Why Does Weed Make You Anxious?

So many people claim that weed helps them with their anxiety. In fact, it’s easy to get approved for a medical cannabis card if you’re dealing with anxiety. If this has been the exact opposite of your experience, you’re probably really confused. If weed takes you from a slightly stressed emotional state into a way worse emotional state, you probably think that everyone is full of it. 

They’re telling the truth. They’re probably experiencing relief from their anxiety. The answer comes in what you probably don’t know about cannabis. Weed isn’t as simple as weed. It’s a complicated labyrinth with tons of nuances, and every strain is different. 

You might have been using a strain that’s known for its ability to incite alertness. If you’re looking to feel less anxious, making yourself more alert is going to drive you far away from your destination. You wouldn’t drink four double espressos and take a nap, and you shouldn’t smoke high-powered cerebral weed to quiet your mind. 

Even well-versed cannabis users who are experts on their own preferences and limits will occasionally smoke a strain that ruins a great afternoon for them. Not all weed works the same for all goals. Understanding what to look for in an anxiety-reducing strain will dramatically reduce the risk of a bad experience. 

It’s all in the difference between CBD and THC

THC is the cannabinoid that gets you high. CBD is the cannabinoid that everyone loves for its de-stressing qualities. THC is up, CBD is down. You need the right ratio of up and down to soothe your anxiety. If you smoke a strain that’s 30% THC and 0% CBD, you’re probably going to feel wired and hypervigilant. Let’s not go there.

Look for low THC strains that contain at least a little bit of CBD. CBD helps to counteract the effects of THC by preventing it from binding to the receptors in your brain. Your high will be fleeting, but your state of relaxation might last for a few hours. 

Many people who use cannabis to find a state of emotional relief are crazy about Harlequin. Harlequin is relatively balanced in its CBD and THC ratio. When CBD and THC are closely matched, the CBD mellows out the THC significantly. You’ll get more of a soothing tingle than a high. You might want to take a nap or lose yourself in a comforting binge-watch session of your favorite show from your teen years. 

This strain can be fairly hard to come by because the general public tends to prefer higher THC strains. Dispensaries with very large selections will often carry it, but your standard mid-sized dispensary may not. If Harlequin agrees with you, stock up when you find it. If you put it in an airtight container that blocks out the light and store it in a cool dry place, it can last you up to a year. 

Different strains have different vibes

The most important part of your weed is the cannabinoids. They’re responsible for providing the bulk of your weed’s effects. The second most important part of your weed is the terpenes. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that dictate the way your weed tastes and smells. They aren’t just part of the package deal. They’re part of the big picture.

Research seems to show that something called The Entourage Effect plays a huge factor in the way weed works. The Entourage Effect demonstrates that a strain’s effects are significantly impacted by its terpene balance. Think of it as similar to aromatherapy. When you smell lavender, you feel relaxed. When you smell rose, you feel romantic. Or maybe you don’t. Those scents may disagree with you, and if that’s the case, you don’t want to smoke a strain that contains the same terpenes.

For most people, strains that contain linalool, the main terpene in lavender, are very relaxing. Limonene, the terpene present in the rinds of most citrus fruits, makes people feel happy. It’s a nice little pick me up. Other people like stains with the terpene beta-caryophyllene, which lends cinnamon its warm, comforting, and homey aroma. 

Pinene smells like pine trees, myrcene smells like tangy and spicy under-ripe mangoes, bisabolol smells like chamomile tea, and nerolidol smells like jasmine and roses, eucalyptol smells like eucalyptus, and humulene smells like beer. 

You’re going to get the best quality of relaxation if you choose a strain that’s high in a terpene that agrees with you. If you cannot stand the smell of pine cleaner or tea tree oil, you’re probably going to have a fervent dislike for strains high in pinene and eucalyptol. You know what you like. Go with a terpene profile that’s most appealing to you.