Exercising Caution
Consider the potential side effects of using THC. Even though it is a natural substance, there are some potentially negative side effects to be aware of before you begin using THC. If you experience any of these side effects while using THC, stop using it immediately. Side effects of THC may include: Dizziness Difficulty concentrating and remembering things Increased heart rate Slowed reaction time Increased appetite Vomiting repeatedly Hallucinations Warning: Be aware that THC may improve anxiety for some people, but for others it can intensify their anxiety symptoms.
Start with a very low dose to reduce the risk of side effects. High doses of THC are more likely to cause negative side effects, so start with the lowest possible dose of the product you choose. Check the manufacturer’s instructions or ask your doctor if you are unsure what that might be. Note that it is more difficult to control the dose with THC products that you inhale, such as vaporized oil or buds that you smoke in a pipe.
Avoid daily THC use and don’t use it for more than 1 month. Using THC every day will cause your tolerance to build. As time goes on, you will require more and more THC to get the same effect. For this reason, it’s best to limit how often you use THC to when you really need it and to avoid using it over a long period of time, such as 1 month or more. For example, you might reserve your THC doses for situations when you anticipate feeling anxious, or wait until you start getting symptoms of anxiety to take a dose.
Don’t rely on THC as a long-term fix for anxiety. You may develop a dependence on THC as a result, and THC will not cure your anxiety. It only masks the symptoms temporarily, and once the THC wears off, your symptoms may return. Continue to work with your doctor or therapist to address the root cause of your anxiety and learn tools to help you cope. Think of THC as a temporary measure to control your anxiety symptoms while you get professional help.
Smoking or Vaping Marijuana
Obtain a sativa strain of marijuana through a legal channel. If you have a prescription for medical marijuana or if recreational marijuana is legal where you live, find a dispensary with a good reputation. Ask friends and check ratings online to determine where to purchase marijuana. Then, choose a strain of marijuana that is known to have relaxing properties, such as a sativa instead of an indica strain. Indica strains may increase anxiety while sativa strains are more relaxing. Make sure that you pay attention to how your body responds to a strain of marijuana. Over time, you may find that certain strains are better for your anxiety than others.
Smoke or inhale THC with a vaporizer for fast anxiety relief. Load the buds into a pipe or cigarette papers. Light the marijuana and inhale. This will allow the THC to go straight from your lungs to your bloodstream. Alternatively, use a vaporizing device. You may feel the effects within minutes or even immediately. Be aware that smoking and vaping pose serious health hazards. You can develop respiratory diseases, and some people have even died as a result of vaping.
Wait for 10 minutes after your first hit before smoking more. If you still feel anxious 10 minutes after your first hit, try taking another hit. However, be careful not to smoke too much as this can make anxiety worse. Keep in mind that smoking or inhaling THC produces short-lived effects, so you may need to take another dose in 2-3 hours.Warning: You may want to avoid smoking marijuana with a bong as you may end up taking a much larger hit than you intended, which might make your anxiety worse.
Consuming Edible THC Products
Purchase an edible THC product from a dispensary. This will help to ensure that the product is safe and contains the amount of THC that it says it does. A typical dose of THC in edible form is 10 mg, so look at the packaging to determine how much is in the product. Keep in mind that even if the product contains more than 10 mg, you could eat a half or quarter portion to get a smaller dose.
Consume one 10 mg dose of THC in food. Check the label to determine how much of the edible THC product to consume for a dose, but a typical dose is 10 mg per serving. To reduce the chances that the THC will have a strong effect on you, you could even eat half of a dose, such as 5 mg portion. Warning: Avoid eating more than the manufacturer recommends as this could result in a powerful high that could make anxiety worse.
Wait for up to 2 hours to feel the effects. Keep in mind that it takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours for THC to take effect when you consume it in food or beverages. This is because it must go through your digestive system to get into your bloodstream. Don’t consume any more than the recommended amount and wait for the effects to kick in to determine if the dose was right for you. If the dose had little to no effect, consume a higher dose next time. If the dose was too strong, consume less the next time you try THC.
