Medical Cannabis Guide

When people talk about using cannabis, “smoking” is usually the default verb. But, as legalization has taken root and cannabis technology has advanced, there are now countless ways to consume weed. There might not be a single best way to consume weed, but we can all agree that cannabis users are willing to try new methods of consuming cannabis.

Why? For one,  you breathe in far less questionable substances. Burning marijuana and then inhaling it pulls over 111 different compounds into your lungs, including some known to be toxic. And while the jury is still out on whether marijuana can cause lung diseases, there is no doubt that less smoke in your lungs is always better.

Additionally, the different ways of consuming cannabis can bring their own benefits. Oil-based vape pens with pre-made cartridges are discreet and always ready to use. Edibles last for far longer and can bring their own unique high experience.

So while we can’t single out the best way to consume weed without smoking, we can discuss the pros and cons to find the best method for you. Consider all the ways to consume weed below to settle on which ones suit your lifestyle and offer you a healthy alternative to smoking.

Vaporizing: What Many People Consider to Be the Best Way to Consume Weed Without Smoking

While they may sound similar on paper, vaporizing is completely different than smoking weed. The easiest way to explain that difference is through numbers. Your typical lighter ignites at 400 °C and can burn your cannabis flower at 780 °C (or 1,436 °F).

Because the temperature gets so hot, the flame ends up burning a lot more than THC and the other psychoactive drugs you aim to consume. In fact, your smoking device may be completely burning off around a third of the THC before it can ever reach your lungs!

By comparison, most vaporizers burn in a temperature range of 150 °C to 220 °C. A temperature not only prevents you from burning unwanted chemicals found in the plant, but they also perfectly vaporize your THC and active compounds. As a result, you get a more intense high.

Most decent vaporizers also have a temperature function so that you can customize your experience. Lower temperatures around 155 °C tend to give a more mellow, focused and productive high. Medium temperatures amp up the buzz, while temperatures above 190 °C burn off compounds that intensify your high and can even make you sleepy or meditative.

Vaporizers also tend to work one of two ways. Conductive vapes burn a heating element that directly contacts the weed. This tends to create uneven burning and a higher chance of scalding the plant, making it the domain of cheaper devices. Convective vapes use a heating element to create hot air. This hot air is then either blown over or inhaled across the cannabis material.

Lots of variations can be found within the types of vapes available. Take a look at all the ways to consume weed through vaping below.

Tabletop Vaporizers

Tabletop vapes are compact and portable, but they can’t fit in your pocket. Many include a hose connected to the heating device that can be passed around. Others use forced air to fill a bag with vape smoke, popularized by the Volcano brand of devices.

Pros: Higher quality devices can produce lots of vape smoke quickly and are packed with features.
Cons: Hoses are a pain, so try to opt for bag-style devices. Unfortunately, these are quite pricey. Avoid knock-offs, too, since they can often break unexpectedly or introduce toxins by heating up device components.

Portable Flower Vaporizers

Portable flower vapes make the tabletop concept compact. You simply fill the device with freshly ground flower, set your desired temperature, let it heat for a moment and then begin toking.

Pros: Lightweight, pocket-ready devices can be highly portable and good for traveling. Prices also tend to be more reasonable for high-quality devices compared to tabletop setups.
Cons: You need to charge the device. Some devices use rechargeable batteries that can’t be replaced. Power-up and power-down cycles are not as efficient, burning some weed. Smell is still noticeable compared to many oil-based vape pens.

Cartridge-Based Vaporizer Pen

Cartridge-based vaporizer pens consist of a rechargeable battery, cartridge, and a vaporizer. Activating them is as simple as pushing a button. Your vapor is available instantly, so there’s no waste. The devices also have little to no odour, making them handy and discrete.

The cheapest versions are extremely affordable and work by screwing on a pre-made and pre-loaded cartridge. This arrangement is convenient, but you must buy the cartridges retail. Some models allow you to fill your own cartridge, but you must be careful about the viscosity for the device to work as intended.

Cartridges contain a concentrate prepared from a cannabis extract, usually with an added thinning agent. Distillate-based cartridges contain almost pure cannabinoids, but they may be prepared using plant trim and lack the flavor and entourage effect that comes from complete terpene profiles.

Some cartridges contain more complete extracts, bringing in terpenes that enhance flavor and high. For instance, they may have a specific flavor of a sativa strain like lemon G. Or, they may have a fruity marijuana strain flavor, like pineapple express. These complete terpenes also act as natural thinning agents, reducing the need for additives. But they tend to be much more costly.

Pros: Extremely portable and discrete, usually with no obvious odour. Batteries are inexpensive and easily replaced. Wide variety of pre-loaded cartridges generally available.
Cons: Some cheap cartridges may contain unhealthy additives, so do your research. Best-tasting cannabis cartridges with terpenes are also the most expensive.

“Dab” Rigs AKA Concentrate Vaping

As the technology for processing marijuana evolved, many laboratories were able to devise ways to extract THC and other cannabinoids while leaving plant materials behind.

The result is that you are not burning plant materials at all, creating a “cleaner” high and allowing you to more efficiently consume. For instance, a one-gram ball of wax could potentially offer the same amount of uses compared to four grams of flower.

Most methods for dabbing involve creating a superheated quartz or titanium element (a “nail”) that is then pressed upon a small bit of the extract, instantly vaporizing it. The smoke can then be pulled into the lungs like you would a regular bong. A super hot blowtorch is needed for this method, creating a potential fire hazard. You must also take care with ventilation not to breathe in the combusted gases from the torch.

Note that there are portable pens available that allow you to dab on the go. They may be substantially pricier than pre-loaded cartridge-based pens, but they eliminate the need to heat the oil rig before consuming cannabis.

Pros: Cheap and chemically pure way to consume weed. Lots of varieties of concentrates and extracts to sample.
Cons: Huge fire hazard and burn risks if the device is handled improperly.

Edibles, Tinctures and Sprays

Edibles are a tried-and-true method of consuming marijuana, and for good reason. For one, the process is absolutely discrete. No one needs to know if that candy bar you’re munching on contains anything out of the ordinary. For another, ingesting THC creates a time-release effect. While smoking can last an hour or two, max, with full effects, edibles can easily have you stoned out of your gourd for six hours or more.

On top of that, the digestive action of breaking down THC through your normal metabolism changes the drug’s effects. You may notice a more intense high with distorted visuals. You may also feel more disoriented or sleepy, almost akin to being drunk. This experience may make it difficult to engage in physical activities, but it also makes edibles one of the best ways to manage chronic pain through cannabis.

Over-consuming edibles can easily lead to an unpleasant experience, in fact. Since many preparations do not accurately measure the dosage, each time you consume edibles you are taking a gamble in terms of potency. Also, the effects take 30 to 60 minutes to onset, and some people will become overzealous and consume far too much, thinking their preparation was “weak.” Adding alcohol to the mix tends to make things worse.

Sublingual tinctures and sprays could be considered a “middle ground” between edibles and smoked/vaped cannabis. They don’t take as long to take effect, and they tend to fade more quickly as well. They can be quickly applied under the tongue and may take just 15 to 40 minutes compared to edibles. They are also typically easier to control the dosage, as well.

Many lozenges and candies also have effects closer to sprays and tinctures since they are mostly absorbed through the mouth capillaries rather than digestion.

