Cannabis in the Time of COVID

We all have a lot on our minds these days and it can be exhausting. For those of us already using cannabis as a tool for symptom management, it’s a no brainer. Thoughtful use of cannabis can help us maintain balance by supporting a good night’s rest, helping us manage stress, or giving us a little lift on days we feel blue. For many, having extended time at home has created a safe space for experimenting with cannabis and figuring out what works best for our bodies.

But where to start?

One important thing to note is that cannabis is biphasic, meaning that low and high doses produce opposite effects. Small doses of THC tend to stimulate while larger doses tend to sedate. Too much THC might amplify anxiety or exacerbate listlessness so be mindful of how you feel when you’re deciding on dosage. 

If you are dealing with anxiety, be cognizant of your THC intake (slow and low is the way to go!) and consider experimenting with CBD to THC ratios to relax. Tinctures and gummies are great ways to utilize CBD ratios, and tinctures are especially fast acting. Check out Valhalla’s Tropical Twist 2:1 CBD gummies; they are tasty and easy to divide for smaller dosage.  If you enjoy tinctures, Care By Design has updated their line and has many ratios to choose from, including a 40:1 ratio that is great for stress relief without the buzz.

A little bit of THC can go a long way to give you a little lift in mood and chase the blues away. Kiva’s Petra Mints in Moroccan Mint have 2.5 mg THC and have a little matcha green tea as well. Kikoko’s Positivi-Tea has a nice uplifting feel with some green tea erasing mental haziness.

For sleep, it’s important to reflect on what factors are keeping you awake at night. THC and THCa combined with CBN can support a good night’s sleep, but if you’re having a busy mind it might be that you need to have some CBD in the mix or other herbs that will act in synergy with cannabis. Some great products to try would be Kikoko’s Tranquili-Tea which has THC, CBN and herbs such as lavender, valerian and chamomile. Or try Kiva’s 1:1 (CBD:THC) chocolate bar which has the combo of CBD and THC that gives a warm fuzzy body feel and can calm the body and mind. If you like baths, OM has a deeply comforting infused Epsom salt bath which is a great segue to sleep. 

As always, we are here for you to ask questions and hear about your experiences so we can better help you. Our Public Education Officer, Sara Payan also has free cannabis education classes every other Thursday on Zoom! To RSVP for the class on Sleep, Anxiety and Depression or any of the other classes we offer, check out our events calendar page.