Herbal IQ

Herbal IQ Simple, science-based cannabis education for everyday wellness. Led by Rick A. Our goal is to make reliable information accessible to everyone.

Herbal IQ is an education-first platform dedicated to helping people understand cannabis and the endocannabinoid system in a clear, approachable way. Wagaman, MS-trained in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics; We focus on teaching the science, wellness principles and real-world basics behind cannabinoids without promoting products or making medical claims. Here, you’ll find short lessons, practical insights, research discussions and advocacy updates that support informed, confident decision-making in a constantly evolving industry. We believe education empowers individuals, strengthens communities and improves wellness through knowledge, not hype! If you’re curious about cannabis, plant science or the ECS and have some fun along the way, you’re in the right place.

I’ve learned something the hard way: you can’t build in this industry alone.That’s why I’m inviting you to our Midwest V...
04/13/2026

I’ve learned something the hard way: you can’t build in this industry alone.

That’s why I’m inviting you to our Midwest Virtual Networking Call
📅 Wed, April 15
🕕 6PM CST

It’s a simple hour to meet good people, build relationships, and stay connected to what’s happening across cannabis and h**p, including the legislative realities that impact all of us.

Comment CALL and we’ll send you the registration link.

If you’re working in cannabis or h**p, you already know how fast the landscape can change. That’s why community matters....
03/31/2026

If you’re working in cannabis or h**p, you already know how fast the landscape can change. That’s why community matters.

Join us for a Midwest Virtual Networking Call on Wed, April 15 at 6PM CST hosted through The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. We’ll connect with professionals across the region, talk through current industry topics (including legislation), and share how to get involved in leadership and future in person events.

Hosted with support from Herbal IQ Education & Consulting, where we’re committed to clear, evidence based education and responsible communication in this space.

Comment CALL for the registration link.

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New research caught my eye: a teacher-rated study looked at ADHD-related symptoms in children and young adults with auti...
03/17/2026

New research caught my eye: a teacher-rated study looked at ADHD-related symptoms in children and young adults with autism using a CBD-rich cannabis extract over 3–6 months.

Some teacher-rated measures improved, but this was open-label research (no placebo), so it’s early evidence, not proof. If you want the clear breakdown, context, and safety guardrails, become a member at Herbal IQ Education & Consulting to access the full study review and ongoing research updates.

Disclaimer: Educational only. Not medical advice. Pediatric cannabinoid use should only be considered with a licensed clinician where legal.

Last call for Muscle MX.Our final sale on Muscle MX products wraps up this Saturday, February 28th, and inventory is get...
02/27/2026

Last call for Muscle MX.

Our final sale on Muscle MX products wraps up this Saturday, February 28th, and inventory is getting low.

If you’ve been meaning to grab your favorite topical, now’s the time to stop in and check what’s still available.

Limited stock. Offer ends Saturday.
Message us or visit the store for details.

Disclaimer: For adult use only where permitted by law. This post is for informational and promotional purposes only and is not medical advice. Product availability may vary while supplies last.

There’s a lot of noise in the h**p conversation right now.But at the heart of it, this really comes down to a few basic ...
02/26/2026

There’s a lot of noise in the h**p conversation right now.

But at the heart of it, this really comes down to a few basic questions:

* Are products clearly labeled?
* Are the rules understandable?
* Are consumers protected?
* Are responsible businesses being treated fairly?

A recent policy statement from the Society of Cannabis Clinicians pushes for a more thoughtful approach to h**p regulation, one that supports public health, product transparency, accountability and access.

That is the kind of conversation I believe we should be having more often.

Because good policy should not create more confusion. It should create more clarity.

If you could change one thing about h**p regulation right now, what would it be?

Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not legal or medical advice. Always follow local laws and regulations.

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Cannabis wasn’t always treated like a “fringe” topic.It was listed as an official medicine in the U.S. Pharmacopeia from...
02/23/2026

Cannabis wasn’t always treated like a “fringe” topic.

It was listed as an official medicine in the U.S. Pharmacopeia from 1850–1942. That’s a big deal, because the Pharmacopeia is basically the historical record of what American medicine recognized and standardized at the time.

So how did we go from “official medicine” to decades of stigma and confusion?

That’s the story I’m unpacking in my newest Herbal IQ blog, and it’s a reminder that today’s cannabis debate is as much about history and policy as it is about science.

If you want the short version: history doesn’t prove what works for you today, but it absolutely shows this conversation deserves seriousness and evidence, not hype.

Want the link to the blog? Comment “USP” and I’ll drop it.

👉Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Always follow local laws and consult a licensed clinician for personal medical decisions.

02/15/2026
02/11/2026

Ever wonder what actually makes THC and CBD work so differently in your body? It comes down to how each one interacts with your endocannabinoid system — and why dose matters more than most people think.

Here's what we break down in this video:
🔹 THC binds directly to CB1 receptors in the brain, which is why it can influence mood, sleep, appetite, pain signaling and perception — and why a little can feel helpful while too much can feel overwhelming.
🔹 CBD works more indirectly. Rather than binding strongly to CB1, it tends to influence how your body uses its own endocannabinoids. That's why it can feel more subtle, and why consistency is key when evaluating it.
🔹 There's no one-size-fits-all cannabinoid or dose. Your goals, your sensitivity, your product type and timing all shape the outcome. Guessing can backfire — education makes the difference.

