Currently, cannabis, also known as marijuana, is one of the most popular intoxicating substances globally. The laws criminalizing the drug are changing on a global scale.
In the US, most states and territories have established regulations to allow marijuana use for medical or recreational purposes or both. This has definitely contributed to marijuana being one of the most used and abused drugs in the country.
A 2018 survey estimated that 43.5 million Americans aged 12 and older had used marijuana in the previous year. With the widespread use of cannabis, the chances that you can have a bad experience with the drug are high.
How Bad Can it Get?
Without a doubt, the compounds in cannabis have many health benefits. People are quickly finding that out, and some are calling it a miracle drug.
However, the beneficial side of cannabis doesn’t disqualify the risks.
There’s no telling how using the drug can affect you, personally, whether you’re abusing it or not. You may have a bad experience from the get-go. It may also take a while before you see that side of the drug that’s not pleasant.
Cannabis affects people differently for many reasons, such as gender, genetics, health condition, and how much of the drug they consume.
Here are some bad experiences you can expect from using marijuana ranging from mild to severe complications:
● Unpleasant High
Marijuana has one well-known characteristic, and that’s getting you high.
The drug is rich in substances called cannabinoids, which are mainly linked to various health benefits. One of the cannabinoids known as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), has a strong effect on the mind. This intoxication is what’s known as a “high”.
Getting high on cannabis is typically safe. But there are situations where a bad high causes an adverse reaction that may land you in an emergency room.
Usually, a bad high can cause extreme anxiety, panic attacks, and even injuries.
● Mental Health Issues
Cannabis has a real risk to your mental health, especially if you’re a heavy user or you’ve been using the drug frequently for a long time.
A number of studies have revealed that the drug increases the risk of developing psychosis.
● Dependence and Addiction
About 30 percent of cannabis users develop some type of cannabis use disorder. These disorders tend to lead to dependence if they’re not addressed. In severe cases, dependent users develop an addiction.
While cannabis addiction isn’t that common, dependence pretty much is.
How to Move on From a Bad Cannabis Experience
While it’s easy for some people to put a negative experience with marijuana behind them, it’s a challenge for others.
Here are four tips to help you get better and move on:
1. Quit Using
The best way to make sure whatever happened to you doesn’t happen again is to stop using marijuana.
If marijuana affects you negatively, you may not be cut out for it. Perhaps your reaction is linked to your genetics. That’s not something you can just skirt around.
You can make the quitting process gradual by reducing how often you use the drug. This helps avoid relapsing.
2. Seek Support
Understandably, quitting isn’t much of an option for lots of people. If you’ve developed a dependency, giving up the drug may come with a range of uncomfortable side effects. You’ll most likely experience withdrawal.
It’d be best to get help from an addiction treatment center. Treatment will make it easier to get off the drug.
Your social circle or a support group can also help you stay accountable and focused on getting better.
3. Find an Alternative
Whether you had a bad reaction to marijuana or grew dependent on it, an alternative source of therapy may help.
If you were using marijuana for its health benefits, a negative experience might make you feel like you don’t have other natural options.
Well, that’s not true.
Psychedelic mushrooms are also making waves for their therapeutic properties.
For those interested in exploring this avenue, a potential option is to buy microdose shroom capsules.
Learn more about these magic mushrooms and the laws surrounding them here.
4. Use Marijuana Safely
Just because things went badly the first time doesn’t mean you must give up on cannabis, especially if you need it for medical reasons.
It’s possible to use marijuana safely to avoid bad reactions.
The first thing you need to do is figure out why you had a negative experience at all. When you find out what happened, you’ll be careful next time.
For instance, the way you ingest marijuana affects you in different ways. Smoking the drug puts you at risk of developing lung complications. You can instead use edibles because they’re generally safe.
Conclusion
Marijuana is a drug like any other, and without proper care when using it, you’d be risking harm.
If something unpleasant happens, however, you may need to seek help getting off the drug. Later on, you may decide whether to continue using safely or to find other alternatives.
