Cannabis can have many positive effects. Medical marijuana is now used as a common treatment for things like chronic pain, migraines, depression, anxiety, and various other medical issues- not to mention it can also give you a thoroughly enjoyable recreational experience. However, that’s not to say that cannabis is free from side effects. For instance, some users may suffer from cannabis paranoia.
Paranoia is an often-reported side effect of marijuana, but that doesn’t mean that everyone will experience it every time they smoke. Some users are more predisposed to paranoia, either due to genetic differences or anxiety levels. Sometimes, it simply comes down to factors such as how much you use and the kind of product you use. Fortunately, there are also many ways to avoid cannabis paranoia.
It’s always important to use cannabis responsibly and know the risks before you use it. As such, it helps to know some of these simple and effective methods to ensure you avoid cannabis-induced paranoia and other potential side effects. That way, you can have a positive experience and reap the benefits of cannabis while reducing the risks. Here are eight easy steps to avoid cannabis paranoia.
1. Pick Your Strain Carefully
One of the most important steps for avoiding cannabis paranoia is to pick the right kind of strain. There are tons of strains of Cannabis Flower or weed available for users, and each one can affect you differently. Not only does each strain have a unique appearance, taste, and smell, but there are also differences in their genetic makeups that can impact how they affect you.
When choosing a cannabis strain, you might want to consider which type of strain is best for your needs. Indica strains are known for being more relaxing and sedating. This often makes them great for avoiding paranoia as they can calm your mind and reduce racing thoughts.
In contrast, sativa strains are more uplifting. If you’re predisposed to paranoia, these strains might make you more paranoid due to their mentally-stimulating effects. However, many users find that sativa strains boost their mood and enhance their senses without inducing paranoia. You can also try hybrid strains, which offer a mix of indica and sativa genetics.
While choosing the right type of strain can help, it’s also important to consider the THC levels of each strain. THC is the chemical in cannabis that induces psychoactive effects, so high THC strains are much more likely to induce paranoia. As such, choosing a strain with low or moderate THC levels is ideal for avoiding paranoia. High-CBD strains are even better as CBD can counteract the side effects of THC.
2. Choose The Right Kind Of Cannabis Product
Not everyone chooses to use cannabis by smoking weed. From Cannabis Tinctures to Cannabis Capsules, there are now tons of ways you can get the effects of cannabis without having to inhale anything. These methods are often more convenient and even more effective in some cases. However, it’s important to choose the right product to avoid paranoia.
Certain types of cannabis products are much more likely to induce paranoia than others. The most prominent example of this is Cannabis Edibles. Edibles give you a much stronger high than other methods of consumption, and on top of that, the effects can last anywhere from 4-12 hours. This means they’re much more likely to give you unwanted side effects.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid Edibles altogether- they can be extremely enjoyable in many cases. However, it’s important to avoid taking too much, as a high dose can result in a bad trip that lasts for many hours. Instead, start with a dose of 5-10mg and only raise it slightly with subsequent sessions.
In contrast, other types of cannabis products are better for avoiding paranoia. Cannabis Capsules are often designed to give you a microdose of THC, helping you to avoid unwanted side effects. Cannabis Tinctures allow you to measure your dosage, although they can be quite strong. Cannabis Topicals won’t give you any psychoactive effects. Consider trying one of these to avoid paranoia.
3. Make Sure You’re In A Comfortable Environment
Sometimes cannabis-induced paranoia is less about the type of product you use and more about the environment you’re in. Since THC enhances your senses, it can cause all kinds of reactions. If you’re feeling happy and safe, you’ll feel even happier and more comfortable when you’re high. However, if you’re in an uncomfortable environment, it’ll quickly make you feel worse.
If you’re ever in an environment where you feel anxious and paranoid, you should refrain from using cannabis. Instead of reducing your anxiety and paranoia, it’s likely to make it worse. This can often be the case if you’re in a stranger’s house or if you’re smoking in public- it’s better to avoid it if you’re not completely comfortable.
Instead, you should always aim to put yourself in a safe and comfortable environment before you get high. For many users, being around trusted friends helps avoid anxiety and paranoid feelings. For other users, smoking alone at home is the best way to prevent paranoia and have a joyous high. It all depends on where you feel the most comfortable.
4. Take It Slowly And Don’t Use Too Much
Another one of the key steps to avoid cannabis paranoia is to avoid using too much. Even if you’re an experienced cannabis user and you’re using it in a safe and comfortable environment, using too much might result in unwanted side effects, including increased anxiety and paranoia.
Whether you’re looking for a quick and intense high or a smooth and long-lasting high, you should always be careful about how much you use. Instead of taking multiple drags from a joint in quick succession, slowly take one hit at a time and stop once you’re satisfied with your high.
