Give A Big F**k You to Privacy with Meta Glasses

Posted on April 24, 2026 by justinbarone

YouTube thumbnail for "Thoughts Off The Stem" featuring a man in a black Champion hoodie and NBA hat looking shocked. Large, bold text reads "GIVE A BIG F**K YOU TO PRIVACY WITH META GLASSES." The background is a green-lit studio with a neon cannabis leaf sign, a microphone, and a laptop with a TOTS420 sticker.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

New tech is cool. I genuinely love it. That is, if you’re willing to give a big F**k you to privacy with gadgets like meta glasses. Don’t get me wrong innovation is amazing and the fact that we live in a world where you can walk around with a computer on your face like you’re in Minority Report swiping through files and checking your messages while you grab a coffee, is pretty cool.

But here’s the question nobody seems to be asking.

Do the people building this stuff actually think about what happens when real humans use it in the real world? And do we — the consumers — think about the potential consequences before we hand over our money and our data and apparently our most private moments?

I’m not so sure we do.

Welcome to Thoughts Off The Stem. I’m Justin Barone and this week we need to talk about Meta glasses, Tesla batteries, wearable tech privacy and the fundamental disconnect between building something cool and thinking it all the way through.

Meta Glasses: Cool Concept, Terrifying Reality

Meta glasses are genuinely impressive technology. Wearable, stylish, functional — the most recent incarnation of a concept that’s been trying to work for years. And now they actually kind of do work which is both exciting and deeply concerning.

Here’s what nobody thought about.

When they’re on, they’re on. And they see everything.

If you’re wearing them while shaving your balls — that’s on file. If you forget to take them off before you head off to handle some personal business — congratulations, you just made POV content and it’s sitting on Meta’s servers right now.

If you’re recording with your face, you’d think — you’d think about that.

Apparently not.

I’ll be honest — when I was a kid I had to wear a heart monitor from time to time as part of my yearly checkups for a heart condition. And even then, as a kid, I was worried about what it would tell the doctors. Like why is your heart rate spiking at 10:30 at night? That’s nobody’s business.

Now imagine that same energy but it’s a camera. On your face. Connected to Meta’s servers. Worn by millions of people who didn’t fully read the terms and conditions.

What Meta Workers Are Actually Seeing

Here’s where it stops being funny and starts being genuinely disturbing.

Meta workers — specifically Kenyan subcontractor employees — have blown the whistle on what they’ve actually seen while reviewing footage captured through users smart glasses. And the Dude For Real segment this week pulled directly from their accounts.

What Meta Workers Reported	The Reality
Users going to the toilet or getting undressed on camera	People wearing the glasses without realizing they’re recording
A man leaving glasses on a bedside table — wife undresses in frame	Accidental recording of private moments without consent
“We see everything — from living rooms to naked bodies”	Meta has this content in its databases right now
Workers told not to question what they see or they’ll be fired	No accountability for what’s being stored or reviewed
Two US citizens filed a lawsuit in San Francisco against Meta	False advertising and disregarding privacy laws
Meta being investigated by multiple governments	The pervert glasses problem is now an international issue

Two US citizens have filed a lawsuit in San Francisco accusing Meta of false advertising and disregarding privacy laws. Multiple governments are now investigating. And somewhere in Meta’s servers there is content that people recorded without having any idea they were recording it.

They’re calling them the pervert glasses now. Which honestly feels about right.

Tesla Batteries and the $25,000 Surprise

Meta glasses aren’t the only example of consumers not thinking things through. Let’s talk about Tesla for a second.

A few years ago first generation Tesla owners started showing up at dealerships and getting hit with a $25,000 repair bill for battery replacement. And a lot of them were genuinely shocked.

Here’s my take — that’s on the consumer.

When I buy a car there are a few things I want to know. What does the service maintenance plan look like? How long will this car last? Should I worry about mechanical issues including the engine?

When you buy a Tesla you are buying an electronic device. A very expensive, very large electronic device. And the most basic question you ask when buying any electronic device is — what happens when the battery dies?

People didn’t ask that question. And then they were blindsided by a bill the size of a used car.

The Disconnect: Developers vs Consumers

Here’s the pattern I keep seeing and it applies to Meta glasses, Tesla batteries, and honestly most technology that causes problems after launch.

	What They’re Great At	What They Generally Suck At
Developers	Building cool innovative technology	Thinking about real world human use beyond the tech goal
Consumers	Fixating on new shiny things	Thinking about real world consequences before buying

Developers are brilliant at solving technical problems. They are generally not great at asking “but what happens when a regular person uses this in their bedroom at 11pm without thinking about it?”

Consumers are great at wanting the newest thing first. They are generally not great at asking “but what are the actual long term implications of this purchase?”

The result is Meta glasses on Meta servers and $25,000 battery bills and a lawsuit in San Francisco and a bunch of very uncomfortable Kenyan subcontractors who have seen things they cannot unsee.

Weed Facts: Can Technology Actually Detect Cannabis Impairment?

Since we’re talking about tech this week the Weed Facts segment goes there too — because there’s actually some genuinely impressive new technology being developed specifically to detect cannabis impairment. And it’s more accurate than you might think.

The challenge with cannabis impairment testing has always been that THC doesn’t work like alcohol. The amount of THC in your body is not directly correlated with impairment — THC and its metabolites can stay in your system for an extended period, making it impossible to tell from a blood test whether someone is currently impaired or just consumed cannabis days ago.

Enter Gaize.

The Problem	The Gaize Solution
THC levels in blood don’t indicate current impairment	Eye movement tests detect real time impairment regardless of when cannabis was consumed
Human drug recognition officers are subjective — 60-85% accuracy	Automated VR headset testing removes human error
Traditional tests can’t distinguish past use from current impairment	Pupillary reflex and ocular motion analysis detects active impairment only
No portable rapid testing solution existed	Gaize is rapid, portable and automated
Officers can be wrong	Gaize boasts 98% accuracy

Gaize runs the same eye tests that police officers use — high precision ocular motion and pupillary reflex analysis — through a VR headset using Tobii eye tracking technology. It measures subtle changes in eye movement that indicate impairment with 98% accuracy.

Your eyes tell on you every time. Apparently even when your glasses are recording things they shouldn’t be.

Think Before You Wear It

Here’s the bottom line.

Technology is going to keep advancing faster than our ability to think through all the consequences. That’s not going to change. But the gap between what developers build and what consumers actually do with it in the real world is a gap that’s causing real problems — privacy violations, lawsuits, $25,000 repair bills and a lot of footage on Meta’s servers that nobody consented to share.

Think before you buy. Read the terms and conditions. Ask what happens when the battery dies. And for the love of everything — if you’re going to wear a camera on your face, think about where that camera is pointing.

If you’re recording with your face you’d think — you’d think about that.

Those are my thoughts off the stem. 🍃

Subscribe to our newsletter!

🎙 Listen to the Full Episode

Give A Big F**k You to Privacy with Meta Glasses is out now on Spotify and Y ouTube.

We go deeper on the Meta privacy lawsuit, the Tesla battery disaster, Gaize impairment technology and the full Dude For Real breakdown of what Meta workers have actually seen through users smart glasses.

👇 Listen or watch right now:

🎧 SPOTIFY LINK ▶️ YOUTUBE LINK

New episodes drop every Friday at 4:20PM. Subscribe so the sesh comes straight to you — we’re pushing to 1,000 followers on Spotify and every follow counts.

Join the sesh at tots420.com 🌿

Cont ac t Thoughts Off The Stem

Elevate your fit with Thoughts Off The Stem. Shop new merch at the TOTS Official Store

Front view of a black Thoughts Off The Stem (TOTS) premium hoodie featuring bold white font test that reads TOTS EST. 2020 on the centre chest.

Back view of the TOTS Broadcaster hoodie showing a detailed radio tower graphic with 'Thoughts Off The Stem' integrated into the design.

8 Disturbing Looksmaxxing Incel Culture Secrets You Need To Know

Posted on April 4, 2026 by justinbarone

Justin Barone host of Thoughts Off The Stem podcast reacts to looksmaxxing and incel culture with Ken and Barbie figures representing unrealistic beauty standards

Looksmaxxing and incel culture have produced some truly unhinged ideas over the years — but hitting yourself in the face with a hammer to get dates might be the one that finally broke me. There are grown men doing this. On purpose. With an actual hammer. And they have hundreds of thousands of followers cheering them on.

I’ll let that sink in for a second.

