Are Bongs Better for Your Lungs? Here’s What Science Says!

Cannabis consumption reaches over 238 million people worldwide, 135 countries, and is rising by the day. Though cannabis is controversial for some, facts are facts. Hundreds of millions of people must have their reasons.

It’s getting harder to argue the benefits of weed. Marijuana madness stems from its ever-evolving methods of ingestion. The more accessible weed becomes, the more creative ways people find to take it.

Weed can be used topically, sublingually, inhaled, or eaten. While having options serves the masses, without facts, they pose uncertainty.

If you’ve wondered if smoking from a bong’s better for your lungs, it’s time for the truth. Read on to see if it’s bye-bye-bong time or if bongs are truly best.

Smoking From a Bong

Usually, history supports lasting patterns. Though marijuana’s boomed in the last decade, it’s been around for centuries.

Bong smoking—also referred to as water pipes or bubblers—dates back 2,400 years. Because of that, it’s easy to call weed good. At the same time, history also backed cigarette smoking.

Here’s the truth.

Are Bongs the Best Way to Smoke?

It’s true that bongs feel better than joints due to their water filtration process. They cool the water before inhalation, making it a softer hit for your lungs. Instead of taking smaller joint hits to titrate the heat’s impact, bongs allow you to take bigger hits with less impact.

While it feels better to use bongs, the question remains, Are bongs better for your lungs? The truth requires an in-depth breakdown of the smoking process.

Smoke Versus Smoke

In general, science won’t back smoking. The body knows smoke regardless of what you’re smoking. Since science says smoking’s bad for the body, the question becomes, Does how you smoke impact the body differently?

Here’s what to consider.

Bong Shape

Bongs are more diverse than joints. Since blunts are packed like cigarettes, they hit the lungs the same—immediately and in the back of the throat.

Bongs have different shapes and sizes to impact the water filtration process. While two blunts work the same, no two bongs do. Choosing from straight-tubed, beaker-shaped, round-based, or multi-chamber bongs helps control your weed intake.

Instead of conforming to a hard-hitting joint, your bong conforms to you—whether you’re a beginner or a master wake-and-baker.

Bong Material

An instrument’s healthy contents don’t matter if the material’s made with chemicals. Being mindful about plastic, bamboo, ceramic, and metal bongs gives insight into what you’re really smoking.

A bong uses water as a buffer to soften smoking’s impact. But if your bong’s made of plastic, the efforts will be wasted—you’ll also have BPA and phthalates to worry about.

Quality weed requires a quality bong. Once you have one, you can nix worrying about inhaling ash and lighter particles like joint-smokers do.

Smoking from a bong means eliminating the most health-concerning factors to ensure a happy high.

The Bong Experience

A healthy high involves many factors—the weed, the ingestion method, and the environment. Finding if bongs are best for you means identifying when, with whom, and where you’re smoking first.

Bong or No Bong

One of the benefits of smoking out of a bong is that they’re good for solo or social scenes. They can be used periodically and don’t have you stopping everything to light up. If you’re at a gathering, you can use it as a party accessory—as part of the party, not the center of it.

Tackling a joint by yourself is a tall order—once it’s lit, it won’t stop for anyone.

Since bongs aren’t as portable as joints, they’re best used inside. Learning about your smoking habits helps know if it’s best for you to smoke a bong.

Bong Maintenance 

Keeping the bongwater clear makes sure your lungs feel clear too. No one wants to inhale anything with dirty water.

Some prefer cleaning bongs versus rolling their own flower and paper. Your maintenance preferences can help you choose.

Bong Beauty

Beyond a bong’s construction, they’re artsy, fun, and serve an aesthetic purpose. While it’s easy to deem those things unimportant, the smoking experience starts with the energy behind the ingestion method.

Having a good high involves the intention behind it. Feeling safe and comfortable can be accessed immediately through a friendly and fun bong design.

Making the Best of Bong Life

It’s a big ask for science to back smoking even with weed—and even if history supports it. That said, weighing your pros and cons is the name of the game. At the end of the day, knowing your preferences might mean trying them both—safely.

Ask yourself which feels better.

