Old Wives’ Tale? Bro-Science? Snake Oil? Or Magic Bullet? The use of simple sugars in the garden pre-dates the fancy bottles of “candy” and “sweeteners” that you see lined up in grow shops and garden centers. For hundreds of years, Natural Farming techniques have used honey, molasses, maple syrup, and other natural sugar sources to benefit crop production — but why?
Well, here’s the truth. The truth is — we don’t exactly know why. So many varying factors like soil pH, soil organic matter, and soil microbial life, coupled with our still limited understanding of what actually goes on around the rhizosphere and the root cell membrane, leave us with several potential modes of action of why free sugars benefit plant growth.
Skeptics argue that the whole purpose of photosynthesis is to produce glucose, some of which is used as energy for plant growth, while much of it is exuded into the rhizosphere to feed or attract microbial populations. They contend that supplemental sugars will only attract more microbial species that benefit from an excess of simple sugars and that the practice of sugar supplementation disrupts the natural selection of microbial species that the plant needs; this is true. Exogenous sources of simple sugars will preferentially favor those microbes that see glucose, fructose, and sucrose as food, and their populations will rise as a result. However, recent research reveals that these simple sugars are more than microbial foods.
Most plant physiology textbooks will note that complex organic molecules need to be digested by microbes before being absorbed into the plant. So, essentially, supplemental sugars are not food for plants; they are microbial foods. In contrast, recent research has identified that the relatively impermeable plant cell membrane has Sugar Transport Proteins (STPs), which have a strong affinity for simple sugars and can actively transport them into the plant through roots and other plant organs.
So, what is the benefit of this “free” sugar, considering the plant can already make the stuff? For the longest time, our one-track perception of sugars within the plant was to view them as sources of energy or building blocks for amino acids and other complex molecules. However, sugars play a critical role in modulating plant growth. The simple monosaccharides, sucrose, and glucose, function as signaling molecules that aid the growth and development of plant tissues. This relatively new understanding of the role of sugar in plants can provide added information on the timing of sugar supplementation.
Continually applying “free” sugars to a plant throughout its life cycle may not be the best approach because it will provide significant selection pressure only to allow certain microbial species to thrive. Growers must know that the goal of a healthy soil food web is to have as many actors present on the stage at all times. If concentrated with only bacteria and fungi, nutrients can get tied up and not cycle to the plant. Therefore, sugar supplementation should be strategic and application timings motivated by specific end goals. As with all things in life, moderation is key.
Kickstart Seedling Growth Or Clone Root Development
From the hypocotyl development of the seed to the root extension of your developing clone, exogenous sugars will signal cell elongation and division at the root tip. Both sucrose and glucose have been linked to increased auxin biosynthesis. Auxins are a class of phytohormones that are sugar magnets and are primarily responsible for growth (e.g., the highest concentrations are in the apical and root meristem). Also, a spoonful of sugar helps the mycorrhizae go up. Studies have shown increased mycorrhizal infection rates when soils are supplemented with some fructose.
Crop Steering Using A Little Glucose Boost
Giving your plants a little break from sugars during veg may allow them to establish a more diverse microbial population around the rhizosphere. As a plant is approaching generative growth (flowering), a switch in the form of nitrogen (N) can help maintain optimal plant health and make the transition more fluid. Nitrate (NO3-) is an excellent form of N for growth, but in flowering, plants will be better off with ammonium (NH4+) or amino acids as their source of N. Exogenous glucose has shown to inhibit the uptake of nitrate N and favors the uptake of amino acids like glycine.
Finish With A Sugary Treat For Root Health
A significant hormonal shift happens within a plant in the latter stages of flower or after entering fruit fill. Sugar magnet hormones, auxins, begin to concentrate in flowers and fruits and as a result, so does the majority of photosynthate (i.e., glucose from photosynthesis). Who misses out? The roots. With roots no longer getting their fair share of sugar, root health decreases, and plants become more susceptible to root diseases. Some timely sugar applications in the last couple of weeks before harvest can help stave off root-related plant disease. This late feeding of the rhizosphere can help maintain microbial populations that can continue to produce secondary metabolites like flavonoids, terpenoids, vitamins, and other antioxidants for the developing fruit or flower. Moreover, a little extra post-harvest sugar feeding can provide microbial populations with a much-needed boost for the coming winter when food sources may be slim. The increased activity can help break down potential overwintering sites for pests and pathogens.
This age-old practice works, yet we will continue to better understand why. The one certain truth – the more we know reveals just how little we know about the plant:soil:microbe interface.
