Pablo Luna
Social anxiety is on the rise. Many young people, when faced with an environment in which they need to interact with others, especially others they might not know intimately, begin to experience negative physical and emotional symptoms. As a result, many young people are beginning to avoid social situations altogether — but social isolation is equally bad for the human mind and body.
Some young people are beginning to utilize cannabis products as a means of improving their comfort and confidence in social environments. Here are a few ways to safely leverage marijuana as a pro-social tool:
Choose a Social Strain
The science of different strains is nebulous and a bit understudied, but researchers have found that different strains often inspire slightly different effects. Some believe this is the work of different concentrations of cannabinoids as well as terpene profiles, and in time, research will shed more light on the mechanisms of this phenomenon.
Until then, introverts and those with social anxiety can use the reputation of different weed strains to guide their pro-socialization purchasing decisions. Some of the most highly rated strains for social situations include:
- Banana Kush. Mixing the powerful euphoria of OG Kush with the sweet and mellow high of the Banana strain, this hybrid gives relaxed confidence to users.
- Strawberry Cough. Easily a favorite for its fresh-strawberry-field aroma, this strain also boasts a good amount of CBD for stress relief and a lower likelihood of paranoia.
- Bubblegum Kush. Another Kush descendent, this one is sticky-sweet and likely to make users relaxed and chatty, perfect for low-key get-togethers.
- Orange Bud. Like many citrusy strains, this one provides energy in addition to a lasting good mood. Thus, users naturally feel better equipped to tackle social environments.
If none of the above strains are available at one’s local dispensary, users can always ask budtenders and dispensary staff for recommendations on their favorite strain for encouraging a social attitude.
Use Small Doses
When one is feeling anxious, it is tempting to use a lot of a certain substance to mask those feelings faster. Unfortunately, large doses of marijuana will most likely make one’s social anxiety much, much worse. Though THC overdoses are not harmful or fatal (in healthy adults) their symptoms are exceedingly uncomfortable, ranging from nausea, paranoia, and rapid heart rate to panic, hallucinations, and seizures. Even on the mild end of the spectrum, too much THC is likely to put users out of the social mood.
It might be useful to experiment with weed as a pro-social tool by microdosing. Microdosing is using exceedingly small doses of cannabis, between 1 and 2.5 milligrams at a time, so the effects of the drug are not entirely noticeable. Microdosing is both discreet and keeps THC levels under control, making it a useful jumping-off point for reducing social anxiety.
Direct Focus Appropriately
Here is an important rule of thumb for using marijuana to improve sociability: One should direct one’s focus on the group, not on the drug. Those who suffer from social anxiety tend to avoid direct social contact by paying more attention to pets, houseplants, drinks, food, and almost anything other than the people around them. Unfortunately, focusing too intently on cannabis is likely to bring on an overdose, which as mentioned before only exacerbates feelings of anxiety and social uncertainty. Thus, using marijuana should not be one’s primary activity; socializing should be.
Consider Alternative Treatments
Weed is not the only solution for social anxiety. Though cannabis is readily available legally to adults in certain cities and states, it isn’t necessarily the best treatment option for those suffering from true, clinical social anxiety. Before dabbling with dope, those with social fears might talk to a mental health professional about their symptoms and viable treatment plans. For those still interested in partaking of the good green herb, mental health professionals can give more personalized guidelines for safety and effectiveness.
Recognize the Signs of Abuse
Though cannabis is not chemically habit-forming like nicotine, caffeine or cocaine, it is possible to develop a substance abuse disorder with the drug — especially when one is relying too heavily on it to experience emotions, like confidence in social settings. Anyone who uses marijuana regularly should monitor themselves for signs of growing dependency, like:
- Spending a significant amount of time participating in cannabis-centered activities
- Using cannabis in situations that are inappropriate or dangerous
- Failing to fulfill responsibilities at home, school or at work due to cannabis use
- Continuing to use cannabis despite a persistent desire to stop or cut down
Cannabis is a useful tool for socialization — as long as one knows how to use it safely. By following these guidelines, those suffering from social anxiety might find success in their endeavors.
