Pic: Carles Navarro Parcerisas / Moment via Getty Images.
Health & Biotech
It turns out that the lazy stoner stereotype is actually a myth, according to scientists at the University of Cambridge.
A team led by wasters scientists at UCL, the University of Cambridge and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London carried out a study examining whether cannabis users show higher levels of apathy (loss of motivation) and anhedonia (loss of interest in or pleasure from rewards) when compared to controls and whether they were less willing to exert physical effort to receive a reward.
The team recruited 274 adolescent and adult cannabis and non-cannabis users – and found no link between frequency of cannabis use and either apathy or anhedonia in the people who used cannabis.
“We were surprised to see that there was really very little difference between cannabis users and non-users when it came to lack of motivation or lack of enjoyment, even among those who used cannabis every day,” Department of Psychiatry PhD candidate Martine Skumlien said.
“This is contrary to the stereotypical portrayal we see on TV and in movies.
“We’re so used to seeing ‘lazy stoners’ on our screens that we don’t stop to ask whether they’re an accurate representation of cannabis users.
“Our work implies that this is in itself a lazy stereotype, and that people who use cannabis are no more likely to lack motivation or be lazier than people who don’t.”
The ‘lazy stoner’ stereotype is ‘unfair’, new research shows.
🟡 There is no scientific basis for the stereotype often portrayed in the media
🟡 Scientists caution that unfair assumptions can get in the way of messages around harm reduction https://t.co/3b4Nd9jFUi pic.twitter.com/WKK5BNsK7p— King’s College London (@KingsCollegeLon) September 5, 2022
On our side of the pond, the University of Sydney has encouraged residents in the Canberra region to anonymously submit their home-growth cannabis for testing as part of a study to examine the outcomes of laws that decriminalised cannabis in the Australian Capital Territory in 2020.
The cannabis will be analysed for cannabis content, including its main psychoactive components – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and non-intoxicating cannabidiol (CBD) – as well as a range of other cannabinoids and biologically active molecules, free of charge.
The researchers will also test for harmful contaminants that can be introduced during the cultivation process, including fungi-produced toxins, heavy metals, and pesticides.
And participants will be able to anonymously view the analysis from their samples online.
The uni says the results of the study – expected to be completed in early 2023 – could become a litmus test for the legalisation of cannabis in other states and territories.
| Code | Company | Price | % Year | % Six Month | % Month | % Week | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WFL | Wellfully Limited | 0.031 | -80% | -38% | -23% | 29% | $8,639,614.13 |
| IHL | Incannex Healthcare | 0.32 | -18% | -37% | 19% | 25% | $487,549,982.40 |
| CAU | Cronos Australia | 0.6275 | 383% | 106% | 99% | 17% | $360,340,956.95 |
| LV1 | Live Verdure Ltd | 0.255 | -23% | -23% | 70% | 13% | $14,184,926.46 |
| AGH | Althea Group | 0.093 | -64% | -34% | -23% | 9% | $28,269,811.50 |
| ALA | Arovella Therapeutic | 0.026 | -53% | -37% | -7% | 8% | $16,078,090.32 |
| HGV | Hygrovest Limited | 0.07 | -13% | 25% | 11% | 8% | $15,406,917.00 |
| IRX | Inhalerx Limited | 0.058 | -34% | -40% | -28% | 2% | $9,771,083.51 |
| CPH | Creso Pharma Ltd | 0.0365 | -70% | -30% | -6% | 1% | $66,071,164.77 |
| CTV | Colortv Limited | 0.008 | -92% | -68% | 0% | 0% | $1,236,985.07 |
| RNO | Rhinomed Ltd | 0.16 | -56% | -19% | -6% | 0% | $45,715,151.04 |
| SCU | Stemcell United Ltd | 0.013167 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | $14,915,371.55 |
| MRG | Murray River Grp | 0.245 | 11% | 0% | 0% | 0% | $10,808,210.04 |
| TSN | The Sust Nutri Grp | 0.14 | -56% | 0% | 0% | 0% | $16,884,893.90 |
| RGI | Roto-Gro Intl Ltd | 0.011 | -66% | 0% | 0% | 0% | $3,768,520.77 |
| AC8 | Auscann Grp Hlgs Ltd | 0.04 | -57% | -38% | -15% | 0% | $17,621,884.40 |
| IDT | IDT Australia Ltd | 0.12 | -81% | -38% | -17% | 0% | $28,922,615.64 |
| EVE | EVE Health Group Ltd | 0.001 | -70% | -40% | 0% | 0% | $5,050,482.66 |
| ZLD | Zelira Therapeutics | 1.45 | -78% | -56% | -20% | -1% | $14,078,360.52 |
| BOD | BOD Australia | 0.085 | -67% | -43% | -18% | -1% | $10,061,311.44 |
| BOT | Botanix Pharma Ltd | 0.068 | -7% | 15% | -18% | -1% | $70,544,109.55 |
| CAN | Cann Group Ltd | 0.27 | -4% | 17% | -8% | -2% | $96,091,929.45 |
| NTI | Neurotech Intl | 0.095 | 107% | 111% | -5% | -3% | $67,275,717.84 |
| MXC | Mgc Pharmaceuticals | 0.0155 | -77% | -33% | -14% | -3% | $45,610,357.14 |
| DTZ | Dotz Nano Ltd | 0.27 | -34% | -22% | -5% | -4% | $111,228,583.50 |
| ECS | ECS Botanics Holding | 0.025 | -34% | -4% | -4% | -4% | $26,561,536.01 |
