For all the perks that come with sex, it can also be awkward, painful, or even embarrassing. To alleviate these anxieties, people sometimes choose to lubricate their sexual encounters (pun intended) with substances. After all, what’s a romantic night without a shared bottle of wine?

If we’ve learned anything from the classic film Eyes Wide Shut, steamy nights and altered perceptions go hand in hand. Whether we like it or not, lubricating sex with substances will happen; the question is which substance will present the least amount of obstacles on the path to intimacy. The problem with most intoxicants is that while they may numb the critical voice in your head so you can feel more “in-your-body,” they also have the power to numb all the amazing emotions and sensations sex can bring.

If you are going to use a substance before sex, experts in legalized states say cannabis is the one to choose. According to sexologist Nick Karras, “unlike alcohol which impairs your senses and judgment, cannabis heightens and focuses your awareness.” On the flip side, alcohol can increase aggressiveness and impair memory–two things that don’t lead to connection but rather a night you’d like to (and may very well) forget. Choosing cannabis over alcohol can increase intimacy with your partner by focusing awareness on each other, and stop you from making the questionable sex choices you would make if you had a few too many.

Even pediatricians have weighed in on the issue. Consuming intoxicants before sex is especially prevalent amongst teenagers, as the first sexual experience can be the most nerve-wracking. Pediatrician and parent, Aaron E. Carroll, wrote in the New York Times that when we acknowledge the reality that teenagers will likely consume something, the risks involved with cannabis and sex “seem scary only when viewed in isolation. Put them next to alcohol, and everything looks different.” Carroll goes on to say that the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence reports that alcohol use is a factor in 40 percent of all violent crimes in the United States (including 37 percent of rapes and 27 percent of aggravated assaults), whereas cannabis has no such association. He concludes, “when someone asks me whether I’d rather my children use pot or alcohol, after sifting through all the studies and all the data, I still say ‘neither’… But if I’m forced to make a choice, the answer is ‘marijuana.’”

Of course, the best reason to choose cannabis over alcohol is that it’s simply a better experience. In a recent study conducted by the Archive of Sexual Behavior, an overwhelming majority of people questioned said they prefer having sex while high more than having sex while drunk. Unlike alcohol, there is a little-proven correlation to cannabis use and men’s ability to perform. In many studies, the opposite holds true for cannabis and performance–especially for women. Perhaps this is why cannabis users report having more sex than those who do not partake.

Of course, the best reason to choose cannabis over alcohol is that it’s simply a better experience.

So, next time you feel anxiety creep in, and you want to reach for a vice before hitting the bedroom, remember not all substances are the same. When you get beyond the good and evil and accept the reality of substance use for sex, more productive conversations can be had on which substance will increase intimacy, not prevent it. With all the information we know now, the answer is clear: when it comes to true connection and substance use, one beats out the rest.

Curious about where to start? Check out our 5 products to get it on.

The post Why cannabis is a better aphrodisiac than alcohol appeared first on Flowertown.

Hangovers are No Match for… Cannabis?

It’s noon on a Sunday. You’ve slept past your alarm, your head is pounding, and you have that queasy feeling in your stomach that suggests just one thing… you have a hangover.

Aside from trying not to lose last night’s meal all over your bathroom floor, the first thing you want is to cure your symptoms as quickly as possible. Searching online, you’ll find solutions like drinking more alcohol, eating super fatty foods, or doing some extra strenuous workout (get that trashcan ready).

But according to research, using cannabis to cure a hangover might be a more natural way to combat the symptoms. Besides, it’s not the fun night out that is the problem; it’s the after effects that resulted from one too many Moscow Mules.

The headache, nausea, loss of appetite, anxiety and restlessness you feel when you have a hangover are a result of one major culprit: dehydration.

Sure, we have all had our moments when we forget that we haven’t had enough water by the time we are well into our third drink. Dehydration has a myriad of symptoms and when combined with alcohol, those effects are maximized to the tenth degree.

Cannabis is changing the way we treat hangover symptoms by offering a more immediate and holistic solution.

The Science of The Cure

In a wide variety of case studies on humans and animals, it’s proven that cannabinoids are useful in the regulation of nausea and the prevention of vomiting. Cannabidiol (CBD) is also just as beneficial for suppressing an upset stomach.

For a headache and body aches, cannabis is clinically proven to reduce both symptoms within hours of them occurring.

Combine a microdose of cannabis with a megadose of water, and you can skip the Tylenol (which can actually cause more liver damage and increase dehydration).

So where do you begin? We’ve created a quick guide.

Hangover Remedy Guide

Planning Your Next Night Out

Of course, no one plans to get hungover. But before heading to this Friday’s happy hour, consider taking some precautions before diving into your next drink head first.

