Our drinking culture

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7767 posts

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#2964625 8-Sep-2022 12:00

Rikkitic:

When I did drink, gin and tonic was one of my favourites. Then I discovered that it was just as good without the gin. Tonic has a refreshing zing, and the diet version is also quite acceptable to my taste, so that might be a possibility. The other day I had some kiwifruit juice and that was simply amazing. I checked the label and couldn't find any added sugar or other toxins. It might be worth a try.

I also enjoy an 'antigin' (gin and tonic without the gin). I'll often have can of Schweppe's diet tonic water in summer. However, artificial sweeteners tend to disagree with me. Kiwifruit juice is about 4 teaspoons of sugar per cup, sadly. The sugar is masked by the ascorbic acid.

Mike

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Rikkitic

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#2964653 8-Sep-2022 13:29

MikeAqua:Kiwifruit juice is about 4 teaspoons of sugar per cup, sadly. The sugar is masked by the ascorbic acid.

Aw, now you've spoilt it for me.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

landcruiserguy

765 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2964683 8-Sep-2022 14:49

MikeAqua:

landcruiserguy:

My advice on this is if you are currently using tramadol and diclofenac for your health issues you are probably better off with CBD and THC. Less side effects, more positive benefits.

My advice is that if people have pain or inflammation to manage, they should talk to a qualified medical professional.

I've listened to quite few of them interviewed on the subject of medicinal products derived from cannabis. Opinion seems to vary widely and patient experiences seem to vary widely as well.

I don't doubt that cannabis is very useful for some people in some circumstances. However the positioning of it as cure-all miracle dug is bogus.

Yes, that book I linked to is written by a nice American Dr lady from the States. The sad truth is that most GPs don't know much about cannabis as the endocannaboid system is not taught at medical school and it was only discovered in 2006. GPs are hit and miss. The specialist clinics like Cannabis Clinic or Green Dr are the way to go.

Results vary widely between patients because people's endocannaboid systems are in different states. All this means that it's a patent driven approach, you have to try different products and ratios of cannabanoids and find the one that feels right to you.

Medical cannabis has been a thing in California since 1994 so it's not exactly a new thing. NZ is 20 years behind the rest of the world as always.

landcruiserguy

765 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2964685 8-Sep-2022 14:56

MikeB4:

My concern is what is the impact if any does medical Cannabis and THC have on Kidney function. NSAIDs have a bit impact on Kidney function, Tramadol has a similar impact on Kidney function as Paracetamol.

There is no medical evidence of any kidney impact, not that I have found anyway. A sure way to kill your liver is to overdose on paracetamol and a good way to kill your kidneys is with ibuprofen as you say. Oral CBD is processed by the liver through the same pathway as grapefruit so that's worth knowing. Sublingual (drops) and vaped THC or CBD skip the liver and go directly into the blood stream.

The amount a medical user would take is normally something like 5mg of THC and 50mg of CBD as drops. A recreational user might have 150mg THC in a single joint. If side effects are not showing up at the high doses, then they are unlikely to show up at the microdoses level medical dose.

johno1234

2599 posts

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#2964686 8-Sep-2022 14:59

Rikkitic:

MikeAqua:

I'm on a similar position. I've mostly weaned myself off booze without any intention to do so. Like you I came to resent the cost (which is mostly tax) and I also don't need the calories. The challenge is what to drink other than water, that doesn't have sugar in not or taste awful.

When I did drink, gin and tonic was one of my favourites. Then I discovered that it was just as good without the gin. Tonic has a refreshing zing, and the diet version is also quite acceptable to my taste, so that might be a possibility. The other day I had some kiwifruit juice and that was simply amazing. I checked the label and couldn't find any added sugar or other toxins. It might be worth a try.

I use diet tonic, and agree it can be consumed without the gin, but find it much more interesting and not quite so sweet with the gin added.

There are some really good zero alcohol gins available now. They just make it better IMHO.

