A Mini Guide to Things You Must Know Before You Consume Cannabis

Cannabis is still considered an illegal substance in most countries. However, it is legalized in many states of the US as well as the District of Columbia, given its remarkable health benefits.

It’s no surprise that cannabis can be harmful if misused, but isn’t it the same for everything? Excess of everything is terrible, whether it’s food or any pharmaceutical medicine.

What I want you to know is that contrary to all the misconceptions, cannabis is not as bad as people think of it. It actually brings along a number of physical and mental health benefits.

From body aches to fatigue, depression, and anxiety, what is it that cannabis cannot take care of? Therefore, a large number of people from around the world are now using cannabis due to its health benefits.

If you’re thinking about using cannabis anytime soon, here are a few things that I want you to know before trying it out:

Every Strain is Different

There are numerous kinds of cannabis strains available these days. First and foremost, you must know that each cannabis strain is different to another. Each has a different composition and balance of cannabinoids; henceforth, their effect can vary.

Besides that, not all cannabis strains have medicinal properties. The ones that are rich in CBD come with better medicinal benefits while others with THC can make you high. Thereby, they’re not recommended by physicians.

THC Strains Can Have Side Effects

Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, is one of the active cannabinoids in cannabis. As I mentioned above, cannabis strains with higher content of THC can make you high, especially when taken by mouth.

THC is a psychoactive compound that can have several side effects, including irregular heart rhythm, psychosis, anxiety, and depression in a few cases. Oh, and did I tell you regular consumption of THC can eventually lead you towards developing Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome, also called CHS.

CHS is a severe disorder characterized by persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea. According to the National Institutes of Health research, CHS can be difficult to treat and if left untreated, it can cause severe complications, even death.

It May or May Not Work

Just because you and I are taking the same marijuana strain, it doesn’t mean it will work similarly for both of us. Each person responds differently to a drug, be it a pharmaceutical painkiller or a natural plant such as cannabis. It is something that can be affected by your gender, age, and race as well.

It’s one thing that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers when approving drugs for public use. All you need to do is keep it in mind and do not set unnecessary expectations.

The Intensity of Cannabinoids Can Vary

Another important factor is that the intensity of cannabinoids can vary even in similar strains. I remember I once bought mimosa and it had around 6% of THC. When I bought it again from another buyer, the same cannabis strain had around 15% of THC and it provided a stronger high effect than the first one.

Thus, if you ever go through a similar experience, there’s nothing to worry about. Please know that it’s natural and can happen to anyone. You’ll instantly know the quantity of THC involved in the strain with the intensity of its high.

Its Storage Can Affect its Potency

A lot of marijuana strains require refrigeration as the heat may degrade its potency. It goes the same for all, whether it is in the solid form, extracts, and tinctures. There’s no exact expiry date of cannabis as it’s all-natural. Therefore, the expiry date of cannabis can vary from one dispensary to the other.

How you store cannabis can make a huge difference at the end of the day. Hence, you must carefully check the product and the guidelines it brings along to avoid any convenience later.

As an additional tip, I’d say you should be mindful of the way you consume cannabis. Smoking cannabis or taking it with the vaporizer may bring immediate effect, but it won’t last long. On the other hand, the effect of cannabis can be prolonged by eating cannabis in the form of cookies or brownies.

Final Thoughts

Make no mistake; cannabis is relatively safe as compared to pharmaceutical drugs, but you must be careful when using it as it brings along side effects of its own. Other than that, you must watch the quantity of cannabis before consuming it.

Remember it can be addictive, so avoid taking it regularly or for the sake of pleasure. After all, what’s the point in taking a drug for pleasure even when you know it will eventually eat you up? Why put yourself in such a situation where you’re not safe?

Think about all the things I’ve mentioned above before taking cannabis. Rest assured, it won’t be harmful when appropriately used. I wish you all the best, my friends!