Mechanics of Joints

• Grind the flower
• Fill the rolling papers
• Roll it well
• Light it
• Be mindful of the lighter particles, tar, and direct heat to the lungs
• Monitor how quickly it burns out
• Take smaller hits more frequently
• Potentially rush your smoking process

Mechanics of Bongs

• Grind the flower
• Fill the bong with water
• Fill the bong bowl with flower
• Take bigger hits less frequently
• Clean the bongwater often
• Have a cooler, softer experience
• Be mindful of the bong materials to know what you’re inhaling

Both methods require maintenance but your choice makes it worth it. Lungs thank bong smokers more, but science won’t thank either. Smoking smart and staying safe creates a positive weed relationship.

Bring on the Bong

Just as varying weed strains are still weed, different methods of smoking are still smoking. Upon knowing science’s stance, it’s up to you to see what your lungs prefer.

As weed spikes in popularity, it’s myriad ingestion methods remain hot topics of conversation. Most would say, yes, smoking from a bong is better than blunts since it feels better. And while some would argue that what feels better is better, science has another opinion.

As is always true, however, only you know what’s best for you. Ask your lungs how they feel.

For more health and wellness conversations, check out our latest blog posts!

Weed 101: How to Choose the Right Types of Pot for You

Are you trying to decide what types of pot are best for what you are looking for in your high? Well, never fear. There are a ton of different types of pot out there, but it’s not nearly as hard to narrow it down as you may think.

Let’s go through some of the options that are available to you, and what you should be looking for when choosing the best kind of weed for your purposes!

THC vs. CBD

First, you’ll need to decide what balance of THC and CBD you’re looking for in your pot. THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is what creates the high when you’re smoking pot, while CBD (Cannabidiol) is what’s responsible for the relaxation sensation.

Both THC and CBD are part of what makes a type of pot work for you, and both have different health benefits that you may be looking for when choosing a type of pot.

Finding the perfect balance for your high is paramount for making sure you’re choosing the right pot for you. Harvest House of Cannabis shops can help you find the right balance when you’re shopping for a new type of pot.

Picking the Right Strain of Pot For You

Next, you’ll need to decide what strain of pot is the right choice for you. You’ve probably heard the words Indica and Sativa, but what do there really mean? Let’s find out!

Indica strains generally have higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC, making them generally better for relaxing and anxiety. Indica strains of pot are better generally for body pains, or if you plan on using pot to help you sleep better. Some of the best known and most popular Indica strains include Sour Diesel, Lemon Haze, Maui Wowie, and Laughing Buddha.

Sativa strains are better for daytime use because they increase energy and can help reduce anxiety. Sativa generally has lower levels of CBD and higher levels of THC, making it a different feel than Indica strains.

Sativa strains are commonly known for their brain-based high, rather than a body high. Some popular types of Sativa include Northern Light, OG Kush, Grand Daddy Purple, and Ice Wreck.

You can also pick up a hybrid strain, which can combine the best qualities of Sativa and Indica strains of pot. It’s basically like the best of both worlds! Some popular hybrid pot strains include White Widow, Pineapple Express, Birthday Cake Kush, and Cookies and Cream.

There are really no wrong answers when it comes to choosing the right strain of pot for you. It all depends on what you’re looking for!

Best Types of Pot For You

Clearly, there are a lot of different options for what are the best types of pot for your high. Choosing the right strain of pot can be difficult, so be sure to consult your friendly neighborhood weed shop.

Looking for other, similar articles on related topics? Check out our other blogs!

What Are Some Common Signs You Need a Divorce

What Are Some Common Signs You Need a Divorce?

Within a single year, 787,251 couples filed for divorce. Though the divorce rate in the United States has improved recently, divorces are still common. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize it’s the best option until after months or even years of suffering.

Don’t put yourself through that emotional turmoil. Instead, keep an eye out for these five signs you need a divorce. With this guide, you can catch the warning signs before the situation gets worse.

1. You Prefer Time Alone

First, take a look at your regular habits. Do you and your spouse go out on regular dates? Maybe you both prefer to spend time apart or with others instead.

Do you get excited about the idea of a single life again? If so, consider these both signs you should divorce. You should love spending time with the person you’re with, not dread their company.

