Culture

Sleeping In On Weekends May Offer No Benefits

Published

12 months ago

September 16, 2023

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Most of us sleep in on weekends, taking advantage of time off to recuperate, especially if we’ve had a draining week. A new study claims that no matter how much we nap and sleep in on weekends there’s no way of eliminating the negative side effects that come with an irregular sleep schedule.

The research, published on Current Biology, analyzed patients who only slept five hours throughout the week. Although these patients were free to nap and sleep in on weekends, they still gained an average of three pounds after two weeks of following the regimen, with their metabolisms experiencing disruptions that increased their odds of developing diabetes.

“These health effects are long-term. It’s kind of like smoking once was—people would smoke and wouldn’t see an immediate effect on their health, but people will say now that smoking is not a healthy lifestyle choice. I think sleep is in the early phase of where smoking used to be,” says Kenneth Wright, director of the sleep and chronobiology laboratory at the University of Colorado.

Experts on sleep habits believe it necessary for people to change their perspectives regarding sleep, and that they should try their hardest to maintain it’s balance and equilibrium. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much sleep you clock in at the end of the week, it’s about maintaining a healthy and sustainable sleep schedule.

Sleep deprivation is a serious matter, contributing to health issues like weight gain, risk of diabetes, heart disease, stress and more. The participants analyzed were all healthy, with no medical problems of any sort, yet they still experienced health damages. Although the long term side effects of sleep deprivation are still unknown, studies like this one prove that the conversation surrounding sleep should evolve, and that people should take sleep as seriously as getting enough exercise and maintaining a balanced diet.

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anxiety

Boomer And Gen Z Consume Marijuana For Similar Reasons

Published

6 hours ago

September 14, 2024

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Cannabis has become popular for every adult age group- but the surprise is Gen Z and Boomers are using it for similar reasons.

Cannabis is fully legal to over 50% of the population and all groups are embracing its use. Proven healthier than alcohol, it has become much more common in all sets. Even Florida looks like it is going to vote for recreational cannabis. Long stigmatized as a way to get high, be lazy and lay about on the couch, it turns out it is become part of every day life…and part of a health regime. An example of how it is being used, Boomer and Gen Z consume marijuana for similar reasons.

It is become so accepted, AARP did a study about use among Boomers. AARP is the largest print magazine with 38 million readers…and their bulletin has 33 million. A huge validator for the demographic. It also shows they are more open to more mainstream cannabis. This falls in line by the positions of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

gummies — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

The AARP study revealed 21 percent ages 50-plus used some form of cannabis — be it food, drink, flower or another type— at least once in the last year, a report from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging found. That’s up from 1 in 8 (12 percent) in 2021. In 2015 and 2016, roughly 3 percent of adults 65 and older used cannabis, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Roughly 68% of poll respondents who used cannabis products did so for help with sleep, the researchers found. Many also cited pain relief (63 percent), mental health, anxiety, and mood (53 percent) and relaxation (81 percent) as reasons for using cannabis.

What is interesting is Gen Z, the youngest adult generation, Gen Z, is an also a big fan of marijuana. They helped fuel the California Sober trend where you reduce or stop drinking and use weed instead. One reason Gen Z has embraced weed is it helps with anxiety and mood. They also use it for relaxation, way more so than other generation who tend to lean into alcohol.

What is interesting is some Boomers and Gen X are consume marijuana in a more traditional way by smoking. Gen X and Boomers new to consuming tend to vape and use gummies. The later two are more “on the go” and discreet and doesn’t have the smell. It is interesting the marijuana is bonding together two generations.

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brandy

These Strong Cocktails Will Help You Forget Politics

Published

17 hours ago

September 13, 2024

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The election is near and the chatter is non – stop. Need a break? Try one of these strong cocktails and unwind.

Local and national politics seem to be sucking up all the energy in the room. Unity seems to be a bit short and everyone is on edge. What the people need is a little break and maybe a drink and these strong cocktails will help forget politics and perhaps aid in making a few friends, or at least common ground with the bartender!

