alcohol

Is An Old Fashioned Or A Gummy Healthier

Published

4 days ago

November 1, 2024

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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.

Alcohol consumption carries substantial health risks, especially with heavy or long-term use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that excessive alcohol use leads to approximately 88,000 deaths annually in the United States. Alcohol is linked to liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and increased cancer risk. It can also exacerbate mental health issues and contribute to accidents and violence

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.

While both substances carry risks, the available evidence suggests that cannabis is likely the healthier choice when compared to alcohol. It has a lower risk of overdose, less severe long-term health consequences, and potentially more medical applications. However, it’s crucial to note that the healthiest option is always moderation or abstinence from both substances.

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The Best Cocktails To Forget Politics

Published

4 days ago

November 1, 2024

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It seems everywhere you turn it is all politics….you just need a break and these cocktails may help!

The nation is in the final throes of the election and it has been brutal. You can’t turn around without donation requests, outrage or just news news news. According to a study, it is the most stressful election to date. It could be a good idea to tune out and breathe for a bit. Here are the best cocktails to forget politics and have some fun.

RELATED: Beer Sales Flatten Thanks To Marijuana

Gin Ricky

The Gin Rickey originated in Washington, D.C. in the 1880s. Bartender George A. Williamson created the drink at Shoomaker’s Bar after witnessing Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joseph Kyle Rickey add a lime to his bourbon highball. The drink was named after the Colonel Rickey, who was known for drinking bourbon with soda and lime. The Gin Rickey became more popular than the original bourbon version, and was especially popular during Prohibition.

Ingredients

2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
Club soda, to top
Lime slice for garnish

Create

Fill a highball glass with ice and add the gin and lime juice
Top with club soda
Garnish with lime slice

El Presidente Cocktail

El Presidente

This classic Cuban cocktail is likely named after President Mario García Menocal, who served from 1913 to 1921. The El Presidente became popular in Havana during the 1920s and 1930s, when many Americans visited Cuba to escape Prohibition. After Prohibition was lifted, Americans brought the cocktail back to the United States. It bring a little tropical sun and fun to any day or moment.

1 1/2 ounces white rum
3/4 ounce dry vermouth
1/4 ounce orange curaçao
2 dashes grenadine

Create

Add the white rum, dry vermouth, orange curaçao and grenadine to a mixing glass with ice
tir until well-chilled
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass

Vesper

This sexy drink has a story. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, was inspired by his visits to Dukes Hotel in London, where he was served stiff drinks by head bartender Gilberto Preti. He worked it into Casino Royale and named the concoction after Vesper Lynd, a double agent and love interest of Bond.

1 cup ice
3 fluid ounces gin
1 fluid ounce vodka
½ fluid ounce Lillet blanc
1 orange twist

Create

Fill a cocktail mixing glass with ice
Pour in gin, vodka, and Lillet, stir until chilled
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with an orange twist

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

A Shandy Maker

The shandy originated in England in the 1850s as a mixture of beer and ginger ale or ginger beer, and was originally called a shandygaff (what a name!). By the late 19th century, the ginger ale was replaced by lemonade or lemon soda, and the “gaff” was dropped to shorten the word to “shandy”. By adding a brown liquor, this ups the alcohol and richness of flavor. Perfect to take you mind off politics.

Ingredients

2 to 4 leaves fresh marjoram
1 3/4 ounces 100-proof bourbon
3/4 ounce grapefruit juice
1/4 ounce lemon juice
1/4 ounce simple syrup
3 ounces chilled IPA or another beer
Grapefruit twist for garnish

Create

In a mixing glass, dry-muddle the marjoram.
Add the bourbon, grapefruit juice, lemon juice and simple syrup into the mixing glass. Fill with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a pint glass over fresh ice.
Top with the beer and stir briefly and gently to combine.
Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

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alcohol

Best Ways To Reduce Your Halloween Hangover

Published

7 days ago

October 29, 2024

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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.

For most people, a hangover is comes from drinking. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes the body to urinate more and lose fluids.This can lead to dehydration, which can cause thirst, fatigue, headaches, and dizziness. Alcohol can also trigger an inflammatory response from the immune system, which can cause physical symptoms like headaches, chills, fatigue, nausea, and stomach upset.

One reason people are moving to becoming California sober is to avoid these affects, especially the inflammation.

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.

Get Adequate Sleep
Allow yourself plenty of time to sleep. Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns, so giving your body extra time to rest and recover is crucial.

Eat a Nutritious Breakfast
In the morning, have a hearty breakfast. This helps restore blood sugar levels and provides necessary nutrients. Consider foods that are easy on the stomach, like toast or crackers.

Take Pain Relief (if needed)
If you have a headache, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or aspirin. Avoid acetaminophen, as it can be harmful to your liver when combined with alcohol.

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Can Cannabis Or Alcohol Help With Colds

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2024

admin

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.

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