So You Got High.. And Anxious
by MADELINE FERGUSON
You’ve probably heard someone say that using cannabis makes them anxious or you’ve experienced it yourself. It can be quite a scary experience if you aren’t equipped to handle it and understand what is happening.
We are going to help you out with a few tips and tricks to manage that high-xiety and maybe prevent it from happening again.
First, what causes you to sometimes get anxious after you partake in cannabis? Typically it's because you consumed too high of a dose or the wrong strain for your body. Oftentimes people report that edibles can make them feel more anxious than other modalities, which is likely because people take a higher dose and sometimes take more when they are not “feeling it” because it can take edibles up to an hour to kick in.
It’s important to know your limits and your own personal THC tolerance. When buying cannabis from the legacy market it can be hard to know what strain you are getting. Different strains have differing levels of THC (the thing that gets you high) and CBD.
With that being said, if you are buying from the legacy market it is important to pace yourself, don’t start off with too much too soon. Slow it down hit by hit and see how you are feeling after each one. Also be aware of your own personal tolerance and don’t go above that.
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If you are able to get your cannabis from a dispensary, the people working inside will be able to educate you on each strain and recommend some that are best for people who tend to feel anxious.
Tips For Feeling Anxious When You Are High
Now, there is something to be said for learning how to sit with anxiety and not trying to fight it off, but when you are high is probably not the best time, so my first tip is:
Don’t get too in your head
Don’t just sit there and think about how high you are. Distract yourself with some good music or a mellow TV show. Shows like Planet Earth can be very comforting for an anxious mind, trust me.
Do something with your hands
Sometimes there’s a nervous energy to feeling anxious. If it starts to feel that way grab a puzzle, draw a picture or color. Yes, adult coloring books are a thing and they are great.
You could also head outside to work in your garden.
Use rational reasoning
Just tell yourself this feeling won’t last forever. It can also help to remind yourself that you are safe even if you are feeling anxious.
Another important step to reasoning is to take notice when the anxiety goes away. That helps remind your brain next time that you are feeling anxious that it has gone away before and it will go away again.
Take a nap
If you are just feeling overwhelmed by the whole situation just lie down if you can. Make yourself comfy and try to doze off, you’ll wake up feeling much better.
All in all, it’s very important to do your research and get the right strain for you if you are someone who is predisposed to feeling anxious. And, take it slow and know your own limits.
Hope this helps!
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