Thanks to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) derived from hemp holds a semi-legal status in the United States. [1] When cannabis sourced THC, known as Delta-9, remains illegal on a federal level. In contrast, THC products stemming from hemp are federally legal, but are banned in certain states. This creates a loophole for hemp containing higher levels of THC variants to enter multiple markets regardless of local legality.
To stay one step ahead, THC manufacturers are turning to new forms of THC to continue to bypass regulatory hurdles, but what about the safety for consumers? Identifying the differences in these cannabinoid variants can help to identify risks to personal safety and ways to reduce them as well.
Delta-6a10a Compared to Delta-10 THC
These THC variants are known as isomers. [2] Isomers are made up of the same chemical material as the original molecule, but the atomic structures are arranged differently. Two popular THC isomers, Delta-6a10a and Delta-10 THC, are naturally occurring in both cannabis and hemp plants, but due to legal restrictions, they are commonly sourced from hemp. As their names would suggest, Delta-6a10a (also called Delta-3) and Delta-10 are closely related, owing in part to their similar atomic structures. Though the basics of these isomers have been identified, there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
Very few studies have been conducted on these cannabinoids, so there is little information about any potential long term exposure risks from these derivatives. Nevertheless there is evidence that it is unlikely that these two isomers pose significant long term risks. [3]
In order to obtain a significant quantity of these THC isomers, it is necessary to employ synthetic procedures. [4] With no uniform safety standards for hemp extraction procedures or processing techniques on the federal level, synthesizing these THC isomers can result in the presence of leftover harmful byproducts combined with the finished product. [5][6]
With this in mind, Delta-10 does have a distinct advantage over Delta-6a10a. Once the purity of Delta-10 reaches 20% it begins to crystallize, which does not happen with Delta-6a10a. Because of this, Delta-10 products with readily available crystals can be indicative of a higher level of purity than equivalent Delta-6a10a products. This does not mean that Delta-6a10a products are, by default, unsafe, only that more leftover byproducts could be present.
Confusion or Intent – Selling THC Isomers
The majority of the hemp derived cannabinoids market is dominated by Delta-8 products, but this is slowly changing for few reasons. [7] The first has to do with the psychoactive response of Delta-10 and Delta-6a10a. [8] Both of these cannabinoids do not bind as effectively to CB receptors as Delta-9 THC, creating a milder experience for the user. Additionally, these two have less of a sedative effect than Delta-8 THC. Because of these similarities, there is anecdotal evidence that Delta-6a10a is being sold in products that are being labelled as Delta-10. Quantities may vary from one company to another, so it is impossible to determine how common of an occurrence this may be.
The relative similarity of atomic structure means that not only do users have overlapping experiences, and it may come down to market forces to determine which product will saturate the market. However, these similarities also provide one explanation for how companies can pass Delta-6a10a off as Delta-10. It may be the case that testing facilities are confusing one isomer with the other. From a business perspective, this may not matter, but when it comes to consumer safety this could play a significant role. User experiences may be similar, but manufacturers should consider the fact that one isomer may be riskier for users.
Part of why these THC isomers are rising in popularity is due to the increased prohibition of Delta-8 THC. When the Farm Bill first passed, markets across the country were flooded with these hemp derived products. As time passed, and data about product safety was collected, that slowly began to change. As of February 2023, 17 states have banned Delta-8 in all forms, with an additional state banning inhalant products. [9]
To get around these restrictions, manufacturers are launching in the cannabinoid market new products, developed to fit through the federal loophole. Increased regulations can help to stop this problem and provide more security to users. This may come in the form of stricter product testing standards, or maximum additives allowed per product, but all of these fall under the umbrella of a federal or state regulatory institutions.
Bloemendal, Victor RLJ, Jan CM van Hest, and Floris PJT Rutjes. “Synthetic pathways to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): an overview.” Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry 18.17 (2020): 3203-3215.
Fernández, Óscar. “THC: CBD in daily practice: available data from UK, Germany and Spain.” European neurology 75.Suppl. 1 (2016): 1-3.
Szalata, Milena, et al. “Simple extraction of cannabinoids from female inflorescences of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).” Molecules 27.18 (2022): 5868.
(Globe Newswire) Vancouver — PharmAla Biotech Holdings Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of novel MDXX class molecules (including MDMA), is pleased to announce that it has completed its first shipment of MDMA and psilocybin to Cortexa, its 50:50 Australian Joint Venture with Vitura Health Limited (ASX: VIT).
This shipment marks the first time that any molecules recently re-scheduled under the Authorized Prescriber Scheme were brought into Australia explicitly for use under that scheme, rather than for clinical trial purposes. The shipment, completed in several parts, includes both psilocybin and MDMA, and contains a both API and finished drug product capsules.
