Elevate and Evolve | Cannabis & Psychedelic Culture Blog
Marijuana can be smoked, vaped and ingested. A bong rip, joint or blunt has its own merits in the high that you get and there are a variety of vaporizers to suit anyone’s lifestyle. This infographic breaks down smoking, vaporizing, vaporizers, and cannabinoids.
Similar to meditation, writing allows you to get “into the zone”, where new insights and original thoughts can be uncovered. Other ways writing affects the brain can be gleaned from the following infographic.
Every engaging story must…ignite the brain’s hardwired desire to learn what happens next. When writers tap into the evolutionary purpose of story and electrify our curiosity, it triggers a delicious dopamine rush that tells us to pay attention. Without it, even the most perfect prose won’t hold anyone’s interest. – Lisa Cron from Wired for Story
> Hardwired for Story | No Film School
Exercise offers a wide range of benefits for our well-being. They are well-known and heavily supported with studies and scientific data. However, new findings are continually being unearthed that help us better understand what exercise is doing to our bodies and our brains.
After being cooped up inside all day, your afternoon stroll may leave you feeling clearheaded. This sensation is not just in your mind. A growing body of evidence suggests we think and learn better when we walk or do another form of exercise. – Justin Roberts, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois
So, exercise boosts your cognitive functioning and improves your memory, but how exactly does it do that? One of the ways is through improved blood flow. Rhodes writes:
Research shows that when we exercise, blood pressure and blood flow increase everywhere in the body, including the brain. More blood means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brain perform better.
The hippocampus is a brain structure that is important for memory function, but what relation does it have to exercise? Rhodes responds:
Another explanation for why working up a sweat enhances our mental capacity is that the hippocampus, a part of the brain critical for learning and memory, is highly active during exercise. When the neurons in this structure rev up, research shows that our cognitive function improves. For instance, studies in mice have revealed that running enhances spatial learning. Other recent work indicates that aerobic exercise can actually reverse hippocampal shrinkage, which occurs naturally with age, and consequently boost memory in older adults. Yet another study found that students who exercise perform better on tests than their less athletic peers.
> Why do you think better after a walk? | Scientific American
> Running Enhances Neurogenesis, Learning, and Long-term Potentiation in Mice | Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Biking can be extremely beneficial for our well-being when being done safely. Bike commuting concerns don’t have to be a potential stumbling block when it comes to your ability to enjoy a ride through the city.
So instead of taking a big picture approach to biking, let’s take it one step at a time. Through information and knowledge we can alleviate some of the stress that accompanies a new activity. This infographic about Overcoming Bike Commuting Concerns is a shining example.
Don’t forget to also make sure your bicycle is in proper form and will offer you a safe ride. This infographic comes from the collaborative community GOOD and offers some solid advice for checking your bike before heading out. Enjoy and have a safe ride!
Prop. 215 took effect on Nov. 6, 1996 as California Health & Safety Code 11362.5. The law makes it legal for patients and their designated primary caregivers to possess and cultivate marijuana for their personal medical use given the recommendation or approval of a California-licensed physician.
Prop. 215 explicitly covers marijuana possession and cultivation for personal medical use. Hashish and concentrated cannabis, including edibles, are also included.
SB420, a legislative statute, went into effect on January 1, 2004 as California H&SC 11362.7-.83. This law broadens Prop. 215 to transportation and other offenses in certain circumstances; allows patients to form medical cultivation “collectives” or “cooperatives”; and establishes a voluntary state ID card system run through county health departments. SB420 sets a baseline statewide guideline of 6 mature or 12 immature plants, and 1/2 pound (8 oz.) processed cannabis per patient. Individual cities and counties are allowed to enact higher, but not lower, limits than the state standard.
Under Prop. 215, a recommendation is valid so long as the doctor says it is. However, SB420 requires ID cards to be renewed annually, and many police refuse to recognize recommendations that are older than a year or so. Courts have ruled that patients must have a valid approval at the time of their arrest, though this can have been oral.
Patients are not required to get an ID card to enjoy the protection of Prop. 215. All that is needed is a physician’s statement saying that marijuana is “approved” or “recommended.”
