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What About Experimenting With Marijuana

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All of Canada and over 50% of the US have access to legal cannabis, and people seem to have changed their opinion about it.  Fox News covers it as a legit business and 85+% of the population think it should be legal.  From Gen Z to Boomers, people are headed to dispensaries to try it out.  So what about experimenting with marijuana?  Will you get addicted the first time?  Is it life changing?

The old myth is marijuana is addictive and a gateway drug. Addiction is more common in alcohol or cocaine. But it’s possible to get hooked on marijuana, also known as cannabis. Studies show about 1 in 10 adults who use marijuana can get addicted.

RELATED: 8 Ways to Enjoy Marijuana Without Smoking It

Healthwise, marijuana is easier on the body than alcohol.  Used in moderation, marijuana allows you to avoid weight gain, hangovers and body damage.  Alcohol can be rough on the body.  Also, there is zero cases of someone overdosing on marijuana, the worst case is they fall asleep. Gen Z is drifting away from alcohol and heading over to the marijuana camp.

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How you experiment is also a consideration.  If you are passed a joint, a bong, or a vape, you are likely to have a high fairly quickly. As it fades, you can make a decision on whether to continue in the moment or reflect if you would try it again.  One hit doesn’t really make you a consumer or stoner.  If you use an edible, start low and slow, a gummy might relax you, but don’t expect to buzzing like two martinis.  Give it 45 minutes and then see how it goes.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

Why are experiments, are you moving away from alcohol?  Are you feeling stressed? Or just curious?  All are ok reasons, but it good to know why so you can see if it accomplishes your goal.  A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that marijuana reduces symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Researchers found those hoping to reduce stress should use high-CBD/high-THC strains while high-CBD/low-THC varieties best help limit depression.

“Cannabis reduces perceived symptoms of negative affect in the short-term, but continued use may exacerbate baseline symptoms of depression over time,” researchers concluded.

If you have a condition like IBS, anxiety, or another medical condition is helps, it can be life-changing.  Otherwise it could just make you happy and open your mind – and you can decide if it is life-changing.

 



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Cannabis Can Help Introverts Be More Social

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Introverts have a tough go, extroverts think they need help, bur really they need time and space to adjust and think. Some introverts have anxiety, but not all. Introverts can’t be “fixed” if they go to the right event. The truth is has more nuisance and marijuana might help some. Introverts like more quiet to concentrate, may take time to make decisions, feel comfortable being alone and feel tried after being in a crowd. Some might think of them as shy or quiet, which is true for some but, again, not all.

RELATED: Anxious About Seeing A Therapist? CBD Could Help

Some research has shown introverted people tend to experience higher levels of anxiety. But not every introvert has social anxiety disorder, or social phobia.  Social anxiety disorder is one of the five main types of anxiety disorders. It is significant nervousness, fear, or apprehension in social situations or when thinking about social situations. It is the next level of being worried about social situation. Some good new is cannabis can help introverts be more social.

the average america hasnt made a new friend in 5 years
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Get togethers, big and small, are a way to experience new idea, meet potential friends or partner while engaging with new people. Sometimes it is just a work requirement which there is no escape. In the age of legalization, more introverts are sharing they are using microdosing as a way to manage social outings. Marijuana does not help every introvert and too much may heighten anxiety. Microdosing is 2.5-5mg at a time, which are about a half or quarter of a gummy.

RELATED: Low-THC Strains Of Marijuana A Safer Substitute For Anti-Anxiety Medications

But cannabis doesn’t change the core of a person, rather it pulls them out of their habitual thought. Allowing them to step out of themselves and experience something different or new without too much of a thought. The main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, THC, stimulates the part of your brain which responds to pleasure, like food and sex. Consuming unleashes a chemical called dopamine, which gives you a euphoric, relaxed feeling.

If you plan to try it, go slow and see how it works. If you have social anxiety, you might want to consult with a health professional.

 



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Can Depression Be Treated By CBD

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There is an increased number of people diagnosed with depression, which may mean more people are open to be diagnosed and are seeking some form of treatment. Understanding depression is key. There are two general categories, situational and clinical. While similar, they are not the same. Medically, situational depression is an adjustment disorder with a depressed mood. It often resolves with time, and talking about the problem can ease recovery. Clinical depression, known medically as a “major depressive disorder,” can develop if the individual does not recover. This is a more severe mental health condition. Recognizing the differences between these types of depression is the first step toward getting help. Can depression be treated by CBD?

