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4 Reasons Why Cannabis Is Better Than Drinking During Lockdown

Now that we’re in self-quarantine, it’s important to find sources of fun while also taking care of ourselves. Here’s why cannabis is better than drinking during a pandemic.

Alcohol and marijuana sales have skyrocketed with the emergence of the coronavirus. People have been indulging more than ever in order to battle all sorts of mental wellness challenges prompted by the pandemic, whether it’s boredom, anxiety or stress.

There’s no correct way to combat stress, especially when faced with a situation that has affected every aspect of our lives. But it’s important to stay relatively healthy during these stressful times, especially since COVID-19 is expected to stay with us for an undetermined amount of time.

Using substances as important coping methods is never a good idea, but when it comes to marijuana vs. alcohol, there’s a clear winner — at least when it comes to less impactful side effects. According to different studies, alcohol is the world’s leading risk factor for death for people between the ages of 15-49. It’s a cause of substantial health loss, something that can’t be said for marijuana.

Here are 4 reasons why consuming marijuana and CBD is a better option than alcohol for quarantine:

It doesn’t cause hangovers

Ignoring the statistics and health hazards that alcohol poses, one of the worst aspects of consuming it are hangovers. Depending on your body, hangovers can affect you for days, making you feel nauseous and with painful migraines. While there are people who experience weed hangovers, these are nothing when compared to the average alcohol hangover.

It’s great for treating stress and anxiety

Science: Mixing Cannabis And Alcohol Can Be Dangerous
Photo by freestocks.org via Pexels

RELATED: 5 Ways To Incorporate Effective CBD Products Into Your Everyday Life

Your reaction to alcohol depends largely on your mood, making it a double edged sword when undergoing stress. CBD, on the other hand, can treat symptoms of anxiety and stress without altering your moods and mindset, becoming a useful tool for managing your emotions.

It’s better for longterm health  

The consumption of alcohol creates health risks, such as liver damage. But it also increases your odds of developing different kinds of cancer, including lung, breast, liver, stomach and more. While there are risks associated with marijuana, especially when it comes to smoking it, moderate consumption of the herb is still way less risky than drinking.

It’s less addictive

Cannabis May Help Treat Alcohol And Cocaine Addiction
Photo by Matthew Henry via Burst

RELATED: Marijuana Users Indulging More Than Ever Amid Coronavirus

Despite the fact that marijuana is one of the most popular drugs in the world, the amount of people that are addicted to it is relatively small. Alcohol addiction is very common, affecting 1 in every 8 Americans. There are also many diseases related to it, such as fetal alcohol syndrome, strokes, cardiovascular diseases, and more.

No matter your preference for either marijuana or alcohol, it’s always important to have some moderation, especially when vulnerable in the midst of a pandemic. Use substances for fun, for bonding with others, and for enhancing experiences. But also make time for  healthy hobbies.

Mental Health Gut Check — When Do You Talk To Someone?

Medical providers are being stretched more than ever before while looking for resources and ideas to help clients in need.

Kristin, a single mom in a suburb outside of Madison, Wisconsin recently shared, “I need my village — this is too hard.” Individuals everywhere are turning to social media to share frustrations and pandemic prep advice while starting to wrap their minds around what’s coming next with COVID-19 — a virus barreling through communities.

With over 43 million Americans faced with the stigma of mental illness, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) shared that the fear of stigma often keeps people from wanting to seek help. The Barna Group shared trends of U.S. adults in 2018 and found that 42% have seen a counselor at some point in their lives. In fact, Barna’s findings indicate that, “One-fifth of Millennials (21%) and 16% of Gen X are currently engaged in therapy.” 

Would counseling help Kristin, a mom faced not only with her own mental health, but protecting the health of children in her home?

Trauma, such as a pandemic can bring many emotions like grief, trepidation, and anxiety. The American Psychological Association (APA) has created a page on pandemics for providers to better understand how to serve potential clients like Kristin. Flush with information on minimizing stress, encouraging healthy discussion and creating innovative new approaches to address anxiety, providers are being stretched more than ever before while looking for resources and ideas to help clients in need.

RELATED: How Cannabis And CBD Can Help Eliminate The Stigma Around Mental Illness

how cannabis and cbd can help eliminate the stigma around mental illness
Photo by Anthony Tran via Unsplash

Even the World Health Organization (WHO) is acknowledging the complex and often unspoken emotions that come with a pandemic’s effects on the human mind. They found: 

“In any epidemic, it is common for individuals to feel stressed and worried. Common responses of people affected (both directly and indirectly) might include: 

  • Fear of falling ill and dying 
  • Avoiding approaching health facilities due to fear of becoming infected while in care 
  • Fear of losing livelihoods, not being able to work during isolation, and of being dismissed from work 
  • Fear of being socially excluded/placed in quarantine because of being associated with the disease (e.g. racism against persons who are from, or perceived to be from, affected areas)” 

It’s no wonder both  providers and individuals are struggling to find ways to navigate the much-changed day-to-day activities and perhaps a changing future as well.