Pros: Long-lasting, intense high. Most discrete method for consuming cannabis. Unique effects compared to smoking/vaping.
Cons: Delayed onset. Duration of being high sometimes lasts too long for comfort. Dosage can be tricky, especially with non-commercial preparations. Food can potentially spoil. Edibles are easily mistaken for regular food, so there is the chance that they could be accidentally eaten.

So, what’s the best to consume weed without smoking? That’s up to you! At the end of the day, not inhaling smoke is a great decision, but how you go about that is up to you. Many regular smokers prefer to have multiple methods at their disposal based on the situation at hand and their needs. They may, for instance, keep a cartridge pen on them during the day but enjoy edibles at night.

If you’ve got high before, the most likely case is that you’ve smoked marijuana pre-rolled joints or blunt. Whether your rolled it yourself or had a friend do it for you, someone had to master the skill. The art of rolling a joint is one that many practitioners are particularly proud of, but not everyone can be an expert.

Fortunately, you can buy pre-rolled joints from just about every dispensary in Canada. With joints, the hard part is already taken care of. All you have to worry about is lighting it up and enjoy! Just make sure to check that you’re still getting the same high high quality cannabis inside product inside.

What it has to offer can vary quite a bit, however, so you need to make sure you’re getting quality cannabis inside your pre roll.

Before you dive into the world of pre-rolled blunts, you need to find out what exactly that entails. Learn all about marijuana pre-rolled joints, their makeup, and where you can find them, whether you’re willing to go to a dispensary or just want them delivered right to your front door.

Addressing the Shake Issue

The first thing you need to know about pre rolls is that the marijuana inside is shake. Essentially, shake is the small pieces of marijuana left at the bottom of a jar after the larger pieces have all been used up. Not only is the small size perfect for joints, but it allows producers to use every last bit of their cannabis to avoid being wasteful.

Some people are skeptical when it comes to shake because it’s often confused with the stems and leaves that are removed from cannabis, since they don’t contain any of the potent cannabinoids required to produce the desired effects. Shake, on the other hand, offers all the same benefits as larger pieces of cannabis, making the only real difference the size of the pieces.

Watch Out For Low Quality Pre Rolls

Marijuana pre-rolled joints are one of the few cannabis products where you can’t actually see the product you’re going to be using. They’re already wrapped, so any cannabis is out of sight. Even worse, the only way to check the product beforehand is to break the joint, effectively ruining it. Because of this, some companies have taken advantage.

Since you can’t see what kind of marijuana is inside until after you’ve made your purchase, some companies fill it with low-quality product or stems to cut costs on their end. Meanwhile, you don’t get anywhere near the kind of high you paid for. Because of this practice, many marijuana users have become very outspoken against pre rolls.

These same companies also get away with it due to the growing number of first-time users. As marijuana becomes legal, more people are trying it for the first time. These first-time users have nothing to compare it to, so they’ll assume that a low-quality pre roll is simply what marijuana is like. It will still be better than no high at all, so many will be back again buying the same low-quality product without knowing what they’re missing.

Finding the Best Marijuana Pre-Rolled Joints

Just because there are shady companies trying to take advantage of the nature of pre rolls doesn’t mean there aren’t good options out there. In fact, as more people become aware of companies trying to trick people with low quality pre rolls, other companies are taking advantage by offering the quality product people deserve.

If you’re unsure whether a pre-roll pack you’re interested in is quality or not, you can always look for reviews of the brand online. If that’s not enough, simply consult the people at your local dispensary. These people are going to be marijuana experts, so you can always count on their advice to be honest and accurate.

Sometimes you simply don’t feel like making the trip to the dispensary. In Canada, that’s totally fine because you can buy pre-rolled joints online. Without the advice of an expert at a dispensary, you are taking on some risk when buying online, but if it’s a brand you trust, you don’t have anything to worry about. Placing your order in Canada and having pre rolls delivered to your front door makes getting the product you need easier than ever before.

Before you try to find the best pre-rolled joints, you need to have an idea of how much they cost on average to ensure you’re not paying too much. Generally, marijuana pre-rolled joints will put you back about $10 a piece. That means a pack of five will cost about $50.

At some places, you’ll be able to find some for half that price, but you generally get what you pay for, so don’t expect much out of them. On the other hand, there are some brands that charge up to $25 per joint, although these are typically quite large and very high quality.

Smoking Pre-Rolled Blunts

When it comes to marijuana pre-rolled joints, the best practices for smoking them are generally the same as if you rolled them yourself. They’re all going to be easy to manage, so all you have to worry about is lighting them evenly to start a steady burn that doesn’t canoe.

To do this, you need to hold the flame up to the tip and let it burn while slowly turning the joint back and forth. This will allow for an even burn on all sides. A lot of people like to inhale during the initial lighting like they would with a tobacco product, but it’s generally not a good idea with cannabis. Instead, hold the flame there for a little longer, then take a gentle puff to get things going.

The best pre-rolled joints are easy to use and easily accessible, so what are you waiting for? Thanks to Canada’s relaxed cannabis laws, it’s never been this easy to get your hands on joints that are ready to go as soon as you get them. It’s time to enjoy everything marijuana has to offer.

Recreational cannabis will become legal across Canada starting October 17, 2018. The question that many people are wondering now is, can you enjoy consuming cannabis at home without worrying about getting a drug test at work?

Drug testing is a particularly sticky issue with marijuana because the drug lingers in your system for such a long time. One night of heavy consumption can cause you to fail a urine-based THC test weeks afterward.

If you are a regular cannabis user, there is also a risk that pre-employment drug testing will reveal if you have smoked within the past two to three months. So, even if you don’t intend to come to work high, there’s always a chance that some employers placing judgement on you if you tested positive.

Worse, the policies surrounding employee drug testing could become stricter, hurting those who smoke medical marijuana for chronic health symptoms.

Concerns like these have an upside and downside. The upside is that Canada has a stronger history of opposing random drug screenings and invading personal privacy compared to certain neighbours down south.

The downside? That may all soon change if certain Prime Ministers and industries have their way.

THC Drug Test Inaccuracy Is A Prime Concern

The biggest issue with employee drug testing for marijuana in Canada is that employers know all too well the limitations of typical THC test kits. Urine-based kits can detect sufficient amounts of THC to trigger a positive for at least a week after consumption. Heavy cannabis use may end up causing a positive drug test for months.

Blood tests offer a slightly more accurate window. They only detect more recent activity within the past 24 hours for occasional smokers and up to 7-10 days for heavier smokers. Even then, an employer can’t prove that the person who tests positive is high on the job.

“We do not yet have a test that can measure impairment, unlike what we have for alcohol,” associate clinical professor at the University of Alberta Dr. Charl Els told CBC news. “At this point, marijuana testing in the workplace only tests for the presence of the substance.”

That limitation means that current THC test options not only pick up drug use from prior use, but also cannot detect current levels of intoxication. There’s no reliable spectrum of impairment to measure, unlike blood alcohol content (BAC) tests. Employers could potentially accuse someone of being high on the job, obtain a test, receive a positive result and declare that the worker was “too stoned to be working,” while the employee can dispute that they hadn’t consumed cannabis that day.

A few breathalyzer-style tests are currently being experimented with, but there’s no indication of when these products will be reliable enough to hit the market.

The Dilemma with Workplace and Pre-Employment Drug Screenings

Employers and politicians who are interested in cannabis drug test policies face another obstacle – political inertia.

