Stressed? Cannabis Can Help and Which Seattle Dispensaries Have It?

Ever wonder why so many people are hitting up Seattle dispensaries lately?

It seems like the world today is set up to cause us stress at every corner. 

Your job, society, 24/7 rolling news, social media… Sometimes it can all be too much. 

But don’t worry. If you’re feeling the pressure of day-to-day life, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are in the same boat and searching for ways to lighten the load. 

Luckily, Seattle’s many dispensaries have you covered. So many people across the country are ditching opioids and other harmful pharmaceuticals and making the switch to marijuana to combat stress. 

For the uninitiated, the world of cannabis can be daunting and overwhelming. The last thing you want is the added stress of navigating your way through the marijuana maze without the correct information. To take the burden from your shoulders, we’ve put together a handy guide of everything you need to know to use cannabis to combat stress effectively. 

How To Stop Complaining About Life And Start Living Happily!

Beating stress at your local Seattle dispensary

With the law rapidly changing over the last few decades, you might think medicinal cannabis is a new craze. The reality is that humans have been using cannabis to treat a whole host of conditions for thousands of years. 

Ancient Chinese herbalists prescribed cannabis for chronic pain, depression, stress, and many other ailments going back to the birth of Christ and beyond. 

Fast forward to today, and it’s clear to see they were on to something. The legalization of medical marijuana is sweeping the nation, and more people than ever are using it to unwind and dust off the stresses of everyday life. 

How does cannabis work?

While these early doctors may have stumbled upon the power of cannabis by accident, more and more research is coming to light that backs up their claims. 

We now know the active ingredients in cannabis – cannabinoids. 

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring plant compounds that are produced at low levels by nearly every animal on the earth. You might have heard of THC and CBD, but there are actually more than 100 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Scientists are working hard to understand more about how these compounds react to the human body. 

We do know this – that most animals, humans included, have a network in their bodies called an endocannabinoid system. This system affects many parts of our body and minds, including appetite, sleep, fertility, pain, stress, mood, and much more. 

Cannabinoids react with this system, causing the ‘high’ associated with cannabis. But these cannabinoids also produce many other effects, and luckily for us, combating stress is one of them. 

Using cannabis effectively and responsibly

Using cannabis to treat medical conditions is a grey area. Although you can apply for a medical marijuana card, doctors cannot prescribe cannabis; they can only recommend it. 

This lack of professional oversight leaves many people in the dark, questioning how much cannabis they should use, how often, and what method of consumption is best for them. 

Don’t worry; we’ve got your back…

Consumption methods

Nowadays, there are a hundred and one different ways to get cannabis into your bloodstream. The most traditional and well-known method is, of course, smoking it in a joint or blunt. But the health risks associated with smoking put a lot of people off cannabis altogether. 

We don’t want anyone to miss out on the stress-busting and relaxing benefits of cannabis. There are plenty of safe, more discreet ways of administering cannabis into your bloodstream, and you’re sure to find a method that suits you.

  • Edibles – No smoke, no smell, nothing to roll, no devices to set up or charge. Edibles are, without a doubt, one of the easiest and most fun ways to reap the benefits of cannabis. 

No matter what your taste buds desire, there is an edible out there for you. You can suck on a mint, indulge in rich chocolate, chew on a brownie, or even sip on an ice-cold cannabis-infused beer. 

There are so many options here. And the best thing is, all edibles are clearly labeled with the exact amount of THC or CBD they contain and how much is in every portion. This makes it super easy to calculate your dosage. 

Edibles are also handy to take with you on the go. A small pack of gummies or mints slip easily into your pocket or travel bag.

The only downside here is the delayed effects. The active ingredient must be broken down and enter the bloodstream via your digestive system. You could be looking at up to two hours before you begin to feel your worries slip away, not ideal if you’re looking for instant relief. 

  • Tinctures – Those little brown bottles filled with liquid and a little dropper top lid? They are tinctures. They contain a liquid infused with cannabinoids. You simply squeeze a drop under your tongue and let it enter your bloodstream via your mouth. 

Again, this is a very discreet method, and the little bottles are easy to carry about. Tinctures take effect a lot quicker than edibles, usually within thirty minutes. This method is generally associated with CBD, but THC tinctures are also available.

  • Vaping E-liquid – Many nicotine smokers have traded out cigarettes for vapes, and cannabis users are doing the same. 

The jury is still out on the health risks associated with vaping, but most medical professionals agree that it is much safer than smoking. You only have to use a vape for a few days to notice the difference. There is no strong, smoky smell or taste, and it doesn’t leave the same heavy, wheezy feeling in your chest. 

The effects of vaping cannabis e-liquid are almost instantaneous. You’ll start to feel the cannabinoids working their magic after a couple of puffs. 