RELATED: Doctor’s Advice On How To Ease Anxiety Around Coronavirus

If you or a loved one is struggling during the COVID-19 epidemic, professionals believe reaching out and asking for help is one of the best ways to tackle emotions and bring clarity. If you’re unsure how to move forward, it may be time for a mental gut check. Consider looking into these resources ready to listen and help: 

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255
  • CDC Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call:

  • 911
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)

Marijuana Users Indulging More Than Ever Amid Coronavirus

People are smoking more marijuana than usual under the coronavirus pandemic, often to combat anxiety, stress, and sometimes boredom.

When the imminent reality of life under the coronavirus set in, many consumers rushed to buy more marijuana than they normally would. According to a new survey, they’re smoking more of it, too.

Goldenseed, a California cannabis company, polled more than 1,200 Americans between the ages of 21 and 65 through a third-party surveyor. About 40% of marijuana users admitted to consuming more cannabis during the pandemic, while 35% worried whether they’d run out of goods. The survey offers a glimpse into the ongoing behavioral changes in marijuana use caused by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Previous data provided by Headset Analytics demonstrated intensive stockpiling trends in legal markets in the middle of March. Some states saw almost double their usual sales, approaching levels typically reserved for 4/20. That coronavirus bump has cooled as of late, but 22% of marijuana users continue to stockpile because of the pandemic, according to Goldenseed’s survey.

RELATED: Canadian Scientist Wants To Research Cannabis As Treatment For COVID-19

You can attribute multiple reasons to the increase in cannabis use, though stress and anxiety relief rank highest for users. A staggering 73.7% credited relieving anxious and stressful symptoms as reason for their higher usage. According to a 2019 study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, which focused on how cannabis affected common mental illnesses, about 90% of users lowered symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress after smoking marijuana.

Marijuana Users Indulging More Than Ever Amid Coronavirus
Photo by Yoel Peterson via Unsplash

However, the study’s authors concluded, while “[c]annabis reduces perceived symptoms of negative affect in the short-term, but continued use may exacerbate baseline symptoms of depression over time.”

But relieving stress and anxiety isn’t the only reason why people are smoking more marijuana. The survey found that around 37% use more marijuana just to combat boredom during our time of social distancing and self-isolation. Another group (28.1%) say using marijuana has helped maintain social bonds at this time, whether they participate in virtual happy hours or within a quarantine setting.

RELATED: 5 Things You Can Do In Self-Isolation While High

Among those polled, the majority of households made between $10-100,000 in the past year, while about 6% of respondents preferred not to answer. Survey participants also came from across the country, with the largest groups coming from the South Atlantic (18.2%) and the Pacific (17%) regions.

Here’s A Breakdown Of Who Supports Cannabis As ‘Essential’ During Pandemic

The coronavirus has prompted federal governments to reconsider legal marijuana, with some of them classifying dispensaries as essential businesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted states with legal marijuana programs to think quickly about the status of the drug and whether it’s considered an “essential” business or not. This qualification ensures that dispensaries remain open while other non-essential business close in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

A new poll conducted by YouGov asked more than 5,000 American adults about their opinions on this issue, documenting their results.

RELATED: Marijuana Sales Have Leveled Out Post-Coronavirus Bump

More than half (53%) of responders agreed that marijuana dispensaries should be considered “essential” during the coronavirus outbreak, which speaks to the progress that legal marijuana has made over a short span of time.

Oregon Marijuana Retailers Pass Decoy Test
Photo by Heath Korvola / Getty Images

RELATED: Canadian Scientist Wants To Research Cannabis As Treatment For COVID-19

Predictably, the poll showed that Democrats (62%) were more likely than Republicans (43%) to consider cannabis an essential service. (In February, a Gallup poll on cannabis consumption found that 24% of liberals reported consuming cannabis while only 4% of conservatives did.)

The largest demographic that approved of dispensaries as an essential business were those between the ages of 25-34. On the flip side, those who disapproved most were over the age of 55.

Former NFL Player In Hot Water After Claiming Marijuana Cures Coronavirus

Former All-Pro tight end Kyle Turley received swift backlash from the FDA and FTC, after numerous claims that CBD will save you from COVID-19.