As Medical Marijuana Laws continue to be progressive we still see entities such as the DEA and the U.N. fight to nullify the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado for fear of a domino effect across the nation. As we go through these changes remain knowledgeable on the current Medical Marijuana Laws, their guidelines and spread knowledge. Cannabis has uses beyond simply altering one’s state of being and the studies on cannabis continue to uncover more and more benefits. Our bodies are wired to intake cannabis, hemp can be used for a wide array of manufacturing purposes, and the relief brought to patients and the economy are indisputable.
For a deeper look into Medical Marijuana Laws check out the California NORML site.
The facts are stacking up in favor of cannabis. The truth behind its many benefits and low risk have reached the masses. Here are 10 reasons to legalize marijuana.
Life Hacks are ingenious ways to do everyday things that make life easier, more convenient, more fun, or otherwise better. They require little effort, and can cumulatively make a big difference.
1.) Reverse your hangers!
Put your clothes in your closet with the hangers reversed once a year. As you pull your clothes out, reverse the hanger. Every year, gie away any clothes that you never took out (hangers facing the original direction).
2.) Get out of the house in time!
Make your playlist exactly as long as you have to get ready in the morning. Go from chill songs to more energetic ones. You will be able to tell how you’re doing on time by the song that’s currently playing.
3.) Unlock a chain lock from outside!
Find a rubber band. Attach the rubber band to the chain lock, then to the inside door handle. As you close the door from the outside, the rubber band will pull the chain and the lock will dislodge. Works like a charm.
4.) Open a banana the RIGHT way!
Instead of tearing open the banana at the stem (which can be a real struggle). just flip the banana over and open it by pinching the stem. There’s a reason monkeys do it this way!
5.) Remember to Bring the Important things!
When you need to remember to bring something with you, put your car keys on it the night before, or put the item you need to remember on your shoes.
6.) Use aluminum foil correctly!
On the ends of every box of aluminum foil there are tabs to push in that keep the foil from popping out, same for cling wrap.
7.) Ice cold drinks in 3 minutes flat!
If you want to cool a warm beer or soda to ice cold in 3 minutes put the can or cans in a pot and cover with ice. Next, add 2 cups of salt and fill with water. It will be cold in 3 minutes.
1.) Sources for your Thesis!
If you are charged with writing a lengthy research paper, find one very solid source that directly pertains to your thesis, and then you can use that source’s bibliography to back into locating new sources. Alternatively, use the bibliography of a Wikipedia entry.
2.) Buy some Time!
Need more time writing that paper? Grab a jpg, mp3, or some other media file and rename it “My Awesome Essay.doc” and send to professor. The “paper” will “corrupt” and it’ll buy you a day or two more.
3.) Get your Thumbdrive box!
Put an “identification.txt” file in your flash drives. Include all relevant contact info so you can get it back if you lose it.
1.) Get paid to poop!
You’ll be using less of your own time and more of your company’s time. If you poop for an average of 10 minutes per day, your company will have paid you for more than 40 hours of pooping by the end of the year. That’s half as long as most paid vacations!
2.) Keep motivated!
If there’s something big you need to get done, tell all your friends you’re going to do it. The fear of looking like an ass helps keep you motivated.
3.) Work as a beer taster!
When you’re about to be born press up, up, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, and select. If you did it correctly, you’ll later get a job as a beer taster. (Ok, this one is a lie)
1.) Free phone chargers!
Next time you lose your phone charger, don’t buy another one! Go to a hotel and say you think you lost it there. It’s the #1 most left behind item at hotels, so most places have a big bin filled with every phone charger imaginable.
2.) Free hotel porn!
Next time you stay in a hotel that uses a Nokia TV system, enter the following code using the remote control: 2-2-1-Down Arrow then push and hold the OK button.
3.) Free air!
At Shell gas stations, press the button on the side of the pump three times. The pump will start without you having to insert any coins!
4) Free hotel reservation cancellations!
If you’ve got hotel reservations and need to cancel, but you’re already within however many days prior to the cancellation policy stated, just reschedule for a future date (for which there is no charge or penalty), call back, get a different representative, and cancel free of charge!
5.) Free Wi-Fi at Airports!
For those that have “for pay Wi-Fi” by adding ?.jpg at the end of any URL. Often, Wi-Fi at airports do not redirect images, allowing this hack to work.
1.) Don’t lose your hair!