“As the law currently stands, random workplace drug testing is contentious,” writes Huffington Post’s Vancouver-based contributor Sarah E. Leamon.

Instead, employees only get tested in situations when the employer feels it’s necessary.

“More often than not, this means that an employer must have reasonable cause to believe that the employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at work,” Leamon elaborates, adding that a workplace accident or misbehavior might prompt such a decision. “So in other words, there has to be some reasonable basis for invading the employees’ privacy in this manner.”

Employers also have to worry about losing out on applicants. Garnet Amundson, CEO of Essential Energy Services Ltd., knows that pre-employment drug testing in Canada for cannabis could discourage perfectly responsible, capable candidates from applying for jobs.

In an interview with the Insurance Journal, Amundson compares it to a situation where “somebody said to us, ‘if you’ve had a drink in the last two months, you’re considered not fit for duty,’” said Amundson, Essential Energy’s Chief Executive Officer.

Constantly turning down or deterring qualified candidates not only puts the company in a bad spot, it could also potentially affect the economy. The energy sector makes up 7% of the Canadian economy, and U.S. exports alone totaled $54 billion in 2016. While some candidates may try to sober up before their drug test, others may avoid applying at businesses that test altogether.

Canadian Employers Look to Mirror U.S. Laws Despite U.S. Employers Relaxing Drug Policies

Issues like candidate availability are why many employers in the U.S. decide to relax their drug policies, at least as far as marijuana is concerned. AutoNation Inc., which is the largest dealer network in the U.S., declared that it would not reject job applicants who tested positive for THC just this past January.

The Denver Post ended pre-employment drug screenings altogether as far back as 2016.

Unions also vehemently oppose random or otherwise unfair drug screenings that could unreasonably give up expectations of privacy and employment security. When the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) began implementing tests for THC with a 10 ng/ml standard, the case went to arbitration with the company union.

Even with these challenges, some political figures are determined to implement checks on drug use for the sake of public safety.

“We examined very closely what we could do as far as testing when there was a bona fide safety requirement,” MP Bill Blair told CBC radio. “In those very limited circumstances, it’s possible.”

Even then, the proposed testing would only center on certain occupations where there are critical safety concerns, especially in regard to the public. But for now, those who smoke marijuana for chronic pain or for fun can breathe easy.

When you imagine someone smoking marijuana, what’s the first image that comes to your head? If you partake yourself, you will most likely picture your preferred method of consumption, but most people imagine the iconic rolled joint. This affordable method of consumption presents a convenient way to get high discreetly.

The downside of joints is that most people don’t know how to roll a joint. Whether you have bulky fingers or lack the required dexterity, rolling a joint was beyond the capabilities of many potential pot smokers who had to turn to others for rolling their joint.

Fortunately, there’s a new way you can enjoy a joint without having to master the art of rolling. You can get a pre-rolled joint that takes care of all the hard part for you. Learn about the benefits of marijuana pre-rolls, and discover how pre-rolled joint packs are becoming featured in dispensaries throughout Canada.

What to Look Out for With Pre-Rolled Joints

While pre-rolled joint packs have become more available lately, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve become especially popular. Quite a few critics on platforms like YouTube suggest that marijuana pre-rolls aren’t reliable and do not offer the same product that they advertise. While pre-rolls are supposed to contain quality cannabis, some may be filled with the trim rather than the quality flower.

Unfortunately, that criticism isn’t entirely unwarranted. That’s exactly what some manufacturers have been found to do. Pre-rolls are fully wrapped by the time any potential customer sees them, so there’s really no way to determine the quality of the product until after its been purchased. Knowing this, some manufacturers may hide lower quality cannabis inside to maximize their profits and take advantage of less experienced users.

Many people who are looking to try marijuana for the first time will turn to pre-rolls. It’s a convenient way for them to learn what it’s like to smoke without committing time into learning how ot roll a joint themselves. A poorly rolled joint isn’t just frustrating. It can downright ruin the entire experience, so pre-rolls are a popular alternative for first-timers.

Shaking Things Up

For the most part, pre-rolls are filled with shake. By definition, shake is simply cannabis cut up into smaller pieces. One of the most common misconceptions is that shake is a collection of stems and leaves. While shake is technically just as high quality as the product it came from, stems and leaves can be easily disguised as shake. For that reason alone, a lot of consumers are wary about buying shake products.

The use of shake also leads to other issues, although some may be seen as more of a feature by some users. In an effort to use all of the cannabis for products, many producers get their shake from what’s left at the bottom of their storage jars. If they’re not properly maintained, the cannabis will be degraded. In addition, shake is sometimes a mixture of multiple strains. Since they aren’t identified, you could be in for a surprise when you get high.

How Are Pre-Rolls Made?

The basic components of a joint are generally well understood. You have the cannabis, and you have the wrapping. Pre-rolled joints have the same parts, except the cannabis inside is made of shake. For any nugs or other ingredients that are typically larger than shake pieces, they’ll grind them down to create a consistent texture of the contents inside.

After the ingredients are together, the majority of the manufacturing process is done by machines. Wrapping is arranged like a cone that the shake is poured into. Then, the wrapping is closed up around it and shaken to distribute the product inside easily and remove any air pockets. After that, a human employee will manually inspect each one to make sure they’re not too loose or too tight, as either can cause problems when smoking. After that, the tip gets twisted, and they’re ready to go.

Where to Find Pre-Rolled Joints For Sale

Thanks to Canada’s increasingly accepting view of marijuana, it’s easier than ever to buy your favorite strains online and have them shipped directly to your doorstep. You can find virtually any cannabis infused product online, so pre rolls are only too easy to come by. You’ll be able to choose from quite a few different manufacturers, but you deserve only the best.

To find pre rolls that you can trust to be filled with quality shake rather than stems and leaves, there’s really no way to tell by looking. Since they’re pre rolled, you can’t see inside, but you can read the product reviews online. People today don’t hesitate to speak out, so if the marijuana pre rolls you’re looking at don’t offer the good stuff you want, people will have pointed it out.

If the online reviews aren’t enough, ask about pre-rolled joints at Canada dispensaries. Even if you contact them online, they’ll generally be happy to tell you about the brands that offer pre rolls you can count on. If it really comes down to it, it may be a good idea to sacrifice one of the joints in one of your pre rolled joint packs just to take a look at what’s inside. Generally, this will give you an idea of what the entire pack is like.

Pre-Rolled Joints In Canada

If you’re looking to try a pre-rolled joint, Canada is a great place. With dispensaries becoming more accessible, you’ll find plenty of places where you can find pre rolls to try.

Remember, you should never hesitate to ask someone at your dispensary about any pre rolls you’re thinking about buying. While there have been plenty of improvements over the past few years, you’ll still find some that are packed with stems and leaves rather than the quality product you’re paying for. Instead, make sure you get to enjoy the convenience a pre-roll can bring.

Hit the bong too hard? Didn’t realize how strong those edibles were? It’s happened to the best of us: one minute you’re chilling and enjoying yourself, the next you feel like your heart’s in a knot and your life is falling apart. Some people over-indulge and then want to know how to stop being high when it gets too intense. We’ve all been there, so knowing how to come down from a high is an important skill for saving your butt when things get rocky.

Fortunately, there are plenty of methods for how to stop being high. Some are meant to help you relax and distract from unpleasant sensations. Others help you fight the effects physically by cancelling out some of the THC in your bloodstream.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how to come down from weed or how to stop being high, this is the post for you! Read on for six tips on how to get less high and find your happy place once more.