You should first know that former NFL All-Pro Kyle Turley believes marijuana saved his life. He used that exact phrasing in interviews with both Sports Illustrated and USA Today. He claimed the plant allowed him to stop taking painkillers, saying it cured him of chronic pain, vertigo, rage (including homicidal tendencies), and more.

“Without a doubt, cannabis saved my life,” he told Benzinga. “I wouldn’t be where I am today; I would not have my family, my kids, my house, everything I have right now, if not for cannabis.”

RELATED: Should COVID-19 Allow Medical Patients To Grow Marijuana At Home?

But lately, Turley has told anyone who will listen that marijuana can prevent and cure the coronavirus. No clinical trials exist to corroborate such claims. NORML (the National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws)  told advocates and consumers alike to beware “if something sounds too good to be true,” regarding how marijuana can affect the coronavirus.

https://twitter.com/KyleTurley/status/1244399607016083457

Turley, who owns a South California dispensary and a line of CBD products called Neuro XPF, added that cannabis will boost your immune system and allow your body to fight the virus on its own. While research indicates cannabis is an immune-modulator, scientists disagree on how exactly marijuana affects your system. Some say marijuana suppresses your immune system, which causes inflammation to decrease. But inflammation also traps harmful viruses and bacteria, limiting their spread throughout your body.

“What are we going to do here?” Turley told USA TODAY. “Are we going to go into quarantine? Or are we going to live? And if you choose cannabis, I’m here to tell you that you’re going to live.”

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned several companies last month to stop making unsubstantiated claims about coronavirus cures. Turley said in an interview that he’d welcome federal action against his company for telling people the “truth” about CBD and cannabis. The FDA and FTC obliged his request.

“FDA is taking urgent measures to protect consumers from certain products that, without approval or authorization by FDA, claim to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 in people,” the FTC and FDA wrote in a joint letter to Turley. “As described below, you sell products that are intended to mitigate, prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19 in people. We request that you take immediate action to cease the sale of such unapproved and unauthorized products for the mitigation, prevention, treatment, diagnosis, or cure of COVID-19.”

https://twitter.com/KyleTurley/status/1245029567246434310

This isn’t the first time Turley made unsubstantiated claims around marijuana. The NFL radically changed its drug policies this year and will no longer suspend players for positive marijuana tests. Turley — an early advocate for NFL players using marijuana — credits himself for the rule revision, not all the other former and current football athletes who lobbied publicly and behind the scenes.

RELATED: New Study Finds Medical Marijuana Is Too Strong For Pain Relief

“I made this happen,” Turley told APN News. “The NFL is moving the needle on this because I first spoke with the NFL. There is no way the conversation is happening without me.”

Why States Need To ‘Flick The Legal Switch’ On Cannabis Amid COVID-19

Despite the varying policies and confusing rules, cannabis businesses continue to generate significant tax revenue in various states during the pandemic.

The coronavirus outbreak has prevented most businesses from remaining open for the foreseeable future, slamming local economies and devastating state tax revenue.

This grim scenario should be enough to convince states that were previously anti-cannabis to change their tune, according to David Hess, the co-founder of investment firm Tress Capital.

“Whereas several years ago some debate was possible, there is now indisputable data that state legalization equals job creation and tax revenue,” Hess told Benzinga. “Cannabis is simply one of the few sectors that governments can identify where with the flick of a legal switch, revenue and employment can be found.”

In certain states, medical cannabis is legal. In others, it’s available for recreational use as well. But the drug remains federally illegal and will likely remain that way so long as President Donald Trump is office.

Despite the varying policies and confusing rules, cannabis businesses — per Benzinga’s coverage — continue to generate significant tax revenue in various states, including Michigan joining Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

RELATED: Marijuana Sales Have Leveled Out Post-Coronavirus Bump

Virutally every industry has come to a halt due to the pandemic, and they will likely remain that way since social distancing quidelines and other quarantine measures have been extended to the end of April. Many cannabis companies, however, have remained open and put various delivery and drop-off services into action to abide by county and state rules.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, for example, is allowing curbside pickup for green card holders, while limiting the number of people inside a store at once. In Nevada and other states, cannabis dispensaries were not listed among the “non-essential” services in any risk mitigation guidelines.

5 questions you should ask yourself before visiting a marijuana dispensary
Photo by A_Melnyk/Getty Images

Turns out, social distancing is driving cannabis demand.

As a result, legislatures that had not considered legalization are more likely to do so now than before, Hess explained.

