Why use cannabis for stress relief?
Stress can be debilitating and severely impact your health, and there is no known cure. A recent survey of 84% of Americans reported feeling stressed weekly, up from 78% in March 2021. What’s worse? Between 75% and 90% of human diseases are related to the activation of the body’s stress system.
Interest in using cannabis to treat stress is rising due to its ability to provide relief without causing the physical dependence or addiction seen with other prescription medications. Stress and its related health issues, including anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and depression, are among the most common reasons people turn to medical cannabis.
Benefits of Delta-9 for stress relief
Scientific research and countless firsthand reports indicate Delta-9 helps you relax. In a 2018 survey, medical cannabis users reported a 58% reduction in feelings of anxiety and stress. Another survey of nearly 1,300 people with chronic health conditions found those using medicinal cannabis reported less pain, better sleep, and reduced tension. Cannabis users also tended to take fewer prescription medications and make fewer trips to the hospital. That may be because Delta-9 THC in cannabis interacts with the receptors in the brain to release mood-boosting chemicals, like dopamine. THC also mimics the body’s natural neurotransmitters, like anandamide, binding with neural receptors to produce euphoric and psychoactive effects.
What the research says about cannabis for stress relief
Studies show that Delta-9 THC can ease many symptoms of chronic stress disorders and positively affect your overall well-being.
● Irritability and anxiety: A study focused on oral THC (20 mg doses) reported increased feelings of relaxation among daily users.
● Depression: A study found medicinal cannabis use may reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in clinically anxious and depressed populations.
● Headaches: Delta-9 THC can help reduce pain, especially neuropathic pain. For instance, medical cannabis significantly eased migraine symptoms and reduced the number of attacks.
● Insomnia: A study on cannabis use for sleep disorders showed most users had a subjective improvement in their sleep or related condition, and almost half reduced or altogether discontinued prescription sleep medication.
Why gummies can work better for stress relief
You can consume Delta-9 in various ways, but gummies offer several benefits that make them one of the best stress-relieving products.
Longer-lasting effects: Smoking, vaping, or inhaling cannabis has an immediate impact, which is great for instant relief. However, the results also wear off quickly. On the other hand, edibles like gummies take about one to two hours to take effect because they must pass through your liver to reach the bloodstream. Because it takes a longer time for your body to absorb THC, it stays in your body longer. As a result, Delta-9-infused gummy experiences can last from four to eight hours, which is helpful for all-day calm or for sleeping better through the night.
Stronger effects: Edibles produce a more robust psychoactive experience than smoking. This is partly due to how your body digests THC. After you eat cannabis, the liver turns Delta-9 into a potent form called 11-hydroxy-THC. A study found that 11-hydroxy-THC resulted in a faster onset and a more intense psychoactive experience–a potential benefit for those dealing with severe symptoms.
Dosage control: Measuring dosage by “puffs” is never precise. But with gummies, you know how much you’re ingesting, putting you in control of the experience. For example, Strawberry Creme Delta 9 gummies from Qwin offer THC concentrations from 2.5 to 12 mg for new to experienced users. These gummies also contain hemp-derived THC-9, making them federally legal nationwide.
Risks of Delta-9 for stress relief
Most people tolerate Delta-9 well–especially at moderate doses. However, it’s important to note that Delta-9 can cause adverse side effects with frequent, concentrated use over time.
● For some people, Delta-9 THC sometimes has the opposite effect on stress by increasing anxiety and causing paranoia. Taking lower doses and combining THC with CBD can help reduce this risk.
● Long-term, regular use of Delta-9 THC is linked to a higher risk of anxiety-related mood disorders later in life. That’s why it’s important to monitor usage and take occasional tolerance breaks. Just 48 hours off THC can reset the system,
● Frequent use can cause Delta-9 tolerance to build over time, causing someone to need higher doses to achieve the same effects. High THC tolerance also equates to more severe withdrawal symptoms, like sleep disturbances and irritability, for people who decide to quit.
The Bottom Line
Delta-9 THC gummies are a popular and effective way to consume cannabis for stress relief thanks to their great taste, easy dosage, long-lasting effects, and influence on the brain. If you’re considering Delta-9 THC to combat stress-related symptoms like insomnia, irritability, depression, and anxiety, gummies may be the perfect product for lasting zen.