• Be sure to drink water during the daytime or have a glass in between drinks.
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach; try to have a heavy meal before beginning the night.
• Be mindful of how much you’re drinking and if possible, keep cannabis on deck for the morning after.

All in all, have tons of fun. But also know that for the nights where the fun gets too carefree, cannabis can be your first line of defense against a hangover.

The post Is cannabis the secret to beating any hangover? appeared first on Flowertown.

Oh, the holidays. It’s either your favorite time of year or worst. It’s a season that comes with spending family, eating great food and showing appreciation to the people you love. Or it’s a dreaded experience filled with questions about your relationship status and your recent job change. Not saying you don’t love your ten cousins or grandpa’s old jokes about his childhood, but you’d prefer the experience with cannabis. Unfortunately, your family is super conservative and considers the now legalized (in most states) plant to be comparable to its old connotation.

Consider navigating holiday dinner by sharing your background on using the flower. Opening up the conversation will create a safe space for your family members to learn about cannabis.

Advocate

You don’t want to negate your family’s opinions, but you also want to offer an alternate view. Think about the impact cannabis has had on your life. Has it helped you manage stress? Does it help you enjoy music, travel, or fitness more? If so, this is the perfect time to share your testimonial!

If you aren’t ready to open up about your journey, consider talking about a friend who you know has had tremendous results from using cannabis. Using stories of celebrities or doctors who advocate legalization like Dr. Oz is also another way to bring a credible source into the debate.

Educate

Cannabis has come a long way from being called “mary jane” or “bud.” The medicinal benefits are included in numerous studies that report cannabis helps to reduce chronic pain to stress or anxiety relief. Discussing the facts about cannabis and addressing the recent states that have legalized — for example, Michigan is the latest state to legalize — will help combat the stigma.

Also, think of a family member that is suffering from an illness. Do a little research before family dinner so that you can share facts about pertaining to their issue and be prepared to answer any questions.

Offer

So, you’ve piqued the interest of a cousin or two (be sure they’re of age). What next? If they are comfortable and ready to give cannabis a try, offer an experience. As a family member, you can create a safe space for them. First, try walking them through what to expect based on your own experience.

Next, you can share all of the options available to them. From infused drinks or foods, CBD:THC topicals and concentrates, providing a list of choices can also make them more comfortable.

You are introducing them to the ‘best fit’ for themselves.

There are so many positives to cannabis that you’ll have a strong arsenal to bring to the annual “anti-cannabis” debate. Even if they don’t change their mind, you’ve at least shared some cool benefits of cannabis!

The post Survive the holidays with a non-green family appeared first on Flowertown.

Cannabis has been used for thousands of years. While it’s gone from a common form of medicine to an outlawed substance and then back again, it’s heralded and sensationalized usage has created a myriad of stereotypes and stigmas that are, essentially, completely false.

From stoned-out surfer bros to dirty, Deadhead hippies and everyone between, cannabis has cultivated it’s fair share of characters that may reflect a certain stereotype.

But, for the most part, all these stereotypes are exactly that: Stereotypes, stigmas and falsehoods. So as cannabis slowly leaves Prohibition, it’s also time to leave behind the stigmas and stereotypes.

But this invokes the question of how, exactly, do we erase decades of purposeful stigmatization? Normalization is one of our best bets in doing this and something that you can do every day in what are, essentially, small and mundane ways.

While we may have outlined some of them below, this is just the tip of the iceberg for how you can change the way cannabis is viewed in your own life.

It might not change the world, but it could change the world around you. Beyond that, what more can you ask for?

What we talk about when we talk about cannabis

In the words of Don Draper, “If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.” One of the easiest, and most important, ways we can destigmatize cannabis is to change what we talk about when we talk about cannabis.

We can do this by changing the language we use in regards to this plant. For example, instead of calling it “pot,” “weed,” or “marijuana,” just call it cannabis. In fact, marijuana was a term used as a way to stigmatize cannabis by associating it with Mexican-American immigrants in the 1930s, born out the Reefer Madness-era of propaganda.

Other ways you can be more proactive in your language is to use terms like “pre-roll” in lieu of “joint” and “flower” instead of “bud.”

Avoid stereotypes

It’s easy to let cannabis (and cannabis users) fall into its stereotypes, even if we’re just joking about it. This doesn’t help the cause and only reinforces negative connotations.

While it’s true that certain strains and terpenes make you hungry (munchies) or can create a sense of “couch lock,” which contributes to the overall idea of a lazy stereotype, you don’t have to deal with these side effects.

Cannabis has become so hyper-specified to whatever experience you want to have, it’s almost inexcusable for people to fall into the same stereotypical behavior as twenty, ten, even five years ago.

Cannabis can be used now to make you more productive, to help heal ailments, and even improve your diet.

“Just act normal, man.”

While the sage advice of “just act normal, man” may have been reserved for being a little too high in public places in high school, it’s actually pretty useful in the grand scheme of things.

