Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Social Phobia have increased from 2.5% to 5% (GAD) and 3% to 7% (Social Phobia). Social Anxiety (under Social Phobia) has become a growing concern due to the significant spike in affected individuals.
While conventional treatments have long been the primary choice for many dealing with anxiety, not all patients respond positively. This raises the question: What options are available for those who find standard treatments ineffective?
For some individuals, cannabis is one such avenue. Specifically, the use of vape cartridges containing concentrated amounts of cannabis works as an alternative approach to managing anxiety symptoms.
Key Takeaways:
- Anxiety is one of the reasons people use cannabis in Canada.
- Cannabis can provide short-term relief to Social Anxiety symptoms.
- It is necessary to choose a vape cart that can induce relaxation and calming effects.
Understanding Social Anxiety
Before delving into the ways in which cannabis can alleviate the symptoms of this anxiety disorder, it’s essential to establish a clear understanding of what social anxiety entails.
Social Anxiety Disorder or SAD Definition
Social anxiety disorder is a mental issue in which a person feels highly uncomfortable and scared of social situations. This includes individual chances as well as participation in large-group events.
The disorder is much more than being timid or awkward in public. There is an internal critic and narrative that generates undesirable and frequently humiliating potential consequences.
People with social anxiety disorder might become emotionally crippled by fear and dread by ruminating or wondering about all the negative things that could happen.
Signs and Symptoms
| EMOTIONAL | PHYSICAL |
| Fear of being judged adversely in situationsBe concerned about embarrassment or humiliation.Fear of engaging or conversing with strangersFear that people may see your anxietyFear of embarrassing bodily symptoms such as blushing, sweating, trembling, or having a wobbly voice.Fear of embarrassment causes people to avoid doing tasks or speaking to others.Avoiding circumstances in which you may be the centre of attentionAnxiety brought on by the prospect of a feared task or eventAnxiety or dread during social situationsAfter a social situation, evaluate your performance and identify problems in your interactions.Expecting the worst potential result from an unpleasant social experience | BlushingRapid heartbeatTremblingSweatingUncomfortable stomach or nauseaHaving difficulty catching your breathFeeling dizzy or lightheadedYou have the impression that your mind has gone blank. |
Conventional Treatment
Social anxiety disorder is highly curable with combination therapy.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Antidepressants.
Some people do not respond to the treatments above. This occurrence led them to seek other therapies, such as cannabis. By 2021, 55% of Canadians use cannabis to relieve anxiety.
How Cannabis Vape Products Are Helping in Treating Social Anxiety?
Improving Mood
A 2019 study from Current Psychiatry Reports shows that increasing your consumption of cannabinoids can boost your levels of the joy neurotransmitter anandamide. This alteration in bodily chemicals can ease your nerves and muscles.
When researching cannabis products to help with social anxiety, seek products with strains that indicate euphoric effects like euphoria, talkativeness, and relaxation. If you’re alone at home, try a product that may induce a “permanent smile” or the dreaded case of giggles.
Relaxing Effects
People with SAD worry all the time. Even the simplest task makes them anxious. Vanderbilt University uncovered a fascinating link between cannabis and anxiety. Their discovery revealed the presence of cannabinoid receptors in an essential emotional center of the brain responsible for regulating anxiety and the fight-or-flight response.
This intricate interaction with the brain has notable effects, with certain cannabis products providing a unique experience. Many users report experiencing a refreshing reset of their mental state.
Treating Insomnia
Navigating social interactions can become quite challenging when you’re running on insufficient sleep. We’ve all been there – the struggle to tackle work and make it through the day when sleep has been elusive.
The effects of insomnia go beyond just feeling tired; it intricately weaves into your mood, leaving you irritable and fatigued. Recognize that there’s more at play beneath the surface, and your ability to control that unpleasant mood might be more limited than you realize.
According to several clinical research, sleep deprivation and a lack of REM sleep (rapid eye movement stage) can induce temporary impairment. When you don’t get enough REM sleep, your brain struggles to comprehend information related to your emotions.