1. Relax, and Don’t Let Your Thoughts Get Away From You

If you experience an intense high, the first thing you should know is the high will pass within a few hours. You may have a high pulse and feel downright crummy, but everything else is in your head.

Consider THC’s LD50, which refers to the dosage needed to give you a 50/50 chance of dying from ingesting too much. It’s estimated to be 666 mg of THC per kilogram of body weight at the low end and 1,260 mg/kg at the high end. That means a 70kg person would have to ingest 46 grams of pure THC to have a serious risk of complications. You’d need to smoke 680 kg in around 15 minutes.

It’s impossible! If you tried to overdose on edibles, the salt and sugar would kill you long before the pot did. So the good news is that you will be fine eventually.

The best place to start is by concentrating on breathing. Breathe in your nose for five full seconds, then breathe out again for five full seconds. Fill your belly with air instead of your chest. Then, try to get as comfortable as possible. If you’re in an unfamiliar place, get your friends around you. Call someone you trust, if you need to.

Try to reign in paranoid thoughts, as well. The way you are in this moment is really not so different than if you weren’t high at all. Most people probably couldn’t even tell that you were high unless you told them.

2. Make Sure To Eat Food and Drink Water

Having low blood sugar and being dehydrated can both make you feel terrible. You’ll likely feel jumpy, irritable, tired, and generally unwell. Being too high can make all of these feelings worse, so one trick for how to come down from weed is to treat your symptoms directly.

Start with a cool cup of water. Drink at least eight ounces and take it slowly.

You should also try to eat something. Even a light snack helps. Crackers and dried fruit are always a great option, but so are snack foods like popcorn, potato chips, or fresh-cut veggies. If you’re really that baked, you shouldn’t have trouble being persuaded to eat!

Even if you’re not noticeably hungry or thirsty, eating and drinking can benefit you when trying to figure out how to stop being high. It helps your body eliminate chemicals, including THC.

The food causes other substances to enter your bloodstream, diluting the drug’s effects. Drinking water allows you to urinate out other substances, helping your body break down the THC more quickly. Also, digestion takes energy, which further helps you break down the lingering THC.

3. Get Outside and Move Around

Burning off energy helps you metabolize THC more quickly. It also helps you get rid of your jitters and feel more relaxed. Being outside can also help you get out of a paranoid headspace.

So, go for a walk! Get some friends to come with you if possible, and get some fresh air to relieve your anxiety.

If you don’t feel like leaving the house – or you physically can’t – do some light stretching. Here’s a great relaxation routine you can do in just three minutes. If you’re more of an active type, you can even do some pushups or situps. The more energy you burn, the more THC you metabolize, and the more relaxed you’ll feel.

4. Find Something Enjoyable to Distract You

The best part about being high is that it makes most of the things you love even better! If you’re a gamer, playing a video game stoned is one of the best distractions since it keeps your mind engaged. You can also try to enjoy a movie or dance to some of your favorite music on weed.

If you have access to other activities, go ahead and try them out. Start drawing, bust out some crafts, clean something, or try your hand at some puzzles.

Sex is another great option while stoned, even if it’s just with yourself! Having sex or masturbating helps you burn energy, and it releases chemicals that relax you. If nothing else, it makes for a good temporary distraction!

5. Try These Substances That Can Help You Come Down From a High

You can try a few safe chemicals when figuring out how to come down from weed.

The first one to consider is CBD. CBD actively cancels out many of the effects of THC, including lowering your anxiety. You can find pure CBD oil in tinctures, drops, or vape-ready cartridge forms. If you’re the type of person who tends to get overwhelmed easily by being high, having some CBD handy could be good for critical situations.

If you don’t have pure CBD handy, try to find marijuana strains that help with anxiety. They can potentially lower the effects of THC and provide psychoactive benefits for your symptoms.

Other alleged substances that can help you when trying to learn how to get less high include fresh citrus and whole black peppercorns. Biting onto a lemon wedge or chewing on black pepper can supposedly counteract many of the sensations associated with being high.

6. Lie Down and Take a Nap

If all else fails, sleep it off! Putting on some music or a movie can help you drift off. Even if you never actually fall asleep, closing your eyes and doing nothing but resting can often help you reorient yourself and shake off your jitters.

And, of course, it helps to know your limits in the first place! Be careful when consuming cannabis, especially edibles, since they have longer release durations. Don’t be a hero, and remember how upset you felt the last time you smoked or ate too much weed to avoid making the same mistake twice.

1. Overdosing

It is possible to overdose and die due to excessive alcohol consumption. The Scientific Research Society listed alcohol as one of the most toxic drugs. Marijuana is one of the least toxic because it would take thousands of a single “use” amount. The number is thousands because there has never been a death due to marijuana overdose.

The CDC reports that hundreds of deaths occur due to alcohol overdoses every single year. It’s possible to drink enough alcohol to get alcohol poisoning, making it a deadly drug to use over time.

2. Weed vs Alcohol: Health-related costs

Research has shown time and time again that alcohol causes many health issues.

Studies from the British Columbia Mental Health and Addictions Journal show that health costs due to alcohol-related conditions are eight times more than costs associated with marijuana usage. The expenses amount to $20 per person every year for someone who uses marijuana, while the cost of alcohol-related conditions amounts to $165 per person every year.

Medical marijuana can be an effective alternative to prescription medications for conditions such as arthritis, pain, epilepsy, cancer, and severe nausea. This is especially useful with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

3. Reduce the risk of cancer

4. Weed vs Alcohol: Addiction

Weed and alcohol are also very different in how users can develop dependency. Every year, throughout the world, people seek treatment for alcohol addiction.

Alcohol has potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms. A moderate drinker can develop physical dependency, requiring the substance to keep the body from going through painful withdrawal symptoms.

It’s possible to develop a habitual addiction to marijuana in the same way someone becomes addicted to food or shopping. However, cannabis does not cause any symptoms of physical dependency.

5. Higher crime rate

People who drink alcohol are more likely to participate in high-risk activities that can be dangerous and lead to being arrested. Current estimates from the United States Department of Health and Human Services associate 25 to 30 percent of violent crimes with alcohol use, compared to none directly associated with marijuana use.

Communities with many people who drink have higher rates of domestic violence, drunk driving, or disorderly conduct arrests. Alcohol itself doesn’t cause these problems but lowers inhibitions and increases the chances of someone partaking in the illegal activities. More states have legalized marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes and as a result, crime rates were reduced.

The idea that marijuana is an evil drug is a dated concept that needs to be re-examined by both consumers and government. As people have become more aware of the health benefits of marijuana, perceptions of the substance have started to change. Advocates for both medical and recreational cannabis are now speaking up and pushing for legislation to legalize marijuana so that everyone can access cannabis for whatever their needs may be.

Athletes and marijuana may seem like an odd combination at first glance, but the truth is that weed and athletes have been getting along forever. Anyone who’s watched Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Pumping Iron knows that some of the world’s strongest and most dedicated athletes are no stranger to cannabis.

Is marijuana a performance-enhancing drug, then? No – at least not as far as we can tell given current research. If there are performance-based benefits, they are either subtle or completely related to the athlete’s mental state.

But just because cannabis doesn’t make you run faster or jump higher, objectively, does not mean it doesn’t have benefits to endurance sports. Many athletes say that they enjoy toking up before light training or after their workout as a form of recovery. Others rely heavily on CBD to reduce pain and deal with the inflammation that naturally comes with training.

