Category: Health

Is hemp seed healthy? Get the facts here

Hemp seed has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. For a long time, it was an unknown and perhaps even stigmatising food. Due to its popularity as a superfood, hemp seeds have attracted the attention of health enthusiasts. In this article, we take a closer look at the question, “Is hemp seed healthy?” We discuss what it is, what its nutrients are, and what the optimal dosage is. Find out if hemp seeds can benefit you too.

What is hemp seed?

Hemp seed comes from the hemp plant (cannabis sativa). The process begins with growing mature hemp plants, usually grown specifically for their seeds. The plants develop flowers that contain seeds. Once these flowers are fully grown, they are harvested and dried. One then separates the seeds from the flowers and other plant residues, ready for consumption.

The effectiveness of hemp seeds lies in its nutrients. As a result, it has potential to support heart health and reduce inflammation. You can easily incorporate hemp seeds into your diet.

Nutrients in hemp seeds

It is clear that hulled hemp seeds can be healthy. It is rich in essential nutrients. Examples include proteins, healthy fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Proteins

A notable feature of hemp seed is its high vegetable protein content. It contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete source of protein. It is therefore a good supplement for body proteins, as well as for people on a vegetarian diet. This is because it allows you to easily get all high quality proteins. Proteins are necessary for building and repairing tissues in our body. Adequate protein intake helps in muscle building and recovery.

Hemp seeds also contain arginine. This amino acid contributes to the relaxation of blood vessels. This is beneficial for blood circulation and heart health.

Essential fatty acids

Hemp seeds are also rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids play various roles in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects. Omega-3 also has a positive effect on heart health. Omega-6 is also important, but in moderation. Hemp seeds contain these fatty acids in an optimal ratio.

Vitamins and minerals

Hemp seeds are a source of several vitamins and minerals. Among others, it contains vitamin E, an antioxidant, and can contribute to healthy skin. In addition, hemp seeds offer minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, iron and zinc. These minerals are involved in numerous processes in the body. For instance, they ensure bone health and maintain the immune system.

Health benefits of hemp seeds

Hemp seeds offer several benefits for your health. These differ from the health benefits that often come up when using cannabis or CBD oil.

Heart health

One of the most lauded benefits of hemp seeds is their impact on your heart. Hemp seed helps reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering inflammation. It also helps regulate your blood pressure.

Skin condition

Another notable benefit of hemp seeds is their potential to contribute to healthy skin. The vitamin E in hemp seeds acts as an antioxidant. This helps you fight free radicals that cause damage to skin cells. Moreover, the essential fatty acids in hemp seeds help moisturise the skin.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation plays a role in many chronic conditions, including arthritis and heart disease. This can result in relief of symptoms in people with inflammatory diseases.

Use and dosage of hemp seeds

Thinking about adding hemp seeds to your diet? Here are ways you can add hemp seed in the right dosage.

Daily use

Hemp seed is versatile. You can incorporate it into your daily meals in different ways. Here are some ideas:

Hemp seeds in smoothies. Add a tablespoon of hemp seeds to your smoothie for extra protein and nutrients.
Hemp seeds over salads. Sprinkle toasted hemp seeds over your salads for a nutty flavour.
Hemp seeds in yoghurt or oatmeal. Mix hemp seeds into your yoghurt or oatmeal for a nutritious breakfast.
Hemp seeds in baked goods. Use hemp seeds as a topping for bread, muffins, or other cakes.
Hemp seed oil. Use hemp seed oil as an alternative to olive oil.

Dosage

The recommended dosage of hemp seed depends on your personal needs and diet. Generally, a daily intake of 2-3 tablespoons of hemp seeds is recommended.

Healthier than other seeds?

Hemp seed is not the only seed that offers health benefits. We look at how it compares to chia seed and flaxseed.

Hemp seeds vs chia seeds

Chia seed is known for its high content of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. Both seeds offer health benefits, but there are some differences. Chia seeds contain more fibre than organic hemp seeds, which can contribute to better digestion. On the other hand, hemp seed is richer in protein. It contains all the essential amino acids. However, both seeds can be a good addition to a healthy diet.

Hemp seeds vs linseed

Flaxseed is another variety known for its health benefits. Flaxseed is especially popular for its antioxidant properties. Hemp seeds have similar fibre content and also offer essential fatty acids. Flaxseed has a strong nutty flavour.

Possible side effects

Hemp seeds offer you many health benefits. However, there are some potential risks to consider.

Allergic reactions: Some people can be allergic to hemp seeds, although this is rare. If you experience allergic reactions after consuming hemp seeds, stop using them immediately.
Stomach upset: In a few cases, hemp seeds can give you a stomach upset. This is mainly the case if you consume large amounts. Start with a small amount and gradually increase your intake. This way, you avoid side effects.