Long-term sleep disruption also compromises your immune system. Sleep-deprived people may have less connections between the amygdala (emotional processing) and other brain areas.
Developing regular sleep habits may help stabilize mood fluctuations and make you feel more at ease socializing.
Cannabis is Not the Only Solution
Unfortunately, whether it’s CBD or THC, the potential of a short-term anxiety-relieving chemical can only do enough.
When seen through the lens of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, many key components frequently keep social anxiety at bay in the long run.
They include the following:
- Avoiding social circumstances that may cause anxiety
- Making pessimistic predictions about our ability to cope with the feelings present.
So, when we run away from feeling worried or battling and suppress it with various techniques, we prevent ourselves from learning how to deal with it and that we can do it.
Note: Cannabis’s potential for lowering anxiety in the short term falls into the category of suppressing unpleasant feelings. It may relieve symptoms in the short term, but if it serves to avoid experience or feared outcomes, it will be simply another behaviour that gets in the way of managing Social Anxiety Disorder.
How to Use Cannabis Vapes to Manage Anxiety
| Choose a vape cart with little to no THC | THC may cause anxiety rather than alleviate it in some people. It will raise your heart rate and cause you to panic. If you must use THC vapes, consider those with lower concentrations or that contain CBDs. |
| Find carts with CBD | CBD can assist in mitigating the negative effects of THC. It makes the experience more soothing and comfortable. Try different doses of CBD and THC independently and in combination to see how your body reacts. Some people require a high CBD concentration, while others require less CBD, a different THC ratio, or smaller doses to feel better. |
| Get to know the strain | Unfortunately, there is no universal approach for selecting the best cannabis strain vape. Because each of us has a unique physiology and endocannabinoid system, each strain can create distinct effects. Look for vapes that offer relaxing or calming effects. |
| Consider the terpenes | Terpenes are aromatic chemicals responsible for the scent of everything, including cannabis. They, together with cannabinoids, contribute to cannabis’ entourage effect. Terpenes come in a variety of forms, and different levels might be present in varying amounts. LimoneneMyrceneLinalool |
| Know your dosage | Before indulging in cannabis, take a moment to gauge the optimal amount needed for your desired level of relaxation. |
Note: When it comes to cannabis consumption, opting for inhalation methods like vaping provides a rapid onset of effects. Beyond the quick action, another advantage is that it can discourage the impulse to take extra hits, a practice that may contribute to heightened anxiety.
Conclusion
Social Anxiety Disorder is a common challenge for many individuals, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be a constant burden. Various medications are accessible to effectively manage the symptoms of SAD. In addition to conventional treatments, cannabis has shown promise as a complementary approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cannabis vape carts?
A vape cart is a sleek glass cartridge already loaded with either a gram or half-gram of premium cannabis oil. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of cannabinoids and terpenes meticulously extracted from cannabis.
What choose vape carts?
- Unlike other consumption methods, like using a dab rig and nail setup, cartridges demand minimal effort—simply press a button and inhale.
- Their sleek and minimalist design not only provides a discreet vaping experience but also eliminates the conspicuous features of bulkier setups.
- Unlike dabbing, opting for a pre-loaded vape pen provides a level of control over each inhalation.
What is inside a vape cart?
- Cannabis oil: CO2 oil, distillates, live resin, etc.
- Terpenes: Terpenes extracted from cannabis and food-grade terpenes are available here.
- Coconut oil: It acts as a medium chain triglyceride (MCT), which can aid in creating thin oils to operate with the most common atomizers.
- Glycols and Glycerin: Additives used by manufacturers to convert heavier concentrates like shatter into a more liquid state that is simpler to vape.
How much do cannabis carts cost?
You can discover various options in the $20 to $30 range, with premium selections leaning towards the higher end at around $30. Keep in mind that regional factors can impact these prices.
How long does a cannabis cartridge last?
A 0.5-gram cartridge generally offers between 80 and 160 puffs, whereas a 1-gram cartridge can provide approximately 160 to 320 puffs. For someone using it recreationally, a vape cartridge holds up for about three months. Although a cartridge has the potential to last up to a year.
