( 661) 215-6669 | (909) 764-0304 Reach Out to Us 6077 Coffee Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308, United States Mon - Sun : 9 am to 8 pm

Anti-Anxiety Medications vs Marijuana

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now requiring benzodiazepine medicines to show the boxed warning to deal with abuse, addiction, dependence & withdrawal reactions. Benzodiazepines are popular for treating anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.

However, many prefer cannabis over anti-anxiety medications. Studies show that the former doesn’t cause adverse effects as the latter. By applying for 420 evaluations, you can legally buy marijuana products, such as flowers, edibles, tinctures, etc. from medical dispensaries in your city.

Cannabis For Anxiety

Cannabis can help ease anxiety symptoms, such as sleep problems, lack of focus, panic attacks, etc. Studies show that cannabinoids in the marijuana plant interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), thus providing calming effects.

THC is one of the cannabis compounds with amazing mind-altering properties. It binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS, thus regulating various bodily functions.

Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is also effective in fighting anxiety. A recent study found that CBD helped alleviate social anxiety associated with public speaking. Researchers gave participants CBD (150 – 600 mg) and noted that 300 mg provided a significant improvement.

Related- How to Add CBD to Your Daily Wellness Routine?

Cannabis products are available in different forms, such as flowers, vaping cartridges, gummies, brownies, teas, oils, etc. So, consumers can buy as per their medical needs and personal preferences.

Cannabis vs Anti-Anxiety Medications

Which is better? Well, everyone’s reaction to this is different. They usually work the same way, in other words, with the same neurotransmitters in the brain.

Medical specialists usually prescribe benzodiazepines for patients suffering from anxiety disorders. These medications help reduce anxiety levels by adjusting the GABA levels. Recent studies show that marijuana works the same way i.e. impacting the GABA levels. 

The two treatments differ when it comes to side-effects. Anti-anxiety medications can lead to headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, an upset stomach, lack of focus, and drowsiness. Even benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, can cause death. Data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that overdose deaths associated with benzodiazepines increased to 8,791 in 2015 from 1,135 in 1999. 

It’s right that consuming too much marijuana can lead to overdose issues. But, there’s no evidence that cannabis overdose can cause death.

Related- Is Cannabis Addictive? Let’s Talk More About it

Does Marijuana Interact With Medications?

If you are a marijuana user, you might be aware of the fact that the herb can help you boost mood and promote relaxation. However, patients also take antidepressants and other medications for anxiety relief. The American Psychological Association says that 8 percent of people between 20 and 39 have taken prescription antidepressants in any given month.

Many prefer taking both treatments together to get more benefits. So, is it ok to mix cannabis with anti-anxiety medications? 

Well, we don’t recommend it. Medications and cannabis have some overlapping side-effects, and combining both can lead to adverse effects. For example, marijuana and citalopram when taken together can cause confusion, lack of focus, and drowsiness.

Moreover, it’s hard to determine the effectiveness of medications or cannabis when mixed. It’s good to take one treatment at a time to evaluate its medicinal effects and side-effects. However, you can talk to a medical marijuana doctor before starting any treatment.

Top Cannabis Strains For Anxiety Sufferers

The concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes greatly impacts the medicinal effects of cannabis. So, it’s important to buy the right strains with 420 evaluations. Here are some of the top cannabis strains for anxiety patients-

  • ACDC
  • Granddaddy Purple 
  • Jack Herer
  • Jillybean
  • Remedy
  • Cannatonic
  • Girl Scout Cookies
  • AK-47
  • Super Sour Diesel

Final Thoughts

Marijuana for anxiety is proven helpful. Studies show that it’s better than prescription medications, such as antidepressants. Cannabis has more than 100 cannabinoids, which bind to receptors (particularly CB1 and CB2) in the endocannabinoid system. As compared to anti-anxiety medications, cannabis use has fewer side-effects.

There are many ways to consume cannabis for anxiety relief. These include smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Each delivery method works differently, so you should select the right one to ease your symptoms completely. Additionally, the amount of cannabis you consume plays a key role in the marijuana effects you receive. If you haven’t used cannabis before, start with a low dose and increase slowly.