If you are losing your hair, get Propecia for $2.50 a month instead of $189.00. Go to your doctor. Get him/her to prescribe you something called Proscar which is 5 mg of Finasteride (for prostate health) while Propecia is only 1. The good part about this is insurance covers proscar (because there is a medial purpose for it) so instead of paying 189 bucks a month you pay roughly $10 a prescription. Then cut it up into quarters. So it’s a 4 month supply for $15 bucks.
2.) Change your Circadian Rhythm!
Your circadian rhythm can be manipulated by your eating schedule. Stop eating during the 12-16 hour period before you want to be awake. Once you start eating again, your internal clock will be reset as though it is the start of a new day. Your body will consider the time you break your fast as your new “morning.”
3) Prevent “Splashing”!
You know you hate it too. When you have to go number two in a public restroom and you get “splashed”. Before pooping in a public toilet, put a couple sheets of toilet paper in the landing zone. This usually prevents splashing.”
4.) Save a life with coconut water!
Coconut water is sterile, works extremely well as a sports/hydration drink, is nearly isotonic to human blood, and in an emergency can be used as an IV fluid.
5.) Speed up 911!
When calling 911, the very first thing you should state is your location. Cell phone triangulations is imperfect and sometimes landline info is out of date. The moment an operator has an address or intersection, the police can be dispatched.
6.) Cure brain freeze!
Pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth cures brain freeze fast! It also makes the urge to sneeze go away.
7.) Sneeze fast!
If you’re about to sneeze, but it isn’t happening as fast as you would like, look into a bright light and you will sneeze.
8.) Combat acne!
Persistent acne can be almost universally cured or substantially reduced by sleeping with a freshly washed towel over ones pillow at night. This works better than any acne medication. No lie.
9.) See in the Dark!
When you wake up in the middle of the night to do something, cover one eye with your hand and leave it there until you return to darkness. The eye that was covered will have retained its ability to see well in the dark so you will not run into the dresser on your way back to bed. This advantage is the reason pirates wore eyepatches so they could see in the darkness below deck after being in bright sunlight.
10.) Avoid sinus congestion!
If you have sinus congestion and steam just isn’t doing the trick, there’s another body hack you can try to relieve the pressure. Thrust your tongue against the roof of your mouth, then press between your eyebrows. Repeating these two things rocks your vomer bone back and forth and loosens up the congestion, allowing your sinuses to drain.
1.) Extend a remotes range!
If you are opening a gate with a remote and you are a bit out of range, put it under your chin pointing upward. Your skull is a close enough approximation to a parabolic reflector to direct some extra energy forward giving you extra distance.
2.) Use your hand as a ruler!
Measure your hand from your fingertips to palm and memorize it. Now you can judge the size of anything without a ruler. Try to pick a finger that is pretty close to a standard length (1 inch). You will never need a ruler to estimate again.
3.) Reboot the credit card machine!
To piss off an annoying customer behind you in the checkout, hold down all 4 corner buttons on the credit card machine to reboot it. It will take a while to restart.
4.) Go straight to your Floor!
To go directly to your floor on an elevator, even if other floor numbers have been pressed, simply press the desired floor number and door close button at the same time and you will go directly to that floor!
5.) Spend less time in the cold!
If your lock is frozen, use instant hand sanitizer on it. With its heavy alcohol content, it can break down ice. Squirt some in a resistant lock and get out of the cold!
6.) Test a remote!
If you point a TV/DVD remote at a cellphone camera and press any button you can see the infared light. This trick will also let you see if IR security cameras are on in the dark!
7.) Extra batteries!
9 Volt batteries contain six AAAA sized cells that can be used in electronics that take AAA batteries. Small sized 12 volt batteries contain eight 1.5 volt batteries which retail for $3 – $5 dollars each.
This infographic shows the differences between humans and animals along with the traits we share with other animals: tool use, long term memory, counting, self awareness, culture, emotions, complex communication, and sense of humor. We may value ourselves above all other species on the planet but we are actually not all that different.
If you are anything like me, you love infographics because they make lots of information extremely easy to read and digest. So when the team at Term Life Insurance came to me with the opportunity to work with them on a marijuana infographic I HAD to take the opportunity. So after lots of research and blunts smoked, here is an awesome marijuana infographic that shows 15 things about marijuana that you should know. I even learned a thing or two, this plant is even more amazing than I thought. Enjoy. – Hail Mary Jane