“As the Australian market continues to develop we are seeing significant interest among both clinical trial practitioners and clinic operators who are racing to establish themselves as the most capable actors in the provision of treatments to patients,” said Nick Kadysh, CEO, PharmAla Biotech. “However, when it comes to the provision of pharmaceutical grade medicines which underpin those treatments, I don’t believe there is competition: Cortexa stands as the industry leader in the import, sale and distribution of psilocybin and MDMA for medical purposes.”
The provision of these materials for Cortexa’s commercial use, as well as the transfer of relevant intellectual property to Cortexa, allows for Cortexa to subsequently rely on domestic manufacturing within Australia, rather than imports. This should allow for lower cost-of-goods and a shorter time to market , for these products.
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“As PharmAla’s JV partner in Cortexa, we at Vitura Health are proud to continue to lead the industry in the provision of both of GMP grade Psilocybin and MDMA, which will be used in treating patients as soon as possible. However, as almost anyone involved in this industry can attest, the import of these materials presents significant logistical and regulatory challenges.” said Rodney Cocks, CEO of Vitura Health. “That’s why I’m pleased that Cortexa, as demand grows, can embark upon its next logical step, scaling domestic manufacture of GMP grade psilocybin and MDMA to fulfill local demand without the difficulty, cost, and lag of foreign-made materials”
(AP) COLUMBUS, Ohio — The future of recreational marijuana legalization in Ohio is in the balance Tuesday.
Issue 2 on the statewide ballot would allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow plants at home. A 10 per cent tax would be imposed on purchases, with proceeds going to administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries, and social equity and jobs programs.
Ohio would become the 24th state to allow adult use cannabis for fun if the measure passes.
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The conclusion of the vote follows a nearly two-year push by the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, which surmounted administrative, legal and legislative hurdles to put the citizen-initiated statute before voters.
In accordance with Ohio law, the proposal went first to the Republican-dominated Legislature, which was given four months to pass it. With many majority lawmakers opposed, they refused.
GOP Senate President Matt Huffman stood firm against the proposal and has suggested lawmakers may try to rewrite — or even repeal — it, if it passes.
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine also opposed it, citing traffic safety concerns, among other things. Some of the state’s most influential business and manufacturing organizations also worked against the measure, citing concerns that workplace safety would deteriorate, absenteeism would rise and workers’ compensation rates would be driven up.
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol argues that it’s time Ohio legalizes and regulates cultivation, manufacturing, testing and sales of marijuana and marijuana products for adults 21 and older. Proponents say the measure will return tax revenue for pot purchases now going to neighboring states where it’s legal, and help thwart the black market.
They have touted their proposal as “fixing a broken system,” while assuring localities where dispensaries are situated maintain some control over the system and reap a portion of the proceeds.
Opponents say the taxes collected will benefit the marijuana industry more than Ohio’s budget.
The follow-on strategic equity investment from BAT marks a significant milestone for the company and provides hope for the struggling cannabis landscape by:
Extending the international footprint: The majority of the $124.6M investment will be used by Organigram to create a strategic investment pool named Jupiter, which will target investments in emerging cannabis opportunities. It will also enable the company to take advantage of the newly surfacing legalization trends at a global level, including the U.S. while catering to an increasingly sophisticated cannabis consumer base who are seeking progressive cannabis formats beyond combustibles.
Bolstering Organigram’s strong balance sheet: The flexibility and opportunity afforded to the company through this investment will allow them to capitalize on their state-of-the-art facilities in Canada, support further research and development projects, optimize their operation to deliver on cost savings, and accelerate earnings growth while delivering market gains to their incremental investors.
Significant premium: The deal was priced at C$3.2203/share, which represents an over 100 per cent premium to the last traded price of $1.59 (representing the close on November 3rd, 2023, on the TSX).
“I believe the first duty of philosophy is making you understand what deep shit you are in.” ~Slavoj Žižek
Philosophy should open old wounds, even inflict new ones. Philosophy should be a danger. It should come as a shock to the system, a defibrillator of the soul, even a mockery of everything we’ve always held dear.
It should come as a daunting question mark that haunts our dreams. It should come as a fire that burns the petty kindling of our precious “truths.” It should be sinister, intimidating, and fierce. Otherwise, it is of little use to us. Philosophy that is comforting, placating, and reassuring can no longer be considered philosophy. It makes the cardinal sin of becoming religious.
As Rebecca Goldstein said in Plato at the Googleplex, “Philosophical thinking that doesn’t do violence to one’s settled mind is no philosophical thinking at all.”
Pain is a seed, cultivate it:
“There is advantage in the wisdom won from pain.” ~Aeschylus
Painless inquiry does not make skillful philosophers. Skill in philosophy comes from asking difficult questions, heartbreaking questions, soul-crushing questions, the kind of questions that hurt and force the head of our fragile mortality over the existential dread of the abyss.
