In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that over 60 percent of adults suffer from some form of anxiety. The good news is one of the most commonly known benefits of cannabis is easing anxiety. The bad news is anxiety is also a common side effect of cannabis. So how is anyone supposed to use marijuana to ease anxiety without accidentally increasing it instead?
This contradiction is confusing and may cause some people to hesitate before trying cannabis out of fear of experiencing adverse side effects. But this is why we at Greeley Gallery thought we’d share some advice about how to use cannabis the most effectively in order to calm your anxiety instead of amplifying it.
CBD vs. THC vs Anxiety
First things first. When it comes to cannabis, there are a few classifications to be familiar with. Namely, the difference between cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both have medicinal properties and can ease anxiety, but there are some essential distinctions between the two.
The most crucial difference is that THC is the cannabis compound responsible for the psychoactive effects cannabis is known for. Though, all highs are not the same because THC can be further divided into sativa, indica, or hybrid strains of cannabis. Each of these strains produce unique experiences so you’ll want to pay attention to which one you purchase.
Many sativa strains produce a “mind high” and tend to be more stimulating. Similar to how a cup of coffee in the morning helps you wake up and start your day. While sativas are fantastic for anything requiring focus or creativity, it’s probably not the strain you want to consume if your goal is decreasing anxiety. Since sativas are stimulating, they can sometimes actually increase anxiety levels instead.
On the other hand, indica strains are well known as “in-da-couch” thanks to their relaxing and calming effects on our bodies. Indicas are wonderful when we need to slow down, go to sleep, or recover from physical pains. This makes indicas ideal for soothing our nerves and washing anxieties away in a wave of comfort.
Hybrids are precisely as they sound, a blend of sativa and indica strains to produce a unique mind and body high. This option can be ideal for anyone suffering from high levels of anxiety as it provides relief from a downward spiral of negative thoughts and the flock of butterflies in your stomach. However, be mindful of the labels on the shelf and choose a hybrid described as “chill,” “calming,” and “euphoric,” so you have the experience you want.
But sometimes, we don’t want to get high or don’t have the time to. Sometimes we have things we need to get done and just want to ease our anxiety and get on with our day. In this case, CBD is the option to choose. It will calm your nerve while avoiding any psychoactive effects. And the best thing about CBD brings us to the next section…
Mindful Dosing
It’s not just the cannabis strain that matters when taming anxiety. How much you consume makes all the difference in determining how your anxiety reacts, especially when it comes to THC.
As we mentioned before, sativa strains tend to be more stimulating. So, while sativas have been shown to calm anxiety in low doses, consuming too much could increase anxiety levels instead. This means that if calming anxiety is your goal, you might want to steer clear of sativas and stick to indicas or CBD.
However, as we said, one of the best things about CBD is that quantity cautions go out the window. Research shows that CBD appears to decrease anxiety levels at all doses that have been tested. Making CBD an excellent choice for anyone who suffers from anxiety disorders, as CBD provides relief within minutes without interfering with daily life.
Final Thoughts
Greeley Gallery is a recreational and medicinal cannabis dispensary because we believe in the power of cannabis for pleasure and for physical and mental health. Plenty of research shows the benefits cannabis has in reducing not just anxiety, but also physical pain, and Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD).
We care about our customers, including your mental and physical well-being. That’s why you can always count on Greeley Gallery to have locally produced cannabis products of the highest quality. You can stop into our cannabis dispensary any day of the week between 7am and 10pm, where any of our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you.
Written by: Katrina Paulson