Avoid mixing medications with marijuana. Talk to your doctor for professional help.

Get an MMJ card to access cannabis legally. Now, it’s very simple to apply for your 420 evaluations online. The process is-

  • Sign up for an account
  • See a medical marijuana doctor online
  • Receive MMJ recs in PDF format

Read more

How to Purchase Good Quality Cannabis?

So, you’ve finally got your medical cannabis card. And now, it’s time to get your hands on the real deal- the herb itself. Obviously, it was for this reason only why you got through all the hassle of going through 420 evaluations Bakersfield, right? And now, that you have your card, you can easily buy marijuana without any trouble.

However, buying cannabis for the first time isn’t really as easy as said. In fact, for many first-timers, the experience can be really intimidating.

And why not?

Cannabis, today, is not just about THC, potency, and price. I mean, yes, these factors may help you narrow down your options. However, there are many other things that go into making a product of superior quality.

Furthermore, the task of buying good quality cannabis can be even more challenging if you are doing it remotely.

Given all this, how can you make the right choice?

Well, you may buy superior quality cannabis even if you are a first-timer. All you need are a few good tips. And this post is written especially for this purpose.

So, read on.

It’s Not All About THC

Oil Extract Cartridge Close Vaping

Have you ever wondered why the top shelves of dispensaries are not usually carrying the products with the highest THC? Because the quality of a product isn’t just about THC. In fact, if you have done a little research before you go for your 420 evaluations Bakersfield, you probably are aware of the fact that the cannabis plant has more than a hundred different cannabinoids. And the quality of your product is usually determined by the complex arrangement of these chemicals rather than just THC. This is what we call “the entourage effect.” This means that the effects that a product usually produces are not because of a single plant compound. Instead, they are the result of all the different compounds working harmoniously. And this is what gives us a well-rounded high, which is obviously more enjoyable.

It is important to note that the bud that is high in THC but is lacking other cannabinoids and terpenes will not give your the required effects. The high will usually be one dimensional and very short-lived. Furthermore, it may even induce anxiety in you.

In other words, if you are paying a premium price for a product, you are paying for other cannabinoids and not THC.

How to Differentiate a Good Bud From a Bad One?

The below-given are a few things you may check to identify if your product is of good quality or not.

Aroma

The aroma of a cannabis plant is the result of the terpenes present in it. And they are usually responsible for the natural scent of the plant. Now, you should note that the overall undertone of almost all cannabis plants may be similar. But different strains mostly have different aromas. This is due to the different terpenes concentrations inside them.

Have you ever seen the small and shiny structures on your marijuana bud’s surface? These are trichomes, the mushroom-shaped glands that, during the flowering stage of the plant, pump the terpenes out.

You can identify good quality cannabis by smelling it a little. If the product you are dealing with is good, you’ll be met with a nice wave of terpenes as soon as you’ll open your pack. Keep in mind that a sweet smell may not always indicate good quality cannabis. But in most cases, it may help. A few of the most common aromas you may expect from your marijuana bud may include earth, flower, fuel, sugar, spices, berries, citrus, etc.

Here are a few variables on which the aroma of your product may depend:

  • Genetics
  • Nutrients
  • Drying and Curing
  • Soil Quality
  • Companion Plants

Color

They say that you must not judge a book by its cover. But you can certainly judge the quality of cannabis by its appearance. And one of the most important of all the visual aspects of a marijuana bud is its color.

Now, please note that a cannabis bud comes in varying colors. Depending upon the strain, it may have a purple, green, orange, or red color. Considering this, it’s not actually the color itself but the vibrance and intensity of it that tells us the quality of the bud. A cannabis flower that is healthy usually looks quite shiny and bright.

If the color of your product is vibrant enough, it indicates that it has very good genetics. Plus, it is grown with good techniques and is dried and cured properly. On the other hand, if the quality of cannabis is poor, it may appear pallid, dull, and matte. These types of buds are usually of dark green to pale brown color and are not really appealing.

