanced energy generation

Nitrogen is necessary for photosynthesis and the synthesis of chlorophyll, which fuel fast growth.

• Flowering and Fruiting Stage

Plants’ nutritional priorities change when they actually start to reproduce. Nitrogen becomes less important than phosphorus and potassium.

Proper nutrition during fruiting and flowering can:

• Increase the growth of flowers
• Enhance the size and quality of the fruit
• Support increased yields
• Improve taste and appearance

A carefully designed plant nutrient schedule helps ensure these changing requirements are met efficiently.

The Best Ways to Make Efficient Plant Nutrient Schedules

• Understand the plant nutritional requirements and change feeding schedules based on the type and species being grown.
• Change nutrient ratios according to growth stages. Increase nitrogen during vegetative growth and potassium and phosphorus during flowering or fruiting.
• Regularly test the soil or growing medium to identify nutrient levels, deficiencies, and pH imbalances.
• Use premium fertilizers and nutrient solutions that offer a balanced mix of macro and micronutrients.
• Keep accurate records of plant performance and feeding schedules to identify what works best and make sensible adjustments.

Conclusion

A well-planned nutrient plan is one of the best ways of improving plant health and growth. By providing important nutrients in the right proportions and at the right times, growers can support stronger roots, healthier foliage, better flowering, and increased yields. A carefully planned nutrient schedule can have a huge impact on achieving healthy and productive plants.

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Unveiling the Surprising Health Benefits of Nicotine

In today’s health-conscious society, nicotine often finds itself at the center of controversy. Renowned for its addictive properties and association with smoking-related diseases, nicotine has long been demonized as a substance detrimental to health. However, recent research has begun to shed light on a surprising aspect of nicotine—its potential health benefits. Let’s delve into this contentious topic and explore the lesser-known positive effects of nicotine on health.

Dispelling Misconceptions

Before delving into the health benefits, it’s crucial to address the misconceptions surrounding nicotine. Often vilified due to its presence in tobacco products, nicotine is just one of the many compounds found in cigarettes that contribute to their harmful effects. It’s the combustion of tobacco and the myriad of toxic chemicals produced during smoking that pose significant health risks, not nicotine itself.

Cognitive Enhancement

One of the most intriguing aspects of nicotine is its impact on cognitive function. Studies have shown that nicotine can enhance attention, memory, and mental acuity. Nicotine acts as a stimulant on the brain, increasing the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are associated with improved cognitive performance. This has led to investigations into the potential use of nicotine as a cognitive enhancer, particularly in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Neuroprotective Properties

Beyond its cognitive effects, nicotine has demonstrated neuroprotective properties. Research suggests that nicotine may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. Furthermore, nicotine has been shown to promote the growth and survival of neurons, which could have implications for the treatment of various neurological disorders.

Mood Enhancement

Nicotine’s effects on mood have been well-documented. Many smokers report feelings of relaxation, stress relief, and improved mood after nicotine consumption. This is due to nicotine’s ability to stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with feelings of pleasure and well-being. While the addictive nature of nicotine raises concerns about its long-term use for mood enhancement, research into nicotine replacement therapies and other forms of nicotine delivery without the harmful effects of smoking is ongoing.

Metabolic Benefits

Recent studies have also suggested that nicotine may have metabolic benefits. Nicotine has been found to increase metabolic rate and energy expenditure, potentially aiding in weight management and obesity prevention. Additionally, nicotine may improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, offering potential benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Closing Thoughts

While nicotine remains a highly addictive substance with known risks, it’s essential to recognize that it also possesses intriguing health benefits that warrant further exploration. From its cognitive-enhancing effects to its potential neuroprotective and metabolic benefits, nicotine presents a complex and multifaceted picture. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that these potential benefits should not overshadow the well-established risks associated with smoking cigarettes. As research in this field continues to evolve, a nuanced understanding of nicotine’s effects on health will be essential in guiding public health policies and interventions.

In conclusion, while the narrative surrounding nicotine has long been dominated by its negative associations, it’s time to acknowledge the emerging evidence suggesting that nicotine may have untapped potential as a therapeutic agent. By fostering informed discussions and supporting further research, we can better understand the intricate relationship between nicotine and health, paving the way for more targeted and effective interventions in the future.