You can be all talk, but if you really want to bring cannabis to the forefront of popular consciousness, why not just integrate it into your everyday life?

At your next backyard barbeque, put out a tray of pre-rolls or low-dosage edibles next to the adult drinks (make sure you label them so your friends know what they’re getting into).

That way cannabis is just a casual part of the evening and not something to be sequestered into someone’s bedroom, a practice full of secrecy and shame.

People are free to partake or not. Much like how a cooler of beers normalizes the presence (and consumption) of beer at a party, so too does a display of cannabis.

Be honest

Responsible cannabis use involves keeping it out of the hands of children, obviously. But if they ever asked about it, what would you say?

You could be honest and open about it.

Educate them on the plant, explaining its medical benefits for those with disabilities or going through therapy. But it’s imperative to talk about it in an appropriate way, making it clear that it’s safe for responsible adults to use from time to time.

Cannabis and parenting has become a new, major issue in the community as recreational legalization moves across the country. It’s important for active parents to learn how to have a dialogue with their children about this complex plant.

Vote!

Exercising your civic duty is a critical aspect of being an American, as well as a cannabis user.

Political activism is the only thing that has brought legalized usage to America and it’s essential for perpetuating that movement. If you want to to reap the benefits of cannabis in your state, do your part and vote in local elections.

But, in addition to voting, educating your fellow consumers and peers is just as important. To learn more about cannabis yourself, take a look at how cannabis can be used to prevent migraines or even ease joint pain with topicals.

The post Simple ways to destigmatize cannabis in your own life appeared first on Flowertown.

There’s a reason why you feel hungry after using cannabis.  

According to a 2014 study by the Université De Bordeaux, THC interacts with the olfactory receptors in your brain, enhancing your sense of smell. An enhanced sense of smell can make you crave food, but can also make the food you’re craving taste better.  

To that end, cannabis can enhance your meal experience, allowing you to pick up all those subtle flavor notes you might have otherwise missed. And if you’re going to use cannabis before a meal, what better way than an appetizer of an amuse-bouche – that’s French for a small bite course designed to tickle your pallet and awaken your taste buds. 

Think of it like a pre-dinner cocktail, long held as a traditional part of a nice meal, designed to relax you and get you ready to enjoy your food – only better. And just like enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail doesn’t make you a drunk, a cannabis-infused appetizer doesn’t make you a burnout.  

It’s just another way to add to your dining experience, for yourself and your dinner guests. 

Who you will surely impress with this recipe, which marries the sweet flavor of scallops with artichoke hearts and bacon. Be careful combining cannabis and alcohol, but if you would like to pair this with wine, a nice German Gewürztraminer is recommended, or even take the time to make your own cannabis-infused cocktails. 

Seared scallop amuse-bouche with bacon and cannabis-infused artichoke puree 

The post Start your meal right with this cannabis amuse-bouche appeared first on Flowertown.

With summer ending and fall right around the corner, it’s easy to get into the fall blues as the nights get colder and the days a little shorter. There go those balmy summer nights and the delicious cocktails you enjoyed with them.  

As we hold on to the last dog days of summer and into the swing of autumn sweaters and pumpkin-spiced everything, here are a few cannabis-infused summer cocktails to keep you feeling warm. 

These recipes combine the best of both worlds (cannabis and alcohol) and are easier to make than you think. 

Infusing your alcohol of choice with cannabis is the first step in the process. To make it simple, we have listed out the steps for you below: 

Infusing Spirits 

• Grind your cannabis of choice. Be mindful of the amount that you use as this will determine the potency.  
• Using a double-boiler, fill it halfway with water and boil until it is near 212ºF. 
• Turn the heat on low  
• In the top half of the boiler, mix ground flower with your choice of spirit. Be careful with this step to ensure the alcohol does not boil (if it does boil, remove the top pot immediately and turn the heat off) 
• Maintain a low simmer for 2-3 hours  
• Use a funnel lined with cheesecloth to pour your finished product back into its bottle 

Now that you have the hard part out of the way (which we hope we’ve made it easy for you) you can get to the mixology. 

5. Infused Pina Colada

Ingredients
– 1 1/2 cup ice 
– 1/2 cup diced pineapple, frozen 
– 2 ounces pineapple juice 
– 2 ounces coconut cream 
– 1 1/2 ounces infused white rum 
– 1 ounce infused dark rum 
– Sliced pineapples  

Directions:
Blend ice, frozen pineapple, juice, coconut cream, and the white and dark rums until smooth.  Pour the drink into 2 glasses and garnish the rim with pineapple slices. 

Why we love it?

Do you like Pina Coladas? Okay, we will save you our rendition of the song, but this cocktail is sweet and enhanced with two types of infused rum. 

The post Five cannabis cocktails to cure your summer nostalgia appeared first on Flowertown.