Pistils

Along with the overall color of the bud, the pistils on it may also be a nice indicator of the quality of your product. 

When looking closely at your flower, you may be able to see a whole landscape, containing several organs, structures, and glands, on it in the miniature form. And among these, the most protruding are the pistils. These hair-like structures are the female sex organs of the cannabis plant. And when these pistils get in contact with male pollen, the plant becomes fertile.

Cannabis Trichomes

You should note that these pistils have something else too to do other than this biological role of them. They usually serve as some very useful indicators of the progress of the plant growth. See, when the plant is in its early flowering stage, these pistils are of bright white color. But as the time slowly passes, they become of a solid dark orange color.

Considering this, while trying to determine if your bud is of good quality, you must also take a look at its pistils. If these are of dark orange color, it is the indication of the bud being properly ripe and mature. 

Mold

You must also check your cannabis for the presence of mold. Mold doesn’t only ruins the taste and flavor of the product, but can also be a threat to the health of the consumer. Consuming moldy weed may result in anything from a bad flavor to a full-fledged lung infection.

Moldy marijuana is generally the result of poor drying and curing or unhealthy storage. The fungus usually requires a humid environment to flourish. And thus, it usually develops on flowers that are not stored properly.

To identify moldy cannabis, you should look for the presence of cobweb on your flower or within it. Powdery mildew is also a type of mold that may appear like kief to you if you are inexperienced. Some other signs of moldy weed include some dark spots on the bud, gray or yellowish fuzz, or some slime being present.

What if You Are Buying Remotely?

With telemedicine being so popular nowadays, a lot of us are ordering a door-step delivery of cannabis. But how to identify if the quality of cannabis is good in this case?

Well, if you cannot look or smell your product, for any reason, before you make a purchase, the freshness of your bud will probably be the best indicator of its quality. Keep in mind that cannabis plant degrades in quality over time. Proper storage may slow down this process. However, it cannot totally avoid it. So, whenever you are buying a product on the internet, make sure you check the date of harvesting.

Furthermore, you may also prefer buying products that are stored in jars, as if a flower is stored in a plastic bag, it may destroy its trichomes. A jar product may cost you a little bit more. But the overall experience will be a lot better.

Read more

Learn About The Relationship Between Cannabis And Singing

We all are familiar with the benefits of cannabis. More and more states are now legalizing medical cannabis because of its therapeutic benefits. Anyone suffering from a qualifying condition can get an MMJ card after a 420 evaluation in Bakersfield. But, other than medical benefits, cannabis still has a lot to offer. You must have heard about cannabis boosting the creativity of people, or helping athletes with their workouts. But are you familiar with the relationship between cannabis and singing? 

Both singing and cannabis have a lot of things in common such as making you feel fantastic and relaxed. But the connection between the two is much deeper than just that. And today we are going to explore that complex relationship between them. We will also look at how smoking cannabis can affect the singing voice of an individual. Whether you are a professional singer or a bathroom singer, we know you love your voice and you love singing. And if you are a cannabis enthusiast as well, you should definitely learn about this relationship cannabis and singing have.

The relationship between cannabis and singing

Cannabis & Singing

Singing can reduce stress and makes you feel good. Doesn’t it sound familiar? Cannabis is also associated with reducing stress and making users feel good. Both singing and consuming cannabis can induce a state of euphoria. And if we talk about the scientific terms, both the activities have an influence on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Wait a minute, but what is the ECS? Basically, it consists of cell receptors and many chemical compounds known as endocannabinoids. This system is responsible for controlling mood, appetite, memory, and reward response. It does so with the help of its regulatory function that is present within the body. When you consume cannabis, the cannabinoids present in it act on the endocannabinoid system. Many cannabinoids present in cannabis have a similar molecular structure to the endocannabinoids of our ECS. That is why cannabinoids are able to interact with the same receptors. Hence, they are able to trigger the same functions. 