The same applies to other methods of consumption. For instance, if you’re using a Bong, take one hit at a time until you’re satisfied. If you’re using a Vaporizer, take a drag now and then instead of trying to inhale it all too quickly. If you need to increase your high later, simply take another hit.
Many users make the mistake of trying to smoke too quickly or trying to take a high dose of THC Capsules or Edibles all at once. This is never a good idea as, although it’ll give you a hard-hitting high, there’s also a greater risk of anxiety, paranoia, nausea, and other side effects.
5. Use Something To Distract Your Mind
Even if you use cannabis responsibly, its powerful effects might occasionally start to make you feel a little too anxious or paranoid. If you feel this happening, one of the best ways to avoid it is to find something engaging and entertaining to keep your mind distracted instead of focusing on negative thoughts.
When you’re high and you’re not focusing on anything, it’s easy for your mind to drift, and sometimes this can result in paranoia. As such, putting on a good TV show or listening to some music is an excellent way to recalibrate your mind and put you back in a good mood.
Not only will distracting your mind help you avoid paranoia, but it’ll likely also result in a happier high as you’ll have something to keep you engaged while THC stimulates your mind. While watching a TV show or movie or listening to music are good options, anything from a fun video game to a phone conversation with a friend can help keep you in a positive state of mind.
6. Prepare Yourself With Food And Drink
Whenever you smoke cannabis, it’s a good idea to prepare something to drink and something to eat. There are multiple practical reasons for this- not only will keeping yourself well-fed and hydrated keep you in a much better mood, but certain foods and drinks can also counteract the side effects of cannabis.
Sometimes, not eating enough can result in mood swings. That means that, if you get high on an empty stomach, you might be a little more prone to negative thoughts or paranoia. Fortunately, cannabis will increase your appetite and make food taste much better, so don’t be afraid to binge on some of your favorite snacks when you’re high.
Dehydration can also cause all kinds of issues, including mood problems. The best way to counteract this is to drink plenty of water whenever you get high. Not only will it help keep you physically and mentally healthy, but it can also prevent certain side effects of smoking cannabis such as dry mouth and headaches.
Research shows that certain terpenes found in food can also act synergistically with the effects of cannabis. Eating foods or drinks that contain things like pepper, lemon or blueberries can help counteract anxiety and stress and may help reduce cannabis-induced paranoia. Try adding some lemon juice to water, snacking on fruits, or even eating a meal seasoned with pepper.
7. Sleep It Off
If you’re suffering from cannabis-induced paranoia and can’t seem to tame your thoughts, sometimes the best route is to try and reduce your high. There are many effective ways to lessen the intensity of your high. For instance, you could get some fresh air, take a shower, or try eating a filling meal. However, the best way to reduce your high is to sleep it off.
Sometimes when you smoke too much or simply have a bad trip, it can be hard to reduce the paranoia in your mind. However, resting can effectively help you calm your mind. What’s more, if you can get to sleep for a few hours, you can wake up feeling happy, refreshed, and free of any anxiety or paranoia.
Fortunately, cannabis can help with this. Many strains make you feel lazy and drowsy, so getting to sleep usually isn’t too much of an issue. In some cases, racing thoughts might prevent you from falling asleep too easily. However, putting on the music or leaving the TV on quietly in the background can help distract your mind and make it easier to sleep.
Sleeping is the best way to calm an intense or overwhelming high, especially as you’ll feel much better when you wake up. As such, don’t be afraid to simply lay down and try to get some rest if you’re feeling too anxious.
8. Consider Using CBD Products Instead
Some users simply have a bad reaction to THC and find it hard to avoid cannabis-induced paranoia. Luckily, there’s an alternative option that removes the risk of paranoia altogether. You can get many of the same wellness benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects by simply using CBD instead.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that’s often extracted from cannabis and hemp plants for use in products such as Oils, Capsules, Edibles, and Vapes. It won’t get you high, but many users find that it has a range of benefits for their health and wellbeing.
The best thing about using CBD products is that they’re extremely safe. Although some users report minor side effects such as diarrhea, tiredness, and changes in mood or appetite, they won’t give you a paranoia-filled trip like THC has the potential to. As such, they’re ideal for users who want to avoid any paranoia.
You can buy CBD products online in various forms. Whether you prefer Edibles, Tinctures, or even CBD Bath Bombs, there are plenty of safe and effective options to suit every kind of user. You might also want to try products that combine THC with CBD, especially as CBD can make the effects of THC milder and reduce the risk of paranoia.
Conclusion
No one wants to deal with paranoia when they’re high. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to avoid it. Using the right strain or product and avoiding high doses will help, as will ensuring that you’re in a comfortable environment before you get high. If paranoia strikes, try to distract your mind or even take a nap to reduce the effects.
As long as you use marijuana responsibly, you should have a great time without any paranoia. Many users even find that marijuana helps them relax mentally and physically. If you’re looking for high-quality cannabis products, you can find them online at BudExpressNow.
