Cocktails, beers, vapes, and gummies are all staples of social gathers – but is the cocktails or the vape better?

Alcohol has long consistent hold on society. Having been part of India, the Middle East and more, it has played a part in medicine, religion, intimacy and recreation for thousands of year. Yet alcohol has become the modern accepted intoxicant.  But is an old fashioned or a gummy healthier in today’s world?  Moderation is the key for both, but science comes down clearly on one side.

Cannabis and alcohol are two of the most widely used recreational substances, but their health impacts differ significantly. While neither is without risks, research suggests that cannabis may be the healthier option overall when used responsibly.

Cannabis, on the other hand, has a lower risk profile. There have been no reported deaths from marijuana overdose, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. While smoking cannabis can have negative effects on lung health, alternative consumption methods like gummies, tinctures and oils avoid this risk. Cannabis is also less addictive than alcohol, with about 9% of users becoming dependent compared to 23% for alcohol.

Both substances impair cognitive function and motor skills in the short term. However, alcohol tends to have more severe immediate effects, including the risk of alcohol poisoning. Cannabis typically does not cause the intense hangover effects associated with alcohol use.

Moderate alcohol consumption may have some cardiovascular benefits, according to some studies. However, cannabis has shown promise in pain management and as a potential alternative to more dangerous opioid medications. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that researchers continue to explore.

Halloween is on a Thursday – so there are multiple days to celebrate….here is a guide to surviving with a minimal hangover.

Halloween is on a Thursday this year so you have two weekend, and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday to celebrate with parties, haunted houses or just drinks with friends.  But all this festive and spooky drinks, might mean a hangover.  Here are the best ways to reduce your Halloween hangover.

Eat a Hearty Meal
Consuming a meal rich in fats before drinking can help slow alcohol absorption. Foods like avocados delay the absorption of alcohol in the body, potentially lessening the hangover’s intensity.

Hydrate Properly
Drink plenty of water throughout the day before you start consuming alcohol. This helps prepare your body for the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

Choose Drinks Wisely
Opt for drinks with lower congener content. Congeners are toxic chemicals that contribute to hangover severity. Clear spirits like vodka, gin, and rum have lower congener levels compared to darker liquors like whiskey and cognac.

Pace Yourself
Drink slowly and alternate between alcoholic beverages and water. This helps your body process the alcohol more efficiently and keeps you hydrated.

Stay Hydrated
Drink a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage. This practice helps counteract alcohol’s diuretic effect and reduces dehydration.

Avoid Mixing Drinks
Stick to one type of alcohol throughout the night. Mixing different types of drinks can increase the likelihood and severity of a hangover

If all the pre-work doesn’t help – here are tips to help with the recovery.

Rehydrate
Before going to bed, drink a large glass of water. Keep water by your bedside to sip if you wake up during the night.

The weather is turning cold, wet and soon snowy – it is the winter cold season – does marijuana or booze help or hurt?

October is when the weather turns and head colds appear in force. There are reasons for it, more time indoors during the colder months, which makes it easier for viruses to spread is a key reason. Also, cold, dry air can make nasal passages more vulnerable to infection. It is heard to avoid, but there are some thing you can do to avoid them and still have fun! Washing your hands, keep work and home surfaces clean, get enough sleep and eat healthy are all helpful.  But can cannabis or alcohol help with colds?

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While both marijuana and booze are seen as “bad” and “vices”, there are reasons to consider them as a helpmate during cold season. The average adult will get 2 to 4 colds a year, mainly in the fall and winter months. The symptoms including a stuffy runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, fever and a cough…it makes it miserable.  But beyond a bracing hot toddy…can a couple of vices help?

The potential protective effect may be due to alcohol’s influence on certain aspects of the immune response, such as the release of inflammatory cytokines, which could be beneficial for fighting infections in the short term/

Occasional or moderate drinking may have some benefits but excessive or frequent alcohol use can negatively impact the immune system and overall health. Alcohol can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. It can alter gut flora, damage the intestinal lining, and impair immune cell function in the respiratory tract, increasing vulnerability to infections. And it can lead you to dehydration if you are not careful.

The biggest thing is alcohol may help before you catch a cold, but not after you catch one.

Marijuana can’t help you avoid a cold, but it can help you manage the symptoms. Cannabis, particularly CBD, has anti-inflammatory properties that could help reduce inflammation associated with colds. THC and CBD may help relieve body aches and headaches that often accompany colds. Cannabis can promote sleep, which is important for recovery when sick

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A cold can be caused by a number of different viruses, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and seasonal coronaviruses. There is no cure for the common cold, but there are ways to treat symptoms and feel better while your body fights it off.  Get plenty of rest, hydrate, use humidifiers or team to help the throat and eat well.