June 06, 2022

Incorporating THC into Your Wellness Routine

How's your wellness routine looking these days? If you're like most people, maybe it could use a little tune-up.

Life is hectic and stressful. We’re constantly on the go, trying to balance work, family, and social obligations. But when we don't take care of ourselves, we can end up feeling run down and exhausted.

Cannabis is rapidly becoming more mainstream as a way to boost well-being. Now that CBD and marijuana are more widely available, people are beginning to explore all the ways that THC can improve their overall wellness.

How can you include THC into your wellness routine? Keep reading to find out.

Which Products Contain THC?

Found in both the hemp and marijuana strains of cannabis, THC comes in many forms these days:

  • Cannabis flower
  • THC oil
  • THC capsules
  • THC vapes
  • THC topicals
  • THC edibles

THC can also be found in full-spectrum CBD products. These are called "full-spectrum" because they keep the full spectrum of flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabinoids intact (including THC!).

And don’t forget THC’s slightly milder relative, delta-8-THC. D8, another cannabinoid, has a molecular structure akin to THC. And delta-8’s effects are also very similar — but tend to be less intense when it comes to the high.

Benefits Of THC For Your Wellness Plan

THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives users a "high." But it can also offer a range of potential other benefits.

As we look into this cannabinoid, we find out more about its wellness potential. Science has found that THC may be beneficial for:(1)

  • Relaxation
  • Pain relief
  • Combatting nausea
  • Easing muscle spasticity

In addition, if you consume THC-containing products like dried cannabis flower or full-spectrum CBD gummies you may benefit from the entourage effect. In the entourage effect, it's thought that all the various compounds of the cannabis plant work synergistically to enhance the benefits of each other.

While cannabis is often associated with couch-locking and munchies, it can actually be a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some ways you can incorporate THC into your wellness routine.

Set The Morning Mood

Some people love to wake and bake. But if that's not your style, there are other ways to add THC into your get-up-and-go routine.

You could start your day with something gentler, like a full-spectrum CBD tincture mixed into your morning water, coffee, or tea. If you're looking for a calm, yet focused start, cannabis products higher in CBD and lower in THC could be a good option for you.

Full-spectrum CBD may fit the bill because it still contains a bit of THC, along with other cannabinoids that work together to facilitate the entourage effect.

For a little more of a kick in the pants, delta-8 might become your go-to. A D8 gummy can put some pep in your step.

Elevate Your Mindfulness Routine

When consumed, THC may cause euphoria, heightened senses, and relaxation.

This makes THC a uniquely great addition to a mindfulness and meditation routine. Consider trying a little THC before your next meditation session for a new spin on your mindfulness routine. As the THC starts to take effect, focus on all the sensations, and take note of what you're experiencing

You can play around with the senses by laser-focusing on one sense, such as hearing. And then switching it up to paying attention to everything around you.

Take Your Workout Routine To New Heights

Do cannabis and exercise go together? For some people, the answer is a resounding yes.

One study found that 80% of cannabis users reported using it during exercise.(2)

Why? Most claimed that it improves their enjoyment and motivation while working out. Many also cited recovery as a big motivator for using cannabis during workouts.

While we need some more investigation into how cannabis affects exercise performance, scientists have found cannabis to hold anti-inflammatory properties. Although, some studies suggest that THC alone isn't enough to cause an anti-inflammatory response, while THC + CBD can.(3) It could be that a full-spectrum cannabis product might work to provide muscle relief.

THC might be a great addition to your workout routine — especially if you're looking for a fun new way to get yourself up and moving.

A Potential Win For Skin

THC could have benefits for your skincare routine. Scientists have found that the body's endocannabinoid system is involved in regulating the skin.(4)

And phytocannabinoids like THC can interact with this endocannabinoid system to produce different effects.

  • One study found that cannabinoids like THC helped reduce the buildup of skin cells — a process that can lead to psoriasis.(5)
  • Cannabis also seems to have antibacterial properties.(6) And this has increased interest in its potential to treat acne.

Consider a THC-infused beauty routine to give your skin a little extra love.

Sleep Support

Many people who use medical marijuana and recreational marijuana say that they use it as a sleep aid. Research suggests that THC might offer some benefits for a few conditions that commonly cause sleep problems, like:

  • Chronic pain
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • PTSD-induced nightmares.(7)

If you need a little help catching some Zzzzs, a small dose of THC before bedtime could be your ticket to slumbertown.

Final Tips For Incorporating THC Into Your Wellness Routine

Your wellness routine is just that — yours. And incorporating THC is a personal decision. If you do decide to give it a try, start slow and low. Feel free to discuss your interest in trying THC as a self-care booster with your doctor — especially if you have existing health concerns or regularly take meds or supplements.

Remember, THC is a psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. So, consuming and using products with THC could intoxicate you. It's best to avoid operating heavy machinery or driving after using THC.

If you want to avoid the potential for intoxication, consider CBD. This cannabinoid is packed with potential wellness benefits, too. If you use a variety — like broad-spectrum CBD — that contains only a trace amount of THC (0.3% or less), you may still get the entourage effect but without the “downsides” of THC.

Of course, the level of effects you feel from THC all depends on the concentration of THC in the product you use, how much you use, and your physiology.

Lastly, THC may show up in drug tests. So if you're subject to regular drug testing, it might not be the best choice for you.

THC For Wellness: No Couch Potatoes Here

Whether it's a full-spectrum CBD or delta-8 gummy in the morning or an infused post-workout snack, THC and wellness go hand-in-hand quite well.

If you need to upgrade your sleep routine, enhance your mindfulness practice, give your skin a little extra love, or facilitate your exercise regimen, THC could be your new best friend.

Just start slowly as you get used to the effects to find what works best for you.

THC YOUR ROUTINE WITH FULL-SPECTRUM CBD OR D8

References

  1. (2017). The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice; Committee on the Health Effects of Marijuana: An Evidence Review and Research Agenda. National Academies Press https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK423845
  2. YorkWilliams, SL, et al. (2019). The New Runner's High? Examining Relationships Between Cannabis Use and Exercise Behavior in States With Legalized Cannabis. Frontiers in public health. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00099
  3. Henshaw, FR, et al. (2021). The Effects of Cannabinoids on Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines: A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies. Cannabis and cannabinoid research. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2020.0105
  4. Avila, C, et al. (2020). Cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pruritus: A review. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.01.036
  5. Wilkinson, JD, et al. (2007). Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis. Journal of dermatological science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2006.10.009
  6. Appendino, G, et al. (2008). Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure-activity study. Journal of natural products. https://doi.org/10.1021/np8002673
  7. Pacheco, D. (2022). Using Marijuana As A Sleep Aid. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/natural-sleep-aids/marijuana-for-sleep


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