How to Introduce Cannabis to Your Healthy Lifestyle
Whether you’ve just gained access to medical marijuana or you simply enjoy using cannabis recreationally, if you care about your fitness you may well be curious about how this drug can impact on your overall health. It’s not the case that touching marijuana will automatically turn you into a lazy, directionless slug – however much the media wants you to believe it. In fact quite the contrary is true – athletes can get many benefits from marijuana.
There’s no real reason that this should become your life. Chances are, anyone who fits into the media’s stereotype is just a relaxed type of person, with or without cannabis.
Today, we’re going to delve into some of the best ways to integrate cannabis into a healthier, happier lifestyle. Part of having a healthier and happier includes a balanced nutritious diet, exercise, and using natural cures – Cannabis is one the most nutritious and natural healing plants that Mother Nature has provided!
How do I use it?
Smokes & Vapes
Methods that fall into this category include:
- BHO (Butane Hash Oil)
- Blunts
- Bongs
- Bubblers
- Joints
- Moon rocks
- Pipes and bowls
- Thai sticks
- Vaporizers
Smoking and using other types of “inhalant” is currently the most common way of using marijuana. Your system gains access to the active THC more quickly through this method than any other. The drug is passed directly into your bloodstream as it enters your body through the lungs.
Just like smoking anything else, smoking weed can cause some damage to your lungs. Other plant and paper materials get to mix with the marijuana when you burn it, and they’re all inhaled together. These are the components that can cause damage. However, this isn’t a problem if you use a vaporiser and even if you do choose to smoke it, it doesn’t contain half as many carcinogens and other toxins as a regular cigarette.
Edibles & Ingestants
If you aren’t keen on the idea of the stigmas and issues surrounding smoking, there are still some options for you! The main option for those who don’t want to smoke or vape is oral consumption – edibles. It’s likely that whatever your favorite snack is, there’s a recipe that incorporates cannabis perfectly.
Alternatively, you can also ingest cannabis through capsules, drinks, sprays and tinctures. The most important things to keep in mind when taking cannabis this way are:
- The effects will be much more noticeable.
- It will take longer for the cannabis to “kick in”.
Ingestant Methods
- Dissolvable strips
- Drinks
- Pills
- Sprays
- Weed snacks
Other Options
If you don’t want to eat or smoke your cannabis, some other options include…
- Cream
- Lube.
- Patches
- Tincture
Take Snacking Seriously
It’s likely that one of the first things you ever heard about cannabis is that it gives people the munchies. Take this idea seriously, because it’s scientific fact that marijuana increases your sensitivity to smell and taste and increases your appetite. If you’re keen on keeping healthy, overeating is not a hobby you’ll want to take up.
The news isn’t all bad, though! For example, if you’re trying to build muscle mass, this increased appetite might actually be good for you.
Some studies have even suggested that cannabis is an effective tool for weight control. In one such study, 22% of those who smoked but didn’t use cannabis qualified obese, compared to 14% of those who did use marijuana.
The Microdose Method
Did you know that a growing number of gym-goers are starting to add cannabis to their workout regime? It might seem a little unorthodox to get high right before hitting the treadmill, but you can take cannabis without getting high. The perks of adding weed to your workout come with the microdose: The art of consuming your cannabis conservatively by taking the smallest possible dose.
Used correctly, cannabis can be incredibly helpful in disrupting pain signals as they make their way towards your brain, improving your stamina. The drug also has a natural ability to encourage deep-breathing. Combine these physical effects with marijuana’s ability to improve your focus, and your perfect workout is done before you know it.
Find the Right Strain
The psychotropic “high” effect for the cannabis user is increased by the quantity of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) your supply contains, something that’s generally seen as a good thing. That said, it’s really the CBD (Cannabidiol) content of the cannabis that you should be looking at if you’re using the drug for its medicinal qualities.
Cannabis that’s high in CBD is likely to be helpful in relieving your anxiety, for example, while THC-rich strains might do the exact opposite. If you want to introduce cannabis to your lifestyle in the healthiest way possible, you’ll want a strain that’s high in CBD and lower in THC. This will allow you to function in a normal fashion even after you’ve dosed, and reduce the lethargic side effects that are so often associated with marijuana users.
Don’t Go Overboard
It can be easy to overdo it sometimes, especially if you’re new to cannabis use. Try to limit your consumption, even if you find a strain with the perfect THC-CBD balance. Moderation is easily one of the most important parts of integrating cannabis use into a healthy lifestyle. Avoid any unwanted side effects by working out your cannabis tolerance and how large your doses need to be.
Find your sweet spot by starting off slowly and gradually increasing your intake.
Be a Late Bloomer
People who started using cannabis heavily before the age of 16 are associated with the highest degree of social and health effects. So if you’re in your teens, try to postpone your cannabis use for another few years.
Pre-existing Conditions?
Before you introduce cannabis to your routine, make sure you consider any psychological or physical conditions you might have. For example, do you have diabetes? Do you have any respiratory conditions? Do people in your family suffer from any mental illnesses?
Marijuana’s interactions with other conditions and medicines should not be underestimated – after all, this is a legitimate medicine and not just a recreational drug. If you think there is anything that will impact on your ability to use cannabis healthily and securely, talk to your doctor.
Above all else, do not use legal highs like “spice”, chemicals styled as a synthetic cannabis. These have proved to be fatal for some users, and have been linked with severe mental health issues.
Final Thought
Cannabis is one of the most widely misused substances in the UK, and yet many myths still persist about the dangers of this substance. At Abbeycare Foundation, they provide comprehensive care for cannabis dependence and co-occurring disorders at various locations. If you or someone that you care about is suffering as a result of cannabis addiction, we hope that you will consider Abbeycare when selecting a treatment centre to help you to start your recovery journey.
If you have used cannabis for a medical condition please share your thoughts in the comment section.
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