Beating Down Stress with Cannabis

Cortisol is a major stress hormone produced in the endocrine glands around the kidneys. High levels of cortisol are known to boost glucose in the bloodstream. Chronically elevated cortisol levels are harmful and result in anxiety, depression, irritability, and other health problems. 

Cortisol has been observed in lower concentrations when the body is exposed to cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and others. 

According to one study, almost 94% of inhaled cannabis sessions resulted in stress reduction among participants, with researchers tracking down 3,717 sessions for stress in total. The same survey also gauged and confirmed the effectiveness of cannabis for other negative conditions, such as anxiety and depression. 

A combination of high THC/high CBD cannabis has been observed to be the most valuable weed for reducing perceived symptoms of stress. So look for weed like that the next time you visit a local dispensary. 

How to Use Cannabis to Reduce Stress?

The ways you respond to stress can make a great deal to your overall well-being. While you may already have your way with weed for stress relief, below are a few more ideas to consider. 

Microdosing

Not so tolerant of weed? Try small doses. Cannabinoids have biphasic effects. A compound such as THC can significantly reduce stress and anxiety in low doses, but the opposite may happen when consumed in higher doses, in other words it can promote anxiety. The same goes for CBD, a perfect calming agent in low and moderate doses but might backfire in high doses. For example, if you see that smoking a whole joint makes you a bit nervous at the end, try saving a few "puffs" for later. Although this way you waste some of the THC. With CBD, instead of taking a full dose, such as 6 mg, you might start with 1 mg and see if it has the desired effects. Then take 1 mg a bit later again.

Explore terpenes

The healing potentials of terpenes are becoming more and more evident with new research coming in every year. Beta-caryophyllene, limonene, and pinene are three of the most helpful augmenters for stress reduction. However, it also depends on how they are combined with cannabis. You might want to try out different strains or other products rich in any of the above aromatic compounds to determine which one has the most calming effect for you. Sometimes, when limonene or pinene are found in highly potent THC strains, they are more likely to boost an energetic feel rather than calm down. In this case, you can always go back to microdosing. 

Try out other minor cannabinoids.

Your stress is so enormous that you can't sleep at night? CBD can significantly help with sleep, but there just might be some other more powerful combinations. CBN, the sleep cannabinoid, combined with small doses of THC and terpenes like linalool and/or myrcene, may be more effective in beating down stress and offering a good night's sleep. This medical combination may soothe exceptionally well those who suffer from nightmares or struggle with PTSD.

CBD coffee

Feeling stressed out, and it's not even noon time? A few drops of CBD in your coffee may fix the problem. All the better if there's a coffee shop that serves CBD drinks around your neighborhood where you can pause from everything, breathe in and breathe out. 

Gummies

Don't like smoking or the taste of CBD oil? Look for low-dose CBD gummies that you can munch throughout the day. One before lunch. Another between snacks. A few more after dinner. The cessation of stress is imminent. Plus, gummies always bring back happy memories from childhood. 

Just roll another one.

Microdosing, CBD coffee, gummies, that's all joke for you. You are a super hardcore smoker. Then I believe the doctor said your stress levels will go down only after you roll another one. Make it fatty this time. 

Work your garden.

Smoking or consumption is only one part of the story. Having a garden where you cultivate a few cannabis plants and perhaps some other flowers or vegetables is soul-fulfilling. A hobby like that can significantly help when life gets a bit too dreary to stand.