Anxiety and Cannabis use.
Anxiety and cannabis can have a complex relationship. Many factors will contribute to this relationship, and boundaries need to be respected when diagnosed with anxiety and who uses cannabis. I HIGHLY SUGGEST talking to a medical professional before consuming any cannabis products, especially if you're on ANY medication.
At www.Kuzen.ca they have a dedicated cannabis nurse who can help navigate cannabis products and can also direct you to a clinic to help obtain your medical cannabis authorization. Learn more here; https://kuzen.ca/faq-eng/
As a cannabis consumer and medical cannabis patient who has been diagnosed with anxiety, I'll be writing most of this blog from a personal perspective. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS AS MEDICAL ADVICE. I am not a medical professional.
Cannabis is complicated, and so is anxiety. What works for me may not work for you. Throughout my cannabis journey, my respect for the plant had to shift. I realized my cannabis consumption hindered me and was preventing me from getting proper help. I spent too much time being influenced by others that I hadn't found the right strain or used enough CBD. Sometimes you need artificial medication to fix the broken receptors in your brain & there is NO shame in that. I promise.
Will “Sativa” strains intensify my anxiety?
Not necessarily!
It has to do with the THC content. If you're prone to being anxious when consuming cannabis, you may want to look at a strain that has a higher CBD content or a lower THC %.
THC triggers the amygdala area of the brain, which is responsible for fear and can cause anxiety and paranoia. When it comes to cannabis for anxiety, Less is more. Whether you're smoking or eating edibles, you're consuming larger doses of cannabis. The more THC you consume, the more chance you'll have of triggering your anxiety.
Lower doses of THC are proven to help lessen the symptoms of anxiety though, right?
This isn't necessarily true when it comes to everyone. Each person is unique, and a lot of it plays into your endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a vast system of receptors found in our brains. gut, organs & skin. These receptors are widespread and play a vital role in keeping our bodies in good healthy balance. Our body naturally produces cannabinoids, and when these go awry, cannabis can come to the rescue to help restore balance to the ECS.
Can cannabis interact with my SSRIs- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors?
There has not been a substantial amount of information when it comes to combining cannabis and anxiety medication. The information available is based on limited studies & patient reports. Due to a lack of extensive research, we advise you to speak with a medical practitioner before proceeding with cannabis use.
SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, and Lexapro are among the most common prescriptions for anxiety. There have been very few reports of adverse reactions between SSRIs and cannabis, but there is still a tiny chance it can happen. Read more here.
Products I recommend.
Blue Dream
This Sativa dominant hybrid is a strain that's loved amongst new and even the most experienced cannabis connoisseurs. With its parents being blueberry and Haze, its genetics mash together to create a fantastic flavour profile that will blow your mind. Blue dream gives you the full-body high with a gentle cerebral massage to invigorate uplifted and creative vibes. This strain won't put your brain in a fog or cause paranoia. Blue dream leaves its users happy, relaxed, and focused without causing its users to "burn out" when the high comes down. Its flavour profile has been described as blueberry scented with a touch of an old library. Not an unpleasant odour, but it's like reading an old book in a blueberry field.
Find it here at: https://kuzen.ca/produit/shucanna-blue-dream-3-5g/
GG#4
This indica-dominant hybrid can clock in at THC percentages of almost 21%. It's a popular favourite for those looking to "glue" themselves to the couch. Its resinous trichome-caked buds are almost glue-like, giving them that classic sticky cannabis feel. Flavours of chocolate, diesel, and pine tickle your senses and give off that nice classic cannabis smell. This is not a strain to use during the daytime unless your plans are chilling on the couch with snacks and binging Netflix.
It can give you a high dose of euphoria without anxiety nagging at you. It's great for relaxing and unwinding by yourself or with friends as it induces feelings of joy and giggles. Medical users like GG4 for its superb pain relief qualities. Make sure to have water on hand because this strain will leave you thirsty.
https://kuzen.ca/produit/northern-green-gg4-5g/
Do you prefer pre-rolls? How about some Fruit Tartare Haze from JMF Growers?
Don't let this Sativa strain scare you! It's an invigorating cultivar with pleasant cerebral effects. I find this strain to be pleasant in small doses. It gives me the motivation to focus without any wandering thoughts or nagging anxiety feeling. The main terpenes are;
Pinene
Smell Pine
Found in Pine needles, rosemary, basil, dill
Effects, Alertness & can counteract some THC effects
Potential Medical Effects, Treatment of asthma, pain, ulcers, anxiety, and cancer
Myrcene
The smell, musky earthy herbal clove
Found in mangoes, lemongrass, thyme, & hops
Effects, couchlock, sedative, relaxing
Potential Medical effects, treatment of pain, insomnia, and inflammation
Terpinolene
Smell piney, herbal, floral
Found in tea trees, apples, lilacs, and nutmeg
Effects, Relaxing.
Potential Medical effects, Sedative, Antibacterial, Potenia anti-cancer, antioxidant
https://kuzen.ca/produit/ko-gna-fruit-tartare-haze-pre-roules-5-x-0-5g/
Interested in smoke-free options? Check out this blog about cannabis softgels and capsules http://www.higherlivingjess.ca/post/soft-gel-capsules-in-the-cannabis-market
Are you interested in becoming a medical cannabis patient? www.kuzen.ca can help for free. Located in Drummondville, Quebec and serves all of Canada. They offer a wide array of cannabis products with something for everyone. On staff, Kuzen.ca have a nurse who’s educated in cannabis and a cannabis expert who can help you learn about all our products on the menu, terpenes and more!
The process is simple, easy and free.
Learn more here: https://kuzen.ca/obtenir-une-prescription-medicale/
Êtes-vous intéressés à devenir un patient de cannabis médical ? www.kuzen.ca peut vous aider gratuitement. Située à Drummondville, au Québec, elle dessert tout le Canada et offre un large éventail de produits de cannabis pour tous les goûts. Le personnel de Kuzen.ca est composé d'une infirmière formée au cannabis et d'un expert en cannabis qui peut vous aider à découvrir tous les produits au menu, les terpènes et bien plus encore !
Le processus est simple, facile et gratuit.
En savoir plus ici: https://kuzen.ca/obtenir-une-prescription-medicale/