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Wednesday, March 28, 2018
5 Tips to Safely Dose and Enjoy High-THC Cannabis Edibles
Have you ever made (or tried) a batch of cannabis-infused edibles and had no idea what their potency was or how much you should consume? Thankfully, with legalization comes standardization. In states with legal cannabis, edibles manufacturers are held to higher regulatory standards that lead to safer, more pleasant edibles experiences.
Thanks to proper labeling and mandated lab testing, it should only take a little self-discipline to ensure that you don’t accidentally launch yourself into the cosmos. That, and education. Knowing what a standard dose is–and adjusting that dose based on your personal needs and biology–can make or break your experience.
Every newcomer to edibles goes through this process of uncertainty and trepidation, which is why we’ve whipped up this handy five-step guide to equip you with the fundamentals of dosing cannabis edibles. After all, we wouldn’t want you to end up like that cop who called 911 after he ate one (or several) too many edibles.
1. Read the Package Dosing Guidelines Carefully
We’re past the days of playing Russian roulette to determine edible doses. Edibles on the legal market typically label their THC/CBD contents in milligrams. The “standard dose” is considered to be 10 mg, but a cannabis newbie or low-tolerance consumer should start with half of that. There’s nothing wrong with dipping your toe in the water before jumping in. You can always add another 5 mg in an hour or two once you’ve settled into the effects of your first dose.
Cannabis edibles are often found in the following dose intervals: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg, and 100 mg. Veteran consumers and medical patients may need a much higher dose than the standard 10 mg, but until you’ve familiarized yourself with edibles and know how your body reacts to different doses, start low and work your way up.
Even some experienced cannabis consumers choose to consume small doses (usually 3-7 mg)–so small that there’s little to no detectable euphoria. This method is called “microdosing,” and it’s used to gently stimulate our body’s cannabinoid receptors for improved mood, focus, and creativity. Some medical patients find that microdosing is more effective at alleviating their symptoms than high doses.
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2. Consider Your Tolerance
Starting with a small dose is always a good idea, especially if it’s your first time or it’s been a while since you’ve used cannabis. A low THC tolerance can make you particularly susceptible to negative side effectslike paranoia, anxiety, and dizziness, and most would agree that an underwhelming experience is better than an overwhelming one.
Don’t try to “keep up” with more experienced consumers. Experienced, high-tolerance consumers not only need a higher dose to achieve desired effects, they also tend to be a lot more resilient to THC-induced side effects.
3. Be Patient and Exercise Restraint
We know, it’s hard to wait for the effects to kick in when you have an entire package of delicious infused snacks staring you in the face. Keep in mind, however, that with cannabis-infused edibles you can’t mindlessly snack on handfuls–if you lose track of how many you’ve eaten, you could be in for a bumpy ride.
Once again, take a dose and wait it out–that way, you’re much more likely to have a positive and in-control experience. Because body fat and metabolism vary from individual to individual, it’s hard to say when that edible is going to kick in. It could be 30 minutes later, or it could take over an hour. Resist snacking on the rest of your edibles until you’ve felt the effects the first dose. Then, once you’ve waited long enough (it could take up to two hours), you can make the call on consuming one more.
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4. Be Mindful of Your Stomach’s Contents
Before you dose, consider how much you’ve eaten and what you’ve had to drink. An empty stomach means your edible may kick in more swiftly, and if this is the case, maybe think about starting with half a dose.
Another thing to keep in mind is how much alcohol you’ve had to drink. Alcohol can increase THC blood concentration significantly, so dose modestly if you plan on mixing the two.
5. Find a Comfortable Place
Edibles are delightfully portable, but keep in mind the importance of consuming in a comfortable setting. Larger doses are best tackled at home and among familiar faces. It’s always a good idea to have your best friend or partner there with you, especially if it’s your first time. The presence of a loved one helps keep any anxiety-related side effects at bay.
With experience come the comforts of familiarity, and with time, it becomes easier to feel at peace with your surroundings when consuming edibles. Until then, gather the people and things you love most and enjoy all the bliss, relaxation, relief, and laughter edibles have to offer in a secure, cozy place.
