Culture

Best Hacks To Fall Asleep Faster

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2023

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Stress, worry, an overly full stomach, noises….all conspire to steal shuteye from even the soundest sleepers. An estimated 50 million to 70 million people struggle with sleeping and almost everyone has issues no and again. A good night is important to your health, especially since if you eat well and exercise, you lose less fat when you’re not getting enough sleep. The National Sleep Foundation, along with a multi-disciplinary expert panel, issued its recommendations that most working adults need between 7-9 hours a night. So here are the best hacks to fall asleep faster!

Pretend to be in REM sleep

This idea is a little out there, but it makes some sense. REM is short for rapid eye movement, signaling that super deep sleep where our eyes move behind our eyelids and we rest deeply. Lay down comfortably in bed and try to avoid thinking about anything. Close your eyes and follow the random patterns that appear behind your eyelids.

According to Lifehacker, you should know you’re on your way to sleeping once you start to see complete images, which is super trippy but sounds like solid advice.

Guided Imagery

Recalling a serene memory or imagining a peaceful setting can help reduce the stressors of the day to prepare your mind and body for sleep. Take slow, deep breaths and focus on sensory details, including sights, sounds, and smells to immerse yourself in an imagined space. You may find it helpful to use a pre-recorded soundtrack to direct your thoughts. Guided imagery soundtracks are widely available online.

Sleep during the night

cbd for sleep — Photo by Ivan Obolensky via Pexels

Sleeping at night is very important, offering benefits long naps and mid-day sleeps are unable to provide. Sleeping during the day is harder and it may also disrupt your circadian rhythms, which have been associated to heart conditions, weight gain, cognitive impairments, and more.

Eat foods that contain melatonin

Don’t go to bed hungry or full, and perhaps eat foods that promote the development of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your wakefulness. Foods containing tryptophan, such as chicken, eggs and cod, are good for sleep since they promote the development of this hormone.

Make sure your room is sleep proofed

One of the best ways to ensure you sleep like a baby is having a room that’s dark, quiet, and comfortable, allowing you to make the most out of the hours you spend in bed. If redesigning your room is too much work, you can always use comfortable earplugs and a sleep mask. Avoid doing any type of work in your bed to it is a relaxing, fun place.

May any and all of these work of you, sweet dreams.

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Cannabis

A Look At Martin Luther King And Cannabis

Published

1 hour ago

January 20, 2025

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MLK shared a vision about building a fabric of society, including everyone and working together. Can this happen with the marijuana industry?

The swearing in a new president always gives hope. The cannabis industry has seen 3 presidents, none who have helped move the industry truly forward. The public has had a change of heart and now almost 90% believe it should be legal in some form. The major medical associations and federal agencies (aside from the Drug Enforcement Adminstration) believe it has medical value. And yet, our older, white politicians see it for something it is not. Thousands of mom and pop business are hoping for a change to help them on their ladder to the American dreams. And tens of millions are turning to marijuana to not only solve medical problems, but to wean themselves off the more dangerous alcohol. Here is a look at Martin Luther King and cannabis.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely recognized for his pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality and justice. Although he did not publicly address cannabis use during his lifetime, his principles resonate deeply with contemporary discussions surrounding marijuana legalization and the broader implications of drug policy on social justice.

The prohibition of cannabis in the United States has roots in racial discrimination and social control. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which effectively criminalized marijuana, was influenced by prejudiced attitudes towards minority communities, particularly targeting Mexican immigrants. This historical context is crucial when examining how the “War on Drugs” has disproportionately affected people of color, echoing the systemic injustices that King fought against.

Many scholars and activists argue if King were alive today, he would likely advocate for an end to the War on Drugs, recognizing it as a continuation of racial oppression. Michelle Alexander, in her influential work “The New Jim Crow,” highlights how the drug war has perpetuated cycles of racial injustice and mass incarceration. Statistics reveal that Black individuals are arrested for cannabis offenses at rates significantly higher than their white counterparts, despite similar usage rates. This disparity aligns with King’s vision of equality and justice for all.

As discussions around cannabis legalization continue to evolve, figures like Martin Luther King III emphasize the importance of equity in the cannabis industry. He advocates for creating opportunities for marginalized communities to participate in this burgeoning market. This aligns with King’s broader vision of building a “beloved community” where economic and social justice prevail.