Take THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) for instance. THC is the intoxicating compound of cannabis. THC and an endocannabinoid, anandamide, share a similar shape. One of the various functions of anandamide is to improve mood, that’s why it also got its nickname ‘the bliss molecule’. And THC interacts with the same receptors as anandamide because of their similar shape. That’s why THC is able to impart a state of calm and happiness. Or as we call it, the cannabis high. Another cannabinoid is CBD (cannabidiol), which is not an intoxicating cannabinoid. CBD also affects the ECS, but not directly. It does not bind with the cannabinoid receptors, instead, it simply increases the levels of natural endocannabinoids. 

A study was done in 2018 by researcher Nicole Stone involving nine healthy female volunteers from a choir. The result of the study showed a 42 percent increment in anandamide levels of volunteers after singing. Two other endocannabinoids, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA), had high levels. Volunteers also reported experiencing improved mood and emotions after singing. The study also showed that while dancing also improved the mood, it did not affect endocannabinoid levels. And, cycling and reading only increased OEA levels.

What are the benefits of cannabis and singing?

Over the centuries, people have been using cannabis for various purposes. In recent years, research was focused on figuring out the medicinal properties of cannabis. This has helped us explore the various benefits of medical cannabis. The most common reasons for people to use medical cannabis are –

  • Chronic pain
  • Muscle spasms
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD)
  • Appetite disorders

While singing may have its own significant benefits, researchers are looking to find more about it. However, some investigation has shown its efficacy for certain conditions such as –

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Alzheimer’s disorder

But more evidence is needed to reach any conclusion about these health benefits of singing. Although we can think that it may have some positive effects because of its interaction with the ECS. Now, let’s tackle a very important question – what effect does cannabis have on your singing voice?

Does cannabis have a good or bad impact on your singing voice?

Cannabis & Guitar

We just read about some potential benefits of both cannabis and singing on our physical and mental health. But there are some drawbacks that we can not ignore. The first thing that we need to consider here is that most people consume cannabis by smoking. There’s no denying that this process could actually be bad for your voice. Whether you are smoking tobacco or cannabis, it will harm your throat and lungs. Some even say that smoking cannabis is more harmful to the voice than tobacco. This is because it burns at a higher temperature. Also, when you smoke cannabis, you tend to smoke it without a filter. You inhale cannabis smoke more deeply and hold it for longer than the cigarette smoke.

A 2019 study showed that people who smoked had dark vocal folds (as shown by laryngoscopy). The study also showed that cannabis can even cause injury to throats and lungs because of the by-product of smoking. Some of the adverse effects of smoking cannabis on the voice include –

  • Hoarseness
  • Dry throat
  • Unclear articulation
  • Low-pitched voice
  • Altered voice rhythm and fluency

But can quitting smoking cannabis improve your voice?

Studies show that switching to a vape or simple stop smoking can reduce respiratory problems. However, the impact of quitting cannabis on the voice is not clear. Chances are that it will help. But if you still have to consume cannabis, choosing another way to consume it can help. Thankfully, we now have a lot of options when it comes to consuming cannabis.

One of the best ways to consume cannabis is cannabis edibles. You can enjoy all the benefits of cannabis without putting your vocal cords or lungs at risk of getting damaged. Also, these cannabis edibles are very versatile and suit every taste. You can even find cannabis or CBD-infused lozenges on the market. These are a great option for you if you are looking to use cannabis but still want to soothe your throat.

Are there any potential benefits of cannabis for singers?

If you are not smoking cannabis, instead choose another method, it may actually offer some benefits for you. For example, THC and CBD have anti-inflammatory properties. They can provide muscle relaxation. They can also help in relaxing the throat and jaw, the two vital components of singing. Therefore, we can say that this magical herb can offer some benefits to your singing.

If you are looking to maximize the potential benefits of cannabis for your singing, try using either lozenges or syrup. By mixing a spoonful of cannabis honey and herbal tea, you can also try to make your own soothing beverage. Also, remember to keep plenty of warm or room-temperature water with you when singing. This is important because cannabis can cause dry mouth.Must Visit: Life Live Healthy

Read more