Marijuana for Stress
Despite what most people would like to believe, stress is a chronic condition that has reached epidemic levels. According to the American Psychological Association, the number of people reporting stress or stress-related symptoms is up nearly 40% in the last 5 years. A variety of factors are believed to be at play, but the truth is that stress and anxiety are affecting all age groups from every demographic including children.
Though we do have access to a vast supply of pharmaceutical medicines that can help to manage the symptoms of stress, they all come with long term side effects, including a reduction in overall health which may or may not be worth the trade-off for relief. This unfortunate situation has many people wondering about the benefits of medical marijuana and its effectiveness as an alternative for more traditional options.
Does marijuana help with stress?
Cannabis has long been known for its ability to soothe and relax, hence the reason it works so well for relieving stress-related symptoms and sensations. However, THC is typically the cannabinoid of choice, as it is responsible for euphoric wave that occurs after ingesting marijuana products, and the research shows that CBD is actually the most beneficial as a treatment for stress.
Research on marijuana for stress
One study conducted by Washington State University Department of Psychology took data from Strainprint, an online database that allows medical patients to document their own symptoms, strains used, and success rates to determine the effectiveness of marijuana for stress symptoms. According to their official release which included logs from over 11 000 patients, the results were fantastic with a list of essential highlights including:
- The inhalation of marijuana for stress is the most effective delivery method
- Marijuana use significantly drops rates of depression, anxiety and stress
- Women appear to benefit most with larger reductions in symptoms of stress
- Marijuana strains that are high in both THC and CBD are most effective for treating symptoms of stress
Benefits of using marijuana for stress
There are so many factors that can significantly impact our mental health, including poor diet, lack of exercise, chronic pain or financial troubles, which is why using marijuana for stress is so effective. According to Medical News Today, the benefits of marijuana can reach throughout all aspects of life, and the soothing relief can be enough to help address most stress-related symptoms.
- Increased appetite
- Improved mood
- Better quality of sleep
- Reduction in pain
- Treats depression
Best way to use cannabis for stress relief
According to research from the Journal of Affective Disorders, there is an ideal way to use marijuana for stress, and it requires a high level of both primary active cannabinoids THC and CBD. The research gathered by specialists looked at multiple different marijuana strains including high THC, high CBD and types of weed that contain significant amounts of both elements. Out of the over 300 patients who submitted their personal experiences with inhaling cannabis products as a treatment, 89% achieved a significant reduction in symptoms after ingesting a dose of both cannabinoids in relatively high concentrations.
Methods of consumption
Though inhalation is the most effective and instant method delivery for using marijuana for stress, not everyone is comfortable with this option. Luckily, there are plenty of unique and even healthy ways that you can use marijuana for stress symptoms, these includes:
1. Inhalation
This category of marijuana products included anything that is smoked, vaporized or inhaled, which delivers a dose of cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream through the lungs. This is the fastest and most effective method of using marijuana for stress, but the sensations do begin to wear off in as little as 4 hours.
2. Ingestion
Edibles, tinctures and oils are just a few products that can be eaten, and all of them fit into this category which includes delivery methods that lead to the cannabinoids being absorbed in the stomach. Eating marijuana products can often produce more intense and longer-lasting effects than other methods of consumption, with relief lasting for up to 12 hours after the initial ingestion.
3. Topical
Creams, balms, sprays and any other marijuana products that are applied to the outer surface of the skin are from this group. This is the least effective method of consumption, as the human skin barrier only allows for minimal rates of cannabinoid absorption, which is the reason why these products are often labelled with excessive quantities of THC or CBD. Though it might not be the preferred method of treatment, many patients find relief by using these options to target problem areas.
Other methods of reducing stress
Even if you do manage to find solace in a treatment using medical marijuana for stress, there may be times where consumption is not an option like at work or on long distance trips. In those cases, these handy tips and tricks can help to alleviate stress and many of its related symptoms.
1. Try Yoga
The combination of stretches and deep breathing make for the perfect release of good feeling chemicals in the brain like dopamine which can help to reduce stress.
2. Make self-care a priority
Often, we forget to do some of the little things that make us feel like ourselves and neglecting our personal needs can lead to an increase in agitation and then stress. Take an extra 5 minutes in the shower, or the scenic ride home from work. Go get that hair cut that you have been wanting or stop for a treat that you’ve been dreaming about. Sometimes it’s the little things can make a world of difference in our mood and believe it or not self-care can help to significantly reduce stress and its related symptoms.
3. Stay active
According to the ADAA, physical activities like exercise triggers a release of endorphins which can have many benefits, including a better night’s rest, a reduction in pain and less stress.
4. Eat well balanced meals
Our bodies heavily rely on us providing the essential fuel necessary to make it through each day, and eating a nutritious meal can help to provide a boost in mood, energy, motivation and focus which can help us to start our day less stressed and more prepared for anything that may come our way.
5. Spend time doing what you love
Spending time doing what you love can make a great deal of difference. It helps to bring us down a notch and alleviate the stress of the day. So how about taking a couple minutes from your busy schedule to do just that.
Best strains of marijuana for stress
These are the best strains of marijuana for stress because they all offer a low THC and high CBD content that has been proven to relieve the symptoms that are associated with this diagnosis.
1. Harlequin
Type: Sativa
CBD content: 15%
THC content: 10%
2. ACDC
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 19%
THC content: 6%
3. Harle-Tsu
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 22%
THC content: 1%
4. Warlock
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 13%
THC content: 19%
5. Ringo’s Gift
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 20%
THC content: 1%
6. Charlotte’s Web
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 20%
THC content: 1%
7. Stephen Hawking Kush
Type: Indica
CBD content: 14%
THC content: 12%
8. Zen
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 9%
THC content: 11%
9. Valentine X
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 25%
THC content: 1%
10. Sour Tsunami
Type: Hybrid
CBD content: 11%
THC content: 10%
How to get a medical marijuana card for stress
Not all regions offer a licensing system for medical marijuana patients, hence the reason it is so important to check your local laws and regulations for specific advice on how to get a medical marijuana card. However, if you are wondering whether or not your country or state allows legal marijuana products for self-treatment, then you might want to check out the lists below. Typically, the application process must be started with the assistance of a medical professional, so for more information get in touch with your family physician or local cannabis clinic.
Countries with legal medical marijuana
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bermuda
- Canada
- Chile
- Columbia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Finland
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe
List of states where medical marijuana is legal
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