So while pot won’t make you into a superhero Olympian, it can make endurance sports more enjoyable. Learn more about why athletes and marijuana are becoming fast friends by considering the information below.

Athletes and Marijuana Prove That the “Runner’s High” and a Regular Weed High Aren’t So Different

Most people who love exercising wax poetic about how good their workout makes them feel. A combination of feeling relaxed from the exertion and satisfied with their progress doesn’t quite explain this powerfully enjoyable sensation, either – the proverbial “runner’s high.”

Scientists theorized that the feelings come from our body’s own chemical signals. Endorphins, which kick in during exertion to dull pain, were always the primary suspect. But more recently, researchers learned that a molecule called anandamide was the most likely cause, not endorphins.

Most interestingly, anandamide is a natural endocannabinoid molecule. That means it is like the cannabinoids found in marijuana, such as THC and CBD. Realizing this, suddenly the mixture of weed and athletes doesn’t seem so surprising!

Long distance runner Avery Collins says that the combination “helps me live right in the moment.” He hails from the U.S. state of Colorado, where recreational cannabis use is legal. His specialty is running ultra-long distances, sometimes as many as 200 miles. While he rarely imbibes THC in the weeks leading up to a race, edibles or his vaporizer are a regular part of his training regimen.

“It makes things very spiritual,” he explains. “You don’t think about anything except the run itself. I use it as a way to intensify and enhance the run. It makes the longevity of the runner’s high last longer because technically you’re already high.”

Weed and Athletes Mix Well by Helping Improve Mindfulness While Reducing Pain and Inflammation

Aside from the enjoyability of the runner’s high, there are several other reasons why weed and athletes work so well together. Firstly, cannabis and especially THC help dull pain and mitigate the effects of injury.

“It’s really across the board in all different types of pain, whether it’s musculoskeletal, inflammatory, neuropathic and so forth,” explains Dustin Sulak, a physician and integrative medicine specialist.

These properties make weed an excellent recovery aid, and it can also enhance regular workouts by keeping the athlete from feeling tired or sore too early.

As the body gets distracted from its annoyances, the athlete can focus more on their performance as well as the simple experience of being active. “Nowadays, I rarely leave on a run without smoking a bit,” writes New York Times commenter Selena Goodwin from Seattle. “It distracts me from the actual running and allows me to have an introspective experience which can often result in amazing self-discovery.”

Others cite that the sensation of being high helps them focus on their form as well as their overarching goals. “It just helps you really be present and get more into a focused mindstate,” explains pro climber Courtney Sanders. “Otherwise, you’re just scatterbrained. That’s like the purest meditative point.”

Athletes tend to turn to marijuana especially once the workout is over. While some athletes prefer rarely – if ever – to train while high, consuming cannabis after an intense session becomes part of their recovery ritual.

This ritual can include edibles, vaping, or smoking weed that has THC, but others may prefer topicals or CBD-only products. UFC fighter Nate Diaz famously toked a CBD-oil vape pen during a 2016 post-fight press conference. “It helps with the healing process and inflammation,” Diaz explained to a journalist that asked what he was smoking on. “So you want to get these before and after the fights, training. It’ll make your life a better place.”

Is Marijuana a Performance-Enhancing Drug? Probably Not

While marijuana can help the way you feel before and after a workout, it’s likely not going to boost your performance from a purely physical standpoint. In fact, the few studies measuring the effects of marijuana on performance show that it can actually suffer slightly after you smoke.

“Cannabis has been shown to be a performance-degrading drug, so for peak performance you should not use cannabis,” explains Dr. Jordan Tishler, a cannabis therapeutics specialist. Possible consequences include decreased stamina, lower oxygen uptake, and distracted focus, including decreased hand-eye coordination.

Perhaps those effects are why the World Anti-Doping Agency, which handles drug testing for the Olympics, lowered the acceptable THC threshold to a limit of 150 ng/ml of blood. At that level, athletes can enjoy marijuana during their routine but have to sober up by the time trials come around.

Of course, the negative effects of marijuana depend completely on the amount you consume and the type of marijuana strain you use. Indica marijuana strains, known for their relaxation effects, just might leave you sleepy and unfocused rather than energized, for instance. Instead, you can seek out uplifting sativa strains, like Super Silver Haze or Durban Poison.

To find out more about different cannabis strains, click here.

Also, don’t overdo it! A few puffs can be enough to make you enjoy your workout more or feel more in-tune with your body. But consuming too much THC could leave you spending an hour trying to find the running shoes you already have laced to your feet. Or, worse, you could end up on the couch rather than at the gym or on the trail.

“Each individual varies on how their liver breaks down cannabis and how rapidly it is absorbed into the blood and distributed to the rest of the body, including the brain,” reveals integrative cannabis specialist Dr. June Chin. “I suggest starting with small doses and not trying a strenuous exercise routine.”

People who wonder ‘how does marijuana work?’ are often given an explanation about cannabinoids like THC and CBD. But what are cannabinoids and how do they have such a strong effect on our body?

The answer to that question is that cannabinoids are chemical compounds. They naturally grow in cannabis and other plants, such as echinacea.

These compounds interact with our natural endocannabinoid systems (ECS) and cause certain responses. Basically, cannabinoid compounds mimic important chemicals made in our body. Our body’s response to these compounds depends on their chemical makeup.

THC is one of the most remarkable and potent cannabinoids and is the active compound in marijuana that gets you high. CBD is another important compound because of its potent medicinal benefits. There are, however, also over 100 different cannabinoids that you may not have heard about.

Learn more about the answers to questions such as “what are cannabinoids?” and “how does marijuana work?” by reading the information below.

How Does Marijuana Work? You Can Thank Our Endocannabinoid System

Smoking marijuana causes psychoactive effects by triggering certain natural chemical reactions in the body.

These reactions are traced back to the endocannabinoid system. The ECS was discovered by scientists who were curious about why marijuana gets people high.

Research conducted by neuroscientists Allyn Howlett and William Devane first identified the ECS back in 1988. By tagging THC molecules and tracing their path through rat brains, they discovered special neurological receptors that are spread throughout the body.

They dubbed the receptors part of the endogenous cannabinoid system, also called the endocannabinoid system.

In other words, it’s not remarkable that we have so many receptors spread throughout multiple systems. What is remarkable is how effectively marijuana cannabinoids are at stimulating this system to create important, beneficial effects.

How Marijuana Gets You High

The receptors in our body are designed to react to specific chemical signals. These signals are called neurotransmitters.

Neurotransmitters help activate or shut down chemical processes in our body. For instance, the hormone adrenaline tells our body to raise our heart rate and hasten our reaction time.

When someone consumes marijuana, THC particles end up interacting with receptors in the brain and elsewhere in the body. Binding to these receptors can trigger a huge range of effects.

For example, THC acts on the neurotransmitters responsible for appetite and hunger. They also happen to cause reactions related to our mood.

These two reactions explain why cannabis is a great appetite stimulant and why it can make us feel happy and less depressed. Our ECS is also related to managing sleep cycles, which is probably why marijuana can reduce insomnia.

Other functions that ECS receptors control include:

• Memory
• Motor functioning
• Pain
• Temperature regulation
• Pleasure and reward
• Immune functioning

Many people who have issues with these areas may, in fact, have deficiencies related to their ECS neurotransmitters. That’s why medical marijuana can be so effective at so many different things.

