If you’re wondering how to use cannabis for stress relief, you’ve come to the right place. Lots of people find cannabis helps them with their anxiety, but it’s important to know it can make anxiety worse if you use the wrong product. We’ll break down the ins and outs of using cannabis for stress relief so you can get exactly the effect you’re looking for.
CBD/THC Balance
Cannabis has two main active ingredients – CBD and THC. CBD is nonpsychoactive and doesn’t get you high. CBD can increase the joy neurotransmitters in your brain and relax your muscles, though, which is why it’s used to help with pain relief, sleep problems, improving mood and appetite, and (what we’re here for) relieving stress.
THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis that gets you high. This is where you can run into trouble, because THC can increase anxiety for some people at certain doses. That’s why the best cannabis strains for anxiety usually contain low doses of THC, or maybe none at all. You’ll want to find the dose that hits your sweet spot. Always start low and slow, usually 1-2.5mg of THC for a beginner, and work your way up from there.
You can also look for the CBD/THC ratio of a product. 1:1 products have an equal balance of CBD and THC, while 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1 products have a higher CBD content, with less psychoactive effects. Once you get to 10:1 or above, you likely won’t experience any type of high.
Terpenes
After CBD/THC-balance, there are a few other things to think about, including terpenes. Terpenes are what give the plant its smell, so the right terpenes affect your experience just like a scented candle might.
Linalool has a lavender scent profile great for an evening unwind, while Limonene has a citrusy scent profile, great for mood boosting. Other favorite terpenes for anxiety relief are myrcene (an earthy scented sedative), caryophyllene (a spicy/woody stress reliever), and alpha-pinene (a pine/rosemary scent for mental clarity.)
Methods
The other all-important thing to consider when using cannabis for stress relief is delivery method.
Smoking will give you fast effects, which makes it a top choice for acute anxiety episodes that require immediate relief. If you’re looking for quick results, we recommend Cannabal’s lilac diesel. Its balanced THC/CBD ratio makes it the perfect thing for a relaxing evening.
Edibles give you a longer, more sustained effect, but do have a longer onset time. The lasting effects make them a good choice for daytime use, so long as you remember to start low and slow, allowing for effects to hit before you decide to up your dose. These Snoozy gummies are a great option for beginners looking for a daytime calm.
Another option is tinctures, which can be taken sublingually (under the tongue.) This method makes tinctures fast absorbing and easy to dose. We love the balanced effects of this tincture from Harney Brothers for a steady, controlled daily calm.
Finally, CBD can also be applied directly to the skin for pain relief and tension. If you mostly need help with physical tension, try this lidocaine roll-on.
How To Choose
- Racing thoughts or evening unwind → balanced vape or calming indica
- Daytime stress without feeling high → CBD gummies or low-dose tincture
- Physical tension from stress → CBD roll-on
Choosing the right product is a bit of an art, and what can we say except the budtenders at KHOF are artists. Come by the best dispensary in Westchester to get personalized, expert guidance on the right product for you – open 7 days a week with free parking – and we’ll get you relaxing in no time.
