Winter is almost over, and the winter blues are dying down! But stress, anxiety, and seasonal depression will always make their way back into our lives in this stressful world. Managing stress in modern times is easier said than done, as it’s just getting more and more hectic every day. The science behind stress is always so simple, with common everyday hormones like cortisol going haywire due to inadequate rest. But when it comes to managing stress and depression in real life, the entire situation elevates into a league of its own.
Additionally, women and men manage stress quite differently, with women being able to handle it better than men due to oxytocin. Women release higher levels of oxytocin compared to men, which allows them to be more nurturing to themselves when under stress. Whereas men, on the other hand, release lower levels of oxytocin, which results in them suppressing stress or looking for alternatives instead of fixing their core issue.
The dangers of stress overload
The immediate dangers of stress overload sound simple and are often neglected by many, as it's considered to be a way of life in modern times. Being overwhelmed by work and not being able to have mental clarity is often considered the norm, whereas inner peace is considered to be a luxury that shows up during vacation for a brief, lingering moment. While burnouts and lowered productivity are the short-term effects of stress overload, they can easily be rectified and generally aren’t threatening to a person’s well-being.
But the story takes a different narrative when it comes to the long-term effects of chronic stress. When the initial warnings are brushed aside, the resulting consequences can be dire. Chronic stress can escalate out of control as the victim is often put into a loop that causes them to dig a deeper grave. The results can be anything from mental illnesses to reduced immunity and even cancer.
While cannabis cannot fix the core issue that’s causing the stress, it can work wonders on the user’s endocannabinoid system, which is a key regulator of stress responses. THC and CBD can alleviate the symptoms, reducing the physiological and psychological consequences of stress.
CBD and Stress
CBD or cannabidol is one of the most researched and well documented compounds within the cannabis world! There is tons of clinical evidence suggesting that CBD is capable of reducing stress responses and even negating some of the negative effects of THC.
A study carried out in 2021 following eight clinical trials showcased how CBD reduces the stress response and is just as effective as pharmaceuticals. This means that every toke you take is just as effective at reducing stress when compared to consuming a pill you bought from the pharmacy. The only difference is that it’s a whole lot more fun and natural!
CDB works so well because it affects both cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptors. The chemical is so effective that it works so well even in small doses! CBD works wonders, blocking any changes due to stress in the 5-HT1A gene receptor.
Cortisol and cannabis
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that’s released by the adrenal glands in order to keep us on high alert. The hormone ensures that our body doesn’t relax in stressful situations. While this is useful in actual high-stress environments, it’s counter-beneficial when it comes to everyday life. High levels of cortisol in our blood cause the liver to release excessive amounts of glucose for extra energy. The extra energy, coupled with increased brain activity, reduces the chance for an individual to rest. Cortisol levels are further boosted when the sleep cycle is disrupted, which is a common occurrence in daily life.
Recent trials have shown how CBD can reduce stress-induced anxiety that’s powered by cortisol. In fact, additional research has shown how CBD can even reduce the chances of developing high-risk psychosis in vulnerable patients by effectively managing cortisol released as a stress response.
CBD therapy has even proved to be effective in reducing emotional exhaustion and burnout, further solidifying its effectiveness.
Nullifying Adrenaline
We all love some adrenaline in our lives! But too much can get on your nerves, literally! Too much adrenaline can increase the chances of us catching depression, anxiety, and even heart complications. Naturally controlling the overproduction of adrenaline is the safest route.
Researchers have found that cannabinoids have the potential to reduce adrenaline release due to their interactions with the CB1 receptor. Which effectively means that cannabis, when smoked, will inhibit adrenaline release while the chemicals are active within the body!
The Ideal way and amount to dose
So what works best? While everyone’s endocannabinoid system works differently, there are some general guidelines that could be followed. The ideology that no size fits all applies here as well!
Smoking is the fastest way to get your well-deserved THC and CBD into your system. This is great when your goal is to relieve sudden anxiety and stress attacks quickly!
Tinctures work quicker than edibles and last a couple of hours, which is fantastic if you are using cannabis to relax at night or if you are battling insomnia. But if you want something that relaxes you throughout the day, a longer-lasting edible is the way to go.
We recommend that you start your dosing at around 5mg of THC and then increase the dose by another 5mg if the effects aren’t strong enough. You can even pair it with CBD to mellow out the psychoactive effects of THC! A ratio of 3:1 THC to CBD works just fine.
Stay relaxed, stay high
While cannabis might not be the solution to your stress, it can always drown out the symptoms. This can make your life a whole lot more bearable whilst you fix the core issues that caused the stress in the first place. As a final word of advice, we recommend that you microdose on cannabis first before moving on to larger doses, as your goal here is to be functional whilst reducing your stress levels and not to be zoned out of your mind!