It also explains why people ask someone “how does marijuana work?” they’re often given many different explanations.

What Are Cannabinoids Other Than THC and CBD?

THC and CBD are the most famous cannabinoids because they have the most obvious effects. They have also been studied the most extensively out of all the cannabinoid compounds.

Yet, if someone were to explain “what are cannabinoids?” these two compounds would be just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other compounds that have their own interesting properties and benefits.

To learn more about these compounds, look at some of the better-understood cannabinoids below:

• THCA — The acidic form of THC, this is the cannabinoid created by the marijuana plant; when heated up it becomes THC
• Cannabinol (CBN) — Created when THCA breaks down after exposure to oxygen, CBN is a powerful sedative responsible for “couch lock.” It also has some medical benefits being investigated by the pharmaceutical industry.
• THCV — This compound gets created when the liver metabolizes THC. It is more powerful than THC, which is why edibles feel more potent than smoked cannabis.
• Cannabigerol (CBG) — Non-psychoactive, this compound reduces inflammation, kills bacteria and may even attack cancer cells.
• Cannabichromene (CBC) — Found mainly in tropical cannabis strains, CBC relieves pain, soothes inflammation, inhibits tumor growth and has been reported to promote bone growth.

There are also tons of plants other than marijuana that produce cannabinoid compounds. Liverwort, black pepper, the Amazonian “Electric Daisy” and a plant in South Africa known scientifically as Helichrysum umbraculiform all contain potent cannabinoids.

What Happens Hours After We Ingest Cannabinoids?

A natural follow-up to the question “what are cannabinoids?” is “what happens after cannabinoids have been in our system a while?”

Depending on how much cannabis you ingest, the effect of THC and cannabinoids can last between one and six hours.

But, eventually, THC stops acting upon our receptors. At this point, it is moved from its location via the bloodstream and transported to the liver.

The liver first changes THC into 11-OH-THC, which is also sometimes called “11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC.”

This molecule mimics THC but is less potent. That’s why you may feel slightly stoned after the THC wears off, but not quite in the same way.

Eventually, the molecules are broken down again into THCCOOH. This compound and 11-OH-THC are known as “THC metabolites” because they are the result of digesting THC.

Like most cannabinoids, THCCOOH is not water soluble. It can only be dissolved into fat or oil. For this reason, the body must get rid of THCCOOH very slowly. Otherwise, it could back up the endocrine system.

To pace itself, our livers store surplus THCCOOH in our fat tissues. It is broken down at the same time the fat cells are used for energy. That is why it can take weeks or even months after smoking to completely rid THC from your system.

Discover Different Effects of Cannabinoids in Different Cannabis Strains

Now that you know the answers to “what are cannabinoids?” and “how does marijuana work?” you can begin experiencing the various effects from different strains of marijuana.

Some strains may have more CBN, for instance, which can help you relax and sleep more easily. Other strains may energize you thanks to their high THC content.

Conduct research on the various cannabinoids, and you can choose a cannabis strain that provides personal enjoyment or soothes your medical symptoms.

There’s a lot of controversy about the medical and recreational use of marijuana, with evidence and support on both sides. One of the controversial issues is marijuana withdrawal, and whether it’s a legitimate issue that users should consider before regularly using marijuana.

A lot of disagreement remains about this issue, with many people arguing that marijuana has only positive effects and is non-addictive. However, some studies contradict this belief. Quitting marijuana can be difficult. This is particularly true for chronic users, so if you experience problems you should look for professional assistance and expert advice.

Keep reading to learn about the symptoms and problems you may experience when you’re trying to quit marijuana. Also find out how you can manage your symptoms of withdrawal.

Is Marijuana Withdrawal Real?

Despite arguments on the opposing side, research suggests that marijuana withdrawal is real. Recent studies show that long term users of cannabis are likely to experience a range of mood and behavioral symptoms of varying intensity when they try to quit.

These weed withdrawal symptoms are typically milder than with other types of legal and illegal drugs. They can last up to four weeks or until the cannabinoid receptors return to normal functioning. Because the symptoms aren’t as severe as with other drugs, they’re usually managed without being admitted to medical care.

Despite the fact that marijuana withdrawal symptoms are considered to be fairly mild to moderate by the medical community, marijuana withdrawal can still be a problem for chronic users. In fact, about 30% of people who try to quit marijuana will start using again because of the symptoms of withdrawal.

As this issue has become more common, there are now more health resources available for cannabis users to get help dealing with the negative effects associated with quitting marijuana.

Marijuana Uses

Confusion remains in the marijuana circle about the differences in weed and other cannabis byproducts, such as CBD oil. CBD or cannabidiol is a compound that’s found in marijuana and hemp plants. However, it doesn’t contain very much THC, the chemical that causes the high that marijuana is known for. Because of this, it’s used for medical purposes only and doesn’t appear to be addictive or cause withdrawal symptoms when people stop using it.

If you’re interested in learning more about the differences between CBD and THC, check out this article.

Weed also has a number of medical uses. It can help alleviate the symptoms of cancer and other chronic or acute diseases such as pain, nausea, and fatigue. It’s also used to help fight psychological issues such as stress and anxiety, and can help treat some of the symptoms of depression.

But because of the high you get from it, weed is also an attractive product for recreational use.The substance can create feelings of pleasure and happiness in users, lower stress levels, and heighten the senses. These positive effects are often the cause of problems, because people enjoy using marijuana and use it too often.

When the use becomes chronic, people can find themselves unable to quit without suffering from the symptoms of marijuana withdrawal.

Symptoms of Weed Withdrawal

The symptoms of marijuana withdrawal are different for each user. This is probably because of differences in body chemistry and different degrees of use. It’s only recently that the medical establishment has acknowledged the existence of cannabis withdrawal as a legitimate mental health concern, so research into the issue is incomplete. Unfortunately, this means that there is very few effective medical treatments for this kind of withdrawal, though this may change in the near future.

To be diagnosed with medical cannabis withdrawal, the individual must have used marijuana regularly for several months before quitting and exhibit at least three symptoms of marijuana withdrawal. These symptoms include:

• Chills
• Sweating
• Decreased appetite
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Bad dreams
• Anger or aggression
• Depression
• Stomach pain

The symptoms of marijuana withdrawal typically aren’t as physically dangerous as they can be with other drugs. Mostly, the symptoms are psychological rather than physical, though this can create other dangers or concerns for users or for the people around them.

Depression in particular can be a concern. People who have depression often use drugs such as marijuana to mask their symptoms. Quitting can heighten the symptoms of depression and cause relapse or even more serious consequences. That’s why it’s so important that people get expert advice and treatment during the withdrawal process so that other issues can be dealt with at the same time.

Marijuana Withdrawal Treatments

Typically, the treatment for marijuana withdrawal involves a combination of therapies and medications that depend on the individual experience of withdrawal. These treatments can include the following:

• Medications that treat the symptoms such as anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, or sleep aids
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which addresses the negative or destructive thought patterns that cause troubling behaviors
• Psychotherapy, which is also known as talk therapy and has been found to be useful in some cases
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy, which is meant to increase the individual’s motivation to quit marijuana by encouraging them to set recovery goals and plan how to achieve them
• Contingency management. This also addresses the problem of motivation many marijuana users experience by offering rewards for continued abstinence
• Social support is very important during this process. People who use marijuana need the support of their friends and family as well as more structured support such as groups dedicated to marijuana abuse recovery

Final Thoughts

Marijuana is a legitimate treatment for problems such as chronic pain, anxiety and depression, but that doesn’t mean that it’s completely free of negative effects. In fact, long term users often find that marijuana withdrawal symptoms make it very difficult to quit the drug, which can lead to ongoing use and problems.

