Posts by Steve Gold
Beyond EVOO and MCT: The Optimal Carrer Oil for THCA
How carrier choice defines THCA’s stability, potency, and therapeutic fidelity Why Carrier Oils Matter Every cannabinoid preparation begins with a carrier. It’s the invisible foundation that determines whether a compound remains stable, bioavailable, and pharmacologically intact. For THCA—the raw, acidic form of THC—the carrier is more than just a vehicle. It is the protective matrix…
Read MoreOral THCA Bioavailability and Metabolic Considerations
Introduction Swallowing a capsule, tincture, or edible seems like the simplest way to take any cannabis compound. But when it comes to tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)—the raw, non-intoxicating form of THC—oral delivery turns out to be one of the least efficient routes. Much of the compound never reaches the bloodstream. Instead, it’s broken down, altered, or…
Read MoreFrom Shennong to O’Shaughnessy: The Timeless Science of Cannabis Balance
The Five Viscera and System-Wide Regulation The five viscera—liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—represented networks of emotion, metabolism, and spirit. To “benefit the five viscera” meant stabilizing multiple physiological systems simultaneously. In modern language, that is precisely what the endocannabinoid system (ECS) does: it modulates neural, immune, and endocrine communication to maintain homeostasis. The Bencao…
Read MoreECS Downregulation from Chronic THC Use: (Mechanisms and Signs)
Introduction Cannabis is often praised for its therapeutic versatility, but its chronic use carries biological consequences that are still underappreciated. Central among them is endocannabinoid system (ECS) downregulation, a process where the body gradually reduces its sensitivity to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The ECS normally functions as a dynamic balancing system, producing and degrading ligands like anandamide…
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