By Gonja Goddess
If you’re prone to paranoia after ingesting cannabis, you’re not alone. People commonly associate weed with relaxation, but weed lovers experience high anxiety after hitting the blunt one too many times. The truth is, inhaling cannabis smoke causes the heart rate to increase, triggering the body’s fight or flight response, and in some extreme cases, a sense of paranoia.
Paranoia in this context means unfounded and excessive fear and suspicion of others. It can feel at best uncomfortable and at worst, confusing and downright scary. Unfortunately, since marijuana and paranoia are linked, it’s less than surprising that someone who had post-traumatic stress or anxiety also experience weed induced paranoia. Also to add that other factors that vary by individuals, like hormonal regulation, heightened sensitivity to frequent use, and various pre-existing mental health conditions, and it becomes clear that the plenty of people are pre-disposed to paranoia. Now, does that mean you have to give up weed entirely?
No!
If you’ve taken the precaution of talking to a licensed therapist and confirmed that your cannabis consumption isn’t worsening any pre-existing condition, there’s no reason to completely give up cannabis. The key is testing and managing your dosage levels to minimize adverse reactions by microdosing, smoking less frequently, and seeking out strains with a lower THC concentration in order to manage related symptoms.
The debate rages on about the effects of Indica versus sativa strains. Indica is known for its relaxing qualities, while Sativa is known to produce a more energetic high. Now does that mean that Indica strains are less likely than Sativa strains to cause paranoia and anxiety? The answer is, like all things cannabis related, it depends. Instead of ditching sativa entirely, try more balanced strains, and those with a lower THC to CBD ratio. If you’re paranoia-prone, you’ll have to do the work to figure out what impacts you most. With that in mind, we found five strains that you can experiment with as you look to minimize paranoia.
Harlequin
Harlequin OG was the first strain with a high CBD to THC ratio in the United States. This strain is the definition of a hybrid. It’s 75% Sativa and 25% Indica, with a 5:2 ratio of CBD to THC. The result is a clearheaded, active high that leaves you feeling focused without sedative effects.
Harle-Tsu
Harle-Tsu is a high-CBD hybrid with a Harlequin and Sour Tsunami blend. Featuring a whopping CBD to THC ratio of 20:1, this strain is so simplified that it is labeled as the THC free strain. It’s known to help manage pain and muscle spasms without impairing daily activities.
Blue Cookies
Blue Cookies is a potent, 90% Indica-dominant hybrid between Blueberry and Girl Scout Cookies and can contain up to 23% THC. With a 11:1 THC to CBD ratio, this sweet mix of berry and earthy cherry notes provides a happy, sexual, euphoric high.
Blue Dream is a 60/40% sativa dominant hybrid born in California. It crosses with Blueberry Indica with sativa Haze for uplifted, full body high that isn’t known to aggravate feelings of paranoia. It boasts a moderately high THC level at 14-24% and CBD levels at 2% but is not known to aggravate anxiety or trigger paranoia.
Purple Urkle is one of the reasons I keep mentioning that you have to test your reaction to different strains. Sativa dominant Purple Urkle, also known as Purple Lavender, has a high THC to CBD ratio: It can have 18%-21% THC and less than 0.1% CBD, making for a 200:1 ratio. However, this grape soda flavored, relatively balanced hybrid still provides a potent, cerebral, and calm high that’s good for after work when it’s time to relax and unwind.