If you find that your marijuana use has become a problem, there are a number of treatment options that can help you overcome the symptoms of weed withdrawal and let you take back control of your life again.

Most people have tried weed and think of it as something that makes them feel good, but most don’t consider the possible consequences.  There are some situations in which smoking marijuana is a really bad idea!

Driving while high can be extremely dangerous, not only for you but for the other cars on the road and for the passengers in your car. Which is why you shouldn’t even think about getting behind the wheel when you’re high.

If you need more convincing about this issue, keep reading to learn just how dangerous driving while high can be.

The Effects of Driving While High

Marijuana contains psychoactive components (THC) that provides a euphoric high. It’s one of the main reasons why people use the substance. Cannabis provides a mind-altering effect that leaves users in a state of happiness and relaxation. Although these are a few of marijuana’s benefits, they’re also a serious concern when it comes to driving. Several studies state that driving while high can cause the following issues that can impede your driving abilities:

• Impaired motor coordination
• Impaired cognitive functions
• Slower reaction times
• Divided attention
• Lowered ability to concentrate
• Problems with short term memory
• Decreased time and distance perception

The Risks of Driving While High

With the recent changes to the marijuana laws, a lot of people assume this substance is completely safe and devoid of negative effects. In fact, recent polls suggest that a large number of people think driving while high is relatively safe. This is an assumption that needs to be corrected!

Driving is a complex and dangerous activity and claims more than 1.3 million lives worldwide every year. Other reasons to avoid driving high include:

• The risk of hurting you or someone else
• The potential of damaging property
• Being involved in a crash that destroys your car
• It’s illegal in some places, so you could be arrested and charged, which means you’ll have it on your criminal record for the rest of your life
• Having your license suspended or having to pay expensive fines

Is Driving While High Illegal?

The laws on driving while high in the US and Canada vary widely according to the drug laws. In America, 18 states have a zero tolerance law, which means if you’re caught driving high, you will be prosecuted. Other states have laws that are a little more nuanced and difficult to understand.

It’s also against the law to drive while high in Canada. Because driving while high is so common, law enforcement officers are trained to recognize the signs. So if you get in your car and drive while high, you should know that the most likely case is that you will receive an impaired charge.

Marijuana and Traffic Accidents

The link between traffic accidents and driving high is still unknown. A number of studies suggest that driving high may be associated with a mild to moderate increase in motor vehicle accident risk. However, most of these studies are incomplete or confounded with other accident risk factors.

Cannabis is also the most common drug found in drivers that have been involved in traffic accidents, but this doesn’t mean that the accidents were actually caused by driving high. Cannabis can remain in the body for up to two weeks after ingestion, which means that the tested drivers may not have been impaired by the drug when they had the accident. This kind of information just adds further confusion to the issue and makes it more difficult to clearly define the effects of driving while high.

This issue requires further study before the true connection between driving high and traffic accidents can be uncovered. However, driving is a complicated and dangerous activity, and driving while you’re impaired by marijuana can only make the situation more dangerous for everyone involved.

When is it Safe to Drive?

One of the problems with smoking marijuana or taking other drugs is that you don’t always recognize when you’re impaired. You may feel as if you’re fine because the drug can impair your ability to judge your own state, or give you a false sense of confidence. That’s why it’s safest if you avoid driving high completely.

As a general rule, avoid driving within four hours of inhaling marijuana or six hours of ingesting it in any form. And if you feel at all euphoric or high, no matter how long it’s been since you took the marijuana, don’t get behind the wheel.

The following symptoms are common signs of marijuana impairment that affect driving ability:

• Poor coordination
• Red, swollen eyes
• Slow reaction times
• Dizziness
• Lethargy
• Anxiety
• Distortions in perception such as blurred surroundings or difficulty focusing

Marijuana and Alcohol

Even more dangerous than driving while high is the tendency to drink when you’re high and then drive. It’s incredibly dangerous to drive when you’ve been drinking, and when you combine these two drugs and drive it’s a recipe for disaster. Recent studies have found that even taking in small amounts of these drugs together impairs driving ability more than either drug on their own.

Drivers who combine these drugs tend to make more errors and have more difficulty with driving related tasks, either of which could lead to dangerous if not fatal accidents. This effect is probably due to the fact that drinking alcohol increases THC levels in the blood stream, leading to a more intense high and greater impairment. Which is why you should never combine these two drugs and drive a vehicle, no matter how little you’ve had.

Final Thoughts

The evidence on the specific dangers of driving high is incomplete and contradictory. But what isn’t contradictory is the fact that marijuana affects your ability to focus, the speed of your reactions to unexpected events, as well as a number of other functions that are essential to driving. Which is why you should never drive while you’re impaired by marijuana, or let anyone else do so. Driving while high may seem harmless at the time, but it could cost a life, and that’s too precious a thing to risk.

Is it Possible to Detox from Weed in One Week?

As the cannabis industry continues to grow in Canada, so does the interest in weed detox or detoxification. A key reason many are interested in detoxing their body from marijuana is to pass a drug test. Often, the drug test is a random screening, which means that immediate cleaning is needed. But, is it possible to detox from weed in one day? One week? How long does it really take to rid THC from your body? What factors affect whether someone can weed detox quickly or not? And more importantly, is there a weed detox method that works for everyone? Below, we will cover the answers to these questions.

There are many products on the market today that promise to detox from weed within a week, three days, and even instantly. Yet, detoxing the body is not a snap-the-fingers-and-it-is-done kind of process. In fact, it is a process that takes a bit of time.

In a recent article of ours, 10 Ways to Detox from weed, we discussed the most promising ways to dispel THC from the body. In this article, we are going to explain the whys and wherefores of the process.

By better understanding how THC becomes trapped in the body, how testing technology detects it, and how the body eliminates the compound, our readers will be better equipped for rapid weed detox, even within a week.

What Does It Mean to Detox from Weed?

To detox from weed simply means to clean one’s system of the active component in marijuana, THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical compound that is isolated in most drug tests.

Most drug tests also have cut-off levels, which means that when detoxing the body, not all the THC must be eliminated…only enough to register below the cut-off point.

There are many ways to weed detox, some excellent, others less so; and not every method works for every person. But why?

A large part of the reason lies in how THC molecules are absorbed by the body and stored in fat cells.  Unless the fat cells are burned off, they remain in the body and therefore, so does the THC compound. This helps explain why THC has been detected in urine up to 77 days after use!

If a person smokes marijuana and then gets the munchies, they are adding both to the THC levels in their body as well as increasing the substance required to store the THC in their system, fat. Logically, someone who has a high amount of body fat tissue will store more THC in their body. So, the only way to effectively detoxify the body from THC  is to burn the fat in which the THC is stored. Get exercising!

Is there a Weed Detox that is Guaranteed to Work?

Some commercial detox products state they are guaranteed to work, but the fact is that no method can be guaranteed. Why not?

For a weed detox guarantee to be valid, it would have to work for everyone. The fact is that not everyone will consume the same quantities of cannabis, so they will not retain the same levels of THC in their blood, urine, and other bodily systems.

