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?
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?
Alcohol does not make it easier to catch a cold. In fact, there is some evidence moderate alcohol consumption may actually reduce the frequency of colds. However, excessive alcohol use can negatively impact the immune system and potentially increase susceptibility to infections.
Some studies suggest moderate alcohol intake may decrease the number of colds people get overall. For example, one study found that participants who consumed 11.5 to 35.8 grams of alcohol per day (equivalent to about 1-3 standard drinks) experienced fewer episodes of the common cold compared to non-drinkers.
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
And THC can help stimulate appetite, which may be beneficial when feeling unwell
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.
Now is the time to introduce something new and fresh to your drink menu – try out these new cocktails!
January is the time to introduce new things into your life. While 80% of those who join gyms drop out in 3 months, other habits tend to continue. Taking a break from social media is another popular resolution along with drinking more water. They are easier to implement. But if you are already enjoy a cocktail or two – why not resolve to try new ones? Here are some New Year new cocktails to try and expand your palate.
A hussy is awoman who behaves in a disrespectful or inappropriate way or who has many casual sexual relationships. Sounds like the perfect drink to start 2025. Bold, sassy, and potent!
Ingredients
1.5ozsvodka
1.5 ozs triple sec
Fresh lemon squeeze
Lemon wedge
Create
Zombie
This drink will put you on another plane. Taken from the Caribbean traditions of rum and voodoo, this Zombie lives up to all expectations.
Ingredients
1 oz dark rum
1 oz light rum
1/2 oz golden rum
1.2 oz apricot brandy (or any brandy in a pinch)
Juice form 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon Grenadine
1/2 pineapple juice
1/3 oz overproof rum
1/2 simple sryup
Pineapple wedge for garnish
Create
Combine all ingredients except overproof rum and pineapple wedge in shaker
Add ice
Shake until well mixed
Pour into tall highboy without straining
Using the back of a spoon, float the overproof rum on top
Add pineapple wedge for garnish
Lady of Leisure
January is the time to return to work….won’t it be great to be a lady (or lord) or leisure? Here is a drink which is indulgent, delicious and tasty. Feel like the 1% with one of these.
Everyone is so “good” in January – exercising, starting healthy habits, reading more, trying to “lean in”….why not break the trend with this Gin and Sin. Embrace your own path.
It is a quiet question people want to know – how long does cannabis stay with you
The most common reason a police officer pulls a car over is speeding. Exceeding the posted speed limit is considered the primary reason for traffic stops by most law enforcement agencies. But once pulled over, the officials can asks for tests. Also, many companies (including parts of the federal government) still conduct drug testing. Marijuana’s presence in the human body can be detected for varying lengths of time, depending on several factors. Understanding how long does cannabis stay in your system is crucial for both medical and legal reasons.
There are a variety of factors in play which determines how long cannabis is in your system. THC, the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, is metabolized by the body into various compounds. Some metabolites have half-lives of 20 hours, while others can last 10-13 days. Complete elimination can take between five and 65 days, depending on individual factors.
Different drug tests have varying sensitivity levels and detection windows. Urine tests are the most common and can detect marijuana use from a few days to over a month after last use. Blood tests are less common (and more expensive) but can indicate recent use, making them useful for situations like DUI cases.
Like alcohol, there are a variety of factors which goes into how long it can stay in your system. Alcohol can stay in your system from 12-48 hours. Edible marijuana products can stay in your system longer due to the way they’re metabolized. A 10mg THC edible can remain detectable for 4-12 hours, with higher doses potentially extending this timeframe.
The variables influence how long marijuana remains in your system include:
Frequency of Use: Chronic users retain THC longer than occasional users. First-time users may clear THC in about 3 days, while daily users could test positive for up to 30 days or more.
THC Concentration: Higher potency marijuana leads to longer retention and slower elimination.
Body Composition: THC is fat-soluble, so individuals with higher body fat percentages may retain it longer.
Metabolism: A faster metabolism tends to eliminate THC more quickly.
Hydration: Proper hydration can influence the rate of THC elimination.
Genetics: Some individuals may be predisposed to metabolizing marijuana more quickly or slowly.
Consumption Method: Inhaled marijuana reaches the bloodstream faster than ingested forms.
The duration marijuana stays in your system is highly variable and depends on numerous factors. While casual users may clear THC relatively quickly, frequent users can test positive for weeks after their last use. Understanding these factors can help individuals make informed decisions regarding marijuana use, especially in contexts where drug testing may occur.
Lean into the joy of the holiday season with this merry cocktails – delight your taste buds and favorite people!
According to TikTok, it s the most wonderful, stressful, fun, boozy time of year. So why not lean into the season and make merry with something fun. Here are the best cocktails to make you feel festive, no matter what the situation. Plus, these are drinks you can make quickly with minimum effort and maximum fun. Pour one of these concoctions and have a moment of peace or share them with the one you like, love or tolerate at work. Sip, savor and bring a little ho ho ho into the moment.
Here is a way to settle into a cozy beverage which will warm your body and soul. Bourbon has been part of the holidays for generations…and you can make this a new tradition.
Ingredients
2ozbourbon
1/2oz simple syrup
2dashes bitters
2 dashes orange juice
Garnish: cinnamon stick and orange peel
Create
Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and add ice
Stir for 20 seconds
Strain into a rocks glass with ice
Garnish with orange peel and a cinnamon stick
Easy, Tasty Egg Nog
You either you love it or hate it, but Egg Nog is a holiday staple. This recipe makes it lighter, tasty and a wee dangerous since it is so good. It bring a whole new take on a staid drink.
Ingredients
2 oz store bought egg nog
1ozmilk (2% is the best)
small splash vanilla
1 oz Licor 43
Create
Combine egg nog, milk and vanilla
Stir until well mixed
Add Licor 43 and stir again
Pour into a fun glass and enjoy
White Bishop
The Bishop’s Wife is a great holiday movie filled with the Christmas spirit and some never ending booze. This drink is an embraces the fun, warmth, snow, and spirit of the evening. Perfect as a dessert drink, a morning treat or just to lift your holiday mood.
Nothing says celebration like bubbles. Whether you use champagne or prosecco, this is bound to bring a smile to your face. And the poinsettia is Christmas tradition since
Ingredients
1/2ozorange liqueur
3oz cranberry juice
3oz of champagne or prosecco
Garnish with fresh cranberries
Create
Pour orange liqueur and cranberry juice into a chilled champagne flute