Drop the Wine and Pick Up the Cannabis
Research shows that cannabis is an ideal tool to help people battle issues related to mental health—from daily stressors to severe conditions.
Our world is changing. Technology, for better or worse, is transforming the physical and mental landscape of society. The ways we work, connect, find romantic partners, and communicate, have become increasingly digital. Today, we are a culture addicted to technology. Is it just a coincidence that anxiety, depression, and general dissatisfaction are on the rise?
“Interactions on social media can have a major impact on an individual’s well-being and satisfaction. Many studies have observed that more time spent on social media is associated with an increased risk of loneliness and depression, which poses the question: are unhappy people using social media or does social media use affect happiness?” —Medical News Today
A study published last year in the Journal of Psychiatric Services estimates that 3.4% of the U.S. population—more than 8 million people—suffer from serious psychological distress (SPD). SPD is a term used to describe feelings of sadness and despair that are threatening enough to impair physical well being.
These numbers come to us at a time when America is in the throes of a prescription medication nightmare. More Americans take prescription drugs to treat mental illness today than at any time before.
Cannabis: the all-natural antidote.
What does this have to do with cannabis? Everything.
Cannabis may be the all-natural remedy to the mental health issues plaguing us today.
As our knowledge around cannabis and the endocannabinoid system broadens, psychiatrists and behavioral health experts are looking to the plant as an antidote to the psychological issues impacting Americans. And, while the legal status of cannabis in the United States is a challenge for healthcare professionals seeking to study and prescribe medical marijuana on a larger scale, many patients with mental health disorders have taken it upon themselves to improve their lives through cannabis consumption.
PTSD, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, insomnia, ADHD, and addiction—cannabis is being used to treat each of these issues, and patients are sharing positive results when reporting back to their healthcare professionals. To us of course, this comes as no surprise. Our customers often share stories of triumph over mental and physical hardship as the result of cannabis consumption.
One customer recently shared with Jo Madrid, Lightshade’s manager of marketing, that she was able to wean herself off of sleeping pills, as well as anti-anxiolytic prescription medications, with the support and monitoring of her physician. By gradually replacing pills (and sometimes wine with the pills), over several months time, with a CBD/THC product, along with smoking flower in the evenings, and occasionally consuming an indica edible a few hours before bed, this customer was able to entirely discontinue daily use of both benzodiazepines and high dose sleeping pills. After 6 months, this customer is still ‘prescription free’ and reports feeling ‘balanced’, alert, and more in tune with herself, which has allowed better personal decision- making, and has resulted in a better job, improved relationships with family and friends, as well as ending an unhealthy relationship.
Trade your daily glass of wine for an edible.
Do you find yourself craving a glass of wine at the end of a workday? Anxiety shows itself in different ways, some more damaging than others. Mental health covers everything from daily stressors—work, childcare, family—to more severe issues diagnosed by healthcare professionals. While alcohol abuse rates continue to rise, especially among women, and we look at the opioid epidemic and general dissatisfaction among many Americans, cannabis has emerged as an unlikely hero. Marijuana is non-habit forming, non-toxic, and cannot kill you. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for alcohol.
Eliminate anxiety without the high.
You don’t have to get high to realize the positive effects of cannabis. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive chemical found within the plant and has properties that produce results akin to anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. Furthermore, a study performed by researchers at Sao Paulo University in Brazil found CBD to have a significant impact on people suffering from social anxiety and fear. As medical researchers dive deeper into the science around CBD, we expect to see greater adoption among people who in the past may have been hesitant to introduce cannabis into their overall health and wellness routines.
Outside of providing a comfortable space for customers to shop and learn about cannabis, one of our goals is to remove the stigma surrounding this extraordinary plant so people can discover its life-changing potential. Marijuana, unlike alcohol, provides a healthy way to tackle life’s anxiety-inducing challenges. Instead of pouring that glass of wine at the end of a workday, stop into your nearest Lightshade and consider an edible, tincture, or infused beverage. Your mind and body will thank you.
The next time you feel stressed reach for one (or all) of the products listed below:
Anxiety- CBD products
- Mary’s Medicinals CBD Oil Remedy 500mg
- Wana Sour Strawberry CBD Gummies 10:1
- Evolab Chroma CBD 3:1 Cart 500mg
Depression – 1:1 or Sativa products
- Altus Sativa Pills
- Blue Kudu Sativa or 1:1 bonbons
- Lucid Mood Energy, 1:1 CBD THC disposable vape pen