Welcome to the world of looksmaxxing — the incel community’s full-send obsession with optimizing your physical appearance at all costs. And I mean ALL costs. We’re talking steroids at 14, crystal meth to hollow your cheeks, and a daily hammer session to your jaw because apparently that’s a thing people do now.

I’m Justin Barone. I’m 44 years old, I’m 260 lbs, and I used to be fit back in my 30s when I was about 185. Somewhere between Doritos and laziness I became what these kids would probably classify as some kind of ogre. But you know what? I still figured out that personality is the move. These kids apparently haven’t gotten that memo yet.

Let’s get into it.

What Is Looksmaxxing and Incel Culture?

Looksmaxxing is the practice of maximizing your physical attractiveness — and it started in incel culture. Incel, if you don’t know, stands for involuntarily celibate. These are dudes who can’t get a date and have decided that the reason is entirely their bone structure.

Looksmaxxing and incel culture are more connected than most people realize — the whole movement was born on incel message boards before it jumped to TikTok.

The movement got a massive boost from a 19-year-old content creator named Clavicular — and yes, that’s his actual name, or at least his online name. Braden. His name is Braden. I don’t know what we expected.

At 14 years old this kid started taking testosterone, using steroids, and by his own admission on camera — meth. Why meth? Because he thought it was basically just street Adderall. One derivative away, he says. He also took a hammer to his face every single day.

Not to bits and pieces. Just until it got red and puffy. Because he believed it would create micro fractures in his jaw that would heal into a sharper, more square jawline.

You know what else gives you a sharper jawline? Puberty. Which he was going through at the time. But he couldn’t wait.

This guy is now 19, has hundreds of thousands of followers, and allegedly earns over $100,000 a month teaching other young men how to do what he did. And somehow we as a society have decided this is acceptable.

I take partial blame. Not personally. But as a generation? Yeah. We dropped the ball.

Where Did We Go Wrong?

The looksmaxxing community and incel culture didn’t create these insecurities in young men — but it weaponized them.

When I was a teenager and I wasn’t getting invited to parties — and I wasn’t always, I was a chunky kid with a belly from eating too many Doritos — I didn’t smash my face with a hammer. Instead I went outside. Mingling with actual humans and correcting my personality in real time through real interaction was how you figured things out back then.

These kids don’t have to do that anymore. They can find a corner of the internet that validates whatever insane thing they’re thinking, and that corner will attach itself to them and grow. Before you know it you’ve got a 19-year-old doing meth for his skincare routine and an audience of young boys watching him do it.

I asked my kids about looksmaxxing. You know what they did? They rolled their eyes. Both of them. “Can you believe it, dad?” No. No I cannot. But I went deep on this one so you don’t have to.

The Weed Facts: Does Cannabis Actually Affect How You Look?

Since we’re talking about looks this week I figured we’d pivot to something actually relevant — what does weed do to your skin? Because if you’re going to take a hammer to your face you should probably know what your edibles are doing to your collagen first.

This segment’s facts come from Cosmopolitan, who spoke with dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal, MD. Here’s the breakdown:

Factor	What Cannabis Does	The Verdict
Testosterone & Acne	THC may slightly increase testosterone, which spikes oil production	Could cause breakouts in some people
Appetite & Glycemic Index	Munchies + carbs = higher glycemic index	Associated with increased acne
Anti-inflammatory Effects	THC is anti-inflammatory, may calm inflammatory pimples	Could actually help some skin issues
Stress & Cortisol	Weed can reduce anxiety, lowering cortisol	Less stress = less oil = less acne
Skin Picking	THC may reduce itch and irritation	Could help chronic skin pickers relax
Edibles & Sugar	Gummies contain sugar that causes glycation — stiffening collagen and elastin	Could contribute to sagging and wrinkles
Smoking & Skin	Smoke sits on your skin and can irritate it	External irritant regardless of strain
Dirty Equipment	Unwashed pipes and bongs spread bacteria	Can cause acne around your mouth

The honest takeaway? It’s not really the weed. It’s what you put in your body and how you take care of yourself. Clean your bong. Watch the sugar in your gummies. Manage your stress. That’s basically your cannabis skincare routine right there.

Oh, and I’ll say this — I’ve been smoking pretty regularly for years and I still get the occasional pimple along my hat line. I think it has more to do with cleaning your skin than anything else.

Dude For Real: The Looksmaxxing Terminology You Need to Know

This stuff comes straight from the looksmaxxing community and I genuinely couldn’t believe some of these are real terms that people use with a straight face. This week’s Dude For Real comes from Buzzfeed’s looksmaxxing explainer and dude — for real.

Term	What It Means
Mogging	Displaying physical superiority over someone nearby
Softmaxxing	Improving looks through skincare, diet, exercise, grooming
Hardmaxxing	Extreme methods — surgery, steroids, bone smashing
Bone Smashing	Hitting your face with a hammer to create micro fractures that reshape your jaw
Ascending	Significantly improving your physical attractiveness. The looksmaxxing version of a glow up
Mewing	Resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth to sharpen your jawline
The PSL Scale	A scoring system for facial attractiveness based on harmony, symmetry, and sexual dimorphism
Chad / Stacey	Highly attractive man or woman. Top of the PSL scale
Subhuman	The lowest PSL score. The most unattractive. Literally called subhuman
Sub 5	Anyone ranking below a 5 on the PSL scale — considered unattractive
Lookism	The belief that your value and place in the world are determined entirely by your looks
Gesture Maxxing	Using humor to attract women rather than appearance
Femoid / Foid	A dehumanizing term for women. Short for female humanoid
Hunter Eyes	Almond-shaped, deep-set eyes with low brows — considered highly attractive

The system literally calls people subhuman based on their face. That’s not self improvement. That’s a cult with better lighting.

Looksmaxxing, Incel Culture and Why Personality Is the Real Move

If you’re not getting invited to parties — and I say this with love — it’s probably not your jawline. It’s probably your personality.

You can change everything about how you look. Get the surgery. Smash your face. Chew the gum. But when the mask comes off — and it always does — if your personality is garbage, people are going to figure that out. As a result they’re going to walk away every single time.

I’ve seen the ugliest people with the most friends because most people genuinely do not care what you look like. Instead they care whether you’re fun to be around, whether you make them laugh, and whether you’re loyal. That’s it. That’s the whole list.

Be that person. That’s the move. Not the hammer.

That’s the real problem with looksmaxxing and incel culture — it sells young men the idea that their value is their face, and there’s nothing they can do about it except suffer or smash.

As for Clavicular — I watched a bunch of his content researching this episode. He’s shallow, uninformed, and has a massive platform teaching young boys that their value is their face. That’s a failure. And it’s on us as the older generation to push back on that wherever we can.

If your kid is watching this stuff, talk to them. Ask questions and be present. Because we can’t leave them to figure this out on the internet.

Use a hammer if you want.

Those are my thoughts off the stem.

🎙 Listen to the Full Episode

This week’s full seshisode — Looks Maxxing: Guys Who Smash Their Face With Hammers to Get Dates — is live now.

We go deeper on Clavicular, the full Dude For Real terminology breakdown, and the complete weed facts science on cannabis and your skin.

👇 Listen or watch right now:

🎧 Listen on Spotify ▶️ Watch on YouTube

New episodes drop every Friday at 4:20PM. So subscribe now so the sesh comes straight to you — because we’re pushing to 1,000 followers on Spotify and every single follow counts.

Join the sesh at tots420.com

Contact Thoughts Off The Stem

From the Manosphere to Marijuana: Big Ego’s make Cranky Toddlers

Posted on March 28, 2026 by justinbarone

Podcast thumbnail for 'From the Manosphere to Marijuana: It's All Ego and Cranky Toddlers.' The image shows host Justin Barone in the center with a neon 'Thoughts Off The Stem' sign behind him. On the right, the Tate brothers are depicted with smoke effects. The layout includes bold yellow and white text and a prominent red 'WATCH NOW' button in the lower-left corner.

From The Manosphere to Marijuana: Comparing Tactics and Ideologies

From the Manosphere to Marijuana, what do a 1930s paper tycoon, the DuPont family, the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and a modern-day “Alpha” influencer have in common? They are all fueled by the same thing: A massive, fragile ego, an overabundance of pride, and a scorned inner child who runs the show. In our latest Seshisode of Thoughts Off The Stem, we’re exploring the link between the Manosphere and Marijuana. We’re talking about Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere documentary and connecting the dots to the “Great Hemp Wars” of 1937. It turns out, the history of cannabis prohibition and the rise of the “Taint”—sorry, the Tate brothers—are fueled by the exact same playbook: fear, gaslighting, and overcompensation.