If you do become uncomfortably high despite following these guidelines, don’t panic! Read through our 8 Ways to Counteract a Too-Intense Cannabis High, and know that trial-and-error is often an integral part of finding that perfect experience.
Lead image by rgbspace/iStock
Why Does Coffee Make You Poop?
Many people love their morning cup of joe.
Not only is this caffeine-fueled beverage a great pick-me-up, it’s also loaded with beneficial antioxidants and nutrients (1).
What’s more, some people find it can jump-start the other end of their body.
In fact, one study found that 29% of participants needed to use the bathroom within twenty minutes of drinking a cup of coffee (2).
This article helps explain why coffee can make you poop.
It was initially believed that the caffeine in coffee makes you poop.
However, studies show that decaf can also do the trick. This means there must be other factors at work (6).
Chlorogenic acids and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides are both compounds of interest.
Studies have found that they can stimulate the production of stomach acid. Stomach acid helps churn food and move it quickly through the gut (7, 8).
Several other factors may explain why your morning cup of java can make you poop.
For example, the act of drinking can make the colon more active. This is called the gastrocolic reflex. It’s the same reflex that activates the colon after you eat a meal (9).
While coffee isn’t considered a meal, it may have a similar impact on your bowels (6).
On the other hand, coffee-induced bowel movements may simply be a coincidence.
This is because the bowels are twice as active when you first wake up, compared to while you’re asleep, so they’re primed and ready to go (10).
Your body’s internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm, helps regulate many processes, including bowel movements (11).
That said, it’s still not clear how much of an impact these other factors have on stimulating your colon. More research in this area would help determine their significance.
Summary Other compounds in coffee, such as chlorogenic acids and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides, may stimulate bowel activity. Additional factors include the gastrocolic reflex and your body’s internal clock.
Coffee has also been shown to stimulate hormones that help push food through the gut.
For example, it can increase levels of the hormone gastrin. Like caffeine, gastrin makes the colon more active (2).
One study found that drinking regular or decaf coffee raised gastrin levels by 2.3 and 1.7 times respectively, compared to drinking water (12).
What’s more, coffee may raise levels of the digestive hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) (13).
Not only can this hormone increase the movement of food through the colon, but it’s also linked to the gastrocolic reflex, which makes the colon more active (14).
Summary Coffee has been shown to raise levels of gastrin and cholecystokinin, two hormones linked to increased colon activity.
Freshly brewed coffee is naturally free of additives and preservatives.
However, over two-thirds of Americans stir in milk, cream, sweeteners, sugar or other additives (15).
In particular, milk and cream may promote bowel movements, as they contain lactose. Close to 65% of people worldwide cannot digest lactose properly (16).
People who are lactose intolerant experience symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps or diarrhea soon after consuming dairy.
This means lactose can trigger the urge to poop in people with lactose intolerance (17).
Summary Coffee that contains milk or cream may trigger digestive issues in people with lactose intolerance. This may increase gut activity and stimulate the urge to poop.
According to one leading study on this topic, 29% of participants experienced an increased urge to poop within twenty minutes of drinking coffee.
Surprisingly, 53% of all the women in the study were affected by this urge (2).
Women may be more prone to this symptom, as digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more common in women than in men (18).
While the post-coffee urge to go appears to be common, it doesn’t affect everyone.
In addition, it’s not clear if this symptom fades away in regular drinkers.
People with IBS and older adults may be more prone to it because their bowels are more sensitive to the effects of coffee.
Those who are lactose intolerant may also be affected by this symptom if they add milk, cream or other dairy products to their coffee.
Summary Not everyone needs to visit the bathroom after a cup of coffee, but it may be quite common. People with digestive conditions, such as IBS, and those who are lactose intolerant may be more prone to this experience.
Coffee contains a variety of compounds that may stimulate your bowels.
These include caffeine, chlorogenic acids and N-alkanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamides.
Adding milk or cream may further increase this effect, especially if you’re lactose intolerant.
However, it’s unclear which of these has the greatest impact.
If you struggle to go to the bathroom regularly, a cup of coffee may be the solution.
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Sunday, March 18, 2018
Essential Oils for Cold Sores
Most people have to deal with painful and unpleasant cold sores at least once during their lifetime. About 80 percent of the population carries the virus responsible for cold sores, and although the virus usually stays dormant, it can flare up when your immune system is weakened.
