When people hear the word marijuana, it’s possible they still associate it with Nixon’s famous label “public enemy number one,” in the 1970’s War on Drugs. By associating pot use with increased prison sentences, ‘rebellious’ hippies and medical danger, the fear around pot as an alluring home wrecker of domestic life was perpetuated in the circles of every standard middle-class family.
But thankfully, people said screw it. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, yes—but forbidden makes the mind grow curious. If you’re considering trying marijuana, it likely stems from that very reason: “what’s it like?”
And that’s a completely valid question! If you’re considering trying mother nature’s herb, but feel nervous, here are some alleviations to common fears.
Does it Make You Anxious?
The answer is, it’s different for a lot of people! A common reaction to Cannabis is the feeling of relaxed euphoria, or a “high.” Some people revel in and enjoy this sensation. Some may find the suppression of their own nervous system, well, unnerving.
While marijuana can certainly help reduce anxiety, depending on which kind you consume it may in fact produce feelings of fear or panic.
What to do about it:
Scared of floating away? (which is, by the way, a real reaction to getting high):
◆ Stand underneath a ceiling.
Feeling of impending doom:
◆ Watch your favourite TV show
◆ Eat something
◆ Talk with friends.
The possibilities are endless and up to what works best for you.
Is it Bad for Your Health?
Just as partying too hard with alcohol can lead to liver damage, Marijuana can have long term physical effects if not used responsibly and in moderation.
Know your own body:
It’s important to be aware of your own underlying health conditions before trying anything to affect your nerves. Additional issues may be:
● Short term memory loss
● Lack of ability to concentrate
● Reduced IQ
All depending on long term use and frequency.
Alternatives to smoking:
If you’re not into the physical effects smoking can have on the lungs, there are always different methods of consumption, such as:
● Brownies
● Pills
● Patches
● And many other dispensary options
Things to keep in mind:
Remember, all of these risks are amplified by age and current conditions; it’s best, even if you are of legal age to smoke cannabis, to control your intake and be cautious. Our minds don’t develop until we are around 25—so take care of it! If you’re not sure, you can always ask your doctor or a dispensary about whether cannabis is right for you.
Does it Make You Hallucinate?
If you’re uncomfortable with the possibility of a bad trip, it might be helpful to know pot is not as hallucinogenic as it may be dramatically depicted. It is important to be aware, however, that it does have an altering effect on your senses that may heighten or suppress them.
If you’re wondering how to take advantage of this, then once again, there are a thousand different ways:
● Go for a walk
● Put on something trippy
● Order a pizza
● Do a puzzle
Whether you’re looking just to chill out, or take advantage of some wild sensations, the best options are typically at home or somewhere familiar—Just remember never to drive. Not just for the sake of yourself, but for the sake of everybody else. Be responsible, but have fun! Remember, it’s not meant to be scary or dangerous. You’re meant to enjoy it, and if you don’t, then at least now you know.
Is it new?
If you’re worried about marijuana as something fresh and dangerous based on its prominence in the media, know that humans and hemp have lived in harmony since the BCE era. It may even pre-date written history. That’s a very, very long time! It means people might have been getting lit before they even knew how to write their names.
Its use isn’t!
Cultivated in Asia, the drug has a long history of both practical, pleasurable, and religious use. It was speculated in some cultures to be the drugs of Gods. So if your response to moral questions is “What would Jesus do?” know that he may have just passed the blunt. Henry the VIII, while not a progressive husband, was a supporter of hemp cultivation due to its importance in the Navy.
To sum up many, many years, cannabis has a rich history spread all over the globe, growing alongside humanity and civilization. The narcotic has jumped between legality and illegality throughout its discovery, due to differing cultures, technology, and ideologies—not just because of public ‘safety’. Remember, what is moral is not always legal; if history has taught us anything, it’s that.
As for today…
Now, at the tail end of that history, we have the ability to build our own opinions as to whether pot is right for us. While hemp is not a new friend to civilization, facts about health, long term effects, and advantages are much more accessible. Answers to all are just a google search away—just be sure to get your information from a reliable source.
So what do you think?
In the end, remember: while marijuana is considered one of the safer narcotics out there, the decision to try it is entirely up to YOU. Never allow yourself to be pressured, and never put yourself in a space where you don’t feel safe. But if you want to see what it’s all about, then power to you—grab a snack, some water (a LOT of water), put on a movie you’ve seen before and spiritually connect with human beings back before even pottery was invented.
Which makes you wonder, what did they use for bongs?
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