Eva888

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#2964732 8-Sep-2022 17:10

That made me look up no alcohol Gins. Ecology $67 for 700ml. Anyone have recommendations for one that tastes like Bombay Sapphire or Gordons.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
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#2964747 8-Sep-2022 18:10

I have no issue with zero alcohol substitutes, but the point of my post was that I don't miss alcohol at all, so do not feel a need for a substitute. That was actually a revelation to me, since my normal routine was a glass of wine in the evening, usually followed by a couple more. After years of this, I was surprised to discover that the alcohol wasn't adding anything. I simply assumed it was and that became a habit.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Eva888

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#2964750 8-Sep-2022 18:19

We also no longer drink alcohol trying to conserve what’s left of kidneys and liver. I did love my Gin and Tonic though and will happily enjoy a Claytons version just for the aroma. We noticed even a glass of wine the night before blood tests showed a spike in the tests that had the doc questioning. Watching a friend now on dialysis and the pain and suffering he is going through is enough to convert the most wicked.

MikeAqua

7767 posts

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#2965101 9-Sep-2022 13:50

landcruiserguy:

Yes, that book I linked to is written by a nice American Dr lady from the States. The sad truth is that most GPs don't know much about cannabis as the endocannaboid system is not taught at medical school and it was only discovered in 2006. GPs are hit and miss. The specialist clinics like Cannabis Clinic or Green Dr are the way to go.

Results vary widely between patients because people's endocannaboid systems are in different states. All this means that it's a patent driven approach, you have to try different products and ratios of cannabanoids and find the one that feels right to you.

Medical cannabis has been a thing in California since 1994 so it's not exactly a new thing. NZ is 20 years behind the rest of the world as always.

Not all Dr's are trustworthy. I'm not making any specific claims about that Dr, although I admit I'm inherently skeptical about Drs with books and TV shows. All the best Drs I've encountered spend their time reading and healing people.

Results vary widely because people vary widely on many, many aspects. To narrow it down to one (albeit complex) system is over-simplification.

Yes, we are behind, but so far, I haven't seen any evidence that we are missing out on all that much (except tax revenue). There will be polar bears ice skating in Hades before a product that is primarily smoked is of net health benefit for mild to moderate medical conditions. Manage [insert moderate condition] in return for increased risk of lung cancer. Hmmkay.

Mike

landcruiserguy

765 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2965171 9-Sep-2022 17:06

MikeAqua:

landcruiserguy:

Yes, that book I linked to is written by a nice American Dr lady from the States. The sad truth is that most GPs don't know much about cannabis as the endocannaboid system is not taught at medical school and it was only discovered in 2006. GPs are hit and miss. The specialist clinics like Cannabis Clinic or Green Dr are the way to go.

Results vary widely between patients because people's endocannaboid systems are in different states. All this means that it's a patent driven approach, you have to try different products and ratios of cannabanoids and find the one that feels right to you.

Medical cannabis has been a thing in California since 1994 so it's not exactly a new thing. NZ is 20 years behind the rest of the world as always.

Not all Dr's are trustworthy. I'm not making any specific claims about that Dr, although I admit I'm inherently skeptical about Drs with books and TV shows. All the best Drs I've encountered spend their time reading and healing people.

Results vary widely because people vary widely on many, many aspects. To narrow it down to one (albeit complex) system is over-simplification.

Yes, we are behind, but so far, I haven't seen any evidence that we are missing out on all that much (except tax revenue). There will be polar bears ice skating in Hades before a product that is primarily smoked is of net health benefit for mild to moderate medical conditions. Manage [insert moderate condition] in return for increased risk of lung cancer. Hmmkay.

Hey, I am not here to convince you otherwise, but I will add a few more bits of info into the conversation. Cannabis is NZ's third most popular recreational drug. The reason that it's that way is because people have recognized the benefits of it and as kiwis do, quietly got on with sorting the problem out. All of this is currently happening without any government regulation or tax take. Regulation would look like NZ currently does with more rules and tax.