It’s common for a cold sore to develop as you recover from a sickness or if you have a vitamin deficiency, and they can sometimes take weeks to fade.
Over-the-counter topical medicines can help speed up the healing process and relieve pain, and doctors can prescribe anesthetic gels for cold sores that are exceptionally painful or long-lasting. Some people also try antiviral medicines, but all of these treatments can be expensive and can cause adverse effects. For these reasons, many people turn to essential oils to treat their cold sores.
Why are essential oils good for cold sores?
Essential oils have a wide variety of health benefits for the mind and the body, and they are great for keeping cold sores or other injuries clean. Most work very quickly, bringing about noticeable results in just a few days, and they can be used more frequently than medicines. They’re a natural alternative to painkillers or antiviral medications without the risk of side effects.
All essential oils have different properties, and everyone has different preferred oils. Some reduce pain, some soothe the area, and others are more effective at actually eliminating the cold sore. Many essential oils can be combined together to create a very powerful treatment.
It’s important to note that not everyone reacts the same to essential oils and one may work better than another. Many essential oil kits will contain the majority of the oils listed below.
Best essential oils for combating cold sores:
Tea Tree (Most Recommended)
Tea tree oil is one of the most popular and effective essential oils for treating cold sores. It can reduce the lifespan of a cold sore to only one or two days, when normally cold sores can take weeks to heal. The oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, and it quickly dries out the cold sore so it becomes smaller and much less noticeable.
Tea tree oil works the most effectively when applied during the first stages of the cold sore before the sore has dried out. To apply it directly to your cold sore, place one or two drops of the oil on a cotton swab or a damp cotton ball. Dab it gently on the cold sore and repeat until it’s cleared up. To prevent the virus from spreading, make sure you dispose of the cotton immediately, and avoid touching it to another part of your mouth or skin.
The oil can be applied undiluted at full strength, but if you have sensitive skin or if the undiluted oil feels too strong, you can create a mixture of one part oil and one part water. You can also make a tea tree oil lotion to apply to the cold sore by mixing three drops of tea tree oil and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Avoid using this lotion, though, if the skin on or around the cold sore is broken.
If you’re concerned about the tea tree oil drying out your skin, you can create a mixture of tea tree oil and coconut oil and apply it to the cold sore with a cotton swab or cotton ball. You can also keep your lips moisturized by frequently applying lip balm.
Melissa
Melissa oil, which is also called lemon balm, comes from the mint family. This essential oil is one of the most popular treatments for cold sores, and it is especially effective when you apply it as soon as the cold sore starts to develop. If you apply Melissa immediately when you feel the first tingle of a cold sore forming, it could prevent the cold sore from developing at all.
If you experience cold sore outbreaks often, Melissa can reduce the frequency of the flare-ups. Some people even report that their cold sore outbreaks ended completely after they used Melissa.
To treat a cold sore with Melissa essential oil, dilute two or three drops of the oil with water and apply it directly to the cold sore. You can also add one or two drops of the oil to an herbal tea. If you drink two or three cups a day for at least a week, it can prevent cold sores from developing in the future.
Bergamot
Bergamot essential oil is extracted from the Seville orange tree. It has antibacterial and antibiotic properties, so it can fight the virus that causes cold sores. St. John’s wort, a powerful antiviral herb, is a great carrier for bergamot. You can mix four drops of bergamot essential oil with about 30 milliliters of St. John’s wort and apply the mixture to a cold sore with a cotton swab. If you use this oil as soon as you notice the cold sore developing, it can prevent the sore from worsening.
If you plan to use bergamot on your cold sore, make sure you use furocoumarin-free bergamot, which is also called bergamot FCF. Bergamot is also found in Earl Grey tea, so if you don’t want to apply essential oils directly to a cold sore, you can try drinking a couple cups of Earl Grey every day. Applying an Earl Grey tea bag to the cold sore could have similar effects to using the essential oil.
Lavender
Lavender oil is a great treatment for a variety of skin issues, including cuts, bruises, and irritation. It relieves itching, stinging, and other types of pain, so it’s a helpful treatment for cold sores that feel very irritated or painful. Just one drop applied directly to a cold sore can almost completely eliminate any pain or irritation.
