34 JUNE 20-26, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | REAL ESTATE | RENTALS | HEALTH WELLNESS | SERVICES | EMPLOYMENT | ADULT | MUSIC | CLASSIFIED | A S K A S T O N E R BY HERBERT FUEGO Dear Stoner: Any information you can share on weed’s effect on sleep apnea? Like, does smoking it make sleep apnea worse, or bet- ter? Are there connections? Snoring Smoker Dear Snoring Smoker: Sleep apnea is no joke. It causes real short- and long-term issues with energy, sleep and heart health. And if you sleep in a bed with someone, they’re probably having sleep and energy issues, too, because snoring gets louder and more frequent when sleep apnea is left unchecked. The infl ammatory impact on the respi- ratory system from smoking anything will increase the chances of snoring. I won’t go as far as connecting that to sleep apnea, but it probably doesn’t help. Cannabis’s relaxing ef- fects on the muscles could factor into snoring and sleep apnea if you smoke before bed, too. Pair that with the plant’s impact on a regular user’s REM sleep cycle, and you’ll be one tired stoner in the morning. Consider edibles or a weed break if this is happening to you. Dear Stoner: I’m gearing up for a road trip across the country, and we’re stopping at a few national parks. I know what the rules are, but what’s your opinion on the occasional joint on secluded trails or mountain peaks at national parks? Prestie Dear Prestie: There’s no way to encourage smoking weed at a national park without piss- ing someone off (rightfully so), but I’ve snuck a few tokes in during past visits. The “time and place” method is key here, though, especially if you’re visiting a dry climate or anywhere with fi re restrictions and active park rangers. Because of that, you should avoid any consump- tion on marked trails and mountain peaks. Edibles are always easier in these situ- ations...for smuggling, anyway; good luck with the extra-dehydrating side effects dur- ing hikes and camping. Electronic vaping is probably the next preferred method for environmental safety, and that can be done pretty easily nowadays thanks to hash pens and portable fl ower vaporizers. But if you’re in a secluded area or hidden from view in the car before hiking, a few one-hitters are fun. Sue me (just kidding, please don’t). I can’t defend smoking joints at a populated national park, but any form of safe cannabis consumption comes with risks at these places thanks to federal prohibition. So be smart by respecting nature and others, and keeping the hot leaf far away from any vegetation. Send questions to [email protected]. ..... ........ . .............. ..... ..... .. ....... .............. ..... ....... .. . ... . . . . . ... . . . . ... . . . ........ ... . . ....... ........ ....... ........... ..... .......... ....... ........ . ....... . ...... . . ...... . ....... ...... . ....... ...... . ....... ................ . . ... ..... ... ...... . . . . ..... . . . . . . .. ......... . ....... ....... .. ... ....... .......... ....... ....... ..... . .......... . . ................ .. .. . . . . ....... ................ ....... .... .. . . .... .. ....... ... .... . . . . . . .... . . . .. . . . . ................ . .. . . .. . .. .. . . . . . . . .... .. . .... . . . . .. . . . ... . ............ .. ... . .... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. ... . . . .. . . . ........... ................ ............. ........... . .. . . . . . .. .. . .. ... . .. .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .... . . .. . .. .. . . .. . . .. . .. .. ... .. .. . . . . ....................... ........................ .. ... . .. . .... . .. ... . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... .. .. .. .. . . . . ....................... ........................ ........... ....... .. ... .. . . .... ... . ... .. . . . . . . . .. ... .. .. ... ................. .......... ... .. ........ . . ... . . . . . . ......... ...... ... . .. . ............. . ............. . ..... . . .. . . .. .. . . ... . . . ... . . . .. .. .. . . . . ................ . .... ...... . ........ ........ ......... . .. . . ... . .......... ... ... ................. ............. ............... ......... .......... ....
