Smoker's Paranoia: How to Handle It
Most of us have been there. You’re enjoying a night with friends and you’re taking a seat in your smoker's room to enjoy your favorite pastime. Your excitement to finally enjoy the herbs you love somehow turns into a tense, edgy irritability. You can’t quite explain why, but suddenly you’re aware that your heart’s beating a lot faster. Your friend’s voices sound like distant echoes and your mind starts racing with negativity and suspicion. You don’t know how you got here, you just know you really don’t like how you feel.
Yes, you got it: the dreadful smoker’s paranoia.
The first time it happens, it’s awful, and if you didn’t know this was a possibility, it makes it so much worse. As an online headshop, smoking is our passion and we do what we can to promote the culture. Also, we think it’s important that all smokers know about the possible, occasional paranoia/anxiety, why they’re experiencing it, how they can alleviate it and more.
Why Is This Happening?!?!
First of all, you need to know this right off the bat: if you smoke and feel anxiety or paranoia, there’s nothing wrong with you. And you’re one of millions to have this particular reaction. Eventually it will pass and your tension will be gone before you know it.
Basically, this is a chemical reaction in your brain. Unfortunately, while it has a simple explanation, that doesn’t make it any less unpleasant to deal with. Certain compounds in popular herbs bind to specific receptors in our brains, including the amygdala.
The amygdala regulates our responses to fear, anxiety, stress and...paranoia. So on occasion, smoking delivers a huge wave of compounds to the brain that it wasn’t processing before. And researchers suggest that when this happens, we over-stimulate our amygdalas. Then, we start to freak out. It’s a simple, biochemical response.
Why You Could Be Feeling It
Obviously, not everybody experiences paranoia and anxiety when they smoke. (Which only makes the one smoker present feel even lonelier when they are). So, why are you the unlucky one going through it?
While there isn’t one definite answer, there are a few different variables that could potentially be the reason.
Some studies concluded that those who receive stimulation in their brain’s front region feel the good kind of effects, like relaxation, peace and overall contentment.
But with many, the back half of their brain has a higher sensitivity to their herbs. As a result, they sometimes, not always, experience the paranoia it can induce.
Also, some researchers believe that factors like gender, herb content and more can dictate the after effects, as well.
What You Can Do
Try CBD as an Alternative
Of course, this is the latest craze when it comes to health and wellness. There are a lot of reasons to try CBD, but paranoia is definitely one of them. Products with CBD deliver cannabidiols directly to our brain’s receptors (including the ones that regulate our emotions) and influence them in ways that can ease stress, anxiety and countless other mental/physical ailments.
Our diverse range of high-quality CBD oil products offer you the chance to take yours exactly how you want it and for your individual purpose. You can take a few drops daily in a simple tincture, enjoy the flavor of pre-rolls in smoke, or simply take capsules.
Smell Some Pepper!
While this suggestion may seem strange, there’s an actual science to it. Cannabinoids and terpenoids, like the ones in pepper, have similar chemical properties. This gives them a strange aromatic ability to counter the effects of your herb’s compounds when they’re a little overwhelming.
Conclusion - Toker Supply
We know that this kind of paranoia can be scary, and countless smokers have dealt with it before. Fortunately, as an online headshop we carry a lot of excellent CBD products that will help keep you calm and balanced, smoking or not. We love the community of online smokers, and we've always done our part to maximize your enjoyment in any way we can.