A large portion of industry leaders who were involved in the incoming president’s campaign are hopeful. Millions of average people want it, millions more need it for medical issues, and thousands of small business owned by a variety of people want it, will this administration take the step forward?

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All You Can Eat

Marijuana Can Help You Sleep Late This Weekend

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

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The holidays and then back to work to a busy 2025 – relax and sleep late this 3 day weekend with a little help from cannabis

First came the holidays and then boom, back to work. After 5 weeks of making merry, all the meetings, work things and more have accumulated and it is back to work in wintery weather. Add the news and short days – it can be a little disheartening. Taking time for a relaxing, indulgence sleeping in sounds great – but sometimes the body is too wound up. Well, marijuana can help you sleep late this weekend – and maybe help your body unwind.

The relationship between cannabis and sleep is complex and multifaceted. Cannabis primarily affects sleep through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system in the brain. The active compounds, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), bind to cannabinoid receptors, promoting sleep by increasing levels of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that encourages sleepiness, and suppressing arousal signals in the brain. THC is known to reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep while increasing deep, slow-wave sleep, which is considered restorative.

7 Things To Keep In Mind When Using Cannabis As A Sleep Aid — Photo by Kinga Cichewicz via Unsplash

For many users, marijuana can provide short-term benefits such as faster sleep onset and improved sleep quality during the first half of the night. A significant portion of users report that cannabis helps them relax both mentally and physically, leading to deeper and more uninterrupted sleep. This is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from conditions like chronic pain, PTSD, or restless legs syndrome, where cannabis may alleviate symptoms that interfere with sleep.

Despite the short-term benefits, experts caution against long-term reliance on marijuana for sleep. Research indicates habitual use can lead lack of sleep, increased awakenings during the night and fragmented sleep patterns. Over time, users may find that the initial benefits diminish, leading to a cycle where insomnia returns more severely upon cessation of use. Like most sleep aids, this is for occasional use and not a nightly routine.

Interestingly, surveys reveal that nearly 25% of Americans occasionally use marijuana to help with sleep. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger generations. Over 50% of Gen Z express high stress and the need to relax.

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alcohol

The Best Cocktails For This Winter 3 Day Weekend

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

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The first 3-day weekend of the year is a reason to kick back or have an adventure – and here are cocktails to accompany the ride!

The year has started with a bang and now we are rolling into the first 3 Day weekend – ending in the presidential inauguration. Skiing, hiking, travel, chilling or politics…what better way to compliment the activity than with something tasty. Here are the best cocktails for this winter 3 day weekend.

Original Sin

What better way to start a 3 Day weekend and Inauguration weekend then with a little indulgence in with the original sin. The drink has multiple recipes – including one iwth absinthe, but this one should be easy, tasty and a perfect way to kick off the weekend.

Ingredients

2 ounces chilled champagne
1 ounce brandy
Splash of triple sec
Splash of grenadine
Orange twist for garnish

Create

Combine ingredients in a brand snifter
Stir and add ice cube to chill to taste
Garnish with orange twist

The Americana Cocktail

Wha better way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day with an all American drink and a vision of a better tomorrow. This drink is tasty and potent.

Ingredients

1 sugar cube (we prefer a demerara sugar cube)
4 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 ounce bourbon
2 ounces Brut Champagne
Orange slice for garnish

Create

Coat the sugar cube well with the Angostura bitters – approximately 4 dashes
Drop the sugar cube into a chilled flute
Pour the bourbon over the sugar
Top up with the Champagne.
Garnish with an orange slice

Whiskey Smash

Why not try something different. You might not want to get smashed this weekend, but this cocktail can trace its origin back to the late 1800s. Tasty, refreshing and easy to make. Great way to delight your taste buds.

2 oz. Bourbon
¼ Lemon, cut into chunks
½ oz. simple syrup
8-10 Mint leaves
Garnish: Mint sprig

Create

Muddle the lemon in a shaker
Add simple syrup, mint leaves, and bourbon
Shake with ice for 20 seconds
Strain into ice filled highball glass
Garnish with a mint sprig

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

Frostbite

Weather skiing, hiking, road tripping or hanging out in DC – chances are the weather is going to be nippy. Why not lean into it and have this spicy frostbite to feel cozy and warm on the inside?

Ingredients