“In New York, for example, conservative estimates have shown legal cannabis would bring over $1 billion in tax revenue per year,” he said. “Given New York’s COVID-19-induced financial crunch, cannabis seems like an obvious item to add to the list of levers to pull for capital.”

RELATED: Marijuana Legalization Could Get A Boost Post Coronavirus

California has raised $1 billion in cannabis tax revenue since January 2018. Colorado’s cannabis tax revenues generate hundreds of millions annually.

“This is simply one of the go-to areas to find tax revenue and jobs,” Hess said.

It remains to be seen how quickly states will, or are able to, act. MJBizDaily reported last week that cannabis ballot initiatives across the U.S., including a recreational initiative in Ohio and a medical marijuana petition drive in Nebraska, have stalled as petition drives go on hiatus due to stay-at-home advisories put in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

As a result, pot enthusiasts have not been able to collect enough signatures ahead of official deadlines.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga.

How The Coronavirus Pandemic Is Affecting Our Sex Lives

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The coronavirus is affecting the sex industry, people’s porn-viewing habits and the ways in which dating apps work.

Since the coronavirus emerged, people’s sex lives have been affected in various waus. From sex workers to singles to married couples, the stress that the virus has caused is reflected in the ways in which we’re intimate.

The easiest results to track, and the ones that were first reported, relate to the sex industry. Since early March, sex workers have reported a significant loss of income, be that due to empty strip clubs or the fact that porn stars are trying to minimize contact with other performers in order to protect their health.

Psychology Today reports that porn consumption rates are higher than usual, with Pornhub reporting a steady increase throughout the month of March. This is due to people spending more time at home and also the fact that Pornhub has granted premium subscriptions for most users across the world. (There’s also been a rise in coronavirus-themed porn, which is hilarious but also concerning.)

RELATED: Pornhub Premium Is Free For Everyone Thanks To Coronavirus

Dating apps, such as Tinder, have handled mass panic by encouraging people to wash their hands and by facilitating video and phone call options. “It seems a bit counterproductive to be using hand sanitiser in work and then go give a blow job to a stranger in the woods in the evening,” a guy told Vice when asked about how the pandemic has affected his dating life.

Other apps, like Grindr, have devised different ways for people to stay engaged and safe (and indoors!), including “chat only” preferences.

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Photo by Alex Iby via Unsplash

The Inner Circle, an upscale dating website, says that the number of messages exchanged through the app have risen by 116% over the past week, with 50% more people opting for video chats and phone calls to interact with their dates. Chatters are also finding themselves discussing unromantic topics such as toilet paper.

RELATED: Sex Clubs Are Now Hosting Digital Orgies Because Of Coronavirus

“There has also been an 800% increase in members talking about ‘quarantine’ since the start of March. Mentions of Netflix have also increased by 70% as people discuss how they are keeping entertained,” David Vermeulen, CEO of The Inner Circle, told CNBC

It’s unknown how we’ll respond to these situations as the months progress and whether the coronavirus will affect people’s ability to have sex with strangers in the near future. In the meantime, there’s a lot of stress and uncertainty that surrounds us, not only when it comes to our sex lives but in almost every aspect of our lives. Just try to enjoy that Pornhub premium for as long as it lasts (April 23).

Marijuana Sales Have Leveled Out Post-Coronavirus Bump

Following the stockpiling trend, marijuana sales have fallen back to pre-pandemic daily averages.

Right after social distancing protocols and shelter-in-place orders were mandated in cities like San Francisco and Seattle, consumers exhibited panic-buying behavior by stock piling necessary goods. Not only did cities count cannabis as “essential” during the coronavirus outbreak, consumers stocked up on it like it was toilet paper; sales almost doubled in some recreational markets, with figures comparable to those seen on 4/20.

According to new data from Headset Analytics, that sales bump has disappeared as of late. States popular for marijuana tourism like Nevada and California saw sales dip below average daily sales last week following the stockpiling trend. Washington and Colorado still exhibited slightly above average sales, though not anywhere close to the initial rush saw in the middle of March.

RELATED: NORML Gives Marijuana Consumption Safety Guidelines During Coronavirus Outbreak

Not all cannabis products are viewed equally at this time, though. Edibles and beverages have become the favorable preference for customers to stock up on, while pre-rolled joints are seen as unnecessary to buy up. In California, median sales and pre-rolls sit below previous daily average for sales. At the same time, edibles have retained a 5% boost in sales even following the drop off elsewhere.

cannabis stocks and the thing about bubbles
Photo by M. B. M. via Unsplash

“Edibles are seeing significantly more growth and a much softer fall than our beloved Pre-Rolls,” wrote the Headset staff. “With most states prohibiting social gatherings there just aren’t nearly as many joints being passed around. However, having an Edible and watching Netflix is a pretty great way to socially distance.”

