How Does Cannabis Relax You?

You’ve heard it time and time again. Cannabis helps you relax!

Some people use it for anxiety. Some use it to manage chronic pain. And some just use it to unwind. But just what is it about cannabis that helps you get all loosey-goosey?

Today we’ll take a deep dive into how cannabis helps your body and mind to relax. We’ll also discuss how you can use cannabis to achieve optimal relaxation results.

So find a chair and get comfortable. Let’s get into it.

How Cannabis Relaxes You

When it comes to cannabis’ relaxing effects, they can typically be grouped into either physical or mental effects. You probably already know that the physical effects are caused by CBD. It interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, leading to higher concentrations of anandamide and 2-AG.

While we don’t yet know everything about the endocannabinoid system, we do know that muscle tension decreases as a result of improved endocannabinoid signaling. That’s why cannabis relaxes your body.

But how does cannabis relax your mind? The reason is because of THC’s effect on the brain’s CB1 receptors.

CB1 receptors, or cannabinoid receptors, control the level of neurotransmitters released in the brain. There are many neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, that have different effects on the brain. Two of them, glutamate and GABA, are strongly affected when you consume cannabis.

Glutamate stimulates the brain, causing feelings of excitement. GABA creates feelings of calmness and anxiety relief. While these two neurotransmitters usually exist in equilibrium, THC has been seen to have an inhibitory effect on glutamate. The lessening of glutamate allows the release of GABA to be more noticeably felt, which itself is further assisted by CBD. This creates the feeling of relaxation typically associated with cannabis.

Experts warn us to be careful, though. The suppression of only glutamate is inherent to low doses of THC. Higher doses can have the same effect on GABA, which is why some users can experience heightened anxiety when using cannabis.

However, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Everybody’s brains and bodies are different, as well as everyone’s experience of anxiety. For those whose anxiety is accompanied by depression, anger, and dysphoria, higher doses of THC may do the trick. The feelings of euphoria brought about by THC can relieve anxiety in these types of people.

How to Best Use Cannabis to Relax

So what kind of products should you use to achieve relaxation? Ideally something with THC, but not too much. Remember, too much THC will bring about feelings of excitement. Good or bad, it probably won’t get you relaxed. High amounts of CBD would also be preferable. Logically, that would lead us to indica products.

Many experts suggest products with a mixed ratio of cannabinoids, such as indica gummies with an even ratio of CBD and THC. We suggest these Westcoast Teddies by Mary’s Medicinals. Their one-to-one ratio of CBD and THC makes for an incredibly balanced high.

For those looking to dodge THC in their gummies, CBD gummies are also quite effective. A study conducted on humans and animals found that 400mg of CBD significantly decreased anxiety. As such, you could try something like the full-spectrum CBD gummies by Black Bear Botanicals.

And for those looking for something to smoke? As stated earlier, an indica would serve you best here. If you’re looking for anxiety relief, the Ice Cream Cake flower is a highly-reviewed strain. Users have reported feelings of euphoria followed by overall relaxation shortly after smoking.

Like its relative strain Northern Lights, Northern Lights #5 is an immensely popular strain that many users recommend. It is often used as a sleep aid, due to its tendency to leave users couch-locked and knocked out.

Grape Ape is a strong contender if you’re looking for a strain that relieves pain. It gives users a strong body high with a clear mental state, allowing you to manage chronic pain symptoms as you go about your day.

And, of course, if you’re looking to stimulate hunger as part of your relaxation, you should heavily consider Slurricrasher. Similarly to Slurricane, one of its parent strains, it makes for an effective remedy for appetite loss.

Wanna Learn More?

If you’re using cannabis to help yourself relax, we encourage you to check out Chronic Haze’s lineup of top-shelf cannabis products. Our same-day delivery and curbside pickup policies will have you worry-free in no time, with amazing deals you won’t find anywhere else. Visit our store, sign up for a free account, and buy cannabis online with us today!

Also, if using cannabis as a sleep aid is part of your relaxation goals, we’ve got some reads for you! Check out this blog post to learn about how cannabis works as a sleep aid.