2. You Cheat

Have you or your spouse cheated recently? Do you dodge your spouse’s touch when they come close? Both of these are signs you need a divorce.

If either of you cheats, it indicates you’re no longer interested in keeping your vows to each other. It also indicates that you would prefer someone else’s company. Consider speaking to your spouse about your problems or filing for a divorce.

3. You Can’t See a Future

What do the next five or 10 years with your spouse look like to you? If it’s not filled with success and happiness, you might want to reconsider that future.

When you get married, you’re making a commitment to spend your life with someone. However, it’s possible for feelings to change. Maybe you’re not living the life you dreamed of.

If you’re not happy, it’s time to reconsider your marriage.

There are over 76,258 family law and divorce lawyers in the United States. If you don’t see a future with your spouse, consider looking into divorce law. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you plan for a better future.

4. You Don’t Care Anymore

If you and your spouse want to repair the divide between you, you’ll both make an effort. However, it’s possible you no longer have an interest in each other or repairing your marriage.

Does your spouse do things that would have bothered you in the past? If you’re no longer fazed, review these signs you need a divorce. You might want to make a change.

5. You Don’t Think Counseling Helps

Many couples go through marriage counseling to repair their marriage. If it feels like your marriage is beyond repair, it’s possibly time for a divorce.

It takes two people to repair a marriage, and you both need to be dedicated to the process for counseling to work. Otherwise, it’s likely too late.

Consider Separating: 5 Signs You Need a Divorce

Are you noticing these signs you need a divorce in your marriage? You might want to consider speaking with your spouse, a counselor, or a lawyer. Your next move, however, is between you and your spouse.

Searching for more guides? Check out our latest features for more helpful tips and tricks.

7 Tips to Make Your Medical School Application Stand Out

If you’re an aspiring doctor, then few things in life can be more stressful than writing all your medical school applications. Not only do you have to get your academic records together, write strong essays about your passion for the medical industry, and provide references, but you have to do all of this knowing that the competition to get into med school makes your chances slim indeed.

That’s why you need all the help you can get in the form of solid medical school application tips.

In this article, you’ll learn how to improve your medical school application. You’ll learn exactly what you need to do to take your application from good to great to extraordinary. We’ll teach you how to set yourself head and shoulders above the competition in seven simple steps.

1. Increase Clinical Experience

Think of your medical school application in the same way as a job application. What’s one thing that can make an application to any job position stand out from the rest of the pack?

That’s easy: experience.

By increasing the number of hours you have of clinical experience, you’ll demonstrate your suitability for a medical school program in different ways.

First and foremost, you show admissions personnel that you really do want to be in medicine. You not only have the interest, but you’ve acted on that interest by going the extra mile to get your feet wet with experience. This proves to admissions personnel that you aren’t just someone who ran out of options in college and decided to apply to med school because they know doctors make oodles of cash.

Secondly, you’ll show that you have what it takes to be a doctor. Clinical experience isn’t for everyone — if you’ve been able to be successful in your experience thus far, then you show your grit in the medical industry.

Last but not least, it also demonstrates your work ethic. If you’ve been able to gain clinical hours while keeping your grades up and studying for the MCAT, you’re going to be able to keep up with the hours demanded from med school students.

2. Approach Well-Known Faculty for References

When it comes to your references, the reputation of the faculty who provides them can often make or break the quality of the reference. At the end of the day, you need well-known faculty who are respected in their field. The weight of their recommendation is significantly more than the weight of an adjunct faculty member who hasn’t published any research or made a name for themselves in any scientific field.

3. Re-take the MCAT

Medical schools want to see the complete package in their applicants. That’s why it doesn’t matter if you only have phenomenal experience and terrific references. Without the academic acumen to back all of that up, your application doesn’t stand a chance.

Your college GPA, however, isn’t something that you can really change at this point. So instead, let’s focus on something that you can still change: your MCAT score. Make no mistake: your score on this standardized test is a massive ranking factor for your application.

If you’re serious about going to med school, then getting an MCAT score well above your target schools’ admissions average is a must. Simply put, the better your score, the better your chances of getting admission.

4. Apply Early to Rolling Admissions Programs

Med schools that have rolling admissions programs should always be on your list of target institutions. Why? Because if you submit your application early, you could stand a great chance of getting admission to this program.