What to watch out for?

Hemp seeds can interact with certain medications, especially blood thinners. If you are on medication, find out first whether there could be any consequences to using hemp seeds.

The amount of THC in hemp seeds is negligible. Still, you should be aware that ingesting huge amounts of hemp seeds can lead to a positive drug test.

Are you already using hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are nutritious and offer many health benefits. It is a good source of protein, rich in essential fatty acids, and contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the body. It can contribute to healthy heart function and tight skin. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory effects.

Although hemp seeds do not contain THC, we recommend following the recommended dosage. This will help you avoid any side effects when using this medicinal plant.

Visit The Border

You can’t find hemp seeds at The Border, but we do offer other products derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Our shop is the ideal place at the edge of the “Amsterdamse Bos” for the best joints and weed. Stop by and enjoy our quality products.

Paracetamol and cannabis: Can you combine the two?

Do you use cannabis regularly? Then you’ve probably wondered if cannabis can also be used in combination with paracetamol. Perhaps when you suffered from a headache in the past you considered using paracetamol and cannabis at the same time.

But what are the facts about using paracetamol in combination with cannabis? Read more about the interaction of paracetamol and weed and whether it is advisable here.

Types of pain relief

Before we dive deeper into the effects of paracetamol and the influence of cannabis on the painkiller, it is important to distinguish between the two main groups of painkillers used.

Available without a prescription. These include milder painkillers, such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatories. These reduce mild pain and lower fever.
Opiates available by prescription only. Opiates are stronger painkillers that can control severe pain. Examples include morphine and codeine.

Paracetamol

Developed in the late 19th century, paracetamol is one of the most widely used forms of pain medication in the Western world. Paracetamol is mainly used to treat acute and mild pain or fever.

This painkiller is effective in reducing headaches and acute pain but is not as strong as the widely used pain medication ibuprofen.

Still, one should be careful when using paracetamol. In fact, overdose poisoning from paracetamol is the number one cause of liver failure in western countries.

Paracetamol and weed combined — Combining paracetamol with cannabis can cause negative effects.

Can you combine medication with cannabis?

How dangerous it is to combine medication with cannabis depends greatly on the type of medication.

If you use opiates, we strongly advise against using cannabis. This is because the effect of opiates is altered by using cannabis. This can have serious consequences.

There is insufficient evidence on the effects of combined use of paracetamol and cannabis. Therefore, it is generally not recommended.

However, research has shown that anxiety is a symptom of cannabis and paracetamol use. There appears to be a correlation between paracetamol and cannabis and an increase in anxiety. This means that anxiety is seen more in people who take both cannabis and paracetamol. However, this did not prove that anxiety is caused by this combination. Thus, no causal effect has been confirmed by research.

What is the consequence of combining medication and cannabis?

Medication and drugs can either enhance or weaken each other’s effects. That means there is an interaction between the two substances.

Now what makes weed so dangerous when combined with medication is that cannabis can speed up the absorption of drugs into the blood. As a result, your body suddenly feels the effects of a large dose of medicine, which can cause you to suffer serious side effects. This is especially the case with opiates.

How exactly does this work? When looking at the effects of medication and cannabis, two organs are key:

Since the medication and cannabinoids reach the brain simultaneously, it is possible that the effect is enhanced or weakened, depending on the receptors to which the drug binds.
In the liver, toxins present in the body are broken down, including substances from medication and from cannabis. If you have taken both medication and cannabis, your liver may not be able to break them down at the same time, which means toxic substances remain in your body longer, and you feel the effects of these for longer.

Interaction of paracetamol and cannabis

How paracetamol and cannabis affect each other depends on the dose of paracetamol in relation to the dose of cannabis.

Although this has not been scientifically confirmed, it is likely that cannabis modifies the effectiveness of paracetamol. Paracetamol is said to work less effectively when combined with cannabis use. This is due to the fact that cannabis inhibits the metabolisation of paracetamol, which means the necessary substances do not reach your brain or reach it later to reduce pain.

Which medications can be combined?

Since existing research has not shown that any form of medication is safe to combine with cannabis, we at The Border advise against the simultaneous use of medications like paracetamol and cannabis. This is simply because there is no guarantee that there will be no consequences for your health, or that the effects will be mild.

If you do use cannabis in combination with medication, you are effectively your own guinea pig.

Our advice

Although effects can vary greatly from one individual to another (depending on age, gender, weight, etc.), we advise against combined use of paracetamol and cannabis.

