Cannabis has made it to the 21st century as a medical revolution and a legal medicinal drug in many states of the US. Owing to such developments, thousands of people across the country feel less judged to get a medical marijuana card and start treating their medical conditions with cannabis. But, there are two sides to every coin.
Along with the therapeutic properties, every cannabis consumer is also exposed to its negative effects. The list is pretty long. Sore throat, red eyes, headaches, paranoia, anxiety, increased hunger and many more. But don’t feel overwhelmed. These negative effects are very subjective. Depending upon the variables like strains, dose, tolerance, sex, hereditary etc.you may experience mild or severe symptoms. And the symptoms may be one out of the many or none at all. But it doesn’t rule out the possibility that cannabis can have negative effects on the consumers.
So what do you do? You avoid them.
Here are a few tips that can be helpful in avoiding the negative effects of cannabis.
Buy from licensed sources only
Whenever you are about to make a cannabis purchase, make sure that you are buying from a licensed source only. Dispensaries and online stores that are registered with the government are subjected to quality requirements. So you can rest assured that their products will be safe and have the required testing for contaminants.
Unauthorized sources are only a call for trouble. There is a high chance that their products will have some or the other contaminant like silica, sand or talcum powder. And not to mention the probability of receiving moldy buds. Consuming such cannabis will have harmful effects on the body.
Follow your dose
When it comes to cannabis, it is very important that a proper dose is followed. Cannabis is psychoactive in nature. That’s what renders all the therapeutic properties. But your body receives these beneficial effects only in small doses. Go beyond the limit and the experience can take a miserable turn. For example, cannabis can help calm the body and relieve anxiety when consumed in a small dose. Just a little over the limit and the effects can take a U-turn and cause paranoia and more anxiety.
Avoid overdose by practicing microdosing. It’s better to consume less than overestimate and fall a victim to the negative effects.
Be careful of the strains your use
Cannabis has dozens of different types of strains. Each has a different chemical profile which can cause different effects on the body. Not knowing the type of strain or the chemical profile you are using can be a cause of improper dose. And it’s more than likely that you will feel the negative effects.
Avoid this by giving more attention to labels. Cannabis products from licensed sources are always properly labeled. They will have a clear mention of the CBD and THC ratios and whether or not the product has any pesticides or other contaminants. This way you will know how to manage your dose and avoid any negative effects.
Build your tolerance
Many beginner cannabis consumers may experience negative effects like headaches and paranoia. And it’s not usually because they have overdosed. It’s more related to their tolerance. Not having prior exposure to cannabis or cannabinoids or an individual’s genetics can be the reason for their very low cannabis tolerance. That’s what causes strong effects even with small doses.
In this case, the best option is to keep consuming in small doses and build cannabis tolerance. With consistent use, your tolerance will rise and the negative effects will eventually stop happening.
Try other methods
Cannabis has many different delivery methods. If you feel that one method is causing you to feel negative effects, try moving over to a different method. Take smoking for instance. Smoking cannabis often leads to dry mouth or smoker’s cough. If you do not want to experience these side effects, switch to smokeless options like edibles or tinctures. Or you could even use vaporizers to avoid the harmful effects of smoking cannabis.
Similarly, edibles can cause a stronger and longer high. Not everyone can deal with such strong effects. So you can try other methods like transdermal patches that slowly delivers the cannabinoids in the body over a period of time.
Use CBD to counter THC high
The two main components of cannabis are THC and CBD. The different ratios of these two components have a major role to play in the different effects of different strains. The high you feel after consuming cannabis is caused by THC. If you are not comfortable with the euphoric feeling, CBD can help.
If you feel an intolerable high, use a CBD product. It counters the high of THC and prevents it from further reacting with the CB receptors. Or better yet, use high CBD strains and products to avoid the high without compromising on the medicinal properties.
Counter Munchies THCV
One common side effect of cannabis that has been reported by many consumers is munchies. Cannabis increases appetite and inevitably leads your hand to the pantry. But, you can counter this side effect too.
Instead of high THC strains, look for strains with a cannabinoid called Tetrahydrocannabivarin or THCV. It is also popularly known as the skinny cannabinoid. This cannabinoid reduces the appetite and can also be used for weight loss. Some strains high in THCV are Doug’s Varin, Durban Poison and Slim Hash.
You can also go for CBD instead of THC. Experts believe that CBD does not cause munchies like THC. So if you do not wish to eat after every cannabis session, THCV and CBD can help you.
Get in touch with a doctor
If the negative effects of cannabis persist for a long time, it is best to get in touch with your nearest 420 doctors. Negative effects of cannabis can also be associated with several underlying causes that can only be handled by a professional.
If you or your family have a history of medical conditions, it is in your best interest to contact a doctor before getting too involved with cannabis. Several strains or delivery methods can be risky for people with specific medical conditions. A medical professional will be able to tell you what works for you and the right dose to avoid any side effects.
Conclusion
Cannabis still needs a lot of research and data to be more beneficial to people. However, until then it is important that every consumer is acquainted with its negative effects. And is also well aware of different ways to deal with them. Having gone through some of the many ways, try incorporating them into your routine and let us know if any of the tips proved helpful for you.