Some stress is a normal part of life. It’s a natural response to certain events, such as a looming deadline or a major change. Chronic stress, however, can have a significant impact on your life and your health. There are many ways to manage stress, and some people alleviate it with cannabis. When it comes to stress-relief, the first cannabis-related product that comes to mind for most is CBD. THC use can help, too.
The Issue with Chronic Stress
Chronic stress can lead to a whole host of physical and mental health issues. Long-term side effects often include:
- A weakened immune system
- Heart health issues
- Hypertension
- Anxiety
- Depression
Stress can also throw your endocannabinoid system out of whack, which may contribute to many of the side effects you feel.
How THC Use Can Help
Many people who use cannabis for stress-relief typically turn to CBD products. The cannabinoid helps to restore balance to your endocannabinoid system. It also interacts with your serotonin receptors, which activates them and helps to alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Research shows that THC use is also beneficial for alleviating stress. The critical factor here is the amount of THC you ingest. Studies show that small amounts of THC help to lessen the feelings of stress and anxiety. Higher doses, however, have the opposite effect and can actually make stress worse.
So, how do you find that delicate balance between symptom alleviation and exacerbated stress? When using high THC strains or THC products, start with a very small dose and pay attention to how it makes you feel. Gradually increase your dose until you find the relief you need.
In addition to alleviating stress, cannabis can also help to alleviate some of the short-term side effects, such as:
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Physical pain
- Racing thoughts
- Low energy
Strains for Stress
Some research has also pointed toward the combination of THC and CBD content. Studies have found that strains with relatively high amounts of both cannabinoids showed the best results, while strains high in THC and low in CBD (and vice versa) had a negligible impact.
Consider some of the following strains to alleviate your stress:
- Sour Diesel
- Jack Herer
- White Widow
- OG Kush
- Girl Scout Cookies
- AK-47
- Blue Dream
Other Ways to Help Manage Stress
Along with cannabis use, there are several things that you can do to help alleviate feelings of stress. For instance, exercise is a great stress-reliever. Physical activity triggers the production of endorphins, your natural feel-good hormones. It also gives your mind something else to focus on, so you’re not sitting with constant worry.
Other ways to reduce stress naturally include:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Deep breathing exercises
- Journaling (writing down your thoughts)
- Participating in your favorite hobbies
- Aromatherapy
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
You don’t have to live with chronic stress. Cannabis may be able to help alleviate your symptoms and enable you to relax. You can give one of the strains above a try or talk to your healthcare provider to see if cannabis use is a good option for you.
