For many cannabis users, consuming cannabis is a way to calm their anxieties. However, for others, it can make them feel paranoid and anxious. If you belong to the second group, there’s no need to worry. Feeling paranoid is a common side effect that is associated with consuming cannabis. Fortunately, there are several ways to make your experience less panicky and more enjoyable. Read on to learn what is weed paranoia, why it happens, and how to effectively deal with it.
What is Weed Paranoia?
Paranoia refers to the irrational belief that others are conspiring against you or you are being persecuted. A paranoid individual might interpret random coincidences or innocent comments as full of sinister intent or deeply meaningful.
Weed paranoia is what happens when this state is triggered by the use of cannabis. It typically lasts as long as you are high. Although weed paranoia does no permanent damage, it is a very unpleasant experience.
Why it Happens
Through research, scientists have found that paranoia can be caused as result of the interaction of cannabinoids with the chemistry of our brain. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid that is primarily associated with weed paranoia. It triggers paranoia by binding with receptors on your amygdala, the part of the brain that controls fear, stress, and paranoia.
For some weed users, this binding does not create paranoia. However, for others, it makes their neural pathways too excited, hence leading to paranoid feelings, thoughts, and actions.
How to Deal With it
There is no right way to consume cannabis, and everyone reacts to it differently. But ways to deal with weed paranoia are the same regardless of consumption methods or individual’s reaction. Following are some things you can do to weather the storm:
- Relax: Close your eyes and mellow out to some chill music. If it helps, try some medication.
- Drink Pepper Lemonade: Pepper and lemon both contain terpenes that can counter the psychoactive effects of THC. Alternatively, you can chew on peppercorns or suck on a lemon wedge.
- Take Some CBD: CBD can also help diminish the negative effects of THC.
- Eat a Meal: Eat some hearty food to get grounded. Something full of good nutrients and fats will help you get in touch with reality.
- Take a Walk: Getting your body moving is one of the most effective ways to burn through some of that excess THC.
- Talk to a Trusted Friend: Talking through weed paranoia with a trusted friend can really help overcome the negative feelings and calm you down.
How to Avoid it in the Future
One of the unfortunate aspects of weed paranoia is that it doesn’t always occur. You could consume cannabis many times before ever experiencing a paranoia episode. So, the best thing to do is to take measures to make sure it doesn’t occur in the first place. Following are some strategies that will help in this regard:
Set the Scene
Being in the right environment to smoke weed is very important, particularly if you are a first-timer. It is recommended that you try to smoke weed somewhere that you know well with people you trust. It would also be helpful to choose a method to consume cannabis that you feel confident about.
Look for Weed with a Higher CBD Content
Unlike THC, CBD does not give you a ‘high’. So, it is recommended that you find strains of weed that have a higher CBD content and relatively lower THC. This will result in better experience without potential paranoia.
Do the Things You Love
If you want to have a more relaxed experience, then set yourself up for success beforehand. Figure out how to smoke weed and do the activities that you love while you are high.
Try to Consume Less at a Time
Decrease the amount and frequency of cannabis that you consume. If you are a new user, start with a small dose and then increase it gradually with time until you find the sweet spot. Decrease the dosage if you begin to get paranoid or feel other negative symptoms.
Conclusion
Weed paranoia is unpleasant, but it’s not something that you can’t deal with. Many individuals quit weed because of this one common side effect but you don’t have to do that. With the proper knowledge of what weed paranoia is, why it happens, how to deal with it, and prevent it from happening in the future, you can make sure that nothing comes between you and your high. Everyone can have a good smoking experience. Being prepared and following the above-listed guidelines can help you consume cannabis without getting too high, hence leading to a great experience.