I am a firm believer that nobody should smoke anything. It's a horrible and disgusting habit that common sense isn't good for you. Medical cannabis is sold for use in a dry herb vape which heats the plant material up to vaporize the good stuff without burning the plant material. Harm is vastly reduced. NZ has two approved models of vaporizers, the Volcano Medic and the Mighty Medic, both available at Vaporisers NZ - Storz & Bickel Medical Vaporisers – MediVape New Zealand.

Smoking cannabis is not linked to an increase in cancer including (surprisingly) lung cancer. The modulating effect of cannabinoids on the immune system are protective against cancer is what the studies have shown. It is linked to bad lung health and you definitely shouldn't smoke it because smoking is disgusting.

Cannabis isn't new medical science, it's old medical science that was suppressed for 100 years due to the drug war. Nobody is forcing anyone to have it but for the people suffering with chronic pain and other medical conditions it's certainly nice to have the option. Life is all about choices.

Eva888

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#2965238 9-Sep-2022 23:07

Have suggested medical cannabis to a friend who has end kidney failure and in a lot of pain. It will be interesting to hear the result of asking the specialist for it because he gets very sick on Tramadol. If it calms what ails you what’s the harm.

For those who fear cannabis as a harmful drug, legal prescription blood thinner Warfarin caused the painful leg necrosis (death) in this person and it could fast become fatal. I was blown away hearing that about such a well known and commonly prescribed drug.

MikeAqua

7767 posts

Uber Geek

#2966066 12-Sep-2022 11:52

Eva888: That made me look up no alcohol Gins. Ecology $67 for 700ml. Anyone have recommendations for one that tastes like Bombay Sapphire or Gordons.

I've tried Ecology. Doesn't taste like gin to me. Very expensive for something that doesn't have alcohol in it.

Mike

Wakrak

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#2966073 12-Sep-2022 12:01

Tried Garage Project - Tiny over the weekend. Liked it a lot. Felt like I was having a beer. Also tried Good George Virtual Reality Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA. Not a fan. An odd flavour.

Yet to try Bach Brewing All Day or Sawmill Bare Beer. But Tiny has set a high bar.

MikeAqua

7767 posts

Uber Geek

#2966074 12-Sep-2022 12:03

Eva888: Have suggested medical cannabis to a friend who has end kidney failure and in a lot of pain. It will be interesting to hear the result of asking the specialist for it because he gets very sick on Tramadol. If it calms what ails you what’s the harm.

For those who fear cannabis as a harmful drug, legal prescription blood thinner Warfarin caused the painful leg necrosis (death) in this person and it could fast become fatal. I was blown away hearing that about such a well known and commonly prescribed drug.

Medical cannabis I have no issue with. Promotion of general cannabis use as a cure-all I'm very skeptical about. If someone is fatally ill, then I think it's about making them comfortable by whatever means work.

Tramadol is horrid stuff. I took it once as pain relief, post surgery to donate a kidney, and experienced nightmares so horrifying realistic, I didn't take another. The pain wasn't that bad.

Warfarin has side effects. But it drastically reduces the risk of a stroke or DVT. A person with end stage renal failure has all sorts of circulatory problems and all sort of additional side effect risks to go with them.

I've had family members close to that stage (hence the kidney donation). All sorts of things start going wrong and it's a pretty tough life. for them.

Mike

MikeAqua

7767 posts

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#2966075 12-Sep-2022 12:05

Wakrak:

Tried Garage Project - Tiny over the weekend. Liked it a lot. Felt like I was having a beer. Also tried Good George Virtual Reality Non-Alcoholic Hazy IPA. Not a fan. An odd flavour.

Yet to try Bach Brewing All Day or Sawmill Bare Beer. But Tiny has set a high bar.

I've tried all of those. I would say All Day tastes the most like actual beer. Still lacking something though.

Mike

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