Mary Budwick

3 weeks ago | scientificamerican.com | Jeffery DelViscio |Mary Budwick |Michael Tabb

Marijuana contains more than 500 active compounds. But most people focus on two: There’s cannabidiol, or CBD, which reduces inflammation. And then there’s THC, which is the main psychoactive component—it’s the reason weed gives you the relaxed and “euphoric” sensation of being high. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s a compound that comes from the flowers of female cannabis plants, though there’s some in other parts of the plant, too.

Sep 17, 2024 | scientificamerican.com | Jeffery DelViscio |Fonda Mwangi |Mary Budwick

This article is part of “Innovations In: Sickle Cell Disease,” an editorially independent special report that was produced with financial support from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. TRANSCRIPTHow is it that you’re alive? It’s a question that we rarely ask ourselves—but it’s one that has a definite answer. We all know our heart pumps life-giving oxygen throughout our bodies. How does that oxygen actually get to where it needs to go?