The People	tHEIR BACKGROUND
William Randolph Hearst	was an American newspaper publisher and politician who developed the nation’s largest newspaper chain and media company, Hearst Communications.
The DuPonts	Du Ponts have been one of the country’s richest families since the mid-19th century, when they founded their fortune in the gunpowder business. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they expanded their wealth through the chemical industry and the automotive industry
Harry J. Anslinger	was an American government official who served as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department‘s Federal Bureau of Narcotics

Inside The Manosphere: Ultra Masculine and Ultra Fragile

I recently watched the Louis Theroux doc, and like everyone else, I’m familiar with the ultra-masculine “women are only here to serve men” schtick. But honestly, It’s exhausting. These dudes are basically frat bros in the wild, uttering the stupidest collection of words I’ve ever heard while contradicting their own ideologies.

Take HSTikkyTokky—a name that sounds like a five-year-old’s favorite toy. Seriously it sounds like something that lights up and play sounds when you push it’s keys. Definitely not very masculine if you ask me. He preaches “masculinity” and says he doesn’t hate anyone, yet his content is a factory for hate speech and chaos. It’s all for the stream, all for the money. Young men following this movement need to wake up and see the parallel between the Manosphere and Marijuana prohibition: both rely on selling a false “authority” based on fear.

New Age Street-Corner Prophets: How the Manosphere Sells Insecurity

Their logic claims women are “born with value” (purely physical), while men must “create value” through financial wealth, supercar collections and a haram of women if they want. If you think a woman’s value is limited to anatomy, and men have no value, you’re a lunatic. Character is what gives us value. It’s what separates men, from boys, women, from girls and good people from losers.

When Andrew Tate brags about throwing a fight to bet on himself and triple his money, he isn’t being “manly”—he’s being a snake. These guys are nothing more than street-corner prophets in shiny suits, funding their lifestyles through the pockets of easily manipulated young men. Let’s call the Tate brothers what they are: The Taint Brothers. They are that smooth, untouched part of the male anatomy between the balls and the a**-hole.

They aren’t men; they’re boys starved for attention, protecting their fragile egos by degrading others because they never got enough hugs.

The ORIGINAL Manosphere

In keeping with this high level of self-absorbed nonsense, let’s look at how a group of old rich white guys successfully lobbied to criminalize marijuana. They didn’t want to make life better; they just wanted to protect their wallets. So instead of revolutionizing their industries and using or switching to more natural products, they lobbied congress to institute the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. Instead of trying to make life better for the human collective they decided they needed the most money so, they said screw society, our profits are more important, and they launched a what would be the beginning of the war on weed.

William Randolph Hearst:

A pulp and paper giant worth $200 million in the early 1900s—the equivalent of owning the moon today. He didn’t want hemp competing with his timber. He couldn’t be bothered to retrofit or even change some of his pulp and paper mills to hemp textile factories, because as you know, white rich guys don’t want to give away a penny unless they get back 6. A little short sighted. Hemp is much more durable than paper.

The DuPonts:

In 1935, they released Nylon. Hemp was a direct threat to this new petroleum-based technology, so DuPont decided it had to go. Cause why use an eco friendly substitute, when you can use sinthetics to create what the natural world already did. Sure, hemp is a little more itchy but we’d have a lot less plastic in the ocean.

Harry J. Anslinger:

The first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He was the original “talking head” bully, using gaslighting and fear to make a name for himself. Just like the Tate brothers, he needed to be the authority on something. He was probably just following the lead of the other two, but he bought their lies, hook, line and sinker.

The Manosphere and Marijuana: Gaslighting and Fear Mongering

When you compare the Manosphere and Marijuana history, you see the Anslinger Tactic in full effect:

Create Fear: Print articles claiming cannabis makes you a killer.
Divide the Public: Spew hate and lies to make something harmless look like the “worst evil imaginable.”
Target for Assassination: Use lobbyists (the 1930s version of “bot farms”) to kill the competition.

From the Manosphere to Marijuana we Need a Beginners Guide

If you want to learn more about cannabis and how it works. Check out our Cannabis 101 guide. Educate yourself before you make snap judgements. Do the opposite, of the hyper masculine dopes in this post.

Join the Sesh on Youtube or Spotify

Contact Thoughts Off The Stem

When Your Girlfriend Starts Throwing Out Your Crap

Posted on March 13, 2026 by justinbarone

Man attacked by hair and lotions for Thoughts Off The Stem podcast about relationship personal space when your girlfriend throws out your favourite crap.

You need terpenes that help anxiety, now that your girl has turned your space in to a “Penthouse” full of scented candles.

One day you’re a king. You have a queen-sized bed, a single kettlebell in the corner for your morning sets, and enough floor space to do some body weight squats and lunges to kick start leg day. It’s a temple of minimalist efficiency. You even have your original razor boxes neatly stacked under the sink because—let’s be honest—original packaging makes moving easier.

Then, she moves in.

Suddenly, your kettlebell is a doorstop. Your room has been annexed by blackout curtains and a king-sized bed that took up the last of your “activity” space. Your bathroom vanity storage space? Gone. It’s now a graveyard for 14 different lotions that all smell like “Spiced Rain” but serve no discernible purpose.

But that’s not even the scary part.

1. The Shower Wall Resident

You’re mid-shower, washing your business, and you look up. There, at eye level, is a matted mask of hair, clumped up, just… hanging out. You know it’s not yours. But it is a permanent resident of your new life.

2. The Nether-Region Garrote

You ever get halfway through your workday—maybe you’re in a meeting, maybe you’re at the gym—and you feel an aggressive, high-tensile tug? It feels like an invisible Bond villain is trying to reduce the flow of anything to the brains of your operation. Yeah there’s a hair wrapped around your balls bro.

Yeah, there’s a hair wrapped around your balls, bro. It’s the Invisible Assassin. Along with his buddy—the stray strand of your girlfriend’s hair hitching a ride on your caboose like a train-hopping hobo—it’s now flossing your “brown eye” like a piece of high-test dental tape.

Listen: If you’ve survived the Hair Assassin, you need to hear the full support group session on the latest episode of [Thoughts Off The Stem]—Click Here to Listen!

How to Survive “Girlfriend HQ” (Without Losing Your Mind)

If the sudden appearance of a vanity full of hairbrushes and girly stuff elevates your heart rate to 120 BPM, nature has a “mute” button. We call them Terpenes.

When your bachelor pad dies and your girlfriend starts tossing all your favourite crap, these terpenes help anxiety and you should look for them when choosing a strain to curb your anxiety:

Terpenes that help anxiety the invisible assassin

Terpenes	The Science
Limonene (The Paranoia Killer):	A 2024 Johns Hopkins study proved that inhaling Limonene with your THC stops that “someone’s trying to suffocate me” anxiety.
Linalool (The Serotonin Shield):	Found in floral strains, this terpene blocks serotonin transporters to keep your “rest and digest” mode active. It turns “Why is there a bar fridge here?” into “Hey, a bar fridge for my whiskey!”
Beta-Caryophyllene (The CB2 Specialist):	It’s spicy, peppery, and hits your body’s calming receptors without making you too stoned to find the drawing of a wang she hid in your suitcase five years ago.
Myrcene (The Relaxation Foundation)	Increases sedation and muscle relaxation; helps cannabinoids hit faster. Earthy, musky, or “skunky” strains—mostly Indicas—are your best bet for a Myrcene fix.

How to Get Your Terps: Product Type Matters

Not all consumption methods are created equal. If you’re trying to outmaneuver the Invisible Assassin, you need to make sure you aren’t literally burning off your relief. Here’s the breakdown of how to get the most out of your terpene profile:

Product Type	The Terpene Delivery	Pro-Tip
Flower	Highest Potential	Vaporize at low temperatures. High heat (combustion) destroys delicate terpenes.
Vapes	Variable	Avoid distillates with “botanical” terps. Look for Live Resin or Full-Spectrum to keep the plant’s soul intact.
Edibles	Low (Usually)	Most terpenes are lost during the infusion process, unless the brand specifically adds them back in.
Tinctures	Consistent	Stick to Full-Spectrum tinctures. Isolates are just the cannabinoids and usually have zero terpene benefit.

The Weird Truth

Relationships are weird. If you aren’t shouting “SHUT UP” at each other when someone sneezes or doing an elaborate mating dance involving one-handed clapping or dong slapping are you even in love?

