Scientific Library of Product Effects
Publication CUSIC-27:
EEG study for objectively quantifying the efficacy of Greentank’s Quantum Vape™ Technology to create cannabis psychoactive effects.
Introduction
Introduction
Vaporizer technology has revolutionized the way people consume substances like nicotine, herbs, and cannabis. Unlike traditional methods of smoking, which involve combustion, vaporizers heat materials to a temperature where they release their active compounds as vapor, without creating smoke.
Amidst a rapidly growing interest in health-conscious consumption, vaporizer technology has undergone significant evolution over the past two decades. From the rudimentary wick heating method prevalent in the early 2000s, advancements in heating technologies, such as mesh and ceramic, emerged as more efficacious alternatives between 2010 and 2017 and continue to be prevalent in most vaporizer technologies today.
In February 2024, Greentank Technologies introduced Quantum Vape™, a new vape heating innovation with a proprietary microfluidic design. This pioneering technology utilizes biocompatible materials, diverging from conventional metal or ceramic components, to enhance the flavor, potency, and consistency of the overall vaping experience.
To objectively validate the efficacy of the Quantum Vape™ Technology to vaporize a live rosin extract with 85.274% THC and deliver its intended effect, Greentank collaborated with the neurotech company Zentrela, Inc. to study the brainwaves (EEG) of research participants that consumed a specific cannabis vape product (510 cartridge). This investigation aimed to objectively characterize the onset time and potency of the cannabis psychoactive experience, by using Quantum Vape™ Technology versus a Ceramic Cell.
The raw EEG data of sixteen participants was collected before and after inhaling the same quantity of the same product. In their first visit they used Quantum Vape™ and in their second visit, they employed a Ceramic Cell. Before sharing the raw EEG data of the two vape technologies to Zentrela, the participant and vape technology identifying information was anonymised and blinded.
Zentrela used its scientifically proven* AI-based EEG analytics method, called Cognalyzer® AI for Cannabis Psychoactivity, version GA56, to characterize the psychoactive effect curves created by both vape technologies. *Peer-reviewed publications: paper 1, paper 2.
The findings of this study provide scientific evidence suggesting a discernible time difference between the Quantum Vape™ Technology and the Ceramic Cell in creating the intended effects of the cartridge for both onset time and time needed to reach peak.
Methodology
Methodology
Participants:
Sixteen cannabis consumers were recruited to participate in this study named CUSIC-27. Each participant engaged in two separate visits for the study.
Procedure:
The CUSIC-27 study took place in Greentank’s lab where the Greentank research team was equipped and trained to use Zentrela’s portable non-invasive EEG wearable technology to objectively collect the EEG of study subjects following an IRB-approved Observational protocol.
During each visit, participants were invited to inhale the same cannabis oil in a 510 cartridge, a commercially available cannabis product. The inhalation was conducted using two different vape technologies: the Quantum Vape™ Technology and a Ceramic Cell, both 510 cartridges and both equipped with the same 3.7V 510 battery.
Participants took three hits of the cannabis oil using the Quantum Vape™ Technology during their first visit. On their second visit, they inhaled the same number of hits of the same oil product using the Ceramic Cell vaporizer. Fifteen out of the sixteen study subjects completed both visits.
EEG Recording:
Zentrela’s portable non-invasive EEG wearable technology was utilized to record the electrical brain activity (EEG data) from the eight main regions of the brain of the study participants. These regions included the right and left sides of the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes.
Two EEG recordings (referred to as “EEG Tests”) were conducted before cannabis intake, serving as baseline measurements. Additionally, five more EEG Tests were performed at intervals around minutes 0-3, 3-6, 6-10, and 10-15 minutes post-product inhalation.
Data Blinding and Analysis:
Prior to analysis, the collected EEG data was blinded. Each 16-participant EEG dataset was labeled as “Product A” or “Product B.” Zentrela then employed its AI-based EEG analytics method to objectively analyze the EEG datasets.