Those who consume larger quantities, more frequently, or in stronger doses will naturally keep larger quantities of THC in their fat cells. Those who use marijuana less often or in lower doses will retain less.

In addition, there is evidence that slender people will naturally excrete THC more quickly and metabolism may even play a role. Higher metabolisms will burn fat more quickly, naturally detoxing the body faster than someone with larger stores of fat.

Is it Possible to Detox from Weed in One Day?

No, it is not possible to detox from weed in one day. Because detoxification requires burning the fat in which THC is stored and facing facts, fat was not stored in the body in a day… nor will it be removed in a day. Furthermore, there is no way to know which fat cells (the ones with THC or the ones without) were burned.

This cannot be stressed enough. Because THC, the component which is to be cleansed from the body, clings to fat cells, the ONLY way to detox from weed is to burn the fat.

We do this naturally as we go about our daily activities, which is why a drug test will detect THC in the urine; as we burn calories throughout the day, we burn a little fat. Some will enter the bloodstream, some will be excreted via sweat, and some through our urine; even the oils (fat) in our hair will retain the compound.

So, while a day is not long enough to detox from weed, a week is reasonable in some cases.

How Long Does Weed Stay in the Body?

As mentioned before, THC has been detected in urine up to 77 days in some chronic users of cannabis. That is between two and three months, but that is far from common.

Aside from considering how often, how much, and how potent the cannabis, the type of test helps us better understand how long THC remains in the body.

Whereas urine testing detects THC up to 77 days, blood and saliva testing will detect marijuana metabolites only up to seven days. But, hair follicle testing can detect the use of cannabis for up to 90 days.

Thus, THC can remain stored in the body for up to three months (90 days).

How to Detox from Weed in a Week

Detoxing the body from THC within a week is possible, but the time it takes depends on several factors. A person who has a low body-mass index (BMI) will store and retain less THC than someone with more fat on their body.

Also, someone who is an infrequent user can expect to detox from weed within a week; this is especially so if the person only used cannabis once.

Yet, of all the methods for weed detox used today, perhaps the one which can most effectively eliminate THC from the body is exercise.

Two words of caution before detoxing:

First, be sure to consult with a physician before starting any exercise regime if overweight, over 40, have high blood pressure, or have not exercised seriously in the last six months.

Second, DO NOT exercise within 24 hours of taking a urinalysis (drug test). There is evidence that exercise increases concentrations of THC immediately following the workout. Exercising will help detox from weed but doing so too close to a drug test will almost certainly result in a less-than-favorable outcome.

For a complete list of the most effective ways to eliminate THC from your body, refer to the article Top 10 Ways to Weed Detox.

When someone wants or needs to detox from weed, they often turn to their friends for advice first. The advice they are often given ranges from the often-bizarre urban myths to reasonable, sound guidance, with every possibility between. So, we decided to provide what we believe to be the top 10 weed detox methods.

Detoxing from Weed: Dispelling the Myths

The myths for weed detox, or to put it more accurately, detoxifying from THC, are endless. It would not be possible to list every weed detox myth here, but some of the more common involve chemicals, common household products, and food/supplements.

When drug testing started a few decades ago, one of the more popular notions was to add bleach to a urine sample. It was said that this would ‘get rid’ of the THC and result in a positive test result. Trouble is, there is no “getting rid” of a chemical; one can either alter it or mask it; bleach does the latter. Drug testing facilities were quick to catch on and many tests now check for bleach. If bleach is found, the drug test is an automatic fail.

Another common weed detox is drinking cranberry juice. Although it contains high levels of vitamin C and is a diuretic, there is no evidence that cranberry juice detoxes THC from your body. Likewise, some reports claim that drinking vinegar diluted in water will dilute urine and rid THC from the body.

Unfortunately, these quick fixes to weed detox simply do not work!

Are There Proven Weed Detox Methods?

Yes, there are proven methods to detox weed which brings us to the topic at hand: Top 10 Ways to Weed Detox. Simply put, the human body will naturally detoxify within three months, usually half that, and in some cases in under a week.

The differences can be attributed to many factors including:

• Individual metabolic rate will play a role in how fast the body will detox from weed
• Cannabis consumption including: quantity, potency, and frequency. A user who smokes often will require longer to detox than someone who smokes every so often. Likewise, for higher potencies and greater quantities.
• Frequency and rigor of exercise plays both a role in metabolism and in burning fat, both of which play a role in detoxifying the body from anything.
• Daily water intake also plays a role in how well the human body excretes excess chemicals, nutrients, or general waste.
• BMI (Body Mass Index), a measure of the fat to muscle ratio. The higher the number, the more fat a person has on their body as a percentage of their total mass. Generally, an adult with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is average. Lower is underweight and higher is overweight.

Top 10 Ways to Weed Detox

In creating this top ten list of ways to detox from weed, we decided to rank the methods from least effective to the best. Thus, counting down from the number 10 spot:

10. Water Pills – Diuretics have long been used to weaken the concentration of THC in urine. These work to some extent, but their reliability and advisability are questionable. It is wise to consult a doctor prior to taking any medication for purposes other than described on the packaging

9. Bentonite Clay – has long been used as a detoxifying agent by many. Whether used while bathing, as a lotion, or ingesting in a glass of water, the volcanic ash is known to absorb impurities in the body. Where do you get it? In any makeup department. Whether it works for weed detox is questionable. Use at your discretion.

8. Detox Drinks & Kits – Many abound in the market today and most are little more than diuretics and anti-oxidant drinks. As with water pills and Bentonite Clay, whether these works or not is questionable, though some tout strong marketing messages.

7. Water/Dilution – One way to detox from weed is to drink plenty of water. Water is a universal solvent and is the key requirement for flushing the body naturally. Of course if needing to pass a urine screen, adding supplements such as creatine and B vitamins is recommended.

6. Sauna – As with water, a natural weed detox method is to sit in a sauna. The hot steam opens pores, drawing sweat from the body. Along with the sweat are toxins, salts, and other substances, including fat cells with tiny THC molecules clinging for life.

5. Fibre – Fruit pectin is one of the best ways to get enough fibre to flush the system of THC but be very careful when using this product. Too much fibre can interrupt regular gastro-intestinal system function. Fibre works at detoxing weed, but large amounts may be harmful to your system.

4. Vitamin C – The anti-oxidant properties in Vitamin C have been found to help flush the body of impurities. Some have used this to good effect when needing to rapidly flush the body of THC. For more on this, read the book, Ur-ine Trouble by Kent Holtorf, M.D.

3. Tea – Tea as well holds anti-oxidant properties which have been found useful in flushing the body of impurities. For weed detox, tea is a great option and tastes yummy.

2. Exercise – Because THC clings to fat molecules and the only way to eliminate fat from the body is to burn it, then burn it we must. One of the quickest ways to detox from weed is exercise. Sweating it out while directly burning fat will rapidly flush the THC from the body. Of course, if you are overweight or over 40 years old, be sure to consult a physician prior to starting a new exercise program.

1. Abstinence – It should go without saying, but we had to include this in the number one spot. Why? Because we have all heard of people who used some weed detox product yet continued to smoke marijuana.

Ways to Detox from Weed

We hope you found these top 10 ways to detox from weed both enlightening and entertaining. Just remember when trying to detox from weed: If you need to pass a test and want to be sure, stop smoking at least two weeks in advance.

Heavy smokers may need more time, light smokers may need less, but that is a good rule of thumb!