Furthermore, for those interested in exploring innovative nicotine delivery systems and products, ProVape stands out as a leading provider. To learn more about their offerings, visit ProVape’s website. https://provape.com/

Disclosure: The views expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of any organization, institution, or entity with which the author may be affiliated. These views are based on the author’s personal knowledge, research, and understanding of the topic at hand. Readers are encouraged to form their own opinions and conduct further research to make informed decisions.

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While smoking has declined dramatically across many developed countries, prevalence among people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses remains disproportionately high.

UK public-health data have estimated smoking prevalence at around 40% among people with serious mental illness, while people with mental health conditions overall are almost 2.5 times as likely to smoke as the general population. Smoking is also considered a major contributor to the 10-to-20-year life-expectancy gap experienced by people with poor mental health.

Against that background, growing evidence suggests that tobacco harm reduction—including vaping and other smoke-free nicotine alternatives—deserves a much larger role in mental health care.

The close knit relationship between Schizophrenia and smoking

Why Vaping May Offer Something Different

Promising results with vaping

The study was small and lacked a control group, so the figures should not be interpreted as definitive cessation rates. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate something important: even smokers with schizophrenia who were initially uninterested in quitting were willing and able to substantially replace cigarettes with a non-combustible product.

Vaping for smoking cessation: the wider evidence

These findings are consistent with the much larger evidence base in the general smoking population. The latest Cochrane living systematic review analysed 104 studies involving more than 30,000 adults and concluded that nicotine e-cigarettes help more people stop smoking for at least six months than conventional nicotine replacement therapy.

A major systematic review published in the BMJ found that people who stopped smoking experienced reductions in anxiety, depression and stress alongside improvements in psychological quality of life compared with people who continued smoking. The pattern was similar in people with and without psychiatric conditions. That challenges the assumption that cigarettes provide a net psychological benefit to people experiencing mental illness.

Harm Reduction offers an alternative to abstinence

Tobacco harm reduction offers another route: if complete nicotine abstinence is not currently achievable, eliminate the combustion first. Cigarette smoke—not nicotine itself—causes most smoking-related disease. Vapes avoid burning tobacco and therefore eliminate exposure to tar and carbon monoxide while substantially reducing exposure to numerous other toxicants. The NHS consequently describes vaping as likely to be far less harmful than smoking and recommends it as one option for adults trying to quit. Other smoke-free options, including nicotine pouches and traditional NRT, could similarly expand choice for people who find inhaled products unsuitable.

Mental health services should offer choice, not therapeutic neglect

The emerging evidence suggests mental health services should stop treating smoking as an unavoidable feature of serious psychiatric illness. Rather than insisting on a single cessation pathway, services could offer behavioural support alongside vaping, NRT and approved cessation medicines, allowing patients to choose an approach compatible with their circumstances and preferences. NICE already recommends offering smokers a choice of interventions based on previous experience, health and social circumstances.

https://www.vapingpost.com/2026/03/03/nicotine-addiction-isnt-one-size-fits-all-genetics-brain-science-and-mental-health-differences-shape-dependance/

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Twenty years after the world memorized his phone number, the Houston legend is lighter, calmer and weirdly into the tax code. He’s still doing what he’s always done best: being Mike Jones.

Mike Jones shows up in Los Angeles looking healthier than he has in years, calm and confident, and wearing a jacket in the California heat. There’s a reason for the jacket, he laughs. He’s been putting in the work on his weight-loss journey.

“I’ve been really trying to get it right and get it together,” he says with a smile.

For the artist whose “Still Tippin’” helped define an era of Southern hip-hop, longevity isn’t a given. Plenty of his early-2000s peers faded into nostalgia. Jones still tours, still records, still has fans who never left. Before every show, the routine starts the same way.

“I pray to God,” he explains. “I thank the Lord for me being able to still be here this long and the fans still appreciate me and what I lay down and what I’m doing still.”

That gratitude runs through everything, cannabis included. Asked how much he smokes in a day, he just grins. As for the internet’s favorite debate, brushing your teeth before or after smoking, he doesn’t hesitate.

