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Mental Stress is part of our daily life in the current world we live in. At any given time stressors come at us from all directions. It may come from our finance our relationships, our environment, or just simply the hustle and bustle of the city. No one can escape it.
Moreover Chronic Stress (meaning stress for long periods of time) can be damaging to our mental, physical and emotional health. The overload manifests in many common mental disorders we see today; such as anxiety, panic attacks, depression, PTSD, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, inflammation, substance abuse & mood disorders.
"In times of stress the Cannabis plant can be a great ally."
Effectively bouncing back from any one of these difficult problems is essential for our mental health. We all endure difficulties yet some people have the ability to bounce back faster than others. This ability is called Resiliency and has a lot to do with our capability to learn, find positive options, and shift our perception on solving our problems; instead of dwelling on them. Cannabis is a catalyst for just that.
The Cannabis plant, specifically the THC molecule in the female plant flower, interacts with receptors all over our brain and body that stimulate the Endocannabinoid System. A system within all Vertebrates that helps us adapt to stress. With that being said, Cannabis holds a key to a lock within us that is responsible for homeostasis and our ability to forget.
"Forgetting is just as important as remembering". - Michael Pollan
Connect to Disconnect
Cannabis helps you connect to yourself, others and the environment at a deeper level. Unfortunately, the current world we live in makes us very disconnected from each other and ourselves. This lack of connection can lead to many addictions and disorders.
Connection to yourself is difficult in the world we live in because there are so many external distractions. When our minds are busy thinking about problems, Cannabis helps us forget and disconnect from our current stressful reality, allowing us the space to finally pay attention
and create peace within.
"The Opposite of Addiction is Connection". - Dr. Garber Mate
Getting Started
If it is your first time using Cannabis, you may have a lot of doubts, emotions, and questions arise. First of all it should be known that not all Cannabis is created equal. Each plant has it's own effects based on it's genetics; cannabinoid content, terpene content (smell) method of cultivation, and methods of consumption.
There are many variables to explore. It will take some time for you to fine tune your dose, find your preferred Cannabis genetics, effects, and favorite terpene (smell) profiles. Trust your nose, taste and intuition and go for what makes you feel best. Enjoy the process and don't get discouraged if it takes some time to fine tune the desired effects.
Low & Slow is the way to go.
If you've ever heard of the typical edible story in which a person ended up in the hospital after eating a Cannabis edible, it is due to the over consumption of the THC molecule, which in large doses will cause paranoia, psychosis and an increased heart rate . If this is already a symptom you struggle with you should microdose (very small dose) of THC or avoid it all together and try using CBD.
1:1 ratio of CBD & THC may also be helpful to you if you experience anxiety while using Cannabis. The CBD will help reduce the unwanted effect of THC such as brain fog, anxiety and paranoia. If you consume too much THC and want to sober up, take CBD!
Please note that edibles are broken down by the body differently than the inhalation method, such as smoking, and the THC molecule becomes up to 3X more potent when ingested in an edible.
In other words a 10 mg edible could become a 30 mg edible! Two hours into your Cannabis experience.
It is important to emphasize that Research shows Cannabis consumption to have effects on anxiety-related behaviors in a dose-dependent manner, low doses being anxiolytic, and high doses inducing increased anxiety and panic.
We recommend that you start taking Cannabis with an intention, having a clear vision of what you would like to get out of your experience. This will help you guide your Cannabis journey. Create a Self care ritual in the mornings in conjunction with your Cannabis protocol. We recommend pairing Cannabis with meditation, breathwork & yoga for a deeper and more complete healing experience.
Start with 3 mg - 7 mg of THC max and if you are smoking, 2 to 3 tokes should be enough. You can always take more later.
Happy Healing :)
by Estefania Valencia