If you’ve lived in Portland long, you know that Winter and the first half of Spring include months, and months, and months of grey clouds. Until finally, around April, the clouds begin to disappear as the Sun makes more appearances and sticks around for longer periods.

Now, the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the flowers are blooming, which can only mean that Spring has arrived.

We at Greeley Gallery are particularly excited because, while every season is a good season for consuming cannabis, in our opinion, Spring compliments cannabis the best. In fact, if cannabis were a season, we think it would be Spring – and we’ll give you three reasons why.

Enhances Creativity and Emotional Wellbeing

There’s something about flowers blooming and all the vibrant colors of Spring that encourage our creativity and emotional well-being – and these natural effects of Spring are similar to those provided by cannabis. The two most well-known cannabis compounds, THC and CBD, influence our moods and stress levels but in different ways.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) provides the psychoactive ‘high’ marijuana is known for, which can provide a sense of relaxation and even euphoria for some consumers. However, THC can also induce anxiety and feelings of paranoia in other consumers, especially when large quantities are consumed, so please use caution and know your tolerance.

Meanwhile, cannabidiol (CBD) does not produce the psychoactive effects that make us high, but it has an impressive track record of helping to calm anxiety, stress, and depression. Similarly to how THC is structurally similar to our naturally produced Bliss molecule, anandamide endocannabinoid, CBD interacts with our brain’s serotonin receptors. This interaction helps promote neurogenesis, which supports the growth and protection of brain cells and contributes to relief from mental discomfort.

As a result, consuming cannabis, especially in lower amounts, can help promote positive feelings and boost our emotional well-being by decreasing our stress and anxiety. Essentially clearing away the dark clouds of thoughts and replacing them with sunshine. We love edibles like WYLD cannabis gummies and concentrates such as Genesis Pharm RSO drippers to amplify the effects.

Lifts Our Moods and Energy Levels

For another thing, sunlight boosts our vitamin D production and serotonin levels, which improve our moods and energy levels. This is why we often feel rejuvenated and motivated to throw open our windows and clear out Winter’s dust or ready to take on that project we’ve been procrastinating.

Similarly, our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids, which are structurally similar to molecules in the cannabis plant. One of these naturally occurring endocannabinoids, called anandamide, has a similar chemical structure as the infamous cannabis compound THC.

Anandamide’s nickname is the ‘bliss molecule’  because it plays a key role in regulating our moods, pleasures, and well-being, in addition to increasing our energy levels. Similarly, THC triggers the same cannabinoid receptors in our brain that activate our reward system, which releases dopamine and helps us feel more relaxed, happier, and more in touch with our emotions.

We recommend cannabis strains such as Dawgwalker, an indica that promotes feelings of relaxation, or the euphoric-inducing hybrid strain called Eye Candy, or any of our high-quality cannabis flower.

Spend Time in Nature

We’ve already experienced Portland’s notorious false-start Spring, when we get a few days of warming weather that trick us into thinking Spring has arrived, only for the clouds to return and the temperature to drop once more. By April, the real Spring is emerging, and it beckons outdoors to socialize with friends or venture into nature by going for walks, hikes, or some other endorphin-releasing activity.

It’s well known that spending time in natural environments helps reduce stress, promote physical and mental well-being, and generally improve our overall mood. Being in nature helps us feel more grounded, centered, and connected to something greater than ourselves.

Likewise, consuming cannabis can amplify our connection with nature, enhance our sensory experiences, and deepen our appreciation of the natural world. This is especially true for CBD, which has a long list of health benefits but does not get us high like THC does.

Luckily for us, Portland is the ideal location for visiting nature – whether you go take a day trip to the Oregon coast, visit Mt Hood, walk among any of the many public gardens to see the flowers blooming, or even go for a hike in Forest Park while enjoying a cannabis-infused beverage such as a Magic Number Juice or Keef soda.

Final Thoughts

It’s important to note that since every person is unique, the effects of cannabis consumption can vary. As mentioned earlier, consuming THC can promote feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation for some people, while others may experience more anxiety or feelings of paranoia. If you belong to the latter group, we encourage you to stick to CBD, which provides its own Spring-like effects, without risking any adverse effects of THC. Similarly, combining THC and CBD can also help mitigate unwanted effects and create a more balanced experience that enhances mental and physical comfort.

Regardless, the beneficial effects of cannabis on our wellbeing are only amplified when combined with Spring’s natural therapeutic benefits. Spending time outside while consuming cannabis responsibly may further boost serotonin levels, reduce stress, and promote relaxation even more than cannabis or nature provide individually. Together, the combination can help us embrace renewal and cultivate a positive perspective on life.

Written By: Katrina Paulson