You can make several different essential oil blends with lavender and other oils. For example, you can make a soothing and moisturizing lotion with four drops of lavender, three drops of tea tree oil, three drops of bergamot, and five teaspoons of calendula cream. Lavender oil is also very moisturizing, so if you treat a cold sore with other essential oils that will dry out the surrounding skin, like tea tree oil, you can use lavender to add moisture.
Myrrh
Myrrh essential oil comes from dried resin extracted from the Commiphora myrrha tree. It was used medicinally in ancient cultures to heal wounds, sores, and infections. To use myrrh essential oil on a cold sore, put a few drops on a cotton swab or a cotton ball and apply it directly to the area. You can repeat this up to 10 times a day for a few days to reduce the appearance of the cold sore.
Myrrh is also a popular essential oil for dental cleaning. If you have a cold sore on the inside of your mouth, you can create a myrrh mouthwash to treat it. Combine a few drops of myrrh with 1.5 cups of water and one teaspoon of pink Himalayan sea salt. You can also add other essential oils, like clove, peppermint, or spearmint.
Geranium
Geranium essential oil has astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s a good option for keeping a cold sore clean and reducing irritation. It can also quickly reduce the size of a cold sore and shorten its lifespan to only a few days.
You can treat a cold sore with geranium by soaking a cotton ball in water and adding one or two drops of the essential oil. Dab the cotton ball on the cold sore several times a day until the cold sore fades away. If you have sensitive skin, you can dilute the essential oil with some water. You can also mix geranium with other oils to create an effective essential oil blend. For example, you can combine eight drops of geranium with eight drops of tea tree oil, three drops of lemon oil, and five drops of lavender oil.
Hyssop
Hyssop essential oil comes from the Hyssop plant, a perennial plant from the Mediterranean region. Because of its antiviral properties, it has a long history of being used to treat infections and other ailments. It can help reduce the lifespan of a cold sore and prevent reoccurrence, and it can soothe the skin to reduce pain or irritation.
The most effective way to treat a cold sore with Hyssop is to apply the essential oil directly to the cold sore. Hyssop is gentler and milder than many other essential oils, so it’s a great option for people with sensitive skin. You can also add a few drops of Hyssop to herbal tea to help eliminate a cold sore.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, and it can act as a disinfectant. If your cold sore feels particularly painful or inflamed, this oil can reduce the uncomfortable feeling. It also speeds up the healing process and can make a cold sore noticeably smaller within a few days.
You can apply eucalyptus essential oil to a cold sore every hour to help it heal. You can also blend it with an equal amount of olive oil before applying it to the cold sore, which will keep your lips moisturized.
Lemon
Lemon essential oil has similar effects to Melissa essential oil. It dries out the cold sore and reduces the chance of reoccurrence. Although most people find that lemon essential oil isn’t quite as effective as Melissa, it’s much less pricey, so it’s easier to use more of the oil to treat a cold sore.
Add a small amount of lemon essential oil to a cotton ball or cotton swab and apply it directly to the cold sore. You can also add some lemon oil to coconut oil and use the mixture as a lip balm, which will keep the skin around the cold sore healthy and moisturized.
Clove
Clove essential oil is an analgesic, or a pain reliever, that has a long history of being used for cuts, wounds, and sores. It can reduce the aching, tingling, or uncomfortable feelings that often occur around a cold sore. Clove oil is also used frequently in dental care, and it contains eugenol, a compound often used in dentistry. It’s safe to use around your mouth, and it can keep the cold sore and the surrounding area clean to promote faster healing.
Clove essential oil is very strong, so you should always dilute it with water before applying it to a cold sore. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid using clove oil too frequently or it could cause further irritation.
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Thursday, March 15, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
11 Privacy fencing ideas: Make your garden or balcony private and hidden from view of neighbors
Privacy is one of the most desirable feature of any home, because no matter how fantastic your balcony or yard look like, if you feel like you’re on stage while neighbors watched, you will hardly be able to enjoy. For your inspiration look few ideas how to make your yard or balcony private and hidden from views of neighbors.
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