Everyone knows that the holidays can be times of great stress. The stress can come from traveling, visiting family you would rather avoid, and having to spend more money, among other stressors. These situations can make the holidays seem dreadful for many.
Holiday stress is inevitable, but you shouldn’t let it ruin the best time of the year. Fortunately, there are natural ways to calm your nerves and enjoy a more fun holiday season. Below, we’ll discuss four ways to use cannabis for holiday stress relief.
Weed and Stress Relief
Traditional medicine has prescribed cannabis for generations to treat many conditions. The value of weed for stress relief is a primary feature of the plant that the Western medical community is just beginning to explore.
Washington State University recently published a study on the effects of marijuana on anxiety, stress, and depression in the Journal of Affective Disorders (2019). This study found that smoking weed can significantly reduce stress in the short term. Lower stress can also reduce the severity of depression.
There’s little doubt that using weed for stress relief works for most people. But how does weed produce this calming effect?
THC and CBD
You can thank cannabinoids for the beneficial effects of weed. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds in cannabis plants, including marijuana and hemp. The main cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is psychoactive, producing that high sensation. CBD, on the other hand, does not make you high.
The most effective weed for stress relief comes from strains with lower concentrations of THC and higher concentrations of non-psychoactive components like CBD, CBN, and CBG. This does not mean you should avoid THC if you want to use cannabis for stress relief.
CBD and THC do not offer as much benefit by themselves as they do when combined together. This is probably due to the Entourage Effect, in which a blend of ingredients is more effective than any single ingredient by itself. Since most weed companies provide an analysis of the bud you’re buying, finding a strain with the right amount of THC and CBD is easy.
Tolerance Matters
For non-daily cannabis users, inhaling a puff or two of the right strain may suffice for melting away all their stress. If you are a daily cannabis smoker who has developed a tolerance to THC, you may have to switch your strain so the weed can work properly. Find a weed strain that is high in CBD and save it for when you need stress relief.
Ways to Use Cannabis for Stress Relief
Now that you know which strains of cannabis work best for reducing stress, let’s discuss ways to use weed to calm your nerves. Smoking weed is not your only option for finding stress relief. Below are four ways to use weed for a happier you.
Capsules
CBD capsules may be effective for some people. You can find them with CBD, substances like medicinal mushrooms, or other cannabinoids like CBC and CBG. You may also find them with Delta 8 THC.
Since capsules must be digested, it may take an hour or more for this weed product to deliver stress relief.
Edibles
Many people don’t like to smoke weed. If this sounds like you or someone you know, edibles might fit into your plan.
Edibles are odorless and can be consumed quickly. They are a great option for non-smokers who want to take advantage of cannabis for stress relief. Since they must be eaten and digested, it may take up to half an hour, or longer, for the active ingredients to work.
Carry a bag of cannabis edibles with you, so you’re ready for anything. You can also make edibles at home with the exact strain you prefer. Search online for a suitable DIY recipe.
Liquids
Liquids include elixirs, oils, tinctures, and extracts. These liquids can be added to food and drinks, swallowed, or taken under the tongue. A small container of liquid cannabis can hold enough drops to get you through most stressful situations during the holiday season.
Smokables
If you can predict when the stress occurs, smoke before it happens. This is the age-old method used by prehistoric stoners and every generation since. Break out your pipe and bust up some flowers. Get your optimal dose of weed for stress before you face the stressor.
This advice applies when you are experiencing anxiety from thinking about the upcoming holidays. If you find yourself falling into a funk, smoke some bud to lift your mood! It doesn’t matter if the holiday is tomorrow or next month. Fire up a pre-roll to puff away the dark thoughts.
Smoking during the stressor is limited to weed-friendly environments. In less-than-friendly environments, a vape pen might give you everything you need without setting anyone’s hair on fire. Sometimes it’s easier to make an excuse to leave the gathering for a short period of time. A trip for that “forgotten item” to the grocery store is long enough to find stress relief from a smoke.
Relieve Holiday Stress With CanEx
The holidays can be nerve-racking. If necessary, get ready to use multiple cannabis stress relief tactics to feel your best self. Need gummies, liquids, or smokables? If you’re in SoCal, you can get prime flowers and delicious edibles from CanEx.
Shop now to get 25% off your first order. We also offer a rewards program where you can earn up to 10% cash back with every purchase. So, what are you waiting for? Order now and get your weed in a flash!
