The term “wook flu” originated from the music festival scene but has taken on its own meaning in our hash community.
We’ve all been there — you pop out to an event or sesh with the crew. Hit all the headies. Try all the terps. Have the best time ever. But two days later, the runny nose starts. You feel that tickle in the back of your throat. Even a low-temp dab makes you nearly cough up a lung. You hit up the homies to see if you’re the only one and nope, they’re not feeling so great either.
Just like that, the whole friend group is down bad with the wook flu…
What is Wook Flu?
Wook flu, also referred to as “festival flu” or “Coachella cough,” is a slang term for the colds and cases of flu people tend to pick up at music, art, and film festivals. These kinds of festivals bring lots of people together in close quarters and attendees often aren’t getting the proper sleep, nutrition, and hydration — creating a breeding ground for germs to easily spread that worn-out bodies can’t fight off.
It can be a similar situation at hash competitions and events. You’re getting lots of people together in one room, and many have traveled from other places to be there. Everyone is marathon smoking, swapping jars and pieces. You may just be snacking all day and not stop to drink water or have a real meal. You’re staying up late. Plus, there’s a whole bunch of hash wooks around. This all creates the perfect storm to pick up the sniffles.
Wook Flu Symptoms
The American Lung Association says common symptoms of wook flu are coughing, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, fever, and body aches. It’s basically like any common cold with more severe cases feeling like the flu.
Wook Flu Treatments
Unfortunately there isn’t one foolproof treatment or go-to medication you can take to get rid of wook flu. You mostly just have to ride it out, but drinking fluids, getting lots of rest, and taking a break from inhaling smoke can help relieve symptoms.
If your symptoms keep getting worse or last longer than a week, you may want to reach out to your healthcare provider.
Preventative Lung Health for Hash Smokers
No one wants to have to skip a sesh because they’re stuck in bed sick. Luckily, if you stay steady smoking lots of hash, there are some simple lung health practices you can implement and supplements you can take to help ward off the wook flu…
Simple Tips for Lung Health
Don’t share pieces. While it may be tempting to take your friend’s new heady for a test drive, stick to smoking out of your own personal piece at events or seshes.
Clean mouthpieces between users. If you are going to share pieces, make sure you’re wiping down the mouthpiece with an iso wipe between each user.
Change your water. Ideally, you should put fresh water in your rig for every session. Here’s your daily reminder to dump out that dirty water!
Stay hydrated. Keep the hydration flowing while smoking to help maintain healthy mucous membranes in the lungs. By the way, we mean with water, not a Yerba.
Get exercise. Regular physical activity and practicing breathing exercises like yoga and meditation can strengthen lung capacity and efficiency.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands regularly while smoking with others. Pro tip: keep a mini hand sanitizer in your sesh bag!
Try other consumption methods. Mix in other methods like solventless edibles, tinctures, or topicals to give your lungs a break from inhaling smoke.
Supplements for Lung Health
Rising Moon Organics
These Trinity Capsules from Rising Moon Organics are team Hashtek’s go-to supplement for lung health.
You may have tried their Peach Dream and StrawGuava smoothies (which were a giant hit at Legends of Hashish) or raw gel in unique flavors like Cosmic Rising and Blue Magic. We love the convenient capsule version of their sea moss because it’s super easy to keep a bottle stored in your sesh backpack or travel with them.
Each comes with 60 capsules containing Rose Gold Sea Moss (550mg) and Bladderwrack (550mg). Take two capsules per day, either straight with water or you can break them and pour the contents into a beverage. The Rising Moon team recommends a smoothie or cup of tea!
Amazon
If you’re in a pinch, these three supplements can be delivered quickly with Amazon Prime.
After a marathon of holiday seshes last year, I came down with a sinus infection and was out of my Rising Moon with no time to spare for shipping. These were on my doorstep the next morning and helped me feel better within a few days so I could dab again. I would take two capsules of each with water after breakfast.
1. Ridgecrest Herbals: Clearlungs Extra Strength Herbal Decongestant
With Dong Quai, Chinese Asparagus Root, Chinese Skullcap Root, Ophiopogon Root, and Poria Fungal Body
2. Ridgecrest Herbals: AirwayClear Natural Respiratory Relief
With Perilla Fruit, Angelica Root, Cassia Bark, Ginger Root, and Chinese Licorice Root
3. Power By Naturals Sea Moss Plus – USDA Certified Organic Irish Sea Moss Capsules
With Irish Sea Moss, Bladderwrack, and Burdock Root
Conclusion
Heavy hash smokers — especially social ones who are sharing terps at seshes and traveling to events and competitions — should be mindful about their lung health!
Adopting healthy practices and taking preventative supplements are simple ways to breath a little easier.
You all stay healthy and hashy out there!
