Vaping is possibly the most popular delivery method for hemp-based products, offering all kinds of distinctive advantages that users just can’t get enough of.  We all have our own reasons for consuming cannabinoids in vape form throughout the day, but one of the major uses is addressing stress and anxiety.  Let’s face it – many of us are dealing with stress and anxiety in our daily lives, and a little bit of natural relief never hurt anybody.  In fact, research continues to back up the notion that the cannabinoids in hemp can be profoundly useful to those of us who are looking for a sense of inner calm and ease. 

So, we are gonna take a closer look into what hemp vapes have to offer, specifically for those dealing with anxiety.

Anxiety: What to Know

Anxiety is a clinically diagnosed mood disorder that involves frequent feelings of worry, panic, dread, and a sense of general uneasiness.  In addition, anxiety causes physiological symptoms that vary in severity, including:

  • Weakness in the muscles
  • Increased heart rate
  • Headaches
  • Shaking
  • Digestive troubles
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Poor memory
  • Difficulty concentrating

Anxiety can vary in severity, and thus, can manifest in different ways.  Generalized anxiety disorder, for instance, describes a persistent feeling of worry, while social anxiety disorder refers to those who experience anxiety symptoms in social settings.  Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by frequent panic attacks. 

Still, what ties all of these types of anxiety disorders together is a dysregulated nervous system that believes it’s in danger.  A person with anxiety goes into “fight or flight” mode even when no true threat to their survival is present.  It can be debilitating, and even can interfere with a person’s ability to maintain relationships, a job, or their health.

Methods for Treating Anxiety

There are various methods for treating anxiety, and every individual who has anxiety should seek out treatment in order to get relief, and even manage their symptoms.  The most common methods for treatment include:

  •  Therapy: Different modalities of therapy, including CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), and general talk therapy, can all be useful ways to help a person manage anxiety symptoms and process trauma contributing to the disorder.
  •  Medication: There are lots of medications used to treat anxiety, including benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, etc.), and antidepressants (Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Prozac, etc.).  These medications can chemically manage anxiety symptoms by changing how the brain responds to stress.
  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices like yoga and meditation may help a person reduce their stress and anxiety levels.
  • Natural Remedies: There are many herbs and other supplements known to reduce anxiety symptoms by benefiting the nervous system.  These include lemon balm, lavender, ashwagandha, GABA, and more.

Note: If you do suffer from anxiety, we recommend talking to a medical professional in order to start finding a treatment method that works for you. 

Hemp for Anxiety: Does it Work?

To understand why so many people turn to the compounds in the hemp plant, we need to understand the relationship between cannabinoids (delta 8 THC, CBD, HHC, etc.), and the body’s nervous system.  The nervous system is where our stress response takes place, and is the source of an anxiety disorder.  It’s what causes the symptoms we feel when we panic, or experience worry.  Cannabinoids work directly with the nervous system via the endocannabinoid system, which is a complex system of the body that was discovered back in the 1990s.

The endocannabinoid system uses a network of cannabinoid receptors located mainly in the nervous system to regulate individual physiological processes.  When cannabinoids, like those found in hemp, attach to these receptors, the chemical reaction that occurs allows regulation to take place.  For instance, CB1 receptors in the central nervous system regulate things like serotonin uptake, sleep response, stress response, and more, which is basically the reason why so many people talk about feeling calmer after taking cannabis.

And, studies have been done over the last several decades to illustrate just how effective cannabinoids are at regulating our stress response.  CBD, aka cannabidiol, is a nonintoxicating cannabinoid that dominates the hemp plant’s composition, and has been found to be useful at addressing a number of anxiety disorder symptoms.  It’s a great choice for those who want relief without getting high.

Another popular choice is delta 8 THC, which has been found to act as an anxiolytic.  Delta 8 is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that’s 30% less intoxicating than delta 9 THC, and less likely to cause the paranoia that delta 9 may cause paradoxically in some users.  Many people describe the high of delta 8 as bliss-inducing, tranquil, and calming, and it’s actually quite popular to use as a sleep aid.

Cannabinoids have been used for centuries to address anxiety.  After all, cannabis is one of the most widely used substances around the world.  It has been for thousands of years even.  Keep in mind, too, that the medical marijuana industry in the United States considers PTSD, an anxiety disorder, as a qualifying condition.  In other words, it’s widely known by researchers that cannabis does play a role in alleviating anxiety.

