It is the time of year when things tend to speed up at work, at home, and in politics….but can a gummy help you stop and take a breath? Politics are dominating the news, more people are back to the office and it seems the work load is heavier. Sometimes you just need a little down time. While marijuana has a reputation of getting stoned, can a gummy help you relax and unwind? Well, science says yes. Gen Z has embraced the trend as they are the first generation to be experiencing anxiety at an alarming rate.RELATED: The Best Refreshing CocktailsSome people reach for alcohol, a scented candle, or music to relax, but a study at John Hopkins has shown using marijuana at a lower dose can help the body and mind relax.Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid found in cannabis. It is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis and one of at least 113 total cannabinoids in the plant. identified in the plant. It interacts with receptors in the brain to produce feelings of relaxation and euphoria. But indulging too much can have a negative impact. Photo by Haley Phelps via Unsplash. While more research needs to be done, it is clear from research dosage it a key compartment with marijuana.  Gummies tend to have 5-10 mg, a lower amount than in a joint and easier to control than taking several hits off a vape.  Microdosing, which has become popular, provides an opportunity to take part of gummies just to smooth the rough edges of the day.

“People use cannabis to help reduce anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, but since THC levels vary widely, if a person overshoots their tolerance of THC, cannabis can induce anxiety rather than relieve it,” says study senior author Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. “Our study demonstrates d-limonene can modulate the effects of THC in a meaningful way and make THC more tolerable to people using it for both therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes.”

The research team concluded combining d-limonene with THC significantly reduced subjective indicators/reports of THC-induced anxiety in participants. These reductions were greater as the dose of d-limonene was increased. RELATED: 5 Morning Activities To Help You Feel HappierAdditionally, they saw no interference with THC’s subjective, cognitive or physiological effects when co-administered with d-limonene, as well as no effects from d-limonene alone that differed from the placebo test.If anxiety is frequent, it is important speak to a health professional to develop a routine for long term help.

The Fresh Toast is a daily lifestyle platform with a side of cannabis. For more information, visit www.thefreshtoast.com.

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