The use of cannabis and paracetamol can reduce the effect of the paracetamol in addition to having health consequences. As a result, you may actually experience more pain.

If you use medication or occasionally take paracetamol, and you also use cannabis, you should contact your doctor for advice regarding your specific situation.

The Border

Instead of taking paracetamol, would you like to try another way of fighting pain? Then drop by The Border. We offer many kinds of cannabis that also have a painkilling effect. Read more about medicinal weed here!

Cannabis and weight loss: Does weed help you lose weight?

Do you lose or gain weight from cannabis use? People generally think they lose weight from cannabis use, but what about the munchies that cannabis use is known for?

We at The Border have figured it out for you. Read more about cannabis and weight loss here.

The munchies

If you’ve ever smoked cannabis, you know that it can sometimes cause you to binge eat. This binge eating is also known as the munchies and is portrayed in a comical fashion in countless films. But why is it that cannabis can sometimes make you feel like snacking a lot?

Cannabis can stimulate the appetite system in your body, creating a feeling of hunger. This takes place in the hypothalamus. Here certain receptors are activated that make you feel like eating. This usually takes place within an hour of smoking cannabis. But how is it possible that cannabis can also lead to weight loss?

weighing scales, weightloss — Cannabis could cause weight loss.

Cannabis and weight loss

Although one can get the munchies from cannabis, there are certain characteristics of the soft drug that can lead to weight loss. Several studies have demonstrated this.

One example is a 2011 study that confirmed that someone who does not use cannabis has a higher chance of developing obesity than someone who does.

Another study shows that cannabis users have less abdominal fat compared to people who do not use cannabis. They were also found to have lower cholesterol levels.

Although these studies do not show a causal effect, the current correlations claim that cannabis use contributes to weight loss in 2 ways:

2 ways cannabis affects weight loss

Accelerate digestion

Cannabis appears to affect digestion. This is due to the fact that cannabis contains substances that can speed up digestion. Fats that are stored, for example as a result of eating excess sugars, are burned faster.

This seems to be mainly due to the substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). A study was conducted with mice. This showed that overweight mice lost weight when given a dose of THC. Other studies conducted with other variables corroborate this finding.

But how does THC affect the speed of digestion? THC seems to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, causing more blood to flow past digestive organs and speeding up metabolism.

THC is also thought to slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract. These factors can lead to a decrease in weight.

Breaking the reward system

Your body has a reward system. This system makes you feel good after exercising, or after eating something tasty. This is because the brain signals to release dopamine.

So, when you eat something, like a biscuit, dopamine is released. However, this dopamine is only released for a short time and quickly wears off. The feeling of happiness disappears again. To feel good again, you are then quickly tempted to eat another biscuit. This can naturally lead to weight gain. Cannabis, however, can counteract this.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a cannabinoid similar to THC. Its chemical structure is almost identical, and it therefore has similar effects. THCV has the ability to break the reward system. THC does this by blocking the release of dopamine. So, the vicious circle you can get into is broken, so to speak. The snack does not give you the good feeling, making you less likely to reach for a second snack. This mechanism is thought to contribute significantly to weight loss with cannabis use. Wondering what other benefits cannabis has? Then click here.

Cannabis plant, weed — Research is needed to confirm weight loss is caused by cannabis.

More research needed

Although many correlations and possible causes have been found regarding weight loss when using cannabis, more research is needed to prove a causal relation.

This is the only way to prove that the weight loss is due to cannabis, and not, for example, another cause, such as the tobacco and nicotine that cannabis is often mixed with.

Want to know more?

Would you like to talk more about cannabis and losing weight? Or would you like to share your own experience? Then drop by The Border, Amsterdam’s best coffee shop on the edge of the Amsterdamse Bos.

Weed for pain relief: which type is best?

Cannabis is mainly used for recreational purposes. People often smoke cannabis for fun or to relax after a long day. However, in recent years another effect of cannabis has become very popular: the use of weed for pain relief.

The figures do not lie: 2 million people in the Netherlands suffer from chronic pain. Medical cannabis, cannabis produced especially for medical purposes, is increasingly used to combat pain when regular painkillers don’t have the desired effect. Medicinal cannabis may also be preferred when regular painkillers cause too many side effects.

How can medicinal cannabis relieve pain? What types of cannabis are available for pain relief? And what is the best cannabis for pain? We’ve investigated.

Why does marijuana help with pain?

If we want to discover how cannabis can help fight pain, it is important to pay attention to the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system plays an essential role in regulating various bodily functions, such as pain. Cannabinoids, which are found in cannabis, can influence this system. It is therefore not surprising that we are increasingly turning to cannabis for pain management.