In Michigan, meanwhile, medical dispensaries and recreational stores experienced their highest ever profits. According to latest numbers, recreational hit $5.8 million in sales (an increase of over 20%), while medical was just under $8 million (an increase of 27%). But those sales are also expected to decline under Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, which allowed temporary cannabis regulations that expanded curbside pickups and delivery capabilities.

RELATED: 5 Ways To Reduce Stress If All You Can Think About Is Coronavirus

With marijuana becoming an “essential” good, it represents a full embrace of cannabis by the mainstream public. Little to no backlash existed from these announcements. Sustained sales during the outbreak will prove vital for marijuana stores, as companies are ineligible for coronavirus-related relief from the federal government.

How to Find An Effective CBD Dose

Here are some some basic principles and best practices to help you ascertain effectively the correct CBD dose that works for you. 

CBD can affect each individual differently, with some people finding a bit of relief with a 5mg microdose (or even less) while others need 50mg of CBD in order to feel any discernible effects. So how can you ascertain how much CBD you need to consume? 

While some companies have produced kits that can test one’s endocannabinod system, testing is not readily available to the general public or covered by insurance. This means that your doctor cannot measure the amount of endocannabinoids present in your body like they can test for, say, deficiencies in Vitamin C or assess your cholesterol levels.

As such, your doctor cannot determine how much CBD you need to take given your particular body chemistry. This is why you need to engage in the process of self-titration by testing yourself to achieve your own personal optimal dose.

Anna Symonds, Director of Education for East Fork Cultivars, offers some some basic principles and best practices to help you ascertain effectively the correct CBD dose that works for you. 

RELATED: 5 Of The Most Popular Ways To Take CBD

Start low and go slow. Start with 5mg of CBD and then slowly increase the dosage as needed until you feel the optimal effects. Most people find that 5-30mg of CBD represents the sweet spot that works best for them. 

Be patient. Realize that it could take up to a few weeks of consistent supplementation to feel the effects from CBD. If you run into unwanted side effects, back off a bit and then try a slower increase. Also, the lower amount of CBD might be your ideal portion.

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Photo by Tinnakorn Jorruang/Getty Images

Symonds also advises not to combine CBD with other substances, such as over-the-counter medicine or pharmaceuticals, without consulting with your health care provider. Also, leave at least a two hour window before and after consuming CBD in order to minimize the risk of any potential interactions.

CBD can naturally lower blood pressure and reduce the need for insulin in the body. So if you’re already on any medication for those purposes, be sure to work with your healthcare providers to keep an eye on their levels.

Best Way For Long Term Storage Of Marijuana

The compounds in marijuana are heavily affected by oxygen, light and temperature.

In the Costco mind set, buying in bulk is a value move which allows you to have your favorite products always handy.  Why not the same deal for cannabis? But some products don’t last over time, so here is the best way for long term storage of marijuana.

The 2019 study, published in the peer-review journal Forensic Science International, was conducted with the goal of figuring out what factors like oxygen, light and temperature have on marijuana compounds (mainly THC, CBN, and CBD). The best way to store it, freeze it.

The research analyzed 24 samples of cannabis over a period of four years. These samples were stored in four different locations, all with controlled conditions, and were later compared to each other for their THC, CBN, and CBD levels.

Final results concluded that marijuana compound levels, particularly THC and CBN, were heavily altered by outside factors.

RELATED: Is The Old Marijuana I Found Under The Couch Safe To Smoke?

When marijuana is stored at room temperature, its THC levels lower while the CBN levels rise. When marijuana is refrigerated, the effects are similar, only slowed down. When cannabis is frozen, the THC levels stay the same, unaffected by the passage of time. Interestingly enough, cannabis’s CBD levels remained unaltered no matter the time or storage conditions.

Photo by Flickr user Jim Winstead

Studies like these are very useful, since they help scientists understand how cannabis and its compounds work. These results could be used for legal and scientific purposes and could shed a light on how cannabis compounds differ from each other.

RELATED: Canadian Scientist Wants To Research Cannabis As Treatment For COVID-19

On a more basic and useful level for marijuana consumers, studies like this help us take better care of our purchases, allowing people to store marijuana in ways that are efficient and cost effective.

If you’re leaving your house for an indeterminate amount of time or if you just have a bunch of weed at home, sneak a bag in the freezer. Once you’re ready to smoke it, bring it out, wait for it to thaw and the cannabis will be as effective as ever.

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