Have you ever gotten so high it feels like the world is ending? That everything is embarrassing and you should delete your social media? If you have, then you know what it’s like to be humbled by THC-induced paranoia and you’re far from alone.
When we smoke weed, or ingest THC, we stimulate a part of our brain called the amygdala that regulates fear, anxiety, paranoia, and other emotions. Ideally, the stimulation is positive and we feel relaxed. However, sometimes we can overstimulate the amygdala and become anxious, or paranoid. There’s no way to guarantee you won’t become paranoid after consuming THC, but there are some things you can do to make it less likely:
- Be intentional with your dosing
It’s never a bad idea to start with as small of a dose of THC as possible and allow yourself time to see how you feel before considering re-dosing. In our experience, the main reason people become paranoid is because they are taking a dose far too large for their tolerance-level. All of our bodies react to THC differently, so it’s important to know what doses work best for you and the safest way to do that is to start small. Plus, research suggests that low levels of THC can reduce anxiety and high levels of THC can increase it. (Effects of marijuana on mental health ADAI)
- Get in the right headspace
Why are you smoking? Is it to have fun? For relief? Whatever it is, taking a few deep breaths and affirming that you will have the high you’re looking for is powerful.
“This high is going to help me stop overthinking and relax with my friends. I am in a safe place with good people and I took a safe dose.”
Reminders to yourself like this can help ground you both before your sesh and after as your high begins to intensify.
- Have a plan
Clearing your schedule, preparing snacks, knowing where you’re going to be, and what you want to do before you smoke can all help reduce your chances of having a bad trip. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in an awkward situation when you already feel uneasy, or having terrible cotton mouth and no water. These things may not seem like a big deal before you smoke, but can end up adding an avoidable and unnecessary layer of stress to your high. Plan ahead and you stoned self will thank you!
- Experiment with THC strains containing high CBD %
CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t get you high, but it still provides many of the desirable benefits of cannabis. Research (healthline) also suggests that CBD may help reduce some of the negative effects associated with THC. Trying a product with a high CBD to THC ratio is a pretty solid option if you’re trying to avoid a marijuana meltdown.
- Try CBD flower on its own
CBD flower poses virtually no risk of making you paranoid. It has less than 0.3% THC, making it non-psychoactive but can still be mixed with THC flower if you’re looking to get high. If you want to relax more than you want to get high, or you generally find THC to be overwhelming, CBD flower is a great option for you.
