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06/27/2017 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

Four Surprising Ways People Are Using Cannabis Related Products Without Getting High!

The legalization of marijuana is quite a controversial topic, though an increasing number of states are moving in the direction of legalizing it for medical, and in some cases also recreational, use. However, aside from the effects everybody knows about from using marijuana, it is surprising to learn some of the other things this versatile plant is being used for.

Here are four ways people are using products made from the cannabis plant, without experiencing the famous high (or other side effects like the munchies, or dry mouth).

Vaping CBD Oil

CBD oil is an oil derived from cannabis that contains all of the cannabinoids that give it many of its well-researched health benefits, but contains only negligible amounts of THC. THC is the compound in cannabis that causes the high and its associated side effects. CBD oil can be taken in its basic form as a tincture, and some people swear by this as a natural health supplement that improves their well being, reduces their levels of stress, helps them sleep, and may also help protect them from certain unwanted health conditions. However, an interesting way some other people are taking the oil, is using it in vape juices with an electronic cigarette. Brands like Cloud 9 CBD produce legal CBD oils that can be vaped, and this gives those who want to enjoy the benefits of CBD a new option for how to take it.

Adding Hemp Seeds to Recipes

If you like to eat healthy, you are probably already aware that eating seeds can be a great alternative to other crunchy snacks. High in protein and the good kinds of fat, seeds are also nutrient rich and pleasant tasting. Hemp seeds are a type of seed a lot of people like to munch on, and can also be added to a wide range of recipes. With a unique flavor and crunchy texture, they can be good in salad dressings, baked goods, and added to cereals, yoghurt and smoothies to give a healthy boost – again, without the high.

Gluten Free Flour

A lot of people these days avoid gluten or wheat products because they believe it can help them stay in shape, and of course, some people have to avoid them because of intolerances or celiac disease. There are lots of things you can make a flour out of that don't involve wheat, and one of these is hemp seeds. Hemp flour is used as an alternative by some gluten free people, and also sometimes purely for its good nutritional profile.

Fabric

Some uses of the cannabis plant don't involve inhaling or eating it at all! Hemp has been used for centuries as a material for making textiles out of, and also rope. It is natural, breathable and hard wearing, and some people even have hemp clothing!

As you can see, the controversial plant has many uses, and a lot of them have nothing to do with getting high!

06/07/2017 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

How Smoking Affects Mental Health

Quitting smoking is no easy feat; many smokers who make the decision to scrap the bad habit once and for all are met with several mental health obstacles, including bouts of depression and/or anxiety, relationship challenges, extra stress levels, and other major hurdles that need to be overcome in order to finally be a non-smoker for good.

However, the good news is that whilst quitting smoking can have some negative effects on mental health, these are most usually caused by the effects of nicotine withdrawal, and are only temporary. The symptoms of quitting smoking are usually very short-lived, lasting anything from a few days to a few weeks.

On the other hand, the mental health benefits of quitting smoking are far more long-term, and certainly outweigh the temporary issues that many ex-smokers face after stubbing out their final cigarette. Health benefits of smoking are immense; from a decreased risk of lung cancer and heart disease to better skin, hair, nails and teeth. But, it doesn’t just stop at physical health; stopping smoking for good can also have several positive effects on mental health and well-being.

Smokers and Mental Health:

Studies have shown that the correlation between smoking and mental health problems is unusually high. Past research has found that over 40% of smokers tend to have at least one mental health condition, and people affected by mental illness are more likely to take up the habit. To anybody who is familiar with how nicotine affects the body and mind, these numbers are unsurprising – nicotine is a drug that acts as a moderately effective mood stabilizer, which can help people suffering from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression feel calmer and even work to temporarily lift their mood.

However, the positive effects of nicotine on mental health are very short-lived and temporary. Over time, nicotine use can actually increase anxiety, since the smoker will suffer from nicotine withdrawal symptoms if they haven’t had a cigarette for a while, causing stress and even depressive symptoms that can seemingly be only cured by smoking, causing a dependence on the drug. Although there is little evidence to suggest that smoking alone can be a main trigger for mental illness, smokers tend to experience a worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions as a result.

How Quitting Improves Mental Health:

For many smokers, hearing about the negative effects of nicotine withdrawal on the brain and body leaves them feeling frightened of quitting and going through it all themselves. However, whilst there are no grounds to deny that quitting cigarettes is a very challenging experience, it’s important to understand that this challenge is only temporary; once your body and mind is able to get over the reliance on nicotine, you can begin enjoying the immense mental health benefits of being a non-smoker.