“Before, during, and after.”

Only Mike Jones could make dental hygiene sound like a lifestyle.

On the best cannabis in America, there’s no hesitation either.

“Cali for sure.”

High praise from a Texas legend. But for Jones, the session is less about the flower than the company. Asked about his biggest pet peeve when he’s smoking, his answer has nothing to do with someone hogging the blunt.

“Somebody who ain’t motivated.”

For him, the room matters. Cannabis is part of a productive environment, not an excuse to sit still.

The sense of humor is intact, too. Asked what’s at the top of his playlist that isn’t one of his own, he answers with his signature hit.

“Back Then They Didn’t Want Me.”

The punchline lands because everyone already knows the next line.

More revealing is the lesson he says changed everything. Not music, not fame, not cannabis.

“Learning the IRS tax code.”

Understanding taxes, he says, changed how he approached wealth, moving him from earned income toward passive income.

“It’s not what you make,” he explains. “It’s about your classification.”

It’s the answer of a man thinking about ownership and generational wealth, not just the next record.

And when the session leads to snack time?

“Crunch n’ Munch.”

These days, it looks like a jacket in the California heat, a workout before the interview, a working knowledge of the tax code and a session full of people who actually want to do something. Twenty years after “Still Tippin’,” Mike Jones is still here, still tipping, and apparently flossing before, during and after.

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New research published in the journal Veterinary Sciences has found that adding hempseed to the diet of healthy dogs improves gut microbiome health compared with a diet without hempseed.

Veterinary scientists from Kasetsart University in Thailand randomly assigned 24 mixed-breed dogs into three groups for a 90-day study. All groups were fed the same basic nutritious diet, but one group’s food was coated with hempseed oil at 2% inclusion, and another group’s food was supplemented with a hempseed by-product known as hempseed cake at 11% inclusion.

The gut microbiome is an important part of a dog’s overall health and is thought to contribute to digestion, metabolism, immune function and overall health.

“All dogs, including the controls, showed a natural increase in bacterial diversity over time. However, dogs fed hempseed oil showed a distinctly larger increase in bacterial species richness,” the researchers said.

At the beginning of the 90-day study, the dogs were all aged between three and six years and weighed between 15 and 20 kg. Tests were carried out to determine their health, including a Body Condition Score test (BCS), blood profiles, and feed intake monitoring.

Scientists also used faecal sampling tests and gene sequencing at the beginning of the study, at three weeks, and again at the end, enabling them to closely monitor changes in the dogs’ digestive health.

The results showed that the gut health of all three dogs improved over the course of the study, but the dogs fed the diets including hemp improved the most. Researchers also found different benefits were provided by each of the hemp additives.

The hempseed oil coating was associated with a greater increase in gut bacteria species diversity, although this isn’t always seen as contributing to gut health.

The hempseed cake addition was shown to increase specific bacteria, including Ligilactobacillus, Lactobacillaceae, Actinobacteriota, and Collinsella, which are all associated with a healthier gut.

“This longitudinal investigation of canine fecal microbiota over a 90-day dietary intervention with hempseed formulations revealed a complex ecological maturation process. Our findings demonstrate that while the fecal microbiome of healthy dogs exhibits significant temporal shifts under standardized conditions, the introduction of hempseed by-product (FB) and hempseed oil (FO) exerts distinct selective pressures that enhance microbial diversity without disrupting the ecological stability of the host animal,” the researchers said.

“The principal findings revealed that both hempseed-based diets modulated the canine gut microbiota, with the most pronounced effects observed in the FO group. Specifically, FO supplementation led to the greatest increase in alpha diversity and induced distinct shifts in several bacterial taxa, whereas the FB group exhibited a more moderate response and greater stability in certain communities.”

“These results suggest that hempseed, particularly its oil fraction, exerts health effects in dogs, although the specific formulation dictates the nature and extent of microbial modulation”

Previous studies investigating the role cannabis can play in animal health have found CBD to slow down cancer growth in dogs, CBD to help relax tropical fish during transportation, and CBD to help save the bees.

