Now more than ever, practicing good hygiene is important especially when it comes to smoking. Between allergies and contagious diseases, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy cannabis without putting yourself or others at extra risk. Beyond the typical hand-washing and self-isolating-when-sick guidelines, here are some ways for stoners to keep themselves from spreading germs.
Keep Your Bongs and Pipes Clean
It’s not news that crisp, clean water is preferable to water browner than the dirt outside. Beyond the taste, smell, and smoothness of your hits, smoking out of a dirty piece is — let’s be honest — gross. Don’t worry, we’re not judging. We’ve all been guilty of this at one point or another. Still, all that gunk harbors bacteria, mold spores, and other pathogens, none of which are great for your body.
If you’re struggling to motivate yourself to clean your pieces, think of it as a self-care ritual. Disinfecting and cleaning your pieces isn’t just good for your health either. It’s an overall better smoking experience where you can impress your friends with how shiny your glass is and how smooth the smoke tastes.
Switch to Edibles
Especially with respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 spreading, smoking isn’t the best for your lungs even on a good day. Burnt plant matter and residue can still irritate lung tissue and you need all those little alveoli (the air sacs responsible for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange) to breathe well. But just because you shouldn’t smoke when you’re sick doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy cannabis.
Edibles, tinctures, and tonics are just a few ways you can still get the high you’re looking for without worrying about your lungs. Sure, it might not have that same charm as sparking up after a long day of work, but if you’re worried about your lung health, think of it as a great time to explore other methods of cannabis consumption. Who knows? Maybe edibles become your new favorite.
Don’t Share Pieces When You’re Sick…Or During a Pandemic
This is a no-brainer. Most cold and flu viruses are transmitted through respiratory droplets, whether in our saliva or from bits of phlegm when we cough or sneeze (yuck, I know). A great thing you can do is just not share pieces with sick individuals. Even better, hold off hanging out until you and your friends aren’t sick and contagious. And remember: clean your pieces.
Take a Tolerance Break
Sometimes when you’re sick, you don’t feel like smoking anyway. Great! Give yourself a tolerance break so your lungs can recharge and that eventual high will feel so much better. But what if you’re looking for relief only that sweet sticky icky can provide? Switch to CBD for the time being and use tinctures and edibles to unwind. There’s a lot of stress and chaos in the world lately so CBD-rich options can help melt some of that away.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, applying these tips to your smoking regimen can help keep you and your friends healthy. If you have any other questions or would like to share your own cannabis hygiene knowledge, let our budtenders know! We’re always interested to learn new stuff, especially in times like this.
Until then, we hope you stay happy, healthy, and high!
