Beat the heat with Cannabis

It’s been crazy hot since the end of May and many of us have been looking for any way to cool off. There are a million ways to chill in the summer but not many people think of using cannabis to do it. Studies like that of the Department of Pharmacology, University of Aberdeen, have shown that cannabis can cool down the body. While this may not make sense to many of us we must be reminded that a hot drink cools you down better than a cold one, spicy food cools you too. Sometimes science just doesn’t make any real sense but they’re the experts!

Be sure to drink lots of water this summer since that is the best way to be safe while cooling down with cannabis. While cannabis is a cooling agent it can also make you feel more thirsty than usual. Always keep a drink on standby, water, juice, tea, slushies', anything is better than dehydrating in the summer. Your skin can be dehydrated too, even if you drink a lot of water, using lotion and sunscreen help keep you safe and healthy throughout the summer.

Since science says cannabis cools the body down here are some of the best ways to use cannabis to chill this summer:

>Simply Smoking

For this method, you don’t have to change too much about how you intake cannabis. If you are more into joints, blunts, or bongs, smoking like it’s a regular day is the way to go. Some

people suggest that if you are going to try smoking cannabis to lower your body temperature, smoking Indica leaning strains is the best idea. This is so you can relax both inside and out without feeling the need to get up and get moving like a typical Sativa might make you feel. Some popular Indica strains are Hindu Kush, Afghan Kush, Granddaddy Purp, Northern Lights, Girl Scout Cookies, Wedding Cake, and OG Kush.

>Cannabis Infused Drinks

I know we were just talking about how hot drinks cool you down but not everyone will adhere to that. With cannabis-infused drinks, you can make them hot or cold, even if the cold drinks feel better in the summer. Some dispensaries sell pre-made cannabisinfused drinks like Keef, Oh Hi, Dixie Elixirs, and more. If you don’t want one of the

premade drinks you can always find tinctures, syrups, or crystals that you can mix into any drink you want. (Strawberry THC syrup and lemonade are one of my favorites!) If you want to mix these into alcoholic drinks, be very sure you don’t do too much as crossing THC and alcohol might not be the best way to cool down in the summer.

>Infused Topicals

Cannabis topicals are a great way to get THC or CBD into your system without ingesting anything. However, not all topicals will penetrate the skin and get into the bloodstream. When looking for a cooling topical, try to find one that is transdermal so you can soak up moisture and THC at the

same time. Retaining your skin's moisture is a great way to cool down when it’s 105 degrees out. If you can’t find any topicals with THC that you like, just using regular lotion can help quell the heat.

>Summer Themed Edibles

While edibles can fall under the same category as infused drinks if you don’t want to get a wave of warm smoke in your face an edible is a good way to go. In the summer we all want something refreshing, make your own infused popsicles (add some fruit pieces in the homemade popsicles you won’t regret it), or you can try your hand at infusing a

watermelon. (As they do on the internet with alcohol, just swap it with cannabis!) An infused key lime pie, lemon bars, raspberry cheesecake... There are a million ways to make summer treats filled with cannabis.

>Clothing

Yep, we are going to talk about hemp clothing. Wearing hemp-based fabric is going to make you feel cooler than cotton-based clothing. Hemp clothing is lightweight and wicks moisture off the body quickly, it even has some antibacterial properties so if you accidentally leave it in a soaking wet ball next to the pool it won’t grow mildew as quickly as cotton would.

Hemp is also much more sustainable as a whole, in the same stretch of land hemp will produce 200% more fabric than cotton. (Remember this: the only reason we don’t prioritize hemp is the stigma surrounding it. It would help the overall sustainability of our planet if we used hemp for more products.) Once you’ve tried all those ways to chill, you can always do the more common summer chilling activities and just add cannabis to them. Enhancing the ways you can cool off and relax can make an average day feel like a mini vacation even if you still have to go to work tomorrow.

>Sun Blocking Curtains

If you’re like me and live in an area where the sun never quits and always wants to beam down onto your house. Sun-blocking curtains are a lifesaver! These special curtains can cut down the heat coming through your windows by nearly 25%, this helps the house stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. You’re basically insulating your windows! Blackout curtains can do nearly the same thing and you can find those all just about any store that sells curtains.

>Eat Lighter

Eating lighter foods is another good way to keep the body cool. This is due to your body not having to work as hard when breaking down the food, either because it is not as much or because the food is easier to digest. Some lighter foods are salads (leafy greens, things like chicken salad, or vegetables mixed with quinoa), grilled chicken, tuna, and fruits. One of my favorite light meals is a poke bowl!

>Sleep in Your Birthday Suit

This might sound like a crazy idea to some of us, but sleeping in the nude is a great way to cool off. Although this may not be a solid option for some people there is no better way to sleep cooler than without anything holding your body heat to you. Some say that sleeping in the nude can even help

reduce your stress and anxiety levels. It can even make you feel more comfortable in your own skin, loving your body is the first step to loving even more of yourself! If you can’t sleep naked try looking into some hemp pajamas to keep the clothing light and airy. Summer can be a really fun and relaxing adventure or feel like walking through the devil’s neighborhood with a parka on. Whichever path you choose, at least consider bringing something to cool you down. With cannabis helping more of us chill, in all the ways, this summer, remember to use cannabis wisely and not overdo it. While it may help us relax, greening out is very possible and not fun, especially when it’s in the 90s outside. Also, be sure to wear sunscreen, a sunburn will make staying cool even harder. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay chill during all the heat waves!