Mercury Retrograde: How to Thrive Within the Chaos

You may have heard that Mercury will be in retrograde soon but what does that mean exactly? We’re diving into the depths of what Mercury retrograde is about and how you can best survive these trying times!
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Mercury goes into retrograde a few times each year. Retrograde refers to when a planet at various times throughout the year appears to reserve its direction in the sky. In 2022, it’s happening from January 14 -February 3, May 10 -June 3, September 9 -October 2 and December 29 -January 18, 2023.
When Mercury is in retrograde, things seem to be thrown off normal course. This is because Mercury makes ‘inferior’ conjunction with the sun, re-setting its synodic cycle. During this time it’s normal to feel as if your schedules are mixed up, situations are ruined by simple misunderstandings or everything seems like you’re moving two steps forward and one step back.
How to Thrive During Mercury Retrograde
With so much going on and mishaps almost guaranteed to happen, it may seem impossible to thrive during this time. The next time Mercury is in retrograde is during the Virgo and Libra season. This can be a stressful time for many. Luckily, there are a few things you can be doing to combat the fear and anxiety that comes with Mercury retrograde.
Self
Because Mercury is the natural ruler of Virgo, it’s not uncommon to feel more anxious than usual during a retrograde. Allow yourself some grace and take some time to veg out if you feel like you need it! There’s nothing wrong with a little beauty rest and our ‘Chill Out’ cannabis is designed to help get you there.

Relationships
With Mercury retrograde in Libra, relationships are another concern. Friendships and romantic partnerships can become challenging at this time as other people’s flaws become more pronounced. Instead of worrying about this coming to fruition, take it as an opportunity to work on strengthening your existing relationships. Our ‘Turn On’ cannabis just might be the perfect solution! Not only will it get you in the right mood to explore your romantic partner sexually but it will help you connect and increase intimacy during such a hectic time.

Career
Virgos are notorious for their work ethic and are known for their productivity so experiencing a retrograde in Virgo can be overwhelming. Take this time to go easy on yourself and take a break from all the work when it’s needed! Of course, this is easier said than done but our ‘Zone In’ cannabis range will harness calm and focused energy while allowing you to dig into your creativity.

Make the Most of Retrograde
Mercury in retrograde doesn’t have to be an anxiety-ridden period! If you’re willing and open to lean into your self and are patient with your relationships with others, it can be a lot of fun. Of course, our range of cannabis products makes the experience that much better! Shop Forbidden Flowers today to get your hands on the best weed we’ve got.
How Weed Affects Sex -What Science Has to Say

Will smoking weed or consuming cannabis products lead to better sex? Recent research says yes! With more states legalizing cannabis, we’re seeing more and more studies with intriguing findings. So today we’re exploring how weed affects sex to understand why it supposedly makes it better.
The Research Behind Cannabis and Sex
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty! Does weed actually make sex better? A Stanford University study with over 50,000 people explored the topic of general cannabis use and found that those who consumed more cannabis had sex more frequently. Although this doesn’t explain how or why sex is better with cannabis, it’s an interesting study.
The reason weed affects sex is because the parts of our brain that are linked to our libido (hippocampus and hypothalamus) are packed full of cannabinoid receptors. So low to moderate doses of THC affect our brain during sex.
When looking at overall sexual satisfaction, one study found that 73.8% of people were more satisfied when weed was involved. To make matters even better, 65.7% of people experienced a more intense orgasm.
Too Much of a Good Thing?
Too much of a good thing isn’t so great and the same goes for weed and sex. It can be challenging at first to strike the right balance between feeling a little high and ready to get down and dirty. If you don’t consume enough, you won’t feel much of a difference but consuming too much THC has been proven to have an adverse effect on sex.
This can show up in a few different ways, such as sleepiness, erectile dysfunction, and vaginal dryness.

Benefits of Using Weed Before Sex
Considering consuming weed before having sex? Here are some of the many benefits:
●Libido -As mentioned earlier, cannabis use is linked to the frequency of sex when taken in low doses. If you’re consuming high doses of THC, it can have the opposite effect.
●Touch Sensation -Cannabis enhances your sensations, making hugging, kissing, and caressing more sensitive. It also slows down your perception of time so it can prolong these desirable feelings and sensations.
●Reduce pain -Let’s face it –sometimes vaginal or anal sex can be a little painful. Weed helps reduce pain, especially if you apply it topically. This is great if you struggle with pain during sex and want to have a more enjoyable experience!
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Alleviating Anxiety and Trauma -With cannabis at play during sex, you’re likely to focus more on the present moment and feel less anxious. If you struggle with sexual trauma or PTSD, short-term memory loss that is sometimes experienced when using cannabis could be the answer to this problem (in the moment).
●Lower Inhibitions -If there’s something you’ve been dying to try in the bedroom but have been a little shy about, weed might help you feel confident enough to try it. You may feel more open to living out fantasies you’ve only ever dreamed about!
Female Pleasure
We all know that there’s a BIG orgasm gap between men and women (in heterosexual couples). Luckily, weed affects sex often in a positive way for women, helping close this gap! Women who use cannabis before sex were twice as likely to experience satisfying orgasms.
Women who tend to stay fairly dry throughout sex would be happy to know that cannabis lube could help with that. Some lubricants contain THC to keep things running smoothly while providing a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Choose Your Strain
Any avid cannabis consumer knows that no two strain of weed is alike. Some will take you into a more relaxed state, others will help you sleep and some will make you hornier than ever! That’s where our ‘Turn On’ range steps in.
It will help you get in the mood with your lover(s) and feel open to trying new things in the bedroom if you’re looking to spice things up a bit! Grab our regular pre-rolls or diamond-infused pre-rolls to enjoy before you do the deed.
What Are You Waiting For?
Long story short –weed is likely to improve your sex life and who doesn’t want that? When you’re ready to give it a try, Forbidden Flowers will happily provide you with the best weed to experience heightened sensations and pleasure during sex!
Best Ways to Spend the Summer Stoned