Want to go deeper? Grab our free ebook, The Essential Guide to H**p & Cannabinoid Wellness: Science, Safety & Smart Choices at herbal-iq.com.

Follow Herbal IQ for more of this series, and share this with someone who's curious about how cannabinoids actually work!

A study summary I’ve been thinking about lately, especially because it touches one of the toughest realities in mental h...
02/09/2026

A study summary I’ve been thinking about lately, especially because it touches one of the toughest realities in mental health care: Treatment resistant depression.

A recent analysis from the UK Medical Cannabis Registry followed patients prescribed cannabis based medicinal products and tracked outcomes for up to 24 months. The researchers reported improvements in patient reported measures of depression severity, anxiety, sleep quality and health related quality of life, with the biggest changes showing up early and then generally persisting over time.

A few important notes before anyone runs with a headline:

This is observational registry data, not a randomized controlled trial. It can show association, not prove that cannabis “treats” depression. We also don’t get the full picture on product composition, dosing or the many other variables that shape mental health outcomes over two years.

Still, I think this kind of real world evidence matters, for one big reason:

It reminds us that patients with complex, persistent depression are actively searching for relief and we owe them honest research, not hype and not stigma.

What I’d love to see next (and what we should be pushing for):

More rigorous trials that separate outcomes by THC to CBD ratios, dose ranges, routes of administration, comorbid anxiety, sleep disruption, trauma history and medication profiles. If we want clarity, we need study designs that match the real world.

If you’re a clinician, researcher, or someone with lived experience, I’m curious:

What’s the single most important question you want future cannabis and mental health research to answer?
References:
NORML summary: https://norml.org/news/2026/01/15/study-cannabis-treatment-provides-sustained-relief-for-patients-with-treatment-resistant-depression/

Journal of Affective Disorders paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032725025728

👉 Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Cannabis may worsen symptoms for some people and can interact with medications. If you’re struggling or in crisis, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional or local emergency resources.

New research caught my eye this week and it’s worth a careful look.A large dataset study (UK Biobank, adults 40–77) foun...
02/06/2026

New research caught my eye this week and it’s worth a careful look.

A large dataset study (UK Biobank, adults 40–77) found associations between lifetime cannabis use and differences in brain volume and cognitive test performance. That does not prove cause and effect, but it does add nuance to the conversation and highlights why better research matters.

If you’ve been frustrated by the “cannabis is always bad” vs “cannabis fixes everything” debate, this is a good example of why we need to stay grounded in data, context, and individual factors like age, dose, product type and health history.

Want me to break down what the study actually measured (and what it didn’t), in plain language?

Comment “BRAIN” and I’ll post a quick, simple explainer.



👉Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Cannabis laws vary by state. If you choose to use cannabinoid products, consider discussing with a licensed clinician, especially if you take medications or have a medical condition.
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01/22/2026

I'll add visual markers to the list items:

MAJOR H**P EXTENSION UPDATE: The Momentum is REAL 🌾
Incredible news from Washington! Rick Wagaman here with a critical update on our h**p policy efforts.

What we accomplished:
✅ 150+ Hill meetings completed
✅ Overwhelmingly positive feedback from lawmakers
✅ Real legislative movement happening NOW

Legislative Progress:
🏛️ Senate Bill S.3686 - Companion bill has been introduced
🏛️ House Bill - Moving forward with approximately 15 co-sponsors
This is where YOU come in.
The next crucial step is pressure back home. We need:
📞 Calls to your representatives
✉️ Letters showing constituent support
🤝 District office visits

Take Action NOW:
Visit: https://hifa.health/contact-your-lawmakers/

Get templates, talking points, and tools to contact YOUR legislators.

Want a simple one-pager and message template? Comment "EXTENSION" below and we'll get you set up! 💚

Why this matters:
This extension gives us time to build a safe, regulated h**p marketplace with proper protections in place. But we need YOUR voice to make it happen.

SHARE this post with everyone who cares about responsible h**p policy. Together, we're making history.
Questions about how to contact your lawmakers? Drop them below. 👇

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01/21/2026

🌾 H**P POLICY UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON DC 🏛️

Big news from the HIFA fly-in event!

What's happening right now:
The H**p Industry and Farmers Association is pushing hard for one thing above all else: EXTENSION ⏰

Here's what we're fighting for:
✅ Primary Goal: Secure the current one-year extension through November 17
✅ Secondary Goal: Add two MORE years (3-year total extension) to give Congress time to implement real protections

Why this matters:
This extension period is critical for establishing proper guardrails like:
- Age protections
- Testing requirements
- Clear labeling standards

Momentum is building!
Representative Jim Baird just filed the H**p Planting Eligibility Act, and we're hearing a companion bill may be coming from the Senate soon.

What this means for YOU

The h**p industry needs YOUR voice. Stay engaged, stay informed, and let's work together for responsible h**p policy!

What questions do you have about these h**p policy changes? Drop them in the comments below! 👇

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8515 Hickman Road
Urbandale, IA
50322

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