The Strain Game

Cannabinoids are the dominant compounds in hemp, and the plant’s flowering buds contain over 100 individual cannabinoids in total.  But, there’s another category of compounds in hemp known as terpenes, which, unlike cannabinoids, are found in all plant species. Terpenes are responsible for the flavor and aroma of the plant, but they also carry with them their own unique benefits – including benefits related to anxiety.

Terpenes like linalool, myrcene, and limonene are particularly known for their anxiety-relieving properties.  Fortunately, there are lots of strains that are high in these terpenes, meaning that there are strains that are more suited for anxiety sufferers than others.  Some strains, in fact, aren’t recommended for those with anxiety, because they’re more stimulating, and could therefore make an anxious person feel edgy instead of relaxed.

When shopping for strains, we recommend looking up the different ones that are available, to see which ones are most highly recommended for anxiety.  Fortunately, it’s easy to find databases online that outline different strains and tell you whether or not they’re more calming or stimulating. 

Most people with anxiety find that they prefer indica strains.  Indica strains are classified by their higher levels of myrcene – again, a terpene that is known for its calming, almost sedative-like nature.  Indica-dominant hybrids are also popular, while it’s important to point out that there are sativa strains that happen to be great for anxiety, too.  And, the strain that’s perfect for one individual may not jive with another, so be open to experimenting until you find what works for you.

What Makes Vaping Uniquely Helpful for People with Anxiety?

There are all kinds of hemp-infused product types on the market, such as:

  • Gummies
  • Capsules
  • Tinctures
  • Flower
  • Topicals
  • Beverages

However, one product that continues to outsell is vapes.  So, what are vapes?  There are actually two main kinds of vaping products to choose from:

  • Vaping Product Type #1: Vape Cartridges – Aka “carts”, are 510-threaded glass cartridges that are filled with a vape oil made with a cannabinoid distillate and terpene extracts.  These cartridges are disposable, and they attach to a 510-threaded battery pen that is rechargeable and reusable. 
  • Vaping Product #2: Disposable Vapes – These are also pre-filled with a vape oil formula solely made from a cannabinoid distillate and terpene extracts, but in this case, you’re using an all-in-one, fully disposable vaping system that comes with a pre-charged battery.  When the vape oil runs out, the entire device is disposed of and replaced.  Disposables require basically no maintenance, and so, can be used as soon as they’re taken out of their packaging.

Both types of vaping products come in a wide selection of strains as well as cannabinoids.  So, it’s just about personal preference, in terms of which type of technology suits your needs better. 

Now, as it pertains to vaping hemp for anxiety, you’ve got a lot of advantages such as: 

  • Advantage #1: Not all hemp products come in a strain selection – this is something you’ll usually only find with inhalable products, like vapes.  We said earlier that the strain can have a lot to do with whether or not you find anxiety relief, so being able to choose a strain is important.
  • Advantage #2: vapes offer a distinctive type of experience.  They kick in quickly – 5-15 minutes or so – meaning that anyone dealing with a sudden feeling of anxiety can take a couple of puffs and know that relief is on the way shortly. 
  • Advantage #3: Offer a high level of potency because of how bioavailable they are.  Basically, the lung tissue allows the cannabinoids and terpenes to absorb more efficiently than with other delivery methods, so the effects are typically stronger.  The effects wear off in 1-3 hours or so, and after that point, you can just vape some more if you choose to do so.

What Should You Be Looking for When Selecting a Vape for Your Anxiety?

If you wanna pick up a vape for managing your anxiety, there are several key things you gotta look for in order to guarantee you’re getting the finest product possible. 

Tip #1: Choosing the Proper Strain

Again, the strain can impact your ability to find relief.  So, look through the strains that a brand offers, and find out which ones are more closely associated with relieving stress and anxiety than others.  Like we said, be open to experimenting, as some strains will be more effective than others.

Tip #2: The Right Cannabinoid

Another thing to pay attention to is the cannabinoid itself.  There are many different cannabinoids on the market, and some are more associated with anxiety relief than others.  CBD is a great one for those who don’t want to get high.  Delta 8 THC is, like we said, a relatively mellow psychoactive that’s closely associated with stress relief.  HHC is similar to delta 9, which, as we all know, is commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders. 