In addition, don’t forget that today there are many options available when it comes to gradually quitting and allowing your body to wean itself from nicotine slowly, to help reduce the withdrawal symptoms and avoid negative mental health effects such as stress, anxiety or depression. Vaping, for example, has become an increasingly more popular method of kicking the habit, since e-juice used for vaping contains some nicotine which can be gradually reduced to help you adjust slowly and avoid the strong nicotine cravings that come with going cold turkey. Although you will still be getting nicotine, don’t forget that vaping is a much healthier option – a recent study carried out in the UK found that vapers were at a much lower risk of conditions such as stroke, heart disease and cancer than smokers. Vape liquid wholesale sellers stock a wide range of e-juices with varying nicotine content to allow you to gradually cut down. Vaping still has health risks, you may be interested in reading this article on vaping risks!

Healthy Habits to Improve Mental Health:

If you suffer from a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression and are a smoker, then you’ll probably recognize some of the things we’ve discussed, such as the vicious cycle of stressing out when you can’t smoke, only to feel temporarily calmer when you finally have a cigarette. But, whilst smoking can certainly make you feel better for a while, the idea of it being good for your mental health is just an illusion.

If you rely on smoking to keep your mental health issues under control, then it’s very likely going to be much more difficult for you to quit the habit and stick at it. Along with using nicotine replacement therapies such as vaping to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms and gradually reduce your reliance on nicotine, the best way to keep your mental health under control whilst quitting smoking is to try and replace cigarettes with healthier habits.

First, the best thing to do when you are quitting smoking is to get support from friends, family, and health professionals. If you see a therapist to help you with your mental health, then it’s a good idea to inform them of your decision to quit smoking – they will be happy to incorporate this into your therapy and help you change your behavioral patterns and thoughts to make it easier for you to quit the habit for good. Additionally, speaking to your doctor about quitting smoking can also be a wise idea, since they may be able to put you in touch with stop smoking support grounds in your area, for example. You should also speak to your family and friends and ask them for support – they can be there for you and help distract you when the challenge becomes a little too much.

When it comes to choosing a healthier habit to replace cigarettes with, there are many to choose from. Mindfulness meditation, for example, has become increasingly more popular in recent times as a method of controlling mental health issues. Practicing mindfulness meditation can be done from the privacy of your own home, and will help you to feel more at one with yourself which can discourage your desire to smoke. Finding a new hobby is also a good idea, since it will give you something new and exciting to focus on instead.

Has smoking affected your mental health? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

09/20/2016 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

Where to Go To Review the Voting Records Of Candidates

Do you ever wonder how a candidate like Mike Crapo might feel about a certain issue that is near and dear to your personal interests? For example, if you are a home owner, you might wonder if a particular Republican or Democratic Congressperson has any opinion on reforming home interest rates in your state. There are many issues that affect people in different parts of the country in vastly different ways. If you are a conscientious voter who is interested in reviewing your favorite candidate's voting record, you'll be glad to know that there are plenty of resources to check out on the Internet.

Why Is It So Important To Be Familiar With Voting Records?

Every time the House of Representatives or the Senate takes a vote on an important issue, that vote gets recorded. The issue in question may be a new bill, a vote on the possible repeal of a previous law, or even a vote to override a Presidential veto. Whatever the issue may be, regardless of the outcome, the vote gets recorded in history for all time. More to the point, the particular manner in which a Congressman like Mike chooses to vote also gets recorded. And each vote is then made available on a variety of platforms, many of which are directly accessible for free on the World Wide Web.

The More Info You Possess, the Better Your Choice Will Be

It's important for you as a voter to be aware of the voting patterns of your personal Senator and Representative, like Crapo. You are free to agree or disagree with their opinions and motives for voting as they do, but it's crucial that you do know how their ultimate votes are cast. The direction in which a Senator or Representative votes, especially when it comes to the issues that concern you most, may well become your ultimate criteria for choosing whether or not to support that person with your vote on Election Day. In such circumstances, the more you know, the more informed your own ultimate choice will be.

Voting Records Can Reveal Some Pleasant and Unexpected Surprises

One thing to keep in mind when you check the voting records of the candidates that most interest you is that checking their voting records can uncover some pretty amazing revelations. If you never thought to ask how a certain candidate has voted when it comes to the action in Libya or the fight over the Trans-Pacific Pipeline, checking out their voting records might give you a startling surprise. The time to find such surprises is before the election, not after.

Where Can You Go To Find The Voting Records Of Politicians?

There are many resources on the Web that you can turn to in order to discover the voting records of all of the Congressional members of your state, as well as those of politicians who are running in the national election. Do a quick Google search for "Congressional Voting Records" or "(name of politician) Voting Records" and you're bound to come across a dozen or more resources that you can access for free. This last point deserves some additional commentary: The voting records of Congressional members are made available in many different places for no charge whatsoever.