Psychoactive Effect Characterization:
The cubic interpolation method was utilized to calculate the psychoactive effect level (PEL) of each after-inhalation EEG Test at time intervals of 0, 5, 10, and 15 minutes. The 16 interpolated after-inhalation PELs were aggregated to characterize the 15-minute-long psychoactive effect curve of each product.
Onset Time and Maximum Effect Level:
The onset time of the psychoactive effect was determined by identifying the time point where the lower bound of the aggregated PEL exceeded 10% with a 90% confidence interval. The time to reach the maximum psychoactive effect level (PEL) was determined by finding the time point with the maximum aggregated PEL value (Max Peak). Statistical analysis was performed to determine the reliability of the potential differences between the Max Peak of the Quantum Vape™ and the Ceramic Cell.
Study Results
Study Results
Table 1 presents data regarding the psychoactive effects induced by vaporizing the cannabis product using the Quantum Vape™ Technology. The findings indicate that four minutes after inhaling three hits of the cannabis product via Quantum Vape™, participants began to experience its psychoactive effects, with an onset potency of 24.85% PEL.
By the tenth minute after consumption, the group of participants is estimated to have reached the peak of their psychoactive experience, which measured at 40.14% PEL.
Table 2 presents data regarding the psychoactive effects induced by vaporizing the cannabis product using the Ceramic Cell alternative. The findings indicate that five minutes after inhaling three hits of the cannabis product via Ceramic Cell, participants began to experience its psychoactive effects, with an onset potency of 26.33% PEL.
By the fifteenth minute after consumption, the group of participants is estimated to have reached the peak of their psychoactive experience, which measured at 39.28% PEL.
Table 3 shows the minute-by-minute statistical comparative analysis between the PEL of each psychoactive effect curve. The mean difference is the result of subtracting the difference between the Quantum Vape™ PEL minus the Ceramic Cell PEL at each time point.
Research Framework
Research Framework
About the CUSIC™ Scientific Research Framework
| Research Framework: | Observational study following an IRB-approved protocol. |
|---|---|
Authors: | B. Guyen, R. Schur, U. Sharma, I. Gasperin, D. Bosnyak. |
Principal Investigator: | Ron Schur |
EEG Analysis: | Zentrela, Inc. independently analyzed the EEG datasets of both vape technologies using their standardized and objective AI-based EEG analysis, called Cognalyzer® AI for Cannabis’ psychoactivity. |
Research Tools: | - Portable non-invasive 8-channel EEG wearable technology and the Cognalyzer® AI-based EEG analysis for cannabis’ psychoactivity |
Study Size: | 16 study subjects, 2 visits, 1 visit per vape technology |
Research Facility Location: | EEG data collection took place in the lab of Greentank Technologies located at 135 Liberty St #102, Toronto, ON M6K 1A7 |
Conclusion
The results of this AI-based EEG analysis shows that the main significant difference between the two heating technologies was the speed to create the psychoactive effects. Through Quantum Vape™ Technology, study subjects experienced the psychoactive effects of the extract 20% faster than when they inhaled it via Ceramic Cell technology. Furthermore, the maximum experienced psychoactive effect level (Max Peak PEL) created via Quantum Vape™ arrived 33% faster than Ceramic Cell.
A key aspect of this study that is worth highlighting is the demonstrated* objectivity, precision, and consistency in the EEG analysis carried out independently by Zentrela, Inc.. This analysis was aimed at characterizing both the onset time and potency of cannabis-induced psychoactive effects. What sets this method apart is its ability to remove potential subjectivity and bias in gathering cannabis effect data through conventional means like questionnaires. By utilizing portable EEG technology coupled with AI-driven analysis, this approach effectively addresses such concerns. *Peer-reviewed publications: paper 1, paper 2
Additionally, it is crucial to acknowledge that external variables potentially affecting the time it takes for cannabis psychoactive effects to occur were carefully managed to precisely isolate and compare only the heating efficiency of both technologies. It is widely recognized that the formulation of a product (including extraction method, drug delivery technique, infusion of multiple substances, etc.) can greatly influence both the onset time and potency of the product. By inhaling the same quantity of the identical product during both sessions, this variability was reduced to a minimum and effectively controlled.
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