The downside here is the devices themselves. They rely on battery power, so you can easily get caught out if you’re on the move. They also require minor maintenance. They need cleaning every few weeks, and some parts will need replacing when they become worn.

  • Vaporizing – This method sits in between traditional smoking and vaping e-liquid. 

Vaporizing devices heat cannabis flower to an exact temperature that vaporizes the cannabinoids but does not combust the plant matter. You only inhale the part of the plant that has an effect – significantly reducing any risks involved with smoking. 

Vaping is an excellent method of consuming cannabis for medicinal purposes. It’s healthier, and unlike edibles and e-liquid, you still get to choose the exact strain of cannabis you want (more on that shortly). 

How much to take and how often

There are no hard and fast rules here. Your health, body weight, diet, and even your gender have a role in deciding how much cannabis to take. 

There are no hard and fast rules, and because there are so many different products and ways to get cannabis into your bloodstream, it can be pretty tricky to pin down. There is also a vast range in the potency of the products, muddying the water even more. 

So here’s my advice: start small. 

Pick the product with the lowest amount of THC or CBD. If it’s edibles, just take one portion. If you’re smoking a joint, just have a few puffs. Observe the effects, see how you feel and if your stress levels have reduced. 

If you feel like you want more, you can slowly increase the dosage or take the same amount at shorter intervals. This way, you give your body a chance to get used to the effects and massively reduce the risk of any adverse side effects. 

Don’t worry – you cannot overdose from cannabis. The worst that can happen is lethargy, nausea, and a bit of paranoia, but these effects will wear off after a few hours, a hot shower, and a good meal. 

Strains

Now, if you’ve decided to fight off the pressures of life by smoking or vaporizing cannabis, your next decision is which strain to pick.

This is a big one. There are thousands of strains out there and hundreds more coming on to the market every year. They all look and taste different, and most importantly, they all give you a different kind of feeling when you smoke them. 

Some strains are more suited to fighting stress than others. Some strains will make you creative and energetic; others will make you feel sleepy and lazy. And, of course, they all have different potencies. 

Again, this comes down to personal preference. Maybe at weekends, when you’re at home, you won’t mind a more potent strain that puts you on the ropes. But during the week, you’ll probably want something that allows you to go about your day to day business. 

There are far too many strains available to go into too much detail here. Google can be your best friend here. There are massive databases online that list the strength, aroma, and effects of each strain, complete with user reviews. 

‘What about the dispensaries near me?’ I hear you cry. Without a doubt, going down to your local dispensary is the best way to get the bottom line here. 

Most dispensary staff are cannabis connoisseurs. Tell them how much cannabis experience you have and that you’re looking for a strain known for its stress-beating properties, and they will pick out the right weed for you. 

Don’t’ be afraid, these guys and girls love to help, and you won’t be the first person coming in looking for some sweet cannabis relief. 

CBD vs. THC – which is best to fight stress?

Once again, this comes down to you. 

Hundreds of thousands of people across America are using CBD to fight stress. Others say that CBD products don’t have the strength they need. Some have no choice and have to steer clear of THC because of their job. 

If you dislike the ‘high’ feeling of THC, CBD products are a godsend. 

If you don’t mind the high and don’t know which way to go, it’s time for some experimentation. Both products are relatively harmless. As long as you are sensible and follow the incremental dosage advice earlier, the risks are microscopic.

Talk to your budtender at your local Seattle dispensary, explore the options, and you’ll soon find a product that leaves you in a state of bliss and zen. 

Risks and side-effects

Despite what you might have heard from anti-cannabis campaigners, the risks and side effects of cannabis are minimal. When compared to addictive and body-destroying opioids, choosing marijuana is a no-brainer. 

For a start, nobody in recorded medical history has ever overdosed from cannabis. You’d need to smoke your body weight in trees to achieve this. Anyone who’s ever smoked before will tell you you’re going to fall asleep in front of Netflix and an empty pizza box long before this happens. 

If you accidentally eat an entire batch of cannabis cookies, you may experience dizziness, nausea, paranoia, and extreme lethargy. Don’t worry; it won’t last long. Sleep it off. Your head will feel a bit cloudy when you wake up, but that will be the worst of it. 

And no, it’s not a gateway drug. Most statistics show that states and countries that have legalized cannabis actually see a reduction in hard drug use. 

If you’re using a small amount of cannabis solely to combat stress, you’re highly unlikely to experience any side effects or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using. Cannabis withdrawal is primarily reserved for heavy, long-term smokers. 

Take the stress out of de-stressing

Well, there you have it. Cannabis is a perfect tool for easing up, loosening out, and letting your trouble slip away. 

Have fun with it! Not only can it decrease your stress, but it can also make you more creative, enhance the enjoyment of your favorite pastime, and act as an excellent social lubricant.

Do you know how many of the world’s problems would be solved overnight if we all just smoked weed and played video games a little more often?

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