Ahhhh, summer. The season of bonfires on the beach, dance parties in the desert, sun-drenched afternoons—and of course, weed. Whether you have a chill vibe or a bit of a wild side, these warmer months are the perfect time to spark one up and savor each sunny moment. If you’re looking for some of the best ways to spend your summer stoned, check out this list of some of our favorite summertime adventures.
Dance your ass off at a music festival.
Although music festivals happen all year round, there’s nothing better than spending a day dancing to your favorite artist in the sun. The magical thing about music festivals is that you can catch several different acts in a day and connect with other fans. If you share some weed (like any of our energy-boosting Hype Up strains) with a friendly face in the crowd, you just might leave with a handful of new friends to add to your smoke circle and some unforgettable memories.
To complete your music festival checklist, make sure to toss a few Hype Up diamond-infused pre-rolls into your luggage as well. They’re perfect for dancing on the go and fit perfectly in your purse, fanny pack, or even your pocket. They’re a concert go-to no matter the time of year.
Detox at a spa.
After a few days of partying at a music festival, you may want to unwind and get your mind right. So go ahead and treat yourself to a relaxing day at the spa to release any built-up tension. Indulge in whatever treatments you desire; you can get a soothing massage, a hydrating facial, lounge around in a robe sipping green juice, or all of them at once. Whatever you need to do to get back on track after a weekend of celebrating until the sun comes up.
Before you get to the spa, make sure to pre-game with plenty of water and a few puffs of any Chill Out strain. These buds have been specifically selected to provide a serene yet blissful state of mind, making them perfect for a solo day at the spa.

Take a road trip.
Exploring somewhere new is a major part of what makes summer the best time of year—and you don’t have to travel far or spend a ton of money. Whether you hit the road for a quick camping trip or a long getaway at a luxury resort, you’ll leave feeling both energized and refreshed.
No matter where you choose to go, the right cannabis strain can turn your road trip into the time of your life. Roll a joint of your favorite Hype Up strain when you get to town to give you the boost you need for a daytime trek or indulge in a Chill Out strain to relax poolside. You can even toss a few half-gram pre-rolls into your bag whenever you need a pick-me-up along the way.
Try a yoga class at the park.
You don’t have to be a full-on yogi to enjoy some fresh air and deep breathing. This is the time of year to get outside and stretch your muscles, even if you’ve never tried it before. To get you in a flexible mood, any Zone In pre-roll will get the job done. You’ll discover a mindful energy that carries you through the class but also keeps you rooted in the present moment.
If you’re in more of an introspective mood, try one of our Turn On pre-rolls or eighth jars as you meditate. Think of this yoga class as a time to build a deeper connection with yourself, your body, and your soul.

Host a sexy dinner party.
Now is the time to light some candles, set the vibe, and invite a few of your closest friends over for an intimate dinner party—or just that person you’ve been crushing on forever. Whatever you decide, make your guests feel special with a curated drink menu, a spread of their favorite foods, and a playlist to get the mood just right.
For a more summery feel, open up the windows to let a cool breeze tickle your skin or host the party outside in your backyard with plenty of twinkling lights. As the cherry on top of your delicious evening, set out plenty of Turn On flower for your friends to puff on throughout the night. Any of these strains will encourage your friends (or your date) to engage in deep, meaningful conversations while keeping the party vibes high. You never know where this night might end up.
Get creative at an outdoor puff & paint.
Smoking and painting on a beautiful summer day? It doesn’t get much better than that. Whether it’s just you and a friend painting together on your rooftop or you sign up for a group class, expressing your creativity can open up a whole new world of possibilities.
Just remember to spark up a Zone In pre-roll to get those creative juices flowing. In just a few puffs, your imagination will run wild with ideas and you’ll be able to tap into your artistic potential.

Stock up on your summer essentials.
Now that you know what you’ll be doing this summer, all you have to do is get the green. Shop Forbidden Flowers’ wide range of cannabis products so you have everything you need for your best summer yet.