Taking a Tincture
Purchase THC tincture from a reputable dispensary. You can make your own tincture, but it is a time-consuming and complicated process. Instead, you may want to purchase the tincture from a dispensary to ensure its quality and potency. Ask friends or check reviews online to find a reputable dispensary if this is a legal option for you to obtain THC tinctures. A dose of THC is 10 mg, so choose a tincture that contains 10 mg of THC per 1 mL (0.034 fl oz). Warning: Do not purchase THC tinctures from individuals illegally. The product may not contain the amount of THC they claim it does or it may be unsafe.
Hold 1 mL (0.034 fl oz) of THC tincture under your tongue for 30 seconds. Check the label first to ensure that this is the suggested dose. Don’t swallow the THC tincture right away. Open your mouth, lift your tongue, and drop the desired amount of liquid THC onto the floor of your mouth. Let the THC sit under your tongue for 30 seconds while it absorbs. This will get the THC into your bloodstream faster than if you consume the dose in food, beverage, or pill form.
Wait 15-30 minutes to feel the effects. Taking THC sublingually should relieve your anxiety within 15-30 minutes. The effects may last as long as they would for consuming THC, which is around 8-12 hours. Repeat the dose once per day or as needed to continue to feel the effects of the THC tincture.
Exploring Other Anxiety-Relief Options
Talk with a doctor about your anxiety before trying THC. Tell your doctor about the symptoms you are having and how you hope THC will help to control these symptoms. They can help you decide if THC is the safest, most effective option for controlling your anxiety. Tip: Medical marijuana and THC are typically only available by prescription if you suffer from a severe chronic condition. However, if THC is legal in your state or country, you might be able to obtain it legally without a prescription. Still, it’s important to check with your doctor before you do this.
Inform your doctor of any medications you take. All of the medications that THC may interact with are not known, but it is suspected that it can have adverse reactions with many different types of medications. This may include strengthening the effects of the medication or negating the effects of the medication so it doesn’t work properly. Tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medicines you take on a daily basis. Some of the medications that may interact with THC include: Blood thinners, such as warfarin Antidepressants Analgesics Anticonvulsants
Look into CBD oil for a non-psychoactive alternative to THC. Cannabidiol, also known as CBD oil, has been shown to be effective for treating anxiety in some people, and it does not cause the "high" feeling that THC does. CBD oil can also be taken in higher doses without the risk of making anxiety worse or causing the side effects that THC may cause. CBD oil can be taken orally as drops under the tongue, inhaled with a vaporizer, swallowed in capsule form, or ingested in an edible product.
Find a therapist to address the root cause of your anxiety. Talking about what makes you feel anxious in a safe space with a licensed mental health professional can help you to develop better strategies for dealing with it. Find a therapist in your area who has experience helping people with anxiety. You can ask your doctor for a referral to see a therapist, ask friends and family for suggestions, or read reviews online to find someone who can help you.
Use relaxation techniques to calm yourself when anxiety strikes. Before using THC, you might want to try a simple breathing exercise or other calming practice to help soothe your anxiety. This may eliminate the need for taking THC in many instances, especially if your symptoms are mild to moderate. Some relaxation strategies you might try include: Deep breathing Progressive muscle relaxation Yoga Meditation
Exercise for 30 minutes on most days. Getting regular cardiovascular physical activity can help to reduce your anxiety symptoms. Do something you enjoy to help make exercising a fun activity, such as going for a walk in your neighborhood with a friend, taking a dance class, or going ice skating. Aim for 30 minutes 5 days per week, or a total of 150 minutes of exercise per week.
Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. These substances may seem like they help you feel better, but they can all intensify anxiety. Don’t smoke cigarettes or use other products that contain nicotine. Also, cut back on your intake of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages or avoid them altogether. Try doing a deep breathing exercise instead of smoking a cigarette or using a vaporizer. Drink decaf coffee and herbal tea to reduce your caffeine intake. Have a mocktail when you go out with friends, or at least limit yourself to no more than 1 alcoholic beverage if you’re a woman or 2 alcoholic beverages if you’re a man.
Plan something fun that you can do with other people once per week. Socializing can help to alleviate anxiety and improve your overall mood, so make time for fun in your schedule. Try meeting up with friends for a group dinner, play a board game together, or go bowling.Tip: If you don’t have many friends, join a special interest group that you can participate in on a weekly basis. This is a great way to make friends and fill up your social schedule.
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