You might have lost your floor space, but you gained a partner in crime who knows that if you’re happy, she’s happy. She’s just trying to make your space a sanctuary. Think of it like the Batcave—just pour some whiskey from that decanter on top of her fridge and ignore the floral aromas of your new blissful paradise.

Transitioning from a bachelor pad to a shared home is a wild ride, but as long as you’ve got the right Terps and a sense of humor, you’ll survive the “Invisible Assassin.”

Join the Conversation!

What’s the weirdest thing your partner did to your “man cave” after moving in? Have you ever been a victim of the Nether-Region Garrote? Drop a comment below and TAG a homie who’s currently losing the war for his under-sink storage! Don’t forget to share this post to help other brothers in arms survive the “Spiced Rain” invasion.

My First Time Using A Gravity Bong: High Lessons

Posted on March 6, 2026 by justinbarone

Justin Barone of TOTS podcast sharing High Lessons and gravity bong stoner stories.

The Gravity Bong: A DIY Masterpiece (and My Biggest Fail)

Whether you call it a Gravity Bong, a Bucket, or a ‘Geeb,’ this DIY stoner invention is a rite of passage. But as I learned the hard way, water pressure doesn’t care about your plans. Before we dive into the 2,700-year history of weed, let’s talk about the ‘High Lesson’ that left me waking up on a stranger’s couch.

Welcome to Thoughts Off The Stem! Today, we taking a trip down memory lane and sharing my first experience with “Buckets”. That’s right we’re talking about the time I hit that DIY atom bomb of a bong. Where the amount of clouds you have to inhale force their way out your ears like a cartoon and the unexpected Life Lessons that revealed themselves in that moment. Then we’re laughing at some of the more absurd but hilarious Stoner Moments from people online. We’re not just talking about getting high; we’re talking about the lessons that only come from those truly elevated perspectives.

The Bucket that started it all…

My very first experience with a gravity bucket wasn’t just a stoner moment—it was a full-blown initiation into another dimension. It was college, a time for exploration and, in my case, a distinct lack of proper planning.

The Scenario: A makeshift bucket in a cramped dorm room.
The Moment: Taking the rip, and immediately realizing I’d bit off way more than I could chew.
The Fail: Waking up hours later, not in my bed, not in a friend’s bed, but passed out on a total stranger’s couch in a completely different building. The lesson here? Know your limits, and maybe always have a wingman when trying something new.

What is a “Bucket”?

For those new to the game, a “Bucket” (also known as a Gravity Bong) is the ultimate Stoner MacGyver creation. It uses water pressure and gravity to create a vacuum that pulls a massive, concentrated cloud of smoke into a chamber (usually a 2-liter bottle). You then push the chamber down, using water pressure to force that smoke directly into your lungs. It’s effective, it’s intense, and as I learned, it requires a certain level of respect.

Weed Facts: A History of MacGyvering (2,700 Years & Counting)

You think building a bucket from a soda bottle is impressive? As I discuss in this episode, humans have been MacGyvering weed accessories for centuries. The fascinating History of Weed is filled with innovative ways people have utilized this plant for medicine, spiritual practices, and, yes, getting incredibly high.

the History	the findings
The Shaman’s Secret (2,700 Years Ago)	Paleoethnobotanists discovered nearly two pounds of 2,700-year-old cannabis in the burial pit of an ancient Gūshī shaman in China. This wasn’t for rope—analyses concluded this ancient society was already cultivating cannabis for psychoactive and divinatory purposes.
The Oldest Bong? (2,500 Years Ago)	In 2019, archaeologists uncovered 2,500-year-old braziers—vessels designed to burn large quantities of cannabis—which contained potent residues. This proves people were actively burning and inhaling the plant for its effects centuries before the first gravity bucket was made.
The Global History:	Humans were using cannabis 10,000 years ago, and trade routes linking Europe and East Asia likely increased its usage 5,000 years ago. From being an approved medicine in the U.S. Pharmacopeia in 1850 to the futile start of the “War on Drugs” in 1972, the story of this plant is one of invention and innovation.
January 2026 Resurrected Enzymes	Scientists “revived” ancient THC enzymes in a lab.

Dude, for Real: The Funniest Things People Do High

To wrap up this signature “High Lessons” launch, we’re looking at the hilarious side of those Stoner Moments. Waking up on a stranger’s couch is just the tip of the iceberg!

Check out this amazing list of “32 of the Funniest Things People Did While They Were High,“ which highlights the kind of creative-but-clumsy genius that only comes from a truly elevated state. From trying to “un-bake” a cake to getting caught in a complex conversation with a houseplants, these stories are the definition of a “High Lesson”.

What’s Your Biggest Stoner Moment?

The history of cannabis shows that we’ve been finding “High Lessons” in this plant for thousands of years. Whether it’s an ancient shaman in China or a college student on a stranger’s couch, the journey of discovery never really ends. These Stoner Moments are more than just funny stories—they are the building blocks of the Life Lessons we share here on Buckets.

Now, I want to hear from you. We’ve all had those moments where things didn’t go quite as planned, but we came out the other side with a great story (and maybe a little more wisdom).

What was your very first “MacGyver” moment—did you build a classic bucket, or were you more of an apple-pipe architect? Let’s hear your most creative (or disastrous) inventions in the comments below! If this story reminded you of a certain someone, share it with your favorite ‘engineering’ buddy!

Stoner Moments, Buckets and Life Lessons

Cartoon illustration of Justin Barone from Thoughts Off The Stem podcast giving a thumbs up. The text "HIGH LESSONS" appears in bold yellow letters against a green and cosmic purple background. A bucket labeled "BUCKET" holds a history book and timeline scroll.

Ever had your gut tell you “Don’t do it,” only to have your brain say “Watch this” and your high self say “Hold my beer”? Welcome to Thoughts Off The Stem.

In this episode, host Justin Peron recounts the legendary university story of his first Gravity Bong (Bucket) experience—a literal “atom bomb” of smoke that resulted in a 4-hour blackout on a stranger’s couch. But once we clear the smoke, we’re diving into the deep history of cannabis. Did you know ancient shamans were buried with caches of weed 2,700 years ago? Or that the “War on Drugs” was actually a battle over paper and hemp?

Thoughts Off The Stem | Cannabis Infused Comedy

Stoner Moments, Buckets and Life Lessons

00:00 / 00:23:03

High Lesson: Why you should never let someone else control the “mechanism” of your life (or your bong).
Ancient Weed Facts: Exploring 10,000 years of human cannabis use, from ancient Chinese braziers to the US Pharmacopeia.
The Paper vs. Hemp Conspiracy: The real reason cannabis became a Schedule I drug.
Dude, For Real?: A breakdown of the funniest “high-atry” stories—including the girl who convinced herself she could walk and the person who tried to blow on their ice cream because it was “too hot.”

Life is full of lessons, but sometimes you have to learn them the hard way. Whether you’re here for the laughs or the deep-dive history, pull up a chair, light one up, and let’s get into it.

View the full episode transcript

Stoner Moments, Buckets and Life Lessons

Thoughts Off The Stem | Cannabis Infused Comedy

0:06

Have you ever done something that your brain and your gut told you not to?

Do just totally.

Ignored it.

Decided that hey.

I’m living in my world.

That’s how it goes.

And then after you did that thing, you.

0:22

Realized that life.

Was teaching you a lesson?

Yeah, I’ve been there too.

Welcome to Thoughts off the Stem.

I’m Justin Peroni.

I hope life’s being good.

To you because.

In this instance.

Life was.

Teaching me a lesson along with my.

0:38

Own stupidity, Yeah, that’s right.

So.

Have you ever?

Done.

I don’t know about you.

But I like smoking weed.

Have you ever done buckets?

Do you know what?

Buckets are.

So buckets are basically.

Like the?

Poor man’s super bomb.

0:54

OK, you take a bucket and you pour a lot of water in it, like.

More than a liter, you could take a 5.

Gallon pail and put you know.

About half of that of water, then you take.

A2.

Liter pop bottle.

1:10

You cut it in half, OK, You put some foil on top of that two liter, that 2 liter pop bottle.

You put your little cut up nug in top of that, on top of that and then you submerge.

The cut off part of the. 2 liter pop bottle into water then you light you make it so that.

1:28

The the bottle is full.

Of water and then you you light the weed.

And as you do so, you pull up the the the. 2 liter pop bottle and it fills.

With, you know, 2 liters of weed essentially.

OK then.

You take the.