Tip #3: Lab Reports

Never buy a product without checking the third-party lab reports that come directly from the manufacturer.  These lab reports confirm that the product has been tested by a laboratory that’s registered with the state.  Here, you’ll find information about the safety, potency, purity, chemical composition, and legal compliance of the product.  Lab reports are the only way to be fully sure you’re getting a legitimate and safe product, so if a company won’t disclose them, avoid buying from them altogether.

Tip #4: Zero Additives

Vape oils used in hemp vaping products should contain zero additives – just cannabinoid distillate, and terpene extract.  If there are any other ingredients in the product, we recommend completely avoiding it.

Tip #5: Reliable Technology

You also want to know that the technology behind the vaping product is legitimate, so that it doesn’t conk out on you before you get to finish your vape oil.  The best way to do this is simply look at reviews left for the product in question, as you’ll quickly find out whether or not customers are satisfied.

How to Vape for Anxiety

Here, we will cover some additional strategies for how to vape in a way that’s most conducive to treating anxiety.  While vaping is mostly foolproof, there are a few important things to take notice of, as that way, you can get the most out of your hemp-based vaping experience.

  1.  Start Slow: It’s important to pace yourself as a beginner, since again, getting too high can backfire if you have anxiety.  Start with 1 puff if you’re a first-timer, and wait 10 minutes before taking another.  Over time, your tolerance will develop, and you’ll get a better feel for how much of a cannabinoid works for you.
  2. Be Consistent: Cannabinoids are cumulative when it comes to effectiveness.  The more consistently you use them, the more effective they become.  So, consider making vaping part of your daily routine.
  3. Don’t Be Afraid to Use Other Hemp Products: You can definitely use other hemp products while vaping.  For instance, gummies or tinctures that also help you with anxiety can be used alongside vapes.  Cannabinoids do not interact with each other in any negative way, and they’re nontoxic to the body.

What are the Best Vapes for Anxiety?

There are a lot of vapes on the hemp market these days, but some of them are more associated with great results among consumers who have anxiety disorders.  Let’s take a look at the best ones we’ve come across so far.

  • THCA Disposable Vape: This top-notch disposable is made with THCA, the raw precursor to delta 9.  When the vape oil is heated through the battery, the THCA naturally converts into delta 9, to offer a legal way to vape the most popular THC cannabinoid of all time.  We recommend the strain Forbidden Fruit, a 70% indica-dominant hybrid known for its sedating effects and ability to melt away stress.  It’s a euphoric strain that’s best left for nighttime use, since its heavy body high can make you feel like it’s time for bed.  The disposable contains a full gram of vape oil.
  • Good Vibez 2G Live Resin HHC+D8 Disposable: This disposable device from Good Vibez combines HHC and delta 8 THC to offer a superb duo of stress-busting cannabinoids, paired with live resin, which is a terpene extract that’s naturally more potent due to being made from fresh rather than dry-cured flower.  The result is very strong effects, with 2 grams of vape oil in total.  For those with anxiety, we love the Grape strain, which boasts a tasty grape flavor while being a super soothing indica that’s perfect for mellowing out an overstimulated nervous system.
  • Forge-HHC Cartridge w/ Strain Terpenes: This exceptional HHC vape cart is great for those who prefer to use their own 510 vape pen battery, and we love the strain options.  Pineapple OG is a great choice for someone looking for a daytime strain, since this one can help reduce anxiety and bring about a sense of euphoria paired with muscle relaxation, all without being so sedating that it causes the user to become sleepy and groggy.
  • Runtz x Litty THC-H Live Resin Disposable Vape: Not for the faint of heart, THC-H is the second most intoxicating cannabinoid in hemp, and so, can offer up a super powerful high that knocks anxiety and stress out of the system.  We love Mango Madness, a hybrid strain renowned for its ability to dissipate anxiety fast, as well as its super relaxing body high.

GreenLife Remedies offers a fantastic selection of vaping products that can help anxiety sufferers find a sense of inner calm.  Our products come in all kinds of cannabinoids, strains, and other options, so that everyone can find the perfect choice for them.  So, what are you waiting for?  Time to discover for yourself why the hemp plant is highly regarded for its ability to deliver natural relief and bliss.