Rolling admissions means that applicants get admission on a continuing basis. As applications come in, they are reviewed. If they’re up to snuff, they get admission. If they aren’t, then they don’t.

But if they come in too late after all of the spots are taken, even if the application was up to snuff they still won’t get admission. Read med school reviews to ensure that you know when each institution’s application deadlines so that this unfortunate situation doesn’t happen to you.

5. Get Your Essay Doctor-Reviewed

Your personal statement essay is another incredibly important part of the application process. That’s why it’s so crucial that you spend a lot of time developing it, then even more time refining it. In this refining process, get a second and third and fourth pair of eyes on it.

Get advice from folks who have written successful personal statements (i.e. doctors). If there are doctors in your family or social circle, be sure to ask them to give you feedback on your essay. Most medical professionals will only be too happy to help.

6. Demonstrate Your All-Roundedness

As we mentioned briefly above, medical schools want the complete package. They want to see smart, interesting individuals who truly do have it all. Show admissions staff that you match this description.

List all of the extracurriculars that you have done and highlight how they have developed you into an all-rounded person. These extracurriculars also don’t have to be uber-relevant to the medical industry (though that is helpful). For instance, if you were in a fraternity or sorority and held leadership positions, then that could demonstrate your leadership capabilities to those who read your application.

7. Show Service

Last but not least, med schools love to see applicants who show a commitment to service. After all, the medical industry is a service-based one. You are serving your patients by curing them of whatever ails them.

Thus, one of the best medical school application improvement tips is to get volunteer experience on your resume to demonstrate your passion for serving the community at large around you.

How to Improve Your Medical School Application

There you have it — with this guide on how to improve your medical school application, you should be far better equipped to craft a standout application that will get you accepted at all of your dream schools!

For more education advice, be sure to take some time to check out the rest of the articles available on the website!

Hardwood floors are one of the top features that buyers look for when purchasing a home.

But if you’re selling your home, it would be crazy to get hardwood floors installed. The time and cost involved are unlikely to be recouped by an increase in sale price. There may also be some buyers who would have really loved the carpets that you just pulled up.

Is making DIY home repairs before you put your home on the market a good idea?

Well, yes and no. Read on as we take a look at your options.

Don’t Make Changes You Don’t Need To

It’s highly unlikely that any buyer will keep your home looking exactly as it is when you sell it.

New buyers want to put their own stamp on a home. That’s why it’s never recommended to spend big money on projects such as putting in a new kitchen or a new floor, as the buyer may rip it out and put a different one in as soon as they’ve moved in.

You should only make DIY repairs if they’re actually worth making.

The DIY Home Repairs Worth Making

The key is to make repairs that don’t cost that much but can still have a big impact on the appeal of your home.

We’ll take a look at a few you should consider.

Painting

This is a cheap and easy DIY repair that can make a big difference.

A fresh coat of paint can really make your home look more appealing. If you do itself, the cost will be minimal. Even if the buyer plans to repaint the whole house once they move in, it will make your home look smarter for viewings.

Bathroom

A dirty or tired-looking bathroom can be a real turn-off.

You don’t need to remodel the whole bathroom. A lick of paint, fixing any broken tiles, and maybe redoing the grouting should be enough to spruce up your bathroom significantly without breaking the bank.

Kitchen

We’ve already said that you shouldn’t install a brand new kitchen, but that doesn’t mean you can’t smarten things up.

Painting old cabinets is a great way to turn a dated-looking kitchen into something far fresher.

Tackle The Lawn

Don’t forget the exterior. An overgrown or patchy lawn can make a poor first impression for potential buyers.

Try to tackle the lawn and deal with any overgrown areas. If it’s too much for you to take on by yourself, companies such as CLC Landscaping, LLC will be able to do it at a reasonable price.

How Much You Do Is Up To You

We hope that his article has given you a better idea about which DIY home repairs are worth the time and money, and which you should leave well alone. Remember it’s only worth taking the time to make repairs if they’re going to increase your chances of selling for a good price. You also need to factor in the time you’re willing to commit to these repairs.

If you’re looking for more great content, then be sure to check out the rest of our site.

