Tips for reducing anxiety if marijuana sometimes makes you anxious

Are you one of those people who wish you could benefit from using the cannabinoids in cannabis, but a prior experience was enough to scare you away from trying it again? Maybe you have been bravely marching forward trying to experiment with different strains in an attempt to avoid this uncomfortable side effect, or perhaps you are straight up convinced that these anxious feelings are the only effects of marijuana that you will ever be able to feel. No matter what your reason for coming here today, if you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety after consuming cannabis than this is precisely where you need to be.

Understanding the effects of marijuana

If you are one of the unlucky few to experience an episode of anxiety that has been induced by cannabis use, then it is essential that you first understand why this may have happened, before trying to learn how to avoid it in the future. Marijuana contains hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes, which can all provide various types of effects, but the most influential and most suspected culprit of this uncomfortable side effect is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the euphoric element that provides the tingling euphoric sensations that are typically expected after smoking cannabis.

Every single marijuana strain will produce a different amount of this cannabinoid, and so the effects will be different will each different product that you try. The plant is also unique in the way that it can provide these effects and how they are felt differently across consumers. Therefore, you may have had one type of weed that got you stoned, while your friends didn’t understand the hype. Exactly how each strain will affect you is nearly impossible to predict, so instead, we use guidelines based on data collected from thousands of users through the years who have reported certain types of sensations alongside other more recent cannabis research data to formulate a database of marijuana strains that are most effective for relieving anxiety symptoms, and least likely to induce similar feelings.

Can marijuana cause anxiety?

The answer to this question will depend on who you ask. Yes, marijuana use can cause and or contribute to anxiety, but not everyone experiences this kind of side effect.

Tips for relieving anxiety caused by marijuana use

These tips and tricks will help with before, during, and after experiencing stress caused by cannabis use.

1. Use marijuana strains for anxiety.

Though it is impossible to guarantee that you won’t experience anxiety after smoking cannabis, you can research strains and their possibility of avoiding this side effect. Below you will find a list of marijuana strains for anxiety to help get you started.

2. Try micro-dosing.

One of the main reasons consumers end up with these uncomfortable sensations is that they consume too much THC without building up their tolerance first. If you are new to smoking marijuana or have suddenly been experiencing sudden bouts of anxiety immediately after consuming pot products, then it might be a good idea to cut right back and see if that makes any difference.

3. Focus on your breathing.

If you are already in the middle of an anxiety attack, then it can be challenging to get those feelings under control — one of the most effective ways to make it through it to focus on your breathing. Take big, deep, comfortable inhales of fresh air, and slowly exhale. Do this until the feeling subsides, and count as you go to help pass the time.

4. Drink plenty of water and eat.

There is no way to come down from a cannabis high immediately, but there are a few things that you can do to help the cannabinoids through your system. Drink plenty of water, as dehydration can increase the potency of THC in your system and eat food which can help to take the edge off when in a panic.

5. Get rest.

If nothing is working, and you are having a challenging time trying to manage anxiety from marijuana use, then the next best solution is to sleep it off. Remember, cannabis is non-toxic, impossible to overdose on, and will eventually work its way out of your system in a couple of hours. So, take a cat nap, or hibernate those awful sensations away.

Top 10 marijuana strains for anxiety

Though we cannot guarantee that any of these specific marijuana strains will work for you, they are some of the most popular and well known for their ability to manage anxiety symptoms.

1. Blue Dream
2. Green Crack
3. Girl Scout Cookies
4. Original Glue
5. Chemdawg
6. Purple Kush
7. Super Lemon Haze
8. Blueberry
9. Cherry Pie
10. God’s Gift