For both acute and chronic pain, opiates are often administered in the regular health care system. Opiates, derived from opium, offer a narcotic effect that reduces pain. Yet opiates also have drawbacks. They cannot be used for a long time and have unpleasant side effects. These can have a significant effect on daily functioning and quality of life.

Cannabis, on the other hand, can relieve pain through the relaxing effect caused by its composition of cannabinoids and terpenes. With the right composition, you can be physically relaxed, yet mentally uplifted. Thus, you suffer less from fatigue or nausea and can perform your daily activities without pain.

Weed for pain relief reduces acute pain.

How does cannabis help relieve pain?

Although much is still unknown about the exact effects of medicinal cannabis, there is some reason to suggest that cannabis, such as medicinal cannabis oil, can help to manage pain. It is thought that cannabinoids work in a similar way in comparison to opiates.

Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC work as follows: when cannabis enters your body, these substances bind to receptors throughout your system. Once bound, these receptors are activated. As a result, the release of chemicals in the brain is either stimulated or inhibited. The effect of this can manifest itself in various ways, such as pain relief.

Weed for pain relief: THC

THC can contribute to pain relief in two ways. On the one hand, it binds to nerve cell receptors as described above. This causes less pain signals to be sent from the nerve cells to the brain. Less pain is then ‘felt’.

THC is the substance in cannabis that generally causes a ‘high’. During a high, you feel good, cheerful, and happy. This contributes to the way you experience the current pain. The pain is then often categorised as less severe. This is incidentally also the case with regular pain management. When a person feels good he or she is less affected by the pain.

Research has shown that cannabis with a high concentration of THC provides pain relief. With CBD, the findings are different.

Weed for pain relief: CBD

Through research, it has not been possible to prove that cannabis with a high concentration of CBD has an alleviating effect on acute pain. However, many people indicate that CBD does help in fighting chronic pain. Whether this can be demonstrated with research remains to be seen.

Which weed helps against which type of pain?

There are numerous types of cannabis available. So how do you know if you’re dealing with medicinal cannabis?

What distinguishes medicinal cannabis from cannabis for recreational purposes is the concentration of, and balance between, THC and CBD.

Marijuana with a high concentration of CBD often has a physically relaxing effect and, in some cases, can relieve chronic pain.

Marijuana with a high concentration of THC provides acute pain relief, but can also provide the well-known “high”. Don’t want this? Then it is advisable to choose cannabis with a slightly higher concentration of CBD. The CBD inhibits the psychoactive effect of THC.

These types of medicinal cannabis are popular for fighting pain:

Special Kush

Special Kush is a sought-after cannabis strain when it comes to pain management. Coming from the Afghan Indica plant, Special Kush has a high THC percentage (17%) and a high CBD percentage (8%).

This cannabis strain provides a relaxed feeling which reduces acute pain. Moreover, this strain works well against insomnia. You feel relaxed without feeling a strong high. This is due to the present CBD level.

Medical Mass

Medical Mass is a strain that is often used because of the upbeat, euphoric feeling that it brings about. Because of this feeling of happiness, you experience the pain that occurs as less severe.

The equal concentrations of THC and CBD ensure that the effect of the cannabis is not intense. Therefore, you can easily carry out your daily activities.

Royal CBVD Auto

The strain Royal CBVD auto also contains balanced concentrations of THC and CBD. This, together with the effect of the terpenes present, provides an energetic feeling, improved concentration, and increased mental focus, however, physical relaxation. No cerebral high is noticeable with this strain.

Haze Berry

Haze Berry, unlike the other medicinal cannabis strains, does generate a strong cerebral high. This is due to the high concentration of THC (20%) and the low concentration of CBD.

Haze Berry is a combination of the popular strains Shining Silver Haze and Blueberry. This composition provides a euphoric feeling with physical relaxation that relieves pain.

White Widow

White Widow is one of the most famous strains when it comes to cannabis. This marijuana strain comes from the Sativa plant and contains a high THC concentration. As such, this strain is very potent and is usually used by experienced smokers.

What may be less known is that this strain is also very powerful for fighting pain, such as nerve pain, and nausea. Pain can be greatly reduced by White Widow. However, it is recommended that you start with a low dose first, ensuring that you do not take more than is necessary for the desired effect.

Afghan Skunk

This type is a cross between Afghan and skunk genetics, two well-known strains. This cannabis brings about a euphoric and relaxing feeling which makes it very popular for combating pain.

The combination of cerebral euphoria and physical relaxation ensures that pain symptoms are relieved. In addition, Afghan Skunk cannabis reduces stress, which generally has a negative effect on physical health.

Kera Critical

The last strain we will discuss is the Kera Critical. This strain is easy to grow but also has numerous benefits medicinally. This versatile cannabis strain helps reduce various types of pain, as well as stress.