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Oregon’s governor has signed a bill to allow patients with debilitating medical conditions to access medical marijuana in certain health facilities such as hospices.

Gov. Tina Kotek (D) approved the legislation from Rep. Farrah Chaichi (D) on Tuesday after it cleared the Senate in a 20-8 vote last month and was passed by the House of Representatives in a 39-3 vote in February.

Chaichi said in testimony to the Senate Health Care Committee that the bill is “an important tool to facilitate cannabis use as an alternative or addition to opioid use in end of life care.”

“While sometimes necessary, opiates are often overly sedative, preventing quality family interaction in someone’s final days,” she said. “As someone who lost my mother while she was intubated, I know how meaningful it is for patients to be present and in the moments of their last days and weeks with their loved ones. This is a quality of life and a quality of care issue. The bill’s goal is to ensure patients who desire this important and valid medical treatment have access across the board.”

As enacted, HB 4142 will require hospice, palliative and home care organizations, as well as residential facilities, to develop rules permitting registered patients with debilitating conditions to use medical cannabis.

The reform is similar to—albeit somewhat more limited than—multiple “Ryan’s law” measures that have advanced in state legislatures across the country. Ryan’s law, which is named after a young cannabis patient in California who passed away, generally refers to a policy broadly permitting medical marijuana use in health facilities such as hospitals.

The Oregon bill doesn’t extend to hospitals, but it builds upon the state’s medical cannabis program in a way that advocates say will meaningfully improve quality of life for seriously ill patients.

Under the proposal, the Oregon State Board of Nursing will further be prohibited “from disciplining a nurse who discusses the medical use of marijuana with a patient,” according to a legislative summary. It will additionally make it so eligible health facilities can act as medical marijuana caregivers if authorized by regulators.

The legislation “exempts residential facilities that provide a patient with medical marijuana from criminal laws related to the possession, delivery, or manufacture of marijuana” and “allows a conditionally designated residential facility to develop a written policy and train staff before the operative date,” the summary says.

Now that the governor has signed the measure, it is set to become operative on January 1, 2027.

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Mental health advocate and one half of music duo Rizzle Kicks, Jordan Stephens, is collaborating with medical cannabis clinic, Alternaleaf, to shed light on the role of alternative treatments in supporting mental wellbeing.

Stephens, who is currently touring with Rizzle Kicks as part of their comeback tour, has written and performed a powerful spoken word piece exploring nature’s role in supporting men’s mental health.

Statistics suggest that around 12.5% of men in the UK have a mental health disorder and remain statistically less likely to seek help for mental health concerns, often waiting until a crisis point before exploring treatment options. 

The collaboration aims to shine a light on the challenges men face when speaking openly about their mental wellbeing, while also highlighting the role alternative treatments, such as medical cannabis, can play.

Stephens, who has spoken candidly about his own mental health, recently became a patient with Alternaleaf. His performance of the poem ‘The Alternative Path’, filmed in a field outside of London, has been released on Alternative Leaf’s YouTube and social channels through September. 

“I’ve been open about my own struggles with mental health and have been diagnosed with ADHD twice,” Stephens commented.

“For me, this campaign is about showing that men don’t need to stay silent about what they’re going through. Speaking up and exploring different forms of support, whether that’s creativity, community, or medical help, can make a huge difference.”

Alternaleaf also rolled out a nationwide billboard campaign in September, which centres on the real-life stories of medical cannabis patients to raise awareness of medical cannabis. 

Since medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, awareness and access have grown significantly, though it remains under-prescribed by the NHS. Though this could be set to change – in a recent study conducted by Alternaleaf, almost 7 in 10 (68%) NHS doctors surveyed would consider prescribing medical cannabis for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Nabila Chaudhri, Medical Director at Alternaleaf, added: “Men are often less likely to seek support for their mental health, which can mean many go without the help they need. At Alternaleaf, we want to change that by raising awareness of the options available, including medical cannabis, which has already helped thousands of our patients.

“In a recent survey, 97% of patients reported improvements in their well-being and happiness, underlining the growing role of medical cannabis in patient care. Working with Jordan allows us to bring this important message to a wider audience in a way that feels both accessible and engaging.”

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