1:44

You take the.

Weed off.

Of it and you push it back down into the water and it.

Force feeds you the biggest cloud of smoke.

You’ve ever had.

Yeah, that’s right.

So this one time in university my buddy and I we wanted to get some weed and we only knew one guy in town that wasn’t dry.

2:02

For that weekend.

So we decided what we decided to do was.

We gave him a call and then we went over to his house.

I’d never been at his house before.

Well, he was.

Kind of he.

Was a chef.

So what he was was basically.

Like the?

MacGyver of weed.

For our little.

2:18

Friend group.

This guy, he grew it.

He knew he had different.

Strains for different.

Times of the day.

He was like you’re.

How high, friend?

You know what I mean?

Like.

He was that guy that.

Just knew everything about weed and he sold it on the.

Side I shouldn’t say that, but he did it’s it’s.

2:34

Way past a long time ago.

And then and then.

So we went over to see him and then when we went to see him, he was in the middle of how of getting ready for having a sesh.

And he goes, hey man, you want to smoke with me?

And.

Of course we’re.

College kids, we’re like, yeah.

Absolutely.

I want to smoke with you.

2:49

So he he.

Brings out.

This bucket.

And I go.

I was relatively like.

New to smoking in like?

Such different ways.

OK, I was used to smoke at joints.

Maybe the?

Bong.

Occasionally, but primarily joints and pipes.

And he brings out a bucket.

3:05

Half full.

Of water and then he breaks out a 2 liter pop bottle.

No, actually it.

Wasn’t a 2 liter pop bottle, it was one of those big water jugs.

Like it just barely fit.

Like with a with a tiny little amount of room in between the wall of the bucket and the wall of the jug.

3:21

And he would, and that’s what he.

Used so you.

Were getting like an atom bomb’s worth of smoke.

It was as if it.

Blew up right in your face and you had to inhale the whole aftermath.

Good luck dude.

So he sets.

This up and I go, what is that?

And he goes.

Oh, this is.

Buckets I go.

3:37

Oh, buckets like it’s nothing.

It’s.

It looks like quite the science.

Experiment here, Sir.

And so he.

Proceeds to laugh.

And then so does my buddy because apparently my buddy done buckets before and they go hey you want to do buckets for?

Your first.

Time and.

I was like, of course I do because I want to.

Fit in.

Well, this is what happens.

3:54

OK, so he, he, he submerges the the.

Water jug into the water and he lights the weed and he pulls it up and it fills with probably.

What is like?

I don’t know, close.

To 4 liters of smoke.

OK.

4:10

And then?

He proceeds to say here.

You go and then he pushes the bucket down and I’m trying to inhale it and it just fills my entire head with smoke, like it was coming out my ears like a cartoon, OK?

Well, as soon as I hit it I started coughing.

4:25

Like a maniac.

OK, I think I’m going to die from lack of oxygen.

Him and my buddy are laughing at me because I’m an idiot.

And then as it.

4:40

All starts to wear off.

And I settle in.

I just look.

Over at him I go.

I’m.

Going to.

Be here.

For a while, dude.

And then I.

Proceeded to pass.

Out on his couch.

You ever?

Woke up in.

Strange surroundings.

Wishing you had a safe.

Space.

We didn’t have safe spaces back then, but that’s what.

4:58

Happened to me about. 4 hours later.

I wake up.

Trying to figure out where the fuck I am.

Didn’t recognize the house because it’s the first time I’ve been.

There all all.

The people in the living room were different now.

Luckily I only lived like a block away.

My buddy had gone home.

5:15

I passed out on their couch.

The Stranger.

‘S house.

They started playing NHL Nine 2008 No.

Sorry, 2000.

And two.

With me in the middle of the couch, they just sat around me.

Didn’t matter.

They were used to this.

This apparently happened quite often.

So I woke up.

To a bunch of strange.

5:31

Faces wishing that.

I had some kind of safe space.

Or like a.

Safety room to go to.

I didn’t.

I had to get my.

Sorry.

Ass up and.

Walk my couple blocks home.

It was kind of shitty.

So that was the time that life taught me a lesson.

5:49

The lessons there were.

Don’t do things.

You haven’t done in groups of people that might fuck you up.

OK, two, if you’re going to do buckets, make sure that.

You control the speed at which the.

Bucket goes back into the water and pushes the the plume of smoke into your.

Face OK, because if somebody else does it.

6:06

They’re going to fuck with you and.

They’re going to.

Blast that shit right in your face as if you’re.

Huffing on the back of a jet engine.

Yeah, that’s right.

Don’t let someone else control the control the mechanism.

You control the mechanism just like you control your life.

But yeah, that’s what life did.

6:22

Life.

Taught me a lesson there.

Holy shit.

It taught me that I make bad choices, that I hang out with Dick heads.

And you can’t trust anybody because.

Your friends will just leave you lying on a random couch in the middle of nowhere.

It wasn’t.

Nowhere but you know what I’m saying.

6:42

But here’s the thing.

There’s.

Always that one.

Guy in the Smoke group.

That’s like the.

MacGyver of weed, right?

And he can do.

Like if.

You don’t have anything to smoke with or a bong breaks or something like that.

He’s the guy.

That’s able to like.

Take all of the things that are around him and concoct the best smoking apparatus you’ve ever had.

7:00

And it made me.

Think to myself.

Why do we buy that shit?

No, it didn’t.

It made me.

Think to myself that’s a side.

Thought I’m high.

Hope you’re high.

Hope you’re.

Enjoying the sesh but it made me think to myself.

7:17

I wonder how?

Long.

We actually have.

Been, you know, huffing the huffing the herb.

How long has that been happening?

So this weeks weed facts are basically a a history.

Of how long?

Back weed has gone because.

7:33

It didn’t just now that.

It’s legal.

It didn’t just.

Come back and and be like.

Oh, guess what we found?

Weed.

No, no.

It was.

Part of our.

Society like a.

Long time ago.

And then it got outlawed and it got.

Outlawed because there.

Was a war between the.

The pulpit paper.

Factories.

And the hemp industry?

7:49

That’s right.

So let’s go.

Back in time for this week’s Weed Facts.

Attention cannabis consumer.

This week’s.

Weed facts come from.

A blog article.

I found.

At sapiens.org.

8:05

Archaeology.

Archaeology Dash.

Marijuana so.

I’m always.

Curious about?

Weed and like.

How long people have been using it and what they used it for.

And I’m sure that there’s a lot of you out there that.

Think the same thing so in this guy’s.

Article he talked.

About how the Paleo ethno like this is a big word dude.

8:26

Paleo, Paleo.

Ethnobotanists identified.

The a cache of.

Marijuana it was.

Where was it?

Oh, forget it, let me just read this properly.

8:42

I screwed that up totally.

OK, Paleo ethnobot.

Paleo ethno botanists identified a cache of nearly. 202 hundred 2 lbs two pounds.

8:58

Or 200?

I might have wrote that wrong. 2 lbs.

Of 2007. 100 year old.

Cannabis.

It was found in the burial.

Pit.

The burial pit.

Of a 45 year old man.

Who, excavators concluded, was a.

Shaman from the ancient Indo European.

9:15

I think it’s.

Gucci culture, not Gucci.

Gucci so.

Weed goes back to.

Human use like 2500 plus.

Years.

Based on the range.

Of chemicals and other analysis.

The research team found that the members of that.

9:30

Society, the The.

Gucci the the Gucci culture.

The Yeah, the.

European Indo European Gucci culture.

Cultivated cannabis for.

Pharmaceutical, psychoactive, or.

Divinity, divinity, divin.

9:46

Oh my God.

I can’t read today.

This is what happens when you smoke too much weed and get too.

Excited divinity practices.

In 2019.

An archaeologist work.

In western China announced another major discovery, the oldest known evidence of cannabis smoking by humans.

10:05

This was 2500.

Years ago and they uncovered.

A 2500 year old.

Brassiere.

I think that’s how you say it.

They were.

Little wooden vessels designed.

To create large.

Quantities of.

Smoke so they basically I think.

10:20

Had like it.

Looked like a wooden bra and.

You had to set like air 2 large holes or.

A large hole that ran all the way through it.

And then you had this like little dugout, kind of like a.

Dugout like a.

Pipe and you would put your weed in there, light it up and it would.

10:37

Just.

You could just fan it from Bull and just.

You take it right to the.

Face I’m not sure if.

That’s how you used it, but that’s what it looked like.

And yeah, so that and it contained, it contained in this thing, in this.