Kera Critical is known for easing severe headaches, such as migraines. The effect of this cannabis is a relaxing high. You feel relaxed which reduces pain and stress symptoms.

Several medicinal cannabis types reduce headache.

Other desirable effects of cannabis

In addition to its pain-reducing effects, cannabis has many other benefits. By adjusting the concentrations of the active components, THC and CBD, you can create your preferred effect. In other words, the effect of cannabis depends on the ratio of THC and CBD.

Other effects of cannabis are:

Increased concentration. Marijuana helps you focus on important tasks without feeling tired or losing focus.
Reduce insomnia. Certain types of cannabis have an intensely relaxing effect. This helps many people fall asleep easier and create a deeper sleep during the night. Instead of being tired, you then wake up feeling rested.
Feeling of happiness or euphoria. The well-known effect of THC in marijuana is the euphoria one feels when on a “high”. You don’t worry about the past or the future and simply feel good about yourself.

Want to know more about weed for pain relief?

Feeling overwhelmed due to the numerous types of medicinal cannabis and not sure which one is right for you? Come visit us at The Border coffee shop next to the Amsterdam Forest.

We can tell you more about the different types of cannabis and their medicinal properties. At The Border coffee shop, you can also try out different strains.

Cannabis edibles: this is what you need to know about this type of cannabis

There are numerous ways in which you can use marijuana and cannabis. The most regular uses of cannabis are smoking or vaping. But more and more cannabis products are also being eaten. These are called edibles.

We’ll explain why people are increasingly choosing edibles, and what their effects are.

What are edibles?

Edibles are food items that incorporate hemp or cannabis products. They are edible cannabis products that you can buy in a coffee shop. You can also make them at home.

Eating cannabis products changes the structure of the THC during digestion. This makes the THC considerably stronger.

You can imagine when eating cannabis products, it is, therefore, more important to know how much THC is in the edible. Ingesting too much THC can cause a negative experience, such as a bad trip.

This can be somewhat challenging. How much THC should be in the edible, what is the right dosage of edibles, and how do you measure it?

In the case of edibles, the amount of THC is considered instead of the amount of weed, as THC is the active ingredient. It is generally advised to start with no more than 10 mg of THC the first time you ingest an edible, and to slightly increase this each time as desired. Oftentimes the amount of THC is indicated on the packaging. When you make the cannabis edible yourself you need to weigh this accurately.

THC or CBD edibles

Although there are several food items containing cannabinoids, a difference can also be noticed when you consider the type of weed. For example, there are both THC and CBD edibles.

THC is the substance that, when ingested, creates the well-known “high” in cannabis. THC edibles will therefore also give you a ‘high’. This is not the case with CBD edibles.

CBD edibles are often used for medical purposes, or to help someone relax. This is called medicinal cannabis. They contain a negligible dose of THC, so you don’t experience a ‘high’ as a result. However, you do experience the desired effects of CBD, such as being able to sleep better and feeling relaxed.

What types of edibles are there?

Now cannabis can be added to almost any type of food. Spacecake, cannabis incorporated into a brownie, is the most famous example of this. After the development of space cake, edibles have now grown into a huge range of products and there are many types of cannabis edibles now available.

You can choose from different cookies and sweets, drinks like lemonade and coffee, and products like pasta sauce.

How does an edible differ from smoking or vaping?

Edible cannabis is often seen as an alternative to smoking. There are several important differences regarding weed and its effects when comparing eating and smoking it.

First, smoking cannabis often involves the use of dried weed. For edibles, no dried weed is used. This would not benefit the taste of the product. Edibles mainly use cannabis concentrate. This is usually processed in fat such as oil or butter.

In addition, cannabis edibles are many times more potent than smoking weed. This is due to the transformation THC undergoes within the digestive tract.

What effect does ingesting edibles have?

The effects of cannabis depend greatly on the method of ingestion. With edibles, the cannabis passes through the digestive tract rather than through your lungs. THC is converted to 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver after the digestive tract. This substance creates psychoactive effects when it re-enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain. This creates a much more powerful high than the high of regular THC.

In addition, the high starts later, but it also lasts for a longer period of time. For example, it is quite normal if you only start to feel a high 2 hours after eating the edibles. Also, it is not uncommon to still feel strong effects 10 hours after ingesting cannabis.

The benefits of edibles

Now that you know a thing or two about cannabis edibles, you may be wondering why someone would choose edibles? There are several benefits that are causing people to choose edibles more often:

No negative effect on the lungs
Powerful high
Effects last longer compared to the effects of smoking weed
More discreet, no smell of weed
Easier to dose

How to make edibles?

