A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Edibles for Anxiety
The Benefits of Using Cannabis Edibles for Anxiety
Unfortunately, the world does not seem to be getting less stressful anytime soon. But the good news is that there are ways to cope with stress and take time to put everything into perspective. Cannabis can not only help physically relax the body, but the ritual of consuming cannabis and taking a moment to slow down has benefits in and of itself. With stress ranking just as high on the health risks as smoking, you might as well light up and relax! But we understand that not everyone wants to smoke, so edibles for anxiety offer a great alternative to help manage stress.
When choosing an edible for anxiety, the tricky part is knowing how your body reacts to THC. For some people, THC, especially in high doses, can cause paranoia. For others, THC produces blissful relief from stress or anxiety. Luckily all our edibles for anxiety at Farnsworth are micro-dosed, so you can experiment without concern of a panic attack. Or, if intoxication is not for you, you can also lean on CBD, CBG, and CBDC to provide relaxation without the psychoactive qualities of THC>
The Science Behind Cannabis Edibles for Anxiety
Cannabis can help regulate the body due to its ability to act on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is one aspect of how feeling is controlled in the brain and transmitted to the body. Similar to pharmaceuticals, but without the severe side effects, cannabis can block, replace, or reroute the body’s natural stress signals to provide relief from anxiety.
Anxiety is the second most common reason that patients seek out medical cannabis. But as with all medical claims related to cannabis, the jury is still out on the verdict of whether it’s effective. However, there is robust anecdotal evidence from people who’ve been self-medicating with cannabis as a replacement for pharmaceuticals. Enough to merit testing edibles for anxiety after consulting your doctor.
Wayne Thiebaud
Choosing the Best Type of Edible for Anxiety
When picking an edible to treat anxiety, there are a few compounds to consider–THC, CBD, CBG, and CBDC. Some edibles contain a combination of these compounds in varying ratios. We recommend starting with an edible with a high CBD dose and a low THC dose (if you choose to use THC at all).
THC: The most essential aspect of THC edibles is that it relieves anxiety at low doses but can increase it at high doses. We often recommend a THC and CBD gummy with more CBD than THC. The low THC will help produce instant results, while the high amount of CBD will ensure you stay calm and not anxious.
CBD: While CBD is best known for reducing inflammation in the body, it also acts on the ECS to regulate emotions. A CBD gummy that does not contain THC will not “feel” like much but will help your body relax and reroute stress signals in your brain. And since it doesn’t produce a psychoactive effect, there is no chance of feeling “too high” or otherwise overwhelmed by a new sensation.
CBG: CBG is another non-psychoactive cannabis compound that has promising effects. It has been shown anecdotally to reduce inflammation in the body and provide therapeutic effects for the mind. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims. CBG is found primarily in young cannabis plants and in much lower quantities than CBG and THC. But due to its potency and potential to provide much of the same treatment as THC without the psychoactive effects, this compound has a lot of interest.
Edible Dosage and Potency for Anxiety Relief
As always with edibles, especially with edibles for anxiety, low and slow is the way to go. When using edibles for anxiety that containin THC, remember that high doses can heighten anxiety and paranoia. If you are sensitive to THC or otherwise opposed to intoxication, opt for an edible with CBD or CBG, which do not produce intoxicating effects.
Other lifestyle factors, such as tolerance, height, weight, and diet, can affect the potency of edibles. Be mindful that since edibles are digested through the stomach, consuming them on an empty stomach will enhance the effects and onset time, while consuming them after a meal makes the results more subtle and takes longer to kick in.
It is also essential to consider the impairment of THC if using cannabis to manage anxiety daily. THC impairs cognitive and motor function, so driving is illegal, and it can be challenging to work when consuming THC. If you are concerned about impairment, opt for non-psychoactive compounds like CBD and CBG.
Farnsworth Recommends: The Best Edibles for Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety is the second most common reason that patients seek out medical cannabis. While there is no confirmation that cannabis helps reduce anxiety, the anecdotal evidence is compelling enough that people are willing to try and get away from the harmful side effects of pharmaceuticals. As always, please consult your doctor before self-medicating with cannabis, especially if you are currently on a prescription treatment for anxiety.
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