People use cannabis to manage a wide range of symptoms for various ailments and find that weed can even lower stress. One of the most common reasons for use is pain. The cannabinoids disrupt pain signals, reducing discomfort and inflammation and making it easier to perform daily activities. Other people use cannabis as a way to combat insomnia. Some use the plant to manage anxiety. While many people may equate cannabis use, particularly THC, to greater anxiety and even paranoia, studies have found that it can actually help alleviate such symptoms in some cases.
The Effects of Too Much THC
There’s a common misconception that cannabis worsens anxiety. While this can be true, this isn’t always the case. The culprit is typically too much THC.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. In other words, it’s the cannabinoid responsible for getting you high. The right amount of THC for a user can produce a pleasant high. Depending on the strain, these effects could include euphoria, full-body relaxation, or mental stimulation. Too much THC, on the other hand, floods the system and can result in extreme anxiety and feelings of paranoia. While these effects do wear off, they’re nothing if not unpleasant at the moment.
How Can Weed Lower Stress?
So, if overconsumption of THC can sometimes exacerbate stress and trigger anxiety, how can it alternatively reduce stress? While we don’t know exactly how it works, research shows that while high doses of THC worsen stress, low doses reduce it. More research is needed, but the results are promising for people who deal with stress regularly. With the right dose, you can unwind, relax, and manage your symptoms more easily.
Other studies look at the effects of CBD, cannabidiol, the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. Many studies show that this non-psychoactive compound can lower stress and anxiety, making it easier for users to relax at the end of the day or deal with social situations.
Finding Your Ideal Dose for Stress Management
The trick to using cannabis to manage stress is to find your ideal dose of THC. One of the best ways to do this is to start with a small amount and gradually work your way up until you find relief. If you’re new to cannabis, you might consider starting with as little as one to two milligrams of THC. Try the dose for a few days and monitor the effects. Increase your dose a milligram or two and try the process again. Repeat until you start feeling the desired results.
Some people find the greatest relief with microdosing, a method of cannabis use that involves taking very small doses of THC for relief. You might consider microdosing with tinctures or edibles, two of the easiest-to-dose products on the market. In the end, it’s all about what works best for you.
So, in short, weed can lower stress, even if it contains THC. The trick is getting your ideal dose of THC right. Start low and increase gradually. You might even find that microdosing works best for you. With the right dose of cannabis, you’ll reduce your stress levels and finally be able to relax.