Did you know that in Amsterdam it is only allowed to sell space cake as an edible? So, making your own edible is not such a bad idea. And it is not as difficult as it may sound.

You can easily make them by preparing a regular recipe with THC-infused oil or cannabis butter. You can buy these products ready-made, or you can choose to make them yourself. For example, find a recipe for making cannabis butter here.

Visit The Border for more information

Would you like to know which edible can offer you the desired effect? Then speak to one of the staff members at The Border. Coffeeshop The Border in Amsterdam is open daily. Check our current opening hours here.

Cannabis can help you get through the winter blues!

Winter has begun and we can clearly tell by the weather. It’s a lot colder and wetter than the previous weeks and it gets dark very early. This could mean that you don’t see enough sunlight and may suffer from a winter blues. But did you know that cannabis can help you get through the winter blues? In this blog we will discuss how cannabis can help you fight a winter depression and which types of cannabis are best suited.

The annual winter blues

The term winter blues stands for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD occurs when changes in weather conditions lead to bad mood, fatigue, sadness or depression. Because the disorder occurs most often during the winter months, we colloquially call it winter blues.

How severe a winter related depression is experienced depends very much on the person who is confronted with it. Some people are more susceptible to it than others. And for some, the winter depression can last longer than it does for others. No matter how much you suffer from a winter depression, cannabis can help you get back on top of it.

What do you recognize SAD by?

No set criteria have been developed for diagnosing SAD. What is clear, however, is that for those who suffer from it, it begins around the same time each year. In addition, for most, it also lasts about the same time each year.

SAD usually manifests as bouts of dejection for no apparent reason. Also, people with a winter depression often experience symptoms such as, fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, lack of motivation, changing eating and/or sleeping patterns, stress and a loss of libido. All of these symptoms can cause people a winter depression and lead to a tendency to isolate and withdraw from people.

It is not yet entirely clear what exactly causes this condition. We suspect that it has to do with the influence of all the changes to our biological clock and with the decrease in the number of hours of sunlight to which we are exposed. This can lead to a lack of vitamin D.

How cannabis can help you fight a winter depression?

But how can cannabis help to remedy a winter depression? Cannabis plants naturally contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the psychoactive substance that is responsible of a high when you use it. This is not the substance that can help you get through the winter blues.

The healing effect of CBD

Cannabis also contains CBD. This is the substance that can have the biggest impact on a possible winter dip. This is because CBD can have an effect on your body’s endocannabinoid system. This system plays a role in various processes in the body. Think about experiencing pain, or hunger. In addition, the system affects various brain functions and the level of your blood pressure.

By taking CBD, your immune system can be strengthened, pains can be soothed and winter depression can be remedied. CBD is mainly found in the trichomes that grow on cannabis plants. You can buy CBD in different forms. So you can find CBD in oil, capsules, cosmetics, tinctures, crystals and pastes.

The active CBD in cannabis can therefore help to remedy the insomnia that is often experienced with a winter dip or, on the contrary, can reawaken the appetite. In addition, CBD naturally counteracts stress and can help improve your mood and fight depression. In addition, cannabis is considered a good coping agent. This is a term from psychology that expresses how a person deals with stress. Where some people tend to drink more to deal with depressive feelings, others have a greater need to use drugs.

Drinking alcohol may provide short-term relief, but in the long run it can make you more susceptible to depression. Especially if you consume too much alcohol. Cannabis, on the other hand, can not only help combat depression, but can also satisfy the craving for alcohol and hard drugs. If you suffer from a winter depression, it is better to use cannabis than to drink a glass of alcohol.

Cannabis species that are most suitable

As you could just read, the substance CBD that is found in cannabis is what can help to remedy winter depression. Therefore, the cannabis strains that contain relatively high amounts of CBD are the most suitable when you suffer from winter depression.

Indica or sativa cannabis?

There are many different types of cannabis available, but the two most common are indica and sativa. Indica and sativa cannabis each have their own effects. Depending on the symptoms of your winter depression, you can then determine which type of cannabis is best suited to help you get through your winter blues.

In general, indica strains contain more CBD than THC. That’s why indica strains are more suitable for rest and relaxation. Especially when you experience a lot of stress and have trouble sleeping, this can help overcome your winter dip. In addition, indica strains are also good for fighting nausea and increasing your appetite.

However, sativa strains can also help to overcome your winter dip when your SAD symptoms are actually causing you to have low energy or depressive symptoms. The stimulating effects that sativa strains are known for would then be much more helpful. Sativa strains will make you feel cheerful and happy again and will give you more focus and creativity. Use sativa cannabis varieties during the day so that you can enjoy a good night’s sleep in the evening.

Do you suffer from a winter depression and are you not yet sure which cannabis species can best help to remedy your symptoms? In our coffeeshop we are happy to inform you about the various excellent cannabis strains we have in stock. In our coffeeshop Amsterdam you can always find a great selection of cannabis. Check our current opening hours here. We look forward to seeing you soon in the best coffee shop in Amsterdam.

This is why smoking weed makes you happy

Have you noticed that when you smoke a joint with friends it never takes long for the first giggles to come up? This is a direct consequence of the use of cannabis and one of the reasons why we love smoking. Cannabis makes you happy and we all like to laugh, don’t we? Especially when you are with friends.

Laughing is healthy

Getting a happy mood and a good laugh is perceived as one of the most positive benefits of using cannabis. There is nothing better than lighting up a joint in company, having good conversations and laughing unabashedly. And that’s a good thing, because laughter is extremely healthy! By laughing regularly, your body relaxes more, you experience less stress and you get more energy.

These healthy effects on the body can be attributed to three hormones. At the moment you laugh, the production of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine in the body increases. These hormones are also called happiness hormones and there is a reason for that. With the production of these hormones you experience a feeling of satisfaction and happiness. Once these hormones are released, you feel a lot better about yourself and you suddenly look at the world around you with a more positive outlook. The happiness hormones influence each other and have the function of improving your mood. A similar reaction occurs, for example, when practicing a sport or when you are in love.

The happy effects of cannabis

But how is it that using cannabis makes us happier and therefore makes us laugh more? Research has shown that cannabis stimulates blood flow to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These are the areas responsible for humor processing, among other things. The increase in brain activity in this area of the brain when using cannabis puts you in a cheerful mood. In addition, cannabis stimulates chemicals which, in turn, cause the release of the happiness hormones serotonin and dopamine. So not only do you get excited, but you also get the urge to laugh more.

The more souls the merrier

In addition to these physical effects, the use of cannabis has another important cause of obtaining a feeling of happiness, and therefore of an uncontrollable fit of laughter. This is because the use of cannabis is often a social affair and is often done in company. In the company of others, we unconsciously exhibit socially desirable behaviors. Laughing is one of the behaviors with a social function. By laughing you show that you are open to connecting with your fellow group members. So there is a good chance that someone in your group will tell a funny anecdote with the aim of making you laugh. And because laughing is also a nerve stimulus that you cannot stop, you automatically laugh along at the moment that the others in the group can no longer hold back their laughter and start to laugh.

You have more fun with like-minded people

This explains exactly why people like to visit a coffeeshop – like our coffeeshop in Amsterdam. You can buy weed and hash but you can also meet like-minded people there. The use of cannabis makes you cheerful and in a good mood. But it is the contagious laughter of the people around you that makes your urge to laugh out loud uncontrollable. The social aspect is partly responsible for the cheerful effect of cannabis. In our coffeeshop it is unfortunately only possible to take away, but that should not spoil the fun. We are currently open from 08.00 AM to 22.00 PM. Will we see you soon in our coffeeshop?

Why does weed have so many positive effects on our bodies?

Every week new research pops up showing that cannabis is an incredible plant. How does that come about, exactly? Where do these superpowers come from? Why does the usage of weed have so many positive effects? Coffeeshop The Border Amsterdam went to investigate.

The active substances in weed: cannabinoids

Before we dive deep into the subject it is useful to know more about the active ingredients in weed: cannabinoids. By now, over 120 cannabinoids have been discovered, of which THC and CBD are the best known. The cannabinoids in weed work particularly well with the endocannabinoid system found in our bodies. And, because these two interact so beautifully, cannabis use has all kinds of benefits for our bodies.

The 3 types of cannabinoids

A total of three types of cannabinoids can be distinguished: phytocannabinoids, endocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids. What is important to know is that cannabinoids can be present in different amounts in a cannabis plant (except synthetic cannabinoids, of course – these are made in a lab). The type of cannabinoid and the amount present will ultimately determine what effect it has on our bodies.

About the endocannabinoid system

When we talk about the effect cannabinoids have on our bodies we also need to understand (or at least a bit about) the endocannabinoid system. It is a system that sends messages, so to speak, to receptors. And, you guessed it, our endocannabinoid system can communicate with the receptors of the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. This may still sound a bit complicated, so in short, let’s say that the substances in the cannabis plant are excellent at communicating with the endocannabinoid system in our bodies.

And that’s great, because the endocannabinoid system, among other things, regulates our:

Cognition and memory
Pain perception
Temperature regulation and heart rate
Thinking processes
Appetite
Immune System

The cooperation between our endocannabinoid system and the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant creates a wide range of positive effects, depending on the strain of cannabis used and dosage consumed.

Research on the effects of cannabis

There is an incredible amount of research on cannabis and the number of studies will only increase in the coming years. With cannabis being legalized by more and more countries and its medicinal value now recognized by the United Nations, there is much to gain in cannabis-land. Literally.

Coffeeshop The Border Amsterdam already wrote about the positive effects of cannabis on:

Muscle pain
Depression
Hay fever
The sex life of women
Cancer

These articles show that the positive effects of cannabis on our bodies are incredibly complex, but also fantastic. That a plant can do so much is something we should be immensely grateful for.

PS Is there a topic or research you would like to know more about? Let us know if there is. We would love to explore it for you.

Try it yourself

Enough talk. Hopefully, this explanation has given you a good idea of why weed has so many benefits for our bodies and how the positive effects are achieved. Time to put it to the test yourself. Our coffeeshop on the border of Amsterdam and Amstelveen is open every day of the week. Check our current opening hours before you head out the door. Things are changing a lot these days thanks to the spread of the coronavirus. See you soon!

Over-heating? Treat yourself to cannabis ice cream

You already know that weed isn’ just for smoking. And we don’t have to tell you either that with the summer temperatures of July you can use something to cool you down. That’s why we have an extra summery treat in store for you: cannabis-banana ice cream. Really? Yes, really. You can easily make it at home and you only need 7 ingredients. Of course, you can buy the weed at your favorite coffeeshop in Amsterdam: The Border.

Recipe cannabis ice cream

Ripe bananas for recipe cannabis ice cream

Let’s start with the ingredients. To make cannabis ice cream at home, you need the following:

about 450 grams of ripe bananas
500 milliliters of cream
30 grams of butter
10 grams of finely ground weed
5 tablespoons of sugar
5 tablespoons of honey
3 tablespoons of rum
pinch of salt
optional: small amount of beetroot or cherry juice

Are you looking for a good grinder to grind your weed? In our coffeeshop we sell grinders of different materials, in different colors and sizes. Feel free to ask about our grinders when you visit our cannabis café at the Amstelveenseweg 1160 in Amsterdam.

And this is how you make it

First, pour the cream into a saucepan and heat it up. Just make sure it doesn’t reach the boiling point. As soon as the cream has warmed up you can add the finely ground weed.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in another saucepan and mix it with the sugar and a pinch of salt. Make sure the butter doesn’t get too hot by turning down the heat as soon as the butter has melted.
Then mix the two mixtures. Beat it by hand or use a mixer until you reach a light and creamy consistency. Optional: add a little of beet or cherry juice to your cannabis banana ice cream to give it a summery color.
Mash the ripe bananas in a large bowl until smooth and add the cream mixture. Mix it well and add the honey and rum. Keep beating until the mixture is creamy and airy.
Done? Put the mixture into the freezer for at least 3 hours. Use a rectangular, plastic or silicone tray or container. Check every now and then to see if the banana ice cream has hardened enough and reached the consistency of ice cream.

Once the banana ice cream has hardened nicely, you can use an ice scoop to scoop out the ice cream. Decorate with whatever you want and enjoy your cannabis banana ice cream. Invite some friends or your neighbor over to join you. The more the merrier, right?

Soon you can buy cannabis ice cream at the supermarket

CBD ijs Ben & Jerry's

Photo: Ben & Jerry’s

Don’t feel like going through the trouble of making your own weed ice cream? Soon, all you have to do for a scoop of cannabis ice cream is walking to your local supermarket. Seriously? Yes. The American company Ben & Jerry’s is eager to bring cannabis ice cream on the market soon.

They are developing an ice cream that contains CBD (cannabidiol), a cannabis oil that contains virtually no THC. So you won’t get high from eating their ice cream, but you will benefit from all the health benefits of cannabis. Research shows that CBD helps with stress, insomnia, spasms, pain and more.

More and more countries are therefore legalizing the substance. CBD occurs naturally in the hemp plant (just like THC) and therefore falls under the Opium Act in the Netherlands. In order to keep the production of CBD legal, hemp is currently produced in the Netherlands and processed abroad into CBD oil, after which it can be sold in the Netherlands again.

CBD is therefore not yet fully legal in the Netherlands. Whether the ice cream of Ben & Jerry’s can also be sold in our country is therefore questionable. Fortunately, you can always use our recipe to get your ice cream fix. However, it is expected that CBD will soon be recognized as a medicine in the Netherlands, as is already the case in the United Kingdom, and that will probably result in the legalization of CBD oil production and processing altogether. Fingers crossed.