Paranoia, dry mouth, redness in the eyes, and hunger, are some of the undesirable phenomena associated with cannabis use. Even if it does not happen to everyone, and not every strain is accompanied by side effects, you should know the less unpleasant side effects of Cannabis, especially if you are consuming it for the first time.
Unlike the vast majority of medications, the most severe phenomenon will be a feeling of discomfort of one kind or another that will dissipate quickly. And it is worth remembering that these side effects are not attributed to all cannabinoids, but mainly to THC which is the main psychoactive component of cannabis.
Here are some of the potential effects that are associated with high levels of the psychoactive substance THC. Although this list does not include all the side effects of THC, it summarizes the most common ones.
Paranoia and anxiety
The least pleasant phenomenon of THC is linked to feelings of anxiety and paranoia. Although a certain amount of THC ( and under the right conditions ) actually reduces anxiety and is perhaps the best medicine to relieve anxiety and stress – usually in new consumers, and in cases of consuming THC in large amounts may feel anxious. It is also important to know that anxiety is usually a symptom of something deeper, and only an understanding of where it comes from can really come to a solution to the problem.
Dry Mouth (cottonmouth)
Another side effect of flowers with high levels of THC is dry mouth, which occurs precisely because of cannabinoid receptors present in the salivary glands. THC mimics a natural chemical called anandamide, which binds to these receptors and causes a reduction in saliva production so that cannabis consumption containing THC increases the effect, and the amount of saliva formed is smaller and the mouth dries out,
Dryness and redness in the eyes
Not only does THC dry out the mouth, but it also dries out the eyes and causes redness. And in fact, red eyes are a well-known symbol associated with cannabis. It has made eye drops the best friend of the average weed consumer, but what causes it and are eye drops the only solution?
Sometimes dry eyes from consuming cannabis can be caused by sensitivity to smoking, or by the way you consume the flowers. But THC is also known to lower blood pressure, which is the leading cause of redness. The best way to deal with this is to keep drinking plenty of water. If you are a fan of eye drops, be careful not to overdo it, especially in light of the fact that many companies produce products that lead to the drying of the eye after a while of use, which eliminates the whole thing in the first place.
Hunger and Munchies
It may not be called a ‘side effect’, but there are those who are not interested in appetite-boosting strains and do not like the feeling of hunger that characterizes the consumption of cannabis, or munchies by its common name, and it is considered for them a less friendly side effect, at least for weight maintenance. For veteran consumers, even those who are still falling for munchies, there is usually no weight gain, but casual users and beginners can certainly feel the crunch on the weight. If you belong to the latter, stock up on water, here too it will save you, and if not then at least they will reduce the amount of food you manage to contain. Another thing that can help is strains that are rich in CBD.
Fatigue and exhaustion
This is also a phenomenon that for some is actually a therapeutic advantage as THC is found as an antiseptic and promotes relaxation of the system. However, if you plan to stay alert and active it is important to take into account that there are quite a few strains that will lead to drowsiness and even early sleep.
Over time the indica strains have been identified as having a psychoactive effect, so the recommendation for daytime hours is to use Sativa strains or those with a high concentration of CBD that mainly affect the body. Combining such varieties with morning coffee will be another way to boost energy levels.
Memory disruption
While these disruptions are not a problem for experienced consumers, they can be a bit unpleasant for those unfamiliar with the feeling. Fortunately, the memory disruptions associated with cannabis consumption are temporary, but even spotty and short-term effects can interfere with certain tasks, or even just the afternoon of errands. And here too the strains that are rich in CBD will come to your aid if you want the effects of cannabis without unnecessary interruptions and distractions.
There are some other side effects that are less common, these are headaches, dizziness, and rarely even difficulty breathing. These feelings are rarer and are generally associated primarily with paranoia or anxiety. The advantage of cannabis and the main reason why many people prefer it over other drugs lies in its friendly and moderate effect, and familiarity with all the existing effects, even the least good ones will be the safest and best way to responsibly use cannabis.
How to avoid the less pleasant effects of Weed?
There are several ways to help you escape the parts that are less pleasant to you
- First, if you do not particularly like the psychoactive effect, try strains with a high CBD concentration that provide a feeling of relaxation, ease and relaxation, and are free of the effects of THC.
- Start with very small doses using strains with THC, especially if it is in high concentration. Distressing side effects usually appear in consuming a large amount of substance, so it is advisable to start with an inhale or two, examine the feeling and only then continue. You will be amazed to discover how much fun you can feel even in small amounts.
Those who have difficulty smoking or eating cannabis can use a vaporizer or if it is possible to obtain an electronic cannabis cigarette that is sold abroad but not yet in Israel. It allows a lot of control over the dosage of the substance and as such has become very popular, especially among beginners and the older generation who are making a comeback to cannabis. - When it comes to edibles, it is recommended to start with doses of 5 mg, and from here you can increase the doses if the effect is not enough.
- Drink water. Drink plenty of water in general, and drink even more water when you consume cannabis. Saturation is the key to avoiding many side effects that can be unpleasant.
- Recently launched new varieties that contain only CBD, which means a perfect anti-anxiety drug, and it seems to be the beginning of the development of new varieties that do not contain THC at all, but still provide the variety of active ingredients in the flower and known as the entourage effect.