Brassiere they were.

Designed to.

Create large quantities.

10:53

Of smoke and.

The ones.

That they had found contained residue.

Of a highly.

Potent form of cannabis, suggesting that the plant was bare, was burned and inhaled.

That’s right, people were using cannabis as far.

Back as. 10,000.

Years ago trade.

11:08

Routes linking Europe and East Asia may have.

Increased the use of herb around 5000.

Years ago.

Because it started off as like hemp was a huge trade.

We used hemp for a lot of different things, right?

And then it also became, well, I mean it’s not became, but.

11:25

It was.

Widely used.

And it was used for a variety of different reasons.

The only reason that it was outlawed recently, like in recent years past that we know and we experienced was because.

I like I said, there was a.

Disagreement, A fight between the pulpit, paper companies and the use of hemp because there were a lot of hemp production.

11:43

Facilities that could.

I think they made what is it?

Textiles.

Is that the right word?

But they.

They were trying to become like the.

Providers of paper and stuff like that.

Because it’s much more durable Hem hem clothing is, you know, very uncomfortable but.

Paper and stuff it’s.

11:59

Great, SO.

There was a.

Big fight over that and then the way that.

They did.

It was politically.

They fought against it and had it, had it.

First it was.

Criminalized.

No wait, what’s the word for it?

I forget the words but basically.

12:15

What happened?

I am so stoned right now.

I don’t know what is happening to me.

I apologize, but there was a fight.

Over it and basically what happened.

Was we became illegal and then recently it’s become commonplace and for like regular consumption, but in 18. 50 cannabis was added to the.

12:40

United States Pharmacopoeia, a standard setting.

Standard setting publication for prescription and over the counter medicines.

So we, even in the Western world used hemp and weed for a lot of different things for a long period of time before the, you know, before legalization or before it became illegal.

13:03

Fuck.

I’m stoned.

I hope you’re stoned.

Jesus Christ, this.

Isn’t this hasn’t?

Happened in a.

While for more than 9 decades the the pharmacopia listed.

Cannabis as an.

Approved treatment for afflictions ranging from neural.

Neuralgia to cholera.

13:20

For nearly a century, cannabis.

Use was legal.

And even encouraged by many in the medical field, even in the US in 1930. 7.

The US government passed the marijuana TaxAct, though this law did not criminalize cannabis outright.

Criminalized.

That’s the word it subjected.

13:36

The herb to a high sales tax.

And put in place other penalties intended to.

Curtail its usage.

In 1942, cannabis was removed from the US Pharmacopia and then in 1970. 2 after the.

Start of the Nixon administration especially.

13:53

Oh, sorry.

After the start.

Of the Nixon administration’s.

Especially futile.

War on Drugs Cannabis was listed as a Schedule 1 drug.

That’s right, those are your weed facts.

For this week.

Weed has been used for centuries, so it’s great that it is.

14:09

Back to being legal attention cannabis consumer Attention cannabis consumer.

Dude.

I’m so stoked.

I don’t know what happened, but I think I took too many hits off the thing and I was.

Having a beer and now next thing I know I’m just in a funky.

14:28

Spot.

I can’t.

Read properly the shit happens I guess, but again.

Life choices.

When you go against your gut, my.

Gut said Maybe don’t do this podcast right now.

My brain said no, we could do it, and then high and buzzed me said.

14:44

Fuck yeah, let’s fucking do this.

Dude.

And so here we are, doing the thing that I should have.

Am I supposed to learn a lesson here?

I don’t know, I hope not because sometimes I just don’t want to learn.

Sometimes I just.

Want to be.

I want to do.

I want to have.

Fun, right?

15:00

So.

When I be do and have fun, a lot of the times that has that comes down to enjoying and involving weed into whatever’s going on because the enjoyment factor with weed makes everything kind of like.

Pop up a.

Little bit, you know what I’m saying and the more opportunity.

15:20

That I had that I have for giggles.

The happier I am, and that’s.

The way.

I like to live my life.

So it always.

Makes me laugh when people tell me the stupid things that they did or.

The the stupid things I do.

When I’m stoned.

But they’re typical.

Things that happen when you’re a Stoner, like you cook food and you forget that you’re not wearing oven mitts and you grab the food out of the oven and burn your hands.

15:42

I that’s happened to more people.

I know it sounds stupid.

But it’s happened to more people then.

I’d like to.

Admit that I know.

Myself included so.

This week’s dude for real.

Segment is dedicated to those people that.

15:58

When they got stoned, did some.

Really high shit.

Dude for real.

For real dude.

So these are.

The funniest things that I could find online or that tickled my tickled my funny bone.

16:15

These are the funniest things that.

People have done after getting.

High and I found this at.

These dude for.

Real segment facts come from.

Trivia at trivia dot crack dot.

Com.

And the.

Article is called 32 of the.

Funniest things people did while they were.

16:32

High and they’re.

Basically just tweets.

And Reddit posts.

Of people that did dumb shit when?

After they, you know, puff the.

Devil’s lettuce.

This person went into a bar stoned.

And it was a club.

So they had to line up and then the bouncer, you know, and the whole.

Deal.

16:47

So this lady, this.

Person, says the bouncer.

At the entrance.

Of the club put his arms out to indicate that.

I should do so so he could.

Pat me down instead, I thought.

He wanted to hug, so I hugged him.

That’s some dumb shit I would do.

Give a little Peck a.

17:02

Little Peck on the cheek.

This is.

An observer.

Of I like.

Getting stoned at night.

I like looking.

Up to the stars, especially at.

A cottage, you get to watch all the stars and shit.

I love that this.

Person was out moon gazing.

OK.

And this is what they had to say.

17:19

What’s?

I was looking at the moon and I was just noticing the details in it and like, I guess they got really into it.

And I took a step.

Forward to get closer.

To see.

To get a closer look.

You ever?

Been watching TV?

And the thing and the T like that you’re following the camera and then you look.

17:35

Around the corner.

That’s not there.

I’ve done that several times, stoned or not.

So this guy got this.

This guy, I don’t know if it’s a guy or girl.

This person got super stoned.

So I got super blazed.

One night near the beginning of the of the pandemic lockdown and went.

17:53

Across the street to the drugstore.

To get some chips and and whatever else.

As I approached the automatic glass door, I saw.

A person standing on the other.

Side so I.

Waited for them to come through.

I stood there.

Waiting for what felt like an eternity.

I was getting frustrated like what’s?

18:09

Up with this clown and can’t they see I’m waiting for them?

Jesus.

Then I realized.

It was just my reflection.

I’ve never been that high.

This guy I’ve done this too so I can’t really credit about.

I found it funny because.

18:25

I also do.

This you know, this guy says.

I tried to.

Blow on my ice cream.

Because it was too cold.

I’ve definitely blown.

On ice cream.

Like it was.

Hot food, Have you done that?

I’ve done it.

I’ve done it a lot.

I do dumb shit this person says.

18:43

I was too.

Stoned to.

Listen to my partner talk.

But too awkward to tell.

Him so I opted to slowly and gently.

Rub his face.

With a new roll of toilet.

Paper instead, hoping it would distract him into being quiet.

It did not work.

19:03

I once petted a friend’s face.

When I was stoned.

We were talking and I was.

Lost in their thing and I just started.

I don’t know why I.

Just did it.

There was an.

Honorable mention in here too, and I didn’t put it, I forgot to put it on the notes, but basically.

19:19

There was this one girl at a bar.

She got so high.

She, I guess, forgot she was.

Paraplegic and she.

This is her words.

She says I I got, I got so high they were at a pub.

19:35

I got so high I.

I convinced myself.

I could walk.

And I was going to will it.

I stood up and the second.

I stood up.

I fell.

Under the table.

That’s a good ass weed.

I want that weed dude.

That weed, that weed’s the best weed.

19:53

Whatever weed that was that she.

Makes you think you can walk dude.

Dude for real.

For real dude.

So the moral of the story is.

If your gut says don’t do it, don’t do it if you if you think.

20:08

That like if you think you can get.

Away unscathed and you’re not going to learn from this experience.

Don’t do it.

And that doesn’t just have to do.

With like weed.

You know what I and I don’t mean don’t.

Do it if you obviously there’s experiences out there that are going to change you that are better you should do.

20:25

But I’m saying when your gut says this.

Is a really bad idea.

And and all of your being.

Is like I.

Should definitely not do this.

Like when?

I was doing the buckets.

I was watching them fill that thing.

I was like, I should not fucking take that hit.