| EMD | Emyria Limited | 0.23 | -2% | -19% | 7% | -4% | $66,000,592.56 |
| CGB | Cann Global Limited | 0.021 | -72% | -19% | -16% | -5% | $5,954,091.81 |
| EXL | Elixinol Wellness | 0.035 | -67% | -19% | -17% | -5% | $11,069,294.99 |
| WOA | Wide Open Agricultur | 0.545 | -28% | -8% | -11% | -7% | $66,836,521.96 |
| MDC | Medlab Clinical Ltd | 12.5 | -52% | -24% | 13% | -7% | $29,228,825.60 |
| EPN | Epsilon Healthcare | 0.024 | -83% | -53% | -33% | -8% | $6,824,505.88 |
| LGP | Little Green Pharma | 0.265 | -66% | -37% | -33% | -9% | $63,844,004.32 |
| EOF | Ecofibre Limited | 0.2325 | -70% | -40% | -15% | -11% | $84,627,785.32 |
| AVE | Avecho Biotech Ltd | 0.011 | -42% | -8% | -15% | -15% | $20,216,562.78 |
| ROO | Roots Sustainable | 0.0035 | -61% | -22% | 17% | -22% | $2,998,530.75 |
| PAL | Palla Pharma Ltd | 0 | -100% | -100% | -100% | -100% | $47,764,383.09 |
Only 9 companies were in the green, with 9 companies flat and 19 stocks in the red.
The company has been promoted to the big leagues with its inclusion in the S&P/ASX300 index – which will be effective prior to the open of the ASX on September 19.
The S&P/ASX 300 measures performance of 300 of the largest, highly liquid securities listed on the ASX by float-adjusted market cap, including large, mid, and small cap components of the S&P/ASX index family
“We’re delighted to be recognised for inclusion in the S&P/ASX 300 index to be listed among the largest and most-recognisable companies in Australia,” CEO and MD Joel Latham said.
“Being listed in the index is a precursory investment condition for many domestic and international investment institutions so we are excited for the possibilities this recognition may bring.”
The company has launched the next generation of its products in various markets, with its Althea CBD25 product the first to be offered in the patient-friendly soft gel capsule format.
Althea expects that these innovative soft gel capsules will substantially increase new patient uptake by providing a gold-standard pharmaceutical preparation.
The Althea CBD25 soft gel capsules are also a candidate for the TGA’s Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only Medicine) entry for eligible CBD products.
“The development and release of our new soft gel capsule range confirms Althea’s position as a market leader and product innovator in the global medical cannabis industry,” said AGH CEO, Joshua Fegan.
Althea will also launch Althea THC25, one of the highest-concentrated THC dried flower products available in the market.
“The growth of the flower segment in Australia has been significant over the previous 12 months, and as the undisputed market leader in cannabis extracts, it is strategically important for Althea to have strong market share in the flower category as well,” Fegan added.
The company’s US CBD and plant-based products division, Sierra Sage Herbs, has launched a new product range targeting anti-aging, acne and eczema developed and to be sold through the existing Green Goo brand.
A launch was complemented by US$214,000 purchase order from a US distributor, which has placed the products in 400+ Walmart stores across the US.
Delivery is expected to occur during September, with the products to be made available to consumers during Q3 2022.
Auscann (ASX:AC8) has increased its secured loan facility with European Cannabis Corp (EuroCann) by an additional $3.75m and has entered into a conditional contract for the sale of its property in Wangara WA.
Zelira Thereapeutics (ASX:ZLD) has enrolled 40 out of 60 patients in the clinical trial for diabetic nerve pain, for which it expects to complete trial enrolment and provide a trial readout in Q4 2022.
Bod Australia (ASX:BOD) has raised $1.5m via a placement at $0.08 per share to acquire Aqua Phase, a process technology which increases the bioavailability of cannabis compounds – plus its soluble, tasteless, colourless and odourless apparently. The company expects this to provide opportunities for new delivery formats for cannabis products which are superior to the existing oral formats that are currently available.
Neurotech International (ASX:NTI) expects 20 week results from the Phase I/II clinical trial in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in late Q3 to early Q4 CY22, which will “be a key module in our future submissions with government regulators including the Therapeutic Drug Administration in Australia and the US Food and Drug Administration to potentially undertake a trial in the US under an Investigational New Drug application,” executive director Dr Thomas Duthy says.
And Epsilon Healthcare (ASX:EPN) plans to raise $1.65m via a placement at $0.0275 per share to advance its domestic medicinal cannabis operations.
At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Incannex and Neurotech International are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
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