Long Island Iced Tea

This drink has been the introduction of hangovers to many a college student. Slow and go is perfect for the Long Island Iced Tea. There are competing thoughts on the invention of the drink, but what is clear – it was invented in Long Island. Flavor rich, this drink is best served with a snack.

Ingredients

½ fluid ounce vodka
½ fluid ounce rum
½ fluid ounce gin
½ fluid ounce tequila
½ fluid ounce triple sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
1 fluid ounce sweet and sour mix
1 fluid ounce cola, or to taste
1 lemon slice

Create

Fill cocktail shaker with ice
Add vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, and sour mix over ice
Cover and shake.
Pour cocktail into a tall glass
Top with splash of cola or tea for color
Garnish with a lemon slice

Martini

Manhattan

A classic drink with a nod to the days of back room political deals, the Manhattan is a classic – the brown water version of the martini. The legend of this drink is it was born in an election. Said to be developed at the Manhattan Club by Ian Marshall for a dinner hosted for presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. The host, Winston Churchhill’s mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, the former American Jennie Jerome.

Ingredients

2 fluid ounces rye whiskey
½ fluid ounce sweet vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 cup ice cubes
1 maraschino cherry

Create

Combine whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass
Add ice and stir until chilled
Strain into a chilled martini glass
garnish with a maraschino cherry

La Louisiane

Another gift from New Orleans, the best drinking city in the US. It was a house cocktail of the late restaurant La Louisiane. The eatery was famous for their bouillabaisse, strong drinks and sad demise. But this cocktail is a toast to good times.

Ingredients

2 ounces rye whiskey
3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
1/2 ounce Benedictine
3 dashes absinthe
3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
1 maraschino cherry

Create

Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, absinthe and Peychaud’s bitters into a mixing glass with ice
Stir until well-chilled
Strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with a maraschino cherry

The Chicago Cocktail

The history of this cocktail is unknown with early versions showing up in London, Chicago and the South of France. What is clear, Chicago has a long history with politics, so what not imbibe in a drink to make you leave it behind.

Ingredients

1.5 oz brandy
1 dash of Grand Marnier
1 dash Angostura Bitters
Splash of sparkling bubbles

Create

Combine all ingredients in pitcher
Add ice and stir well
Strain into cocktail glass rimmed with superfine sugar
Top up with sparkling wine

May you muddle through through the rest of the election season with the cocktails.

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Cannabis

Should You Add Hemp Beverages To Your Tailgating

Published

1 day ago

September 13, 2024

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Fall is football season which means it is time for tailgate parties! Maybe you should add hemp to the buffet!

Football season is here – and whether college or professional, tailgating is a thing. It takes place around sporting events, festivals and concerts. There is usually food, drinks, music and a good time. But, should you add hemp beverages to your tailgating? While marijuana is slowly becoming legal across the national, some big football states aren’t there. But hemp is legal and even some deep anti-marijuana states are embracing it. Texas, a huge football state, has hemp beverages sold at local and national chains. Hemp beverage can be seen as taking a bite out of the White Claw market, yet a bit healthier.

The nemesis of marijuana, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is proud of his blocking federal progress, but he has ensured hemp has a green light. Hemp beverage have become a billion dollar market. Wana Brands, a leader in the cannabis industry, has rolled out 3 beverages. Bayou Beverages out of Texas has taken the state by storm with products in Total Wine and convenience stores around the state. Hemp is sold like alcohol with restrictions on age and how it is sold.

Hemp or CBD drinks are created by infusing hemp extract, derived from the cannabis plant, into a liquid base. The most popular hemp-infused drinks include water, juice, tea, and coffee. One of the big differences between marijuana and hemp drinks is the “high”. With Delta-9 hemp, consumers tend to have a more intense experience and comes on faster than THC. It is a euphoric high when altered sensory perception and a sense of relaxation.

California Governor Newsom is supporting emergency rules to curb sale of hemp products with potent high. The state is struggling with their cannabis industry, high taxes and allowing the black market to run free have hurt mom and pop businesses. While consumers have been high, the states oversight has been driving them to hemp and to the marijuana black market.

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