I took that atom bomb, No?

Problem kapow and then passed out for 3 or 4.

Hours.

20:40

OK.

In a stranger.

‘S house.

So if you’re in that.

Situation.

Don’t do it.

Follow your gut but but but.

Learn before you take the action, you know what I mean?

Like if your.

20:56

Gut says I shouldn’t do that.

Learn that lesson before doing it.

Don’t learn the lesson the hard way.

Because it’s really not.

Worth it, and also remember when you’re trying to bug that next guy about the fact that he smokes.

Weed or whatever we’ve been smoking.

Weed for for.

Thousands of years.

21:12

Dude.

For.

Multiple different reasons.

And the most global one, I think and what I’ve read and what I’ve, what I’ve learned and heard and researched in the cannabis industry, OK.

Is that it’s?

Always been used as a medicine number one, It’s always been.

21:30

Used as like as as.

What’s the word for it?

Using it in religion, it’s always been used.

For that as well to to.

Gain enlightenment and the only reason.

That it was.

Outlawed.

21:45

In the 1st place was because of a.

Fight over making.

Hemp paper versus newspaper.

Paper.

I’m not.

Even kidding, you can look it up.

You don’t believe me?

That’s fine, but you can look it up dude.

So the.

22:03

The moral of the story?

Is.

Trust your gut.

Try some weed.

Have a good.

Life and smile a little even when you do dumb shit like when you can’t read properly.

Those are my thoughts off the stem for.

This week I.

Hope you enjoyed the sesh.

I hope you come back next week with me.

Justin Baroni on Thoughts off the Stem and.

22:21

Don’t forget.

To visit Talks 4. 20 dot.

Com I put out new.

Blogs every week.

Or at least I’ve started to.

The show notes are up there, you can listen to all.

The whole podcast there you can get links to.

YouTube and Spotify.

And all the other places where you can watch it.

Until next time.

Keep your lids low, baby.

👇 Listen or watch right now:

Think you’ve done something dumber while high? We want to hear the “Dude, For Real?” moments from your life. Whether you’ve hugged a bouncer or spent twenty minutes waiting for your own reflection to move, drop your story in the comments below! Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share with your favorite smoke circle to help us grow the community!

New episodes drop every Friday at 4:20PM. Subscribe so the sesh comes straight to you — we’re pushing to 1,000 followers on Spotify and every follow counts.

🎧 SPOTIFY LINK ▶️ YOUTUBE LINK

Help keep the show Independent

Hand picked Sesh essentials

Join the sesh 🌿

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Elevate your fit with Thoughts Off The Stem. Shop new merch at the TOTS Official Store

Join the sesh at tots420.com 🌿

Exploring THCV: The Cannabinoid with Unique Properties and Potential Benefits

Posted on September 2, 2025 by justinbarone

THCV a cannabinoid with unique potential stands out as a fascinating compound with distinct characteristics and promising therapeutic potential. While THC and CBD often dominate the spotlight. THCV quietly garners attention for its unique properties and emerging research findings. Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries of THCV, exploring its diverse effects and potential benefits.

Understanding THCV:

THCV is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis plants, albeit in smaller quantities compared to THC and CBD. Like other cannabinoids, THCV interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Which plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions, including mood, appetite, and pain perception. However, what sets THCV apart is its distinct molecular structure.

Distinct Properties of THCV:

One of the most intriguing aspects of THCV is its biphasic nature, meaning its effects can vary depending on the dosage consumed. At lower doses, THCV may act as an antagonist, blocking the effects of THC and dampening its psychoactive effects. Conversely, at higher doses, THCV can exert psychoactive effects of its own. Albeit with a shorter duration compared to THC.

Moreover, THCV is known for its potential to modulate appetite and metabolism. Unlike THC, which is often associated with stimulating appetite, THCV has been found to suppress appetite in some individuals. This appetite-suppressing effect has sparked interest in THCV as a potential treatment for obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Potential Benefits of THCV:

While research on THCV is still in its early stages, preliminary studies suggest it may offer a range of potential health benefits:

1. **Weight Management:** THCV’s ability to suppress appetite and potentially enhance metabolism makes it a promising candidate for weight management interventions. Some studies have suggested that THCV may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. Which are crucial factors in managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.

2. **Neuroprotective Effects:** There is growing evidence to suggest that THCV may possess neuroprotective properties, offering potential benefits for neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. THCV’s ability to modulate neurotransmitter levels and reduce inflammation in the brain could play a role in its neuroprotective effects.

3. **Mood Regulation:** Preliminary research indicates that THCV may have mood-regulating properties. Some studies suggesting that it could have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. By modulating neurotransmitter activity in the brain, THCV may help alleviate symptoms of mood disorders and improve overall emotional well-being.

Conclusion:

THCV represents a promising frontier in cannabinoid research, with its unique properties and potential benefits capturing the interest of scientists, healthcare professionals, and consumers alike. As our understanding of THCV continues to evolve, so too does the potential for harnessing its therapeutic properties to improve human health and well-being. By delving deeper into the science behind THCV and conducting further research, we can unlock new avenues for utilizing this fascinating cannabinoid to address a wide range of medical conditions and enhance overall quality of life.

thv a cannabinoid with unique potential blog post

Contact Thoughts Off The Stem

Read about cannabis regulations in Canada

Unlocking the Wellness Potential: Exploring the Benefits of CBD

Posted on October 17, 2024 by justinbarone

In recent years, the wellness world has been abuzz with excitement over a natural compound called CBD, or cannabidiol. Derived from the cannabis plant, CBD has been touted for its potential to promote health and well-being in a variety of ways. Let’s delve into why CBD is gaining popularity and explore some ways of unlocking its potential benefits.

What is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its counterpart THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t induce a “high” sensation. Instead, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a complex network of receptors that helps regulate various physiological functions, including mood, sleep, appetite, and pain sensation. Lets see what potential benefits we can start unlocking from cbd.

Benefits of CBD:

1. unlocking the benefits of cbd FOR Pain Management:

One of the most well-known uses of CBD is for pain relief. Research suggests that CBD may help alleviate chronic pain by reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling. Whether it’s arthritis, migraines, or neuropathic pain, many individuals report finding relief through CBD products.

2. unlocking the benefits of cbd TO REDUCE Anxiety and Stress Reduction:

In our fast-paced world, anxiety and stress have become increasingly prevalent. CBD shows promise as a natural remedy for anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By modulating serotonin receptors in the brain, CBD may help promote feelings of calmness and relaxation.

3. unlocking the potential of CBD to Improve Sleep:

Quality sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, yet many struggle with insomnia and sleep disturbances. CBD may offer a solution, as studies suggest it could help regulate sleep patterns and promote deeper, more restful sleep. By reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, CBD may help individuals achieve a better night’s rest.

4. unlocking The benefits of cbd as A Neuroprotection:

CBD has garnered interest for its potential neuroprotective properties, particularly in the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies suggest that CBD may help reduce seizure frequency in individuals with epilepsy and alleviate symptoms associated with MS, such as muscle spasms and pain.

5. cbd Anti-inflammatory Effects:

Chronic inflammation is linked to a host of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain conditions. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a promising candidate for managing inflammation and associated symptoms. Whether applied topically or ingested orally, CBD may help reduce inflammation and promote healing.

6. Potential Cancer Treatment Support:

While more research is needed, preliminary studies suggest that CBD may have anti-cancer properties. CBD has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and induce apoptosis (cell death) in certain types of cancer. Additionally, CBD may help alleviate cancer-related symptoms such as pain, nausea, and loss of appetite in cancer patients undergoing treatment.

Conclusion:

CBD holds tremendous promise as a natural remedy for a wide range of health concerns. From pain management and anxiety relief to improved sleep and neuroprotection, the potential benefits of CBD are vast. However, it’s essential to note that CBD is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and individual responses may vary. As with any supplement or wellness product, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating CBD into your routine, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or are taking medications.

As research into CBD continues to evolve, we’re only beginning to scratch the surface of its therapeutic potential. Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, looking to reduce stress and anxiety, or simply striving to enhance your overall well-being, CBD offers a natural and holistic approach to wellness that’s worth exploring.

