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Too Much Coffee May Mess With Microdosing

Microdosing marijuana has been increasing popular to handle low level anxiety…but too much coffee may cause an issue.

While some people enjoy the classic wake and bake, more people are starting to use microdosing as a way to control anxiety. Microdosing cannabis, usually in a gummy or a single puff of a vape, is a way to manage ongoing anxiety. As a stress reliever, it can be effective as long as you manage it in low amounts. Too much can actually increase the stress.

But a wrinkle in the plan is drinking more than three cups of coffee per day impacts the endocannabinoid system. And for most people, over the course of the day, three cups doesn’t seem excessive. Metabolites in the endocannabinoid system decrease with high levels of caffeine according to one study.

RELATED: Should You Mix CBD With Your Morning Coffee?

Published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Consuming marijuana boosts metabolites, the substance made or used when the body breaks down food, drugs or chemicals, or its own tissue (for example, fat or muscle tissue). This process, called metabolism, makes energy and the materials needed for growth, reproduction, and maintaining health. Coffee brings them back down, meaning coffee, in some ways, is reduces and cancels out some of the benefits of cannabis.

CBD Coffee Is The Easy Way To Pain-Free Mornings
Photo by Matthew Henry via Burst

If you are not a “wake and baker”, the general rule of thumb is to wait at least an hour after consuming cannabis before having coffee. This allows time to gauge the effects of cannabis before adding the stimulating effects of caffeine.

There needs to be more research, but showed the endocannabinoids which went down when coffee use went up also decreased when under stress. It’s actually quite likely the amount of coffee that study participants drank caused agitation, which led to a drop in endocannabinoid levels. The study also speculated the drop in metabolites at certain levels of caffeine consumption could be a protective measure for the body. 

RELATED: 5 Morning Activities To Help You Feel Happier

While coffee is a life staple for many, too much can lead to sleep problems, thinning of bones and fractures, increased anxiety, and stomach acidity. Coffee and marijuana are old friends and most likely will stay in each other’s orbit.

What Are Cannabis And CBD Topicals

Wrinkles, aches and pains are all part of life – but maybe CBD and cannabis can make it a bit easier.

Summer is time of sunburns, bug bites and more…all annoying during fun in in the sun.  What are cannabis and CBD topicals and can they help?  These products are creams and can help with wrinkles, localized pain and more. How do they work and how do you find the right one is the trick. Cannabis can do a variety of things with reducing pain and inflammation as two of the key benefits of the plant. Topicals are creams, gels, lotions, and ointments which can help surface and slightly below the skin issues.

RELATED: Data Says Summer Is The Time To Try New Things

In 2023, the world spent over $617 billion on beautify products. Fighting wrinkles, erasing aging and minimizing scars are all part of the program. Research has indicated cannabis and CBD can help. They offer a variety of potential anti-aging health benefits that could leave your skin looking smoother, softer and even youthful.  In other good news, CBD can also help with acne, psoriasis, and eczema.

Another major benefit is pain management. A key difference between cannabis and CBD is CBD doesn’t have the THC to get you high. But they both help with inflammation provide relief from the aches and pains from strains, pulls, etc.  Summer is a great time to be outside and trying new things, but it can results in unused muscles being put to work and aggravated. Simply rubbing a topical on the injured area might help reduce pain and swelling. Deeper injuries like bones or deep ligaments will not benefit and the topical benefits can not be absorb deep enough to have an impact.

Photo by Moose Photos via Pexels

If you are going to use a topicals, it is important you find one which is effective. Here are some things to look for so you can reap the largest benefits, especially if you are using it for pain management.

RELATED: What To Keep In Mind When Using Cannabis To Sleep

Concentration: There needs to be enough cannabinoids to actually have some therapeutic effect on the user. This can be pain relief, reduced inflammation, skin repair, etc. This usually means at least 10 milligrams per usage, up to 25 or even 50. In other words, look for a product with at least 250 mg per ounce. If a jar only has 50 mg of CBD, it’s not going to do much. Lab tests should prove the concentration of cannabinoids.

Photo by rawpixel.com

Consistency: The product should have the intended results/benefits, and be reliable and predictable in its effects. This mainly comes from consistent recipe, dosage, and handling, as well as sourcing of the actual product. Look for products that contain at least 250 mg of CBD per ounce of product. Also, look for products that have high quality, skin nourishing ingredients beyond CBD. Consumers should expect the same standards they seek in other high end skin care by selecting products that are all natural, preservative free, and fragrance free. As such, they do not contain mineral oil, petroleum byproducts, parabens, phthalates, and artificial ingredients. 