Great character is forged in the furnace of great adversity. Pain is mere kindling. Nothing burns brighter than pain. But those with great character have the courage to bask.
Disaster can hone us into masters. Pressure can polish our pain into providence. What hurts us can sharpen us if we let it.
As Naguib Mahfouz said, “The problem is not that the truth is harsh, but that liberation of ignorance is as painful as being born. Run after truth until you’re breathless. Accept the pain involved in recreating yourself afresh.”
Philosophy should unearth the mystery from the misery. Deep, cutting philosophy, not only reveals the hidden pleasure in pain, but it also unleashes the pleasurable experience of transforming pain into strength. It’s a way of plucking the elusive Phoenix Egg from the sea of its own ashes. It’s a way of pulling our rebirth out of our death.
When we plant the seed of pain in the fecund humus of our courage, we grow the empowering Tree of Good Humor. From this tree blooms the secret of getting power over comfort, power over placation, and power over power itself—that is the power of High Humor.
As Max Eastman said, “Humor is the instinct for taking pain playfully.”
Risk over Reward:
“To be human is necessarily to be a vulnerable risk-taker; to be a courageous human is to be good at it.” ~Jonathan Lear
Philosophy should keep courage ahead of comfort. It should stay as close to the edge as possible without going over. It should choose dangerous questions over safe answers. It should be about taking risks, turning tables, flipping scripts, pushing envelopes, and kicking open third eyes rather than maintaining the status quo. Philosophy should be anti-status-quo.
Philosophy should question comfort despite the tiny-hearted. It should question power despite authority. It should challenge all gods despite belief.
As Henrik Ibsen said, “There is always risk in being alive, and if you are more alive there is more risk.” Indeed. Philosophy is about being more alive. It’s about living dangerously, loving dangerously, and asking dangerous questions. It’s about risk over reward, knowing that greater rewards will come from taking greater risks.
If, as Jung said, “the main function of religion is to protect people against a direct experience of God,” then philosophy’s main function is to drag people kicking and screaming into a direct experience with God.
Good philosophy doesn’t balk. It’s autonomous. It’s Contrarian. It’s trailblazing. It creates worlds between worlds that questions all worlds. Deep philosophy gives us the latitude to make mistakes. It gives us the power to pivot, to interrogate rather than gravitate. It chooses risk-taking over script-making. It doesn’t settle, it meddles. It mixes it up. It kicks up the dust and knocks off the dross. It chooses improvisation over tradition. It transcends the comfort/discomfort dynamic through sincere nonattachment.
Dangerous philosophy forces us into a full-frontal confrontation with Infinity itself.
Process over prowess:
“I understood myself only after I destroyed myself. And only in the process of fixing myself, did I know who I really was.” ~Sade Andria Zabala
Wholeness is never complete. It’s a process, a journey. It’s all means and no end. Becoming whole is realizing that we are always falling apart and coming back together again. It’s always a journey, never a destination. It’s always a process, never a completed prowess.
As Isaac Asimov said, “Education isn’t something you can finish.”
Philosophy reminds us to sell our certainty and buy curiosity. It reminds us to keep humor ahead of hubris. Because life is never complete. We must learn; unlearn; relearn. Then rinse and repeat. Never settle. Life is only ever a process. The journey is always the thing, whether we like it or not.
Philosophy should be dangerous precisely because we tend to lose sight of this fact. Danger keeps us alert. It keeps us on our toes. It keeps us humble, grounded, and in the moment. It keeps us questioning the sinister reality that outflanks our flash-in-the-pan mortality with its all-encompassing and ancient immortality. It reminds us to remain courageous. It keeps us aware and awake, in awe and in astonishment at the overwhelming infinitude of it all.
Philosophy should be dangerous precisely because otherwise we fall into the trap of believing that the world is not dangerous, or that we are not mortal, imperfect, or fallible. Because otherwise we decay. We succumb to weak comfort zones. We give into fear and choose placation over providence. We bolt down the horizon and forget that it is not a boundary. We die inside of half-lived lives. In short: we fall into disgrace. We become stains on the canvas of life.
But if we keep philosophy dangerous then we have a mighty alarm clock that can awaken us from pretending to be asleep.
Image source:
Ground Turning Dark by Jenna Barton
About the Author:
Gary Z McGee, a former Navy Intelligence Specialist turned philosopher, is the author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. His works are inspired by the great philosophers of the ages and his wide-awake view of the modern world.
This article (Philosophy Should Be Dangerous) was originally created and published by Self-inflicted Philosophy and is printed here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Gary Z McGee and self-inflictedphilosophy.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this statement of copyright.
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