7 Facts About Alzheimer’s and Dementia That You Need to Know

Your loved one’s memory has started to slip, so you take her to the doctor for an evaluation. Unfortunately, her doctor confirms your greatest fear.

She has Alzheimer’s disease. And she’s not the only one. Research shows that more than five million people across the United States have this disease.

Navigating this complex, life-altering health condition with a family member can understandably feel overwhelming. This is especially true if you’ve never encountered a person with Alzheimer’s before.

In light of this, here’s a rundown on seven facts about Alzheimer’s that can help you to better understand and take care of your loved one in the months and years ahead.

Let’s get started.

1. Routine

An important fact to consider is that people who have Alzheimer’s generally prefer familiar settings and schedules. That’s because change can be difficult for them.

For this reason, if you have to break your loved one’s routine, consider leaving them a reminder of this on their refrigerator. Alternatively, you could mark this change on a big calendar for them.

Leaving written reminders can be helpful because individuals with Alzheimer’s usually comprehend what they’re reading even if they can’t comprehend spoken words.

You may also want to leave written notes around the home of your loved one showing them how to get to their bathroom, for instance. In this way, their surroundings will remain comfortable and familiar.

2. Activities

If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, it’s critical that you keep them engaged in familiar hobbies and tasks. This can help them to feel both happy and productive.

Just keep in mind that you may have to slightly adjust your loved one’s favorite activities in light of their memory loss.

For instance, if they love to bake cookies, they might not be able to complete the entire baking process from start to finish on their own like they used to. However, they could still complete certain steps of that process, like stirring the batter.

Likewise, if they’ve always loved doing construction projects, feel free to let them do some painting rather than use power tools.

3. Decision-making

Another important fact about Alzheimer’s disease is that individuals with this disease can easily become flustered when it’s time to make a decision.

As a result, you might have to take over some of their everyday choices.

For instance, giving them two shirts to choose from rather than having them choose shirts from their entire wardrobe.

Also, let them choose from just a handful of menu items at their favorite restaurant, rather than focusing on the entire menu.

4. Movement and Sound

Individuals with Alzheimer’s may also become overwhelmed by noise and crowds rather easily.

Therefore, try to avoid shopping in crowds with your loved one. Instead, choose a small shop for your shopping adventure.

Likewise, try to avoid gathering in large groups. Instead, let small groups of friends or family members stop by their house to visit them during the holidays.

Also, consider keeping the television set off when your loved one is completing other activities. This is important because they could easily become confused between real life and what is happening on TV.

5. Remembering Information and Improving Skills

Another noteworthy fact about Alzheimer’s disease is that this disease might make it difficult for your family member to remember directions or to improve their skills.

For this reason, you may need to adjust how much they can do in a given task.

For instance, you can let them remove forks and spoons from the dishwasher to the best of their ability. Then, you can rearrange these pieces quietly later.

Also, rather than constantly reminding them not to drink from a jug of juice that you bought for the entire family, you could get them their own jug to drink from.

6. Home Care

If your family member is dealing with memory issues, they may no longer be capable of caring for themselves by themselves.

Fortunately, in this situation, home care may be the solution.

With home care, your loved one will receive the support they need to remain safe and healthy at home. This means that you don’t have to worry about not being able to take care of them while trying to juggle your busy life.

Check out these great resources regarding how home care can benefit your loved one.

7. Sundowning

Finally, people who suffer from Alzheimer’s tend to become upset easily — a phenomenon known as sundowning.

To keep your family member calm, consider turning on lights around the house. This may be helpful since having rooms that are well lit might make them more comfortable.

Also, note that your family member may worry about facing an intruder in their home. In this situation, it’s best not to dismiss their feelings.

Rather, show them that you have locked their windows and doors. These small steps may help them to feel safe and thus more relaxed at home.

Facts About Alzheimer’s: Learn How We Can Help

In addition to highlighting important facts about Alzheimer’s, we offer a wide range of news and advice related to virtually every aspect of modern living.

For instance, you can find out about the newest movies and series airing on Netflix. You can also explore tips for navigating family and relationship matters.

Take a peek at our site to learn more about how to enhance your life and those of your loved ones in the months and years ahead.