RELATED: A Conversation About Topical Cannabis Massages

Always purchase products from reliable retailers and, like with other products, check out the reviews. Like most products, it may take repeated use to provide the benefit.

The Best Ways To Reduce Your Phone Addiction

Almost 50% of people feel they have an addiction to their phone….here are ways to help

People report feeling anxious about being away from their phone, find themselves spending more and more time looking at the screen and see they are neglecting other things at work, school, and home. All of these are signs of a phone addiction. And with the new smart watches, the impulse to be constantly checking for updates can be overwhelming. But it is bad for mental health and for relationships.  Here are the best ways to reduce your phone addiction.

It is crazy how phone have become such an ingrained part of day to day life. Almost 47% of  admit being addicted to their phones. The average person checks their smartphone 352 times per day. Some 71% of people spend more time on their phone than with their romantic partner. Almost two-thirds of children spend four hours or more per day on their smartphones.

RELATED: This Natural Cannabinoid Makes You Feel Happy

This can have short and long term effects on relationships, work and mental health, so how did you break an ingrained habit?  Here are the best ways to reduce your phone addiction.

Acknowledge there needs to be a change

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Recognizing the need to reduce the time on the phone is important. But also also realize you can’t quit totally and immediately. Stopping phone use for even a day could result in tons of anxiety, so try to take it slow at first, reducing your smartphone intake little by little.

Consider setting a timer every 15 or 20 minutes, allowing you to check all of your apps and then putting your phone face down somewhere in your line of sight. The phone in sight can reduce anxiety and, over time, you’ll feel less of a pressing need to check your phone constantly. It also gives time for the mind to develop new patterns of time use.

RELATED: The Best Hydrating Cocktails For A Hot Weekend

Make your phone less attractive

Phone are made to be attractive and enticing, but you can overcome their tricks with a few simple hacks. First, turn off non essential notifications including news, social media, etc. Next, change ring and text tones for essential connections and let others wait until you are ready.  If possible, you the do not disturb mode at key work or sleep hours.

Also, be respectful, when at a meal or with key people and put your phone away. This will allow you to have a different mental engagement.

Photo by rawpixel.com

One method to get you to encourage a change in checking your social media apps is creating folders for each app and putting them on the last page of your screen. This method will make your phone look clunky, but it’ll make these apps harder to access. Also, there is the option to delete social media apps and limit yourself to using the website version.

In addition, consider “old school” alarm clocks to avoid looking at your phone in bed. Keeping the phone from where you sleep is another way to reduce addiction and provide for a better sleep.

Develop other hobbies

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Having another habits mean there is less time you’ll have to invest on social media or scrolling. Consider alternating phone use and watching a TV show, baking, physical activities, or a hobby which doesn’t require a phone. It won’t be easy at first, but you’ll feel great afterwards.

Calm your mind

cannabidiol milk
Photo by Eli DeFaria via Unpslash

Every time you get a notification from Facebook, Twitter, etc., your brain gets a dose of dopamine, which is why it’s so hard to stop. This endless loop of stimulus keeps your brain moving all the time, so it helps to try calming exercises such as meditation, yoga and routine workouts, which are all natural and more consistent sources of dopamine.

Marijuana Highs In Flower, Edibles and Others

Each journey is unique…but here are some differences in marijuana high in flower, edibles and others

More people are leaning into cannabis and leaning away from alcohol. The marijuana of the 60s and 70s has given way to the marijuana of the 2020s. More people are comfortable consuming and a majority believes it should be legal. But for many, they are still figuring out how to use. There are differences with marijuana highs in flower, edibles and others (dabs, concentrates, hash).

RELATED: Cannabis Can Help Painful Menstrual Cramps

Getting stoned for fun is a very personal experience and which can vary from person to person, there are some consistencies that you can be sure of, and the “type” and duration of high from different methods is one of them. Ease and on-the-go has become a factor in how people consume. Vapes and gummies have become a key choice since it can travel and has little to no smell, making it discreet in a public setting. Medical marijuana has also become even more mainstream with dispensaries guiding toward consumption methods to have the best benefit. 

The strain affects the high no matter if it is being smoked, vaped or ingesting via an edible or beverage. Try and find out the strain before imbibing so you know what to expect. Sativas are a more active, creative high which in high doses and in rare cases can cause anxiety. Indicas are sleepier, might give you the munchies, relieve pain and in high doses  cause couch-lock.

The traditional method of ingesting cannabis is smoking flower. Rolling it, packing a bowl, loading a bong, or vaporing smoking the plant has always been the original hit. Cannabis smoke or vape delivers THC, the chemical that gets you high, into your lungs where it passes directly into your bloodstream and then your brain. It’s an easy way to control your high, as you can monitor how big of an intake you get, how long you hold it in for, and how many hits you take in a row.

Edibles, including the popular gummies, can take up to 90 minutes to kick in all the way and sometimes, time feels like it’s at a stand-still when you’re waiting for it to take effect. Edible cannabis travels first to your stomach then to your liver before getting into your bloodstream and brain.This can cause the uninitiated or overly brave to consume more. Edible highs are intense and last for several hours, sometimes up to 6-8 hours. Edibles consumed in larger doses can also cause mild hallucinations and paranoia. Eat half if you don’t have a tolerance built up and wait an hour or so before adding to that dose if you feel that you should.

RELATED: A Guide To Your First Marijuana Dab

Concerates and dabs are for experienced user. They produce some of the strongest highs. You will know almost immediately if should add onto your concentrate dose or not. Dabs, especially, go straight to the head. Concentrates are stronger than traditional flower cannabis. Dabbing can instantly make you feel high. It bypasses the slow build-up commonly associated with smoking joints. The potency of dabs and their high THC concentration means they can also bring on much more powerful side effects and potentially be far more dangerous than regular weed.

Vaping concentrate via a pen is a much more mellow way to take in the smoke. Even though you get less THC per hit, you have more control over how high you get and how quickly you achieve that headspace. 

Is Medical Help Needed If You Overindulge In Marijuana

Overindulgence happens – but do you need medical help if you have had too much weed?

It is not uncommon for an occasionally overindulge.  With alcohol it can lead to embarrassing texts, things which shouldn’t have been said, making a slight fool of yourself or, in the worst cases, alcohol poisoning. Almost 2,500 people die a year from it according to statistic and more have to treated. But to date, no one has died from too much cannabis, but concern about cannabis overdosing still happens.  But is medical help needed if you overindulge in marijuana? If a child has accidentally had it, it is best since their brains are still developing.

RELATED: What To Do When You Get Way, Way, Way Too High

Whether the canna newbie or an old hand, things happen and you can be over served.  The friend’s homemade edible, an untested tolerance level, an experience with the “next level” of consuming like dabs.  All can lead to an expected level of a high. Symptoms are often the same, a racing heart, sweats, paranoia, and an urge to check yourself in the emergency room. While no one has ever died from cannabis overdose, here are some next steps.

Photo by Jamie Grill/Getty Images

While it may seem like the world is exploding, if you are not having physical symptoms like vomiting, etc, there are other ways to handle the temporary situation without an ER visit.  And a visit to the hospital is stressful and highly stimulating which may make the high worse.  But if you have an injury while too stoned, seek attention.

The most important thing to remember is this is there have been no reported deaths from cannabis overdoses in history. There may be uncomfortable or scared feelings, but it will pass. And while you may feel your heart is racing, it is not going to explode. Rather, there are some simple things help in the moment.

RELATED: Science Tells Us How Marijuana Makes Us Feel Happy

The first thing to do is hydrate. Water, Gatorade, soft drinks, anything to keep hydrated can minimize the discomfort from being too high. Water helps douse the cotton mouth and forces you to focus on the simple process of sipping and swallowing, a trick if your thoughts are spinning. The best thing is do is go to sleep, it can help your body metabolize the excess THC and reset your mental state.

Photo by Kinga Cichewicz via Unsplash

Marijuana Can Bond Grandparents To Family

Like wine with dinner or a beer in the backyard, marijuana is becoming very common.

With almost 60% of adults drinking alcohol, it has been a staple of family events. Relatives including grandparents, cousins, adult grandkids and more have sat at a table and toasted with beer, wine or booze….and now cannabis may be in the mix.  As legalization has grown, cannabis is being embraced by more people and is popping at all sorts of family gatherings. And, it seems, marijuana can bond grandparents to family.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

In a third party survey sponsored by Sanctuary Wellness, some interesting data has given hope about intergenerational bonding. There are all sorts of concerns about boomers and Gen Z not relating, but marijuana like music is showing a positive trend. Nearly one in three have tried cannabis, far less than alcohol, but still a significant number.  In the survey, Millennials use the most followed closely by Gen X then Gen Z and finally Baby Boomers. And while a whopping 86% of Gen Z and Millennials support the legaization of weed…a full 71% of Baby Boomers do also.

Gen Z is slowly turning away from alcohol and feel they have way more stress than their grandparents.  Due to the embrace from the medical community, Boomers are starting to see cannabis as aid in dealing with chronic pain and sleep issues. The plant can be very effective without as many harsh side effects.

Once interesting factor in the survey is the use of gummies. Microdosing has become huge and Gen Z sees it as a way to manage anxiety.  With gummies, you see 76% use of Baby Boomers and 72% with Gen Z….far higher than Millennials and Gen X.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

For many Europeans, alcohol is a part of their culture and viewed as a social activity. In Italy for example, children are eased into drinking with a bit of wine at dinner. They’re taught from an early age that alcohol is something to drink casually and in moderation. Alcohol abuse is less coming in Italy and France due to the generation training.  Maybe marijuana, which has clear medical benefits, could be another thing which generations share to make for a better life.

Data Says Summer Is The Time To Try New Things

While in school, summer was the dream. Weeks of days open to adventure, sleeping in, exploring and hanging with friends. It held a magical quality and there usually always seemed something new to try. It turns out people carry the feeling into adulthood, in fact, a majority of adults see the summer as a chance for a bit of adventure.

RELATED: Science Tells Us How Marijuana Makes Us Feel Happy

Not everything is crazy like a cross country road trip, but maybe having different foods, camping or learning to grill. Data says summer is the times to try different things. One survey was clear 59% of people want to try something new this summer. Among the desires include 17% cited a desire to go to see a new state or city, while more than a third (39%) said seeing friends and family is a must for their summer vacation. Going bungee jumping, paragliding, trying marijuana and making your ice cream are also things people want to explore.

Photo by Cassie Gallegos via Unsplash

Some people have already made or have completed some of their summer wish list. Among the actives include waterskiing (44%), wakeboarding (43%), surfing (41%). Other want to learn something new like how to make water balloons, bowling and gardening. Others want to attend outdoor concerts, travel and most of explore.

And, some want to experiment with craft cocktails, summer drinks, and marijuana.

RELATED: The Best Hydrating Cocktails For A Hot Weekend

Studies have previously discovered teenagers and college students were more likely to try alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana for the first time during summer months, but a study published in the Journal for General Internist Medicine, focused its attention on age groups including adults. In addition, the researchers were interested in the time of initiation for cocaine and hallucinogenic drugs for various demographics.

Palamar, an associate professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU School of Medicine, and other researchers suggested an explanation for why people were more likely to experiment with drugs in the summer. The emergence of music festivals and outdoor concerts along with more free time in the summer.

Does George Clooney Use Weed

He is one the most famous global faces and is connected to tequila – but does George Clooney use weed?

Despite not having a hit movie in over 10 years, George Clooney is one of the planet’s A-listers. Mingling with royalty, the power elite at Davos, political heavyweights in the US or just hanging with other celebrities, Clooney is everywhere. When he married is wife Amal, the international media went wild with non stop coverage.  But while he is seen as being tight with tequila, does George Clooney use weed?

RELATED: Why You Should Be Mixing Your Cannabis Strains

Moving past his career in entertainment, he has become a fixture in the media. He weighs in on politics, promotes stylish living, and birthed a profitable tequila company. Clooney was hanging with friends, including Cindy Crawford’s husband Rande Gerber, and backed into launching Casamigos Tequila. While in Mexico they drank a lot of tequila and after trying a wide variety they decided to make their own. Diageo bought the company for a cool $1 billion. Diageo has also invested billion in marijuana.

Marijuana has many benefits, it can reduce stress from all the media following you. It is also healthier than alcohol, and doesn’t have the same bloating as booze. So it would make sense some celebrities would embrace the herb.

While world famous, Clooney is also very private. Prior to his marriage, he could be very coy about his private life. He came out of the closet as hardy tequila drinker when he launched his own brand. So it should be no surprise, it had to leak out he seems to be a big fan of magical green plant.

While filming Ocean 12, a cannabis cafe owner in Amsterdam recognized Mr. Clooney as a frequenter at his establishment during the time of the location filming in Amsterdam.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

Diageo has a major stake in legalization with billions invested in the industry.  It seems Clooney doesn’t mind speaking out on politics, maybe Clooney could be an advocate cannabis for all, especially patients and veterans.

Can CBD Take The Sting Out Of Summer Bug Bites

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Summer is time to enjoy the great outdoors, but a bug bite can put a nasty sting into your fun plans.

We are in the middle of summer, the time to enjoy the great outdoors with bbqs, picnics, beach trips, hiking or just gardening outside. You let the body soak up the sun and absorb as much vitamin D as possible. But with the the benefits of the summer months comes a pesky annoyance…bug bites.  It seems bugs, especially mosquitos are drawn to certain people. And it can be an irritating, itchy mess. Warm weather also brings out other types of insects, but can CBD take the sting out of summer bug bites?

RELATED: 3 Ways CBD Can Help You Get Into Swimsuit Shape

Like humans, insects love the summer. Since they are cold blooded, the environment regulates their body temperature, making them much more active. Larvae grow faster, their speed increases and mating peaks. It is a fiesta for the flys, mosquitoes and bees.  Food is plentiful and partners are abundant. As there numbers boom, they see humans as a quick, tasty treat.

Photo by KAL VISUALS via Unsplash

There are a variety of reasons bugs are draw to people. The smell of lactic acid and ammonia in your sweat is a bacon for bugs. Mosquitoes have a special receptor that helps them tune into the smell of your body odor. Even trace amounts on your socks and shoes can be enough to ring the dinner bell. Eating and drinking outdoors calls to insects because many of our food sources are also theirs.

Type O and Type A blood seems to be a mosquitoes’ preferred blood type as compared to B and AB. There is not much you can do about your genes.

When an insect sees light, it tells them a path is not blocked by a predator or obstacles. It also let’s them see food, which might be an innocent human sitting minding their own business.

Photo by Егор Камелев via Unsplash

Cannabis, CBD and hemp help ward off bugs.  Consuming cannabis is one way to keep the pests away. The smoke can be a repellent. CBD and hemp oils and creams can also help. Hemp oil composition is dominated by (E)-caryophyllene, myrcene and α-pinene and is toxic to houseflies.

RELATED: Americans Love Trying New Drugs In Summer, Says Science

CBD oil and lotions are helpful with bug bites. Bites are partially inflamed and swollen causing red skin. CBD topicals can reduce the inflammation and swelling, so the bites will reduce and won’t feel as itchy. Definitely a benefit.

And the last note, despite the reputation for being busy, bees, flies, ants, and many other insects love their cocktails, especially beer. They get a similar buzz as humans. Keep your refreshment covered can help avoid them hanging around.

Can Marijuana Deepen Your Meditation

Meditation is very popular and can be helpful in times of change, growth or stress…and marijuana might help

Between 200-300 million people practice mediation around the world. The benefits include better sleep, reduced tension, help with focus and concentration and anxiety reduction. It can benefit you even if you just do it for 5-10 minutes. But with cannabis legal to over 50% of the US population, all of Canada and other parts of the world, can marijuana deepen your mediation?

The mornings are the ideal time to meditate, minds are not yet racing or cluttered with the days tasks and interaction. For regular mediation, 5-15 minutes is recommend, long enough for the benefit and yet short enough to be able to work into most days. All you need patience, some self-kindness, and a comfortable place to sit. So it is a low cost and portable activity. Drinking water afterwards can help re-ground and reawaken physical senses.

RELATED: What To Keep In Mind When Using Cannabis To Sleep

Marijuana can help keep the mind from wandering and also help focus on the breathing technique, which is central to meditating. Bringing cannabis into a meditation practice can help with the stress reduction to allow a more easy transition into the goal of the trance-like state  Some microdose to meditate, some take in a little more, but it doesn’t take too much cannabis to enhance the experience.  

Mediation
Photo by kosal ley via Unsplash

Work with you budtender or from you own experience, choose a strain which will help you focus, relax and prepare for your day. One puff or a part of gummy should be enough to send you on your way.  Too much and the urge to crawl back in bed may be too strong.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

A wonderful side effect of meditating with cannabis is the bliss found can last throughout the day. Remember it is not a chore, but a tool for holistic well being. There’s no reason to feel overwhelmed, even if you’re going into the meditation with anxiety and a busy brain.

The ancient ritual of meditation has brought peace to many students of the practices. Why not give it a shot?

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