Contact Thoughts Off The Stem

Subscribe to Thoughts Off The Stem Podcast

Learn more about the potential benefits and effects of CBD with Thoughts Off The Stem

unlocking the wellness potential of cbd with thoughts off the stem

Unveiling the Potential of Cannabigerol (CBG): The Rising Star in the World of Cannabinoids

Posted on October 14, 2024 by justinbarone

In recent years, the spotlight on cannabinoids has intensified. Illuminating CBG and a vast array of potential benefits and applications beyond their recreational use. While THC and CBD have long been the center of attention. A lesser-known cannabinoid is emerging as a promising player in the field: Cannabigerol, or CBG. Often referred to as the “mother cannabinoid,” CBG is garnering attention for its unique properties and potential therapeutic effects. Let’s delve into the world of CBG and explore its burgeoning significance.

Understanding CBG the mother cannabinoid:

One of over a hundred cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant is CBG. Considered a precursor to other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. It’s the first cannabinoid produced by the plant’s genetics. As the cannabis plant matures, CBG converts into other cannabinoids through natural processes. CBG is typically found in low concentrations due to this. Making it relatively rare and more challenging to extract compared to THC and CBD.

The Therapeutic Potential of CBG:

While research on CBG is still in its infancy. Preliminary studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that this cannabinoid may offer a range of potential therapeutic benefits. Areas of exploration include:

Neuroprotective Effects: CBG has shown promise in protecting neurons in the brain, which could have implications for neurodegenerative conditions. Such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Like other cannabinoids, CBG exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. Which could make it a valuable tool in managing conditions characterized by inflammation. Such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and arthritis.
Antibacterial Activity: CBG has demonstrated antibacterial properties against common pathogens. Suggesting potential applications in fighting bacterial infections, including those resistant to traditional antibiotics.
Pain Relief: Early research suggests that CBG may help alleviate pain by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Which regulates various physiological processes, including pain sensation.
Potential Cancer-Fighting Properties: Some studies indicate that CBG may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Particularly in forms of cancer such as colon cancer, making it a subject of interest in oncology research.

Overcoming Challenges:

Despite its promising potential, CBG faces several challenges that hinder its widespread adoption and research progress. These challenges include:

Limited Availability of the Cannabinoid: Due to its low concentrations in mature cannabis plants. Obtaining significant quantities of CBG for research or commercial purposes can be challenging and costly.
Regulatory Hurdles: The legal status of cannabinoids varies from one jurisdiction to another. Thus creating regulatory obstacles that impede research and development efforts.
Lack of Research on CBG: While interest in CBG is growing. There’s still a significant gap in our understanding of its mechanisms of action, potential side effects, and long-term safety profile.

The Future of CBG:

Despite these challenges, the future looks promising for CBG. As research continues to expand and technologies for cannabinoid extraction and synthesis advance, we can expect to unlock more of CBG’s therapeutic potential. Moreover, as public perception of cannabis evolves and regulatory frameworks adapt, the landscape for cannabinoid-based therapies, including CBG, is likely to become more conducive to innovation and exploration.

In conclusion, Cannabigerol (CBG) represents a fascinating frontier in the realm of cannabinoids. Offering a wealth of potential therapeutic benefits yet to be fully realized. The growing body of research and anecdotal evidence underscores the importance of exploring CBG’s properties further. As we navigate this exciting journey of discovery. CBG stands poised to make significant contributions to the fields of medicine, health, and wellness.

Subscribe to Thoughts Off The Stem

Contact Thoughts Off The Stem

Cannabis and Community Cultivating Connection: How Cannabis Strengthens Community Bonds

Posted on May 11, 2024 by justinbarone

finger with pot leaf ring symbolizing cannabis and community

Cannabis has long been celebrated for its ability to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among enthusiasts. From ancient rituals to modern social gatherings. The shared experience of cannabis consumption has played a central role in bringing people together and strengthening bonds. In this blog post, we’ll explore how cannabis positively impacts community dynamics and fosters connections among individuals.

1. Breaking Down Barriers

One of the most remarkable aspects of cannabis is its ability to dissolve social barriers and facilitate open communication. From passing a joint among friends or sharing a bowl at a community event. The act of smoking together creates an atmosphere of inclusivity and acceptance. Cannabis has a way of bringing people from all walks of life together, transcending differences in age, background, and culture. In a world that often feels divided, cannabis serves as a unifying force that reminds us of our shared humanity.

2. Fostering Creativity and Collaboration

Cannabis has long been associated with creativity and innovation, and its effects on community dynamics are no exception. People coming together to smoke and share ideas, often find themselves inspired to collaborate on creative projects or pursue shared interests. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas for a new business venture or jamming with fellow musicians. Cannabis has a way of fueling creativity and fostering collaboration. In this way, cannabis serves as a catalyst for collective growth and self-expression within communities.

3. Cultivating Compassion and Empathy

The experience of sharing cannabis with others often leads to deeper connections and a heightened sense of empathy. As individuals come together to smoke and share stories. They inevitably develop a greater understanding and appreciation for one another’s perspectives. Cannabis has a way of fostering compassion and empathy. It encourages individuals to listen with an open heart and offer support to those in need. In this way, cannabis helps build stronger, more resilient communities where individuals feel valued and supported.

4. Creating Spaces for Connection

Cannabis consumption has inspired the creation of unique social spaces where individuals can come together to connect, relax, and unwind. From cannabis-friendly cafes and lounges to outdoor festivals and events. These spaces provide a welcoming environment for enthusiasts to gather and share their love of the plant. By providing opportunities for meaningful interaction and engagement. Cannabis-friendly spaces play a vital role in strengthening community bonds and fostering a sense of belonging.

5. Sparking Conversations and Building Bridges

Cannabis has a way of sparking meaningful conversations and breaking down barriers to communication. Whether it’s discussing the latest strain or sharing personal experiences. The act of smoking together often leads to deep and meaningful exchanges. These conversations have the power to build bridges between individuals, fostering understanding and connection in the process. By creating opportunities for dialogue and reflection, cannabis helps bridge divides and promote unity within communities.

Cannabis and Community

In summary, cannabis has a profound impact on community dynamics. Fostering connections, and strengthening bonds among individuals. It breaks down social barriers, promotes creativity and collaboration and cultivates compassion and empathy. Cannabis serves as a powerful force for positive change within communities. As we continue to explore the potential of this remarkable plant. Let us embrace its ability to bring people together and celebrate the rich tapestry of human connection it inspires.

Subscribe to Thoughts Off The Stem

Contact Thoughts Off The Stem

Meta Glasses: Cool Concept, Terrifying Reality

What Meta Workers Are Actually Seeing

Tesla Batteries and the $25,000 Surprise

The Disconnect: Developers vs Consumers

Weed Facts: Can Technology Actually Detect Cannabis Impairment?

Think Before You Wear It

🎙 Listen to the Full Episode

What Is Looksmaxxing and Incel Culture?

Where Did We Go Wrong?

The Weed Facts: Does Cannabis Actually Affect How You Look?

Dude For Real: The Looksmaxxing Terminology You Need to Know

Looksmaxxing, Incel Culture and Why Personality Is the Real Move

🎙 Listen to the Full Episode

From The Manosphere to Marijuana: Comparing Tactics and Ideologies

Inside The Manosphere: Ultra Masculine and Ultra Fragile

New Age Street-Corner Prophets: How the Manosphere Sells Insecurity

The ORIGINAL Manosphere

William Randolph Hearst:

The DuPonts:

Harry J. Anslinger:

The Manosphere and Marijuana: Gaslighting and Fear Mongering

From the Manosphere to Marijuana we Need a Beginners Guide

1. The Shower Wall Resident

2. The Nether-Region Garrote

How to Survive “Girlfriend HQ” (Without Losing Your Mind)

Terpenes that help anxiety the invisible assassin

How to Get Your Terps: Product Type Matters

The Weird Truth

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The Gravity Bong: A DIY Masterpiece (and My Biggest Fail)

The Bucket that started it all…

What is a “Bucket”?

Weed Facts: A History of MacGyvering (2,700 Years & Counting)

Dude, for Real: The Funniest Things People Do High

What’s Your Biggest Stoner Moment?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Thoughts Off The Stem | Cannabis Infused Comedy

0:06

0:22

0:38

0:54

1:10

1:28

1:44

2:02

2:18

2:34

2:49

3:05

3:21

3:37

3:54

4:10

4:25

4:40

4:58

5:15

5:31

5:49

6:06

6:22

6:42

7:00

7:17

7:33

7:49

8:05

8:26

8:42

8:58

9:15

9:30

9:46

10:05

10:20

10:37

10:53

11:08

11:25

11:43

Understanding THCV:

Distinct Properties of THCV:

Potential Benefits of THCV:

Conclusion: