Whether it's work, bills, the kids, or...whatever, daily stress will always creep its way into our lives.
And when we don't address this type of stress, it can lead to mood swings, exhaustion, or feeling on edge.
Yikes.
But can THC help with daily stress?
Well, that's what we're going to cover on this page. Here, we'll go over THC, how and why it creates effects and some scientific findings on cannabis and daily stress.
So let's begin!
"What exactly is THC?"
THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It is a term to describe various compounds found in cannabis.
The most well-known form of THC is Delta-9 THC. Most people call this cannabinoid "THC." However, other variations include Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, and THC-O, along with similar compounds such as hexahydrocannabinol (HHC)
In the United States, cannabis comes in two legal categories—hemp and marijuana. Hemp is cannabis with a 0.3% concentration of Delta-9 THC by dry weight, and marijuana is cannabis with any concentration higher than this.
THC is quite popular among cannabis enthusiasts can it can bring out effects such as:
- Relief
- Relaxation
- Euphoria
- Creativity
- Mellowness
It's important to note that THC and other cannabinoids affect everyone differently.
"So, how does THC even work?"
In your body, there's a network of chemical messengers and receptors called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
This system helps maintain a variety of functions which includes:
- Emotional processing
- Learning
- Memory
- Appetite
- Pain control
- Sleep
- Temperature control
- Inflammatory responses
- Immune responses
To send signals, the ECS uses chemical messengers called "endocannabinoids."
Chemically speaking, THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids bear many similarities to endocannabinoids; thus, they get to interact with this system.
"Okay, but can THC help with my daily stress?"
As mentioned earlier, THC affects everyone a bit differently. There is no definitive answer to this question. However, there are some interesting findings on this subject.
For instance, according to a paper from the University of Washington, the endocannabinoid system is present in parts of the brain that deal with fear and stress.
In a controlled study, pure THC was found to help alleviate feelings of stress in lower amounts, and CBD appeared to decrease stress in any quantity.
Some other interesting findings about THC and stress come from a 2014 survey of 100 participants in Hawaii.
This survey had many interesting takeaways. However, half of the participants reported stress reduction.
"How much THC should I take for daily stress?"
Well, unfortunately, there is no universal answer to this question. But we can provide you with several key insights.
The first is that THC is not for everyone. Many people have had great experiences with THC, but for others, it wasn't right for them.
And that's completely okay.
The next step is trying it out for yourself. The best approach is to start with a small amount in a controlled setting (ideally at night/when you have no obligations).
By "small amount," we mean a small piece of an edible (not the whole thing), minor pulls of smoke, or a few tiny drips of a tincture.
Then, you'll want to wait for the effects to set in. Depending on your method of consumption, this time will vary. For instance, the effects of edibles will take longer than those of smoking flower.
Once the effects set in, you can decide whether you want to take more. This process takes time, but when you finally find your "sweet spot," you're all set for future sessions.
And that's about it.
Until next time!
This article is for entertainment purposes. No content on this website should serve as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