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

If you are struggling with depression, talk to a mental health professional to develop a  treatment plan which might include CBD. Many people using CBD to treat a wide variety of health issues, including depression, anxiety, and stress relief. During the past few years, there has been growing popularity regarding CBD, or cannabidiol.

CBD Capsules Dosage: How Much Should You Take
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CBD is one of the numerous substances isolated from hemp; however, the other primary substance is THC. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Even though a lot of people believe CBD can get you high, this is not the case. CBD does not have any psychoactive effects.

Yes, CBD can be used to treat depression. Many prescription medications treat depression by altering levels of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter in the brain that causes people to feel happy. There is some evidence that CBD can alter serotonin levels, making it an effective treatment for depression. Even though CBD can be helpful in certain cases, it also has the potential to interfere with other prescription medications. Therefore, if you are taking prescription medications for depression, you need to talk to your doctor ahead of time. This way, you can figure out if CBD will interact with anything you are taking. This could have an impact on the treatment plan.

RELATED: Doctor’s Advice On Using Marijuana To Treat Anxiety And Depression

If you are trying to find CBD that can help you treat depression, you need to choose the right product. In particular, you need to pay attention to whether the product has any THC in it. If you take something with THC, you are going to feel psychoactive effects. Therefore, you need to make sure you do not operate heavy machinery. You should also think about how you want to consume CBD. Gummies tend to be very popular while some prefer to use substances which can be applied to the skin’s surface. Talk to a professional about the type of CBD product and dosage for treatment. This will allow it to be more effective.

Similar to other medical issues, depression can present in a variety of ways. Here are a few common symptoms of depression:

  • Issues falling asleep or staying asleep at night.
  • Changes in their eating habits, either eating significantly more or less.
  • Guilt about things that are not their fault.
  • Changes in an emotional state, leading to major mood swings including rapid mood swings ranging from happiness to sadness and anger.
  • Suicidal thoughts.

RELATED: How CBD Can Treat Symptoms of Depression Right Now

Anyone who suffers from depression deserves to have access to a trained mental health professional who can help them address these concerns. If you are working with a mental health professional to develop a treatment plan for depression, CBD could be right for you.



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Top 10 Reasons People Consume Marijuana

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Some of the top reasons people drink alcohol is to relax, for enjoyment, to be part of a group, to avoid physical and/or psychological pain, to experiment and for rebellion.  It has been around for thousands of years used in religious ceremonies, medical treatments, sensual moments and more. But, what are the top 10 reasons people consume marijuana today?  Well, there is some data, and it varies a little by age.

With legalization, all of Canada and over 50% of the US have access to legal marijuana, leading to it becoming more accepted.  Over 85% believe it should be legal in some form and the federal government has acknowledge is has health properties.

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Psychology Today published an article with the information. They took data from four different studies to discover use reasons and published some of the findings. The papers are typically based on secondary research. In other words, they rely on surveys and data collected from other sources which they use to build a “picture” of the average consumer.

Smoking Marijuana
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Age does play a significant role for motivation. College freshmen make different decisions based on their limited life experience and social environment.  The first study looked at possible motivators for entering college students.

“The most frequently reported reasons included enjoyment/fun, conformity,  experimentation, social enhancement, boredom, and relaxation.”

Social acceptance was another high ranking category in this age group and it makes sense. When you’re finally “out of the nest”, you need a conduit to engage with other people. If people are smoking weed, you may feel slightly more inclined to try to “fit in”.

RELATED: 8 Reasons Why College Students Use Cannabis

Post college age is where the majority of consumers exist. Another study looked at this demographic to understand motivations for consuming cannabis. Not surprisingly, there is a far more nuanced list of reasons than the college aged demographic. According to researchers here are the top 10 reasons people consume marijuana.

  1. Relaxation
  2. Feeling good
  3. Medical uses
  4. Inspiration
  5. New ways of looking at things
  6. Coping with depression and anxiety
  7. Forgetting one’s worries
  8. Enjoyment of movies or music
  9. Better sleep
  10. Coping with boredom

Similar to alcohol, the top reason is recreation. But unlike alcohol, the next major reason is medical use, with a significant about of people using it to treat a variety of issues including chronic pain, cancer, seizures, anxiety, and more.

Coping with stress and anxiety is further down on the list, something different from alcohol.  But using substances to escape from long term issues is rather productive.  Like a glass at the end of the day, a gummy or puff from a vape it can just take the edge a rough day.  But doing it too much and indulging to much could be a reason to evaluate the motive.

The study researchers shared “Users are for the most part very self aware of their consumption habits, and alters their behavior when they see it as problematic.”



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